He reached out and, putting a finger under her chin, brought her face up until he stared down directly into her eyes. He questioned, "I have this night asked you to become my woman. Are you now saying you would rather I ruin you instead of you receiving the honor that marrying me would bring you?"
She bit her lip, and again the tears fell down over her cheeks. She whispered, "I suppose seeing my request from your viewpoint, I…I am."
"Why?" he asked. "I do not wish to taint your reputation or shatter your life, and what you are asking of me would do this to you. Understand me; everyone in my village would become aware of what we were doing if I were to act as you suggest. It would not be good for you, and it would not be good for me. My people would think—"
"I know."
He looked away from her and stepped back, putting distance between them. "Why do you ask this of me? And, why are you willing to ruin yourself in the eyes of my people?"
"Because," she said, "I am in a little trouble."
"A little?"
"Yes, a little, and I have a good reason for asking this of you."
"I am waiting to hear it," he said, his voice hard and colored with doubt.
Once again, she sighed. "I guess to answer your question about why I might be willing to ruin my reputation, I must tell you about what has happened to me and my family in these intervening years. Perhaps in the telling of it, you might understand better why I am here and why my mother supports me in my adventure to come to your village and get to know you."
"Áa.You must tell me this, since what you do will involve me, also. But, have I heard this correctly? Your mother wishes me to lie with you without marriage?"
"No. She doesn't know that part of it. Only I do, and now you, too…." Her words trailed away.
"I still do not understand. But, I will never fully know what troubles you if only I talk. You must tell me more. I will listen."
Amelia glanced out toward the prairie extending all the way to the horizon. The night had already fallen around them, and, looking up into the darkness above them, she set her sights upon a single star, hoping it would give her the courage to say what must be said….
