Ride The Wind (Vincente 3) (24 page)

He shoved the covers aside and went to the
window, staring out into the gathering light. He
tested his leg and was glad it was no longer painful; the doctor had removed the splint.

He frowned; his mind was in a quandary. He
couldn't marry Saber. After all, they really didn't
know each other. But how could he offend the
sister of one of the most powerful men in Texas?
It was quite simple: HE would have to make her
reject him. And the means to that end might already have been set into motion. All he had to
do was insist that she go through with a doctor's
examination.

Noble Vincente had sent word that he would
be bringing Saber to Fort Griffin tomorrow. The
commanding officer of the base had been so impressed by the Vincente name that his wife had
planned a welcoming party and invited all the
officers and their ladies. He could feel the trap
closing around him.

He pulled his trousers on. Tomorrow night he would be free of Saber. A strange ache touched
his heart as he remembered the beautiful young
girl he'd pictured as his wife. He had to let her
go and then forget about her.

Matthew heard the sound of the bugler playing assembly. It was too early for formation, so
something must be wrong. He hurriedly tucked
his shirt in and pulled on his boots, then thrust
his arms into his coat. Running for the parade
ground, he found the returning patrol leading
riderless horses.

"Indian attack at several ranches between
here and Fort Belknap, Major Halloway, sir," the
pockmarked sergeant informed him hurriedly.
"Colonel Washburn's ordered us to ride out at
once, sir."

Matthew was somehow relieved as he later
rode out the gate at the front of his patrol. He'd
never been accused of lacking courage, but he
would rather face the Indians than Saber and
her formidable brother.

Rachel entered Saber's room and spun around
in a circle. "It's amazing that a dress from your
trousseau would fit me. What do you think?"

Rachel looked beautiful in the green silk creation. "I never thought about it, but we are of
the same height."

"I confess I had to let the waist out a bit," Ra chel said, laughing. "You have such a tiny
waist."

Saber slipped her white gloves on and met Rachel's eyes. "I am not looking forward to this
party. I would sooner have ridden home to Casa
del Sol."

"I understand, Saber. But your brother and I
will be beside you." She tilted Saber's chin up.
"Just remember who you are."

Sadness touched Saber. "I never forget who I
am. After tonight I want to go home."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Very sure. I thought I could marry Matthew, but you were right when you said I would
be cheating him since I don't love him."

Rachel slid her arm around Saber's waist, feeling pity for Noble's sweet sister. "Whatever decision you make tonight, your brother and I will
stand by it." She frowned and took Saber's hand.
"Take that worried look off your face. Noble
thinks the party is a good idea. We will sail in
and act as if nothing is amiss."

"What if Matthew is still on patrol? I'll have to
face his mother and father alone."

Rachel fastened a strand of pearls around Saber's throat. "No, you won't. I told you that Noble and I will be with you. And we Vincente
woman are dressed for battle."

Saber smiled and nodded. "Stay near me tonight."

Reese stood across the room, his arms folded
over his chest, his eyes on the door that Saber
would come through when she arrived. He felt
different from everyone else in the room, but he
somehow needed to be there. Since he'd scouted
for the army and was known to be a friend of
Matthew's, he was welcome at these functions.
But he had never attended until tonight.

He caught a glimpse of Matthew's mother and
father mingling with the officers and their wives.
They were apparently enjoying being the center
of attention. There was a stir at the door, and
Matthew entered, the gold leaves on his dark
blue dress uniform signifying he was a major.
Reese watched as Matthew greeted everyone
and then finally made his way across the room
to him.

"I heard you had Indian troubles, Matthew."

"Nothing much. Just a few renegades who got
liquored up and caused a disturbance. They are
sobering up in the guardhouse, and we'll let
them go in the morning." He stared at Reese,
who looked uncomfortable in a black suit. "I'm
surprised to see you here tonight. I know you
were not too happy with me the last time we met
in Fort Worth."

"I won't deny that I was angry at the time."
Reese glanced around the room, wondering
what he was doing there. "But you are still my
friend."

"I hope I'll still be your friend after tonight."
Matthew's face whitened, and he stiffened, his
gaze focused on the doorway. "They're here!"
His glance moved from the beautiful redhead to
the breathtaking woman with hair the color of
summer wheat. She wore a shimmering blue
gown that left her shoulders bare. "She has
grown even more beautiful," he said in amazement. "I am just reminded how much I love her."

Reese was speechless as he watched Saber
standing between Rachel and Noble, looking so
proud and yet so frightened. He had never seen
anyone more beautiful than she was at that moment. Did anyone but him know how apprehensive she was? He was once more aware of their
differences. Saber would never be his, even if
she didn't marry Matthew. She was quality, and
he was a dirt-poor rancher who could never offer her the kind of life she was accustomed to.
"You are a lucky man, Matthew," he said
through the thickness in his throat.

Matthew stared at Saber as if he'd never seen
her before. She was an angel, a goddess. In that
moment he forgot his earlier plan, knew he must
have her for his wife.

Reese watched Matthew cross the room to Saber. It was at that point that he overheard a
young first lieutenant speaking to his companion. "What a beauty! I'd ride to hell and walk
back just to see her smile at me."

"Yeah, me, too. But that smile is for the major;
and no one else. You could only reach as high
as Saber Vincente's shoelaces."

Reese shoved himself between the two officers
and cast them a threatening scowl. "You
couldn't even reach her shoelaces," he muttered.

The lieutenant spoke to his friend in a puzzled
voice. "Now, what do you suppose got Reese
Starrett's dander up?"

"Maybe he wants the lady to smile for him.
They did spend a lot of time alone together, remember?"

