Nicolette was making breakfast near the campfire outside their tent and Miriam sat close to her on a mat, gnawing on a sea biscuit, which proved to be soothing to the child’s teething gums.
“Has Isla not come out yet?” Eleanor asked. Isla was usually the first one up.
“Old John not well,” Nicolette told her, trouble in her eyes. “Isla see to him.”
Concern wedged between Eleanor’s brows, but before she could move to their tent, a familiar figure appeared near their campfire.
Chait Fraser came to a stop with a nod. “Good morning.”
Nicolette lifted her nose to the man and pretended he was not there. She was not fond of the Nor’wester and was not alone in her feelings. Almost everyone at Jack River House wondered why he stayed on. The fort was held by the Hudson’s Bay Company and there were no North West Company posts nearby. It had been his job to safely deliver the settlers to Jack River House and then be gone—yet he stayed for these six weeks.
He was an affable fellow and had known the chief factor, Mr. Barlas, who had served at Brandon House when Chait was a child. Chait’s father and Mr. Barlas had been good friends, even though they served opposing companies. Mr. Barlas had invited Chait to remain at Jack River House for as long as he liked—though most people had thought he overstayed his welcome.
Eleanor didn’t mind him. He was a refined man with a taste for the elegant. He was also well-read and intelligent. They had enjoyed many stimulating conversations about books and poetry since their arrival at Jack River House, making him a frequent visitor to their campfire.
“Good morning,” Eleanor said. “Would you care to join us for breakfast?”
Chait shook his head. “No, thank you.” He hesitated and glanced at Nicolette, who had her back to him, then he spoke to Eleanor. “May I have a word with ye?”
“Of course.” She waited for him to speak, but he tilted his head toward the shores of the lake.
“In private,” he said.
Nicolette looked at Eleanor, a question in her eyes, but went back to her work. She never spoke up unless Eleanor invited her to, and even then, she was slow to give her opinions.
“I don’t have much time before I need to start school,” Eleanor said, “but I can give you a few minutes.”
The fort sloped down a gentle incline toward the water and there were very few trees on the shoreline. It was all wide-open spaces, with a vast sky overhead. The sun was now low on the horizon, promising another warm day.
“I am leaving Jack River House soon,” Chait said as they walked slowly toward the lake.
“I was wondering when you might go.”
“I have been delaying my departure.” He came to a stop and faced her. He was a handsome man who wore the elegant clothes of a gentleman bourgeois. Dark trousers, black boots, a white shirt with a royal-blue suitcoat, and a white cravat. Though he was an easy conversationalist, there was reservation in his eyes—as if he was holding something back. He spoke eloquently about any number of things, but when it came to his own personal thoughts and feelings, he rarely shared them. Instead, he would wax on about philosophical ideals, and other people’s opinions. In the weeks they’d spent together, she didn’t truly feel as if she’d come to know Chait Fraser.
“We all thought you would leave Jack River House as soon as we arrived here.”
He smiled. “I have been rather preoccupied of late, and had no wish to leave until I had settled my mind.”
“Oh?” Was he hoping she could shed light on one of his problems? He seemed to enjoy her opinions. Was that what he was looking for now? “May I be of help?”
“I believe ye may.”
“I would be happy to offer whatever assistance is needed. What has your mind troubled?”
“It’s not troubled.” He laughed, almost to himself. “Rather, it’s been captured—by ye.”
She frowned, uncertain what he meant.
“No one has ever captured my heart before, Miss Brooke, so it has left me a little befuddled.”
Eleanor’s mouth slipped open, but she was speechless. He had not once shown a romantic interest, or if he had, she had not noticed. She’d always thought herself to be a good judge of such things.
“I—I didn’t expect—”
“Neither did I.” He put his hands behind his back and focused all his attention on her. “I am a man who takes a long time to make up my mind, but when I do, it’s rarely changed.”
“I’m flattered, Mr. Fraser, but—”
