Candace McCarthy (8 page)

Joanna gasped with pain and hid behind a huge oak. From her hiding place, she observed the pair kissing, then talking in earnest. Devastated by the sight, she turned away to head blindly back toward the village.

 

“Well?” Michael Burton rose from his seat when he saw his brother. “Are you going to go after her?”

John shook his head as he entered his late father’s study, and sat down in a chair that faced Michael’s desk. “It’s too soon. She would have barely reached the New World.”

“You’ve got to find her, John. You’ve got to marry her and soon.” Michael came out from behind the desk to pace the room. “We need money, and we need it fast. You should have married her before she left. The Neville estate is worth a hefty sum, and it borders our property.”

John nodded. The land would be a tidy bonus that would help them regain their losses and make them wealthy as well.

“What do you think I should do?” John asked. He didn’t know how long Joanna would be gone. There were many factors that might determine the length of her absence . . . the ship voyage, whether or not the vessel made it in three months or four . . . her length of stay, whether or not she decided to stay a month with her cousin, or two. Then there was the return journey. She could be away for possibly ten months, or more. He said this to his brother.

Alarmed, Michael froze in the act of pacing. “Ten months! We can’t wait much longer!” He went back to his seat and opened a ledger. “Our debts are mounting. We need money. Roderick’s death has made this all the more difficult; you know that he wanted the girl to marry you.”

John sighed. “Aye, I know.” Joanna Neville was an attractive enough woman, but it was her fortune that lured him, nothing more. “I don’t understand how you expect me to handle this. I’m here in England, and she’s in the New World.”

“Send someone to find her.”

“ ’Tis four months’ journey by ship! Who?” John asked.

Michael scowled. “I don’t know. You must know someone capable to do the deed. One of her own men?”

John looked thoughtful. “Perhaps.” He rubbed his temple where his head had begun to throb. He hated to worry about such things. He had enjoyed managing Neville Manor these past months, and wondered if he would be allowed the same freedom at overseeing after his and Joanna’s wedding. She could be a willful female, he thought. Would she agree?

Tired of the conversation and the concern, John made a decision as he stood. “I’ll see whom I can find.” It wouldn’t be easy to find someone willing to make that long journey to the Colonies. It wasn’t a place any sane person, who wasn’t desperate or a criminal, would want to go. Why hadn’t he thought of this when Joanna had told him she was going? Because he’d been too happy to learn that he’d be taking over for her, he thought.

“Could you borrow some funds to tide us over?” Michael asked worriedly.

“Without chance of her suspecting?” John asked.

His brother nodded.

“I’ll see what I can do. How much do we need to get by?” John asked.

Michael named a figure, and John agreed to get the money and alter Joanna’s books to hide the deed.

 

 

When Joanna returned to the village, she saw the men gathering in readiness to depart. After a brief look, she averted her glance and headed toward her wigwam, struggling to banish the painful image of Fireheart and Moon Dove.

The men had formed a circle; someone was in the center, talking quietly with them. They broke apart, drawing her attention as Joanna walked past them. She stopped, stunned, when she saw Fireheart talking with her cousin’s husband Rising Bird.

She frowned and stared at the acting chief. If Fireheart was there, who was the brave at the lake?

Her spirits lifted. Joy swelled in her chest, and she stopped to gaze at him longingly. He noticed her presence as he finished the conversation, his dark gaze catching hers across the yard. As Rising Bird left, Fireheart approached.

“Autumn Wind.”

His beloved face caused her to catch her breath. She beamed a smile at him. “Fireheart.”

His brow furrowed as he studied her. “You have been crying.” He reached out to touch her cheek.

She nodded. She didn’t see any reason to deny it when the evidence was there. And it no longer seemed important, for she had been mistaken. It hadn’t been Fireheart and Moon Dove kissing, embracing.... It had been Moon Dove and another brave. Who? That thought would be a matter to consider later. Right now she just wanted to enjoy her brief moment with Fireheart.

