Chapter Four

His assignment was plagued. From the missing child to the broken axle to the ill-timed weather, moving the inhabitants of Seaton House was like trying to forge a thaw-swollen river. For every step forward, the currents pushed him back two.

And now this.

Sometime during the night, vandals had tossed the orphans’ trunks out of the crippled wagon and destroyed their contents. Though the storm had been gusty, the winds weren’t strong enough to shred cotton garments into ribbons. Only a knife could render such damage.

He squatted and ran a finger over a depression in the dirt. Unshod pony tracks. Renegades most likely. They had probably come upon the abandoned wagon and decided to vent their anger. That meant they were close. Too close. He had to get Miss Talbot and the children to the safety of the fort—fast.

He rose and mounted his horse. Miss Talbot stood near the side of the road, plucking clothes from the bushes. Her gown stretched across her curves. Nicely shaped curves. And soft. He’d felt every gentle slope, every valley, when he’d pulled her behind him on the porch. As pleasant as that felt, it couldn’t be repeated. The last thing he needed was a romantic entanglement. He wasn’t ready to settle down just yet. And when he was, it would be to an obedient, disciplined woman. Willfulness was not a favorable attribute for an officer’s wife.

He reined in his lust and his mount. “Find anything salvageable?”

She straightened and swiped a stray curl with the back of her hand, leaving a smudge trailing across her forehead. “I’m afraid not. Most of the clothes are damaged beyond repair.”

“That’s unfortunate. If I had any idea this was going to happen, I would have sent the men back to collect the trunks.”

“Surely the storm couldn’t have done all this.”

A frown puckered her mouth. He wanted to kiss it away. He shifted for a less restricting position in the saddle instead. “It wasn’t entirely the storm. I found unshod pony tracks stamping the ground around the wagon. My best guess is the renegade Indians are the culprits.”

Her anxious gaze swept the surrounding woods. “I didn’t realize they were this close.”

“No need to worry. My men scouted the area before our arrival. It’s safe.” For now.

“That’s a relief.” She held up a shirt that could have passed for a battle-tattered guidon. “Though it doesn’t help our situation any. I suppose we’ll just have to make do with the clothes we have until more can be procured.”

On her, a burlap sack would look like a ball gown. “I’m sure my commander will assist you with that. Major Allen has been quite generous to those in need.”

A dirt clod thumped the ground near her feet. She turned and glared at the two boys huddled in the ditches lining the roadway. “Gabe, Robbie, stop throwing dirt. If you’re finished gathering the clothes, go and get in the wagon.”

The two mischief-makers stopped their battling and raced for the wagon. Good. It was time they started for the fort anyway—before some other calamity befell this ill-fated band of misfits.

“We’ve lingered longer than we should have. I instructed my men to get you all back on the road and heading for the fort as soon as possible.” He nestled his hat tighter on his head. “I’m going to ride ahead. Let Major Allen know you are on the way so preparations can be made and housing located.”

“A place for all of us…together.”

“I am well aware of your conditions, Miss Talbot.”

“Just making certain.” The hard lines around her mouth softened. “This is important to us—to me.”

He wanted her to have it too. Damn if she hadn’t gotten under his skin. But she was an itch he couldn’t scratch. His father had warned him to keep his eye on the prize. His career should be paramount to all else. Miss Talbot, with her unrestrained spirit and inviting curves, was a distraction he couldn’t afford.

He nudged his mount forward. Once he delivered his report, his assignment would be complete. The Seaton House evacuees would become Major Allen’s headache. And his hunger for the intriguing Meredith Talbot would shrivel and die.

Thirty minutes later, he arrived at Fort Dent. Civilians and military personnel swarmed around the garrison like bees in a hive. The fort was smaller than Leavenworth and much cruder. The buildings were made of thin wood planks that held onto the heat in the summer and let in the blustery weather of winter. There were few amenities. But he could handle the coarse conditions. It was the poorly equipped troops that had him discouraged and frustrated.

The rifles were antiquated and barely operational. Many jammed at the least provocation. Requisitions for new arms had been ignored or just plain denied—probably because it wasn’t warranted for such a small fighting force that saw little action. He couldn’t wait for his request for reassignment to be approved. Then he could put his four years of military education and training to better use.

