“Come,” James said. “Let’s return and bring the settlers up to the fort. Your family is in need of a warm house again.”
“In a moment.” Arran lifted the book off the floor that McLeod had dropped earlier. It was far too familiar.
“Eleanor’s journal?” James asked.
“Aye.” Anger slithered through Arran’s chest, knowing that McLeod had read Eleanor’s personal words. It was her heart on the page, he was certain, though he himself had never read what she’d written. He set the book on the shelf near the fireplace. “I will see that it’s restored to its rightful owner before the night is through.”
They left the governor’s house and returned to their canoes. About thirty men were charged with bringing the colonists back to the fort.
Arran could not wait for Eleanor and Miriam to come home.
A flash of lightning was soon followed by another crash of thunder. Eleanor shivered as she sat in the dark tent with Miriam, Nicolette, Isla, Fiona, and the four Ferguson children. No one said a word as the rain pounded against the canvas. Miriam had fallen asleep in Eleanor’s arms, for which Eleanor was thankful. It would have been difficult to keep the child occupied and entertained in the crowded tent.
“I’ve made my decision,” Fiona whispered next to Eleanor.
“And what decision is that?” Eleanor asked.
“I’ve consented to marry Mr. Aiken.”
Eleanor smiled. “He’s a good man.”
“It hasn’t been an easy decision.” Fiona held Catriona in her arms. The child was also sleeping. “I miss my Angus with every breath I take, but I ken he’s not coming back. I need to move on and start living my life again. Mr. Aiken has promised to love my children as his own, which is what’s most important to me.”
“I’m so happy you’ve made the decision. Mr. Aiken will work hard for you and the children.”
“I told him I’d marry him in the custom of the country, but he insists we wait for a priest or minister to visit Assiniboia to do the honors. He doesna want to start our marriage off without it being blessed. I told him it could be a long time before a clergyman visits, but he said he’ll wait. And while we wait, he’ll begin to care for us.” Fiona’s voice caught. “I dinna ken what I did to deserve such a man.”
“You are a wonderful woman, Fiona.” Eleanor reached out and squeezed her friend’s hand. “Don’t ever think less of yourself. You deserve the very best.”
“Thank ye for yer friendship, Eleanor. I dinna ken what I’d do without ye.” Fiona squeezed her hand back. “Do ye think ye’ll stay on at Assiniboia?”
Eleanor and Arran had not spoken extensively about their future. So much depended upon the success or failure ofrecapturing Fort Douglas. Once that was done, and after Lord Selkirk’s arrival, they would have a better understanding of what the colony needed.
“I would very much like to stay,” Eleanor confided to Fiona. “Though I don’t know how my husband feels.” Ever since the massacre, Arran had seemed intent upon taking Eleanor and Miriam away from the Red River Valley.
“I hope ye stay.” Fiona’s face was hard to see in the pitch-black tent, but Eleanor could almost hear a smile in her voice.
It had been at least two hours since the men had left them. Eleanor had no way of knowing when Arran might come back for her. And with each passing moment, her nerves became tauter. If their enemies knew that fifty defenseless women and children were huddled in the small tents along the banks of the river, they would be like sitting prey, easy to pick off. The very thought sent a shiver up her spine.
Everything was wet and cold, and it was almost impossible to get comfortable. Eleanor’s muscles ached and she prayed they would not have to remain this way until morning.
“Do ye hear that?” Fiona asked.
Eleanor strained to listen, but she could hear nothing over the sound of the rain hitting the canvas.
“It sounds like someone’s approaching us.”
“I pray to God it’s our men and not the enemy,” Eleanor said, almost to herself.
In a few minutes, Eleanor was able to hear it, too. The sound of men approaching on the river.
Could it be Arran so soon? Her heart picked up its pace and she clutched Miriam closer.
The flap of the tent suddenly opened and Arran stood there. “’Tis done.”
Eleanor closed her eyes briefly, whispering a prayer of thanksgiving.
“Let’s go home, lassies.” Arran offered his hand to Eleanor and helped her off the cot she’d been sitting on. He took Miriam from her.
