Frontier Highlander Vow of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 4) (12 page)

T
he noisy conversations grew quiet as Governor Garrard marched in. The sizable room at the fort was Boonesborough’s largest meeting place, and the same one that would be used for the ball, Kelly had explained. A flag hung in one corner that Artis assumed was Kentucky’s new flag. In the other corner, the flag of the United States bearing fifteen stars and fifteen strips added festive color to the otherwise unadorned room.

Over the last half-hour, dozens of delegates and a few observers including Artis and Kelly, the only ladies there, stuffed the room chock-full. They both quickly took seats on a long bench next to a side wall. Bear and William sat next to each other in the center of the room.

From the way he walked and held himself with authority, Artis suspected the thick-necked and rather rotund Governor was a strong leader. He swiftly called the meeting to order and another gentleman with spectacles took a seat beside the Governor. She presumed the man would record the proceedings.

“Good morning gentlemen, and, ladies,” he said, looking over at Artis and Kelly and giving them a nod and smile. “I want to thank all the delegates for agreeing to assist me today and tomorrow. My goal is to prepare a list for the legislature of priorities for Kentucky’s future with the help of your valuable guidance.”

The men in the room all clapped their approval.

“Shall we begin then? I encourage you to speak freely, but I ask one thing of you. We have no time for prideful posturing here. Do not offer an opinion unless you have some expertise and a strong feeling on the subject—or we will all be here till Christmas.”

After a few chuckles and a hearty laugh from William, Garrard continued. First, he asked their opinion of penal reforms. Garrard advocated for the abolition of the death penalty except for crimes of murder.

William spoke up, supported the Governor’s proposal, and added that assaults on women and children should also carry extremely harsh penalties.

“Thank you, sheriff,” Garrard said. “Duly noted, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. We will introduce a bill to ensure that becomes the law of our land.”

Beside her, Artis could sense Kelly stiffen as she heard William’s words. It made her wonder if the reason William seemed so adamant about protecting women was that something had happened to Kelly.

When the Governor introduced the next topic—reforming and expanding the militia—another gentleman stood to speak.

“That’s Colonel Byrd. He’s in charge of the militia here in Boonesborough,” Kelly whispered.

The Colonel offered at least a half dozen suggestions and urged that the number of militia in each of the Forts be doubled because tensions with Britain and the French remained high.

Next, the delegates discussed a proposed law to deal with the surveying and registering of land claims with the registrar of the state land office. “Our goal is to forestall additional lawsuits, which are already numerous, related to land claims,” explained the Governor.

After hearing that discussion, Artis was even more pleased that she had
a clear title to her land. But she was beginning to tire of sitting on the hard bench, until the Governor mentioned one that raised her interest. She noted that Bear sat up straighter and lifted his jaw as he listened closely to the Governor too.

“I want to introduce legislation that will forbid the unjust removal of squatters from land they have lived on for more than three months,” Garrard said.

Several men called out their scoffs and nays, but Garrard refused to be browbeaten.

“As you all know, land claims here in Kentucky are a source of confusion and conflict. Many settlers unknowingly become squatters or are labeled squatters when they are not. Dishonest landowners let these so-called squatters remain on the land just to take advantage of the improvements these people make. Fairness demands that if the squatters have made substantial improvements to the land they should not be forcibly removed. Powerful landowners are running too many people from their homes, sometimes even at the start of winter,
after
they have invested back breaking labor and their resources into improving said land. I have no quarrel with property owners wanting to protect acreage they have legal claim to, but the landowner should take action without delay or no later than three months of the squatter’s arrival. After three months, I believe they should file a petition with the court and prove just cause for removal. And, landowners should pay for any improvements made to their land.”

Many of the men in the room appeared to be wealthy landowners themselves. Everyone started to talk at once and, as far as Artis could tell, the topic appeared doomed, buried in confusion and controversy.

Bear stood, standing tall and straight, like a towering pine. The entire room seem to take note of his size at the same time. The very way he stood there spoke of his commanding air of self-confidence. Before he said a word, he looked directly at Artis and smiled. His compelling eyes and handsome features caused a flush to race up her neck and face that she hoped would go unnoticed.

Bear’s expression stilled and grew serious. He turned back to face the Governor, his face filled with inherent strength and pride.

“Fellow delegates, my name is Daniel MacKee, and I represent Fort Logan and the St. Elspeth’s settlement. I rise today to address this topic because…” He paused to look at her again. “…it is dear to my heart.”

Artis felt a flutter in her own heart.

As Bear spoke, his voice deep and his lilt melodious, every man turned their ears his way. “The forced removal from one’s land is one for which both I, and Miss Artis MacKay, newly arrived from Virginia, both have some knowledge.” He inclined his head toward Artis and everyone peered at her, including Kelly.

Now her face felt like she had a fever. She locked her eyes on Bear and he looked back with both eagerness and tenderness. She felt her pulse quicken and she held her breath.

Bear turned his gaze back to the men in the room and continued. “Some of you have undoubtedly heard of the infamous Highland clearances—a dark page in the long and proud history of Scotland. A wealthy landowner from the glen my family had occupied for many generations expelled my own parents from their land when I was but thirteen because raising sheep became more profitable than crofters. Had I been just a wee bit older, I would have sheared the man top to bottom like one of his bleatin’ sheep.”

The entire room erupted in laughter, breaking the tension Bear’s words had fostered. Bear waited for the room to quiet.

