Savage storm (14 page)

"That ought to take care of you until morning, Sam Duffy,'* he said.

Then he bent down to pull the frightened little Duffy children from their hiding place; there was a boy of about eight and there were two younger girls. He sent them off with their mother to a sympathetic woman who had come forward to render assistance when she saw Sam was in no condition to object. Jason turned back to the crowd then, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.

"You've all got your own business to mind, now go see to it!"

When Jason looked at Gabrielle he found her sitting up and gazing at him with a look of undisguised admiration. He was so pleased that he could scarcely summon enough anger to reprimand her. He wanted only to pull her into his arms and kiss her soundly before the warm glow of respect left her pretty blue eyes. Instead, he reached down for her arm and jerked her to her feet.

"Well, Miss MacLaren, I am responsible for keeping the peace here and I do not recall making you my deputy!"

Before she could offer any argument he tightened his hold upon her arm and drew her along beside him as he made his way back to his tent. This was as good an excuse as any to talk with her, and he meant to lecture her in order to keep her with him for a while.

Startled by his hostile greeting, Gabrielle nonetheless did not struggle to get away but matched his long stride as best she could. "I know it is your job to see everyone behaves properly, but you weren't there and there was no one to help that poor woman unless I did it myself. I wasn't about to join that group of cowards who just stood there gaping as if that ghastly fight had been staged for their amusement!" She was not angry with Jason, far from it, but she was furious at the men who'd done nothing to help the woman she now knew as Mrs. Duffy.

When they reached his tent Jason called to Clayton to bring

Gabrielle a cup of tea to calm her. He then took her over to a thick patch of grass and, sitting down, pulled her down beside him.

"I should just turn you over my knee and give you the spanking you deserve, Gabrielle,'^ he threatened with what he hoped was convincing sincerity.

'*You wouldn't dare!" Gabrielle was ready to spring to her feet should he make a move in that direction, but he reached out to take her arm again so she could not get away.

Relieved to observe that none of Sam's wild blows had hit her, Jason attempted to make Gabrielle see the obvious folly in her action. "Why do you suppose those men you just referred to as cowards didn't do something to help Mrs. Duffy? Think about it for a moment; then give me your best guess." Although Jason's gaze was stern, his touch was gentle, a light caress upon her arm which he slowly slid down to her hand, letting his fingers rest tenderly upon hers. He had missed her so dreadfully that he could barely keep the emotion out of his voice as he spoke.

Without thinking, Gabrielle covered his hand with hers, her gesture made with the gracious ease of one confident of her lover's affection, and when Clayton brought her the cup of tea he nearly dropped it when he saw their intimate pose. Grateful for the soothing refreshment, Gabrielle lifted her hands from Jason's to accept the tin cup, unaware of how greatly she had shocked the older man.

'Thank you." She took a sip and then another before she answered Jason's question. "The obvious reason seems to be they would not interfere in another man's argument with his wife for fear he would then do the same in return."

Pleased that she was so perceptive, Jason began to smile. "Exactly, which is why they are all so content to let me handle the disputes here. Try to remember that."

While she saw his point, Gabrielle continued to explain her motivation. "I'd do it again, Jason, really I would. No man should treat his wife so badly. I don't care what they choose to

call me for interfering, Vd do it again to save another woman from such a brutal beating as that man was giving his wife."

Jason took a deep breath. "Gabrielle, I am paid to take the risks. If I get hurt, that's just part of my job. Til not allow you to risk being injured no matter how noble your purpose might be." Suddenly he thought of Beau, the young man who had lost his life to save two children. He knew Gabrielle regarded Beau as a hero, certainly not as a fool. Not wishing to give her the opportunity to think of Beau, he continued quickly. "Now should such an unfortunate situation happen again, and I am fairly certain it will as tempers always grow short with the passage of the miles, I want you to promise you'll come for me so I can take whatever action necessary. Will you promise me that, please?"

Gabrielle looked down at the cup of tea. "I don't know what might happen, Jason. If I am standing right there and—"

"Gabrielle, I want your word on this!" Jason demanded sharply.

