Enchanted Ecstasy

by Constance O'Banyon

  Maleaha raised her head and saw that the major was sleeping. She would have her revenge. His insults to her would not go unpunished, she vowed. She was so weary, but her ankle was hurting her, making it impossible to sleep. Her mind reached back to her childhood, to the time when Salador, along with Lamas, had been her constant companion. Tears of grief blinded her as she wept silently. A Jojoba maiden was not supposed to cry, but perhaps just this once she could be forgiven.

  7

  The next morning when Kane awoke, Maleaha was lacing up her moccasins. She did not seem inclined to speak to him, so he in turn decided to ignore her. He walked down to the stream and washed his face, then took a deep drink, thinking it would likely be the last water he would taste until they reached the Kincade ranch.

  Maleaha stood, watching him silently. She wished that her ankle was not so painful and she would not have to rely on his support to walk. She considered refusing to go with him, but she knew he would only force her if she voiced her thoughts.

  Kane walked back to her and offered her his arm for support. She would have liked nothing better than to refuse, but now was not the time to act childish, and she knew it would only serve to amuse him anyway.

  She rested her hand on his arm and limped along beside him.

  Kane smiled down at her, knowing what she was feeling, and he could not resist goading her further.

  "If you would ask it of me, I could be persuaded to carry you, as I did yesterday."

  "Not a chance, major. I will walk, thank you all the same."

  He smiled inwardly, knowing she would not be able to walk the ten miles, but he would wait until she asked for his help.

  He watched her out of the corner of his eye. She tried to walk without limping, but he saw the pain on her face, even though she tried to hide it from him. She stumbled and would have fallen, but he steadied her, and was rewarded with a haughty glance for his trouble.

  As they walked along her footsteps grew slower, and he could tell she was in great pain as her grip tightened on his arm.

  He swung her into his arms, and when she tried to protest he silenced her with a glance.

  "You would kill yourself rather than ask me for help. What a proud little witch you are." The way he said it left no doubt; he had not meant it as a compliment.

  At first Maleaha tried to hold herself rigid, but soon she began to relax against him. "You will not be able to carry me the whole way, major," she taunted.

  "When I become tired I will merely sit down and rest. Any objections?"

  "It will take all day to reach the Kincades' at this pace."

  "So be it. Now, will you try to remain silent?" he demanded.

  It was late afternoon when they first sighted the Kincade ranch house. Maleaha knew the major was exhausted from carrying her, and she was able to derive some pleasure from that thought. He climbed the steps and set her down on the front porch.

  Mrs. Kincade had been looking out the kitchen window, and she came out on the porch with a frown on her face.

  "My dear, what has happened to you?" she said with a worried look on her face.

  "We were attacked by the Arapaho, Mrs. Kincade. They killed Salador, and took our horses. I am afraid I have injured my ankle."

  The older woman put her arms around Maleaha. "Oh honey, I am so sorry. I know how much you loved that old Indian, as we all did." Her voice was full of pity as she tried to console Maleaha.

  "Forgive my bad manners, Mrs. Kincade," Maleaha said, quickly changing the subject, afraid she would break down in front of the major. "This is Major Benedict. Major, Mrs. Kincade."

  Mrs. Kincade's face was grim as she nodded to the major. "How do you do, Major Benedict. Come into the house and I will fix you something to eat. You must be starved."

  Kane bowed politely to Mrs. Kincade. "It is a pleasure to meet you, ma'am, and I would surely appreciate something to eat."

  The older woman helped Maleaha walk into the house and gave her a look that showed she knew the sorrow she was feeling.

  "I do not want anything to eat," Maleaha said. 1 will just say hello to Betsy and borrow her horse, if I may."

  At that moment Betsy entered the room, and, seeing her best friend, flew across the room and threw her arms around her. "What has happened to you? You look awful!" Betsy said, looking from Maleaha to the handsome officer.

  "I will tell you all about it later, but for now I would like to introduce you to Major Benedict. Major, Betsy Kincade."

  Kane nodded at the pretty blue-eyed blonde and gave her his most charming smile. "It is an honor to meet you, Miss Kincade," he said politely.

