Through the Fire (The Native American Warrior Series) (23 page)

“
Many things are not possible. Yet we wish.” She linked her arm through his. “Though there is but one of me, we can still be friends and sit together. If you are willing to risk Shoka’s wrath, I should be grateful for your company.”

“
You think I will refuse you?”

“
No. But first, take me to where my cousin is kept. I haven’t spoken with Logan yet.”

“
Becca, Wabete does not wish this, nor Shoka. Wait until we go from here.”

“
What harm can come of it?”

“
Have you hidden a knife in your petticoats to free him?”

“
Do you really think I could steal Shoka’s blade without him noticing? Just let me see Logan for a few minutes.”

He sighed.
“Speak fast.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder in gratitude then tiptoed with him past her sleeping sister. The men sitting in small clusters among the fragrant cedars and sweet gums paid them little notice as they passed. Not far into the trees they came upon three more seated warriors keeping an eye on the captives.

She spied two white men bound to either side of a broad maple. “Could I speak with Logan alone?”

“
Make haste. Remember, I am watching you,” Meshewa warned, and gestured her on. He remained with the guards.

The lieutenant slumped against the tree, head nodding on his chest. He didn
’t even glance up at her approach, but the younger captive turned his head like a watchful dog.

Even in the ebbing light, she saw the resemblance Logan bore to Kate. Chestnut hair with a slight curl fell to his shoulders. Widening brown eyes lifted to hers, intriguingly flecked with gold, like her mother
’s. His nose also reminded Rebecca of her mother’s, well formed with aquiline lines; it complimented his strong chin, not too angular like some in the family. Smooth-skinned and handsome, he’d escaped the ravages of smallpox and youth.

A sprinkling of brown whiskers dusted his chin and he was larger than she
’d expected, almost a young man. If he were standing, she guessed he’d be above average in height, though not as tall as Shoka. The cord looped around his chest pinned both arms to his sides and he couldn’t move.

What different expectations she
’d had of this first meeting with her kin. She wished she had the blade Meshewa feared she did and could free him.

“
Cousin Rebecca?” he asked.

She knelt beside him on the leafy earth.
“Yes.”

“
You’re every bit as bonnie as Tom said you’d be. I guess you know him as Lieutenant McClure.”

“
Yes. Thank you.” She reached for the hand Logan couldn’t lift more than a few inches and held his fingers, cooler than hers from lack of circulation. “Are you two good friends?”

“
I’ve known Tom since I was a lad. Our families are from the same neck of the woods. His younger sister, Kira, lives with my aunt and uncle now that their folks are gone.”

Rebecca envisioned the close bonds that must exist between these hardy Scot
’s settlers, so vital to survival in these harsh ridges. “Are your relations and the girl at Warden?”

“
Shouldn’t be. They have a stout stone house to fort up in.”

“
Thank God for that. I’m glad you and Lieutenant McClure have each other.”

“
Aye. It’d be a sight more unbearable tied up here without him.”

“Ah, Logan. I never imagined we would meet as captives.”

“
I never imagined we would meet at all.”

“
You couldn’t know Kate and I were trying to reach you.”

“
What a time to choose for a journey, the middle of a bloody war.”

“
I know.” She fingered the buckskin cord wrapped around his middle. “I hate seeing you kept in this state.”

“
It could be far worse.”

“
Not for you. Shoka promised me.”

Logan seemed puzzled.
“Why should he do this?”

“
Because you are my kin, and I’ve precious few left.”

“
What is that to him?”

“
Shoka and Wabete are brothers. One will honor the other’s request.”

“
I don’t understand,” he said.

“
Shoka cares for me.”

“
I see. Your beauty serves you well.” Logan nodded at Meshewa, just visible watching them through the twilit trees. “Tom spoke of this brave’s fondness for you.”

She flushed to her toes at what else Lieutenant McClure might have said considering the last time he saw her. Entirely too much of her.
“Meshewa also, but Shoka––” She halted, reluctant to confide the truth and trigger the inevitable fury, wanting to savor a moment with Logan first.

“
Shoka cares more?” he persisted.

There was no acceptable way to tell him other than to just plunge ahead.
“He has made me his wife.”

Logan lurched in his bonds.
“Good God. Anything’s better than torture, but his wife? If only I could aid you.”

She braced herself.
“No need. I return his affection.”

His eyes shot open in disbelief, then narrowed.
“How can you care for a bloodthirsty, thieving Indian?”

His outraged response rose well above a whisper.

The three warriors keeping watch looked in their direction. Meshewa’s attention was already fixed on them. “For pity’s sake, Logan. Keep your voice down. Do you want everyone coming over here?”

He whispered fiercely.
“I can scarcely believe my ears. My cousin enamored with a damn savage.”

“
Shoka’s no savage. He speaks fluent English and reads.”

“
I don’t care if he talks like a damn lawyer. He is what he is, Rebecca.”

She leaned in closer to him.
“All the better, for your sake. His regard for me is the reason you were spared, though perhaps Wabete would have chosen to adopt you anyway.”

“
Adopt?”

“
Didn’t they tell you?” she whispered.

“
No. I’m relieved to hear it but would far rather be free.”

“
Of course you would. I haven’t the power to free you.”

