"We got some talking to do. I haven't understood half of what happened here today."
"Jake, I myself do not know what happened."
"Tell me what the Injun said to you?"
"He wanted to take me with him. He seemed to think I was being held here against my will. When I told him to go away, he said he would if I commanded him to."
"Sounds mighty strange to me. Did you see his headband?"
"No, I was too frightened to notice much about him."
"It was like the armband we found. I ain't sure, but I think he was one of the Injuns me and Zeke shot."
"But you said you killed those two."
"Well, I guess I was wrong."
"Jake, I would have been with the Indians a long time to learn to speak with them."
"I heard me lots of Injun talk, but I ain't heard nothing like the two of you were saying."
"Jake, there was something else. He asked me who Andrew belonged to. I told him his father was a white man. I was afraid he might be the father, and if he knew about Andrew he would force us to go with him."
"I sure wish you could remember who you are, princess. I got me a powerful curiosity, about the kind of tribe we are dealing with here."
Andrew began to fuss, so Mara picked him up. As she rocked him, her mind was troubled. Who was the Indian? Why had he left when she said she would not go with him? She knew he was not afraid of Jake.
Thinking back, she began to remember other things about him. His eyes had been sad at times, and she knew he would not have harmed her or Andrew.
Palomas was the first to hear the rider. He motioned for Jeffery to follow him into the woods, where they hid behind some bushes.
Jeffery tried to check his horse, but the high-spirited animal pranced around, turning sideways. Dismounting, he grabbed the reins and tried to soothe his horse by running his hand over its long, sleek neck.
They did not have to wait long for the rider to draw even with them. Palomas immediately recognized Matio and called out to him, but the thunder of Matio's horse's hoofs drowned out his voice, so he urged his horse forward into a gallop, hoping to catch the young warrior before he had gone too far.
Matio, hearing his name being called, reined in his horse and looked back over his shoulder. When he saw Palomas, he vaulted to the ground, and ran back down the trail. His face showed his happiness, as Palomas dismounted and grabbed him, and they greeted each other in Lagonda fashion, by clasping wrists. By now Jeffery had joined them, and he too greeted Matio.
"I thought you were among the spirits," Palomas said.
"I also thought that you walked with the dead," Matio replied.
"Where have you been all this time?" Jeffery asked.
"I have been searching for the queen, my captain."
"As we all have, Matio, without any success, I fear," Jeffery said, and his voice showed how weary he was.
Matio looked into the green eyes of his captain, hating to be the one to tell him about his sister. "I have just been with the queen," he said, lowering his head.
Jeffery grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him in his excitement. "You have seen Mara! Is she well?"
Palomas read disillusionment in the young warrior's eyes, and he waited for Matio to speak.
"I do not know how to tell you this, but the queen is with three white men and she ordered me to leave her. She did not want to come away with me."
Jeffery looked astounded. "Was she being held against her will?"
"No, my captain. I made sure that was not the case. She stays with the white men because she desires to." Matio could not bring himself to tell the queen's brother about the baby.
"Tell me how I can find my sister," Jeffery said.
Matio bent down and picked up a stick and began drawing directions to the cabin in the snow.
Palomas stood silently as Jeffery stood up and put his hand on Matio's shoulder. "Have you searched for the queen all this time, Matio?"
"Yes, my captain."
"You have done well. I am sure the king will reward you for your loyalty."
"It was no more than any other would have done in my place," Matio said, trying not to show how proud he was to receive praise from his captain. "Do I return to the cabin with you?" he said, changing the subject.
"No. I want you to ride as quickly as you can to the king. Tell him that you have found my sister and for him to wait by the river where she was abducted, and I shall bring her to him."
"Where do I find the king?"
Jeffery picked up the stick and drew three marks in the snow. "Follow the trail of the three marks, and you will find your king."
"My captain, suppose the queen will not come with you?"
Jeffery frowned. "There is something wrong here, Matio, but rest easy. When we meet at the river, my sister will be with me. I will bid you farewell, for now. Make haste and find your king. He has been very worried about the queen."
Matio nodded. He thought the king would not be well pleased when he heard all he must tell him about the queen. "I will find the king and tell him to wait for you," Matio said.
Matio mounted his horse and looked at Palomas, wishing he could ask his advice on telling the king about the baby.
Palomas ran his hand over the sleek neck of the horse Matio was riding. "This is a fine-looking animal. How did you come by him? The last time I saw you, you had no horse."
"I found this one, Palomas. Apparently someone had lost him." Matio said with a straight face.
"Where did you find him?" Palomas wanted to know.
Matio grinned. "I found him in a white man's barn."
Palomas drew back his hand and slapped the horse on the rump. The animal charged forward, and Palomas had to yell to be heard. "I charge you with the task of telling the king one of his warriors has turned thief."
Jeffery stood silently watching the young warrior disappear down the trail. "He has done well, Palomas."
"Yes, he found Mara where others failed. He has done more to protect her than I, who am her protector."
"You are still stinging from Tajarez's anger," Jeffery observed.
"I will never forget that my king was displeased with me, and with good reason."
