Savage Winter (7 page)

“Just a friend. What’s the date of today, Farley?” she asked, knowing that he always kept up with what day and month it was.

“Today would be the sixteenth,” he told her, looking more curious than ever.

Joanna frowned, wondering what kind of trouble Harland could be in. She remembered the times he had helped her and Tag. There was no question in her mind but that she would meet him tonight. Of course, she couldn’t bring Tag since he was away.

She dared not tell Farley or anyone who the letter was from, since Harland had specifically asked her not to. Knowing how jealous Windhawk was of Harland, Joanna knew he would be angry with her when he found out she had met secretly with him. What did it matter? she wondered bitterly. Windhawk had kept his little secret about Red Bird…what right did he have to object to her seeing an old friend?

Claudia smiled up at Howard Landon, thinking how easily she was manipulating him. She hoped her plan would work tonight. If it did, by tomorrow he would be forced to make her his wife. He had been panting after her for over a month now, and tonight she would let him think he had worn down her defenses. She was now ready to entrap him with her body.

She had asked him to come to the Hankins’ quarters, knowing she would have to move fast if her plan was to work. If Mr. and Mrs. Hankins returned either too soon or too late, all would be lost. Everything depended on perfect timing.

Howard sat down on the wooden chair and smiled at Claudia. She was a pretty wench, and he imagined she would
be a good toss in bed. If she succeeded in helping him get Joanna and Tag back, perhaps he would take her back to Philadelphia with him and set her up in a modest house. He had always envied the men who could afford to keep a mistress. In the past, he had always been forced to rely on tavern wenches and whores for his pleasure.

He still had a fair amount of doubt, though, as to whether Joanna would follow the instructions in the letter Claudia had helped him to write.

“What if Joanna isn’t fooled by our letter, Miss Maxwell? Suppose she and Taggart don’t show up at the rendezvous point? What will we do then?”

“Oh, she’ll show up, all right. Joanna is such a do-gooder. If she thinks Captain Thatcher is in trouble, you can depend on her to go rushing to his side.” Claudia bent over Howard and her low-cut bodice slipped even lower. She saw his eyes move greedily over her breasts before he looked into her face suspiciously.

“You don’t sound like you’re a friend of my niece’s. Do I detect a bit of animosity in your tone?”

Claudia realized the hatred and bitterness she felt toward Joanna had crept into her voice. She cautioned herself to be more careful. “I’m just concerned about Joanna living with the Indians. You know I think she should be back with you where she belongs.”

Howard’s eyes narrowed, and he got a faraway look in them. “Yes, she belongs with me.”

For the first time, Claudia noticed how Howard’s eyes gleamed when he spoke of Joanna. Was there more to their relationship than she had thought? There were many questions she would like to ask, but now wasn’t the time. If her little scheme was to work, she must now set it in motion.

“You must practice patience, Mr. Landon,” she said, lowering herself to kneel beside him. She could see his eyes were passion-bright and felt confident that her plan would work. Running her hand up his leg, she gave him her most seductive smile.

Howard rose to his feet, taking her with him. “When will the Hankinses return?” he asked in a thick voice.

Claudia rubbed her body against him. “Not for hours,” she purred.

He pushed her back against the settee and quickly raised her gown and petticoats upward. He fumbled with his trousers and then fell on top of her.

When he entered her body, Claudia felt revulsion, and she shuddered as his hot, moist lips fastened on hers. She would endure what she must to see her dreams fulfilled. There was too much at stake to pull back now. Let Howard Landon use her body…he would never touch her heart. She heard him grunt, and his body quaked. It hadn’t been too bad, she told herself. Thank goodness, it had been over quickly. Now she had to keep him occupied until just the right moment. If he left too soon, her plan would be lost.

“Damned if you aren’t the best I ever had,” Howard breathed heavily in her ear.

At that moment the front door opened, and Howard froze. Claudia tried to look helpless as she shoved him away from her and quickly pulled her gown down.

Lucy Hankins blushed at the sight that met her eyes. She backed out the door, shaking her head in disbelief, while her husband glared at Howard and Claudia.

“What in the hell is the meaning of this?” he bellowed in a loud voice.

Claudia moved forward and took Howard’s hand. “It’s not what you think, Mr. Hankins! Howard and I love each other…we are to be married.”

Howard looked down at her with a startled expression, and she could feel his hand tighten on her fingers painfully. She realized he was trying to hold on to his temper.

“Miss Maxwell, I think you will find that such behavior will not be tolerated by The American Fur Company. I am appalled that you should choose my home for your…” he was at a loss for words. “I will ask you to gather your belongings and leave immediately!”

“But where will I go?” she asked in her most helpless little-girl voice. “I have no one to turn to.”

Ebenezer Hankins looked at her in disgust. “I will speak to Mr. MacKenzie, and I’m sure he will insist Mr. Landon make an honest woman of you.”

