The Unlikely Wife

“That it is,” he whispered.

Rebecca gazed at the handsome face, wishing he would smile. His pale eyes, full lips and wonderful jaw brought back very pleasant memories. She shook herself, remembering her errand. “I came to ask if my companions and I could travel with the wagons tomorrow.”

“Do I have a choice, ma’am?”

“If I say yes, will you think better of me?” She smiled her brightest smile and watched for a reaction.

“Perhaps,” he said, as cool as ever.

“Enough that you’ll agree to let us go?” Her smile was beginning to falter. With his next words, it died completely.

“That’s doubtful.”

His oh-so-military bearing and polite-but-cold responses were beginning to wear on Rebecca’s patience. She felt herself close to losing her temper, a big mistake, she knew. She took another deep breath and tried not to grit her teeth. “I’m sure I can convince the general to order you to take us along.”

“I’m aware of that, Miss Huntington.”

They stared at each other for a long moment It took all Rebecca’s resolve to keep from turning away. She broke the standoff with a question she hoped would be appeasing. “What is your main objection to our going?”

“The civilian coaches have stopped for a reason, ma’am. It would be far safer for you to remain here until the problem has been dealt with.”

“But they haven’t attacked soldiers.”

“Not yet, ma’am, but three women along might be all the added temptation they need. I understand they’ve already taken hostages.”

Rebecca considered his words. She certainly didn’t want to put the soldiers in more danger by her presence. With a sigh, she said, “I’ll discuss it with the general,” and turned to go.

“I’m sure you will.”

She didn’t acknowledge his last words.

Clark stood until the swaying bustle had disappeared then sat, staring at the papers in front of him. He had to reconcile himself to the flirt’s presence on the caravan. He hadn’t been honest with her; it wasn’t the Indians he was worried about. It was the trouble she would cause among the troops. She wasn’t the type of woman any man found easy to ignore.

Chapter Two (#ulink_22735edf-fbf5-5f0f-8a25-fc2517240027)

Rebecca felt like dancing. And of course that was exactly what she would be doing soon, though probably not with the handsome young lieutenant.

After she had left him early that morning, she had gone to General Hale’s office. She had said the lieutenant was reluctant to take them, skirting the fact that he had flatly refused. She had suggested a word from the general about her lifelong experience with the army might allay his fears. A mention of her devotion to her father. An allusion to the need of her grieving aunt and cousin to’ be settled in a loving home.

The general didn’t bite.

Next she had gone home, hoping to enlist the help of Aunt Belle, but found her in the midst of planning a ball with Myrtle and incapable of worrying about anything else. In fact, she suspected that the older woman wasn’t particularly excited about venturing into what she called the wilderness.

Shortly before Hale was expected home for lunch, Rebecca had found an onion in the kitchen, rubbed her fingertips against its sliced side, and waited for the general on the porch steps.

Where logic had failed, tears won. The general assured her he would order the lieutenant to take them and make an ambulance available for their use. The afternoon had been devoted to altering some clothes with Alicia as her skilled, though doubtful assistant.

Now Rebecca sat in the Hale kitchen while Alicia pulled her dark thick tresses into a fashionable coil. With the bulk of it pinned in place and decorated with a carved alabaster comb, Alicia turned to retrieve the curling iron from the stove. Rebecca had already fixed her cousin’s hair and fat blond ringlets caressed the curve of her bare shoulder and neck.

“Every man at the dance will want to touch those curls,” Rebecca said.

Alicia gave her a shy smile. “You did a wonderful job, Rebecca.”

“I wasn’t complimenting my work, I was complimenting the way you look.”

Alicia shrugged. “Hold still. I don’t want to burn you.”

With great care, Alicia turned the wisps of hair around Rebecca’s face to tiny curls, then nodded her satisfaction. “Now all we have to do is wait for Mother.”

“I don’t think Mrs. Hale will allow her to dawdle much longer,” Rebecca said. “She’s certain the dance won’t start without her, and she may be right.”

“Let’s wait in the parlor,” Alicia suggested. “It’s so warm in here we’re liable to wilt. We want the curls to last until the fourth dance.”

“Ah, yes,” Rebecca agreed, slipping her arm through Alicia’s and leaving the kitchen with her. “And anyone who is still in perfect order by the fourth dance hasn’t been dancing and will remain a wallflower the rest of the night”

Alicia sighed dramatically. “Do you know how often I’ve had to run out during the fourth dance to splash a little water in my face and tug at my curls?”

Rebecca shook her head. “Never, I’d wager, unless you were turning the poor boys away. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror, cousin? You’re beautiful!”

To Rebecca’s frustration Alicia shook her head, the pink blush that came to her cheeks making her all the more appealing. “I’m serious, Alicia. You could have all the men falling at your feet with the least bit of flirting. It works for me, and I’m too tall and too skinny and my hair’s impossibly ordinary.”

“And those dimples in your cheeks are just horrid, too.”

Rebecca grinned. “So I have one overworked asset. Men give you more attention than you want, and I have to work so hard to get any.” She gave an exaggerated and unconvincing sigh.

“I saw how hard you worked on the lieutenant. One smile and he would have followed you…well, he did follow you.”

“I know I shouldn’t do it,” Rebecca said, feeling unrepentant in spite of her words. “But they are so nice to touch and…kiss.”

“They? Men in general? Don’t you believe in love?”

“Oh, Lord, I hope not!”

Alicia gave a startled laugh. “Rebecca! All women want to fall in love.”

Rebecca shook her head. “Not me. I think it’s wonderful fun to…to…dazzle a man. It’d be hard to do that with a husband around.”

Alicia looked truly shocked. “You’re awful!”

They heard footsteps on the stairs and knew the others were finally ready. Rebecca leaned close to Alicia and whispered. “True. And I’m willing to teach you everything I know.”

They had to take a carriage to the dance so the ladies wouldn’t ruin their slippers on the way. Alicia was almost giddy, and Rebecca guessed she was torn between wanting to flirt with the men and wanting to hide behind a potted plant. The girl really was shy.

“This is just lovely,” Myrtle said for the fifth time. “We get so few guests.”

“The hall was decorated this afternoon,” Hale said. “My wife called in an entire troop of officers’ wives.”

Myrtle nudged her husband with her elbow. “Don’t you dare make any remark about them being at my command. They all volunteered to help when I told them about our guests.”