Page 37 of The Last Warrior

“It wasn’t until after I confessed my condition to him when I realized it would be perfect, if he would do it. Marry him, have my child and return to England a married woman. And yet, it is not as perfect as it could have been. For it was never my intention to use Black Lion completely. You see, if he were already married, it could have been done with little inconvenience to him.”

“Ah,” said Irena, “yes. But he is not married. He told me this, himself, when I asked him about it. Or perhaps I should say he was not married. Now tell me, did he object to the rather harsh living arrangements which will be necessary between the two of you? If you are to live apart?”

“He did not seem to. Although it would have eased my conscience considerably if he could take a wife besides me. But alas, it does no good to think of this now. It appears the old ways of the American Indian are not well tolerated on the new reservations.”

“Indeed not. I do, however, think it strange that Black Lion should so willingly agree to the arrangement. He is a robust man. One would think he would aspire to the marital state, in all its bliss.”

Suzette, despite herself, could feel the blush rush over her cheeks. “He did tell me that he has never intended to marry, and so it mattered little to him if he were able to take another wife or not.”

“Did he now?” Irena arched a brow. “I wonder why.”

Suzette shrugged.

“Well, be this as it may,” said Irena, “your mother did write to me about Lady Blair continuing to give you problems.”

“True...true.” Suzette pulled a face. “I must say that Lady Blair can be quite cruel in her whisperings.”

“Her kind is often cruel.”

“Perhaps, but I had liked her very much at one time.”

“Your mother did tell me you had somehow done a deed which had her quite put out. What exactly did you do?”

“Well, it happened after a performance. I saw William and Miss Abernathy together, and I… If you must know, I took off my glove, I slapped William’s face and I called him a cad.”

“He is a cad.”

“Very true. Yet it was put about that I was guilty of much more than this. Indeed, it was said I begged him to come back to me, offering myself to him.”

“Considering your position, it would not have been a great crime, my dear, even if you had done so.”

“But I did not do it.” Suzette’s head came up. “If I am to be punished, let it be for something I did, not a deed I did not do and never would have done. It was also said I misrepresented myself to him as being a woman of honor, and when he had discovered that I was not, due to…circumstances, he’d had no choice but to break the engagement.” Even now, Suzette could feel herself blush with the remembrance. Never had she been so humiliated, nor so angry.

“What terrible gossip.” Irena’s face was red as she spoke. “Terrible, ugly and so much a lie. Who was it, do you think, who fueled the gossip? William or his mother?”

“I am not clear on what happened, exactly. It could have been William, although, as I further considered it, I do think he is too inept to have invented such a lie. Then there was my understudy, Miss Abernathy, as well, for you and I know well the jealousy which abounds in our profession. Or mayhap it truly was Lady Blair who set the gossip into motion. But regardless of my feelings in the matter, whoever first started the rumor is not important. Not anymore. I am over it. The only important matter to me now is my child, and making a good home for him or her.” Absentmindedly, she rubbed her stomach.

“And so this should be your first thought.” She paused. “You say Black Lion knows of your condition?”

“Yes. It was one of the first questions he asked me.”

“And he is willing to be your husband in all the ways, except perhaps one, yet let you raise the child alone?”

Suzette made a face. “No. He was quite adamant about his rights concerning the child. While he will not take him or her away from me, he would like to come to know the child.”

“Yes, I would imagine he would. The American Indians take seriously their duty as a mother or father. Though he will not say or do anything with the child that might upset you, he will want to figure largely in the child’s life.”

“And he may…while I am here. But perhaps you should be alert to the fact I plan to return to England, and when I do, I will devote my life to my child and to my career.”

Irena nodded. “It is a worthy endeavor. And now, I have one further question. Are you hungry?”

“Indeed I am. Especially after a talk such as this.” Suzette smiled.

“Then pray, let us ring for the servant and attend to our dinner.”

“Yes,” said Suzette, “this would be most fine indeed.”

Chapter