Claudia felt Howard stiffen, and she lowered her head. Gazing slowly up into his face, she saw the murderous light in his little beady eyes. He realized by now that she had tricked him, but it didn’t matter. He was trapped and he knew it! Claudia was sure the stern-faced Mr. MacKenzie, who was in charge of The American Fur Company, would insist that Howard marry her at once. There wouldn’t be a thing that Howard could do about it, she thought happily.

Claudia felt momentary apprehension when Howard’s eyes narrowed in on hers. Had she pushed him too far? She could see by the anger on his face he was not a man to cross. Reminding herself of how wealthy he was, she faced him without flinching. She was surprised that he had thus far uttered no words in his own defense. He just stared at her with those cold, beady eyes, and it was unsettling, to say the least. She called on all her courage as she faced him.

“I would be honored to be Howard’s wife,” she said coyly. Claudia could hardly conceal her joy. Everything she had ever wanted in life was now at her fingertips.

“I can assure you, Mr. Landon, if you are thinking you won’t have to marry Miss Maxwell, you are mistaken. If you don’t, you will be asked to leave Fort Union posthaste,” Mr. Hankins informed him.

Claudia could see the anger in Howard’s eyes and knew what he was thinking. If he was forced to leave the fort now, he would never get Joanna and Tag back.

She could almost see the way his mind was working. “I’ll make you a good wife, Howard.”

His face reddened, and she thought for a moment he was considering striking her. “We shall see, missy,” he said in a quiet voice. “I’m on to your little game.”

“Take her and leave,” Mr. Hankins said, indicating the open door with a nod of his head.

Howard stalked out the door, looking straight ahead. Claudia ran after him, thinking she should try to convince him she hadn’t intended this to happen.

“Howard, wait! I want to talk to you! It isn’t what you think, I never…”

He stopped and looked down at her. “Save your little performance for someone else. You’re a poor actress, at best. My anger is directed most at myself for not recognizing your performance earlier.”

“No, Howard! Please listen!”

“Out of my way,” he said, shoving her aside.

Claudia could do no more than watch his departure, knowing it would be best to allow him some time to cool down. She smiled, knowing she had won. There was no shame in Claudia—she had always believed that the end justified the means!

There was no moon to light Joanna’s way as she rode Fosset from the village. She had decided to cross the river downstream so no one would see her. Still puzzling over Harland’s strange request, Joanna halted her horse just before she entered the river. What kind of trouble could Harland be in that he would ask to meet with her in secret?

Her anger at Windhawk was still smoldering just beneath the surface. Joanna was now more impatient than ever for his return. She couldn’t wait to confront him about Red Bird. First things first, she told herself. She would see what was troubling Harland—later on, there would be time enough for her to worry about her own problems.

Urging Fosset into the river, she raised her doeskin gown
so it wouldn’t get wet. The horse easily carried her to the opposite shore and up the steep bank.

It was so dark she could barely make out the dense tree line in the distance. She felt a prickle of uneasiness and wondered if she had been foolish not to tell anyone where she was going. Wishing now that she had asked Farley to accompany her, Joanna urged Fosset toward the woods where Harland had asked her to meet him.

The two buffalo hunters, Chester Boggs and his brother Jim, had been waiting impatiently two nights for the girl and her brother to show up.

Jim, the youngest brother, was beginning to wonder if they had been sent on a fool’s mission. It was dangerous having to hide out in the forest during the day so they wouldn’t be discovered by any of the Blackfoot. He hadn’t been too fond of the notion of coming into Blackfoot country in the first place.

“Supposing they don’t come, Chester? It’s damned risky hanging about here. If any Injuns come upon us, we’re dead men!”

Chester sat with his back against a tree and his eyes glued to the river where the boy and girl would cross if they were coming. His brother stood near the horses, making sure they didn’t make any noise.

Chester felt something biting into his thigh. Shifting his weight, he found he had been sitting on a pinecone. They had been waiting for several hours, and he was beginning to think the girl and boy either hadn’t gotten the message or weren’t coming at all.

“Quit your complaining, Jim. If they do come, you and me won’t have to worry about money for the rest of our lives. We can live in style back East.”

Jim moved to his brother’s side and bent down. “What’s the money worth if we get our scalps lifted? In case you’ve forgotten, this here’s Blackfoot country! I’d rather be dead and buried than face just one of them mean devils.”

“That’s hogwash! There ain’t no danger long as we lay low and don’t do nothing crazy. You’ve been listening to too many of them trappers spinning their yarns. Next, you’ll be telling me you believe in that Injun Windhawk they was telling us about. Get back over there and keep them horses quiet. You’d be scared of your own shadow.”

Jim stood up. “Hell, yes, I’m scared! If you had any sense, you would be, too. Just supposing for a minute this Windhawk is a real person?”