"Let us not dwell on that just now. I believe I shall change clothes, since I am to go calling." Jeffery removed his trousers, shirt, and boots from his saddlebag and began changing from his fringed buckskins into the clothing of a well-dressed gentleman.
Palomas pushed the undergrowth aside to get a better view of the cabin. Smoke was drifting skyward from the chimney, and he could smell the aroma of roasting deer meat.
"Shall we invite ourselves to dinner, Palomas?" "I think it would be better if you would go alone, Jeffery. I will wait here and watch for any sign of trouble."
"I suppose that would be best. I am not sure how I will be received."
"If you should need me, I will come to you at once," Palomas said.
“Pray that I find Mara well."
"That is my desire."
Palomas watched Jeffery approach the cabin. He then led the horses a short distance into the woods, secured their reins to a tree, and returned to his vantage point just as Jeffery rapped on the door.
Mara had gone to bed early and had fallen asleep almost instantly. Du Lac was running his trap line and was not expected back until later. Jake and Zeke were sitting at the table eating a late supper when they heard the knock on the door.
Jake looked at his brother questioningly. "Must be Du Lac."
The knock came again. "Is anyone here?" a muffled voice called out.
"It's a stranger," Zeke said, grabbing up his rifle and aiming it at the door, while Jake crossed the room and jerked the door open. His mouth gaped open when he saw Jeffery.
"We don't get no callers out here. What you want?"
Jeffery looked at the huge trapper. He did not seem very friendly, and he could see the second man, who was aiming a gun at his chest. He decided not to reveal the reas
on for his visit until he was sure what the situation was.
"It is a cold night. If you would allow me to come in and warm myself I would appreciate it."
Jake looked at the stranger suspiciously. He could not see much of his face since he was bundled up in a hooded fur jacket. He was sure a fancy talker though, and Jake wondered what the likes of him was doing at his door.
"If you got any weapons, leave them outside."
Jeffery reached inside his jacket and unbuckled the belt around his waist and let it drop to the ground.
"This knife is the only weapon I have on me," he told Jake.
"Step in, then. You got a name?"
Jeffery pushed the hood of his jacket off his head, an offered his hand to Jake. "My name is Jeffery Golden, lately of St. Louis."
"I heard tell of some Goldens lived at St. Louis. They lived in a fancy house overlooking the Mississippi River. They any kin of yours?" Zeke asked, lowering his rifle.
"Yes. My father and mother died three years past, but my brother David still lives in St. Louis. Have you not heard of me?" Jeffery asked, thinking surely Mara would have told the men about him.
Jake looked at him closely. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but he could not say what it was. "Why should you think we know about you?"
"I just thought you might know someone who would have mentioned me."
"Nope," Jake said, still not trusting the stranger. "Take your jacket off. If you of a mind to, you can eat a bite with us."
Jeffery removed his heavy jacket and made a sweeping glance of the cabin. There was no sign of Mara. His eyes moved to the ladder that led up to the loft, wondering if she would be up there. If she was, she must be asleep, otherwise she would have heard his voice.
Jeffery became aware the two trappers were looking him over. "I would be pleased to dine with you. I am rather famished."
Zeke motioned for him to sit at the table, while Jake sliced a generous slice of venison steak, put it on a plate and handed it to Jeffery
"You a trapper?" Zeke asked, knowing the answer before he asked the question. This fancy-talking gentleman wouldn't know the first thing about trapping, he thought.
Jeffery took a bite of the meat and found it to be palatable.
"No, I am not a trapper." He had decided not to divulge too much information about himself just yet.
"You on your way to Mitchel?" Jake asked.
"Never heard of it."
"It's a town about three weeks from here."
"I see." Jeffery looked from one man to the other, deciding he would turn the tables and ask the questions.
"You two trappers?"
"It's a living." Zeke volunteered.
"Have you lived out here long?"
"Off and on for ten years."
"The deer meat is very good. Thank you for allowing me to share it with you."
"You are a fancy-talking fellow. Don't look like you belong in the backwoods," Jake said at last.
Jeffery pushed his plate aside, tired of playing questions and answers.
"Let's quit dancing and start talking," Jeffery said, leaning forward. "You both know I am not from around here. His eyes fastened on the face of the man with the red beard, watching his reaction to his next words.
"I am searching for someone." Jeffery saw the look that passed between the two men.
"Who you looking for?" the man with the red beard wanted to know.
"I am searching for my sister." His words fell heavy on the room that had suddenly become silent. "Perhaps you have heard of her. Her name is Mara. She has hair the same color as mine, and the same green eyes. Some say we look like twins, but in truth I am several years older than she."
Jake and Zeke looked at the blond man with new understanding. He did bear a striking resemblance to the princess, and he had called her by her name.
The look Jake gave his brother warned him not to say anything until they knew more about the man's intentions toward Mara.
"If you lost your sister, shouldn't you have taken better care of her?"
"It was through no fault of mine that she was lost. I love her, and she has a husband who is out of his mind with worry for her safety, as well as a twin son and daughter."
"You say she is married?" Jake said, giving Zeke a guarded look.