He dismounted in front of Commander Allen’s headquarters and tied his horse to the hitching post. As he pushed through the door, the major’s adjutant rose from behind a desk and snapped to attention. The soldier was lean and leggy, like a yearling colt, with little facial hair. The army appeared to take them straight out of the schoolroom these days.

“Lieutenant Booth, sir. The major has been looking for you. Go right in.”

He removed his hat and crossed to the open doorway on the other side of the room. No sound came from within. A good sign or bad? Major William Allen was known for his mood swings, made worse by an unexplained and painful stomach ailment that hit out of nowhere. He supposed that kind of suffering would make anyone surly. Unfortunately, the report he had to deliver would only toss oil onto any belly fire.

Steeling himself for the worst, he entered the office and stood at attention in front of a desk behind which sat the commander of Fort Dent. The major looked fit enough, no sweating, no grayish pallor that usually accompanied his ailment. His neatly arranged jacket was fully buttoned. Maybe he’d lucked out and had arrived between bouts.

Preston delivered a brisk salute. “Major Allen, sir.”

The major grunted and peered at him over the rims of his spectacles. “Where the hell have you been, Lieutenant? You were expected yesterday evening.”

Definitely not between bouts. “We were delayed by a broken wagon axle, sir. And then the weather turned on us. We had to wait out the night at the orphanage.”

“But they are here now.”

“They are on the way. There was a problem with their belongings.” He explained the situation with the trunks and Miss Talbot’s request for housing.

“Who is this Miss Talbot? I thought Mildred Campbell was the steward.”

“Mrs. Campbell is away on an extended trip. She left her niece, Miss Meredith Talbot, in charge of the orphanage.”

The mention of her name conjured images of flashing violet eyes and beckoning lips. It would take some time to get thoughts of her out of his head. What he needed was a long, bone-tiring patrol to cleanse his mind…the sooner, the better.

The major leaned back in his chair and rubbed his belly. A second later, he grimaced and let go a rumbling belch. His scowl eased. “Pardon me. Stomach is acting up again. So this Miss Talbot wants housing where they can all be together?”

“She insisted on it, sir. It was the only way she would agree to move everyone to the fort.”

“Well, I suppose there’s nothing for it. We’ll have to accommodate the niece’s wishes.”

For all his surliness, Major Allen retained a clear, rational head. Tension rolled out of Preston’s shoulders. He didn’t want Miss Talbot to think he’d spoken in bad faith about attaining quarters where she and the children could stay together. He could hand over their care to the major with a clear conscience.

The adjutant appeared in the doorway. “Excuse me, sir, but Mayor Wood is here. For a tour of the fort.”

“Yes, yes,” Major Allen said with a flick of his hand. “Tell the mayor I’ll be right there.”

As the soldier left the room, Major Allen unhooked his spectacles and set them on top of the desk. He stood and straightened his jacket with a tug on the bottom. “Delicate business these orphans. We don’t want to appear hard-hearted, especially with most of the townsfolk watching.”

In his opinion, the orphans and the townsfolk ought to be grateful for the military’s help in whatever form that came. But then, he wasn’t the commander.

“With that in mind,” Major Allen continued. “I’m assigning you to look after them from the moment they arrive until they leave. Anything they or their caretakers need, housing, clothing, or food, you will do your best to provide. I don’t want any complications, is that understood?”

Damn. Damn. Damn. Overseeing latrine maintenance couldn’t be a worse assignment. “Yes, sir. I understand perfectly.”

“And one other thing, Lieutenant.”

Of course there was more. How could there not be?

“I have requisitioned the officers’ barracks for the arriving civilians. You will need to make other arrangements for your quartering. For convenience sake, I suggest you have your striker pitch a tent near the orphan’s quarters. That will facilitate the administering of their needs.”

Wonderful. Now he’d be living near the noisy, unruly urchins day and night—not to mention their bewitching guardian.

****

“I don’t like it here. There’s too many people, and the fence is too big. I wanna go back to Seaton House.”

Meredith contained a grumble of agreement. The ten-foot tall stockade walls were intimidating, as were the dozens of soldiers and civilians swarming around the gaping maw at the gate. As much as she wanted to tell the driver to take them back to the orphanage, they had to stay until the threat from the Indians was allayed.

“It will be all right, Anna. The big fence and all these soldiers are here to protect us. Besides, once we settle into our new quarters, you won’t even notice them.” She hoped.

