Savage storm (5 page)

Gabrielle raised her hand quickly, "Mr. Royal, I have my own horse, will I be permitted to bring him?"

Jason had not even considered how Gabrielle had gotten from Liberty to Kansas City by herself, but he responded with a smile. "If the horse can carry your valise I'd say he's brute enough to make the trip, but I warn you, we'll lose many a horse to Indians all along the route. If he's stolen no effort can be made to recover him."

"I understand." Gabrielle had no intention of allowing the stallion she'd raised from a colt to be stolen by any man, Indian or white, but if he were, she'd certainly get him back herself. Knowing an open declaration of such a vow would only make the situation between Jason Royal and herself even more difficult than it already was, she simply smiled as if she agreed with his terms. There were several more questions which were concerned with minor details. He answered them quickly and then excused himself to run his errand.

Since the carriages were coming from the same livery stable where Gabrielle had boarded her horse, when Jason left to summon the transportation for the others she hurried to catch up with him. "I didn't realize I'd be the only one to bring my own horse," she commented anxiously, hoping she had not caused the young man a problem he'd not foreseen.

Noting her troubled expression, Jason halted abruptly, but he had to let several people pass them on the sidewalk before he could reply. "One more horse matters little. Miss MacLaren, and I'll be happy to pay the bill for his stay last night. We can simply tie him behind one of the carriages if you'd rather not ride him today."

Gabrielle considered his question thoughtfully before she replied. ''If the others will be riding in the carriages I should too, since it will afford us the opportunity to become acquainted."

Surprised she'd have thought of such a good point when he hadn't, Jason promptly agreed, but when the groom brought out her horse he could only gape. Rather than the gentle gelding he'd imagined her to own, the animal was so high spirited a stallion the frightened lad could scarcely hold him. Gabrielle, however, took the reins and by talking softly to the magnificent animal soon stilled his anxiety with no more than abundant affection and a calm, gentle touch. After only a few moments her stallion seemed sufficiently reassured by her return to stand at her side without further complaint.

Embarrassed that the horse had behaved so badly, Gabrielle

quickly apologized for him. "He is unused to being away from home as you can see, Mr. Royal. He is not usually as nervous as this. Unfortunately, there was no way for me to explain to him yesterday afternoon that he had not been abandoned.''

Jason found it difficult to believe so slightly built a young woman could possibly handle such an animal, but the stallion was standing quietly now as she stroked his velvety soft nose lightly. A roan, his reddish brown color was only slightly lighter than his mistress' hair. He had four white stockings and a white blaze that gave his glossy coat a handsome accent. In all respects, he was as great a beauty as his mistress.

"What do you call him?"

"MacLaren's Sunrise is his name, but I've always thought that a bit pretentious and prefer to call him Sunny instead," Gabrielle explained with a smile. She was very proud of her horse and could tell by Jason's interest he was favorably impressed.

"Sunny he is then." Jason continued to give the stallion an admiring glance while he waited for the carriages to be brought to the front of the stable. "How did you manage to convince that overprotective aunt of yours to allow you to ride this beast?"

At that question, Gabrielle gave him a disapproving glance from beneath her thick fringe of dark lashes. "Naturally she preferred that I hitch him to our buggy, but he is a fine mount and gives me no trouble." She did not expand upon her aunt's opinions, but it was apparent she felt the woman had been as wrong about Sunny as she had been about everything else.

"I'm glad to hear it. However, if he's too much for you I'll insist you ride a more docile horse and we'll use Sunny to pack provisions." Jason had no intention of wasting the animal's obvious strength when it could be put to a good use.

"You'll do no such thing!" Gabrielle responded indignantly.

With an impatient sigh, Jason responded tersely. "Miss MacLaren, as I believe I told you, I am in charge of the entire

wagon train and if youMl not promise to obey my orders you'll be left behind!'' Jason put his hands on his hips, determined that he'd damn well end any argument promptly.

Gabrielle took a deep breath before trying to speak in a more responsible tone. ''You know how much this trip means to me. You needn't threaten me; I'll be most cooperative since I have no other choice."