“He ain’t real. He’s someone the Blackfoot invented to scare little boys and cowards like you.” Chester laughed softly. “If he’s real, then we’ll be dead. If he ain’t, and we get our hands on the boy and girl, we’ll be well set for life. Now, quit your bellyaching and get back to them horses. If they come, I want to make a quick getaway. We’ll need to be long gone before daylight.”

Suddenly the brothers heard the sound of a lone rider coming out of the river. They both tensed, straining their eyes to see in the darkness.

Joanna dismounted and stared at the tree line where the dense forest started. It looked dark and foreboding, and she couldn’t shake her feeling of uneasiness. There was nothing to be frightened of, she told herself. Harland would be somewhere nearby. More than likely, he was watching her from the forest right this moment.

She gathered up Fosset’s reins and led him reluctantly toward the forest. Her nerves were on edge, and she felt the tension building. Her hand went to the hilt of the knife that she had tucked into her belt before leaving camp. Joanna’s footsteps were soundless as she approached the forest.

“Harland, are you here?” she called out softly, unsheathing her knife.

Tense moments passed, and all she could hear was the chirping of the crickets and an occasional call of some night bird. Joanna remembered the panther that had once attacked Windhawk, and she felt her legs go weak. She had never
thought of herself as a coward, but at the moment she felt totally alone and very terrified. Squaring her shoulders, she entered the forest. The hair on the back of her neck seemed to stand on end, and she had the eerie feeling that she was being watched.

Joanna had to force herself to put one foot in front of the other. Gripping Fosset’s reins tightly in her hand, she had almost decided to remount and return to the village when she heard the whinny of a horse. Breathing a sigh of relief, she waited for Harland to appear. Hearing a rustling in the bushes to her left, she turned in that direction.

“Harland?”

“Yes,” came the muffled reply.

“Thank goodness,” she said in relief. “I began to think you hadn’t come.”

Joanna saw him move from behind a tree, and she strained her eyes to make out his features, but he was no more than a dark, shadowy outline.

“Tag couldn’t come with me; he is away from the village. Has something happened to Simon or Kate Jackson? Is that why you sent for me?”

He was right in front of her now, and she waited for him to speak.

All at once, Joanna was grabbed from behind by a second man, and at first she was too stunned to react.

“You walked right into this one, Injun lover,” an unknown voice said against her ear.

Joanna began to struggle and managed to kick out at the assailant who stood in front of her, catching him squarely in the groin. She had the satisfaction of watching him double over in pain.

Realizing she still held the knife in her hand, she managed to free her arms and slashed out at the man who tried to recapture her. He howled out in pain, loosening his grip long enough for her to get away.

Joanna began running toward Fosset as fast as she could. She bounced onto his back, but before she could nudge him
forward strong hands gripped her waist and jerked her off Fosset’s back. She gasped out in pain when the man threw her to the ground. A thousand lights seemed to explode in Joanna’s head when the man doubled up his fist and struck her a stunning blow that rendered her unconscious.

Chester stood over Joanna’s body, breathing heavily. “We was told to bring both of them, but we can’t hang around waiting for the boy. Once them Injuns find the girl missing, they’ll come looking for her. We gotta get her away from here before that happens.”

“I can’t go! That gal done went and stabbed me! I’m real bad off, Chester.”

“You’re gonna be a lot worse off if them red devils find you,” his brother warned.

That was all the encouragement Jim needed. He ran for the horses and led them quickly forward, ignoring the pain from his wounded shoulder.

The two brothers rode away at breakneck speed with Joanna’s unconscious body resting against Chester’s lap and Jim leading the reluctant Fosset, who was pulling against the reins, trying to get free.

Back in the Blackfoot village, the people slept peacefully, not knowing Joanna was in danger.

She Who Heals, the old medicine woman, tossed in her sleep. She was dreaming that Windhawk’s woman had been spirited away by two white men. The dream was so real it awakened her, and she sat up, looking about the darkened tipi. She had the urge to go to Windhawk’s lodge to make certain Joanna was all right. She Who Heals shook her head. It was no more than a dream…Joanna would be asleep now. The old woman lay back down and closed her eyes. She was getting old and having foolish dreams, she thought. But still, her uneasy feeling didn’t go away. She told herself she would go to Windhawk’s lodge when the first light of day touched the land. That way, she could satisfy herself that Joanna was unharmed.

It was Claudia’s wedding night. She looked down at her faded yellow gown and thought bitterly that it hadn’t been much of a wedding. Parson Richardson, who had come into the wilderness with the intention of converting the Indians to Christianity, had conducted the short ceremony. The only other person in attendance had been Mr. Hankins, and Claudia knew he had been there only because he thought Howard might balk at the last moment and refuse to marry her.

