The Savage

“Oh, yes, I’m fine.”

“I just saw Will Prewitt out in the yard. Did you really invite him to visit?”

“Yes, I asked him here.” Amelia’s lips curved in a secretive smile that Summer didn’t understand at all, and that worried her no small amount.

“Why?”

“That really is none of your business, is it?”

“Melly…” Summer faltered, not knowing how to get through to her sister. This cold, bitter creature was a stranger to her, nothing like the strong, generous-hearted woman who had raised her, whom Summer had cherished like a mother. “Do you know he insulted me?”

“Did he? Well, I expect you’ll just have to live with it. You brought it on yourself, after all, marrying that savage.”

She wanted to protest the unfairness of her sister’s accusation, but she suspected it would be futile. And Amelia’s next words sent her thoughts spinning along another track.

“I’m not pregnant.”

“I’m glad for you, Amelia,” Summer said slowly.

“Yes, you can’t know what a relief it is, knowing I won’t have to bear a bastard redskin. I only hope you’re as lucky.”

Involuntarily Summer’s hand went to her abdomen. She had refused to let herself think too much about that complication. She wasn’t certain she was strong enough to withstand the tribulations she would face as the wife of a half-breed, let alone the implications of bringing an innocent, defenseless child into the world to brave the same adversity. No child deserved the fate Lance had endured.

When she remained silent, Amelia leaned her head back and shut her eyes. “Now if you would only get rid of that terrible man.”

“What man?”

“Why, that disgusting half-breed, of course.”

“Melly…I’ve told you before, Lance is my husband. I can’t go back on my word.”

“You could if you wanted to.” Amelia looked at Summer directly for the first time, her eyes filling with tears. “I can’t bear him, don’t you see? He’ll always be a reminder of what happened to me.”

“Amelia…” Her sister’s plea raked her heart, but she couldn’t give in. “I’m sorry, but…Lance is a good man. I won’t betray my vows to him.” Her own voice quivered. “Please, don’t make me choose between the two of you.”

Amelia rose regally to her feet. “I think you’ve already chosen, Summer. It’s certain you’re no longer my sister.”

She swept from the parlor in a rustle of black skirts, leaving Summer to sink unsteadily onto the chintz-covered settee.

That Amelia considered her a traitor made her heart ache, in addition to rendering her resolve to honor her marriage vows that much harder to keep.

And yet, as she’d told Amelia, she had no choice in the matter. She had made a bargain with Lance, and she owed it to him to keep up her end.

Chapter 19

She didn’t tell Lance of the incident with Prewitt, knowing it would have aroused her husband’s dangerous temper. And two mornings later, she was glad she hadn’t, since it would have spoiled a beautiful day.

She was in bed, fast asleep, dreaming of nothing in particular, when a warm, suggestive voice murmured in her ear, “Wake up, your highness.” Strong arms slipped about her waist, dragging her flush against a male body.

“Lance?” she mumbled, reluctant to leave her comfortable nest.

“Who else? Come on, sleepyhead, open your eyes.”

Obeying, she blinked at the bright sunlight streaming through the open shutter. “What time it is?”

“Early. Now, wake up.”

The smell of fresh coffee filled the cabin, and when she sat up, she saw that Lance was fully dressed in denims and chambray shirt. It was Sunday, she remembered, brushing her hair out of her eyes. “We’re not going to church, are we?” Her family used to attend a Methodist church service near Round Rock at the home of one of the ranchers, but she hadn’t dared face the outside world yet, and she hadn’t thought Lance would ever wish to.