The dark outline backed toward the door, not turning away from Tanner even as he reached the opening and slipped outside.
Tanner sprang to his feet and lunged to one of the larger cracks in the wall where he could see who accompanied the man—and make sure they all left. They might have seen Curly through the fort walls when they were there in daylight, and the last thing he needed was them trying to steal the calf to trade to the Natives. They might get a year’s worth of supplies for that white buffalo.
With no moon to speak of outside, it was hard to determine how many horses stood in front of the fort. But he made out the burly figure mounting one of the animals. The man bit out a low command, then the group started out at a trot.
As the animals straggled into a line, Tanner could finally make out the forms of people atop the animals.
Four riders. Yet there had only been three when they came to trade yesterday. Was it not the same group? The voice had sounded like Purcey. His instincts had told him this was the same, and that feeling usually wasn’t wrong. They must have added another to their number.
As he leaned to better watch them disappear down the southward trail, the clouds shifted enough to allow a ray of moonlight. The brightness allowed him a better view of the person bringing up the rear of the group.
Long dark hair flowed behind a lithe body. Definitely not one of the men who’d come into the trade room.
Why would a woman travel with scoundrels such as these? It wasn’t uncommon, though, for trappers to take Native wives. Poor girl.
At least the thieves were leaving. Hopefully he’d gotten his point across and they wouldn’t be back. In the morning, he should tell White Horse and Lorelei about the break-in so they could be on their guard.
And from here on out, he’d sleep lightly. Just in case.
“Someone should build a tearoom in this wilderness.”
The sound of the polished accent reached Lorelei’s ears long before the man’s words could be identified.
She studied White Horse, who’d moved to peer out the open doorway of the trade room. He didn’t look worried, only alert, as he watched whoever was approaching. At least one was an Englishman, from the accent.
A glance over her shoulder at the rear door showed Tannerstill hadn’t returned from the storage room. She’d brought the midday meal for the men and planned to eat with them both, but Tanner had said he needed to retrieve a load of supplies while he finally had a lull in customers.
Should she go get him? If these were Natives or even seasoned trappers, she wouldn’t hesitate to leave White Horse to manage for a few minutes. But an Englishman? Perhaps she should stay here and send White Horse to the storage room. But the thought of being alone with strange men clenched her insides in a knot. Just because at least one accent sounded like the newcomers haled from across the ocean didn’t mean they were gentlemen.
She moved the plate of meat and cheese to the shelf below the trade counter and stepped forward to stand beside White Horse. She could at least offer a proper greeting. Tanner had said he would only be gone a few minutes, and his keen hearing would likely alert him to the sound of new voices.
Four men halted their horses at the hitching rail, but two of them immediately snagged her gaze, with their cravats and morning coats, not to mention tall riding boots. She slid a look over the other two. One looked like all the other trappers in the area, maybe a guide these men had hired. The fourth dressed like a servant, in simple trousers and dark woolen shirt. What in the world were any of them doing in this part of the country?
The man in the trousers slid to the ground and moved to the horses ridden by the dapper pair. Neither gentleman dismounted; they just sat eyeing the trading post, their faces easily revealing their opinions. The man on the right peered at the place down the length of his nose. A nose wrinkled in clear distaste.
But the gent on the left moistened his lips with his tongue, scanning the trade room with a longing look. He murmured to his companion, but his voice carried loud enough for Lorelei to make out the words. “If we are to find a cup of tea in this wilderness, this appears to be a likely place.”
The moment the snooty fellow caught sight of her, his eyes flashed wide, then narrowed as a slow smile spread over his face. He reached up and removed the bowler from atop his head as his friend glanced her way too. The smile that lit that one’s eyes made them crinkle at the edges. This fellow’s manner seemed as genial as his friend’s was distasteful.
Still, she was representing Tanner, so she had to be her most welcoming self. “Greetings, gentlemen. Welcome to our trading post.”
The man with the kind eyes dismounted in a quick motion and left his horse in the care of the servant before striding toward her. He halted a few steps away and removed his hat, bowing low. “Madam, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I’m sure.”
As he straightened, he caught sight of White Horse, who stood to the side of the doorway in the shadows. His eyes widened just as his friend’s had when he’d first seen her.
She motioned quickly. “Allow me to introduce White Horse, a trusted friend.”
The other gentleman approached behind the first and stopped at his side. “I’m Lord Henry Brevard, Viscount of Draconshire. And this is Lord Fitzgerald, Baron of Wilton-on-Sea.” His eyes scanned the interior behind her. “Is Mr. Mason available to do business?”
Lord Fitzgerald gave her another of those friendly smiles,this one tinged with apology for his friend’s brusque and almost-dismissive manner. “We were overjoyed to find a shop out in the midst of this field. As you can imagine, we’ve the need for a great many things after traveling so far.”
She stepped back and to the side, motioning for them to enter. “Please, come in. Feel free to browse the shelves while I call Mr. Mason.” She glanced past the men to make it clear her welcome extended to all.
The buckskin-clad fellow still sat atop his mule, wrists crossed and resting on the front of his saddle. He gave her a nod to acknowledge her offer, but didn’t seem in a hurry to dismount. Perhaps he’d already been put in place by these two lords.
While the two Englishmen strolled in and began to peruse the section where she’d just reorganized trade beads, she moved to the rear door and pushed it open enough to poke her head out.
Tanner strode across the open area, and when he saw her, his mouth curved in a grin. He must’ve caught her expression, though, for the smile slipped away, and his step lengthened. She worked to remove any trace of worry from her look. Having customers was a good thing. She simply didn’t feel as comfortable without Tanner there.
