Rebecca debated whether she should go to bed or spend the whole night sitting in a chair feeling sorry for herself. Probably the latter. Clark had seen everything she had to offer and had rejected her. He hadn’t even come home.
One lantern burned low on the table and she stared at it. She was ashamed of her behavior. Perhaps he was as well. In fact she was sure of it. No well-bred woman would have done what she did. Clearly, he had been angry with her on their return.
But she had wanted him to find her attractive, perhaps even irresistible. All she had done was prove her father right when he accused her of being manipulative.
She thought again about going to bed. She didn’t really want to face Clark when he came in. Yet sitting up seemed a kind of penance for what she had done. She didn’t deserve the luxury of the soft bed since she had driven her husband from it.
Her husband. He wasn’t truly that, was he? The marriage could easily be dissolved until it was consummated. A sudden revelation made her breath catch in her throat. Perhaps that was why he wouldn’t touch her. When he was transferred away from her father, he could divorce her.
With a stab of sorrow she decided it would be for the best. She couldn’t spend her life longing for him and never feeling his touch. How unfair that she should love a man who didn’t love her!
She was trying to decide what images to punish herself with next, when she heard something outside. Her first thought was Clark had finally returned, but an instant later she knew it wasn’t him. She turned up the flame on the lantern and carried it to the front of the tent. Lifting the flap cautiously, she peered out The light fell on a pile of dirty cloth and a mass of pale blond hair.
“Alicia!” Rebecca nearly dropped the lantern as she ran to her cousin’s side. Alicia raised her head. Blood caked one side of her face and hair and oozed from a corner of her mouth. She was shaking and gasping for breath as if she had been crying hysterically.
“Alicia, what happened?”
Alicia dropped her face back into the dirt
“Come on, sweetheart.” Rebecca urged Alicia to her feet With one arm wrapped around her and the other holding the lantern, she led her into the tent. “Sit down, I’ll get the doctor.”
“No!” Alicia clutched Rebecca’s hand. “Don’t leave me.”
Alicia’s legs were shaking. Rebecca led her past the chair and settled her onto the bed. She tried to loosen Alicia’s grip on her hand. “Let me get some water to wash your face.”
“No!” Alicia broke into heaving sobs.
“All right,” she soothed. “It’s all right. I won’t leave you.” She set the lantern on the floor at her feet. It cast bizarre shadows that made Alicia look even worse. “Sweetheart, just relax.”
When the sobbing stopped she ventured to ask again, “What happened?”
Alicia just shook her head.
“Someone hurt you. Tell me.”
Alicia swallowed, then made a croaking sound.
“Alicia?”
“Victor.” Tears streamed from her eyes and mingled with the blood.
Rebecca had to choke down her fury in order to speak. She tried her best to keep her voice calm for Alicia’s sake. “Victor Brooks did this to you?”
“It was my fault,” Alicia sobbed.
Like hell. “Honey, how could this be your fault?”
“I shouldn’t have g-g-gone to meet him.”
Hearing the girl’s voice get caught on a sob brought tears to Rebecca’s eyes. “That doesn’t make this your fault, Alicia. He hurt you. Oh, Alicia. Did he—?”
Alicia’s cry of anguish was all the answer she needed. She wanted to kill him. Of course, she couldn’t go search for the bastard until Alicia released her hand. Where was Clark?
While she waited, maybe she could get some information that would help them find him. “Tell me what happened, honey. Where were you? Do you know where he went?”
Alicia shook her head. “He’s been sending me notes. I didn’t want to see him again. He hurt me once before.”
“The night you said you fell.”
Alicia nodded. “His notes got worse. More threatening. Tonight it said he’d hurt you if I didn’t come.”
“You should have told Father about the notes.”
Alicia’s voice dropped so low Rebecca had to lean forward to hear. “I was afraid he would make me marry him.”
Rebecca cursed herself. The notes. They were the reason for Alicia’s sleeplessness. And she might have gotten the information out of Alicia this afternoon if she hadn’t been so lazy and wrapped up in herself. She took a deep breath. “So you went to meet him tonight. Where?”
