Candace McCarthy (24 page)

Daniel bit back a groan as he felt her muscles contract
around him. He heard her breath come quickly as he started to move. He held her hips to keep her steady, arched his spine to thrust hard and deep between her legs.

He felt the hot pleasure that began in his staff suffuse his whole body with heat. He smelled her fragrance, tasted her on his lips, and, as he thrust up hard, he grabbed on to her breast with his mouth and began to draw on the nipple deeply.

He let go of the breast to catch his breath. He had heard the thundering sound of Amelia’s heart as he’d suckled her, realized with a burst of surprise that his heart was tripping as wildly as hers.

Daniel felt himself spinning out of control. He caressed her wildly, touching everywhere he could gain access, relishing her soft cries, her urgent whimpers. As his own pleasure rocketed, he realized he couldn’t hold on much longer.

No!
he thought.
Not yet. Not without her.

But he was caught in a whirlwind of ecstasy and couldn’t stop himself. With one last thrust of his hips, he surged upward. She gasped as he buried himself to the hilt.

As he was raised over the precipice and lifted high on a passionate plane that surpassed all earthy pleasures, he realized that he’d not traveled alone. He had taken Amelia with him.

Daniel pulled her to lie on his chest. She lay there with thundering heart as she fought to draw precious air into her lungs. He couldn’t move then; he felt nearly dead. Her loving had almost killed him.

After a time, Amelia sat and pulled up her bodice without looking at him. He felt a growing sense of dread as he attempted to assist her. When she stood and straight
ened her skirts without meeting his gaze still, Daniel felt a burning ache of shame that he had taken her in anger.

He stared at her, realized that she would leave without a word, without a look, if he didn’t stop her.

“Amelia.”

She glanced at him then.

He felt contrite. For him, their rough joining had been wonderful. For her … what else could it have been but an act of hurtful shame? “I’m sorry.”

She didn’t flinch, nor did she acknowledge that she accepted his apology.

Earlier, she had begged, pleaded, with him to listen and accept her apology, but he’d ignored her. Then he’d taken her without thought for her loss of pride, without murmurs of understanding or declarations of love.

How could she forgive him?

He watched her turn away. He cursed as he closed his eyes, for he’d realized something that he didn’t want to admit before.

He loved her … more than he’d ever loved another … and he’d taken her in anger, not love. He’d sought to punish her for a wrong
he’d
decided she’d committed.

And in punishing her, he’d enjoyed the most memorable passionate joining in his life … but in so doing, he’d driven his woman away.

“Are you all right?” Miriam asked.

Amelia glanced at her and smiled. “I’m fine,” she lied, glad when the woman seemed convinced.

She wasn’t all right, but she didn’t want her friend to worry. It was difficult enough coming to terms with her emotions, in what she’d done, without having to discuss it.

They had stopped for a brief rest. For some reason, Captain Milton was in a sudden hurry to get to their destination—wherever that was—and so now they all rode.

The regiment had met up with another group of Sioux where they’d acquired two more horses in exchange for goods, including whiskey. Fortunately, they hadn’t stayed with that particular band of Indians long enough to witness the effects of the firewater, but had continued on the journey westward.

As she sat down to rest on the damp ground, Amelia was aware that Daniel watched her from a distance. Since they’d left early that morning, she had avoided his gaze. She was ashamed of her behavior the night before, was well aware what he thought of her … what he must think of her after last night’s wild, wanton mating of their bodies. He’d been angry when he’d taken her. That alone should have kept her from making a fool of herself over him, but it hadn’t. She had not only enjoyed what he’d
done to her, she’d gloried in it. And because of that she’d lost all remnants of her pride … Now she had nothing left.

After she’d left him the previous night, she had realized what they had done … what they had said to each other, and she had lain on her pallet and shed silent tears. Daniel hated her. He hated her, yet he desired her, and for that, he loathed not only her but himself as well.

You can’t hate me more than I hate myself, Daniel.

She’d done a terrible thing, and while she’d thought she had a good reason at the time, she’d realized since that it had been a foolish thing to do—breaking her promise to stay with Susie in the safety of Daniel’s cabin.

Now, because of her, they were all in the clutches of a madman. If she’d been back at Daniel’s cabin, she and Susie would have been safe, and Milton wouldn’t have had the leverage to keep his other prisoners in line.

A surge of contempt for the army officer filled her, had her looking in his direction. He was so suave, so charming when it suited him … until he got what he wanted. He stood, speaking with one of his men, a young private by the name of Holton, who hung on his superior’s every word.

He’s even convincing enough to fool his own men,
she thought. It was amazing, for some of them must have wondered about his actions, his commands.

Amelia scowled. That morning, Milton had displayed more of his true character when he’d forced Jane to ride before him on his horse, forced his daughter Susie to ride in front of a Sioux. Poor Susie had been terrified. She’d cried and put up a fight. Watching the captain, Amelia was afraid that Milton was going to beat his daughter. Fortunately, Black Hawk had intervened. He said something to Susie in Ojibwa. Whatever the brave had said
calmed Susie, and she didn’t complain when one of the soldiers lifted her onto the Indian’s horse.