"Or what? You'll tie me to a wagon wheel all night too?" she responded flippantly.

"No. I will just spank you right there in front of everyone, because if you behave like a child that will be what you deserve!" Jason vowed with an intensity he knew she would readily believe.

Ignoring his threat, Gabrielle asked calmly, "If you were not the wagon master, but merely one of the travelers, would you have stood by while Mrs. Duffy suffered that beating?" Even before she heard his reply, Gabrielle was certain what it would be.

Jason frowned slightly and then answered truthfully. "No. I would have done the very same thing that I did, but I am a man and strong enough to force my opinion on another man while you were foolish to make that attempt."

As Gabrielle looked deeper than Jason's hostile stare, she noticed the changes in his appearance were remarkable considering the brief span of time in which they'd occurred.

Pleased to think it had been his own integrity rather than merely his job which had led him to help Mrs. Duffy, she considered the subject closed and smiled as she inquired, "Have you been ill? You look as though you've lost weight." She could think of no more subtle way to remark upon how tired he looked, but he appeared not to have slept in weeks.

Surprised that she would notice, or care enough to ask, Jason simply shrugged. "I have a lot on my mind, you needn't concern yourself with my welfare."

"Oh, I see, and it is only your job that makes you responsible for mine?" she asked skeptically. "Really Jason, why won't you tell me the truth?"

The truth, he thought with a painful stab of remorse. Speaking the truth had cost him too dearly; he'd not risk it again. "Speaking of the truth, is there not something you wish to tell me?"

Puzzled by that question, Gabrielle leaned closer to whisper. "What do you mean, Jason? I will tell you whatever it is you want to know." Now that they were talking so quietly together she felt the man's tension and sincerely wanted to know its cause. Just looking at his troubled expression caused her pain and she set her cup aside so she might reach again for his hand, her gesture an irresistibly sweet one. "You have seen for yourself tonight that I will risk a beating to help a woman I don't even know. Tell me what sort of help you need for I will gladly give it." She felt the very same rush of emotion which had filled her heart when last they'd been together and she did not understand how she could have been such a fool as to have threatened him with death should he come near her again. "Please forgive me for what I said to you, I could never harm anyone and I'd never wish to kill a man so fine as you." That he had dispatched Sam Duffy so quickly truly had impressed her as greatly as he'd thought it had and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek softly. "Now what is it?"

Astonished by Gabrielle's tenderness, Jason looked around quickly. Pleased to see no one lurking nearby who might have

observed that kiss, he tried to smile then as he teased her. "You don't know how reUeved I am to hear that. I've been meaning to make out a will just in case—"

"Jason, you stop it this instant!" Gabrielle insisted with a lilting laugh. "Now just tell me what it is I am supposed to tell you. Stop teasing me."

Taking a deep breath, Jason decided it might be best just to be blunt. "You do understand how a child is conceived, don't you.*^

Gabrielle's cheeks flooded with color at that query and she could barely find her voice to respond. "Is that what is worrying you so greatly, that I might have become pregnant and would demand that you marry me? Since my father is dead I suppose I would have to ask Mr. Home to take his place and come after you with a shotgun!"

Jason watched the bright blue of Gabrielle's eyes take on a purple sheen and knew he'd made another grave mistake. "Will you keep your voice down please!" He ordered in a hoarse whisper. "One thing at a time. That I am concerned about you should not be any cause for anger. All I meant to say was that I hope you will tell me should the possibility of a child prove to be a reality."

Gabrielle shook her head. "It isn't. You've nothing to fear."

She was so embarrassed she wanted only to run away from him as fast as she could but she sat still, waiting for him to say whatever he wished in response.

"Damn it! I am not afraid to accept the consequences of my actions, Gabrielle! Are you?"

Lifting her chin proudly, Gabrielle responded truthfully. "No, I am not. Now if this frightful inquisition is over I'd like to be excused."

