The Scout's Bride. Kate Kingsley
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Название: The Scout's Bride
Автор: Kate Kingsley
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
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“Aren’t they handsome?” Amy Little gushed. Joining the women, she watched as the two long columns of men lurched forward, their equipment rattling. “It is disappointing that they don’t wear their dress uniforms on campaign. They don’t even wear insignia, so you can tell the officers from the regular soldiers.”
“Insignia catch the light and make them targets,” Flora answered tersely.
“Then it’s just as well. They’re still the cavaliers of the plains,” the young woman maintained romantically.
At the head of the column, Brian’s company saluted the colonel and began to sing “The Girl I Left Behind Me.”
Through the dust, Rebecca glimpsed Injun Jack across the road on the parade ground, frowning as he watched the cavalry’s departure. His frown deepened into a scowl when Derward Anderson approached him. Wheeling his horse, the scout headed for the stable, nearly trampling the newspaperman as he passed. He never glimpsed Rebecca’s disapproving face.
The women watched the patrol ride west until they were specks against the horizon, and their song and clatter had long faded. Then Rebecca said gently, “Come, Flora. I’ll walk you home.”
The fort was quiet as the two women cut across the parade ground to Officers’ Row. Few voices could be heard and those were subdued. A haunting spiritual and the click of curry combs came from the stables where the Buffalo Soldiers tended their horses.
“Good morning, young ladies,” Doc greeted them on his way to deliver the sick call report. “I see the boys got off with your husband in the lead, Mrs. Mackey. He’s a fine officer.”
“Thank you.” The captain’s wife smiled in wan appreciation.
“I suppose you’re wondering about your patient, Rebecca.”
“How is Private Greeley this morning?”
“I gave him laudanum last night and he’s still sleeping. He should wake soon. Would you like me to send for you when he does?”
“Please.”
“And Rebecca-Perfecta—” the physician hesitated before leaving them “—do you think you might help Sergeant Unger inventory the stores and pharmaceuticals? I could order a nurse to help him, but you know the ‘volunteers’ I get. Most are men the sergeants are trying to get rid of. I don’t trust them not to drink what’s left of the whiskey or help themselves to the laudanum.”
“I’ll come as soon as I can, Doc.”
“You can go now if you wish,” Flora offered as they resumed their walk. “I should visit the infirmary. I think Private Greeley is one of Brian’s men. But I just can’t do it today.”
“You don’t have to,” Rebecca told her soothingly. “Would you like to come to my house? Or would you prefer to go home?”
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