Rose's Pledge (35 page)

Mr. Jenkins nodded. “They did seem quite interested in our dinner. They must have been curious about what we were all saying.”

Leaning forward, Mr. Hawkes’s expression looked deadly serious in the firelight. “There’s something I forgot to mention earlier. The reason Joe Frazier wasn’t at his trading post was because he was out looking for his villagers. They’d all disappeared during the night. They knew the French were coming and didn’t want to get caught in the middle. Even though they prefer our goods, they’re more than willing to trade with whoever sets up a post, English or French.”

“That’s good to know.” Nate rubbed his chin in thought, wondering if these Shawnee villagers would prove to be as disloyal.

Shining Star seemed to detect the seriousness of the moment. Her slender brows knitted with concern, she quietly spoke to Bob. His answer seemed to satisfy her, and she relaxed against him again.

From the corner of his eye, Nate caught a flash of movement. “Here comes Rose,” he said in a low voice, then raised the volume. “Has the Potomac started freezin’ yet? The stream behind the corrals was frozen half the mornin’ yesterday.”

“No, not yet.” Mr. Hawkes rose to his feet. “Mistress Kinyon, do join us.”

“Why thank you.” She came into the light, her heavy woolen cloak snug around her.

Nate flashed her a grin. “I take it you got our little Jenny-girl all settled down for the night, my love.”

The smile she offered did look genuine as she plucked a cup off a nearby rock and poured some tea from the kettle. “Hopefully, yes.”

Pulling back the robe covering his legs, he patted the spot next to him on the sitting log. “Come sit with me, sweetheart.” He sure did like playing the part of her husband. Maybe soon …

As Rose complied, Nate draped an arm about her shoulders, surprised when she actually leaned into him—even if it was only ever so slightly.

She took a sip of her tea. “I’ve a fire going in all the wigwams to warm them up. And I’ve placed blankets and fur robes in the large one over there.” She pointed to the one the Susquehannock brothers had used. “Of course, you may want to add your own bedding. It seems to be turning quite chilly.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Hawkes said with a polite bow of his head. “You’ve been a far more gracious hostess than we could ever have imagined.”

“Well, I do hope your workmen won’t mind staying in the trading post.”

“That’s better accommodations than they’ve had on the trail thus far.”

Young Mr. Jenkins leaned forward. “Where exactly did you come from in England, Mistress Kinyon? I hope to go to Britain for a visit one day soon.”

Rose smiled at him. “Were you to make port at Bristol, you’d not be far from my city, Bath.”

“I’ve heard of that place. Isn’t that where all the rich people go on holiday?”

“Why, yes, it is.” She settled more comfortably at Nate’s side. “They come to soak in the hot mineral springs and to take in the plays and balls, of course. But I prefer to think that more importantly, they come to see and be seen. I’m sure you’d enjoy a visit there most thoroughly.”

Watching Mr. Hawkes, Nate perceived the man’s suspicious nature coming again to the fore as he stared at Rose as if she were telling lies. He had the greatest urge to blacken that company man’s judging eyes.

“And you left all that for this?” Hawkes made a wide arc with his arm.

She stiffened a bit. “I’m afraid you misunderstood me, sir. Bath was my home, not a place I visited. My father owns a small shop there.”

Jenkins brightened. “Perhaps you could persuade your father to carry some of our furs.”

“That sounds quite lovely, but for the shops in Bath they’d need to be fashioned into elegant wraps and other accessories.”

Thin Mr. Parker finally entered the conversation. “No wonder Mistress Kinyon is well accomplished in the art of display, being the daughter of a shopkeeper.”

Nate felt Rose relax again as a small laugh bubbled out of her. “Actually, I learned far more from visiting other shops, if you must know.”

The statement puzzled Nate. He’d never thought of her as a spendthrift.

Jenkins looked from her to Nate and back to her. “From what I’ve heard, the English have the finest shops in the world, with treasures brought in from all the most exotic places around the globe. Coming to the colonies, and then out here to the wilderness, must have been quite a dramatic change for you.”

Still smiling, she tilted her head. “More so for my sister. More often than not, I was accompanying her in her quest for the latest fabrics and trims.”

“I see.”

Mr. Hawkes frowned. “Your sister came to America with you?”

Even Nate felt Rose’s sharp intake of breath, as if their nosy employer was beginning to wear on her the way he was on Nate.

“Quite right. She currently resides with a plantation family adjacent to the Potomac River.”

“You don’t say.” His interest obviously piqued, Hawkes straightened. “Perhaps I know them.”

“Are you acquainted with the Barclay family?”

“The Barclays! Of Barclay Enterprises?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Why in the world would a lady like yourself allow Kinyon to drag you this deep into Indian country?”

At this, Nate reached the boiling point. Employer or not, the bounder needed his face smashed in. Pulling his arm from behind Rose, he—

Her elbow jabbed sharply into his rib, effectively stopping him. Then she casually stood to her feet. “I prefer to think of my sojourn here as a wondrous adventure. It’s been a rather long day, however, so if I don’t see you before you leave in the morning, it’s been a true treat having you visit us, even for such a short time.”

All the men got up, and Nate put his arm around her again. “Aye. It’s been a big day. Good evenin’, gents.”

Leaving the others behind, Nate escorted Rose to her wigwam. Reaching it, he pulled back the flap for her then entered behind her. He dropped the covering closed with a smile.

She swung to face him, hands on her hips, eyes flashing in the light of the fire. Her harsh whisper broke the silence. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Your
husband
is coming to bed,” he countered in a blithe whisper of his own, definitely not wanting to wake Jenny.

She flung a look of panic in the direction of the others then turned back to him, her jaw set.

Just then the flap opened, and Shining Star slipped in.

