Savage Conquest (19 page)

As Miranda pondered the ruse, Amanda warned,
"If Weber discovers we're working against him, he'll
be dangerous, Randy."

"More so than he is now?" Miranda debated.
"Nothing would please me more than to unmask
that vile devil. I think it'll work," she stated smugly,
then told her sister how and why ...

"You're a genius, Randy," she declared, hugging
her sister with love and appreciation.

"There's only one thing more, Mandy. Once I
encourage Weber, we'll have to find a way to protect
me from him," she ventured, half in jest and half in
seriousness.

"That's simple," Amanda announced. "But I'd
rather let Luke give you his surprise. He's coming
over this afternoon. After you and I finish with
Weber tonight, we'll both be free and safe," she alleged mysteriously, grinning at her sister.

"What does Luke have to do with this? What
surprise?" she eagerly persisted.

Amanda smiled mischievously and refused to say
more. "You think we can pull off this adventure?"
she inquired softly.

"Positively, and it will be fun," Miranda concluded gleefully. "Now, let's get this stimulating
charade planned."

Miranda went upstairs to unpack from her
journey. When Amanda came to tell her Lucas had
arrived, Miranda was standing before a long mirror,
staring dreamily at her reflection. Amanda knew
where her sister's thoughts were and smiled in
resignation. Lucas was right; Miranda needed to
follow her dream and to settle it.

Miranda was wearing a dress of their mother's, an
exquisitely beaded buckskin dress which had been
made from an albino deer. The dress had been given
to Marie Lawrence by her father, Sun Cloud, chief of
the Oglala Sioux in the Dakota Territory. The dress
brought forth images of their mother as a young girl,
a Sioux princess named Morning Star who had
sacrificed everything to marry a handsome adventurer named Joseph Lawrence.

Miranda turned and looked at her teary-eyed sister.
"She was very beautiful. How she must have loved
Papa to marry him and move here. It must have
pained her deeply to forsake her family and people to
accept Papa's. She once told me she could never return home because she had dishonored her people
by choosinga white man. Can you imagine how hard
it was to change from a carefree Indian maiden to a
Southern lady? Papa taught her well, Mandy; no one
would have guessed her heritage. She loved Papa and
was happy with him. But many nights I found her in
the garden staring at the moon, as if wondering
about her family and all she'd lost. Perhaps she
sensed danger closing in; perhaps that's why she
wanted to go home one last time. Now it's too late.
She's gone, and her family doesn't know. Do you
suppose grandfather could sense her ... death?"

"I don't know, Randy. In that dress with your hair
braided, you look like she did the last time I saw her
wearing it. Where did you find it? Why put it on and
torment yourself?" she inquired sadly.

"It was at Morning Star. I went through many of
their things, but I didn't move or discard an item. I
was going to pack their belongings and store them in
the attic, but something stopped me. It was the
strangest feeling, Mandy, like they are still alive
somewhere. When I found this dress and headband, I
could almost hear Mama telling me to take them
with me. She was whispering so softly that I couldn't
make out where I should take them."

Amanda paled slightly and trembled. "After you
talk with Luke, Randy, perhaps you'll understand
Mama's message. Yes, it was meant to be," she told
herself aloud.

Miranda gazed at her. "What are you talking about, Mandy?"

"Let Luke explain. But I'll agree with your
decision."

"What decision? Explain what?" Miranda questioned, baffled.

"A quest for your destiny, dear sister. You must
find yours as I've found mine with Reis. Come and
listen to Luke," she coaxed, taking Miranda's hand
and pulling her downstairs.

When they entered the sitting room, Lucas jumped
to his feet and gaped at Miranda. "My God, Randy,
you look just like Aunt Marie!" he cried in
astonishment. "I knew you favored her, but not this
much. Did you tell her, Mandy?"

"No, it's your surprise and her choice. I'll leave
you two alone," she stated, closing the door behind
her.

It had never been more apparent to Lucas that
Amanda had taken after her father in looks and
personality, while Miranda was the image of Marie.
Marie had gone so far as to teach Miranda the Sioux
language and history and customs, inspiring in her
daughter a hunger to experience and witness that
vanishing way of life. Now, Lucas was in a position
to grant his cousin her lifelong fantasy.