Rather than be grateful for the Indian’s help, Milton wasn’t happy with Black Hawk’s interference. He’d demanded to know what Hawk had said to the little girl. When the Ojibwa refused to tell him, Milton had struck the brave with the butt of his rifle, and Black Hawk had fallen to the ground with a wounded shoulder. Milton then muttered something about black-hearted savages and left the Ojibwa to be helped up and seen to by one of his men. Black Hawk hadn’t said a word, but Amelia had seen the hatred in Hawk’s dark gaze.

Daniel rode with Miriam. Amelia had been ordered to ride with Cameron Walters. She thought herself fortunate in this, as it would have killed her to share a horse with Daniel.

During the morning’s ride, Amelia wondered if they’d ever find the chance to escape. If Daniel or Black Hawk were planning anything, they hadn’t seen fit to inform her. Richard Milton was a crafty man; he knew that as long as he kept control of Jane and Susie, he had control of the whole group. Daniel wouldn’t do anything rash and risk the lives of his sister and niece. Neither would Daniel’s friends.

“All right, all of you have had enough rest,” Milton barked. “We need to get moving. Now get up off your lazy arses, and let’s go!”

As Amelia rose to her feet, she saw from the corner of her eye Daniel helping his sister. Amelia wouldn’t glance at him directly. She was afraid of what she’d see if she did. She’d already experienced his condemnation; she didn’t have the desire or the strength to experience it again.

She felt vulnerable and raw … and guilty.

A dark-haired, bearded soldier appeared at her side. “You can ride with me,” he said.

Amelia cringed. He was filthy and smelled; his uniform was rumpled and torn. She was surprised that the captain tolerated him, but she supposed the man was the kind that served Milton’s purpose well.

She didn’t like the way the soldier was studying her. His gleaming gaze was lustful; it made her suspect with growing horror that he might have heard her and Daniel in their last act of intimacy together.

“Thank you, but I already have a ride,” she said with a gracious smile.

“What’s the matter—” He hawked up wad of spit and spat on the ground near her feet. “Ain’t I good enough fer you?”

She swallowed and stepped back. “I don’t have any idea what you mean.” Dear God, she hoped he hadn’t heard her cry out with passion. She had tried so hard not to scream, but the pleasure Daniel had elicited had been so great … so overwhelming.

“Amelia.” Cameron Walters approached. “Are you ready to leave? I adjusted our saddle.” He smiled. “It seemed a little loose when I helped you down earlier.” He frowned. “Are you bothering Miss Dempsey, Barker?”

The man glared. “I was trying to be friendly, is all. Thought since she had to ride with someone, maybe she’d like to ride with me.”

“She’s riding with me,” Cameron said, his voice cold. “The captain asked me to look out for her, and I intend to do just that.”

Barker shrugged. “No need to get in a snit about it,” he said gruffly. “I know when to back off.”

“Good,” Cameron said. “Then back off.” He turned to Amelia once the man had left. Amelia stood, shivering,
hugging herself with her arms. “Are you all right?” he asked gently. “He didn’t hurt you—”

Amelia shook her head. “Other than spit on my shoe.”

In a gallant gesture, Cameron knelt and wiped the bit of spittle that had splattered on her leather boot with a cloth handkerchief. He rose with a grin and offered his elbow.

Amelia took his arm and thought that the whole situation was like a bad dream. She was a captive of a hatecrazed captain; yet, she was being treated with consideration by one of his men. Of course, the man was Cameron Walters, someone she’d met previously, someone who’d already offered his friendship.

“Did the captain really ask you to look after me?” she asked, curious.

“No,” he said. “Not since the others joined us anyway.” Cameron lifted her up onto the saddle, then he climbed up behind her. “My looking after you right now is my own idea.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, grateful.

The young soldier didn’t answer. He surrounded her with his arms to take the reins and with a light kick of his heels urged the horse forward. The warmth of Cameron’s arms around her had little effect on her other than to feel pleasant. Nothing about Cameron evoked even the most remote feeling akin to the tingling she felt when-ever Daniel touched her.

She stole a glance in Daniel’s direction, saw him staring straight ahead. His arms were around Miriam much like Cameron’s arms surrounded her. She wondered with a niggle of jealousy if Miriam felt the way she did when she was within close proximity to Daniel Trahern.

Amelia’s gaze went to her friend. Miriam didn’t seem overly enthralled with being close to Daniel. Amelia
watched as Miriam turned to speak to Daniel, saw the man’s smiling response. Just as her spurt of jealousy became a wild surge, she saw Daniel’s gaze wander, then finally focus in her direction.

The smile fell from his lips, a tautness appeared around his eyes. Amelia’s jealousy vanished, and despair took its place.

I love you,
she thought.
God help me, but I love you.

Cameron shifted in the saddle behind her. “At least, the weather’s holding,” he murmured in her ear.

She nodded. She didn’t really feel like polite conversation, but right now she needed Cameron’s friendship. It was the only thing that made her feel like a decent woman.

