“Sure and no one mentioned disarming you, Captain. Those weren’t my orders, sir.”
Blade sighed in resignation. “Lead on, Sergeant. I haven’t had my breakfast yet and I’ve got a lot of things to do today.”
Inside its thick walls the stone guardhouse was dark and cool. From his desk a corporal looked up over his coffee mug when the escorted prisoner entered. He jumped to his feet and saluted. “I have orders to place you in a cell, Captain Roberts, until the colonel sends for you.”
“Just what the hell is going on here, Steen?” Blade snapped, irritated by the soldier’s undue formality.
Coughing nervously and brushing biscuit crumbs off his tunic, Corporal Steen came around to stand in front of the irate captain. I’m not sure myself, Captain. I just received orders to keep you under surveillance until further advised. Would you mind following me, please?” His brown eyes issued an unspoken plea for cooperation.
A glimmer of light dawned. So Kearny had found out about the proposed duel. And to prevent his meeting with Lieutenant Fletcher, the colonel was detaining both of them until it’d be too late for Fletcher’s seconds to call and arrange a time and place. Since the survey team was leaving the next day, they’d have to fight that morning or not at all, for as Fletcher’s commanding officer on the expedition, Blade could never ethically meet him in a duel once they left Leavenworth.
Shrugging, Blade acceded. “Very well, Corporal. But send word to Colonel Kearny that I await his pleasure. I need to make some last-minute preparations for our departure tomorrow, and I don’t have time to spare cooling my heels in jail.” Blade left his escort of guards and followed Steen down the narrow passageway and into a small cell. Although Corporal Steen eyed the long saber that hung at his prisoner’s side speculatively, he made no mention of the weapon and, retreating quietly, left the iron-barred door ajar.
As he turned around his small prison, Blade vented his frustration with an oath. Then he unhooked his saber, tossed it on the narrow cot, and lay down beside it, hoping to catch a little more sleep before he had to face the duties of the day. An hour later, his rest was disturbed.
“Colonel Kearny’s ready to see you now, sir,” Sergeant O’Fallon barked. “I’m to hold your sword for you.” He stretched out a huge hand.
Grabbing his long saber, Blade threw it handle-first to the sergeant and rose from the narrow bed in one fluid motion. “It’s about time! What the devil is Kearny thinking of? I’ve wasted half the morning in this farce.”
Stoically prepared for a violent tongue-lashing from the hot tempered commandant, Blade followed the sergeant down the hall and into the main room of the guardhouse. He surveyed the assembled company in surprise.
Seated behind a long wooden table sat Lieutenant Colonel Kearny. On either side of him were the fort’s quartermaster, Captain Lewis Harris, and the post surgeon, Major Langdon Sprague. The morning light from the nearby window winked on the gold lace slashes of the officers’ cuffs and the gold stripes along the outer seams of their dark blue trousers. Every man in the room, with the exception of the insouciant prisoner, had a long dragoon saber hanging by his side. The chamber itself had been cleared of all other personnel, except for Second Lieutenant Haintzelman, who sat at the end of the long table with a tablet for recording the notes of the proceedings.
Kearny nodded briefly in acknowledgment to Blade, his face set in stern disapproval of Blade’s nonchalant stance. “Captain Roberts, you’ve been called before me to face a very serious accusation. This is not a formal hearing and you’re not under arrest at this time. But a charge has been lodged against you which cannot be ignored. I’m using this informal inquiry to ascertain the facts surrounding the events of last evening. I’ve asked Major Sprague and Captain Harris to attend and offer the wisdom of their combined experience to the matter.”
Without allowing Blade to reply, Kearny addressed the enlisted man standing at attention just beside the door. “Sergeant O’Fallon, please bring in Miss Gordon.”
The door to a side room was opened, and Theodora entered with her brother at her side. Dressed in a lavender riding outfit, its high, military-style collar and cuffs trimmed in black velvet, and a matching pillbox bat perched atop her brilliant curls, she marched into the room. Her features were hazy behind a lavender veil, the netting just covering her eyes and sweeping across the top of her pert nose. She refused the assistance of Thomas Gordon, who solicitously tried to hold her elbow. Not once did she glance at Blade, who stood in the middle of the room, less than four feet from the chair in which she sat down.