He continued to study her, his dark eyes intent on her expression, his finger tenderly tracing her jaw. “What is wrong?”

“Nothing,” she answered. “Now.” She placed her hand over his where it had settled on her cheek.

His brow cleared as if he sensed that she had spoken the truth. “I was just going to look for you. I leave with Rising Bird and the warriors for Bear Paw’s village to the north.”

“I thought you would go,” she said without surprise.

He arched his eyebrows. “You know me this well?” He turned his hand, and captured her fingers to bring them to his lips.

Her expression was as soft as her smile. Her hand tingled as he kissed it. “I learned a lot about the man Fireheart last night. Fireheart, the chief, would not stay behind while his men ventured out alone.” Her stomach quivered as she thought of him facing the enemy. She could not disguise the fact that she was worried about him.

He kissed her palm, before lowering it, still held between his hands. “You will be here when I return?”

“I will be here,” she promised, knowing that she wouldn’t leave until he had returned safely. She didn’t want to leave at all.

He pulled her away from the village and into the forest, away from prying eyes. He paused when they were hidden. There, he released her hand and cupped her face. “You will think of me?”

“Kihiila,”
she murmured with feeling. “Yes, I will . think of you.”

“Joanna—” he began.

A sharp cry from the direction of the village drew Fireheart’s attention. “They are calling for me. It is time.”

Joanna’s blood chilled. “Please be careful, Fireheart. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

His lips curved. “To this warrior?”

She nodded.

“Fear not, little one. I will return to you.”

His words thrilled her. He would return to her, she thought.

“Go now,” she said gently, knowing that he could stay no longer. She wanted desperately to kiss him.

She could read it in his eyes; he wanted it, too.

With a harsh groan, Fireheart gave in to the urge first, bending to give her a kiss. Her pulse raced and her heart sang with joy.

He lifted his head. “Joanna—”

She grabbed him, pulling him down for one more kiss. “I will be here,” she said, and pushed him on his way. If she didn’t, she would likely detain him longer . . . and she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions if he stayed.

 

 

The men left, and Joanna went about life in the village with a fear that overwhelmed her. She cared for Fireheart. She thought she might be falling in love with him, which was a ridiculous thing to do since she couldn’t stay. She had to return to England.

Her servants had been urging her to go. In bed that night, Joanna lay, debating what to do until she realized that she had no choice in the matter. She would send Cara and Harry home, and she would stay longer. Cara and Harry could assure John that she would be returning soon. No doubt he was wondering, worrying about them after all this time.

The next morning when she told them the news, Harry and Cara were overjoyed until they learned that she would be remaining.

“I’ll be fine,” Joanna assured them. “You’ve forgotten I spent my childhood here. My cousin is here, and many of my friends.”

“But what shall we tell Master Burton?” Cara asked, obviously not looking forward to the meeting.

“Tell him that I will return in a few weeks.” A few weeks after Cara and Harry arrived in London would give her plenty of time to wait for Fireheart, time enough, too, to spend days with him.

Fireheart must marry Moon Dove, she reminded herself.

She frowned. Would the marriage be Moon Dove’s choice?

Joanna couldn’t forget the sight of Moon Dove wrapped in another man’s arms. Fireheart deserved a wife who loved him. Would Moon Dove give him the love he needed?

As if Joanna’s thoughts had conjured her up from air, Moon Dove appeared from the doorway of a wigwam. Joanna debated whether or not to speak with her, then thought better of it. It wasn’t her business, was it?

Studying the Indian maiden, Joanna felt a spurt of jealousy as she pictured the woman as Fireheart’s wife.

She loved Fireheart, she realized. She must! It was too late to save her heart. Why else would she be concerned with Fireheart’s future happiness? Whether or not he would be happy with Moon Dove?

I love him,
she thought with awe. And she wanted only the best for him....

 

 

The braves crept silently toward Bear Paw’s village. Rising Bird held up a hand, and everyone stopped to listen to the forest sounds.

