over.'
Tess grinned and complied.
They rode until sunset, then until the first cooling rays of the night
touched them. Jamie and Jon knew the terrain.
Again, they knew where to find water. Tess climbed from the wagon the
minute they stopped, stretching, trying to ease the discomfort in her
back. Jamie pointed out the path through the trees to the little brook,
and she started out in silence, aware that Dolly followed her. The water
moved over rock and along the earth, barely three inches of it, but she
cupped her hands into it and drank thirstily, then splashed in huge
handfuls over her face and throat, heedless that she soaked her gown.
Beside her, Dolly dipped her handkerchief in the water and soaked her
face and throat and arms with it.
'Ah, the good lord doth deliver!' she said cheerfully.
'Jamie! Come on in, the water's fine, Lieutenant!'
Tess froze, aware only then that Jamie was standing silently behind her.
Dolly her ted up her bulk.
'Guess I'll head back and see if Jon's got a cooking fire started yet.'
She stepped by. Jamie knelt in Dolly's place. He doffed his hat and
untied the kerchief from his throat, then soaked it as Dolly had. He
leaned low and plunged in his whole head, then rubbed the kerchief over
his throat and shoulders. Tess stared at him, unaware that she did so.
He smiled, watching her. She jumped slightly when he touched her
cotton-clad shoulder.
'You're soaked,' he told her.
'I suppose so.'
He grinned, recalling memories of a different brook, a different time.
'I rather like you wet.'
'You' -- 'Ah, now, please, Miss. Stuart!'
She fell silent, but his smile faded and he sat on his haunches, folding
his hands idly over his knees.
'We've got to talk, Tess.'
She didn't intend to blush, but color rose swiftly to her cheeks.
Damn him!
'What?' she said harshly.
'Well, I'm waiting to find out if you're going to bargain with me or
not.'
She was silent, feeling her body burn. 'Well?'
'You are a bastard.'
'Come, come, now, Miss. Stuart, will you bargain?' She leaped to her
feet.
'Yes!' she spat at him.
'Yes-and you were right, you knew damned well that I would do so. I am
desperate. You can have anything. Anything that you want.'
She swung around in what she hoped was indignant fury. She was suddenly
blinded. She nearly tripped as she started forward. She reached for a
branch to steady herself. 'Miss. Stuart!'
he called to her lightly.
'Oh, for God's sake! What now?' she demanded. 'Well, pardon me, but you