Howard had been sullen and quiet throughout the whole ordeal, but every so often his eyes would seek Claudia’s, and she could read the anger smoldering beneath the surface. She had to keep reminding herself that she was legally his wife and there was nothing he could do about it.

She was still stinging from the affront of none of the good ladies of the fort attending her wedding. After the ceremony, several of the men had offered to buy drinks in the common room to celebrate the occasion, but not one of the women had made an appearance at that time, either.

Claudia lost count of how many glasses of wine Howard consumed, but she knew he drank more than his share. He hadn’t spoken one word to her since the wedding, but she knew he would have plenty to say when he sobered up. There was no question that she would have to face his wrath sooner or later.

At the party, Howard had become too drunk to stand. Two of the men had helped him to his quarters and helped put him to bed. Claudia thought she was fortunate he had passed out cold. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to face his anger until tomorrow.

Claudia looked at the bed where her new husband lay. She couldn’t help the strong feeling of distaste that washed over her at the sight of him. Howard was still fully clothed. His mouth was gaping open, and he was snoring loudly. His clothes were rumpled and wrinkled, and there were wine stains on his white shirt.

The whole ordeal had been a strain on Claudia’s nerves.
Howard was at least some twenty years older than herself. He was certainly not the sort of husband a young woman would yearn for. She allowed her thoughts to go to the handsome Captain Harland Thatcher. If only
he
were her husband, instead of Howard, who was old enough to be her father. How would she bear being married to him?

Howard stirred now, and Claudia held her breath. Should she blow out the candle and lie down, pretending to be asleep? What would he do to her when he awoke?

She clutched her hands tightly together when he sat up in bed, looking about as if he didn’t know where he was, until his eyes rested on Claudia. She watched apprehensively as he struggled to his feet and staggered his way toward her. She closed her eyes tightly and mentally braced herself for whatever was to come.

Howard reached out and gripped her painfully by the shoulders. “You little slut,” he said, slurring his words. “You think you got the best of me today, don’t you?”

“Howard, please! I didn’t…I only wanted to…”

He struck her a heavy blow across the face that sent her reeling into the wall. “I got no bargain in you, but I’m stuck with you for now.” He raised his hand, and Claudia cringed, thinking he was going to strike her again.

“You think you got me where you want me,” he said, grabbing her by the wrist and dragging her toward the bed. Claudia tried to get away from him when he threw her down on the bed.

“Howard, please, think what you’re doing!” she pleaded.

“I might as well enjoy you, since I paid such a high price for that pleasure,” he said through thick lips.

Claudia cried out in pain as he began kneading her breasts. When he lowered his body down on top of her, she tried to think of what would be best to do. Probably it would be better if she pretended enjoyment, she reasoned, winding her arms about his neck while his lips moved down her neck. She knew she would just have to make the best of a bad situation.

Seeing the gleam in her eyes, Howard laughed. “You aren’t
Joanna…her memory has tormented me day and night for over two years. I would have given up ten years of my life for just one night in bed with her.”

“What are you saying?” Claudia cried, feeling all-consuming jealousy and hatred as Howard taunted her with Joanna. Was Joanna’s ghost to haunt her even on her wedding night? It didn’t matter to her that Howard was repugnant and she could hardly stand the feel of his hands on her body. She couldn’t bear to be compared with Joanna again and come up the loser. She was determined to wipe Joanna’s memory from his mind once and for all. Rubbing her body against him, she pulled his head down and kissed him hungrily.

“You aren’t her, but you’ll do for now,” Howard whispered hotly into her ear.

The morning sun found the two Boggs brothers still riding hard. Joanna hadn’t regained consciousness, and Chester was beginning to feel worried lest he had hit her too hard.

“Hold up, Jim, we best stop by the river and see to this gal.”

Jim dismounted and held his arms up so his brother could hand Joanna to him. He then laid her down on the grass and stood up as his brother approached.

“My God, Chester, she’s the prettiest little thing I ever did see!”

Both brothers stared at the beautiful, flame-haired Joanna. Her soft features were enhanced by her creamy white skin. The doeskin gown did nothing to hide the lovely curves of her body. Her face was unbelievably lovely, except for the bruise on her chin where Chester had struck her.

Chester bent down and cupped his hands in the river, then trickled the water over her face.

Joanna moaned and slowly opened her eyes. At first she was confused and disoriented, not knowing why she was lying on the ground. Her eyes widened when she saw the two strange men who were bending over her.

Chester gave her his hand and helped her sit up. “How are you feeling, young lady? I didn’t mean to hit you so hard. I
don’t think I ever did strike a woman before. Do you think you can stand up?”

Joanna shook her head, still in a state of confusion. She noticed both men were wearing buckskin trousers and shirts. One was clean-shaven, and the other wore a beard. “Who are you? Why have you done this to me?”