Savage storm (6 page)

After a long hesitation during which she glanced nervously at each of her traveling companions, the brown-eyed brunette finally responded shyly. "I am Margaret O'Connor and I hope only to marry a kind man who will provide a nice home. He needn't be rich, just pleasant of disposition and I will be content."

As Iris responded with a scornful glance. Erica complimented Margaret with a sweet smile. "I'm certain there are many such men among those who sent for us, Margaret."

When the two young women remaining did not speak promptly, Barbara tapped the knee of the one seated opposite her, a blonde with pale blue eyes and long dark eyelashes. The girl first responded with a bright blush and then spoke softly, "My name is Marlene Berger and I'm hoping to meet a man who will want to have a large family."

"You'll have to sleep with your husband often to accomplish that feat, my dear," Iris offered sarcastically as if that possibility were most repugnant to her.

Blushing even more brightly, Marlene murmured that she understood that, but clearly she was appalled as were several of the others to think Iris would be so bold as to mention the closeness of the relationship which existed between a husband and wife. Dreadfully embarrassed and afraid the other woman would tease her further, Marlene was thankful when Iris appeared to be more interested in the passing scenery than in her companions and remained silent for the moment.

Knowing she was the only one who had not yet spoken, the young woman beside Marlene leaned forward to introduce herself. "I am Johanna Wayne and I first heard of the Oregon country when the Presbyterian church was raising money to fund its missions there. Bringing the gospel to the savages is a worthy goal, don't you agree?"

Noting the Bible clutched tightly in Johanna's hands, Iris offered slyly, "We'll remember that if we're attacked. Miss Wayne. We'll send you out to sing a few hymns and perhaps the Indians will be so enthralled they'll let us pass by unmolested."

Large tears welled up in Johanna's brown eyes as she looked to the others for support. "It is unkind of you to make fun of my beliefs." Her light brown hair was as curly as Barbara's but she'd tamed it by pulling it atop her head in a firm knot before putting on her bonnet.

"Miss Stewart seems to have several views I don't share, Johanna. I'm certain your faith is your own business and you need not concern yourself with the rudeness of others," Gabrielle said sympathetically.

"Are you calling me rude?" Iris' dark eyes flashed with anger as she challenged Gabrielle to defend herself or withdraw her remark and apologize.

Gabrielle thought the dark-haired Iris a most unusual choice for Clayton Home to have made as she seemed so different in temperament from the rest of them. Gabrielle had watched all the young women as they'd sorted through their luggage and bid their farewells, she'd had nothing else to occupy her attention. The vast majority of the prospective brides were blondes, and pretty petite ones. While a few, like Iris, had dark hair, she was the lone redhead. For as long as she could remember her aunt had tried unsuccessfully to squelch her continuous defiance and had blamed the vibrant hue of her niece's hair for her failure to do so. Gabrielle had never considered herself to be hot tempered, but being accustomed to

arguments she was not in the least put off by Iris' threatening stare.

*To criticize Johanna, as you just have, was unforgivably rude. Miss Stewart, there's simply no other way to describe it."

Seething with rage. Iris looked at the others in the carriage, hoping to find an ally, but seeing the innocence of their expressions she knew she was defeated for the moment so she turned away. However, she vowed she'd pay Gabrielle back for that insult at the first opportunity.

Barbara Renwick waited only a moment to be certain Iris was not going to respond and then she attempted to turn the conversation in a more pleasant direction. "Quite frankly, since so many fine young men have left Missouri for Oregon or Gilifornia, or have joined the Army to fight in the Mexican War, I despaired of ever finding a suitable mate. I thought Mr. Home's advertisement too good an opportunity to miss. Did you all think the same thing?"

"No!" Iris replied in a vicious whis[)er but she refused to expand upon that comment.

"I simply wanted to go to Oregon," Gabrielle said, revealing no clue as to the motivation for her actions. She'd promised herself never to reveal the story of her lost love to another soul. She was desperately sorry she'd confided in Jason Royal when he'd proved to be so unreliable a friend, and she now meant to guard the secrets of her past more carefully.

