Moonwitch by Nicole Jordan

Author:Nicole Jordan [Jordan, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“It isn’t as bad as it looks,” Kyle said quickly, seeing Selena’s shocked expression. “I mean, it is—but this is the worst part. The real town is atop the bluffs. This is Natchez-Under-the-Hill.”

“I shouldn’t like to come here at night,” Selena managed in a weak voice as she watched a bevy of scantily clad females spill from one of the taverns a short distance up the nearest street.

“No,” Kyle murmured in a wry undertone. “I shouldn’t think you would.”

They waited until the Washington had moored at the landing and the gangway was set before descending the stairs and bidding farewell to Captain Shreve. As they disembarked, however, Selena skeptically eyed the muddy ground at the end of the plank. Her low-heeled slippers would no doubt sink ankle-deep in the reddish muck.

Gritting her teeth, she protectively raised the hem of her gown, preparing to wade through the mess. But before she could take a step, Kyle startled her by scooping her up into his arms. While she clung to him with one hand, awkwardly dangling Horatio’s cage from the other, he strode across the landing, his gleaming top boots making short work of the mud.

“Will you put me down?” Selena whispered angrily, as he negotiated the throngs of people and merchandise. “This is quite unseemly.”

Kyle glanced down at her, the rugged planes of his face creasing in a grin. “Now there you’re mistaken, Moonwitch. None of the riffraff here would notice if I decided to dance naked in the street. Although,” he amended, “they would no doubt watch you.”

His grin widened at the high color in her cheeks, but he didn’t release her. Instead, he carried her all the way to the livery stables, where carriages and drays were for hire. He stopped short, though, as a bearded, greasy-haired man came reeling out of the stables to block their path. Kyle recognized him as one of the many fur trappers who came to trade hides in Natchez-Under-the-Hill. With straw clinging to his grimy buckskin trousers and fringed shirt, the man looked and smelled as if he had spent the night sobering up in a stall.

“Well, stap my vitals, if it ain’t Kyle Ramsey!”

Selena stared at the unkempt trapper, drawing back involuntarily as she caught a whiff of his powerful odor.

“Beaver Joe,” Kyle said tersely, reluctant to acknowledge the acquaintance with Selena there.

Swaying, Beaver Joe gave Kyle a black-toothed grin. “I wager Angel’ll be mighty pleased to see you. Heard her talkin’ ’bout you jest last week.”

Kyle stiffened, even more reluctant to have Selena learn about Angel Abbey, who ran one of the higher class bordellos on Silver Street. He started to pass by, but the trapper peered drunkenly at Selena.

“That a new gal yer bringin’ in? She’s a might scrawny. I dunno if Angel’ll want ‘er.”

“Why don’t you keep your tongue between your teeth,” Kyle suggested menacingly, feeling his own cheeks redden. “This ‘gal’ is my wife.”

The coarse trapper’s mouth dropped open. Kyle brushed past him, ignoring his shocked look—and trying as well not to notice Selena’s thoughtful scrutiny.

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