"See that you remember that fact, Miss MacLaren, because I'll not remind you of it again!" Grabbing the stallion's reins from her hands, Jason led the horse out to the three carriages which were now lined up in front of the stable and tied him securely to the rear of the last one. When he turned, he saw that Gabrielle had started walking back toward the hotel. The proud line of her back and the length of her stride plainly disclosed her angry mood. He was tempted to go after her and send her home. Clearly she was going to try his patience to the limit every step of the way, but although she had an enchanting beauty, he was uncertain that the delights her charms promised would be worth the aggravation. As if he could read Jason's thoughts. Sunny snorted derisively, defending his mistress with a toss of his finely shaped head.

"Don't worry. Sunrise. I'll ride you myself before I'll make a pack mule of you." Jason slapped the horse's rump playfully as he walked away, intent upon loading his charges into the carriages and beginning the trek to Independence.

When Gabrielle reached the hotel she found Clayton Home had the others waiting amidst heaps of luggage, and it was obvious that the directions the young women had been given about limiting their belongings had been disregarded. She had bound her books separately that morning to lighten the weight of her suitcase. Then she had asked the desk clerk to send her things out to the steps so she'd be ready to board a carriage.

While Clayton seemed to think that since the carriages had carried their assembled baggage three wagons could also, Jason surveyed the mound of luggage with dismay and explained

through clenched teeth, "There has got to he something each of you can leave behind. When you find your wagon has to be unloaded five or six times each day to prevent the wheels from becoming permanently stuck in the mud when we ford streams, then you'll begin throwing away your heaviest items first. Let's start doing it now!" He walked among the young women, offering suggestions for each until he came to Gabrielle.

"I have just this one bag, and I will be responsible for it." Gabrielle was certain Jason Royal would think a woman needed no more than one dress, but she had already sorted her belongings at home and had brought only those she could not do without. All the other young women had come with a relative or two who could take any rejected article back home, but she was alone and so had no one who'd want her castoffs should she have any, which she was certain she hadn't.

Jason paused no more than a moment in front of the auburn-haired beauty. "You have shown such remarkable restraint. Miss MacLaren, I'll not ask you to discard anything unless you'd like to leave a book or two."

Gabrielle thought he might be testing her. However, his glance seemed friendly, not challenging, so she responded confidently. "I prize my books most dearly of all."

"Then keep them," Jason muttered under his breath before he moved on, but he was pleased she'd seemed to be in a compromising mood for a change. He turned back and smiled, a sly teasing grin which made her blush. Laughing at that unexpected reaction he moved on, encouraging the others to lighten their loads so they could depart in time to reach Independence by midafternoon.

More than an hour passed before he was satisfied he'd convinced his charges to leave a significant amount of luggage behind, and so Jason was unprepared for the lengthy leave-taking which followed. Embarrassed fathers hugged their daughters shyly, brothers simply kissed their cheeks, but their mothers and sisters wept openly at seeing their loved ones

depart when they knew they'd most Hkely never see them again. He overheard more than one comment ahout precious little grandchildren who'd never be seen and had to turn away. It was a heart-wrenching scene yet he saw the determination in the young women's faces and knew each was happy with the choice she'd made regardless of her relatives' pain. Clayton and he had thought twenty a manageable number, and twenty-one no different, but as he looked at the brides they would be escorting he now saw each as an individual with romantic dreams lighting her eyes. He suddenly hoped none of them would become ill or injured on the journey, or become sorry they had decided to make such a perilous trip to wed a stranger. He could not help but feel responsible for their happiness, and as he glanced over at Clayton he could readily see from the man's worried expression that he suddenly had the same misgivings. Cabrielle was standing at his friend's side. With no one to bid her farewell she seemed so alone he felt drawn to her and was tempted to walk over to speak with Clayton on one pretext or another so he could include her in their conversation, but he forced himself to remain aloof. He wanted simply to teach her a lesson, to show her love was meant for the living to enjoy. Unwilling to become as loyal to her as her stallion, he stood alone too, vowing he'd show her no special treatment. Meanwhile he wished he could think of some clever means to inspire the other young women to bid their families a final goodbye.