  Maleaha bristled, remembering how differently he had reacted when he was introduced to her at the fort.

  Mr. Kincade entered the room, and while his wife presented him to the major, Maleaha turned to Betsy. "Help me to your room and I will tell you all that has occurred, Betsy."

  When they reached Betsy's bedroom, Betsy helped Maleaha sit down in a chair and looked at her. "That is the most handsome man I have ever seen! If I were not in love with Bob I swear I would have swooned at his feet," Betsy exclaimed.

  Maleaha put her foot on the floor and felt pain shoot through her ankle. "You are welcome to him, as far as I am concerned, Betsy."

  Betsy looked at Maleaha, whom she loved as she would a sister. They had gone to finishing school together in Boston. In fact, Maleaha's father had paid for Betsy to go since her parents did not have the money to send her Last summer Maleaha's father had taken both girls to Europe with him. Betsy's folks were not very well off and Jonas Deveraux was a very wealthy man, but it did not affect the two girls' friendship; they had been best friends since childhood.

  Maleaha loved to visit the Kincade ranch, Betsy's father was always laughing and jolly, and her mother had taken Maleaha under her wing when Maleaha's own mother was killed. She was a tiny blonde-headed woman whose face showed the rough life she had led helping her husband make a home in the wild untamed land that was New Mexico. Mrs. Kincade always had a smile on her face, and she loved to mother the motherless Maleaha.

  Betsy smiled at Maleaha. "Why do I get the feeling that you do not like Major Benedict?"

  Maleaha frowned, "Because I do not like Major Benedict!"

  "Why ever not?"

  "Do you know what he asked me?" Maleaha said, knowing she could tell Betsy anything and it would not be repeated.

  Betsy shook her head, "No, tell me."

  Maleaha fixed her eyes on Betsy's face as she spoke angrily, "Major Benedict asked me to become his mistress!"

  Betsy gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth. "You must be mistaken. No man would ever dare ask you such a thing."

  "He thinks me a savage, an Indian, and not worthy to be his wife, but he offered to buy me a house in Santa Fe," Maleaha said. The hurt she had felt crept into her voice, and although Betsy had never seen her best friend cry, she thought she detected tears in her eyes now.

  "What made him think he could make such an offer to you?" Betsy said, her blue eyes flashing angrily.

  "I let him kiss me," Maleaha said, trying to understand herself why he had made such a degrading offer to her.

  "That was no reason for him to insult you. I have a good mind to march right out there and give him a piece of my mind."

  "Do not worry, Betsy, I will see the day when the arrogant, pompous, major will beg for my forgiveness."

  "Doesn't he know who you are?"

  "He knows I am Jonas Deveraux's daughter, but he thinks of me as a lowly Indian, unworthy of him."

  Maleaha told Betsy all that had occurred since she had left the fort. Betsy cried for Salador, and when she could stem the flow of tears, she looked at Maleaha. "Do you think the major will be attending the Grand Ball in two weeks?"

  "I don't know. Why do you ask?"

  "Because, you silly goose, at the Grand Ball you will be sought after by every eligible gentleman who attends. What better way to show the major what a grave mistake he made."r />
  Maleaha smiled, "You are right. How sweet will be my revenge when I show him up to be a fool."

  "I will do everything in my power to help you. You can count on me," Betsy said loyally.

  "Betsy, tell no one about this. I would be so humiliated if anyone found out."

  "Wild horses could not drag it out of me," Betsy said with conviction, and Maleaha knew from long experience that her friend could be trusted to keep her word.

  "I want to borrow your horse, Betsy, and let me out the back door. I want to be gone before the major realizes I have left.""

  Major Kanen Benedict rode to the fort on his borrowed horse. He was still angry at the way Miss Deveraux had ridden away without informing him. It seemed strange without her by his side. He supposed he had grown used to having her with him. They had shared much since they had started out to find Mangas. Kane realized that she was angry with him, but that did not give her the right to leave without telling him good-bye. It had been damned awkward when the Kincade girl had told him that Miss Deveraux had left without a word to him.

  Strange, he thought, he did not even know her first name. He had either called her Miss Deveraux or thought of her as the Indian girl. They had been together for days, and faced danger together, and he had held her in his arms, yet he did not even know her name.

