Taboo Love in the West Part 1: A Heart Off-Limits (Wild West Adventures in Love Book 3) (4 page)

“If you or I are present, do you think that may hold the more militant amongst the
oyate
from taking out their frustration on one defenceless white woman?” He chose to focus on the problem in hand and not get involved in ones not yet there. Amitola would talk to him when he was ready if that day ever came. He had never known anyone with such a strong sense of duty and what was right.

“I would like to think so, Chief, but some of them feel we are to blame. You and I and the other chiefs and advisers. That if we hadn’t signed then they would still be able to do whatever they desired, would still be fighting and would maybe even have rid our lands of the White Man by now, that the buffalo would have returned and all would be well. I am downhearted that there is so much hatred amongst our people, but I do understand why they want revenge for what has been taken from us. But I know I would protect her with my life if needed, though.” Chief Iron Nation’s heart sang with pride for his courage, but sank into despair knowing that he had already lost his heart to this young woman. He hoped that she was truly worthy of his son’s love and vowed to do what he could to help him whatever happened. It would either end in massive joy or a major calamity – but either way it needed to play itself out.

“Then we will allow them in. Gather those you need to build a school, Amitola. We need this knowledge and we must keep moving forwards. Looking back does none of us any good now.”

Chapter Four

“The buggy is ready, my dear,” Reverend Gillespie called up the stairs, unable to disguise his enthusiasm for the day ahead. Eliza still couldn’t quite get used to this excited and full of energy version of her Father, but she was certain that she approved. Oacoma had definitely brought him back to life, and she was grateful for it. She had to admit that it was starting to have a similar effect on her too.

“Coming, Father,” she called, pleased to note that she herself, now fully rested from her arduous journey, was coming alive and feeling more at home with each passing day. Her mother would have been so proud of them both. She checked her image in the looking glass her father had managed to purchase at great cost for her and noted that her skin was definitely darkening from all the time spent outdoors here, but she decided that she looked better for the change. She had always looked a little sickly when pale, but fashion had dictated she remain that way, and so she had remained an insipid looking mouse in the corner of the fashionable parlours. But here, she didn’t have to bow to any fashion any longer, but that hadn’t meant that she hadn’t had a complete crisis as she prepared for her first day teaching at the reservation school. She had dressed especially carefully, and though she would swear blind that it was to make a good impression on her new charges, in her heart she knew that there was only one person, one man who she truly wished to impress. She felt a blush touch her cheeks as she thought with excitement about seeing Amitola again. She could only hope that her other charges would be as easy on the eye, and as gentle of spirit. She skipped down the stairs to join her father – she mustn’t be late for her first day, though they had already opened the school here in town, somehow today seemed far more momentous.

The buggy ride was comfortable to the point of being pleasant after the range of less than accommodating travelling options she had so recently been exposed to, and they were met at the banks of the Missouri by Amitola and a rangy looking cowboy she had yet to encounter before today. They both looked so very serious as her father pulled the buggy up beside their horses, but both broke into wide smiles as they turned their way.

“Reverend Gillespie, Miss Gillespie! Greetings, and welcome to the reservation.” Amitola said with a twinkle in his eye, clearly as excited as they were about their endeavours ahead. Eliza felt her breath catch at the sight of him. He was truly resplendent when seen on horseback out here on the land where he and his ancestors had lived for generations. If she wasn’t on edge about this meeting already she probably would have collapsed in a little heap of molten desire – but thankfully her nervous anticipation had her in a fidgety mood of determination to not let anyone realise just how she felt. The fluttering in her stomach had her feeling queasy and yet vibrantly on top of the world all at the same time. She had crossed America; she could cope with this – she tried to convince herself that this was easy and failed each time she looked up and saw his steady gaze upon her.

“Good day to you, Amitola and Judd. Good to see you two this fine morning,” her father replied. “Judd, you haven’t met my daughter yet, have you?” he asked. Eliza was so grateful for the brief distraction, and tearing her eyes reluctantly from Amitola she fixed her gaze on Judd, smiling warmly in greeting.