Ruining the moment.

Nate had forgotten the girl stayed with Rose. Worse yet, Bob had probably sent her running in here. Black Horse Bob, the guardian of everyone’s virtue.

His gaze returned to Rose. Her expression of panic was now one of renewed confidence as she tipped her head.

“You’re absolutely right. We must not make our employers suspicious, must we?” A smile spread across her face. “You may sleep across the fire on Shining Star’s pallet, Nate, and she”—Rose rested a hand on the girl’s shoulder—”can sleep over here, with Jenny Ann and me.”

Chapter 30

R
ose felt something tickling her nose.
Nate?
Her eyes sprang open and met Jenny’s sweet smile. Capturing the baby’s little fingers, Rose kissed them. Was anyone else awake? She raised her head to peek over Star’s sleeping form and saw Nate also asleep on the opposite side of the fire pit. It must be very early, or only a little past dawn on a gray morning. Her eyes roved over the fur-shrouded frontiersman as he lay there, and a smile tugged at her lips. After all his tossing and turning last night, he needed the extra sleep.

Still in her clothes from yesterday, she bundled Jenny, eased up off the sleeping pallet, and slipped outside with her.

Mr. Hawkes and his two companions sat with their backs to her around a roaring fire. They’d truly be off to an early start, Rose mused, heading for the woods.

After seeing to her morning needs, she plucked the covered milk pail from the thin film of ice surrounding it in the stream and started back. Jenny Ann would be patient for only so long.

She could see the workers loading bundles of pelts down at the river as she came up behind her three employers. “Good morning, gentlemen.”

The threesome turned to her, all smiles, and spoke as one. “Good morning, Mistress Kinyon.”

“I trust you slept well.”

Mr. Hawkes nodded. “It was a pleasure not to have to erect tents. The fire kept us quite comfortable.”

She smiled and set down the pail. As she reached into a sack and removed a small pan, he got up and came forward. “Let me hold your little one for you. She reminds me of my grandbaby back home.”

“Why, thank you.” She handed Jenny to him then poured milk into the pan and set it on one of the rocks surrounding the fire pit. “I like to warm her milk on cold mornings.” She glanced up at the official. “What’s your grandbaby’s name, Mr. Hawkes?”

“Arthur. Arthur Hawkes. My daughter-in-law insisted on naming him after me. We call him Arty. He was seven months old when I left on this trip. How old is your little girl?”

“She’s—what’s the date? I’m afraid I’ve lost count.” Rose felt her cheeks warm.

The man chuckled. “That’s easy to do out here, so far away from everything. Today’s the third of December.” He patted Jenny’s back then turned to his companions. “You two go join the others. I need to speak to Mistress Kinyon alone. I’ll be along directly.”

A niggle of unease made Rose’s heart skip a beat. Had he discovered the deception?

His expression gave no indication of censure. After the men had left, he met her gaze. “I must ask you, are you truly here of your own free will, mistress? You may speak frankly to me.”

Relieved that he was merely concerned for her welfare, Rose gave a polite nod. “Yes, of course. Point of fact, ‘twas entirely my idea. A way for us to earn a goodly amount of money in a relatively short time.”

A frown furrowed the man’s forehead. “But a decision of that magnitude requires considerably more experience than you possess.”

Rose’s pulse increased. Surely he was not reneging! Not after all her and Nate’s efforts to convince him of their capabilities.

“You came out here with Eustice Smith this summer, did you not?”

She reached down for the pan so he wouldn’t see her face. “Yes.

‘Tis true.” Had Mr. Smith informed the fur company about her, his bondservant?

“Then you weren’t here during the time of the spring raids, when captives are brought in, were you?”

Remembering Jenny Ann’s mother, Rose barely kept herself from shuddering as she poured milk into a tin cup. Amazing how she’d blocked the poor woman’s dreadful fate from her mind already.

Hawkes stepped closer. “Torture is the Indians’ favorite entertainment. They delight in keeping their victims screaming for days on end before the poor devils finally die. They derive some kind of perverse pleasure in causing people to suffer unspeakable horrors.”

Her chest tightening, Rose reached for Jenny and took her from the official. “I’m sure you must be exaggerating. I’ve heard of the gauntlet captives must run through to be worthy of joining the tribe. ‘Tis an initiation, I believe. The lads at university do no less.”

Mr. Hawkes wagged his head and scoffed. “Listen to me, you silly woman. That’s only for the ones the Indians intend to adopt into the tribe. Captured braves and other unfortunate individuals are another matter entirely. Some of them are taken with the prior intent to
be
tortured for the tribe’s amusement.”

Stunned, Rose sank down onto the log to feed the baby. What a fool she’d been to excuse so lightly the mind-set of the Indian.

“I can understand your wanting to be here to trade when the trappers bring in the winter furs. Granted. But know this—” He flicked a gaze beyond her.

Giving the baby a sip, Rose looked up to see Robert striding toward them.

Hawkes gave him a courteous nod. “It’s just as well you’re here to hear this. I’ll be sending replacements out here no later than April 1. I will not be party to having Mistress Kinyon and her babe around when the spring raids start. Is that clear?”

Robert glanced at Rose then back at the official. “I wholeheartedly agree. We’ll be packed an’ ready. Don’t much relish bein’ here myself then.”

Hawkes tipped his hat to Rose. “I shall look forward to seeing you at our headquarters this spring.” He pivoted on his heel and started to leave.

“I bid you Godspeed, Mr. Hawkes,” she called after him. “We shall pray for your safety.”

He stopped and swung back, looking from her to Robert and back again. “You look after yourself, too.”

Rose sensed from the queer looks passing between her friend and the official that something serious was being left unsaid. But what?