  A deep loneliness descended upon Kane as he spurred his borrowed mount to a faster pace. He doubted that his path would ever cross Miss Deveraux's again. He frowned. The thought of never seeing her again left him feeling sadly empty. He pushed all thoughts of her aside and concentrated on what he had to tell the colonel.

  It was late evening when Kane finally rode through the gates of the fort. He went directly to Colonel Johnson's office and presented him with the evidence, in the form of the armband, and told him all that had occurred, with the exception of what had transpired personally between him and the Indian girl.

  The colonel nodded his approval. "I want to commend you, major, on a job well done. Now that we know for sure who is responsible for the raids, we can be on our guard."

  "Colonel Johnson, did you send soldiers out to try and follow us to Mangas's camp?" Kane asked, although he already knew the answer.

  The colonel grinned broadly. "Yes, although I knew that Jonas Deveraux's daughter would soon discover she was being followed. It was a long shot, and it failed, as I was sure it would. She is a shrewd little lady; it must be her Indian blood."

  "Yes, she deserves all the credit, sir. Without her help I would never have found Mangas."

  "I know, my boy. You do not need to tell me about her; all of Santa Fe knows about her.''

  Kane wanted to ask what all Santa Fe knew about Miss Deveraux, but he didn't ask, fearing to hear about her promiscuous nature.

  A few days later, Jonas returned to Deveraux Ranch. When Maleaha told him all that had happened while he had been away, omitting only the personal things that had taken place between her and Major Benedict, he was very angry for the space of one whole day. Then he quickly forgave her, knowing he could never be angry with her for long. He even admitted, grudgingly, that she had been right about Mangas.

  Maleaha's ankle healed under the tender care of Margaretta, but the sadness in her heart at the loss of Salador did not heal. Nor did her need to avenge herself against Major Kanen Benedict grow any less. She counted the days until she could show him she was not the nobody he thought her to be. She was Maleaha Deveraux, daughter of Jonas Deveraux, respected and liked by all of Santa Fe. He would soon learn what a mistake he had made. She smiled, thinking how sweet would be her revenge.

  The Grand Ball was the social event of the season. Invitations were coveted, but only the most socially prominent were invited. Included in that number, were the officers from the fort and their ladies.

  Maleaha had chosen her gown with great care. She wanted to look every bit the young society miss. Her gown was made of white silk, and was very plain. It came down in a vee in front and rested on the edge of her shoulders with tiny puffed sleeves. It fit snugly around her tiny waist and flowed into a soft bustle at the back. Her matching shoes were of white satin. The whiteness of her gown complimented her lovely golden-colored skin. Her hair was pulled away from her face with an emerald and diamond clip and fell down her back to her waist. The only other jewelry she wore was a huge diamond and emerald pendant on a long chain. Slipping on her white elbow-length gloves, she surveyed her image in the full-length mirror.

  "What do you think, Betsy, do I look all right?"

  "You are lovely, Maleaha. I would be jealous of you if I did not love you so much."

  Maleaha smiled at her best friend, who was dressed in yards and yards of pink lace, looking blonde and beautiful.

  "You have nothing to worry about. I wish I had your lovely complexion and beautiful face."

  "La, you silly goose. No one would notice me with you in the room, except maybe Bob. Speaking of Bob, he will be downstairs pacing the floor. Shall we go on ahead, and I will lay the groundwork? Do not forget, make some excuse to your father so you can arrive late."

  "Do you think he will be there?"

  Betsy knew who Maleaha meant. "I made sure he received an invitation; now don't fret, just remember, after tonight revenge will be yours."

  Maleaha had received many invitations to attend the ball from a number of young men, but she had turned them all down, wanting to go with her father. She did not want to be with any one man that night. She wanted to be free to dance with everyone.

  Kane stood beside the punchbowl, surveying the many beautiful young ladies who danced by in the arms of their well-dressed gentlemen friends. He had danced with many of the young ladies himself, but he was feeling bored and restless. He wondered why he had bothered to come tonight. He was considering returning to the fort when he saw a familiar face. The girl had just entered the ballroom escorted by a redheaded man. Betsy took Bob's arm and led him across the room to where Kanen Benedict stood. After introducing the two men, she looked about her, waiting for some of the gentlemen present to approach her and ask her where Maleaha was, for she knew it was bound to happen, as it always had.

