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Hunter thought that over for a moment, and then shook his head. "No, that's a poor plan. The crew of the barge will all be drunk tonight and Alanna won't be safe on board. Stay here with me instead."
"That's really very thoughtful of you," Alanna replied, "but the crew was respectful on the voyage here, so I'm not afraid of them."
"Did the captain allow drinking?"
"I really didn't notice. Did you, Elliott?"
Elliott scuffed the toe of his shoe in the dirt. "The crew were all sober, but Hunter's probably right. They're a rough lot, and once drunk, what few manners they have will undoubtedly disappear. Does the trading post have lodgings for travelers?"
Having recovered his strength, Hunter rose with an easy stretch. "They have a few rooms, but it's no place for a lady. I know my house isn't nearly as grand as yours, but you'll be safe here. I can hang hides to make a separate room for Alanna, so she needn't sleep with us. I have venison to roast for supper. Are you hungry?"
Elliott doubted that either of them were truly safe with Hunter, but if the frontiersmen who had been watching the Indian fight were a fair sample of the trading post's clientele, he did not want Alanna near that rude bunch either. Not pleased with the choice forced upon him, he tried to make the best of it. "Will you be comfortable staying here?" he asked Alanna.
"Is the trading post really so bad?" she inquired. "I saw several ladies there, and they didn't appear to be in any danger."
Hunter winked at Elliott. "Their kind never is, but no one else ever calls them ladies."
Now realizing that the women she had mistaken for trappers' wives were not a respectable sort, Alanna came to the same conclusion as Elliott. After all, he would be there, so she'd not have to be alone with Hunter. "It's very kind of you to offer us a place to stay. I hope we won't be in your way."
Hunter's gaze swept over her slowly before he shook his head. "I will enjoy your company."
Elliott was amazed by how easily the Indian filled a simple phrase with innuendo. He was anxious to leave, but first they had business to conduct. "To answer your question, we're both hungry, but I'd like to get the statement out of the way before supper."
"The barge will not leave until noon tomorrow," Hunter reminded him, "and I'd like some time to think. I want what is best for..." he paused to regard Alanna with a rueful glance, "Christian."
Impatient to have the matter settled, Elliott wasn't at all pleased by Hunter's request. Fearing he would risk losing the Indian's cooperation if he argued, however, he tried to smile as he agreed. "Of course. I didn't mean to rush you. There's plenty of time for you to come to a decision before we leave tomorrow. Now what can we do to help you prepare supper?"
"I don't ask my guests to cook. Rest, go to the trading post if you like. I'll call you when supper is ready."
Neither Elliott nor Alanna had any desire to peruse the trading post's wares, so they sat outside the long house talking quietly until it was time to eat. Hunter produced not only venison roasted to perfection, but corncakes dripping with maple syrup. He had ale for Elliott and offered to buy wine for Alanna, but she assured him it was unnecessary.
Alanna had not expected such a delicious meal, and paid Hunter a sincere compliment. "You're a marvelous cook. I wish all of Polly's meals were this tasty."
Seneca men did not cook unless they lacked a woman to handle the chore, and Hunter took no pride in his culinary skill. He uttered a distracted word of thanks and offered his guests another corncake, which both accepted. He had not been particularly hungry at the start of the meal, but the novelty of having company soon increased his appetite. It wasn't until they had all finished eating and he had gathered up the pewter plates and utensils, that he began to regret inviting them to stay with him. He had asked for time to think, but how could he think clearly with them there?
Alanna was fascinated by the way the fire's golden light sculpted Hunter's features with constantly changing shadows. For much of the meal he had appeared to be preoccupied, but she would not fault him for being less than a charming host. All of them harbored bitter feelings, but she was grateful she had been able to convince her male companions to behave as gentlemen. She doubted many people would believe an Indian brave was even capable of such courtesy, and especially not one who had seduced a white woman, but Hunter had an intelligence and depth she could not help but admire. She then began to wonder if Christian wouldn't miss out on a valuable part of his heritage, if he never knew his father.
"Hunter," she called softly. "Christian is as much your son as he is Melissa's, and I hope you won't think that we're forgetting that fact or being unfair to you. Is there a Seneca maiden you might marry to provide a mother for him?"
Unable to understand how Alanna could ask him something so personal, Hunter simply stared at her for a long moment. She was lovely, but it hurt to look at her when she asked such foolish questions. He had to swallow hard before he could force himself to reply, but his words still rang with contempt. "I wanted Melissa for my wife, but she did not want me for a husband and denied I was the father of her child. If I ever take a wife, it will be because she pleases me, not because I need her to raise Melissa's son."
Not having meant to revive his hatred of Melissa, Alanna hastened to apologize. "I didn't mean to insult you."
"No? What did you expect? Did you think I would welcome your advice? You're little more than a child. What gives you the right to tell me who I should take as a wife?"
"I said I was sorry."
"It's too late," Hunter informed her coldly. Unable to remain with his guests another second, he rose and left the long house.
Alanna turned to Elliott. "Was what I said as rude as he made it sound?"
"No, you weren't rude at all, but he's not like us, and you can't expect logical replies from him. Come on, let's find the hides he mentioned hanging as a partition."
"Don't you think you ought to go after
him?"
"No, that will only make things worse. He'll probably be back in awhile."
