The Daughters of Eden Trilogy: The Shadow Catcher, Fever Hill & the Serpent's Tooth by Michelle Paver Read Free Book Online Page B

the patrol.’
    ‘I’ll ride with you.’
    ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
    Ainsley gave a lop-sided smile. ‘I’m aware of that.’
    They rode at the head of the detail, taking the track which Cameron had climbed an hour before. When they were clear of the camp he said, ‘I think you ought to tell me what the fellows know about you in the mess.’
    Ainsley glanced at him, then turned in the saddle and ordered the men to fall back. When they were out of earshot he said, ‘As far as they’re concerned I’m Alasdair Falkirk. Have been for the past twelve years. They don’t even know I’m from Jamaica.’ He paused. ‘I thought that best. For the family as well as myself.’
    ‘Indeed,’ said Cameron drily. ‘Family honour has always been close to your heart.’
    Ainsley’s cheeks darkened. ‘Would you prefer that I made my story known?’
    ‘How could you? They’d throw you out of the regiment.’
    Ainsley was silent. Then he said, ‘Shall you tell them?’
    ‘Of course not. The old man went through hell to prevent a scandal. I’m not going to ruin that now.’ Frowning, he disentangled his mare’s mane from the reins. ‘He’s been ill. I don’t suppose you’ve heard.’
    ‘How could I? You’ve never answered my letters.’
    ‘I’ve never read them.’ It gave him a sick satisfaction to see Ainsley flinch. It also made him feel ashamed. Once again he tormented his injured hand. ‘How could you do it?’ he said. ‘To break the heart of a fine old man. To desert your wife and child.’
    Ainsley let out a long breath. ‘When I left Jamaica I didn’t know that Clemency was with child.’
    ‘Would it have made a difference if you had?’
    Ainsley did not reply.
    Behind them the men were casting them curious glances. Cameron quelled them with a look. He put his mare forward, and heard the rattle of pebbles as Ainsley brought his horse level.
    ‘Cameron. Try to understand. I was young. Younger than you are now.’
    ‘You were weak. You’ve always been weak.’
    He gave a twisted smile. ‘I can see that you’ve never been in love.’
    Cameron snorted.
    ‘Well, it may surprise you to learn that Clemency at least has forgiven me. Oh, yes, it’s true. She wrote to me. Years ago.’ He patted his tunic pocket. ‘I keep her letter with me always.’
    ‘Whatever for?’
    ‘I suppose – to remind myself that there is such a thing as forgiveness.’
    Cameron wondered if that were the whole truth. Why should a man go about with the evidence of his own iniquity in his breast pocket unless he secretly wanted to be found out?
    ‘I suppose I ought to pity you,’ he said. ‘You never could face up to your responsibilities. You ran off and left your wife and child, and now you’ve run off and left your mistress.’
    ‘I have not left Rose,’ Ainsley said between his teeth.
    ‘You’re in the army. It amounts to the same thing.’
    Ainsley drew a deep breath. ‘You’ve changed. You used to be able to listen to both sides of an argument, then make your own choice. I always liked that about you.’
    ‘In some things there is no choice. In matters of honour. And duty.’
    ‘You sound just like my father.’
    ‘Well, God damn it,’ snarled Cameron, ‘he’s my guardian, he brought me up!’
    He hadn’t bothered to lower his voice, and behind them all heads turned.
    ‘I didn’t accompany you’, Ainsley said quietly, ‘to have an argument. I came because I need to tell you something.’
    ‘Then tell me and have done with it.’
    Ainsley looked out across the burning plain. ‘I have a daughter,’ he said. ‘A little girl of ten. And God willing, another child on the way.’
    Cameron thought about the little girl in the park. ‘And what is that to me?’ he said.
    Ainsley gave him a hard look. ‘You just don’t give a damn, do you? We used to be like brothers. But as far as you’re concerned, none of that ever happened. Did it, Cameron?’
    He made no reply.
    ‘Well let me tell you,’