Dakota Dream (23 page)

"Oh, but I don't mind. I want to talk about it."

"Wasn't it a terrible thing to be held prisoner by this savage?"

"Terrible? Oh, no, he was very,
er
,
awfully ..."
The word she sought wouldn't come to her, at least not a word that could be considered ladylike and decent. Memories of her few hours with Redfoot conjured up many words, many feelings, all unsuitable for the unmarried niece of General Custer. She fought against a sudden blush, and tried to explain. "What I'm trying to tell you has nothing to do with me, Jacob. It has to do with you."

"Me?" he exclaimed, knowing exactly what she was trying to tell him. But even though quills of guilt poked at his gut, he went on with the deception. "None of the Sioux spoke to me. I was captured, beaten, and tossed into a tipi with Barney. I know nothing of a warrior called Redfoot."

"That's not what I was trying to say." She slid closer to him, choosing her words carefully. "Redfoot is someone I think you
should
meet. Oh, Jacob, I don't know how to say this other than straight out. I believe this Indian may be your brother."

Surprising himself with a sudden urge to laugh, Jacob pressed his hand across his lips and worked to twist his mouth into a grimace. His words muffled, spoken through his fingers, he said, "That is ridiculous. I suggest you forget about this Indian and never think of him again."

"But I can't. Don't you understand? These Sioux may be the savages who took your mother years ago. They may have, she might have. Shoot. This man was too much like you
not
to be related, Jacob.”

"Enough." His anger real, just as sudden and unexpected as his amusement, Jacob bristled inside. How stupid he'd been to lead her down this path. He looked into her big brown eyes, so trusting, so innocent, so much like those of a newborn foal, and he wanted to scream. What a fool he'd been. Her heart was aching for him, burdened by this filthy lie, and filled with compassion for a man who deserved nothing but her scorn. He'd been wrong to think he could be her friend, insane to consider for a moment that she might someday be his, mistaken to believe he could live this lie and not feel the pangs of his own conscience. There was only one thing to do. He would leave this house and never see or speak to the crazy one again.

Dominique shrank against the cushions as Jacob's features twisted with rage. Had she told him too much too soon? Should she have been a little more discreet, fed him the information in small doses instead of shoving it all
down
his throat in one big scoop? She reached for his hand, murmuring words of comfort. "I know I've given you a huge shock, Jacob. Why don't you think about what I've said for a few days, and then, if you want to ask me any questions, I'll be happy to answer them."

"Dominique?" Libbie marched up to the couch, her expression pinched. "Aren't you and the private planning to join us at the piano? I don't think you should confine yourselves to this corner. It's not polite."

"Oh, sure, Aunt Libbie.
We'll be right there as soon as I finish telling the private about a story I heard."

"We're starting the music now, Nikki. Please join us."

The set of Libbie's chin, the lifted nose, said much more than her words. Dominique gave her a short nod, and rose. "We'd love to, wouldn't we, Jacob?"

Plotting a hasty departure as he stood up, Jacob decided to wait until the general's wife was seated at the piano before he feigned a sudden headache.

They'd only taken a few steps across the room when an ashen-faced Lieutenant Woodhouse clicked his heels together and saluted a figure behind them. "General Custer, sir. Good to see you again, sir."

Libbie whirled around, her full skirts billowing out behind her, swinging to and fro like the eager tail of a devoted collie.
"Autie.
Oh, thank God."

Catching his wife as she flew into his arms, Custer gave her a brief hug,
then
addressed his guests.
"Greetings to you all.
As you were.
I'll just be cleaning up, and then I'll join you."

"Autie?"
Libbie looked into the general's bright blue eyes, noted the hard dark centers, and fought a tremor. "What's wrong? Why haven't I heard from you for the last three days? Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?"

"Later, sunbeam."
He kissed the tip of her nose and released her. "We have much to talk about later, but for now, I see we have guests to entertain."

"Yes, but they can wait."

"Chin up,
bunky
. Give us a smile and go play something special on the piano. I'll return in a moment. Tom? Join me upstairs."

The order had been given, and there was nothing Libbie could do but force her leaden feet to march over to the piano and choose a song. As her fingers fumbled to find the correct chords, she urged her guests to gather around and sing along.

Dominique and Jacob moved in at her right, but neither of them attempted to sing a note. Dominique was too wrapped up in worrying about the
Custers
' strained embrace, the general's obvious anxiety, and Jacob was too busy plotting his questions for the general should he be given an opportunity to ask them.

