Cherish the Dream

by Kathleen Harrington

  She turned her face, avoiding his lips. Her stubborn little chin went up. “It’s common for a man to court a woman first and then ask her if she wants to marry him.”

  “All right, Theodora.” He tried to keep his amusement from his voice. “Will you marry me?”

  She shot him a look of disappointment and chagrin. “That’s your proposal? That’s all the courting I’m going to get?”

  “Just what do you think I’ve been doing for the last five days?”

  Her head jerked up and her brows lifted with self-righteous accusation. “Trying to seduce me.”

  He grinned. “What difference does it make what we call it? I want you.” He pulled her slim body against his aching frame, until her soft hips rested snugly against his tightened thighs. He bent and trailed his mouth across her cheek to murmur softly in her ear. “You want me.”

  A rosy tint stained her cheekbones, and her eyes were dark with apprehension. “Maybe I do, Blade. Right now, I’m not sure what I want. But I’m not going to let you stampede me into something we’ll both regret.”

  “Theodora, we don’t have time to wait while you mull over the idea. We have to get married now. Today.”

  “Why?” She stared at him in disbelief.

  “Because your flirtatious behavior has just about every member of this tribe upset in one way or another. A few of the more cantankerous old crones want to run you out of the village. Three young bucks have challenged one another for you. And probably more than a couple of men are planning your abduction right now.”

  With an overbright smile pinned to her face, she shrugged in feigned unconcern. “Well, if they feel that way about me, we’ll just leave. You were well enough to ride out of here and get seventy horses.” She stopped and looked out over the herd once again. “How did you get seventy Indian ponies?”

  “I stole them.”

  “I don’t believe you! From whom?”

  “Those happen to be Crow horses. I took them from a camp on the other side of the river.”

  “You’re offering Chief Painted Robe stolen horses for me?” He laughed at her look of indignation. “That’s the way it’s usually done, princess. As a matter of fact, offering horses just taken from an enemy is the highest compliment I can pay you.” He sobered and shook his head. “We’re not going to leave the tribe and strike out on our own, Theodora. My people will travel with us to the rendezvous at South Pass. Snow Owl is going to meet her husband there. We’re leaving with them the day after tomorrow. There’s no point in exposing you to needless risks by going alone when we can move in perfect safety with my family.”

  “And I must pay the price for that safety—by traveling as your wife?”

  “Correct. The women, not to mention the medicine man, are adamant that you be taken off the market immediately. From now on you’re going to be a dutiful, docile, well-behaved wife.”

  “Very well.” She stepped back at his sudden grin and shook her finger under his nose. “I’ll go along with this charade. I’ll keep my eyes down and follow five steps behind you. And I won’t smile at any man except you. But that’s as far as this so-called marriage goes.”

  Blade Stalker swung her up in his arms. “We’ll go through the ceremony for the sake of peace in the tribe. Then we’ll let the rest take care of itself.”

  He had to smother the laugh of anticipation that threatened to betray his true feelings. If she wanted to pretend there’d be nothing between them, he wasn’t going to shake her convictions prematurely. When he had her alone that night in their own lodge, he’d make love to her with such passion she’d forget all her worries over their supposed incompatibility. And Martin Van Vliet and his written betrothal contract could go to hell.

  The sincere joy expressed by Blade Stalker’s family and tribe nearly dumbfounded Theodora. By mid-morning it seemed as though half the village had visited Snow Owl’s lodge, and she translated their wishes for the couple’s happiness. Over and over they praised Blade Stalker for his bravery and skill in raiding the Crow camp. The fact that he’d stolen seventy horses for her raised her status to a new high. Now, instead of accusing looks, the other single women smiled at her in unconcealed admiration. Gray Fawn, Bald Face Buffalo’s pregnant young wife, came to visit Theodora for the first time since Blade had been mauled by the grizzly bear. Her older sister, Deer Walking Fast, brought food to prepare for the meal that evening. By noon, however, all the visitors had left to allow the bride time to prepare for the wedding ceremony.