“Near the construction site. I told him I didn’t want him sending any more notes. I wasn’t going to see him again. He—” She broke into sobs again.
“It’s all right, Alicia. You don’t have to say any more. Just be still. I’m here.”
“Rebecca?”
“Clark! I’m so glad you’re home.”
He came around the curtain and stared in disbelief. “My God.”
“Get the doctor,” Rebecca said as calmly as she could. With Clark here she had a sudden urge to fall apart. “Get Father and tell him to arrest Victor Brooks.”
Without a word, Clark was gone. She had to be strong for Alicia, she told herself. The poor girl was sobbing again. “Hush now, sweetheart. It’s going to be all right.”
“Everyone will know,” Alicia sobbed. “Uncle Levi will make me ma—ma—” The rest of what she might have said was buried in her sobs.
“No. No, sweetheart. Father isn’t that cruel. He’ll make them hang him.” She hoped it was true. Of course they had to catch him first and her instinct told her the bastard was long gone.
Rebecca stroked Alicia’s hair, the side that wasn’t bloody, until the sobbing subsided. Alicia’s eyes were closed and Rebecca might have thought she was asleep except for the strong grip she still felt on her hand.
A dull light glowed through the tent wall and Rebecca called, “Doctor?”
“Dr. Garman,” he said. He came slowly around the curtain, carrying a lantern which he held high in one hand. “You must be Mrs. Forrester. And this must be our Alicia.”
Rebecca wasn’t sure his presence was reassuring. He looked like he was a hundred years old. Of course the lanterns weren’t exactly casting flattering shadows.
He moved around to the side of the bed away from Rebecca and sat down, still holding his lantern. “We have some cuts to wash, don’t we, dear? Are you bleeding anywhere else?”
Alicia shook her head.
“Now, little girl, I’m going to have to ask you some questions no proper lady should ever have to hear, but I can’t help you until I know. Can you understand?”
Rebecca had raised her eyebrow at her cousin being called a little girl. Surely tonight’s events had forced her to grow up if nothing else had. But Alicia only watched the doctor’s face and slowly nodded.
“A man did this to you.” He almost touched the cut on her forehead. “Am I right?”
Another nod.
“And this.” His hand hovered above the cut lip. “Did he also force himself on you?”
Alicia’s face puckered up to cry again, but she managed a tiny nod.
Rebecca glared at the doctor. She could have told the fool that.
“Are you bleeding there, child?”
Alicia only sobbed.
“I need to check.”
“No!” Alicia turned pleading eyes toward Rebecca.
“I’ll check,” Rebecca said. She lifted the lantern from the floor and gently pulled her hand out of Alicia’s grasp. Alicia sobbed louder when Rebecca raised her skirts and gently lifted one of her knees.
“No blood,” she reported to the doctor. She smoothed the skirt over Alicia’s legs and moved back to her former place. Alicia reached out to her, and she let her take her hand again. She couldn’t forget the sight of Alicia’s torn pantalets and the bruises on her thighs.
“Well.” Dr. Garman gave her a reassuring smile. “That’s good then. I’d like a closer look at these cuts.”
“Alicia!” The call came from outside the tent.
“Uncle Levi,” Alicia gasped.
“I’ll take care of him,” Rebecca soothed, easing her hand away. “You tell the doctor about the cuts and anything else that hurts.”
Taking her lantern with her she slipped around the curtain. Her father let himself into the tent “You’re going to raise the entire camp,” she hissed.
“Where is she?” At least his voice had dropped a little.
“She’s in bed. The doctor’s with her.”
“Was Clark right? Has she been—?”
Rebecca nodded. “She’ll be all right. We just need to keep her calm. I think she ought to stay here with me tonight.”
Rebecca watched her father pace across the tent, and thought how odd and yet familiar it was. “I suppose you’re right,” he said. “If I take her home I’ll just have two hysterical women on my hands.”
