Chapter 6 #3
Michael walked back to Sloan, setting a hand on his shoulder.
“You know, Sloan, I hated the Sioux. When your mother was taken, I hated the Sioux with a vengeance. I would have killed every man I could lay my hands on, without remorse. But in trying to get my daughter back, I found myself spending months living among the Sioux and their Cheyenne allies. And I learned that the Plains Indians were not the incredibly noble tribesmen of some of the eighteenth-century adventures, nor were they the filthy, violent savages seen by some of our contemporary writers. They are people. Indian children defy their parents and get in trouble. Young men and women fall in love. They must survive, they must eat, laugh and cry, live and die. They are people. When your father died, his wishes that his wife and child be returned to me were respectfully adhered to. I’ve been back to Sioux villages with you—and I can honestly say, son, that I’m sorry for it, but the warriors of the plains will soon be brought to heel, and there will be little help for it.
I’m glad you’ve married a White woman. It will help bring you a personal peace. ”
Sloan set his hand on his grandfather’s, where it remained on his shoulder.
“Perhaps.”
“Sloan—”
“You know that I have to be a part of this war, Grandfather. You wouldn’t advise me to do anything less, would you?”
“No, Sloan. I wouldn’t. But I do beg you to be careful.”
“That I will be, sir. I promise.”
“I wish I could meet your wife.”
“You will meet her, sir.”
“Hawk Douglas’s sister-in-law! Well, I am pleased.
Especially since your letters from Scotland informed me that David was, in truth, alive and well.
With David alive, Hawk will not feel obligated to the Scottish Douglas holdings.
You and Hawk have always been such close friends; with sisters for wives, you’ll have strong family ties. ”
“Yes, sir, I imagine so.”
“Have you a picture of your bride?”
Sloan arched a brow and shook his head ruefully. “It was all really rather sudden. I never thought to seek out a photographer, or even ask Sabrina if she had a likeness of herself for me to carry. The marriage occurred at the very last moment.”
Michael Trelawny grunted. “I should hope so, grandson—for you wrote me regarding the good news about David, yet failed to mention marriage in your letters.”
Sloan shrugged. “Well, for a while there, sir, we were all rather busy staying alive when I first arrived. Then, when the criminal matter at Craig Rock was settled, I had to turn my attention to getting the young lady to say yes to my marriage proposal.”
Michael hesitated. “Well, I wish that she were with you now. When a man rides to a war such as this one…well, dammit, Sloan, what will I do if I lose you, when you’ve left no little ones behind you? Unless, of course, she might be expecting already?”
“No, sir, I’m afraid not.”
“Sabrina…” His grandfather stroked his chin, musing. “A pretty name—unusual, and yet oddly familiar. What is her maiden name?”
“Connor, sir.”
Michael’s brow shot high as he surveyed his grandson. “Stepdaughter of Brad Dillman?”
Sloan frowned, startled that his grandfather recognized the name so quickly.
But then, Michael had lived in Washington for many years now; he spoke frequently before boards of inquiry and was still active in both military and political circles—not to mention the fact that Dillman’s death might well have been front-page news in Washington.
“Yes. Sabrina and her sister, Skylar, were his stepdaughters.”
He was startled to see his grandfather smile suddenly.
“What is it, General?”
“Naturally, I read the articles about Dillman’s death after his attempt to kill the girls…you were mentioned in those articles, by the way, in a most flattering light. But I have already met your wife upon a few occasions.”
“Oh?” Sloan said, startled and curious.
“Indeed.”
“She…never mentioned that she met you.”
“Well, she met me briefly a few years ago at a dinner in honor of several soldiers, and again at a soiree given by a Washington hostess. Both were large social events, and she was young; I doubt that she or her sister remembers every old codger she was introduced to. Or perhaps she would remember having met me, but wouldn’t think to associate my name with you, since… ”
“Since I do look like an Indian?”
“I’m quite proud of the fact that you also resemble me, Sloan.”
Sloan smiled. “Well, sir, I’m proud of that fact as well. So tell me: what was your impression of my wife?”
“Beautiful name, beautiful girl. Spellbindingly beautiful. Exquisite! Captivating.”
“Umm. Really.”
“Surely you also find her so.”
“Yes, of course. I’m well aware of her appearance, but what was your impression…other than that?”
Michael was aware that his grandson was impatiently awaiting more, and he took his time.
“Mind you, I could have told the American people a decade ago that Brad Dillman was a name synonymous with corruption! But he had a way of speaking; he could sway crowds. He was able to appear to be an absolute pillar of society! Anyway, my heart went out to both those girls the moment I met them. They both doted upon their mother, who appeared very frail. Yet I’ll never forget seeing Dillman touch your Sabrina on the arm, and the way that she stiffened in response.
The way she looked at him. She behaved so perfectly…
she was absolutely charming to everyone there.
But every time she had a moment’s freedom—dancing with a handsome young officer, perhaps—Dili-man would approach her, whisper something to her, and have her back talking with some constituent of his, trying to smooth out some troubled waters.
I’ll never forget the look in her eyes when he touched her or spoke to her.
It seemed that she’d created something of a wall of defense against him.
Can you imagine living, year after year, with the man who had killed your father? ”
“Well, sir, where I grew up, a lad had the right to challenge and kill his father’s murderer.”
“Precisely! Those girls had no such rights! Frankly, after their years with Dillman, I’m surprised either of those girls chose to marry.”
“Well…Sabrina did marry me,” Sloan murmured.
“No pictures, eh?”
Michael reached into his desk suddenly, lifting a gold chain from a small silver jewelry box there. He brought the chain to Sloan. “Take this.”
Frowning, Sloan opened his hand to accept the delicate gold chain. A teardrop locket set with diamond chips dangled from it.
“Remember this?” Michael asked softly.
Sloan nodded. “My mother used to wear it.”
“Open it.”
Sloan did so. His own likeness—a photograph taken by the famed Brady at the end of the war—had been fitted into the left side of the locket, while a small lock of his hair was in the right.
“I never knew what was in it!” Sloan murmured softly.
“You meant the world to your mother. I’ve always cherished this, but I think it would be a fitting gift from me to my new granddaughter-in-law. Give it to her for me.”
Sloan hesitated. It was probably the last gift Sabrina desired. But he managed to smile for his grandfather as he pocketed the locket. “As you wish, sir.”
Michael clapped Sloan on the shoulder. “I wish you both well. I’m a God-fearing man, but God will surely forgive me for saying that I was delighted to hear that Dillman was dead. Are you quite sure that I’m not about to become a great-grandfather?”
“I’m afraid not, Grandfather,” Sloan murmured. “For the time being, sir, you’re going to have to trust in me not to get myself killed.”
Michael sighed. “I trust in your abilities; after all, you learned your military prowess from some of the finest army men as well as from your father and his warrior societies. I trust in your abilities—and then, of course, I also do a lot of praying, down on these old knees. I don’t see nearly enough of you.
Let’s enjoy the time we have. Ah, well, I hope to see your wife again soon enough.
For now, I imagine that Cook’s got dinner just about ready by now, and your tough-as-nails aunt is surely on her way down to see you. ”
“Sloan!”
He heard the trill of his Aunt Georgia’s voice, and he winced and smiled simultaneously.
It was good to be here.
Family—Sioux or White—was much the same. And it was good.
He felt a sudden twinge of pain and a keen sense of loss. He had once been so content living as a loner.
And now…
Well, he had a wife.
And James McGregor had assured him that Sabrina was capable of having a family.
And he was suddenly damned determined that, come what may, they would have a family.