“Those people are staring,” Lily whispered. “And they have black auras. I don’t like this, Miss Talbot. Not one bit.”

A group of civilians gathered near the gate watched as the wagon rolled past. There were no smiles, no gestures of welcome, just cold, disapproving stares. A chill scuttled down her spine. This did not bode well for their stay. Yet, however unnerved it made her feel, she couldn’t let the children see her misgivings.

“They are merely curious,” she offered in a positive tone. “Considering all the folks that live outside the fort, we are probably just the latest in a long string of arrivals.”

“Do you think they know about us? About what we can do?”

“I sincerely doubt it. Mrs. Campbell has worked hard to keep Seaton House sheltered from the outside world.”

Lily’s face remained pinched with uncertainty. Meredith supplied her with an encouraging smile. “Everything will be just fine, Lily. You’ll see.”

“They don’t look happy to see us,” Anna said. “They have tilted down lips.”

Out of the mouths of babes. “The situation doesn’t lend itself to happiness. They are probably just as unhappy as we are about leaving their homes.”

In a large clearing ahead, troopers rode in formation while putting their horses through a series of exercises. Perhaps shifting the children’s attention to something more fascinating would take their minds off the frosty reception.

“Look, children. The troopers are practicing their riding skills.”

“Just like we practice ours,” Anna chimed in.

“Well, somewhat. And look over there.” She pointed to a large building where troopers were leading horses into and out of a pair of wide doors. “That must be the stables.”

Robbie bounced in the straw, his eyes dancing with excitement. “Can we go visit the horses? Please, Miss Talbot? I bet they have lots to say about the goings-on at the fort.”

“No, Robbie. The stables are off limits. We need to keep to ourselves, remember?”

The boy’s face and shoulders fell. Meredith’s heart went out to him. She didn’t want to dampen his spirits, but they had to keep the danger of their talents being discovered in the forefront of their thoughts.

A bugle blared, and Mrs. Clement jerked her head upright, eyelids springing open and mouth snapping closed, putting an abrupt end to the snoring that had serenaded them for the past half hour. The housekeeper had somehow found the discipline to nap. How she managed with the noise and the jolting was unfathomable.

“Have we arrived then?”

Meredith nodded. “About five minutes ago.”

The housekeeper grimaced and rolled her shoulders, working out the kinks like a magician escaping from a small locked box. “Ach. It feels as if I’ve been riding in this wagon for a week. Quite exhausting, you ken. ’Tis a relief to finally be here.”

The entire ordeal had been exhausting. Mr. Hoggard had the right of it. He’d decided to stay behind and watch after the animals. Rogue Indians or not, she had half a mind to join him.

Gabe rose up on his knees. “There’s the lieutenant over by that little white building. And he don’t look none too happy to see us either.”

“He doesn’t look happy,” she corrected.

“Nope. But he ain’t ever happy, so it’s all the same.”

Private Greene, his head still swathed in bandages, gave a strangled cough and slowed the mules. The trooper had insisted on driving. Said he wasn’t going to let a little bump on the head keep him from his duties. Hopefully that dedication wouldn’t cause any permanent damage.

The wagon stopped in front of a wood-planked building that had been slathered with whitewash. A small window flanked a plain wooden door, over which hung a sign that read, Headquarters. An American flag fluttered atop a tall pole stuck in the ground. If their assigned housing was half this quaint, their stay would be bearable.

Lieutenant Booth stepped off the stoop and crossed toward them. Whatever Gabe had seen on the officer’s face had been wiped clean. Stubble darkened his jaw, making him appear rakish and unrestrained—a pirate of the prairie. Her pulse stuttered just as it always seemed to do at the sight of him. If she wasn’t careful, he might find her easy plunder.

He climbed aboard the wagon and sat next to Private Greene. He twisted around and tipped his hat. “Mrs. Clement. Miss Talbot. I’m glad to see you made it to the fort without incident.”

Meredith returned his greeting. “As are we. The only attack we suffered was from an irritable wasp. Unfortunately, Sally’s arm took the brunt of the assault.”

“I can have Doctor Troutman have a look at the child if you’d like. His temporary office is not far from here.”