His freckles standing out on his white face like sprinkles of cinnamon, Tom eased down beside Theodora and adjusted the vest beneath his brown frock coat with restless fingers. The angry look in his hazel eyes questioned why such a horrible thing had to happen on the eve of their grand adventure.
Kearny spoke evenly, his voice clear in the quiet room. “Some very serious charges have been brought against you by Miss Gordon, Captain Roberts. You stand accused of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Theodora came to me late last night in an extremely distraught state and charged that you attempted to molest her. She states that if it were not for the timely arrival on the scene of Lieutenant Wesley Fletcher, you would have forced yourself upon her. Do you deny these accusations, Captain?”
No longer indifferent to the proceedings, Blade glared at Theodora, and his fists clenched and unclenched as he attempted to control his raging temper. He’d never dreamed she would have the audacity to press charges against him.
Involuntarily, Theodora squirmed against the back of her chair and swallowed her fear. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She’d never seen any man so furious, and she wondered what would happen if he didn’t manage to gain the control he so valiantly sought.
Suddenly, Blade snorted in disdain and swung his gaze back to the three officers seated in front of him. “It was never my intention to force anything upon Miss Gordon against her will, sir. When she agreed to inspect the deserted stables with me, I assumed she was as anxious for a roll in the hay as I was. I’m sorry that I misread her intentions.”
A choking gasp came from Theodora’s dry throat. She started to rise, but Tom was already on his feet with a roar.
“You malign my sister!” His face was red, his eyes round with indignation. Shaking a fist at the tall prisoner, he rushed toward him. “I demand satisfaction for those lies!”
He reminded Theodora of a foolhardy puppy yipping furiously at an enraged bear. Her heart sank. She couldn’t allow her brother to attempt to defend her honor against this monster. He would smash Tom without even exerting himself.
Intercepting the brash young man, O’Fallon pinned Tom’s arms to his sides and glanced at Kearny.
“That will be all from you, Mr. Gordon,” Kearny declared. “Any future disruption on your part, and I’ll have you removed from the room. Now, sit down. And stay there.”
In the ensuing silence, papers rustled uneasily at the end of the table, where Lieutenant Haintzelman was taking down the details of the litigation with pen and ink.
Major Sprague leaned forward, his middle-age paunch spreading over the edge of the table. “And just what did you think her intentions were, Captain?”
“I’m only a mere male, sir.” Blade spread his hands in a fatalistic gesture. “How can any man divine the intentions of the subtle female mind? Women are ruled by their emotions. Perhaps it was her gown, displaying all her feminine endowments, or perhaps it was the romantic walk in the empty square in the moonlight that misled me, but I thought she was expecting a kiss and a little squeeze.”
Horrified, Theodora could stand no more. She leaped from her chair and took a step toward him, shaking with indignation. “How dare you place the blame on me, Captain! ’Twas you who grabbed me, and you who kissed me! You’re not such a dolt as to think I invited that!”
Blade turned from the tribunal and faced the trembling young woman with a look of scorn. “Funny, b
ut I thought you were enjoying it, Miss Gordon. Until Lieutenant Fletcher arrived on the scene and your belated sense of modesty compelled you to slap my face.”
The two combatants squared off like fighting cocks, oblivious to their fascinated audience.
“And I suppose I tore my own gown, too!” she cried, determined to maintain her righteous indignation. But shame for her response to him the night before burned her cheeks, and she wished desperately that she had never insisted on lodging the charge against him. She should have heeded Kearny’s advice and allowed the matter to be forgotten .
“Ah, the torn dress. Please accept my apologies on that score, Miss Gordon, for that truly was an accident. I’ll be happy to make complete restitution. But next time, try to get one that leaves a little more to the imagination. It may save you from a similar incident in the future.”
The smack of a heavy oak ruler on the table brought their mutual accusations to a halt. “That is quite enough, Captain Roberts. Since it appears that there’s just one person’s word against another, we’re lucky to have an eyewitness to the event. Sergeant O’Fallon, bring in Lieutenant Fletcher.”
Wesley Fletcher entered, pristine in his immaculate blue and gold uniform, and stood beside the disheveled prisoner in the center of the room. He could barely contain a satisfied smile as he saluted sharply and stood at attention before the council.
