With the sound of the water splashing up against the steamboat and the scent of the pines that bordered the river filling the air, she recalled again how it had all started…
It had begun with a mutual recognition of love between herself and Red Fox. And, so it had been; although, it had been almost two years ago when, after surviving a buffalo stampede, she and Red Fox had approached her father to ask for his blessing before the two of them committed the act which would make them man and wife.
Both she and Red Fox had been required as scouts to return to the Pikuni camp and relate all they had learned about the buffalo herd to the chiefs, and this they had done. Then, with their duty behind them, both she and Red Fox, with her brother George's help, had singled out about fifty of the ponies from RedFox's herd of over a hundred horses. These, both she and Red Fox had driven toward her father's homestead—it being settled in close to the confluence of the Marias and the Teton Rivers…
Both Briella and Red Fox were smiling at one another as they walked the short distance to her parents' homestead. Red Fox's buffalo pony and her own horse were trailing behind them as Red Fox and she led their mounts by their buckskin reins. They had left fifty of Red Fox's best horses in a pasture about a quarter mile away from her parents' home.
Shortly, they came into sight of her parents' ranch. She swooned a little, it being hard for her to believe this handsome man—so good, so kind and patient with her—loved her, too.
She had always admired him; he, with his full lips, straight nose and his kind, dark, almost-black eyes. He was tall and slim with a straight posture, and because it was the height of summer, he was dressed in only breechcloth and leggings, leaving his chest bare except for the long blue-and-white-beaded looping necklace that fell down over his breast. Two long strands of ermine fur fell down from his ears, while two slender strands of blue-and-white-beaded shells were attached to his hair in front, and fell down to his chin on each side of his face. He wore the front locks of his hair straight up, Pikuni style; his skin was a little darker tan than usual because of being constantly in the sun; and his scent—one of sunshine and fresh air, as well as the warm scent of masculinity—made her feel as if she might swoon. Indeed, he was the handsomest and the kindest man she had ever known.
At present, there was a leather belt of extra bullets slung over his left shoulder and across his chest. He also carried his life-sustaining and ever-present rifle, it being suspended over his right shoulder, although he usually carried it within his arms. In this country, both were necessary for survival.
As though he were aware of her scrutiny, he glanced at her and smiled. Then, he said in his deeply masculine voice, "It will not be long now until we are one."
She returned his grin and replied, "I am so very excited. We will be married. Imagine, you and I will soon be husband and wife. You will be my man and I, your woman."
His response to her was another gorgeously attractive smile.
But, this conversation was all they had time for because they were only several yards away from the gate surrounding her parents' home. Still, Briella couldn't help but smile when both she and Red Fox stepped—their hands touching again—to the gate.
As though he had been expecting them, her father was waiting for them at the gate's entrance. Her parent said nothing, however; nothing at all to warn her of what was to come.
As soon as she and Red Fox trod to within hearing distance of her father, Briella listened to Red Fox as he spoke in his, oh-so-masculine voice, and watched as he grinned, she hearing him say, "Mr. Fehér, in a fine pasture on your property, I have left fifty ponies, the best of my herd, to give to you because I would have your daughter become one with me."
Briella smiled so greatly, she could barely contain the joy sweeping through her. She knew her father would say yes. Why would he not? Her elder sister had married Stands Strong, famed scout and medicine man. Her brother had married Sipat-simo-aki, Sweetgrass Woman, Red Fox's sister.
She watched her father look at Red Fox and then at her before he returned his gaze to Red Fox. He then said,"Son, much as I like and admire you, I fear I cannot allow my youngest daughter to marry you."
Briella's smile faded, and she looked anxiously at Red Fox. But, if Red Fox were aware of her glance, he did not show it. Indeed, she watched as the joy he might have felt earlier drained away from his countenance, leaving no trace upon his face of his former elation.
Her father went on speaking, however, and he said, "Much as I respect what you've done for Briella over these years, I cannot sanction a union between the two of you. My eldest daughter is now married to an Indian, and my son George is married to your sister. I had no say in these marriages. They were done without my knowledge or approval, and I have made the best of it. But, when it comes to my youngest daughter, I must insist she marry a man of my choice, as is the custom in my country and in my family."
Red Fox didn't utter a word back to her father. Instead, Red Fox gazed at her and she back at him. He tried to speak, but no words issued forth from his mouth. Indeed, the shock upon his countenance said more than words could have.
And so, Briella spoke up in his stead, and she said, "Father, I am in love with Red Fox, and he with me. I wish to marry him and no one else. This very day, Red Fox saved my life at the risk of his own when we were both caught up within a buffalo stampede; a stampede I had caused. Doesn't this, alone, give him the right to marry me?"
Her father hesitated and asked Red Fox, "Is this true?"
Signing the word for "yes," Red Fox nodded.
Her father looked away from them and hesitated, but, at length, he said, "This makes my decision hard, very hard, indeed. But, I cannot relent."
"But, Father!"
"No," her father continued. "Much as I value what you have done for my daughter, Red Fox, there is a problem with a marriage between you and my daughter Briella."
"Father!" Briella protested. "There is no problem."
Ignoring her, her father spoke more directly to Red Fox, and he explained, "As you know, four weeks ago Briella's brother Frederic returned here by way of a steamboat's passage, he having been situated in the city of New York all this time. He brought with him his wife and daughter, and has also enlightened me with news of there being many a young man in New York City of great fortune and good breeding who are eligible for marriage. Although you, Red Fox, do not know the marriage customs of my former country, it is traditional for both a woman and a man to enrich the wealth of their parents' fortune by their marriage. My daughter Briella has known nothing else but this western land and your people who live here. Of course she thinks she is in love with you, Red Fox, but this is only because she has not met other people of her own kind and class. No, I fear my answer must be no."
"Father, please listen to me—"
"I cannot, my daughter. Try to understand why I must do this. For you, I will give the chance your sister and your brother did not have. For you, I will ensure the opportunity to meet others more like yourself will be granted. I intend you to journey to New York with Frederic, where you will stay with him and his family. Once there, you will meet others like yourself who have fortune and aristocratic heritage. I have spoken to my eldest son, and I can honestly say I have given this much thought these last few weeks. I am afraid my mind on the matter is made up."
Glancing at Red Fox, Briella noticed his countenance did not mirror the horror she was feeling.
"I am sorry, Red Fox," said her father, continuing. "As you know, I have loved you like a son. But, heritage will win out, and I must give this opportunity to Briella."