The less contact they had with others, the better. “That won’t be necessary. Mrs. Clement applied a plaster of mud and grass. The swelling has gone down, and Sally is feeling much better. Aren’t you, sweetling?”

Sally smiled and nodded. A piece of peppermint also went a long way to helping a whimpering child get over her pains.

“Very well. I have two possible locations for your quartering. I’ll show you each of them, and you can decide which will suit.” He spoke to Private Greene who bobbed his head and then slapped leather to the mules.

As the wagon rattled forward, the lieutenant faced her again. “Is this your first visit inside Fort Dent, Miss Talbot?”

She had only caught a glimpse of the garrison when she arrived on the stagecoach. Ever since then, she’d remained secluded behind the walls of Seaton House—by choice. “This is the first I’ve seen of it. The orphanage keeps me quite busy. I have little time for seeing the sights.”

He pointed to the whitewashed building. “That is the headquarters of Major William Allen, commander of the garrison. He assigned me to look after you and the children during your stay. Whatever you need, I am to do my best to provide it.”

Having someone at hand who was familiar with the fort and its operation would make their stay easier. But that meant she’d be seeing more of him—a lot more. She’d have to redouble her efforts to keep a firm hand on her body’s fascination with him.

The wagon approached a long rectangular building with a wide veranda stretching across its length. The open porch would be an ideal spot to socialize and to catch an evening breeze during the hot summer months. Doors of the same height and width paraded from one end to the other. The walls appeared to be constructed of wood planks, unpainted and wafer thin. No doubt sounds and chilly weather would find easy entry into the apartments.

“This is the officers’ barracks,” the lieutenant said as the wagon rattled to a stop. “It’s one of the places where we’re currently housing civilians.”

“And what of the officers?”

“We’ve been ordered to find other accommodations.”

That was a relief. While she didn’t wish any hardship on him, having him living within earshot and eyeshot would only add to her strain.

“This is one of the options for you to consider,” he continued. “Unfortunately, most of the units have been taken. There’s only one left. It has a bedroom and a larger living space which includes a cooking and eating section. With ten of you, it will be cramped.”

A door opened and then another. Two women and several children surged onto the veranda. The ladies eyed them warily, while the children stared with open curiosity. One boy started for the wagon but was pulled back by a stern-faced woman. Meredith’s stomach bunched. Cramped conditions she could handle. Being under the scrutiny of so many eyes she could not. It would be a calamity waiting to happen.

“Would you like to have a look at the unit, Miss Talbot?”

The living quarters could be grand as the Taj Mahal, and she wouldn’t accept it. “This other place you have in mind, is there more room?”

“It is larger and a bit more isolated than the barracks, but…”

Uncertainty scampered across his face. Whatever reservations he had about the other housing, it couldn’t be nearly as bad as living in a fish bowl.

She nodded. “It sounds perfect. Take us there.”

After wending around the stables and passing a building the lieutenant called the Sutler’s Store, Private Greene stopped the wagon in front of a one-story structure made of hewn logs chinked with mud. It was indeed set off from the rest of the fort. However, instead of glass panes, vertical bars adorned the windows. There was only one reason for such trimmings.

“You want us to live in a jailhouse?” She couldn’t keep incredulity from staining her voice.

“It’s either here or the barracks.”

Neither was particularly appealing. “Surely there is some other place we could stay.”

“All of the larger accommodations have already been commandeered. What I’ve shown you are the only choices where you can all stay together.”

She didn’t think this misadventure could get any worse, yet it had. Meredith climbed out of the wagon and crossed to the jailhouse. A thin layer of moss coated the logs near the ground. Holes pocked the mud chinking. Worst of all were the cobwebs. They hung in the windows like macabre curtains. A shudder bucked through her. Moss and mud she could deal with. Spiders made her skin crawl. They creeped about on spindly, stealthy legs, and their bites itched for days. The beasts would have to go before she called this place home.

“What about the prisoners?”

“We moved the only detainee to a secure room at the stables.” He pushed the door open amidst a squeal of hinges. “The place is all yours.”

She hefted her skirts and went inside. A rank, sour smell that would offend even a skunk nearly bowled her over. Dirt and grime covered every surface. The filth didn’t deter the bugs. Ants marched in perfect formation across the floor. Flies buzzed near the window. She’d bet her last dollar there were spiders lurking in the shadows.

