To Tame A Rebel by Georgina Gentry Page A

Jacket on the seat beside her. She had a feeling that no Indian would challenge her or threaten her with a leading warrior like Yellow Jacket accompanying her.

    Back at the fort, Yellow Jacket helped her from the buggy. “Thank you for coming,” he said, and his tone was almost warm.
    â€œI’m sorry I can’t do more,” she answered, looking up at him.
    â€œI will put your buggy away and feed the horse,” Yellow Jacket said. He hesitated, then ventured, “You are nicer than most Southerners—very different from your brother.”
    â€œYou don’t understand Harvey,” she blurted, not quite certain what to say.
    â€œMrs. Dumont, you are terribly naive,” the Indian snorted. Then he climbed up on the seat and drove the buggy over to the small barn. She stood there in the cold, watching as he put it away, mounted his own great stallion and rode out of the settlement.
    Twilight had barely gotten inside when the bell rang, announcing an arrival. She turned to see the captain, red-faced and blinking rapidly. He took off his hat. “Mrs. Dumont, did I just see you return unescorted with that—that savage?”
    She winced at the term. Somehow, Yellow Jacket no longer seemed like the war-painted, scalp-lifting demon she had seen in books. “It couldn’t be helped. Old Opothleyahola was ailing, and as you well know, my stepbrother is out of town.”
    â€œYou could have called on me for assistance.” The muscles worked in the man’s pale jaw.
    She wanted to say that her goings and comings were none of the captain’s business, but she hesitated. “I’m sorry if you were concerned. Next time I’ll be more cautious.”
    That seemed to mollify him. “I apologize if I sounded harsh, Mrs. Dumont; it’s just that, well . . .” He hesitated and played with his hat like a small boy. “I’ve begun to take a more-than-casual interest in you since you’ve arrived.”
    She hesitated, uncertain what to say. She tried to picture herself as Mrs. Franklin Wellsley. She would be wealthy, comfortable, and answering to his very bossy mother. On the other hand, she was obligated to Harvey for taking her in and he had implored her to be polite to the young man for Harvey’s benefit. “That’s very kind of you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Captain, I’ve got a lot to do.”
    â€œOh.” He turned back toward the door but paused as if loath to leave. “Perhaps some time in the next several days before your stepbrother returns, we might get together for a cup of tea. Mother will be leaving soon.”
    Twilight thought about spending another afternoon with the sour old harridan and winced. But she said, “That might be nice, Captain. I’ll see if I can manage it.”
    The captain blinked again. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just remembered that we are leaving on patrol tomorrow afternoon.”
    â€œPerhaps we can have tea when you return.” Twilight heaved a sigh of relief.
    â€œWe’ll be gone for several days. Do you think you will be all right?”
    â€œI think I can manage until you or Harvey return.”
    He smiled. “Mother liked you. You’re the first woman that my mother has thought might be suitable.”
    What was she expected to say? Mother probably liked her because she was so mild and meek. “That was kind of her. She—she is a lovely lady.”
    â€œShe was sure that you could fit into our household back in Texas. She’s a Forrester, you know, one of the best and most prominent families in Texas. Of course, being from the South, you understand how important that is.”
    â€œHow nice,” Twilight said noncommittally. She had found the social structure of Southern aristocracy a heavy load to carry when she had been an elite belle from Alabama. “Now, if you don’t mind, Captain . . .”
    â€œOh, I’m so sorry, I’m