  In the privacy of the empty lodge Snow Owl assisted Theodora into a white doeskin dress. It was as soft and supple as crushed velvet. The fringed skirt fell just below her knees and the bottom was trimmed with tiny bells that tinkled as she moved. A leather belt, decorated with blue and red beads, cinched her waist. On the front of the cape that formed the dress’s sleeves was a rosette of colored quillwork. Along the cape’s fringed edge, bits of ermine and split quills were sewn in an intricate geometric pattern. The garment had been packed in dried wildflowers and sweet grass, and its perfume drifted up to tickle her nose.

  Earlier, Theodora had bathed and washed her hair. Now Snow Owl parted her golden tresses in the middle and braided two thin side braids in front of each ear. She tied them with white rabbit fur and placed a white beaded headband across Theodora’s forehead. The rest of her long hair was left unbound to stream down her back, with tiny silver hair ornaments scattered here and there in the curls.

  “The dress is beautiful,” Theodora told her, stroking the soft fringe that hung from the caped sleeves.

  Snow Owl beamed with pleasure at the compliment. “It is the dress I was married in. I am glad you like it. Now wrap this white blanket around you, Little Blue Nose, and we will go. The others are waiting for us. You will ride the pony my grandfather gave you.”

  Spitfire, perfumed and painted with symbols, was tethered just outside. Feathers had been braided into her black mane and tail. Even the saddle, with its high pommels front and back, was ornamented with leather fringes, beads, and quill work. Theodora had seen Painted Robe working with the filly in the last few days, and when Snow Owl helped her mount, the pony was gentle and calm, as though she’d been ridden many times before. Then Snow Owl took the reins and led the decorated pony toward the river.

  During the afternoon many of the tribe had worked together to build a large open shelter of cottonwood saplings, then covered it with branches and marsh grass. Most of the village was gathered near the arbor now, waiting for the bride-to-be. Under the thatched roof, Chief Painted Robe stood solemnly with folded arms.

  When the two women reached the crowd, it parted for them, and Snow Owl led the pony down the aisle. As they stopped before Blade’s grandfather, she turned to help Theodora down, then guided her under the roof of the open shelter.

  Painted Robe waited until the two women stood directly in front of him. He removed the blanket from Theodora’s shoulders and spoke to her. Snow Owl translated. “My grandfather asks if it is your wish to have Blade Stalker as your husband.” Theodora looked around at the waiting, expectant faces.

  Unable to find Blade in their midst, Theodora looked back at the chief. “Tell your grandfather that I will accept Blade Stalker as my husband,” she told Snow Owl, her voice faint and shaky.

  Snow Owl had no sooner repeated her words than Blade Stalker came from the outskirts of the crowd. Wrapped in a deerskin blanket of white, he wore a white headband and two eagle feathers in his thick black hair. He strode up to the chief, and the deer-toe necklaces he wore jangled as he moved. Theodora nearly gasped at his confident stride and the look of possessiveness he flashed at her. Without hesitation he placed his strong hand in his grandfather’s. Painted Robe took her trembling one and laid it in Blade’s steady, open palm. Then he spoke to them, giving advice and counsel for the many years ahead. No one translated for Theodora, but she could tell from the solemnity of the words that Painted Robe was exhorting them to love and care for each other. She peeked at Blad
e from under her lashes to find him watching her with such tenderness that tears sprang to her eyes. Then the chief replaced the robe on Theodora’s shoulders, and Snow Owl led her back to Spitfire.

  From her saddle she bent over and whispered to her new cousin, “Am I married now?”

  “Not yet, Little Blue Nose. This is not the wedding. But now you have the chief’s consent.”

  They returned to Snow Owl’s lodge, where the women prepared the evening meal. “This is not the marriage feast,” Snow Owl explained as they set out the food. “We will have that tomorrow.”

  All of Blade Stalker’s family joined them. The tipi was filled with laughter and joking. She sensed that much of what was said between the men was never translated because it was too earthy and ribald. In the midst of the good-natured teasing, Theodora caught Blade watching her with a look of total ownership and felt the heat of a blush on her cheeks.