"I happen to like adventure." Erica joined in brightly and the sparkle in her green eyes revealed her spirit with a merry flash.

Surprisingly, it was Marlene who spoke next. "I was living with my sister and her husband. They have three small children, and while I knew I was a help to them, I wanted a home and family of my own. I'm afraid that I didn't see any other way of meeting a nice man than the one Mr. Home offered." She looked down at her hands, folding them primly in her lap as she prayed Iris would not taunt her again.

*'It was my mother who encouraged me to apply," Margaret explained. ''Her parents had arranged for her to marry my father and they fell in love, so she hoped I would be fortunate too. Since I had met no one else, I did not see what I had to lose in making a bargain with Mr. Home."

When Johanna realized the others were waiting for her to respond she spoke proudly. "I knew a man who would pay for a woman to make such a long journey in order to have a wife would be responsible and I hope devout as well."

Gabrielle had been interested in each of the young women's comments and she smiled as she summarized them aloud, hoping to help herself remember their names as she did. "It seems Barbara and I both want a fine young man of good character. Since Erica longs for adventure, I'd say she wants a man who'll give her an exciting marriage. Margaret hopes for kindness in a man, Marlene for a man who loves children and Johanna for a man who shares her devotion to God. You are the only one who mentioned money. Iris, so I don't think you need worry the rest of us will want the same man you do."

Erica and Barbara flashed Gabrielle saucy smiles while the other three girls being far more reserved let their approval show in their grateful glances. Iris, however, refused to give in. "We'll just have to wait and see, won't we? I think the men with the best land near town, with the real houses built of finished planks and windows made of glass, and with furniture brought from the East will be more in demand than those with crude log cabins filled with Lord knows what, and you'll be the ones to eat your words." She'd known as soon as they'd entered the carriage that Margaret, Marlene, and Johanna would provide no competition for her. They were attractive but too quiet, rather sweet, she supposed, with their childlike views of men and marriage. They lacked the spirit she knew wealthy men admired. Barbara was attractive, but Erica and Gabrielle were true beauties and they'd undoubtedly have their pick of the men for they were witty and confident as well. She wished she'd gotten a better look at the rest of the young

women, but she'd had such a terrible time convincing Jason Royal she needed all her luggage she'd had no opportunity to assess her other rivals more closely. "Do you suppose since we're riding together to Independence we'll have to share the same wagon for the next five months?"

"I for one won't be offended if you find one of the other groups more compatible, Iris," Gabrielle replied casually, hoping the obnoxious young woman would, indeed, find company she liked better elsewhere. Unfortunately Clayton Home gave her no choice for a while. When they reached the outskirts of Independence where the wagon train was forming he assigned each group of seven which had ridden together to a separate wagon.

"The journey is a long one. You may change your wagon assignments a dozen times if you wish, but please consider your temporary placement the best possible for the time being. The drivers are unloading the carriages now so please check to be certain you have all your belongings before they return the vehicles to Kansas City. Then, no matter what has been forgotten, it will have to be left behind."

Gabrielle watched in astonishment as Iris approached the solidly built man with a coquettish step. She batted her eyelashes coyly and spoke in a seductive whisper, charming Home completely as she told him should anyone be dissatisfied with their assignment she'd be happy to trade places in the interest of achieving harmony for the entire group.

Erica moved close to Gabrielle to whisper. "Did you hear that? How gracious of her!"

"I wondered why so difficult a woman was chosen; now I understand what her interview must have been like. If she manipulates all men as easily as she just did Mr. Home, she should have no trouble finding a rich husband."

"Rich, Miss MacLaren?" Jason had walked up behind the two young women in time to hear only the last of Gabrielle's remark and he sneered in disgust. "I hate to disappoint you, but none of our clients can be classified in that category.

Perhaps with your inspiration, however, your hushand may attain a great deal of weahh which Vm certain you'll be able to tell him how to spend."

