He tipped his hat to them and asked, "Are you young ladies ready to disembark?"
"Disembark? Are we almost to Fort McKenzie?"
"Yes, indeed. We should arrive there in a few hours. I have come to advise you both to consider going below and packing up your belongings. Do you have someone meeting you at Fort McKenzie?"
"Yes, sir," answered Amelia. "My sister lives with the Blackfeet, and I believe she and her husband will have traveled to the fort to meet us. If they are not immediately in residence there, I know they will be coming to the fort shortly thereafter."
"Good. Good. Now, did you say your sister lives with the Blackfeet?"
"Yes, sir." It was all she said. She didn't wish to explain her sister's situation. After all, while it might be common for a mountain man or a trader to marry an Indian woman, the opposite—a white woman marrying an Indian husband—was simply not done; not in polite society, anyway.
But, her sister didn't care for "polite society." And, in truth, neither did Amelia.
Wouldhebe there to greet her? Even though she had a few reasons to doubt the wisdom of coming back into this territory, excitement began to course through her. Suddenly her stomach jumped into her throat, and she swallowed, hard, trying to dampen down the feeling of anticipation.
What would he look like now after he had reached the age of twenty-and-four? Would he be as handsome as he had been at the age of nineteen?
What would he think of her? She was grown up enough now. Indeed, she'd had several offers of marriage, as well as the other problem….
Would he consider she might be pretty? Would he begin to think of her as a woman, instead of a child? Or would he still insist upon the two of them remaining mere friends?
All at once, she felt unsure of herself. It was an unusual circumstance for her…she, who was usually so certain.
Glancing at the captain, who seemed to be waiting for her to explain her sister's plight, she simply smiled up at him and said, "We are very appreciative of your care during this entire journey. You have made it quite pleasant. But, if you will please excuse us, I believe we must pack."
A surprised look came over the captain's countenance, as though he were not used to being so easily dismissed. But, he recovered quickly, and, bowing from the waist, raised his hat as he said, "By all means, ladies. By all means. Let me know if I or any of my crew can be of any help to either of you."
"Thank you, Captain. Thank you very much."
