“You are kind, sir.”
“What I am is envious!” he said with a laugh, his comments shared with Hawk in such a way that she was certain that the two men had known one another a very long time.
“I hardly imagine, sir, that you ever need envy any man,” Skylar told him. “The pleasure of this introduction is mine. I’m afraid I missed your name, Major?—”
“Trelawny. Sloan Trelawny,” the major supplied.
“Cougar,” Hawk interjected dryly.
“Pardon?”
The major had arched a brow at Hawk. Again, it was apparent the men knew one another well.
“Cougar-in-the-Night, to be exact,” Hawk said, his eyes tauntingly on the major in return.
“Apparently, he wants you to realize that I am Sioux as well as a member of the United States Cavalry,” Sloan Trelawny said, amused. “Just in case you had missed the heritage in my features. Your husband and I grew up together. Our paths seem to keep crossing.”
“You’re Sioux—and with the cavalry?”
“My dear Lady Douglas, at times the cavalry seems to be peopled with more Indians than the plains themselves. I am with the cavalry, yes.”
“But no, he doesn’t go shooting his own people,” Hawk interjected for him. “Sloan is a scout and liaison.”
“How interesting. But don’t your own people try to shoot at you upon occasion?”
He shook his head. “Not so far. When I speak, they may not like what I have to say. But they know that the words they hear from me are true. It’s my job to battle graft and corruption.”
“And the Crows, now and then. Not to mention old friends.”
“I’m cut to the quick, Hawk. Now, he’s the dangerous one,” Sloan said, indicating Hawk. “Ready to go to battle over something like an eagle feather.”
“We were four years old at the time,” Hawk said dryly.
“What he wants, he goes after.”
“I believe that could be said for you as well.”
“Ah, but the poor lady is not my wife, therefore she must be warned against you.”
“I think she stands duly warned.”
“Yes, well”—Sloan lowered his eyes as his lips twitched in a small smile—“again, we were all quite delighted to hear about the marriage.”
He was amused, Skylar thought. She wondered why. What had Hawk said to him?
“And again, sir, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You came to pay your last respects to Lord Douglas?”
“Indeed, as well as to speak with the new Lord Douglas,” Sloan Trelawny said, glancing at Hawk. Then, changing the subject, he continued. “It’s wild country you’ve come to, Lady Douglas. But among the most beautiful in all the world, I’ll warrant.”
“Yes, it’s very lovely here,” she said.
The other three men gathered around them. “Lady Douglas, may I introduce to you Sergeant Walker, Private Hamilton, and Private Stowe.” She greeted each man, relieved to see that none of the soldiers were the men who had burst in on the lodge two nights before. Apparently, they had been on some kind of mission, looking for Hawk. And just as apparently, the way thatthey had found him had caused them to delay their mission. But now these officers were here, at his house.
She realized why Sloan Trelawny appeared to be so very amused.
Every man in the army must have heard why there had been such a delay in contacting Hawk the other night. The thought brought a rush of color to her cheeks, which she was determined to subdue as she pondered the appearance of these men. This was far more than a courtesy call on behalf of the departed Lord Douglas. They definitely wanted Hawk. For what? she wondered.
“Gentlemen, shall I see you out?” Hawk said. “My dear, I’m sure you’re anxious to retire after traveling so long and hard. And taking such a curious route to your destination.” With his hand on her elbow, he led her from the parlor and saw her to the foot of the stairs. “You can find the way?” he inquired.