The sun was bright, and the smell of smoke was in the air. The Lenape braves kept low as they began to inch closer and closer with Rising Bird in the lead, and Fireheart behind him. Rising Bird was an experienced war chief; Fireheart trusted him, and wouldn’t think of using his authority to take his position.

Rising Bird signaled to one of the braves, Turtle That Hops, and the warrior slipped past the others into the village.

Suddenly, there was a wild cry like an owl. It was Turtle That Hops calling to his friends.

Rising Bird glanced at Fireheart who nodded and waited for the man’s lead.

The warrior signaled back with a birdcall, then the Lenape war party entered the village.

 

 

Four days later, they returned to Little River during the night with Red Dress and several women and children from Bear Paw’s tribe. Hearing their call, the villagers came out of their wigwams to greet them.

Joanna emerged to see Mary run to embrace her husband. Heart thumping hard, she searched for Fireheart and couldn’t find him. She saw Turtle That Hops being hugged by his wife. Then she realized that there were women and children in the village whom she’d never seen before.

People from Bear Paw’s village? she wondered. Since the Iroquois seldom left survivors to tell about their raids, surely this was a good sign.

Although it was still dark, someone had stoked up the community cook-fire. Dogs barked and ran about the children. The kettle above the fire already emitted the scent of simmering meat.

After ensuring that their loved ones were safe, the women gathered with the visitors, chatting and talking in earnest. Joanna heard a burst of laughter from a group she could not see behind the women, and the merriment made her smile as she searched again for Fireheart.

Where is he?
The smile fell from her lips when she didn’t see him.

Her stomach contracted. Was he safe? The people wouldn’t be in a celebratory mood if their chief had been killed or injured—even an acting chief. Some of the tension eased out of her at the thought.

Mary saw her and approached.

Joanna smiled a greeting. “I saw Rising Bird.”

Her cousin grinned. “He is well. So are the others. The Iroquois raided the village, but Bear Paw’s men were able to chase them away.” Her expression became solemn. “Two warriors died. Bear Paw asked that the women and children of his village come to Little River for a time until the threat of the enemy is gone. He believes the Cayuga war chief will return soon with more men.”

Fear had gripped Joanna when she heard about the two warriors’ deaths. “The braves who died—”

Mary studied her with a knowing look. “They were not from our village, but Bear Paw’s.” Her gaze fastened on something behind Joanna. “If you are looking for Fireheart, look no farther, for he is behind you, speaking with Wild Squirrel.”

“Wild Squirrel!” Joanna exclaimed. She spun, and set eyes on an incredible scene. The ailing chief had come out of his wigwam to greet his nephew. Happiness filtered through her at the sight of the chief, looking so well, and her beloved Fireheart who had returned to her safely as promised.

Fireheart glanced over to find Joanna studying him. She didn’t move, didn’t smile. The brief look he gave her was all she needed to wait patiently for him to come to her later.

She was in the forest picking berries when he finally sought her out.

“Autumn Wind.”

She spun, gasping. “Fireheart, I didn’t see you!”

He came to her, took her basket. He popped a plump blackberry into his mouth and chewed slowly. “Good.” He smiled, reached for another berry, and held it to her lips.

Joanna grinned, then opened for his offering. The amusement left her face when she caught him staring at her mouth as she ate the berry. The fruit had never tasted so sweet. Warmth pooled in her abdomen as she gazed up at him with longing. It was if he’d kissed her without touching. “Fireheart,” she whispered hoarsely.

“I came back safely.”

She nodded. “I see.”

“You are happy that I have returned?”

She swallowed against a throat that had suddenly become dry.
“Kihiila.
Was it terrible?”

He shook his head. “Bear Paw and his men fought bravely. They have forced the enemy away, but we must watch for the Cayuga’s return.”

He smiled. Still holding her basket, he took her hand. “Come. You have berries to pick.”

She glanced into the basket. “I have enough.”

“No,” he said, “you need more.” He gave her a look as he gently squeezed her hand. “I know a good place for berries.”