Gallant Match by Jennifer Blake

grew up, or at least grew older. Bernard was an idealist. He had such exalted ideas about freedom and independence and the need to throw off tyranny. He thought everyone should be able to choose who should govern them, where they would live and how they would plan their lives.”
    Kerr Wallace tipped his head in a considered nod. “I knew someone like that once.”
    â€œA lot of young men feel these things, I suppose, and young women as well.” She frowned a little, disturbed by the thought that the man at her side might have a dreary story in his past as well.
    â€œSo they do. But you were saying?”
    â€œYes. Bernard. One of his uncles had fought in Texas during their War of Independence against Mexico. He’dbrought home Mexican silver dollars that he melted down to make a plantation bell, and often told stories about the land and the men who had opened the Texas frontier. Bernard was wild to see it before he settled down with a wife and family. He talked his father into letting him go off to join the Ranger company set up by President Lamar, the leader of Texas at the time.”
    â€œYes, I recall.” As she sent an inquiring gaze in his direction, he waved a hand in dismissal. “Nothing. Go on.”
    â€œThere’s little more to tell,” she said with a shrug. “The company marched from San Antonio across the vast western reaches of the so-called Tejas country. Their object was to take Santa Fe.”
    â€œThe luckless Mier Expedition.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œSo some name it, after the town where they fought the hardest, though it’s labeled the Santa Fe Expedition as well.”
    â€œIf you know that, then you surely know the rest.”
    â€œI prefer to hear your version.”
    She gave a small shrug. “Lamar was convinced those who lived in that part of the country, maybe even the commandant of the Santa Fe fortress, would join the Rangers in revolt against Mexico. It didn’t happen.”
    â€œHe died in Texas, your Bernard.”
    â€œHe was one of those forced to surrender at Mier. The group was marched into the Mexican interior, but made a daring escape. They became lost, were recaptured. General Santa Ana decreed there must be reprisal, that one man in ten would be shot in ritual decimation. Apitcher was filled with a hundred fifty-nine white beans and seventeen black ones. Bernard drew a black bean when the time came to decide who would pay for their mistake, so was taken from the line of prisoners and—”
    She stopped as tears rose to close off her throat. How very strange. She’d thought she had moved past the aching grief of that loss. Apparently she was wrong.
    â€œMy brother Andrew didn’t have to face that ordeal,” the man at her side said without looking at her. “He was one of those who died during the escape attempt.”
    She stopped, turned to him. “Your brother? I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
    â€œCould be they knew each other, your fiancé and Andrew.”
    â€œPerhaps. Jean Pierre, the man I am to marry, was also a member of that terrible expedition. It was he who told me about Bernard, making me a condolence call just after his return. He also gave me the message Bernard sent before he died. That—that was the only time I ever had what might be called a conversation with my future husband.”
    The Kentuckian gave her an odd look, opened his lips as if he meant to contradict her. Instead, he only said after a moment, “Not much to build a marriage on.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThe Mier Expedition was some time ago now. You’ve met no other man in the four years since? That is, you’ve formed no other attachment?”
    He posed the question to allow some small distance from what was a painful subject, she thought, perhapsfor both of them. She was grateful for it, though she preferred he not know it.
    â€œMarriage being the whole reason for a