Beyond The Horizon (25 page)

“It’s a moot question, but if I
did
have money I’d take the stage to Cheyenne. It comes through once a week, weather permitting.”

“You are senous, aren’t you? If money is all that is holding you here, then your worries are over. I’ll give you the money.”

Generous to a fault, Shannon never considered that she’d be stranded at Fort Laramie if she gave Callie her meager savings.

“Shannon, I couldn’t!”

“Of course you can. I have my pay to live on.”

“That’s not enough to get you to Idaho. What about your family?”

“My family will understand and even send me money if I need it. I have a job and a roof over my head. Besides, I’m not certain I
could
leave knowing I’d never see Blade again. If I remain at Fort Laramie there is a good chance he’ll come back.”

“I’ll repay you, Shannon, as soon as I reach Ohio. My parents are well-to-do, I’ll mail you the money.”

A week later Callie and Johnny Blade boarded the stage for Cheyenne. Shannon missed them dreadfully almost at once. She almost wished Blade had given her a child those times they made love. At least she’d have a small part of him to love and cherish. It was the emptiness that was unbearable. And the fierce, desolate loneliness.

Chapter Thirteen

O
ne blustery day in late November, Shannon entered
Clive Bailey’s trading post. She hadn’t spoken to him at length since he tried to rape her that night Mad Wolf abducted her. The man made her skin crawl. It so happened that Bailey’s assistant was helping another customer and Shannon was forced to deal with Bailey whether she wanted to or not. Since Shannon had given most of her money to Callie, she had little to spend on herself and planned to refurbish one of her more festive dresses with new ribbon. Molly Greer had persuaded her to attend some of the holiday parties being planned.

Clive Bailey hadn’t actively pursued Shannon since she arrived at the fort. It wasn’t because he didn’t want her still, but because he feared Blade. Bailey wasn’t blind; he had seen them boldly embracing in the square that day and had in fact suspected something was going on between them long before Shannon was abducted by Mad Wolf. But with the breed gone, Bailey saw no reason to avoid her.

Bailey thought it strange how the breed just up and disappeared one day. Rumor had it that it was his village Lieutenant Goodman had destroyed and that Blade had remained with the survivors to help them prepare for the winter.

“Why, Shannon, how nice to see you,” Bailey greeted her amiably. “How are you enjoying your new job?”

“I like teaching, Mr. Bailey,” Shannon said coolly. She walked directly to where the ribbons were displayed, wasting little time on amenities.

“I know I haven’t always acted like a gentleman where you’re concerned, Shannon, but I’d like us to be friends. I—I wasn’t myself out there on the prairie.”

Shannon fixed him with an icy glare. “I’d like four yards of blue ribbon.” He could apologize all he wanted, but she wasn’t going to forgive him.

“If we could be friends again, I promise to treat you with utmost respect and courtesy,” Bailey vowed as he measured out the ribbon.

Shannon wanted to laugh in Bailey’s lying face, until it occurred to her that this could be the opportunity she had been waiting for—an opportunity to help Blade and Major Vance prove Bailey was guilty of selling guns to the Indians. All she had to do was disguise her distaste for the man and pretend forgiveness. Once he trusted her, she could cultivate his friendship and use her cunning. It should take little persuasion on her part to cajole him into bragging about his exploits.

Pasting a false smile on her face, Shannon said coyly, “If you’re truly sorry, then I suppose we can be friends.” Don’t act too eager or he’ll get suspicious, she warned herself.

A sly grin curved Bailey’s thin lips. It was good to know he hadn’t lost his charm. Perhaps if Shannon knew how rich he was, she’d be more kindly disposed. But he’d not make the same mistake he made out on the prairie. This time he’d take it slow and easy and still have her in his bed. It suddenly occurred to Bailey that Shannon was stranded at Fort Laramie with only her meager pay to sustain her and might look favorably on a wealthy suitor.

“Thank you, Shannon, I appreciate that concession. “Perhaps you’ll save me a dance at the ball Saturday night.”

“Perhaps I will,” Shannon allowed, digging in her reticule for the money to pay for the ribbon.

