Savage Conquest (51 page)

Custer was a strange man, a man either fiercely
hated or genuinely admired. He cut a dashing figure
as the epitome of a professional soldier, a man
obsessed with fame and power, a man who believed
he could conquer any force. When the Civil War
ended, Custer needed excitement and danger as
others needed nourishment for survival. He started
his new career with the Seventh Cavalry Regiment in
Kansas in 1867. Only recently had he been ordered to
take command of the Dakota Territory, operating
out of Fort Lincoln.

Considered a proud or vain man, depending on the
source, Custer appeared fearless, often charging
headlong into the heat of battle. Some called him reckless and vainglorious, but above all, Custer was a
military man. He followed orders, even if he resented
or disagreed with them. He was often called a
brilliant strategist, but others claimed it was merely
luck. Custer never drank alcoholic spirits and rarely
used profanity. He believed in the total authority of a
commanding officer. Although he loved his wife
Libby deeply, it was rumored he had a Cheyenne
mistress. As much as he was alleged to despise
Indians, he felt it his duty to try and uphold the
treaties and promises made to them.

Custer was now being thrust into historical events
beyond his control. He saw many wrongs but felt his
first loyalty was to his country and his men. Often
overzealous in his conduct, he was determined to go
down in history as a brave and intelligent leader, but
Fate was swiftly coloring the pages upon which his
personal drama was being recorded:

When Miranda told her sister of her intentions to
sneak to the Oglala camp and warn them of Custer's
arrival, Amanda was petrified. Miranda angrily
declared that her sister could cover her absence by
sticking to the story of her illness. They argued for a
long time, until Lucas finally intervened and told
Miranda she could not go.

"You can't order me about, Lucas Reardon," she
snapped.

"If you're caught, Randy, it would spoil everything," Luke retorted, his own eyes glittering frostily. "This time you listen and obeyl"

"That's Custer out there, Luke!" she panted
frantically. "And Sherman and Sheridan aren't far
away. I'm going!" she announced.

"You don't have to! Reis is ... Just wait awhile
and things will settle down," he finished, trying to
cover his slip.

When she questioned his half-statement, he passed
it off nonchalantly. But Miranda guessed what he
had been about to say; she relaxed, assuming Reis
and Lucas were going to warn her people.

When Brody called again, Miranda could not
refuse to see him, for he caught her outside getting
fresh air with Amanda and Reis. They chatted for a
time, then Brody asked her to go for a walk or allow
him to step inside for some coffee. Recalling that
Reis's reports were lying on the table, Miranda had
no choice but to accept his invitation. Reis smiled at
her, knowing why she had agreed, sensing why she
disliked this man. He resolved to find away to keep
them apart, even though he could have used her to
distract Brody.

As Brody and Miranda strolled along, he asked
how she had been occupying her time and why she
had not joined Lucas for the trek. Miranda passed off
his questions with light remarks and sunny smiles.
She tensed when Brody said he wanted to get to know
her and her family better. He asked if she would join
him for a picnic the next day.

Miranda was not caught unprepared for his
romantic siege, but she had not expected the rapidity of his onslaught. Her mind was elsewhere and she
was not thinking clearly or calmly. She stammered
and fidgeted. "I think ... we should get ... to know
each other better."

"That's what I just said, Miranda," he teased
devilishly. "Do I make you nervous?" he asked,
reaching out to take her hand.

She jerked it away and flushed. She tried to recall
every feminine wile she had seen Amanda use, every
coquettish gesture, every shy expression. "I fear you
press too quickly, sir," she hinted in a thick Southern
drawl, fluttering her lashes demurely. "I'm unaccustomed to men being so bold and persistent as you
Westerners. Now that my parents are ... dead, I find
it strange to choose my own companions and
activities. I thought perhaps this trip with cousin
Luke would make me a bit more daring and
confident, but alas ..." She sighed dramatically as if
disappointed with her progress and modesty.

Brody grinned mischievously and hinted, "No one
could doubt your courage or mettle, Miranda. You
remained here alone while Luke was with us. Surely
you have become less fainthearted," he teased her.

"That was different, sir. I was locked in my cabin
each night, and there were soldiers to guard me
during the day. A lady could not travel in the
company of so many men and under such deplorable
conditions. I was greatly shocked that your invitation included me. Surely you would not wish me to
face such dangers and deprivations?"

He huskily declared, "I would confront whatever necessary to be with you. In my eagerness to have you
at my side, I overlooked such matters. You are an
exquisite treasure, Miranda. I never dreamed of
meeting such a divine creature, and surely not in this
hellish place."

Miranda's face grew redder with each compliment.
"Sir, you should not speak so boldly. But thank you.
If you are to be at Fort Sully for an extended period,
perhaps we shall have time to become properly
acquainted. I should return home now," she stated
uneasily.

"Please don't go," he coaxed. "I've thought of
nothing but you since we parted. I persuaded Custer
to set up command here just so I could be near you.
You have me utterly bewitched, and my duties have
suffered greatly from lack of attention. Join me for a
picnic tomorrow? We can be alone and ... we can
share Cupid's potent spell."

She stared in amazement. "You should not suggest
such a thing, sir. It seems our morals and breeding
differ immensely. I think it best if you do not call on
me again. I fear you misconstrued our relationship
and my feelings." Her scheme to discourage him had
failed miserably.

Witnessing her reaction, he hastily declared, "I
didn't mean to offend or alarm you. Perhaps mymanners have dulled in this uncivil land. When a
man faces death every day, he comes to live for each
hour and to speak frankly. We wouldn't be totally
alone, Miranda."

"We wouldn't?" she questioned his meaning, imagining what she could learn from this man about
Custer's plans.