“How could you allow your prisoners to live in such wretched conditions?”

“They’re not incarcerated for their enjoyment.”

“Nor their health, it appears.”

She went up on tiptoe and crept toward the opening on the far side of the room. Beyond the archway, jail cells lined either side of a narrow aisle. The smaller space smelled much worse than the main chamber, if that was even possible. The odor scorched her nostrils and settled in a curdling hollow in her stomach. She sucked air through her mouth to avoid losing her lunch.

Two places to stay—both of them ghastly. Yet of the two, this reeking hovel seemed the lesser evil.

She sailed for the front door, and once outside, drew in several deep gulps of clean air. It would take weeks to get the noxious stench out of her lungs.

“Well, Miss Talbot,” the lieutenant said as he joined her. “What do you say? This jailhouse or the barracks?”

Eight pairs of eyes latched onto her. If they all pitched in, they could make this place work. They had to. The children’s safety trumped a little dirt and odor.

“The jailhouse will have to do, though it will take a lot of work and supplies to make it livable.”

He pulled a small notepad and pencil from his pocket. “I can have some buckets and mops sent over. Just write down a list of items you need, and I’ll make sure you get them.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant. That will help tremendously.”

“Meals are served twice a day at the fort mess hall or dining hall as you would call it. I’ll have Private Greene show you where that is and explain the various bugle calls which announce the meals and other activities.” He gestured to a large tree about fifty yards from the jailhouse. “If you need anything, I’ll be billeting in a tent over there for the duration of your stay.”

Just her luck. Not only would she be living in a house for criminals, she would have a neighbor—a handsome officer who had her imagining all sorts of sinful misconduct.

****

Meredith squeezed the sponge and dribbled water over her bare legs. Soapy lather rolled off and gathered on top of the bathwater. The wood tub Lieutenant Booth sent with the rest of the supplies wasn’t nearly as large or luxurious as her copper bath at Hickory Hills, but it would do. After two days of sweeping and scrubbing and hauling water from the community well, she reeked. Her stepmother would be beside herself with horror. But then Cordelia always found outrage at the least little transgression. According to the fractious woman, instead of Meredith, her name should be Disgrace.

She dropped the sponge in the water and leaned back against the rim. She wouldn’t think about Cordelia’s hatefulness. She would enjoy this little slice of heaven for as long as it lasted. Mrs. Clement had taken the children to the dining hall for supper. Meredith elected to stay behind and enjoy a nice, quiet bath with no interruptions—a treat for all her back-breaking work. Besides, Anna had promised to bring her some food…as had Becky and Robbie and Lily. She would have more than enough to sate her hunger.

The children had used the tub earlier to bathe. One after the other, they had scrubbed, rinsed, and rinsed again. The tub had to be emptied three times to refresh the dirtied water. Afterward, they had dressed in the clothes that also came with the supplies Lieutenant Booth had procured. She would have to thank him for his promptness in filling her list and also for the few extra items he’d unexpectedly included. The children had enjoyed the peppermint sticks, and Daisy dozed contentedly in her little wooden box lined with blanket scraps. This excursion to the fort wasn’t turning out as bad as she imagined. Perhaps they would survive after all.

Tepid, lavender-scented water lapped at her aching muscles. She moaned and slunk down as far as the small tub would allow. Some of the bath water sloshed over the sides and puddled on the floor. Let it. It had taken three scrubbings to remove the grime caked on the boards. A little more water wouldn’t hurt.

The logs that formed the interior walls gleamed in the lamplight, polished now to a soft luster. Cobbled remnants of their shredded clothes hung at the windows, replacing the disgusting webbed curtains. A vase of wildflowers sat on a table surrounded by chairs. All their hard work had been worth the effort. The place looked much homier and inviting. Only a slight, nose-prickling stench remained. Hopefully the lavender possets Maddie had scattered throughout the jailhouse would soon tame the smell.

Speaking of children…they would be returning before long. She should dry off and dress. She groaned to her feet and stepped out of the tub. After toweling dry, she pulled on her undergarments—frilly bits from her more genteel life in Pennsylvania that had somehow managed to survive the renegade’s defilement. They were as fit for the harsh territories as shoes on a pig. Yet they would have to do until she could wash and dry her more serviceable underthings.