“
Couldn’t you charm my captor as well and make him do your bidding?” he sniped.

She sat back on her heels.
“My charms are lost on him.”

“
Pity. Tell me, dear cousin, do you know what’s happening while I sit here trussed up like a plucked chicken?”

“
Yes. They are ill tidings. Warriors are at the fort, readying for an attack in the morning.”

“
Hell. There’s not a blessed thing I can do about it.”

“
No. But there may be something I can do.”

“
Have you any influence with the chief or that French bastard they’ve brought in?”

“
Hardly likely,” Lieutenant McClure interjected from the other side of the tree. “She cursed Black Knife and attacked
Capitaine
Renault. Caused quite a stir in camp.”

Logan thumped his head against the trunk.
“Good Lord.”

She peered around at the shaded contours of the lieutenant
’s face. “I suppose I’ve shocked you, as well.”

“
Always, Mrs. Elliot. Still, life is never dull with you about.” Never mind that he was lashed to a tree in the middle of an enemy encampment—he sounded amused.

“
I don’t know what to make of it all,” Logan muttered. “What kind of woman are you?”

“
One who will do whatever I must to aid my family.”

“
I believe she would. She saved my life,” Lieutenant McClure said.

“
What of her unholy regard for this savage?”

“
Despite that. And in all fairness, Shoka is unusual.”

Logan eyed Rebecca grudgingly in what little was left of the light.
“He didn’t kill me. I’ll give him that. And he kept his scar-faced brother at bay. Very well, Rebecca. I see I’m forced to trust you. What is your proposal?”

“
It’s not mine, exactly. But Black Knife’s.”

“
Great Lord Almighty,” Logan groaned. “We’re done for.”

“
No. Listen. Black Knife has agreed to Shoka’s request for mercy if your father and Tessa will give themselves up. Tomorrow
Capitaine
Renault will request a parley with Captain Bancroft. If he refuses, I am to go and plead for surrender.”

“
Of the whole damn fort?”

“
Shoka said far fewer will die. Many will be captives.”

“
It’s a fate none will welcome, Ma’am,” the lieutenant said.

“
Surely preferable to certain death? And perhaps their freedom can be regained.”

“
Eventually, perhaps. I can’t imagine Bancroft will agree.”

Logan shook his head hard enough to make his brown hair fly around his face.
“Or Papa. Indians sometimes hesitate to challenge a strong fort. They may retreat under fire.”

“
Not this time. You’ve seen how large this war party is. Black Knife is a shrewd leader and
Capitaine
Renault has skilled knowledge of assault. Shoka told me what they plan. Warden hasn’t the men to resist.”

Logan ground his teeth.
“I’ve never felt so helpless.”

“
Don’t despair. If need be, I shall speak with the captain and your father.”

Lieutenant McClure spoke heavily.
“Your intentions are good, Mrs. Elliot. But there is much you don’t understand.”

Letting out his breath in a weighty sigh, Logan said,
“Papa’s too proud to allow himself to be taken captive.”

The pain in his voice tore at her and she wished with all her heart that this evil before them could be avoided.
“I’ll do my best.”

“
Becca.” So soft-footed was Meshewa’s approach, he stood beside her before she noticed. He laid his hand on her shoulder. “Enough talk. The others begin to grumble.”

She gave Logan an awkward one-sided embrace and kissed his smooth cheek.
“Have courage. You, too, Lieutenant,” she said, reaching over to touch his face.

“
Have care. Don’t rush in where angels fear to tread.”

She stood.
“I may have to.”

Logan
’s glum silence spoke for him.

Meshewa pulled her away.
“Wait, cousin,” Logan blurted.

Breaking from Meshewa
’s light hold, she spun around. She saw only the dimmest outline of her cousin. “Yes?”

“
Try and persuade Papa to surrender Tessa. You’ll likely have the devil of a time with her. She won’t want to go.”

“
Surely I can compel a child.”

Logan
’s voice was thick with emotion. “Tessa’s no child. She’s sixteen. We’re only a year apart, more like twins.”

“
I’ll wrestle your sister to the ground if I must, but I’ll get her away from the fort,” Rebecca promised.

“
Good,” he said. “There’s something else you should know. Tessa bites.”

****

Meshewa spread a blanket over the evergreen needles beneath the boughs of a pine not far from where Kate lay, and Rebecca sank down onto the woolen cloth. She envied her sister’s sound slumber, certain that sleep would elude her this night.

A man called softly from the darkness.
“
Umbe
, Meshewa.”

Rebecca recognized the word for
“come” and reached up to snag the hem of his shirt. “No. Stay with me.”

“
I will.
Naga, neeakah
,” he said to the hidden man.

A low burst of Shawnee came at his reply. She didn
’t catch the rapid-fire words but detected teasing in the man’s tone.

Meshewa sat beside her.
“Skaki says I prefer my cousin’s fair woman to him. Shoka will not like this.”

“
Surely Shoka would not have you leave me alone when I very much do not want to be.” She shivered in the breeze fast cooling with nightfall, but the air alone did not account for the chill gripping her. “I wish we had a fire.”

“
We can build none. Long Knives will see.”

She curled in her cloak on the blanket and looked up at the stars shining between the rustling boughs.
“This night seems colder somehow. Even the stars look distant.”