“At ease, Lieutenant,” Kearny addressed him. “It’s our understanding, sir, that you were present last evening when the contretemps between Captain Roberts and Miss Gordon took place. Is this true?”
Fletcher’s manicured fingers deftly smoothed the ends of his tawny mustache. “It is, sir.”
“Please tell us, then, exactly what you saw last night.”
“I’d just stepped inside the stables when I saw Miz Gordon slap the captain’s face, sir. She was cryin’.”
Tapping his fingers on the table top, Captain Harris interrupted. “Did you see him tear her dress?”
“No, sir. Captain Roberts blocked my view.”
“Then how did you know she was crying Lieutenant Fletcher, if you couldn’t see her?” Major Sprague inquired.
Fletcher looked at Theodora, encouragement in his pale blue eyes. “I heard her sobs. And I distinctly heard her call him an animal.”
“And did you see what happened prior to the slap, Fletcher?” asked the post surgeon.
His lip curled in disdain, Lieutenant Fletcher turned back to the three seated officers. “I didn’t have t’ see it, sir. I knew what was goin’ t’ happen before they even went int’ that barn. That’s why I followed them. Captain Roberts’s reputation at West Point has preceded him. He was nearly dismissed from the academy over a scandal involvin’ a woman.”
Colonel Kearny waved his hand in a gesture of impatience. “We’re not here to pass judgment on what happened during Captain Roberts’s undergraduate years, Lieutenant Fletcher. Since, by your own admission, you didn’t see the captain actually attack Miss Gordon, the rest of your testimony can only be considered speculation on your part. You’re dismissed for now. But please remain in the building.”
“But I object, sir!” Fletcher exclaimed as he stepped forward. “The blame lies squarely on Roberts’s shoulders!”
“That will be all, Lieutenant,” Kearny declared, motioning for Sergeant O’Fallon to escort Fletcher from the room.
The commandant turned to Blade: “Now, Captain Roberts, let’s get this straight. You say you believed that Miss Gordon was inviting your attentions. If this were so, why then did she react in such anger? Why label you an animal?”
Blade smiled and shrugged his shoulders, hiding his anger. “I believe the expression goes ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’ Miss Gordon was apparently disappointed because there was to be no more than an innocent kiss and a little fondling. I prefer my women to have more experience and I told her so.”
Enraged, Thomas Gordon again shot to his feet, his fists clenched. “You swine!” he cried, advancing toward the obdurate officer. “I’ll shove those words down your throat!”
Once again the oak ruler was pounded on the table. “That will be enough from you, Mr. Gordon. I won’t warn you again. Sit down!”.
Rising, Kearny came around the long table and stood near Theodora. He addressed the distraught woman in a soft, kindly voice. “Is this true, Miss Gordon? Did Captain Roberts say at the time that he declined further involvement with you because of your inexperience; in effect, attempting to protect your virtue in spite of yourself?”
Tears welled up in the magnificent emerald eyes and sparkled on the thick lashes. “Who do you believe, Colonel Kearny? Me or this man who has distorted everything that was said and done last night?”
Kearny sighed. “I believe you both, Miss Gordon. I think that you very unwisely entered a deserted building in the company of an unmarried officer and then became upset when he misinterpreted your flirtatious behavior. In the future, young lady, I’d advise you not to allow yourself to be placed in such questionable circumstances.”
Then the colonel turned his attention on Blade. “As for you, Captain Roberts, I place the bulk of the blame for this unfortunate incident squarely on your shoulders. You realized Miss Gordon’s youth and innocence, and yet accompanied her into the empty stables and attempted to steal a kiss. The two of you are about to embark on a journey of uncounted miles in each other’s company. I’m placing Miss Gordon’s well-being in your hands, Captain. Forthwith, you are solely responsible for her in every way, and that includes the protection of her virtue—even from yourself if need be.”