  “It is time for the wedding now,” Snow Owl told her when everyone had finished eating.

  With a start Theodora sat up straighter. “What do I do?” She tried to breathe deeply to calm her racing heart.

  “We will take you to your lodge now. It belongs to Two Moons Rising. She and Weasel Tail are giving it up for you while you remain with us. They will come and stay here with my grandfather and me. They do this to thank you for saving little Potbelly from the bear.”

  “They don’t have to do that!“Theodora blurted out. “They don’t have to give up their home for us. I assumed that Blade Stalker and I would remain here in this lodge with you and his grandfather.”

  Snow Owl stared, her eyes enormous with surprise. “We would not intrude on your wedding night, Little Blue Nose. That would not be a thoughtful way to behave.”

  Across the tipi Blade’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. When Theodora tried to stare him into proper respect, a gaze of such promise shone from his eyes that she looked away. Then the men rose and left the lodge.

  After only a short time Snow Owl led Theodora from the tipi. In the sun’s last rays, the afternoon was golden. The grassy meadow that ran down to the river rippled slightly in the warm breeze. She mounted Spitfire at Snow Owl’s direction. Deer Walking Fast, as the eldest female in the family, took the pony’s reins and led her through the village while the tribe came out to watch. At the far side of the camp they came to a small tipi. Just before they reached it, Painted Robe and Blade’s two cousins, Bald Face Buffalo and Weasel Tail, came out carrying a white robe, which they laid on the ground. Broken Jaw lifted Theodora off the pony and set her down in the middle of the deerskin blanket. In silence the men lifted it by the corners and carried her into the lodge. Carefully, they placed the blanket on the floor.

  Blade Stalker sat cross-legged in the middle of a fur-covered bed in the place of honor at the back of the tipi.

  The lodge was crowded now, for the women and children had followed them in. They stood about, their happy faces telling her far more than words that they had completely accepted her as a member of their family.

  Still no one spoke.

  “Tell everyone they’re welcome to stay for a while,” Theodora told Snow Owl in a high-pitched, nervous voice.

  But her new Cheyenne cousin gave no response except for a warm, encouraging smile. In moments everyone had gone, leaving Little Blue Nose alone with her husband.

  She looked across the silent lodge. Blade was magnificent, dressed in a finely crafted white doeskin shirt and leggings, their long fringe spreading across the black bearskin robe he sat on. The necklace of bear claws contrasted vividly against his bronzed neck. The golden hoop of his earring glittered against his skin, turned even darker now by the long summer days in the sun. He sat with his arms folded across his powerful chest, watching her as though he couldn’t get enough of her. His jet eyes glowed with unconcealed hunger. Then he placed his hands on his knees and rose with the grace of a lynx.

  “It was a lovely day,” Theodora blurted out, her voice too loud in the quiet tipi.

  Blade crouched down beside her on one knee. A tender smile played on his firm lips. His deep voice was husky with suppressed need. “It was.” He lifted one of her long side braids and laced it through his fingers. Tugging gently, he pulled her closer.

  She gazed into eyes smoldering with passion. “The whole village turned out in their most beautiful clothes, didn’t they?”

  With his other hand he touched her cheek, stroking it with the tips of his callused fingers. He bent his head until their lips were only inches apart. “They did.”

  “Everyone seemed very happy that we were getting m-married.” She gulped, determined to keep him talking.

  “Everyone.” He cupped her cheek with his long fingers and closed the short distance between them. His lips were soft and warm and gentle as he kissed her.

  A sigh caught in the back of Theodora’s throat and she leaned forward. She slipped her hands around his neck and pressed against his firm chest, returning his kiss with a now familiar longing. Absently, she wondered if he could feel the slamming of her heart against her rib cage. He was the strongest, most courageous man she’d ever known. He was also irresistibly attractive. She could barely keep her hands from moving over his lean, hard body. But yielding to the tremendous physical attraction between them would only cause grief and heartache in the future. That was the whole problem—they had no future. Not together. When this expedition was over, he would be sent on another exploring mission, just as dangerous, while she would return to Cambridge and its safe, orderly world of books and research.

