as his arms beckoned and just as his kiss evoked feelings inside that
she would never be able to forget.
She couldn't just stare at him. She moistened her lips and swallowed
quickly, vowing that she would never let him know just how deeply he did
affect her. 'Did you bargain with Miss. Eliza, Lieutenant?'
'Is she still on your mind?'
'Is she on yours?'
He cast back his head and laughed.
'The situation is not at all amusing, Lieutenant.'
'Oh, but it is, Miss. Stuart, it's very rich. As you might have noticed,
I didn't really need to bargain with Miss. Worthingham.
If that's what you were inferring. And yet, I didn't happen to mention
yet what our bargain should be. Alas, I could see it in those huge,
innocent, violet eyes! He wants to sully my honor, this cavalry man. For
the price of a pair of spitting Colts! Her heart beats, and she
wonders-my cause! This is my cause! Shouldn't I lay down my honor and my
pride, and give all to this wretched rodent-all for my cause?'
'Someone should shoot you,' Tess warned him. 'Well, you're trying to
make me into a target, aren't you?
Ah, but then maybe, just maybe, I could die with the exquisite Miss.
Stuart's kiss still damp upon my lips.'
She squirmed. She did intend to slap him. 'Whoa, Miss. Stuart!' He
laughed, and his arm wound even tighter against her. They were sitting
like newlyweds, she thought disgustedly. She was halfway atop his lap
and she could barely move.
'Lieutenant, you're squashing me!'
'I'm trying to save my jaw, Miss. Stuart! Now calm down. You are
desperate, aren't you?' His eyes looked into hers, and a hard note crept
into his voice.
'You would do anything--anything at all that I asked. How very
intriguing.'
'Jamie Slater' -- 'Jamie!'
A sharp call from Jon caught their attention. Jamie's arm fell from
around her shoulder, and he leaned forward, reining in. Jon was riding
hard toward them. 'What is it?' 'Company,' Jon said.
'Comanche?'
'Yep.'
'How many?'
'Fifty at least. They're covering the hill over the next dune.'
'Is it a war party?'
'They're out in feathers and paint, but I think it's a show. I'm pretty
sure it's Running River.'
Tess watched as Jamie climbed from the wagon. She wondered if she should
be frightened, and she wondered with greater exasperation if he should
be walking away from her without a thought. He disappeared behind the
wagon, then reappeared on his roan.
'Let's go see Running River,' he told Jon. 'Wait a minute' -- Tess
began.
'You wanted to drive the wagon,' Jamie called.
