The Rebel and the Lady. Kathryn Albright
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Название: The Rebel and the Lady
Автор: Kathryn Albright
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
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Entering Juan’s house, Victoria heard voices in the study. She stopped at the open door.
“Come. Victoria. You should hear this.” Juan motioned for her to enter. He removed his hat and poncho and tossed them on a nearby chair. Apparently he had just arrived at the house himself.
She turned to Diego. He’d grown since she’d seen him last. Now, at eighteen, he stood taller than she and had become wiry. He wore an old leather hunting shirt, most likely from his father. “Welcome, Diego. I’m glad to see you here. What news do you bring?”
He nodded, his face serious. “Santa Anna’s army is halfway between the Rio Grande and here. They’re moving this way.”
“How can that be when I left them at my father’s hacienda just nine days ago? The soldiers are on foot, not riding as I did. They could not travel so fast.”
“It is another section of the army, just as your father warned in his letter,” Juan said. “I’ve told Travis.”
“What is he going to do?” she asked.
“I don’t know. He questions whether to believe me—a Tejano. I can see it in his eyes. He has not been in command long enough to understand how things are here. And he and Bowie don’t agree on much.” Juan pressed his lips together as he took Victoria’s hands in his. “You came here for safety. I’m sorry.”
“No, Juan. I came to warn you. To give you time to protect Gertrudis and your children. To help you prepare.” Frustrated tears came to her eyes and she clenched her fist. “And now the soldiers linger and talk of parties instead of readying themselves.”
Juan would not meet her eyes. “Perhaps I should help you leave town. I can’t take you to my family as I wish to. They are already safely away. Perhaps the town of Mina…”
Trembling took hold of Victoria. She would not keep running. She had as much right to stay as they did. “I do not think there is a safe place left in Tejas. I will not go.”
Juan’s brow wrinkled in surprise. “No?”
“No. If you make me leave, I will slip away at the first chance and come back here. This is my fight, too.”
“Victoria.” He was frowning now. “I want to see you safe. Just as your father wanted. He gave you into my care. I do not take his wishes lightly.”
She pulled herself to her full height. “I understand that, but this is my land, too—as much as it is my father’s and mother’s and yours. It is mine. Our people have given their blood and sweat to this land. Can I do less? My family is here. My place is here.”
His gaze, although still worried for her, also held a measure of pride. He released her hands and nodded his agreement to let her stay. “So be it.”
Turning to Diego, he continued. “I will talk to Travis. Perhaps he will grant leave to the men who have families and farms in Santa Anna’s path.”
“But, Juan,” Diego said. “Your land is there, too. Will you go also?”
“No. I agree with our cousin. My place is here. I am captain. I must set an example.”
Impulsively Victoria threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Then she drew in Diego, too. “This will be where we stand.”
Chapter Three
Jake heard the music coming from inside the cantina fifty paces from its doors. Someone played a violin and another a bass fiddle. Light from the candelabras inside spilled out in rectangular slashes onto the dirt street. When he opened the doors, the strong odors of smoke and beer assailed him. He glanced about the room, half hoping that he’d see the woman from the hospital. A pipe dream. Why would a beautiful señorita come to an American holiday celebration like Washington’s Birthday?
He was no stranger to women from Mexico with their thick dark hair and their chocolate eyes, but he’d been flummoxed with her. When he had glanced from the dog up into her face, he’d actually been tongue-tied like a dull-witted greenhorn. She was that entrancing, with her dark eyes widened in surprise and that slightly shocked look on her face because he had dared to touch her, even though it was obvious he was trying to help. He’d thought at first her hair was black, slicked back as it was into a fancy coil at her neck. Then as the dog had her moving this way and that he saw that no, it was the darkest, richest shade of brown he’d ever seen.
And then he’d gone and goaded her. Unfortunately, he understood why. Guess he was just foolish enough to want to make an impression on her—even a poor one, if that’s what it would take to get noticed. But damned if she hadn’t come right back tilting that soup on him. He grinned just thinking about it—had caught himself stifling that grin half the day whenever the memory popped into his head. As proper as she appeared on the surface, underneath she was a handful—a challenge he couldn’t ignore in spite of the fact he was only here one more day. She was an enticing splash of color in an otherwise drab and dusty town, and he wanted to see her again. He’d dressed as though she might show up, which meant he’d taken a bath, cut his hair and shaved. If she did appear, she probably wouldn’t recognize him anyway.
Jake walked to the bar and watched a group of volunteers raise their mugs as one, guzzle down their beer and then slam their mugs on the table.
“Have fun tonight because we’ll be out there again at daybreak if Bowie orders it,” one man said.
“I’m too tired to heft my fork,” complained another.
“That’s not because you’re tired, Ward. You’re jest drunk.”
“Maybe we should have thrown in with Travis instead.” Ward continued to complain. “Digging a well isn’t my idea of soldiering. Besides, there’s no way we can defend this place.”
Suddenly, a tall commanding figure in buckskin loomed over them. He slammed his fist on the table making the mugs jump an inch high off the table. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that the cockroaches in Mexico have ears?”
“This is Texas, Davey, uh, I mean Mr. Crockett.” A young soldier reddened instantly.
“Not yet it ain’t, but it will be.” Crockett grinned at him, and then spoke in a quieter voice. “North side first. The rest of the walls will hold. And,” he continued, his eyes narrowing on Ward, “Bowie might be ailing, but he ain’t stupid. He’s got his reasons for his orders.” He straightened and headed for a table closer to the music—a table where Travis now sat.
Travis caught Jake’s gaze and motioned for him to join them also.
Jake bought a shot of whiskey and then sat down with the lieutenant colonel.
“Glad you made it, Dumont. May I introduce David Crockett?”
Jake nodded to the man. He’d heard of him. “Enjoy your stint in congress?”
“Not enough to go back.” Crockett took a swig from his mug of beer. “Lot of talk that didn’t amount to anything.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Same СКАЧАТЬ