Jason knew he'd made a mess of everything as usual. He had been worried about her, desperately worried, but not for the reason she mistakenly believed. He'd no need of a wife, but he would have married her without a moment's hesitation should it have been necessary to give their baby a name. He felt far

worse now than he had before they'd begun to talk, knowing she thought so little of him.

"I don't look upon marriage as a trap, Gabrielle, but as the most natural way for a man and woman to live. Go on back to your wagon and forget I ever asked what I did. If it insulted you, I didn't mean to do that." He stood up then and, with a gentle touch, lifted her to her feet before stepping back, their conversation over without their having reached the accord for which he'd hoped.

Gabrielle was depressed too for she sensed his disappointment. However, she did not know how she could have responded any differently since she had expressed what she truly felt. "I am sorry I misunderstood the intent of your question, Mr. Royal, but if there were a child, you would be the last person to whom I would turn for help." With that taunting farewell she was gone, her feet flying over the grass. She left him too stunned by her parting insult to give pursuit.

Clayton had gone for a short walk to give himself the opportunity to think more clearly. That Jason was handsome was a fact he'd always known, and he had been aware that he was something of a rogue where women were concerned. Still, the young women they were escorting were so terribly young he'd not thought it necessary to caution his partner against becoming involved with any of them. By the time he'd returned to their tent, however, he had decided that he and Jason needed to have a serious talk immediately. Finding that Gabrielle had returned to her wagon for the night, he did not mince words.

"Miss MacLaren is a most enchanting creature, Jason."

"Yes, she is that." Jason agreed readily, his attention now focused upon his friend's words.

"You really must be more cautious around her, around all the girls in fact. I was shocked to see Gabrielle seated so comfortably and holding your hand in her lap. It is a stroke of

good fortune I was the one to see that shocking breach of etiquette rather than someone else. She is very young and foolish, but you have no such excuse. If she cannot keep her hands off you then you will have to tell her to do so in terms she will understand."

Jason started to laugh for Clayton's understanding of what he'd witnessed was so terribly inaccurate. "Believe me. Miss MacLaren is the very soul of discretion. She was worried about me, that is all. She even remarked on how tired I seem to be, just as you did, and I don't think you consider yourself overly forward. You needn't worry that Gabrielle will cause any scandal, nor I either."

"I have your word on it?" Clayton asked skeptically, still not convinced his message had gotten through.

"Of course." Jason meant that promise too, for the last thing he wanted was to damage Gabrielle's reputation or cause her anguish. She might think damn little of him, but he still considered her the dearest of women, and not one he meant to give up so easily either.

"Good." Clayton hoped he'd made some impression upon Jason, but he was still unconvinced. "Perhaps it is not a good idea for you to take the girls riding, that might cause comment,"

"It hasn't so far. There are still a few more I've not invited, and it would cause far more comment if I stop entertaining the young ladies in the only way possible."

"I suppose you are right, but be careful, Jason. I mean it."

"Good night. Clay." Jason had listened to enough of the man's fears so he went out to make certain the first group of guards were at their posts. Then he went to bed, on this night to sleep soundly for a change.

Curious to hear what Mr. Duffy would have to say for himself, Gabrielle made her way to his wagon while the others were eating breakfast the next morning. She hoped he'd be

good and sorry for being so mean to his wife, but she found him engaged in a bitter argument with Jason.

"The bitch has her eye on every man in sight and needed to be taught a lesson I tell you!" Sam Duffy was nearly as tall as Jason, but much bulkier. His sandy hair was overlong, and his scraggly beard added no note of distinction to his nondescript features. That his wife might wish to look at other men hardly seemed surprising.

"I care little what prompted your argument, Sam. I'll not allow any man to strike a woman; it's as simple as that. You can give me your promise that it will never happen again, or you may leave the wagon train now. Those are your choices."

"You can't do that!" Sam protested indignantly. "I got every right to be here, same as everybody else!"

Jason stood with his feet apart, poised for another fight if that was necessary to end the man's belligerent mood. "Not if I say you haven't. Now make up your mind, I've no more time to waste this morning."