  "Tell me, Miss Kincade, have you seen Miss Deveraux lately?" Kane asked.

  "Yes, major, as a matter of fact I saw her only tonight."

  "Is she faring well?"

  Before Betsy could answer, she saw Vernon Cribbs approaching. She knew he would ask her about Maleaha, and she was not mistaken.

  "Betsy, have you seen Maleaha? I was told she would be here tonight," the handsome sandy-haired man asked.

  "Oh yes, she will be here. I have it on good authority."

  "I have not seen her since you two returned from that fancy school in Boston. I have called at the ranch several times but she was never at home."

  Just then Trace Blackwell approached Betsy. "Is Maleaha coming tonight? I have been watching the door, hoping to be the first one to see her."

  "She is not here yet, Trace, but she will be, have patience," Betsy said, beginning to enjoy herself. "Why do you not dance with some of the other young ladies, Trace?" Betsy asked him.

  "Not on your life, I want to dance with Maleaha. Lord, it has been a long time since I have seen her."

  Just then they were approached by a third man. "Betsy, where is Maleaha? Isn't she coming?"

  "She will be here, Bill, just have patience," she answered smiling delightedly.

  Kane was curious. "Who is this Maleaha, Miss Kincade?"

  "Oh, I am sure you know Maleaha, major. Everyone knows her.'' Betsy was hardly able to suppress the giggle she felt rising in her throat.

  "No, I have never met her. What is so special about her?"

  "Here comes Frank Taylor, let us ask him what is so special about Maleaha." Betsy said, smiling.

  "Betsy, have you seen Maleaha?" Frank asked.

  "She will be here, Frank. Would you answer something for the major here, Frank? He wants to know what's so special about Maleaha."

  Betsy
could have chosen no one better than Frank Taylor to ask. He had been half in love with Maleaha for years.

  "What's so special about Maleaha? Good Lord, you could never have met her, or you would not have to ask. It's more than the fact that she is the most beautiful, most graceful, kindest, most sought-after young lady in the New Mexico territory. It does not matter that her father is the richest man in the state. Maleaha—is Maleaha."

  "I would like to meet this paragon of beauty," Kane said, half serious, half amused.

  "Now is your chance, major. I believe Maleaha has just arrived." Betsy was looking toward the entrance of the ballroom.

  Kane's eyes switched to the entrance and rested on the lovely vision on the arm of Jonas Deveraux. It seemed the whole room became silent as Maleaha raised her head and smiled at Betsy, ever so slightly.

  Kane's eyes widened as he recognized the lovely vision in white. Maleaha. Maleaha Deveraux!

  Maleaha was instantly surrounded by half a dozen gentlemen, and Kane heard her laughter as she spoke to each of them in turn. Surely he was mistaken! His face lost its color as the full impact of the situation hit him. God, what a fool he was. His eyes followed her as she walked gracefully down the three steps that took her to the dance floor. Apparently she had turned down the other gentlemen in favor of first dancing with her father. His eyes followed her around the room. Kane wondered how long he had been staring at Maleaha, and he turned to Miss Kincade.

  "I don't understand."

  "What is it that you do not understand, major?"

  "Maleaha is Miss Deveraux!"

  "Perhaps I can enlighten you, major. Maleaha is my best friend, and as you know, she is the daughter of Jonas Deveraux. She is the most sought-after young lady in the New Mexico territory, as you heard. She went away to finishing school with me, to Boston, at the request of her father. She has also been to England and France. There is not a man here tonight, with the exception of my Bob, who isn't half in love with her. She has received so many proposals of marriage, I'm sure she lost count long ago, but then, she is only seventeen. I am sure there will be more, as she grows older. She can outride and outshoot most men, but I am sure you already know that. She teaches at the Indian mission twice a week, and there has never been the slightest bit of scandal attached to her good name. We all love Maleaha, major, and would not take kindly to anyone who hurt her.''