“Yes, sir,” Blade answered grimly. The muscles in his cheek twitched with the strain of maintaining his self-control. Colonel Kearny turned back to Theodora and gently took her hand. “My dear, don’t think for a minute that I doubt your virtue, only that I question the wisdom of your actions last night. But I know you’ve learned a bitter lesson from this experience. Rather than jeopardize the expedition by ordering a formal inquiry, I would like all of you to leave tomorrow as planned. On your trip with Captain Roberts I want you to keep a journal of everything that takes place between you. If, on the advent of your return, you still wish to place charges against him, I promise that I’ll personally hold the court-martial and will accept the contents of your diary as testimony. In the meantime, I’m asking you to forgive and forget. Please accept the captain’s deepest and most abject apology for all the unpleasantness he has caused you.”
Expectantly, Kearny looked at Blade.
Blade bowed his head slightly to Theodora and, without the slightest hint of sincerity, said, “My deepest and most abject apology, Miss Gordon.”
She returned his gaze with freezing politeness. Her words were strained as she nodded. “Very well. For the sake of the expedition, I accept.”
“Now,” Kearny continued, turning to Tom, “I want you and Captain Roberts to shake hands and put this unfortunate business behind you.”
His hazel eyes filled with confusion, Gordon hesitated, then stood and reached out his hand to Blade. “For the time being, Captain, and for the sake of the expedition, I’m willing to set this aside. But if in the future you should manhandle my sister again, I shall be forced to call you out.”
Shaking the young man’s hand, Blade felt the first hint of guilt. “It won’t happen again, Gordon. You have my word on it.”
“Fine,” Kearny said. “Now, Miss Gordon, I suggest you let your brother take you to my house, where Mrs. Kearny is waiting to serve you breakfast. I understand that my niece has invited you on a strawberry-picking foray this morning. It’s my wish that you go with her and let the men here see to the final inspection of the supplies. Your brother can check your equipment one final time, while you have the last fling of socializing before you take on your scientific responsibilities. And I shall look forward to seeing you at dinner this evening..”
“Thank you, Colonel,” Theodora replied stiffly. She cast one last look of animosity at Blade
and left on her brother’s arm.
“Now, sir,” Kearny continued, turning to Blade, “we have one more problem to deal with.”
He dismissed Harris, Sprague, and Haintzelman with a nod, then glanced over at Sergeant O’Fallon. “Bring Fletcher back in here.”
At the appearance of Lieutenant Fletcher, Blade squared his shoulders and stood with feet spread apart. The contempt between the two men was palpable.
The commandant looked from one man to the other. “Now then, gentlemen, let’s deal with this proposed duel. You are hereby ordered to refrain from any such idiotic and illegal plan to protect your so-called honor. By God, I’ll not have such nonsense under my jurisdiction. Is that understood, gentlemen? There’ll be no duel, if I have to place you both under house arrest until you leave tomorrow morning. I want your word as officers that you’ll not attempt to meet one another. Is that clear? If it isn’t, you’ll be confined to your quarters for the remainder of the day. Do I have your word, Captain?”
Blade’s voice betrayed no emotion. “Yes, sir.”
“And yours, Fletcher?”
“Y’ have my word as a gentleman, Colonel,” came the drawled, bored response.
“Good. We’ll hope that the proposed duel will be accepted as the reason for these irregular proceedings, gentlemen. You’re under orders not to discuss the affair involving Miss Gordon with anyone. I’ve already spoken to the others present. I want it to appear that you were brought here strictly because of the personal quarrel between you.” Kearny turned to go. “You men are dismissed. Now, let’s get this expedition on its way.”
Chapter 4
True to Colonel Kearny’s wishes, Theodora breakfasted later that morning on flapjacks and maple syrup with Mary Kearny and her niece. Soon after, she found herself, to her dismay, mounted on a gentle mare with an oddly syncopated gait, for all the horses to be used on the journey west were resting for the long trek. With Nell Henderson she left the stable and headed for the stockade gate where their escort of soldiers awaited them. Picking her way slowly through the mounds of provisions in the cantonment’s wide yard, she politely followed Nell’s lead. In the square, men bustled about, some tallying cartons and boxes of cartridges, others carefully packing a small Yankee spring wagon with scientific equipment individually wrapped in canvas coverings. Unabashed, Nell rode directly up to Blade Roberts, who with Lieutenant Haintzelman was reviewing everything on the long list of provisions to be packed on the mules the next morning.
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