Both men snapped to attention, and their
faces became flushed when Colonel and Mrs.
Washburn walked past them. The look the colonel gave them made them fall silent.

Saber's hand was resting on her brother's arm,
and he felt it tremble. Noble gave her a soft look
of encouragement. "You have been to grander
balls than this, Saber."

She nodded, watching as an elderly man and
woman approached her; she wondered if they
might be Matthew's parents. The woman was wearing a black lace gown, and her gray hair
was piled on top of her head. Her skin was unlined, and she looked the part of the perfect matriarch.

Noble greeted the Halloways and presented
them to Rachel, and then to Saber.

"My dear," Mrs. Halloway gushed, "you are
simply lovely. I now know why my son is so
taken by you."

"You are too kind," Saber said politely.

"Not at all." Mrs. Halloway's gaze settled on
Noble, and she bestowed her most charming
smile on him. "I have learned, Mr. Vincente, just
how important you are in this state. Why didn't
you tell me your family is descended from Spanish nobility? I had to find it out from Colonel
Washburn."

"I don't believe that a useless honor settled on
my ancestors is of any importance, Mrs. Halloway. I am an American, and I have no ties to
Spain or any of its titles."

"Whyever not?" Mrs. Halloway said with conviction. "An uncle of mine, by marriage on my
mother's side, was related to George Washington, and I am proud of it."

"If it makes you feel more important to claim
some distant kinship, then by all means, go to
it," Noble said coolly. Rachel could feel his anger
stirring, and she moved to his side and gripped his arm. She was grateful when Matthew appeared, and everyone's attention turned to him
and Saber. After being presented to the major,
she gave Saber an encouraging nod.

Matthew bowed before Saber, his eyes never
leaving her face. "I thought this day would never
come." He held his hand out to her. "Shall we
dance?"

She allowed Matthew to lead her across the
floor, her eyes on his face as she searched for the
young officer who had come to her rescue in
Georgia. "I'm glad to see your leg has healed."

"It is as good as ever."

He had changed but little, still handsome and
still the gallant gentleman she remembered.
"How fortunate it healed so quickly." She was
reaching for something to say to him. She hadn't
known this first meeting would be so awkward
for her.

Matthew's gaze moved across her face, and he
felt his heart quicken. "Before you were a lovely
young lady; now you are a breathtaking
woman."

She could not help smiling at Matthew. He
certainly was charming. "You are much the
same as I remember you."

Reese stepped out the door, unable to watch
Saber in Matthew's arms. It was as if he had
been ripped apart and was bleeding inside.

"I wish we could be alone," Matthew said,
squeezing her hand. "How unfortunate that our
first meeting after all these years should be in a
crowded room."

"I would like very much to talk to you alone.
Perhaps we can meet after the party."

His eyes gleamed. "Yes, of course." His chest
swelled, and he knew he was the envy of every
man in the room. "I'll arrange it."

Saber was soon separated from Matthew and
found herself dancing with Colonel Washburn
and then several other officers. Her mind was
not on her dance partners; instead, she was
practicing what she would say to Matthew when
they were alone. She was glad when her last
partner returned her to Noble's side. She didn't
want to dance, but she knew she'd be obliged to,
if asked.

"Miss Vincente, may I have the next dance?"

Saber turned at the sound of the deep tone.
Her eyes met Reese's, and she seemed to float
into his arms. Her heart was beating so fast it
was keeping time with the music of the lively
dance.

"You seem to be the belle of the party."

"Do you think so?"

"You know you are beautiful, and everyone in
this room knows it, too."

She could smell whiskey on his breath and knew he'd been drinking. "Pretty words, Reese,"
she said, trying to make light of the situation.

He scowled at her, pulling her closer, his
breath teasing her mouth, and her lips opened
as if to receive his kiss.

Hot desire surged through his body, and his
lips hungered for hers. "God help me, I have
thought of nothing but you since you left me."

Tears gathered in her eyes because she knew
she was hurting him. "I thought you would be
happy to see the last of me."

His silver eyes narrowed, and his hand
gripped her waist tightly. "When I saw you with
Matthew, I knew you belonged together."

She wanted to lay her head on his shoulder
and tell him that she belonged with him. But she
couldn't, not yet.

Reese raised her hand to his cheek and closed
his eyes at the satin touch. She sucked in her
breath when he turned her hand over and placed
a kiss just above her glove, sending a tingling
sensation down her spine. She realized that
Reese was half-drunk, and everyone was staring
at them. She had to make him stop, or he would
hate himself tomorrow. "Don't, Reese. Don't do
this."

His head snapped up as if he realized what he
had been doing. "Yes. You are right. I've had too
much to drink. A man can't be held responsible for what he says when he's been drinking."

"It's not like you to drink, Reese."

"It seemed a good idea tonight."

His silver eyes seared her, his touch burned
her skin, and she wanted to touch him, to tell
him that she was as tormented as he was. She
wanted him to touch him, to hold her, to do
everything a man did with the woman he loved.
But the image of Matthew stood between them
like a flaming sword. She was glad when the
dance stopped, and she hurried across the floor
to Noble.

For the rest of the evening she danced with
her brother and Matthew. Reese didn't approach her again, although she could feel his
eyes on her.

Around midnight Reese left, and Saber wondered if she would ever see him again.

Seeing Saber's ashen face, Noble turned to Matthew. "I believe my sister is tired. I am going to
take her to the hotel."

"May I call on her tonight?" Matthew asked.

Noble pulled her protectively to him, his eyes
holding a warning. "It depends on what you
have to say to her," he said, lowering his voice.
"She's been through enough."