“No, it’s my gift to you, to make amends for offending you. I can well afford it,” he boasted, puffing out his chest importantly.

“You must do a good business here,” Shannon hinted with feigned innocence.

“I do well enough, but this isn’t the source of my wealth. I have—other interests.”

Now we’re getting somewhere, Shannon thought gleefully. But before she could probe further, a customer approached, demanding Bailey’s attention.

“Excuse me, my dear—duty, you know.”

Shannon left then, but not for home. She walked briskly to Major Vance’s office, relieved to find him in.

“Shannon, what can I do for you? Sit down, it’s good to see you again.”

“Have you heard from Blade, Major Vance?” Shannon asked hopefully.

“I’m sorry, Shannon, he hasn’t been in touch. We must give him time to get over his grief.”

“I know, I just thought…”

“You care for him a great deal, don’t you?”

It took Shannon several tries to swallow the lump in her throat. “I love Blade.”

“I don’t want to offer encouragement where none is due, but I’m certain Blade feels the same about you.”

Instead of cheering her, a bleak sadness settled over Shannon’s features. “He thinks he’s not good enough for me. I’m afraid I’ll never see him again and I don’t know if I can bear it. But that’s not why I’m here. It’s about Clive Bailey.”

“Clive Bailey? What about him?”

“I’m going to help you prove he’s the man selling guns to the Indians.”

“What!” Vance exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “You’ll do no such thing, young lady!”

“It’s too late. I’ve already renewed our friendship, if you could call it that. Fortunately he’s a confirmed womanizer.” She thought it best not to reveal that he had tried to molest her on more than one occasion. “He thinks I’m impressed with him. The man is a vain brute, and I know I can get him to boast about his exploits.”

“I won’t hear of it,” Vance pronounced with quiet authority.

“You can’t stop me. I want to do this—I have to do it, for Blade. I’ll keep you informed of my progress. And—and if you hear from Blade, please let me know.” She turned to leave, everything settled in her mind.

“You’re correct, Shannon, I can’t stop you,” Vance allowed, “but I can ask you to be careful. Come to me if you need help, or for any reason.”

Snow covered the ground in thick white clouds. It was a proper setting for the first ball of the Christmas season. The dance was well under way when Shannon walked into the clubhouse with the Greers. The main room was gaily decorated in keeping with the season and the dance floor already bursting with dancers. It was the first dance Shannon had attended since she had declined to attend the last one. She didn’t feel comfortable dancing while still mourning her friends killed in the Indian raid. Because Fort Laramie had never been attacked by Indians, it was known far and wide as a gay and spirited post, hosting many frivolous balls and parties.

Immediately Shannon was swamped by young men eager to fill her dance card. Actually, Shannon felt little like dancing. She worried about Blade and missed him dreadfully. But she agreed to accompany the Greers for a good reason. She hoped the festive atmosphere and her company would entice Clive Bailey into revealing more of his illegal activities.

To her surprise, Shannon found she was enjoying herself. She danced with Major Vance, Colonel Greer, Lieutenant Goodman, and most of the officers from the fort. When it was Clive Bailey’s turn to lead her onto the dance floor, he did so with a smug arrogance that set Shannon’s teeth on edge.

“Do you like to dance, Shannon?” he asked politely. His words said one thing while his eyes hinted at another.

“Oh yes. Before the war we had the grandest balls and fetes at Twin Willows,” Shannon said wistfully.

“Is Twin Willows your plantation?”

“Was our plantation. We lost it. Lost everything,” Shannon said bitterly. “A Yankee is living there now.”

“Would you like it back?”

“Like it back? I—I don’t understand?”

“I could buy it back for you. One more trip East and I’ll be rich enough to buy you anything you want. You don’t belong in this wilderness, teaching school to support yourself. I can dress you in pretty clothes, buy your home back if you like, give you jewels …”

“Clive, what are you suggesting?”

“We’ve become good friends these past weeks,” Clive hinted with an eagerness that stunned Shannon. “I think we could deal well with one another. I’m asking you to be my wife.”