"Yes, her husband is a powerful, influential man. He has great wealth and is willing to pay much to get her back," Jeffery said, wondering why Mara had not told the two men that she was married. He could tell they had been surprised to learn she had a husband.
"Zeke and me don't have no use for gold. We got all we need right here."
"If you do not care for gold, perhaps you would help me find her, so she can be reunited with a man who loves her more than his own life, and has been in despair, fearing for her safety." Jeffery realized that the two men knew more than they were saying, and wondered why they were being so secretive.
"How come this husband allowed her to be taken by Injuns if he loves her so much?" Jake asked.
Jeffery's eyes narrowed to icy green pinpoints. These were the two men who had shot Palomas and Matio, he thought. Good God, they thought they had rescued her! He was puzzled. Why had Mara not told them the truth? What were these men trying to hide? He decided it was best not to tell them that Mara was married to an Indian. If she had not told them about Tajarez she must have her reasons.
"Her husband was not with her when she was . . . taken," he said. "He is at this time scouring the countryside searching for her."
"I want to hear more about what your sister looks like," Zeke said, already convinced that the man spoke the truth.
"As I told you, she is of the same coloring as myself. The last time she was seen, she wore a doeskin dress, with gold beading. Oh yes, she was also wearing a golden medallion about her neck."
Jake jumped to his feet, a broad grin lighting his face. "There ain't no use you looking no further. I know where your sister is. She is at this moment sleeping up in the loft."
Jeffery stood up slowly. "I want to see her."
"Not yet," Zeke said in a hushed tone. "There are some things we need to tell you about your sister."
"Is her health good?" Jeffery asked quickly.
"Yep, me and Jake took her to a doctor. He said she was fine, 'cept for one thing."
"What is that?"
"She ain't got no memory. She clean forgot who she is. She don't know nothing about having a brother, nor a husband and babies, for that matter."
"My God," Jeffery said, sinking down onto the chair. That explained why she had not told them about Tajarez. "How did this happen to her?"
"We don't rightly know," Jake said, "when we found her, she didn't know who she was."
"This explains many things," Jeffery said beneath his breath, thinking about Matio's telling him Mara did not want to go away with him. She had not known who Matio was.
"You had better brace yourself, Mr. Golden," Jake said in an uneven voice. "Mara done had a baby, and it ain't her husband's. It's an Injun baby. The Injuns who took her must have . . . well you know what I mean."
Jeffery tried to control his facial muscles, to keep from smiling. Of course the baby would look like an Indian, since Mara's husband was Indian. He could not say this to the two men, however.
"Is the baby well?"
Jake looked relieved, he had not expected the princess's brother to take the news about the baby so well. "The baby is in good health. It don't matter to you that your sister had some Injun's baby?"
"I love my sister a great deal, therefore any child she would have I shall love also."
"That's easy for you to say, but what about her husband? How will he treat Andrew?"
"Andrew?"
"Yep, that's the baby's name. Me and Zeke here don't want the princess to be hurt. She loves that baby, and if her man can't accept Andrew, it will hurt her."
"You have my word that her husband is an extraordinary man. You need not be concerned. Andrew will
be well loved."
"Tell me," Zeke spoke up, "does she have a good marriage? Me and my brother have become attached to her. We wouldn't like to see her returned to a man who ain't good to her."
"You have my word, theirs was a love match. I have seldom, if ever, seen two people who love as deeply as Mara and her husband. If my sister had not lost her memory she would tell you this for herself."
"I think I should tell you, the doctor warned us against telling her too much about her past at one time. He said it could be dangerous for her," Jake said in a quiet tone.
"Where did she see a doctor?"
"At the trading post. The doctor said she might get worse if she gets a shock."
"I am glad you told me this," Jeffery replied, thinking how much of a shock it could be for Mara to learn that she was married to an Indian, since she thought she had been captured and ravished by one.
Jeffery stood up and smiled. "I told you my name when I came in, but you failed to tell me yours."
Jake extended his hand. "I would be Jake Cawfield, and this here's my brother Zeke."
Jeffery shook hands with both men. "I am glad to make your acquaintance. It seems that I owe you a great debt for taking care of my sister." Jeffery knew he could not tell the two brothers that it was because of them that Mara had been separated from her family. They would never understand, nor believe she was married to the mighty king of the Lagonda tribe.
The three men turned their attention to the front door as Du Lac entered the cabin. As he removed his outer jacket he stared at Jeffery. The man looked out of place, he thought. His dress was that of a gentleman. Du Lac immediately saw that the stranger bore a remarkable resemblance to Mara.
Jake leaned toward Jeffery and spoke in a quiet tone so only Jeffery and Zeke could hear. "Don't say nothing to him about the princess having a husband, he might let it slip to her." . Du Lac ambled over to Jeffery and looked him up and down in an insulting manner. "You are a long way from a fancy drawing room are you not?" he said, with a heavy French accent.
Jeffery's green gaze seemed to pin the Frenchman with its intensity. "I am Jeffery Golden. You are a long way from France, are you not?" he said in an equally insulting tone.
Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) Page 17