Read Online Louisa Rawlings by Forever Wild - Free Book Online

ten-dollar greenback in my vest pocket at the end of the summer. And glad I already have my ticket home.”
    Marcy’s heart felt as if it had dropped into the pit of her stomach. He was obviously poorer than she had imagined. A man like that wouldn’t want the burden of a wife.
    “Don’t fret, Drewry,” said Dr. Marshall kindly. “Old Jack said she’s skilled at roughing it, but we both agreed that the going rate of two fifty a day was a little steep for a female. We settled on a dollar fifty a day, plus her weekly board of two dollars for supplies. And her meal vouchers if we stop at any hotels or boardinghouses along the chain. And I don’t see why we can’t divide the cost among ourselves—it doesn’t amount to that much per man. What do you say?”
    Drew shook his head. “I don’t know. I make that out to be fifteen, twenty dollars—at the very least—for every man. I just don’t have that kind of money with me.”
    “See here, Bradford. I’ll pay your share.” William Stafford fished a cigar out of his breast pocket and bit off the tip. He struck a match against the sole of one fine leather boot and took several deep puffs of his cigar. The smoke that drifted in Marcy’s direction was rich and aromatic.
    She thought, Whatever the buccaneer does for a living, he must do it well.
    “Well, Bradford? You can pay me back whenever you’re able. I’d quite understand.” For a moment Stafford’s eyes focused on Drew’s paint-spattered boots; then he smiled at the other man and exhaled a stream of blue smoke.
    “I can forward you the money as soon as I return to New York City,” said Drew softly. “I’m obliged to you, sir.”
    Stafford allowed his gaze to travel the length of Marcy’s lush form. “I’m not sure I’m doing it for you, sir.”
    Drew smiled disarmingly. “I’m not sure that’s a gentlemanly thing to say, sir.”
    Marcy bit her lip. In a strange way, they seemed to be engaged in some sort of battle, though neither man had stopped smiling. And she seemed to be a part of it. It was frightening and exciting all at the same time. And brand-new. Zeb was a boy. These were men—strange and unfamiliar to her. She felt a moment’s panic.
    She thought, Am I getting in over my head?
    “Well, I don’t like it.” George Heyson’s fingers played with the rock he still held. “A female doesn’t belong on a jaunt like this!”
    “I beg your pardon, George!” Mrs. Marshall’s face began to turn red.
    “Cynthia…I…I didn’t mean…you’re not…”
    “Not what, George? Not female?” Mrs. Marshall’s voice was growing shrill. “In all the years you’ve known Lewis and me, I’ve never heard you say a crueler thing.”
    The fingers had now become quite agitated. Marcy thought the rock would fly out of Heyson’s hand.
    “That’s not what I meant at all. Not at all,” he stammered. “I just don’t see what a young chit like that can contribute to the seriousness of our expedition.”
    Old Jack stepped forward. “She’s a good hunter, Mr. Heyson. She’ll more than earn her keep in game. You won’t regret it.”
    “I don’t like it, Lewis. We don’t need her.”
    “I don’t see why Miss Tompkins can’t come along,” said Drew.
    Old Jack turned to Mrs. Marshall. “I appeal to you, ma’am,” he said mournfully. “The girl had her heart set on going. My poor dead brother’s only child…orphaned and alone in the world, with no one but me. To be at the mercy of strangers while I’m away…”
    Tarnation! thought Marcy. What’s Uncle Jack trying to do? She’d begged him to do what he could to arrange things, but she didn’t expect he’d start pouring out all that hogwash! He sounded like the actors in the melodrama she’d seen last year down at North Creek.
    And all because that high-nosed Mr. Heyson didn’t think that females could do anything.
    “Oh, balderdash!” she cried. Marching to the rifles lined up on the beach, she snatched up her own weapon and