Page 6 of Teton Sunrise

“Run along, boy,” the Frenchman said brusquely, nodding to the boy. Wide-eyed, and with a hint of fear in his eyes, the youth turned and darted from the boat. For a spilt second, Evelyn thought to follow him. The man’s dark stare seemed to seep right through her, and her throat went dry. She was almost sure that he was one of the men she had seen standing with her brother at the dock earlier. Was he one of Henry’s hired men?

The man dropped the sack to the ground. His hand snaked out and he wrapped his fingers around Evelyn’s wrist. She pulled back reflexively and dug her heels into the slick wooden planks of the boat’s deck.

“You should not be lifting such heavy burdens, mademoiselle,” the Frenchman said, leaning toward her. Evelyn’s heart jumped, and she sucked in a deep breath. Her head shot up, and she stared into the man’s black eyes. His mustache twitched, and his lips curved in a leering smile.

“Release me,” Evelyn hissed, bracing against the man’s hold on her wrist. Although not painful, his grip was nevertheless firm as if she’d been shackled in irons.

“Do not draw attention to yourself,” the man warned in a low tone. “Even a blind man can see that you are not a boy. Why would a beautiful woman disguise herself as a man?”

“That, sir, is of no concern to you,” Evelyn said between gritted teeth, still pulling against the man’s unyielding grip.

“You plan to stow away on this boat. What will you do when you are found out?” The man raised a bushy eyebrow. He jutted his chin toward the deck behind her. Evelyn didn’t need to turn her head to know there were only men aboard this vessel. “You will be a most welcome surprise to twenty eager men.”

Evelyn groaned silently. How had this man seen through her disguise so easily? Her heart sank. Her plan had failed. The best she could hope for now was to free herself of this man’s clutches and leave. Perhaps she could find another boat that would travel up the Missouri, and catch up with her brother that way. Looking into the Frenchman’s hardened features, the meaning of his words suddenly became crystal clear to her.

“I ask you again to release me,” Evelyn said with all the confidence she could muster. Her eyes darted around the boat. Perhaps if she spotted Henry, she could call out to him and he would save her from this man’s clutches. Instead of doing what she asked, the Frenchman yanked her closer. She squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath.

“Tell me why you are on this boat,” he demanded.

“Very well,” Evelyn huffed. “My brother is on board,” she answered truthfully. “I only wish to join him. He is all the family I have left. He means to leave me behind while he goes off in search of the man who killed our parents. He gave me in marriage to a man I despise.” She glared up at the unkempt woodsman. “Does that satisfy your curiosity?”

The Frenchman studied her for a long moment, his eyes roaming her face. Evelyn shifted her weight from one foot to the other under his unrelenting perusal. “You understand, mademoiselle, that what you are getting yourself into may be far worse than marrying a man you do not love.”

“Then let me go, and I will return to my home,” Evelyn pleaded. Did she really regret her impulsive decision to follow Henry into the wilderness? She had to admit that this man was telling the truth. What had she been thinking? She’d only wanted to get away from Charles Richardson, but the consequences of her actions hadn’t occurred to her. Until now.

The Frenchman’s smile widened. Surprisingly, his teeth looked white and clean, even if he did stink as if he hadn’t bathed in years.

“Laurent Berard at your service, mademoiselle,” he said, and bowed slightly. He still held to her wrist. “I offer you my service as your chaperone, until you choose to reveal your presence to your brother.”

Evelyn’s eyebrows rose. She stared in stunned disbelief. Was he joking with her?

“Why would you offer me your protection?” she asked slowly. Her mind raced, trying to decide whether to trust this man.

“You are the sister of Henry Lewis, are you not?” the Frenchman asked, and casually led her away from the side of the boat. Evelyn stood her ground for a moment, but when the man tugged firmly on her wrist, she took a step toward him.

“Yes,” she said softly. So he was one of Henry’s men. Somehow this gave her courage. If Henry trusted this man to lead him into the wilderness, then shouldn’t she trust him as well? He hadn’t seemed all that threatening. He’d simply warned her, and reminded her that her plan might be less feasible than what she had envisioned. Truth be told, she had no idea what to expect on this journey. Perhaps a chaperone, someone to protect her, was just what she needed.

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