Gabrielle wheeled around, angered that he would think her the mercenary sort when she knew she most definitely was not. ''You misunderstood me, Mr. Royal, I—"

''It doesn't matter what you said. Miss MacLaren, when your intention obviously is to do the very best that you can for yourself. Now I would appreciate it if you and Miss Nelson would help the driver remove your belongings from his carriage so he can return to Kansas City; then you may gossip to your heart's content," Jason remarked impatiently, clearly having no interest in hearing any explanation Gabrielle might care to give for the comment he'd overheard. "I'll take Sunny off your hands for the night since you'll be busy packing your wagon, but beginning tomorrow morning he will be your responsibility again."

Gabrielle blushed deeply, hurt that he thought so little of her and knowing there was no way for her to explain anything to the man when he took so arrogant a tone. 'Thank you, but I'll be happy to see to his care tonight if you'd rather I did."

"I said I'd do it and I will!" Jason responded crossly. "Now I really must dismiss the carriages, and unless you plan to wear that black suit all the way to Oregon City I suggest you make certain your belongings have been removed!"

Startled by the anger in his tone, Gabrielle moved back. "Yes, sir!"

With a fierce scowl, Jason turned to move on but he'd not taken ten paces before Iris overtook him. Taking his right arm and pressing her slender figure so close to his side he could scarcely walk, she smiled sweetly as she repeated the same generous offer she'd made to Clayton, to trade her place and move to another wagon should any young woman be dissatisfied with her assignment.

Gabrielle bit her lip to keep from screaming a most uncomplimentary word, but it was Erica who supplied it in a

low whisper.

"Bitch! Let's hope she's able to move before noon tomorrow."

'^Sundown tonight would suit me better!" Gabrielle was deeply hurt that Jason had misinterpreted her remark so badly, but seeing the smile he gave Iris brought a sick feeling to her stomach and she knew it was not due to the effects of the carriage ride. He'd been so abrupt with her, curt to the point of being rude, and there he was flashing that disarming grin at Iris as though he liked her immensely. Why couldn't he see through the transparent act this self-centered young woman was performing solely for his benefit? More importantly, why should she care what Jason thought of Iris? There was no reason why his opinion should matter to her, none at all. When she noticed Erica watching her closely Gabrielle attempted to make her think she'd been observing Iris, not her handsome companion. ''What do you suppose she's after?"

"Whatever favors he can arrange for her, I suppose. Maybe she's just practicing her technique since the opportunities to do so might be few on the trip. Let's just see to our luggage before Mr. Royal comes back to complain to us again. He certainly seems to take his responsibilities seriously, and I for one don't want to hear him yell at us again."

"Yes, I'm coming."

Gabrielle could carry her valise now that she'd separated tlie books, but it was not an easy task or one she thought she could manage five or six times a day as Jason had predicted she might have to do. She'd tied the books together in a neat stack with string she'd acquired from the hotel clerk, and now attempting to balance the two loads, she carried her things the short distance to the back of the wagon where the others were trying to decide how best to organize their possessions.

The wagon had already been loaded with provisions: bacon, flour, salt, pepper, coffee, potatoes, carrots, and apples. A heap of bedding and an assortment of pots, pans, tin plates, and other utensils filled most of the remaining inside space, while

barrels of drinking water had been lashed to the sides. The sturdy Conestoga wagons were named for the town in Pennsylvania where they were manufactured. All were brand new, their white canvas tops sparkling in the sun, because no wagon ever survived the Oregon Trail in good enough condition to make a return trip.

Barbara sat down upon her suitcase and waited for someone to make a suggestion. Neither Marlene nor Margaret had any ideas, and Johanna began to thumb through her Bible searching for some relevant verse to cover their situation.

When Erica gave Gabrielle an imploring glance, she stepped forward. "If we sort our belongings so the clothing and things we'll need on the trip will be readily accessible that will help us place the articles we'll use later in the luggage we can store on the bottom."

"That makes sense," Erica agreed quickly. She bent down to open her two bags and rearrange her possessions. "Why couldn't Mr. Royal have thought of that when he had us all searching through our luggage for things to discard?"

Gabrielle turned around to be certain Jason couldn't overhear that criticism. "Men have different priorities, that's all. What's important to him is different from what would be our first consideration." Even as she spoke she couldn't understand why she'd be making excuses for the young man, but she was certain what she said was true.