"Not if it made you uncomfortable. I could have an
aide serve us and remain as your guardian. I would
prefer to have privacy to talk, but I don't want to
panic you with my eagerness."

Miranda eyed him skeptically. Something in his
inflection told her he was being dishonest. But she
could take care of herself. Perhaps it would do Brody
Sheen a world of good to be tossed on his ear by a
refined and delicate lady! "All right, Major Sheen,"
she acquiesced. "But only if your aide accompanies
us," she added.

He grinned roguishly and agreed to her terms, even
as he plotted how to outmaneuver her. "I'll pick you
up at noon," he suggested.

She smiled genially and nodded in agreement.
Afterward, Brody escorted her back to the cabin.
Confident of his sexual prowess, he felt there was no
need to rush this delicate flower. No doubt she was
confused and dismayed by her wanton attraction to
him. He must attack her virtuous, naive shell with
skill and caution. She had been taught to keep those
legs tightly locked until marriage. But his fiery
passion could melt the moral clamp which prevented
his possession.

Once she became his mistress and he observed her
closely, then he would judge her appeal and value as
a wife. His tour of duty would end next spring;
perhaps Miranda Lawrence was the ideal choice for
him. If a man had to be shackled to a wife, who better than a beautiful and genteel woman? On the surface
she seemed an angel; but her sensuality was earthy
and powerful. With a little training, he could have
her right where he wanted her. He was a master of
seduction and guile; and they would be alone in a
romantic setting tomorrow afternoon .. .

When Miranda told Reis of the picnic plans, he
was both delighted and dismayed. He revealed that
he had vital plans tomorrow afternoon which she
could aid by distracting Brody Sheen while Lucas
commanded Custer's attention with an interview for
his phony book. Reis said he would take Amanda
with him to meet her grandfather; his wife's presence
would make their journey from the settlement
appear a romantic outing for the honeymooners. But
Reis warned Miranda to be alert and wary of Brody.

When Miranda pleaded to go see Blazing Star, Reis
protested. If she went along, Sheen would be
encouraged to ride after them and attempt to join
their party. He forced her to realize the importance of
misleading Brody Sheen and Custer. He promised to
give a message to her love, to try to set up a secret
meeting between them. She unhappily agreed before
retiring to dream of her intrepid warrior.

While Reis and Amanda made passionate love and
Lucas envisioned literary accolades and Miranda
dreamed of her copper-skinned lover, Brody Sheen
was staring coldly and sardonically at the odious
scout who had told him of the upcoming parlay and
Reis's covert mission. It did not matter that the scout
declared Miranda ignorant and innocent of Reis's mischief; Brody painted her guilty of deceit. That
night, Brody dreamed of punishing a girl who had
made a complete fool of him, of capturing a savage
chief whose name sent shivers of fear through most
whites, and of helping his friend and commander by
destroying all of his enemies!

Despite the vitality of the landscape, death whispered upon the gentle breezes which swayed the
verdant grasses and supple leaves, played through
colorful wildflowers, and teased the wings of the
brilliantly shaded butterflies that danced with the
currents. Suspense hung heavy over the settlement
that next morning as each person planned his or her
day's events.

A pleased Tom Fletcher rode off early to watch his
plot unfold from a distance through his field glasses.
The drama was in motion, but the naive actors did
not as yet know their roles. The final act had begun
on this wane morning, and nothing could save the
white and red players from destruction.

Lucas Reardon obtained permission from Custer
to ride along with part of his troop to the Cheyenne
River Agency to check on rumors of trouble on the
reservation. The larger part of his regiment was to remain camped near Fort Sully, under the command
of Brody Sheen. Practically ordered to mount up and
accompany the departing squad, Lucas was dismayed by the fact that he was not given time to return
to his cabin to warn Reis of their destination, where
Chief Red Cloud would be found missing if Custer
requested to see and speak with him.

Reis and Amanda Lawrence Harrison rode off
with a picnic basket, laughing and chatting as if on
the way to a romantic tryst. Reis cleverly headed in
the opposite direction from the counci' meeting,
planning to skirt the settlement to prevent discovery.
He hoped his wife was in excellent condition, as they
would be forced to ride strenuously to arrive on
schedule after this diversionary tactic. Reis felt no
qualms about taking his wife along on this trip.
Crazy Horse had promised they would be observed
and protected from a distance.

Amanda was glowing with exuberance, delighted
to be a part of this monumental conference and
thrilled about meeting Sun Cloud and her sister's
love.

From surrounding areas, imposing and illustrious
chiefs and spiritual leaders headed for the meeting
which Reis Harrison had arranged with Crazy Horse
and Sitting Bull. Soon to convene were: Two Moons
of the Cheyenne; Lame Deer and Hump of the
Minniconjous; Sitting Bull, Gall, Black Moon, and
Crow King of the Hunkpapas; Crazy Horse, Big
Road, and He Dog of the Oglalas; and Red Hawk of
another Sioux tribe. The Brule chief, Spotted Tail, and another Oglala chief, Red Cloud, slipped away
from the agencies named for them to attend this
crucial parlay. Along with these historic leaders
came their most legendary warriors, a group which
included Blazing Star.

Reis had convinced Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and
their council that the "Great White Father" did not
know of the evil taking place on their lands. He asked
that each tribe list their grievances and sign the
paper; then he would personally carry the papers to
the "chief of the whites and bluecoats." He told them
Chief Grant would halt the bloodshed and punish
the whites and bluecoats consumed by greed and evil.
He tried to convince them that Chief Grant wanted
peace, that he had sent Reis here to unmask the evil
and correct it. Reis also warned that the meeting and
papers must be kept secret, as those evil whites would
try to prevent him and the evidence from reaching the
"Great White Father."