"I'm leaving Alexandria Friday, Randy, leaving
Virginia and the South," he began slowly, bringinga
look of shock to Miranda's face and a staggering jolt
to her senses. "I've been given an irresistible
assignment, to write an historical account of the
exploits of three men: Custer, Sherman, and Sheri dan. The publisher is paying my expenses and a
salary of ten thousand dollars. I've accepted the
deal."

"You're writing the story of three Yankee destroyers? Why?"

"Because I want the truth published for once, for
all time," he declared earnestly, witnessing her
distress which would be shortlived.

"But where are you going? What about me and
Mandy?"

"All three men are on duty in the same western
area, the Dakota Territory. Would you come along as
my assistant?" He dropped his news without warning. "I've discussed this with Mandy. She was
reluctant at first; now she thinks it's a good idea. She
knows what it would mean to you, and this is the
perfect opportunity-in many ways," he added,
winking at her. "After your charade with Weber, it
will get you out of his path with a logical excuse. You
and Mandy can have a big quarrel and you can leave
home. It should take about three months; then we'll
come home to find Weber arrested."

Miranda stood up and paced the room as this
information was digested. "But what about Mandy,
Luke? We can't leave her alone here with that
demon," she fretted nervously. "Reis is leaving too."

"Reis won't be gone but a week or ten days. By the
time we leave, she'll have plenty of excuses to refuse
his attentions, to play the injured female, to stall for
time until Reis can arrest him. In fact, it will be easier
for her to fool Web if you're gone. So what do you say?" he asked.

"You aren't teasing me?" she probed before
accepting. He shook his head, smiling at her. "When
do we leave?"

"Friday, so get packed and ready. I'll get Mandy so
we can tell her our plans." When Lucas left the room,
Miranda danced around the furniture, humming and
dreaming until they returned to join her.

Miranda and Amanda talked and planned far into
the night. After two months of anguish, their lives
were changing drastically and happily. Knowing
that Reis was aware of Miranda's return, Amanda
knew he would not make a nocturnal call on her
tonight. Not since they were twelve had the twins
curled up in the same bed and chatted the night away
until slumber captured them.

To aid their plans, the twins told Alice Reed she
could be off until Friday. They told her to rest, to
work at her home, and to spend time with her
husband. The older woman was appreciative of their
generosity, but the girls had always been kind and
sweet to her. Mrs. Thomas Reed left their home
praying that the bright Miranda could talk some
sense into her confused sister, for she felt Amanda
had to be foolish to marry that rake, Weber
Richardson. Many times lately Alice had bitten her
tongue to keep it from running loose to her young
mistress. If only Amanda learned a few of the earcurling tales about that cruel and malicious man, she
would flee in terror!

At four o'clock, Lucas delivered a huge crate to the back door and told Miranda to answer the front door
and seat the man standing there in the parlor.
Miranda did as he instructed, studying the suit-clad
gentleman inquisitively. He smiled warmly but
didn't state his business. Miranda left him to
question Lucas's weird behavior.

Lucas was forcing open the crate when she
returned to his side. He chuckled as he told her to
inform Miss Amanda Lawrence that the minister and
her sweetheart were here and preparing for their
marriage! Speechless, Miranda watched as Reis
Harrison stepped from the crate and dusted off his
clothes. "Fetch the bride, cousin," Luke commanded, filling the room with hearty laughter.

Miranda raced upstairs. "Mandy, you're not going
to believe this, but you're getting married in a few
minutes. Reis, Luke, and the minister are waiting for
you downstairs."

"What-what did you say?" she stammered.

Miranda laughingly revealed the crafty preparations going on downstairs. "Well? Do you want to
become Mrs. Reis Harrison today?"

"But I don't have a wedding gown! Look at me,"
she panted. "I'm a mess. I can't get married like this.
What will people say?"

"Nothing, dear sister; it's a secret ceremony,
remember? How about that azure-blue satin gown?
I'll get it while you undress."

"How do I look?" Amanda inquired nervously
when she was finished dressing. Miranda laid aside
the hairbrush and hugged her tightly.