“No sir, I’ve not had the pleasure,” Judd drawled. “Miss Eliza, welcome to Oacoma and South Dakota. You are most welcome. I know my wife, Emmeline, has been looking forward to your arrival and extends her apologies for not coming into town to greet you, but she has just given birth to our first child. I believe you know one another – she said you were acquaintances in Boston?” Eliza was puzzled. She couldn’t remember anyone called Emmeline coming out west before her. It must have shown on her face, as Judd chuckled at her confusion. “Of course she went by the name Lily, I believe, in polite society, thought her real name too common for the likes of them up there!” Suddenly the penny dropped. Lily Cairns had left to find her fortune as a mail order bride just about 1 year ago. It looked like she had managed to find happiness, as well as a good man. Eliza was very pleased for her. Lily had been the closest thing to a friend she had ever had, a good woman from more humble origins like herself, so they had understood one another in so many ways, yet Lily had been a servant, governess to the children of one of her father’s congregation. Eliza had taken Lily’s place as governess when she and her father had left, forced to make her own way in the world until she heard from him, and she had missed the young woman almost as much as she did her father. To be reunited with both of them here was almost too good to be true.

“A child? Oh how wonderful. Is it a girl or a boy? My fondest congratulations to you both. You must let me know where it is that you live. I would love to come and visit, if you think Lilly – Emmeline – would like that?” she gushed.

“She would love it – insisted on it, in fact. She also said to tell you that she can’t wait to come and help you with these schools, but that I am forcing her to stay home and take care of herself. She is right, of course. I know she is well enough, but the birth wasn’t easy for her. She is doing fine, and we have a healthy and happy little girl, but I am a protective and easily frightened man, and I want her to rest up a while until she is fully recovered. She’d go out and tackle my entire herd single-handed given half a chance!” Judd said, his chest puffed up with pride. Eliza was firmly reassured that he was utterly truthful. So many men were angry when their wives failed to produce a son and heir, but Judd was proud as a peacock and Eliza had to admit that he was a fine looking man. He didn’t have the exotic colouring or the sheer physique of the man at his side, but he was a kindly looking man of wiry strength and much determination who was obviously wise enough to know just what a gem he had been lucky enough to find in Lilly…No, Emmeline now, Eliza reminded herself.

“We should get going. Your students are waiting, Miss Gillespie,” Amitola said quietly, his voice like honeyed silk as he turned his horse’s head back towards the reservation.

“Yes, of course. Are you joining us Judd?” she asked.

“No, I was just having a little chat with my buddy here. We often catch up around this time of day. Good luck for your first day, Miss Eliza, and feel free to come by anytime. Emmeline would be so honoured.” He clicked to his horse, and they were away. Her father lightly tapped his crop to their pony’s withers and the buggy rolled along. Amitola rode quietly just ahead of them. Eliza vowed to visit Emmeline that very day. Maybe her father could show her the way on her way home from school.

Amitola had never believed in love at first sight, but his initial meeting with the finely dressed and daintily pretty woman had left him with troubled dreams and a tormented body. Their brief acquaintance had told him that she was good and kind, that she cared deeply about others and had a respect for all men. These were qualities he could only admire, and he had vowed to act with respect and honour at all times when around her, but seeing her again in the flesh he found himself struggling to keep that vow. He longed to be able to unbind that glorious looking chestnut hair from its pins and to run his fingers over her pale skin, though he noted that a number of weeks had given her a light, golden tan that was most becoming. He wanted to see the contrast between his skin and hers, to have their hair and limbs entwine as they made passionate love – these were the thoughts that had bound him tightly in the last few weeks. But now he had to pretend that none of that was real and would have to behave as if she was any other white woman. She was off limits to him; they came from worlds so opposed that he could see no hope, and so he must wait until the feelings subsided and left him in peace once more. He had faith that they would pass. It would be too dangerous for them both if they did not.