“But I wasn’t,” he continued, “and along with my parents, and so many others driven from their land, we boarded a ship and sailed for the colonies. Unfortunately, my parents did not survive the voyage.” He placed a hand on William’s shoulder. “Sheriff Wyllie’s parents later adopted me. But my story is an easy one, compared to Miss MacKay’s.”

Again, all eyes turned toward her. She was tempted to threaten Bear with the fate all men most dread. She did not want to be the center of everyone’s attention. She had just come today to learn more about
Kentucky. Was he about to tell everyone here her story? Surely not.

“I will na tell ye the details of how Artis came to be in Boonesborough, as they were confided to me in confidence, but I will tell ye what I know to be the truth. Tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of Scots, includin’ Miss MacKay, are here in this country because of clearances. Although they were not squatters, they were crofters, on land held by chiefs, landowners and lairds. Like squatters, these crofters were unjustly forced from their homes after years, nay, generations of workin’ to improve the land. Why? Because someone placed more value on profit than people. Because someone chose to exploit the situation.

“From what the Governor described, it seems that is exactly what is happenin’ here in Kentucky.

“Land is a precious thing and those who are blessed to own it, have the right to protect it. And government should strive to help them protect it. But people are also precious and worthy of protection. Powerful landowners should fairly compensate people who have invested labor and resources into improvin’ land they thought was theirs, through na fault of their own. Land titles are in a state of confusion, and fairness demands that we all work together to ensure justice and evenhandedness.

“Kentucky should offer
all
of us—rich and poor—a chance for a better future. Not a future handed to us on a silver platter. But a future for those willin’ to work hard for it. We must na let what happened in Scotland— hardworkin’ people defrauded and treated less than animals—happen in Kentucky!”

The room erupted with cheering and all but a few men stood and clapped enthusiastically.

Bear looked over in her direction.

When he did, she stood and joined the others in clapping for him, her chest swelling with pride.

Bear was oblivious to all the commotion in the room as the delegates decided to take a much needed break, since nearly all were already standing. As he and William made their way toward the two women, he could not take his eyes off Artis.

Tragedy had etched strength and dignity into her beautiful face, but now he perceived something else there too. He hoped his speech was to her liking. Perhaps she was impressed with the support he had inspired for the squatters’ law.

When she smiled warmly at him, a breath of relief broke from his lungs. He’d been afraid that he offended her by using her name in a public proceeding. He should have checked with her first to be sure it would be all right. But he’d had no idea that the topic would be one the delegates would address today.

“Bear, you make an impressive statesman!” Kelly declared, when they reached the two women. “Perhaps you should think about running for office.”

“Och lass, this will be my one and only attempt at statesmanship.”

William took Kelly’s arm and the four stepped outside into the fresh air and sunshine. Bear filled his lungs with air that smelled like the fall leaves scattered beneath their feet.

As the four of them strolled away from the others, Bear glanced down at Artis who hadn’t said a word. But she carried herself with an air of dignity and confidence he had to admire. Artis was a woman who knew her own worth. He could tell she would have little tolerance those who didn’t respect her.

What was she thinking? When he could no longer keep silent, he said, “Artis, I hope I did not offend ye with my mention of yer name and circumstance.”

“Nay,” she said at once. “Ye made me proud to be a Scot again. To hear your strong voice and impassioned thoughts stand out among such distinguished men was truly a pleasure to behold. Thank ye for sayin’ what
ye did.”

Powerful relief filled him and his confidence spiraled upward.

“But I came close to threatenin’ to geld ye!” she quickly added, with a wide grin and a hand on the hilt of her long dirk.

“And, fool that I am, I just sharpened the blade for ye,” Bear replied.

William and Kelly both laughed and joined in teasing him.

As the four of them enjoyed ribbing and jesting each other, an indefinable feeling of rightness filled him.

Perhaps he belonged here with William and Kelly…and Artis.

Chapter 14

After breakfast the next day, Bear and Artis sat on the porch together drinking coffee and talking endlessly. The more they talked, the more he wanted to talk to her. Conversation between them came easily and they chatted about anything and everything and laughed often. The warmth of her laugh sent joy to his heart.

Already, Bear sensed a bond with Artis that he’d never felt with anyone else. They shared the same feelings about so many things—among them the need to be outdoors more than indoors; a love of horses; a strong faith; and a love of Scotland, particularly the Highlands and the way the music of the bagpipers stirred their deepest emotions.

Just looking at Artis while they talked stirred his emotions now. His instinctive response to her was potent and made a shiver of wanting fill him. He felt an easy affection coming from her too and sometimes he even saw a smoldering flame in her striking green eyes. And after he’d reached out for her hand and told her how beautiful she was, he caught a sensuous aura passing between them.

Could that attraction grow into love? In truth, for him it was already more than attraction. He felt as if he’d found his soulmate—the other half of his soul. Someone meant just for him. His pulse quickened at the realization. Then the thought that flashed through his mind startled him.

Kelly came out, interrupting their conversation and his thought. She said that Artis was tired from her journey and the two days spent in town and needed her rest. Despite both of their protests, Kelly shooed him away. The conspiratorial look in her eyes made him think there was something she was keeping from him, so he decided to do as Kelly suggested and went to find William.

His brother kept him busy the rest of the morning with chores, taking full advantage of having someone around with Bear’s strength. But he was happy to lend William a hand.

He and William had a quick lunch with Mister McGuffin in his small cabin, and then he left for town, telling William he would meet them all later at the ball.