Lakota Princess by Karen Kay Read Free Book Online Page A

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    At last he said, “So be it.” Then spinning about, he stepped away from her, across the room, to begin pacing back and forth. “Then I, too, will stay until you meet these people, if they truly exist. For Waste Ho, I will keep my promise to you. I am keeping my promise, even now. And I wonder, will you be true to your own vow?”
    Unbecoming warmth flushed her face. And it was several moments before she was able to respond, “I—”
    “Do you know,” Black Bear asked as though she hadn’t been about to speak, “who might want to kill you? Do you know why? If I am to be here, I will protect you, but in order to do that, I must know where the danger lies.”
    “I…I don’t. And Black Bear I—”
    “Do you know that I have dreamed of you? Of danger? Do you realize that I might be the only one who can avert a disaster to you?”
    “Black Bear, I am sorry.”
    It was odd, she was to think later. For at that very moment Black Bear looked as though he might have smiled at her. But instead, all he said was, “I know.”
    “Children, children.” The Duchess of Colchester burst in upon her guests stepping lively into the room, followed by her two teenage daughters. And if she noticed the tension between Estrela and her Indian friend, she chose to ignore it. “Oh.” She stopped, causing both daughters to collide with each other, then with her. “Lady Estrela, I had hoped your wound was dressed by now. I have so much for us to do, so much for us to see. But then, I doubt that you would be able to accompany us, anyway. Oh, you poor, dear girl. What are we to do? Oh, I know. You must rest. That’s it, my dear. And don’t you worry about your Indian friend.” She led the party of three toward Black Bear, and stopping close to him, smiled up at him engagingly. Both daughters peered around her and giggled. “Why we’ll take such good care of Black Bear, you’ll be astounded. Don’t you worry. Now Black Bear, have you met my two daughters?”
    Estrela opened her mouth to speak while the introductions were made, but closed it as she watched the Duchess draw Black Bear’s arm through her own, her two daughters surrounding him. Both girls were blond, pretty and were now flashing their eyes up at Black Bear.
    “Oh, dear,” the Duchess said, “you are so dark, not too dark, mind you, just nicely bronzed and so strong. Such a fine-looking fellow. Ha! Won’t I be the envy of all my friends? Imagine, first we discover that you, Estrela, are related to our family and now because of you, we have a real Indian staying with us, a real Indian to escort. Bless me, but I am excited. No one will have more attention than I. No one. Come, girls. Come, Black Bear. No, no, dear boy, don’t hold back. I will take you everywhere, show you everything. Since my husband has decided that you will stay with us, it is my duty to escort you everywhere. To introduce you to society. Oh, but there is so much to do. Come, girls.” The trio of women surrounded the Indian, and without choice, Black Bear, after one last look at Estrela, followed the women out of the room.
    Estrela sat still. She looked at the door, at the physician, then straight ahead. She closed her eyes, opened them. Finally, when she regained her ability to speak, she said, “What was that?”
    The doctor could have smiled. It was hard for Estrela to tell. A corner of his mouth lifted before he said, “That was Her Grace, Lady Estrela. Have you never witnessed her prattle before now?”
    “No, I…” Estrela gazed at the older gentleman who sat beside her. It was the first time she had looked at him fully since the Duchess had placed her here under his care. He was bent over her arm now, and Estrela swallowed hard. She knew him. Shock waves ran through her at the knowledge. She knew him, but from where? How? Her brow furrowed briefly before she spoke, as softly as she could, saying, “It is most strange, sir, but I feel as though I should know