Bailey had considered the possibility of marrying Shannon for some time now. It wasn’t such a bad idea when one thought about it. Once he left the Western frontier, he’d need respectability and Shannon was just the woman to give it to him. If she didn’t want to go back to Georgia, they could go to California. One more trip East and he’d be set for life.

Shannon was dismayed. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected a marriage proposal from Clive Bailey. He had come calling and she had forced herself to accept his friendship, pretending to enjoy his company, but that was as far as it had gone. He had chatted politely over tea while Shannon chafed impatiently for him to leave. Nothing else had transpired to even suggest he might want her for his wife.

“You want to marry me?”

“Is that so strange? You’re a beautiful woman. Any man would be proud to have you for his wife. I can give you everything your heart desires.”

Shannon’s mind worked furiously, casting about for an answer that would satisfy him and still not compromise herself. There must be some way to get out of this predicament and still expose Clive Bailey, she reasoned. “How do I know you’ll do all you say?” she challenged. “How do I know you’re not lying about your wealth? After the war we were poor as church mice. I won’t be poor again. The man I marry must be able to provide me with all I lost.”

They had stopped dancing several minutes ago and now paused before an open window. Shannon had become so flushed after Clive’s unexpected proposal that he had edged her toward the window when their dance was over.

“If I can prove to you I’m not lying about my wealth, will you consider my proposal?”

Before Shannon could form an answer, her next partner arrived to claim her. Later, Clive offered to walk her home and Shannon accepted. She was anxious to find out exactly how Clive Bailey intended to prove his worth.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Shannon said, wrapping herself more snugly in her coat. “See how brightly the moon reflects off the snow?”

“I’d rather look at you,” Clive said, devouring her with his greedy eyes.

Though the only thing new about the blue velvet dress Shannon wore was the ribbons, she did indeed look lovely tonight. The fitted bodice was cut low enough to entice, yet high enough to be considered modest. The deep blue velvet matched her eyes and complimented her pale skin and rich chestnut tresses, which she wore piled atop her head in a most becoming style. A new ribbon circled her miniscule waist, and she had sewn tiny bows over the full skirt. She looked fetching and seemed totally unaware of it.

“Clive, what did you mean you could prove you had wealth? Do you have money in the bank?”

Shannon’s blunt questions seemed to amuse Clive rather than annoy him. He thought her quite practical to want to know exactly what he could offer her.

“Better than that, my dear, I have gold—lots of it, all nice and safe where no one can find it.”

“How do I know you’re not lying?” Shannon challenged.

“I told you I’d prove it, and I will. Just as soon as you agree to our marriage, I’ll show it to you.”

“I—I have to think about it,” Shannon hedged. They had reached her door now and she fumbled in her reticule for her key. Once the door was open, she said, “Goodnight, Clive. Thank you for walking me home.”

“You’ll think about what I said?”

“I—yes, of course.”

“May I kiss you goodnight?” he asked, moving to take her in his arms.

A shudder of revulsion passed through her body. If his mere touch repulsed her, what would his kiss do? Shannon wondered distractedly. Yet she had no alternative but to let him kiss her. It would seem odd if she refused to kiss a man whose proposal she was supposedly considering. Shyly she offered her mouth.

The kiss wasn’t as bad as Shannon thought it would be—it was worse. She wanted to gag, but didn’t dare. When Clive tried to pry her lips apart with his tongue, they remained staunchly closed. She broke it off as soon as she could, murmured a hasty good-night, and slipped through the door, closing it firmly behind her.

God, what was she getting herself into? she wondered shakily, leaning against the door to catch her breath. Tomorrow she’d see Major Vance and ask his advice. Perhaps she was getting in too deep. Why wasn’t Blade here when she needed him? Until she met Blade, her life had been empty, as well as amazingly uncomplicated. Just looking at him brought her a special kind of happiness, something she never knew existed. Sighing bleakly, she realized that no amount of wishing would bring Blade back to her. She walked slowly through the darkened parlor to the bedroom; she had purposely left a fire burning in the stove so she wouldn’t come home to a cold house.