White Flame Read Online Free PDF Page A

face behind her fan, Emma allowed herself a smug grin when she recalled several times that the prospect of raising Renny had sent less-than-desirable prospective suitors running. She sighed. Maybe, maybe this time, it would be different. Hope stirred deep inside her heart. Derek had made his intentions clear, even if he was getting rather pushy about it. Perhaps she’d give him a chance. She did find him attractive. Catching sight of his broad shoulders as he rode past, she waved the fan a bit faster.
    Renny continued to bounce around. Emma drew her brows together in her sternest glare and snapped her fan closed. “Renny, do sit still. Young ladies don’t squirm and wiggle about.” As usual, her reprimand fell on deaf ears. The girl’s youthful energy knew no bounds.
    “Ranait!”
    “Oh, Emma, you sound just like Aunt Ida.” Renny flounced back against the leather seat with a pout. But a half hour later, the young girl’s eyes grew heavy and drifted shut.
    Grateful for the blessed silence, Emma closed her eyes and despite the jarring ride, she too dozed, dreaming about the handsome captain. She woke hours later when the coach came to a standstill.
    Glancing out of the window, she saw Derek approaching. When the door opened, she sighed in relief. “Are we stopping for the night?”
    He nodded and held out his gloved hand. Emma gratefully accepted his assistance from the torturous confines of the coach. Renny jumped down on her own, wide-awake and chittering like a magpie.
    Leaving the men to set up camp, Emma walked down to the river, easing the tightness from her legs and back. After finding some concealing bushes to take care of her needs, she went to the water’s edge and knelt down to splash the cool, revitalizing water on her face and neck. She rubbed her aching shoulders, longing for a nice hot soak in a tub. She was sick of traveling. Sick of wearing the same dress.
    She brushed at the dirt and wrinkles lining her green dress, but it didn’t help. Now she wished she’d kept more than two changes of clothing with her, but she hadn’t expected further delays. Sitting back on her heels, she tried to still her impatience. This whole trip had been fraught with delays from the very beginning. What was another day or two?
    Enjoying her solitude, she luxuriated in the peace and quiet. Across the river, a flock of birds hidden in the treetops took to the air in wild chattering flight. Her tired gaze lowered to thedeep shadows across the river. She let out a sharp gasp when Indians on horseback emerged from the shadows. Frightened by their sudden appearance, Emma jumped to her feet, picked up her skirts and ran back to camp.
    “Derek!” Her voice squeaked with fright. “Look!” Pointing, she pulled his arm, interrupting his conversation with two of his men.
    Derek took one look at the approaching visitors and swore. He pulled her behind him. “What the hell does he want?” He signaled his men. Rifles were drawn.
    “You know him?” Emma’s voice quavered when one of the savages dismounted and approached. The other four remained on horseback a short distance away.
    Derek kept his gaze trained on the approaching Indian. “I know him. Wait here.” He handed her over to a young private named Edmond who stepped in front of her, his body shielding hers. Another soldier joined them.
    Nervous and afraid, Emma glanced around. Renny, where was she? She breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted the child surrounded by three soldiers, all of whom had their rifles trained on the group of intruders. She returned her attention to Derek and the Indian. Fear trailed down her spine. What did these savages want? Seconds ticked into long, agonizing minutes. Emma peeked between her two guards’ shoulders at the rag-tag group of Natives.
    Never had she seen such a frightening sight. Their hair hung down over their shoulders in dull, stringy strands and their bodies bore several days’ worth of dirt and grime. Faced with such