Rebecca thought that was a rather selfish analysis of the situation. She might have said so, but Clark came into the tent. “He’s gone, sir,” he said.
The colonel stopped in front of him. “Horse and gear with him, I imagine.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take out a small detachment in the morning and bring the deserter back. Not one word of this,” he pointed at the curtain, “to anyone. Understood?”
“Of course, sir.”
“I’m going home,” he said, turning toward Rebecca. “I don’t want Belle to wake up and find herself alone. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
He left the tent before Rebecca could respond. She took a step toward Clark. “Is he in more trouble for deserting than for raping an innocent girl?”
“Your father’s trying to protect her.”
Rebecca sighed. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. Clark’s strong arms wrapped around her, and his shoulder cradled her head. She felt herself ready to give into tears.
“May I have a word with you?”
She jerked out of Clark’s arms at the doctor’s voice. “What is it? Is she all right?”
The doctor nodded. “I think so. We have to worry about the possibility of a baby. And I’d like the man examined for any sign of disease.”
Rebecca wanted to turn back into Clark’s shoulder. She hadn’t considered either of these.
“I’m leaving a powder that will help her sleep,” the doctor continued. “I suggest you get her cleaned up. She’ll be more comfortable.”
Rebecca thanked the doctor as he tottered toward the door.
“I’ll heat some water,” Clark offered. “You ladies may have the tent.”
“Where will you sleep?” She didn’t want him gone. He had been gone so long, and now he was leaving again in the morning. But she needed to be with Alicia.
“I’ll be right outside.”
“I’m sorry, Clark. You should get to sleep in a bed when you’re home.”
“Shhh.” His fingertips touched her lips. “I’ll be fine. And I won’t be far if you need me.”
She took comfort in that knowledge while she prepared the washtub for Alicia to stand in. After Clark had added the hot water and bade her good-night, she washed her cousin, gave her the powder and tucked her into bed.
Finally she stretched out beside Alicia, conscious that she was on Clark’s side of the bed. And he was outside. And this wasn’t at all the way she wanted it.
Chapter Thirteen
Rebecca awoke the next morning certain that Clark was already gone. She had overslept but it hardly mattered. Clark had probably gotten an early start, and once he was gone, what difference did it make if she slept the day away? Alicia looked ready to do just that.
But Alicia had the powder to help her sleep. Rebecca was soon feeling restless and crawled out of bed. While she was reviving the fire to make some coffee, she had a visitor.
“Sergeant Whiting,” she said, reaching out to shake his hand. “What brings you here this morning?”
“The lieutenant asked me to check in on you and Miss Evans while he was gone.”
Rebecca couldn’t hide her surprise.
“I’m sure he meant no disrespect, ma’am. He told me your cousin’s staying with you because you had gotten worried last time he was gone.”
Rebecca decided not to destroy a perfect excuse. For a moment she had thought Clark might have told Whiting about the attack. “Time passes so slowly when I’m alone. Alicia will help keep me occupied. Can you stay for coffee?”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
Rebecca put the coffee on and settled into one of the camp chairs. “It’s a pretty morning,” she said, hoping to explain why she was remaining outside the tent.
“It is, ma’am.” He took the other chair. “Gonna be a hot one, though.”
“Sergeant,” Rebecca asked, smiling so he wouldn’t take offence, “why aren’t you on duty?”
“Sick list,” he answered, sliding up his sleeve to reveal a white bandage. “I was working on the barracks and a board slipped. It’s festering a little. Doc took me off duty but turned me out of the hospital tent. I look on it as a vacation.”
“The doctor’s still watching it, isn’t he?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m supposed to go see him every day. The rest of the time, I’m free to roam the fort. Somebody’s gonna get wise to the fact that I can still perform my duties and countermand Doc’s orders. I figure I got two days tops unless I can contrive to run a fever.”
Rebecca tried to look serious. “I should report you, soldier.”
Whiting nodded. “That you should, ma’am. ‘Cept who would come by and see that you and your cousin are all right?”
“Well, sir,” Rebecca said, “I’m not sure I need your concern, but I appreciate your company. And any news you might have.”