  Blade slid his muscular arms under her and lifted her off the blanket, his lips still pressed to hers. He carried her to the bed and placed her in the middle of the deep fur robe, then sat down beside her.

  “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” The deep resonance of his voice was the sound of seduction itself. With one hand resting beside her head, he lifted the curls that spread across the perfumed pillow with the other. The look of longing in his ebony eyes was hypnotic as he bent over her. “Your hair is like silken sunlight.”

  Theodora touched his face with trembling fingers. She traced his eyebrows, then followed the high cheekbones down to the strong chin. Her fingers splayed across his cheeks, and she felt the finely molded lips with her thumbs. She studied every feature separately, as if seeing them for the first time.

  The touch of her delicate hands sent a surge of raw lust through Blade Stalker. He caressed the pads of her thumbs with his lips. He turned his mouth into the palm of her hand and stroked it with his tongue. He would go very, very slowly. With the patience of a trained hunter, he would wait for his timid bride to come to him. He didn’t want her frightened and tense when he entered her. All his years of training as a young Cheyenne male had prepared him to keep his own needs tightly leashed. His satisfaction would come later, after his innocent wife had learned the ecstasy that only he could bring her.

  When his tongue touched her small palm, she moaned softly as though an ache of desire had spread through her. He smiled with the knowledge that she was beginning to want him, even if she didn’t as yet comprehend what was happening inside her body.

  She met his gaze with confusion in her marvelous grass green eyes. “Blade, we can’t.” she whispered.

  “Oh yes, we can, my love.”

  Chapter 21

  Blade Stalker captured her face in his hands and kissed her with an open mouth, his tongue demanding entrance. At her surrender he invaded her warm sweetness and savored the taste of her. She smelled of wild roses, and the perfumed scent of her filled his nostrils. He wanted to know every inch of her exquisite body. He planned to spend the rest of his life learning the feel of her silken skin beneath his hands, his mouth, his tongue.

  Continuing the kiss, he lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms. His hands roved over her enticing curves. He slid them down her tiny waist and back up to cup her breasts. They grew firm and full in his palms. He could feel the taut nipples through the s
oftness of her white wedding dress. Boldly, his tongue plunged in and out of her mouth, teaching her the rhythm of his mating dance.

  As he caressed the globes of her breasts, he could feel her begin to respond. She arched against him, lifting herself higher for his touch. Desire hardening every muscle in his ravenous body, he slid his hand down to cup her rounded buttocks and pull her firmly against him. He lifted one slender leg and raised it over his own heavy thigh, bringing her ever closer to his rampaging need.

  He trailed kisses down her neck and covered the peaks of her breasts with his mouth, nipping her softly through the dress.

  “You’re so sweet, so incredibly sweet,” he told her, reminding himself to speak in English this time, so she would understand what he was saying and not become frightened .

  Her only answer was a low whimper as her hands caressed the back of his neck and shoulders.

  He lifted the cape that was her sleeves and pulled it gently over her arms and head. Her eyes were half closed, and she gazed at him as though consumed with passion. Tenderly, he kissed each lid shut, then returned to explore her mouth once again. He took his time, bringing her with him as he moved his hands over her inexperienced body. Unhurried, he used all his skill to arouse her, and when she timidly touched his lips with her tongue, he invited her in to learn the feel of him.

  Slowly and deliberately, his hand slid down her hip and under the fringed hem of her dress. As he moved his questing fingers up her silken thigh, he skidded to a halt. She was wearing the protective string. He’d known that his cousin had shown her how to wear the nihpihist; they’d discussed the necessity for it between themselves after her near abduction. Foolishly, he’d taken for granted that she’d been advised to remove it for her wedding night.

  “Take the rope off, Theodora,” he told her, his mouth pressed against her lips, his voice raw with intense, driving emotion.