Clayton was as moved as Jason by the tearful farewells. Finally, able to stand no more, he withdrew from his pocket the list he'd made and announced it was time to load and board the carriages. After the drivers had stowed the luggage aboard the appropriate vehicles, he helped each young woman into her assigned carriage, then climbed up beside the driver of the second while Jason took his place beside the driver of the first. As they started down the road all those left behind waved and blew kisses, calling out last goodbyes in voices choked with tears, while the young women leaned from the carriage

windows to reply with far more optimistic farewells. Sunny, his glossy red coat glistening in the sunshine, trotted along behind the third carriage in which his mistress rode. He seemed to be the only traveler untouched by the sadness of their departure and unaware of the great adventure which lay ahead.

^Aa/ilejo Jr^^

As soon as the excitement of Kansas City had been left behind an uneasy silence fell upon the occupants of the carriage. E^ch looked curiously at her companions, uncertain what was expected of her now, until one young woman leaned forward. She pushed her blond curls off her forehead, and her conversation became so animated she often repeated the gesture.

"I think we should introduce ourselves since we'll be together for the next several months. The sooner we become friends the better it will be for all of us." With an enthusiastic smile she continued. "My name is Barbara Renwick."

Gabrielle was seated on the opposite side, by the far window, so she waited a moment for one of her companions to respond. When none did, she volunteered her name. "I'm Gabrielle MacLaren and I, too, hope we can become good friends and remain so once we reach Oregon City."

"You're not serious!" A brown-eyed beauty with glossy black curls scoffed rudely. She held herself proudly, clearly having a great deal of self-confidence. "Where men are concerned, women cannot possibly remain friends."

"You sound as though you speak from vast experience. Miss? . . ." Gabrielle hesitated, hoping the haughty woman would supply her name.

"Stewart, Iris Stewart. But since you are dressed in black I assume you are a widow and must know something of men yourself. Fm surprised Mr. Home would accept a widow, or that you would apply. Did your late husband leave you penniless?"

Gabrielle found herself the object of six pairs of curious eyes at that question, but since she and Beau had not been married she'd never thought of herself as his widow. Her grief had been every bit as deep, however, and she hesitated before replying. "It is my aunt who just passed away. As she was the only mother I have known, it seemed to me to be disrespectful to dress in more colorful clothing today but I will put these garments away tomorrow. I have never been married, nor do I believe from Mr. Home's comments that any of the others have either. Miss Stewart."

After a moment's silence the young woman seated opposite Gabrielle spoke. She was very pretty, with hair the golden shade of ripening wheat and eyes of a vibrant green. "I'm Erica Nelson and I'm curious as to why you think it will be impossible for us to become friends. Miss Stewart."

Clearly bored by having to respond to what she considered so obvious a question. Iris yawned, pausing to cover her mouth before she explained. "It is clear to me from the sketches we were shown, as well as from what Mr. Home said about the men, that some are far more attractive and successful than others. I plan to marry the man who can provide whatever comforts I desire; I'll settle for no less and you women would be foolish to do otherwise. We will all, therefore, be interested in the same two or three men. Whatever friendship you think we'll develop in our travels will end abruptly then."

Gabrielle glanced over at Erica and saw by her perplexed expression that she also disagreed with Iris' comments. "I for one am more interested in my future husband's character than in whatever wealth he may have accumulated before I arrive. Many of the men are young. They can't be expected to have achieved the goals they will eventually attain. I think one of

the joys of marriage is building a life together."

Iris shrugged disdainfully, positive Gabrielle's views were idiotic. "Fine. You marry one of the lads. I will marry a mature gentleman who will be the husband I deserve."

"Oh, Tm confident you'll get what you deserve. Iris," Gabrielle replied sweetly and when Erica began to giggle she knew she'd made a friend. Since the young woman seated beside Erica had not joined in the discussion as yet, Gabrielle encouraged her to introduce herself to the others. "Won't you please tell us your name?"