Captive (17 page)

Warren came up the steps, drawing off a leather glove, offering his hand. Jarrett hesitated just briefly before
taking it. Warren nodded to Tara, murmuring, “Mrs. McKenzie, it’s a delight to see you.”

Tara murmured something. Jarrett said, “Major Warren, it was my understanding that John Harrington was coming to bring your daughter to you.”

“I had not thought to be in the vicinity. As it is, I am pleased to thank you in person for your hospitality on her behalf.”

“We’re delighted to have her,” Jarrett said.

Warren’s eyes flicked over to his stepdaughter. James was startled by the simmering hatred that seemed to burn in the man’s eyes.

Quite obviously it was returned. In fact, it was a most unnatural greeting. Neither father nor daughter had yet to speak to each other; they certainly did not rush forward to greet one another with a warm hug. They didn’t even seem inclined to be polite for the sake of propriety.

“Running Bear,” Warren addressed James at last. James felt Teela’s eyes dart swiftly to him. He smiled. She hadn’t heard his Seminole name as yet; perhaps it was a shock to her. Perhaps it was good for her to realize that he had a Seminole name, and that it was the one by which her stepfather chose to address him, as did many of the soldiers.

“Major,” he said evenly, inclining his head just slightly.

“It’s good to see you in such civilized surroundings,” Warren said.

“It’s good to be at my brother’s house.” James would not be baited.

“It would most probably be very good for your health, sir, were you to spend more time within it.”

“Alas, Major, we all have our duty, and strive to do it,” he replied.

Warren shrugged. “I trust your journey was safe enough,” he said at last to Teela.

“I have come in one piece,” she replied.

“Without your guards.”

“You mustn’t fault your daughter, sir, if we have misplaced
a few army fellows. I hadn’t known they were expected to accompany her,” Jarrett interjected smoothly. “I am afraid I am guilty of having left the young men behind in Tampa.”

“The danger of the Florida Territory is everywhere and unpredictable,” Warren said. “Which makes a constant guard necessary.”

“Not at my house,” Jarrett replied. “Though, Major, you do speak the truth of the danger. In fact, it is curious that a man so busy with warfare himself, sir, should think to bring his daughter here.” Jarrett said the words with a gentlemanly smile that somehow seemed to make the reproach still sound courteous and proper. But Warren did not give a damn what reproach other men might offer him.

“We are a military family, sir, and wives and daughters of military men have long awaited husbands and fathers right behind the front lines. And, Mr. McKenzie, as you and your fair wife may one day discover, daughters can be as dangerous as the swamp, often as treacherous. This one is safest near me, wherever that may be. I admit, though, at the time I commanded her here, I had thought to be based at Tampa. But General Jesup drives a hard campaign, and I am most frequently in the thick of the wilderness now. I have, however, bought property in Tallahassee. I’ve wretchedly little time to see it, though, since so many of the hostiles have reneged on the agreements made in March.”

James was not going to be dragged into the argument the man seemed to want to take up with him.

“Tallahassee is a long way from here,” he said politely.

“In times of trouble, certainly,” Warren agreed. “It doesn’t matter. It will be some time now before I manage to reach my property and provide a home there for Teela. But she is a strong lass, don’t be fooled. Stronghearted and strong-willed. She’ll do well enough with me wherever it is I need to travel.”

“There are formidable warriors out there,” James reminded him.

“I am a formidable man,” Warren said determinedly. “And a careful one.”

Jeeves came out of the main house before anyone could reply. He carried a large silver tray and walked with a small black girl at his heels with a second serving platter, hers piled with silver flatware rolled in linen napkins. “Major Warren,” Tara said as Jeeves and the girl prepared the table. “You must join us for a light supper.”

“I shall be delighted. In fact, Mr. McKenzie, as I am expecting Harrington to return by tomorrow, I hope you will allow my ship to remain at your dock until he comes.”

“You are welcome, sir, as long as you remember that I will have no battles fought on my property, sir,” Jarrett said.

“I don’t imagine I’ve anyone here to battle, have I, sir?” Warren asked James.