Three badly played tunes later, the Custer brothers returned to the parlor. Libbie abandoned the piano and hurried to her husband's side. She stared at him for a long moment, wondering why he looked so different, thinking his uniform and slouch hat seemed too big for him. "You look so very tired, Autie. Why don't I send everyone home now so you can rest?"

"An excellent idea, but first I must speak with a couple of my officers." His eagle-eyed gaze scanned the room, landed on Jacob, then returned to his wife. "Why, may I ask, do I find a
private
in my home, availing
himself
of
my
refreshments and indulging himself in conversation with
my
niece?"

"Oh, well, Dominique thought it would be all right. She, ah, the private has been giving her riding lessons. She wanted to thank him, and I didn't see any reason why not."

"Has the girl lost the ability to exercise her remarkably glib tongue? A simple thank you would have sufficed."

"Yes, that would have been the better option. I don't know what I could have been thinking. I'll just go dismiss him."

Custer held out his arm, pressing his fingers into the hollow of his wife's shoulder. "Don't trouble yourself. I'll see to the private myself. You gather the ladies' belongings. They'll be more than ready to go to their own quarters after I make my announcement."

Then he straightened his jacket and marched over to where Dominique and Jacob stood. "Nikki, my dear, I'm surprised to see you're still here. I halfway expected you to have boarded a train and fled back to your papa in Monroe by now." He lifted her fingers to his mouth, gently kissing them, but never took his gaze off Jacob.

"Au contraire,
Uncle Armstrong.
I'm really beginning to enjoy life at the post."

"We'll talk later, dear." Custer turned his full attention on Jacob, completely dismissing his niece. "It's Stoltz, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir."
Jacob saluted. "Welcome home, sir."

"Thanks, Private." Custer narrowed his gaze and studied the soldier intently. "Have you been doing much scouting in my absence? Found anything out of the ordinary?"

"I have been on detail at least three or four nights each week, sir. I have found no further evidence of hostile ... of—" Jacob struggled to remember the word the officers discussed at every meeting, and finally said, "Of hostile
infitation
."

"Infiltration, Private?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, speaking of infiltration, I wonder if you realize what an honor you've been afforded here
tonight?
"

Jacob cocked his head.
"Sir?"

"Privates, enlisted men, are not usually permitted at the social gatherings on Officers' Row, much less in my home. My niece has bestowed a great honor on you, but I think now would be a good time for you to say good night. We don't want the rest of the men to get jealous, now, do we?"

"No, sir."

"Good. Allow me to escort you to the door."

"I'll join you," Dominique said, elbowing her way back into the conversation. "I invited Private Stoltz. The least I can do is bid him good evening."

"Very well, Nikki." Custer made a sweeping gesture with his arm,
then
led the pair down the hallway. As he walked, he continued questioning. "Are you finding military life at the post to your liking, Private? Are you enjoying yourself as much as my niece seems to be?"

"Why, yes, sir, I believe I am. As you know, I am very fond of horses and working with them, and I also like scouting duty very much. It is a good life, sir."

They'd reached the entry. Custer gripped the doorknob, but before he turned it, he said, "What about recreation, Private? What have you been doing in your spare time?"

Jacob hesitated, not certain what the general wanted from him,
then
said, "I have traveled some. Two days past, I rode into Bismarck with a few of the other nincompups. We had a very good time."

Custer's hand slid off the doorknob, and the corners of his mustache drooped on down past his jawline. "
Nincom
pups
,
Private? What the devil are you talking about?"

Jacob's eyes darted between Dominique and the general. "Ah, I went to town with—"

"He went to Bismarck with me and a few of the other soldiers, Uncle Armstrong," Dominique explained with a sheepish grin. "I had some yard goods to pick out, and they decided to fill the supply wagon, since we needed an escort anyway."

"Yes, standard operating procedure," Custer said as he turned back to the private. "Now let's talk about the name you called the men
. "
Nin—"

"Uncle Armstrong, you really should let the private get back to the barracks. Look down the hallway. I think your officers are ready to leave."

Glancing toward the parlor, Custer frowned. "Thanks, Nikki. I have a very big announcement to make.
Ah, good evening, Private."
He opened the door, calling after the soldier as he stepped across the threshold, "I'll give you a little advance notice, Private. Reveille will be at five instead of six in the morning. I suggest an early lights-out tonight."

"Thank you, sir, and good night." Jacob snapped off a salute and disappeared down the long white stairway.

Turning to his niece, Custer took her by the elbow. "Come along, girl. You might as well hear what I have to say."