“I’ll keep my ears open,” he promised. “Your coffee’s ready. I’ll toss in some cold water to settle the grounds while you see if your little cousin wants to join us.”
Rebecca thanked him and entered the tent. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dark. When they did, she saw Alicia hovering near the canvas curtain. She looked like a frightened little child.
“Alicia,” Rebecca said, just above a whisper, “do you want to come out and have breakfast?”
“Is he gone?”
“It’s just Sergeant Whiting.”
Alicia shook her head. “I can’t. My dress is torn. And look at my face.”
Of course. If Alicia was going to keep her attack a secret, she couldn’t very well step outside the tent in a torn dress with bright cuts visible on her pale face. “I’ll bring you a cup. You can have it with some cornbread.”
She took three cups out to the fire. “Alicia needs her cup of coffee before she’s ready to meet anyone,” she offered as an excuse. Whiting seemed to accept it readily enough.
Inside, Alicia had helped herself to a chunk of the cornbread, and Rebecca traded her the cup for the pan. Between bites, Whiting talked about the construction and his own assessment of when the fort would be completed.
Rebecca was laughing at one of Whiting’s remarks when she caught sight of her aunt bearing down on them. The woman was not in the mood for humor.
Whiting must have read Rebecca’s expression because he turned to see what had caught her attention. “Good morning, Mrs. Evans,” he said, standing.
Aunt Belle didn’t acknowledge the greeting but demanded, “Where is she?”
Before Rebecca could answer, Whiting handed his cup to her. “It’s been a pleasure, ma’am.”
As he beat a hasty retreat, Aunt Belle swept aside the flap. “I’ll just bet,” she tossed over her shoulder as she entered the tent.
Rebecca was right behind her. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Belle didn’t seem to hear. “Alicia! Levi told me what happened. How could you be so foolish?”
Alicia sa
t at the table, the cup frozen halfway to her mouth. Rebecca ran to her rescue. With her hands on the girl’s shoulders she faced her aunt. “This wasn’t Alicia’s fault”
Belle’s eyes narrowed. “No, I suppose not She has you to blame for it.”
Rebecca didn’t care what Belle said as long as she didn’t yell at Alicia. She gently squeezed the girl’s shoulders hoping to reassure her.
Alicia slowly returned the cup to the saucer and folded her hands in her lap. “Rebecca didn’t do anything, Mother.”
“Well, of course she did. Her husband has just left and already she’s entertaining another man. This has been your example since she came to live with us.”
“Mother—”
Rebecca spoke up. “Hush, Alicia. It’s all right. Clark asked Sergeant Whiting to check in on us.”
“He can continue to check in on you all he wants. But Alicia is coming with me.”
Alicia shrank back against Rebecca.
“Let her stay,” Rebecca said. “You have my father’s household to run and the other duties of your station. Here she won’t be alone while she waits for the cuts to heal. And you can simply tell anyone who asks that she’s keeping me company. She can go back when Clark gets home.”
Belle eyed Alicia critically, probably assessing the damage that would be done if anyone saw her. Finally she gave in. “Come over later and get her clothes. But see you don’t ruin her reputation along with your own.”
The woman was on her way out when Hank presented himself holding four plucked prairie chickens aloft. Belle gave him the once-over and grunted as she turned away.
Hank’s usual enthusiasm was sadly dampened by the woman’s reaction. Rebecca gave the boy her warmest smile. “Oh, look what you have today! Alicia, won’t these taste wonderful?”
Rebecca was glad to see Hank smile again, but she got no response from Alicia. A glance over her shoulder showed the seat by the table to be empty. Alicia had retreated to the bedroom.
“If you’ll get that bucket, I’ll wash my hands. Then I can show you what I been practicin’.”
In a moment Hank was ready to start the dancing lesson. Rebecca tried to ignore her worry for her cousin as she danced with Hank. He really had come a long way from their first lesson. He even added his baritone to Rebecca’s alto, humming part of the time.
The Unlikely Wife Page 18