As she reached for her dressing gown, a hairy, spindly-legged creature the size of a half dollar darted from under the tub. She backed away, a screech spilling up from her lungs.

The squeal of hinges rang out, and the front door careened open. Lieutenant Booth rushed through the opening with his pistol drawn. She froze. A spider was nothing compared to being alone and half-naked with a man whose mere presence set her body on fire.

He pulled up, nostrils flaring like a stallion scenting a ready mare. “I heard…you screamed. I thought…”

Unlike him, she found her wits and snatched up her dressing gown, holding it in front of her. For what little good it did. She didn’t feel the least bit shielded. More like stripped bare and vulnerable beneath his heated stare.

“Lieutenant Booth. Wh-what are you doing here?”

His gaze raked over her, hard and fast. He let go what sounded like a frustrated groan and spun on his heels. He leaned against the door jamb, his back rigid as a tree trunk.

“My apologies,” he rasped. “I didn’t intend to intrude. I spoke with Mrs. Clement at the mess hall. She said you weren’t feeling up to going out and remained behind. I came to see if you were all right. Heard you scream and thought something had happened.”

“I’m perfectly fine.” Or she would be once her heart stopped racing and her blood cooled.

“What made you scream like that? It sounded as if you were being attacked.”

Embarrassing heat rose in her face. Screaming at the sight of a bug seemed childish. For some reason, she wanted him to think of her as a mature woman, not a silly schoolgirl. “It was nothing. A spider caught me off guard.”

“A spider?”

She ignored his mocking tone and gave the gown a good shake, making certain the creature hadn’t decided to take up residence in the folds. Only dust motes fluttered from the garment. She wouldn’t require any more saving.

“The spider is gone now. You can put your pistol away.”

He gave a throat-clearing cough and shoveled the gun into the holster belted to his waist. “Are you fully covered? Can I turn around?”

“Not yet, give me…” She slipped her arms into the gown and started working on the buttons. Fingers shriveled and soft from being immersed in water all day refused to cooperate. She fumbled and fidgeted. None of the loops would hook. Rooster’s teeth. At this rate, she’d be here all night. The sooner Lieutenant Booth and his wit-robbing gaze departed, the better.

“Miss Talbot?”

“Just a minute…” She focused on the task and finally managed to get all the buttons hooked. “There. Done. You can turn around now.”

He turned slowly, shucking off his hat as he moved. He glanced from her to the tub and back. Flames flickered in his eyes. Surely he wasn’t imagining her sitting in the bathwater—naked. More heat climbed in her throat and burned in her ears.

He waved his hat in the direction of the tub. “I see you got the bathing tub.”

“Um…yes, we did. And everything else on our list too. Thank you for having them sent so promptly.”

“Only doing my duty. Is there anything else you need?”

She shook her head. “Nothing that I can think of at the moment.”

As she stepped forward to collect the wet towel, her foot hit the puddle of spilled water and slipped out from under her. The floor came up to meet her backside. She sat there, blinking in surprise, water seeping into her gown and chilling her bottom.

Boot heels thumped across the floor. Before she could stop him, the lieutenant was there, leaning over her, his warmth enveloping her like a blanket. He was so close she could see the gold flecks speckling his eyes. The skin around his mouth and jaw glistened with silky smoothness. He’d shaven. The deliciously seductive scent of bay rum assailed her. Her head spun, and she couldn’t stopper a moan.

His hand curled around her upper arm. “Are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?”

She would never be all right. Not while he was around to twist her wits. She shrugged out of his grasp. “It was just a little spill. I should have taken more care.”

“Are you certain? It looked like a pretty hard fall to me.”

She was still falling. But he didn’t need to know that. It would only embolden more fiery stares. She grabbed the edge of the tub and pulled herself upright. “There, you see. Fit as a fiddle. I could dance a jig if the yearning came over me.”

“And do you…have a yearning?”

Not for dancing. She pushed out a laugh that sounded contrived even to her own ears. “I’m afraid I’d end up on the floor again. My stepmother said I have two left feet and both of them flat.”

“Your feet look fine to me.”

She tucked her bare toes under the bottom of her gown. She’d already exposed more of herself to him than she ever wanted.

“Yes, well…thank you again for all you’ve done for us, Lieutenant. I’ll send for you if there’s anything else we need.” That would not be any time soon; she’d make sure of it.