James extended an arm to indicate the forest that stretched inland from his brother’s property. “Sir, you know there are bands this side of the Withlacoochee. But no Seminole will come here to seek battle, of this I am certain.”

“So they do remain close!”

“My home is neutral ground,” Jarrett said. “General Jesup is aware of that.”

“Is Osceola?”

“Indeed,” James supplied firmly.

“Shall we all sit?” Tara suggested.

The five of them sat in the wrought iron chairs around the porch table. James found himself between Teela and Warren, while his brother was between Teela and Tara. Tara was the perfect hostess, quickly pouring Warren lemonade, determined to stop explosive conversation before it continued any further.

There was, of course, little to be said to Warren that did not become explosive.

“It’s a pity, sir, that you weren’t just a day earlier,” Tara said. “We could have shown you what delightful parties we manage to have here.”

“Yes, it’s a pity, I would have liked to have introduced Teela to young Harrington myself. I hope she realizes how fine a man he is.”

“He is a very nice man,” Teela said coolly.

There were baskets of fresh-baked rolls on the table, sliced ham in raisin gravy, early greens. Teela mechanically passed dishes as they came her way.

She took very small servings herself and barely touched her plate. She sat stiffly and pretended to move her food about. Warren had cost her her appetite, James thought, and he was started to find himself wishing he could do battle with the man not just because he was a murdering bastard who had decimated many of his people, but because he could not bear the man having such power over his stepdaughter.

“Well! I am glad to see that you’ve some sense in your head, daughter. I’d not have another disaster upon my hands as occurred in Charleston.”

No one asked, but Warren was determined to continue.

“Imagine this, Mrs. McKenzie. A father does his best for his child, not even his own blood, as it happens. I arrange a brilliant marriage for the girl, and in the middle of the ceremony, she simply says no, she will not honor, cherish, or obey, and she turns and walks back down the aisle! I cannot tell you the cost and the embarrassment of that day!”

Teela didn’t flinch but kept her eyes steadily upon him. “I had said from the beginning that I would not marry Jeremy Lantreau. No one listened, except the good Episcopal minister there at the end of the aisle. I’d no wish to cause anyone pain or humiliation.”

Warren forgot himself for a moment to wag a fork at her threateningly. “Girls wed where they are told by those older and wiser, missy. They obey their fathers, and that is that. Still, what happened is in the past.
Young Harrington will make a better husband for you. He is not quite as financially stable on a personal level, but he comes from an excellent family and is an exceptional young officer, and will rise swiftly within the ranks. If there is anything remiss about the boy, it is his penchant for kindness, but it is a weakness he will overcome, fighting here in this swamp.”

James lifted his lemonade glass and took a sip of the sweet-tart liquid. “If I’m not mistaken, Major, Harrington has served in Florida since the beginning of the present hostilities. Somewhat longer than you, sir.”

“He is a fine young man!” Tara put in swiftly, offering James a frown and a pleading glance.

“Tell me, Major,” Teela said, pointedly addressing the man by rank, “what does Mr. Harrington know of this?”

“We have discussed the marriage. I believe he is willing.”

Teela was silent for a moment, staring at her plate. It was obvious she hoped to avoid trouble with Warren, but it was clearly impossible for her to do so.

“Sir!” she exploded suddenly. “I am not willing to marry a man I have met but once.”

“You have just informed me that you find him a fine young fellow!” Warren said, irritated.

“Sir, perhaps it would be advantageous to us all if you were to allow me to meet your prospects before bartering me at the marriage market.”

“My girl, perhaps it would be far better if we were to discuss your future when we are alone.”

“Indeed,” she replied coolly, her eyes lowering once again as she fought for control.

Warren stabbed his ham. “When you really get to know young Harrington, you will realize what all here see—that there is no finer choice to be had! McKenzie, tell the girl. You know Harrington well.”

“Sir,” Jarrett said, “we all agree that Harrington is exceptional.”

“And you, sir,” Warren continued, looking at James. “Harrington deals fairly with you on all occasions. You
have brought men and women to him. You have seen his excellent handling of your brutal and pathetic situation!”