“We should be stopping before dark,” Cameron said.

She decided to ask something that she’d been thinking about for some time. “Cameron—” She hesitated.

“Yes?” She could sense his smile.

“The captain … what is he doing? Why has he taken us prisoners?”

She turned then, so that she could see him. The soldier looked worried. “I don’t know,” he said, “but I’m sure the captain has a good reason for all this.”

She could see his doubt; she decided to build on it. “I think what he’s doing is wrong. Jane—she’s his wife. Do you know where she’s been for the past four years? With the Sioux … as a captive.” Miriam had told her yesterday, before Amelia had sought out Daniel.

The path became a rough incline, and Amelia had to look forward to keep from losing her balance. Cameron tightened his arms about her to hold her in place. Once the horse was on even ground again, Amelia glanced back at Cameron. “I don’t understand your captain,” she said. “I trusted him, and look what he’s done.”

Cameron’s face became set. “I’m sure the captain knows what he’s doing,” he said.

With an inward sigh, Amelia faced front. “I hope you’re right,” she said, but she didn’t believe it for a second. Richard Milton was a madman, an army officer gone bad. She could only hope that someone else within the army recognized it as well and that something was done before anything bad happened to Daniel, Susie, and the others.

“She is friendly with that soldier Wal-ters,” Black Hawk said. “She may be our only hope.”

It was dusk. They had stopped for the evening. Black Hawk had sought out his friend where Daniel sat on the edge of the clearing, alone.

Daniel scowled at the Ojibwa. He was all too aware of Amelia’s friendship with Cameron Walters. In fact, it angered him every time he saw them together, which was most of the time given the fact that Amelia had chosen to ride with the man.

As the day had worn on, and the journey had become monotonous, Daniel had found himself taking frequent glances at Amelia Dempsey. The sight of her sitting within the circle of Cameron’s arms had made him jealous. He’d felt his jaw tighten when he’d caught them deep in conversation with smiles on their lips.

Daniel couldn’t forget what it had been like to make love to Amelia, to hear her gasp and feel her quiver within his arms. The thought of her being touched and kissed that way by another man made his teeth snap and his eyes see a red haze.

Thank goodness for Miriam.
As if sensing his upset, the kind, unassuming missionary woman had drawn him
into conversation. He’d smiled for her sake, but his heart hadn’t been in it. If she’d noticed, she didn’t mention it.

“Amelia may not agree to help us,” he said.

Black Hawk gave him a strange look. “She is still your woman, is she not?”

Daniel shrugged. “Miss Dempsey is her own woman. I have no control over her actions.”
Or whom she wants,
he thought.

“But you will talk with her,” Black Hawk said. “Each day we get farther from our people.” He frowned. “Sleeping Bird escaped, but we do not know if he returned safely to our village. We must use every opportunity presented to us, my friend, or we will die at the hands of that officer.”

“We will not die by that man’s hands,” Daniel vowed. “I’ll kill him first.”

“And none of us left will get out alive, for his men will still be here to shoot us.”

“I’ll talk with Amelia,” Daniel said, dreading the moment.

Black Hawk nodded. “Tree-That-Will-Not-Bend cares for you. She will not turn you away.”

Daniel’s mouth firmed. She wouldn’t even look at him, he thought. Hawk had no idea what had happened between him and Amelia the night before. The brave didn’t know that Amelia no longer wanted anything to do with him … and Daniel understood why. He didn’t blame her for it.

He sought her out later, when the sky had darkened and many of the others had gone to sleep. This time the captives were kept closer to the soldiers. Captain Milton was starting to get nervous, Daniel suspected. He wondered why. Still, he thought as he rose from the hard ground, Milton’s anxiety might ultimately work in their favor. A nervous man was often a careless one. They
might lose their only opportunity for escape if they didn’t take it soon. With that in mind, Daniel approached where Amelia lay on her sleeping pallet. A soldier glanced his way, but he must have decided that Daniel posed no threat, nor would he try to escape.
And the man is right to think that,
Daniel thought,
at least for the present.

Amelia faced away from the circle. She had no cover; she’d given one of her blankets to Jane and Susie. He thought she might be sleeping, and he debated what to do if she was. He decided he’d wake her. Time was running out; there was little opportunity during the day for them to talk. It might be easier for her, anyway, to face him in the darkness … since she wouldn’t look at him in the daylight.

He moved slowly, carefully, so as not to disturb anyone he passed. He must have made a sound with his footfall, for when he drew near to her, she spun over and sat up.

Daniel saw the fear glistening in her fire-lit brown eyes, realized that it wasn’t him she feared when her gaze cleared as she recognized him. The fact that she didn’t appear afraid amazed him … considering the circumstances of their last meeting.

“Daniel,” she breathed. It was more a silent opening of her mouth forming his name than sound.

He sat beside her, reluctant to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have to talk with you.”

Amelia studied the man before her and felt her heart kick into high gear. What did he want to talk about? What was so important that he’d waited until late to confront her?