He hated to admit it, but the easy familiarity that his friend Judd had shared with Eliza had left him reeling with jealousy. To be able to so easily invite her to his home, to smile and to flirt with her in such a gentle way would be something he would very much like to be able to do. Judd was a married man, and it would seem that his lovely wife was in fact one of Eliza’s long time friends, but Amitola had noticed the appraising glances that they had given one another. Eliza clearly found Judd to be an attractive man. And why shouldn’t she? He was one of her kind, after all. He tried to convince himself that he wanted her to find Judd attractive, to flirt and tease him – that would mean that his love was unrequited, and it would make it so much easier for it to pass him by in time. But he knew that would never be. There was a definite attraction there; he was sure that she had felt the connection and the sparks that he had. She was quintessentially a well-bred young woman who would never be so gauche as to show her feelings for a man in public, but he didn’t doubt that she still felt them just as he did. But both of them knew the boundaries of their worlds. When he had agreed to take on the role of her protector he had known that he was playing with fire and would be tormenting himself to be in her presence, but he meant what he had said to Chief Iron Nation – he would defend her with his life.

He struggled to escape from his own thoughts and to force himself back into his role of gallant protector. Thankfully the west appeared to be agreeing with Eliza. Her skin had a healthy glow to it and she looked as though she was fully rested from the perilous journey. Her eagerness to meet her charges was infectious and he found he couldn’t hold on to his frustration and the bitter feelings that the encounter with Judd had left in his heart. She chattered excitedly with her father and tried successfully in the end to draw Amitola out of his mood. By the time they reached the new school house all three were on most amiable terms once more. He leapt from his horse to assist her down from the buggy. Just the momentary sensation of being so close, and touching the delicate skin on her upper arms as he lifted her slight body down from the seat of the buggy was enough to send a jolt of lightening through him as he felt the connection between his naked skin and the lace on her dress and the cool softness of her bare arms. He smothered the surge of desire that rushed through him, but couldn’t help but feel that Eliza had seen a flash of it in his eyes, as she looked modestly down and away from him, smoothing down her gown nervously. He noticed that her breathing had quickened, her chest heaving a little as she tried to compose herself, ready to greet her class.

A crowd of excited children rushed from the large hut that the
tiyospaye
had built to serve the purpose of schoolhouse and greeted them with excited cries and much laughter, and even a small group of adults were here to learn too. Amitola was proud of his people and in particular of this small group of those brave enough to openly embrace something new, and to be proud to move forwards in their lives. He wanted the school to grow, and hoped beyond all hope that by being in regular contact with Eliza and her father that the
oyate
would realise that not all white men come with guns to kill and maim. Many of them, like the many Sioux, come with love in their hearts and with friendship and support to gift to anyone who deserves them.

Eliza was clearly enamoured with her charges right from the off. Her face lit up at the sight of so many eager faces all turned to hers, full of rapt attention. Amitola watched as she introduced herself, and then made each of them do the same. She took time to ensure she was pronouncing every name correctly, and asked each of them what their names meant in Sioux. She even wanted to know about their families and what they enjoyed doing for fun. He shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was clearly the kind of teacher that most likes to learn and one who genuinely cares for her charges and that he felt was always a good start. She moved gracefully to the blackboard and picked up the chalk that he had ensured was there for the purpose and wrote a large letter A, followed by a small letter a. She went on to explain that this was the first letter of the alphabet, a series of letters or symbols that could make up any word in English. She worked slowly, and held her pupils attention through the entire morning. She finished the class with a story, and her animated rendition of the short tale brought her audience much pleasure. Amitola glanced over at Reverend Gillespie and wasn’t surprised to see a similar look of admiration and love on his face for his daughter as he felt must certainly be on his own, and those of the other parents who had joined their children here today. She was a wonderful teacher, and the success of this first morning made him feel much more secure that this venture would be a success.