A Lady Of The West by Linda Howard

Author:Linda Howard
Format: epub
Published: 2014-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

Victoria was forced to call a halt for the night. Though her instincts told her to keep going, Celia was unused to riding very far even at a walk. Long before midnight the girl was in a great deal of pain, though she didn't whine about it. It wasn't until they stopped to relieve themselves that Victoria realized what Celia had been enduring, because she burst into tears as she slid to the ground.

"We'll have to rest," Emma said. "She can't go any farther." She rubbed her own bottom, wincing a little. "I think I'm going to be sore, too."

Victoria looked around trying to find some sort of shelter, but there was still no moon to aid her. All she could see was the black masses where trees grew. Well, at least the trees would shield them. She put her arm around Celia's shoulders. "Can you walk just a little way, up to those trees?" she asked, pointing to the right.

Celia nodded, fighting her tears. "Yes. I'm sorry. I know we should keep riding."

"So we should, but we're all tired and so are the horses. If we don't let them rest, they won't do us any good tomorrow."

They trudged slowly up the rock-scattered hill to the treeline and found a grouping of boulders that blocked off most of the wind. Victoria and Emma unsaddled the horses and gave them water, then tied them where they could graze. When they returned, Celia had arranged their blankets and divided up three small portions of food.

Victoria sank down on a blanket and gratefully accepted the bread and cheese, which she washed down with water. Now that she was sitting she realized how tired she was. Exhaustion washed over her; she barely tasted the food, but didn't dare sleep.

Fighting off the urge to lie down, she rested the rifle across her legs. "I'll watch while you two get some sleep."

Celia stretched out, groaning, and was asleep in only a moment. Emma came over to sit beside Victoria. "Do you really think it was Sarratt?" she asked, keeping her tone low to avoid disturbing Celia. "How could it be after all these years?"

Victoria sighed. "I don't know. It was just that the Major was so sure, and he was so frightened. He sat up nights watching for them, did you know? He didn't sleep. I'd hear him all night long, sitting in there talking to himself, and sometimes he'd come in my room and tell me what they would do to me—"

She broke off and Emma swiftly hugged her. "I know I shouldn't say it, but the Major is mad. You know that, don't you?"

"Oh, yes, I know."

"Then why would you believe anything he said?"

"Because he is mad, not stupid." Victoria stared out at the night. "Because someone shot at me. Because I couldn't think of any other reason—"

"Don't you think the Major has made more enemies than just the Sarratts?" Emma asked with the sweet voice of reason. "It could be anyone."

Victoria couldn't prevent a low chuckle.

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