James paused, seething. Tara was still staring at him, hard, pleadingly.

“As my brother has said, we all agree young John Harrington is an exceptional man.”

He felt Teela’s eyes on him then, like green fire.

“You see, Teela. He is a great man, which only demonstrates your pigheaded obstinancy.”

“Major, I will choose my own husband.”

“Girl, that is nonsense.”

“It was your suggestion, sir, that we not discuss this here and now.”

But Warren didn’t seem willing to quit, no matter how hostile their audience.

“Think on it, Teela. If you were to wed Harrington, you’d be awaiting
his
return from each battle rather than mine. Perhaps he would even be willing to have you wait out the war here at Cimarron, if Tara does not object, of course. He will be close enough.” Warren turned to James again. “Because the Seminoles are out there. The very men who signed papers in March, who agreed to go west. They are out there, attacking whites, stealing cattle, creating havoc!”

James nearly bent his silver fork in half. He set it down, staring at Warren. “Major, there are points which have eluded you, so it seems. Perhaps you have been so busily engaged in the killing that you are not aware of certain sentiments. The truce was ridiculed by whites furious over the Negro situation. Therefore, on
your
side, it could not be kept. Now as there is no one single ruler among my people—”

“There was a fair election. Micanopy—”

“Aye, Micanopy is a solid hereditary chief, and he is respected by many. But you can hold all the fair elections you choose, and it will not negate the fact that each band is separate. Many times the chiefs or
micos
group together for a common good and defense, but you
will never sign a truce with every band. Never. And there are many you will be fighting for a very long time.”

“Treacherous liars, all.”

“Michael Warren!” Teela gasped.

He wagged a finger at her. “You will obey me and speak when you are spoken to, young lady, or pay the price!” he threatened before turning back to James, his mouth open to speak again.

“Sir! We all seek not to have war at this table where you and I are guests,” Teela said, stiffly polite.

Warren did not get a chance to respond as James cut in.

“If my people have learned treachery,” James informed him with a low, level tone, “they have learned it from the whites who have stolen their land and way of life in every way imaginable. If they learn to commit atrocities, sir, they learn from damned good teachers. And, no man has behaved more heinously in warfare, Major, than you have yourself.”

Warren stood up furiously, nearly taking the tablecloth with him.

“We should settle this here and now, Running Bear.”

“Major Warren, not here!” Teela cried, leaping up. “Have you completely lost your senses?”

Warren nearly leapt at her, but Jarrett was on his feet as well, Tara soaring up beside him.

“Major Warren, we do not fight the war here!” Jarrett exclaimed angrily. “Hear me, heed me.
We do not fight the war on my property
You are welcome here only so long as you remember that!”

“Then I’ll have to take my daughter and leave this place with all haste, since you are determined to allow this man to hurl insults upon me.”

“Don’t be a fool, sir!” James hissed furiously, standing straight as a blade. He bowed with the grace of a diplomat. “I will vacate the premises, Major Warren, and pray that you’ll not risk your daughter’s life because of your disavowal of the simple truth.”

James swung around and stalked into the house.

There was stunned silence for a moment as he departed. Not even Michael Warren seemed to have a quick response to James McKenzie’s departure.

Then Jarrett broke the stillness. He threw his napkin down. “You will excuse me,” he said coldly to Warren, leaving the table to follow his brother.

“Mr. McKenzie!” Warren roared after him. “There is a war on! You cannot straddle a fence here, don’t you see it? You’re a white man! White men,
and their wives
, fall prey to savages day in and day out. You will have to take a stance.”

Jarrett paused, shoulders straight, his back to them all. He turned slowly and replied quietly, “Don’t ask that of me, Major Warren. The savage Indian who has just left his place here is my brother, my blood, and if I am forced to make a choice …” His voice trailed away. “He is my brother. My blood.” He turned once again to follow James.

Teela started after Jarrett. A hand fell upon her shoulder, and she was wrenched back. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To apologize for your bad manners!” she told Warren furiously.

He slapped her across the face.

Tara still stood at the table, watching. She gasped with horror. “Major! I am appalled!”