When they entered the parlor together, Reis's blue
eyes were for Amanda alone. A look of pride and love
flamed upon his handsome face, bringing a flush of
passion and pleasure to his cheeks. He looked so
elegant in his tailored, wine-colored garments.
Amanda's heart fluttered wildly as she stared at him.
Never had he looked more handsome.

Her gown rustled softly as she walked into his
embrace. "I take it your answer is yes?" he teased her.

"You might have given me some warning, Mister
Harrison. I didn't think this ceremony would be such
a deep, dark secret," she replied merrily.

"It is," he casually responded. "During the night,
the groom can sneak out and none will be the wiser.
As for the Reverend Simons here, he knows of our
dilemma and will protect our secrets. He is also a
doctor and you're supposedly ill; so he has kindly
visited his patient today. I'm afraid I couldn't leave
on that trip until you were mine, love," he confessed
roguishly. "Well?"

"What are we waiting for, my love?" she teased.

With Miranda beside her sister and Lucas beside
Reis as witnesses, Reis Harrison and Amanda
Lawrence became husband and wife within ten
minutes on a lovely Tuesday in mid-May of 1873.
The documents were signed and given to Amanda for
safekeeping. After Simons's departure, a celebration
began.

Lucas teased the couple, "I would take Randy out
for the evening, but that would look strange to our observer. After all, if Amanda's sick in bed, she
shouldn't be left alone."

Miranda giggled as she watched her sister blush
from hairline to the bodice of her gown. Although
Amanda hadn't confessed the prior intimacy between
her and her love, Miranda sensed it was there. But
Lucas was right. She couldn't leave the house this
evening.

The four drank champagne which Lucas had
thoughtfully furnished for this joyous occasion.
Miranda said, "I'm afraid the best Luke and I can do
for you two is for him to leave and for me to get lost in
my room. You can have dinner and ... talk privately. I do have to pack."

Neither Amanda nor Reis protested Miranda's
suggestion. Lucas congratulated them again, shaking Reis's hand and hugging Amanda. He told
Miranda he would come by tomorrow afternoon to
finalize their departure plans. Just before opening
the door, an outside sound halted his action. He
cautiously peered through a slit in the curtains near
the doorway. He stiffened as he watched Weber get
out of his carriage and unlatch the gate to head up the
long walkway.

He rushed into the parlor and warned Reis and
Amanda to flee to her bedroom. Lucas and Miranda
quickly concealed the evidence of their party, then
she rushed to her own room. Lucas abruptly opened
the door just as Weber raised his hand to knock,
startling him.

"What the hell!" he shouted, glaring at Lucas.

"What are you doing here?" Lucas asked in vivid
annoyance.

"Get out of my way, Reardon. I'm here to see my
fiancee," he boldly announced, ready to brush past
Lucas.

"Hold on, Richardson. The doctor just left.
Amanda's in bed. You can't disturb her today," he
informed the surly man, amusing himself by telling
the truth in such a beguiling manner.

The man whom his spy, Jim, had reported seeing
entering and leaving was a doctor? "How is she
feeling?" Weber asked, pretending to calm down at
the distressing news.

"How do you think since the doctor had to visit?"
Lucas scoffed, implying she was very ill.

"Where's Miranda?" Weber inquired, eager to take
advantage of Amanda's indisposition to have a
pleasant reunion with her sister.

"She's upstairs. Where else would she be?" he
sneered sarcastically. "I was just leaving. This isn't a
place for visitors today."

"If you don't mind, I'd like Amanda to know I
came by," Weber snapped at the infuriating man
who was provoking him.

"Wait here," Lucas ordered tersely then went to the
base of the steps and called out for Miranda. When
she leaned over the railing and responded, he passed
along Weber's message, then told her good-by. At the
door, he insisted that Weber leave with him.

Convinced of Amanda's illness, Weber left hur riedly. He chided himself for being so skeptical of
Amanda, since she really wasn't smart enough to
deceive him. But he had feared the stranger was a
messenger from that devious and calculating Reis
Harrison. At least his foe hadn't made any attempt to
get to Amandal And Lucas was leaving this week.