The Heart's Stronghold by Amanda Barratt

Author:Amanda Barratt [Barratt, Amanda; Dicken, Angie; Meyer, Gabrielle; Woodhouse, Kimberley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781643523132
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

An exhilarating current rushed through Lieutenant Jacob Bennington’s veins. Even if the longstanding Lieutenant Wilson of Fort Burnet did not appreciate an equal peer, Jacob was glad to be in this territory. He was one step closer to life with his little girl.

This evening, Jacob could not keep his eyes off of the exchange between the Dutchman’s daughter and that native. There seemed to be some kinship between them. Mr. Van Der Berg offered him a roasted turkey leg and a mug of ale.

“Your daughter speaks their language?”

“Aye. Apenimon also knows English. Sabine began learning his language not long after she learned our own. And any French she knows is also from Apenimon.” His face was lit with some sort of admiration. A father’s pride. Jacob knew that feeling well, and his heart ached for little Amelia.

As he ate his dinner, he listened more than spoke. He was there for a purpose and soon wondered at this odd family settled in the shadow of Fort Burnet. They seemed more allied to the natives than even the twenty men who’d been stationed under Governor Clark’s appointment. Perhaps they would be key in solidifying a secure loyalty to the British.

After they said farewell to the natives, Jacob was able to find a moment to speak with the trader’s daughter.

“It seems that my crew and I are here for such a time as this,” he exclaimed, holding out his hand to help escort her around the dying fire. Her father gathered up their newly traded furs. Her mother gripped tightly to her father’s arm. The blind woman seemed to scowl more than smile. But her daughter held a different expression of neither bitterness nor joy. Her eyes flashed with skepticism in the silvery moonlight.

“Such a time as this?” Her hand slipped away as soon as she was steady on her feet and she retrieved her lamp. “There is nothing we need, sir. All is well for us. What is it that you speak of?”

“You do have quite a life here, one that is nothing like the stories told in Albany of the ruthless savages and the reckless adventurers of this wild place.”

She examined her parents. Her father began to douse the fire. “Why yes, civilized gentleman, we are reckless indeed.” By her own lamplight he saw her eyes roll and her disapproval grow deep in the tweaked corner of her mouth. “What exactly is your business here, besides spying on what Governor Clark believes is his reach?”

Jacob resisted a guffaw at such an ornery attitude in this woman. “Progress.” He pulled his shoulders back and surveyed the broad shore and the dark canopy of sky above. “Do not worry about my business. It is an inevitable task to which I am assigned. Once it is complete, my life shall begin.” He laid his eyes upon her. “But until then, Miss Van Der Berg, your work is much more intriguing to me.” He nodded toward the sound of distant lapping of oars on the water.

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