Enchanted Ecstasy Read Online Free PDF Page A

daughter. A half-breed, Kane thought. That explained her green eyes.
    Maleaha studied the handsome man. His eyes seemed to probe to the very depths of her soul. She held her breath, thinking that their meeting was predestined, that it was fated to happen, and wondered why she should feel that way.
    Kane had never been introduced to an Indian maiden before, and he did not know how to acknowledge her. Would she be insulted if he took her hand as he would if he had just been introduced to a white girl?
    Seeing indecision in his face, Maleaha nodded her beautiful head slightly and turned back to Colonel Johnson.
    "My father told me of the talk you had yesterday."
    Kane noted that her voice was lovely, deep and throaty, and her command of English was perfect. She seemed well educated.
    "Did Jonas tell you he refused to lead us to the Jojoba village?" The colonel asked her.
    "Yes, but if you will allow me to, I shall go in his stead."
    The colonel looked at her in surprise. "You would be willing to help us find Mangas?"
    Maleaha laughed. "Mangas is not lost, colonel. I know where he is."
    "Of course, you would know where Mangas is!" He looked at her thoughtfully. "If you go along, it may work out better than if Jonas had agreed to go."
    Kane circled around the desk so he could have a better view of the Indian girl. His eyes swept over her beautiful face, taking in her delicate features.
    Maleaha looked briefly at the major, then spoke to the colonel. "I have known Mangas for most of my life, so I will ask you to trust me to know the best way to approach him. It would be reckless and very foolish to ride into his camp with a group of soldiers. I will take you to Mangas, but you must come alone. Otherwise, I must refuse to go with you, as did my father."
    Colonel Johnson nodded in quick agreement. He knew her well enough to tell she meant just what she said.
    "Does your father know you are here?" The colonel asked, knowing the answer before he asked. Jonas would never allow Maleaha to go to the Jojoba village without him.
    Her eyes flashed mischievously, "No. He will be in Albuquerque for the next two weeks. By the time he returns it will be too late for him to prevent me from going."
    "He will be angry, you know," the colonel said softly. "Why are you doing this, my dear?"
    She took a deep breath. "I know Mangas, and I cannot believe he is the one responsible for the raids, and I do not want to see needless bloodshed. Tell me, colonel, do you accept my terms and agree to come alone?"
    "Yes, I gladly accept your terms, but it will be Major Benedict who will accompany you, and not me."
    Maleaha's eyes flew to the major, who was staring at her boldly. She felt instant anger at the way his eyes were moving over her body. She had never felt so disturbed by a man's attention before.
    "I would prefer that you go, colonel. Mangas is a chief; he may feel insulted if you send a mere major to talk to him," she said, giving Kane her haughtiest look. She saw anger flash in his silver eyes and smiled smugly to herself, knowing she had struck a nerve.
    "I am sorry, my dear. I cannot get away at the moment. I am afraid Major Benedict will have to be my representative."
    Maleaha placed her hands palms down on the desk and leaned forward. "Colonel, if you are playing me false, I shall not be responsible for the consequences. Mangas is not a man to trifle with."
    "I would not try and trick you, my dear. Tell me," he said, changing the subject abruptly, "what is Mangas like? As far as I know, very few white men have ever seen him. With the exception of your father, I know of no one who has talked to him."
    "My assessment of Mangas might surprise you. I know him to be a gentle, kind man. As to no white men ever having seen him, chances are you have seen him many times without even knowing it. He often comes into Santa Fe dressed inconspicuously. You may have been as close to him as you are to me right now and never suspected who he was."
    The colonel