"I'll be with her," Hunter explained.
Taken aback for a moment, Captain Henderson nevertheless attempted to smile as though he had often seen young ladies from Virginia travel with Indian escorts. Knowing Hunter to be an expert with his fists, he took care not to insult him. "Will you be wanting a cabin, too, or simply passage on deck?"
"My wife and I will share her cabin," Hunter replied.
Assuming Hunter was referring to an Indian woman, Captain Henderson hurriedly surveyed the dock, but he didn't see any women, Indian or otherwise. "Where is your wife? We've a schedule to keep, and must be on our way the instant Mr. Barclay's coffin is loaded on board."
Since they had returned from the forest, Hunter had had several opportunities to refer to Alanna as his wife, and he had savored every one. He was proud to be her husband, but he also took a perverse pleasure in watching how badly he shocked people when he announced the fact. He slipped his hand around Alanna's waist and drew her close.
"She's standing right here."
Predictably, Captain Henderson's mouth fell agape. Alanna had impressed him as
being a cultured woman, and he could not reconcile her obvious good breeding with Hunter's announcement. In his travels, he had met a brave or two with a white wife, but he would never describe those women as ladies.
"I don't know what to say," he blurted out.
"You needn't say anything," Alanna responded. "We shan't delay your departure. Hunter's friends are waiting to bring the coffin on board. If you'll just direct them where to put it, we can get under way."
That she could provide such poised directions under what he considered the most wretched of circumstances, sent a shiver down the captain's spine, and preferring to concentrate on his duties rather than the scandalous nature of her choice of husband, he gave a slight bow and excused himself. Hunter returned to the dock to supervise the loading of the coffin, and Alanna moved to the far rail, where the tranquil view of the Mohawk River was undisturbed.
She had such ghastly memories of her stay in the area, it was difficult to contemplate returning to make it her home. She tried to think only of how blissfully happy Hunter made her feel, but she had seen too many men die for that joy to be complete. When Hunter came to her side, she attempted unsuccessfully to hide her sorrow behind a brave smile.
With no hope of being accepted by her aunt and uncle, Hunter readily understood Alanna's downcast mood, and did not torture her further by commenting on it. They were together, and he hoped the prospects for a pleasant life would not elude them forever. As the barge pulled away from the dock, he drew his bride into his arms, and held her for a long moment before speaking.
"I hope the captain's lack of manners didn't embarrass you. I'm afraid his startled reaction is the best we can hope to receive."
"We shan't see him again until our next voyage up the Hudson. It doesn't matter what he thinks."
While Hunter admired her resolve, he was sorry loving him complicated her life. "If things become too difficult, we may have to pretend to be traveling separately," he suggested.
"Are you ashamed of me?"
She looked sincerely distressed by that possibility, and Hunter hastened to reassure her. "No, of course not, but I don't want people to say mean things to you, because you're with me."
He was a tall, well-built, handsome man, but he was also clearly an Indian, and Alanna understood exactly what he meant. "If tasteless gossip bothered me, I'd not have become your wife. Now let's think no more about problems, and simply enjoy the view."
Hunter leaned close to whisper in her ear. "The river isn't half as pretty as you. Which cabin is yours?"
When he winked at her, Alanna knew exactly what he wanted. Thinking that losing themselves in each other preferable to dreading the difficulties that lay ahead, she took his hand and led the way. Her cabin was small, and the bunk almost too narrow for two, but neither uttered a single word of complaint. By the time the barge finally docked in New York City, the bond affection had forged between them was deep, but Alanna had not forgotten that Christian's future still lay in doubt.
"Elliott had inquired about passage to Newport News, but we hadn't expected to remain so long with you. I'm sure we'll have to begin making the arrangements all over again."
"I know how to find a ship," Hunter assured her. "While I do, I want you to stay on board with Elliott's coffin. Not that it would get lost, but it could easily become misplaced among the barge's other cargo, if there isn't someone here to prevent it, and that mustn't happen. It will only take me an hour or two to find a ship bound for Virginia. Will you wait here for me?"
Equally concerned that the coffin reach Williamsburg safely, Alanna thought his suggestion sensible and readily agreed. They informed Captain Henderson of their plans, and Alanna found a convenient place to wait on deck until Hunter returned. The Indian hadn't been gone more than five minutes, before the captain came to her side.
"Miss Barclay, I've just learned that a ship belonging to a friend of mine is sailing for Newport News on the evening tide. I could have my men transfer your late cousin's coffin on board right now, if you like."
Disappointed his offer hadn't come a few minutes earlier, Alanna frowned as she responded. "If only you'd known that before Hunter left, it would have saved him what I'm afraid may prove to be a great deal of effort. I'll have to wait until he returns. If he hasn't completed making arrangements, then perhaps he can speak to your friend."
Believing he was doing her a favor, Captain Henderson rephrased his offer. "Miss Barclay, forgive me for what I fear will seem to be an intrusion in your life, but I have your very best interests at heart, and I hope you'll accept my advice in the spirit in which it's intended. You must know that a liaison which might be tolerated in the backwoods will be severely criticized among Virginia's far more genteel society. Please consider leaving now.
"When Hunter returns, I'll tell him you've already left for home. It will spare you the embarrassment of dealing with the brave, and no one in Virginia need ever learn of your acquaintance with him."
"You're right," Alanna informed him with an icy calm that belied the fury of her outrage. "I do consider your advice an unwarranted intrusion in our lives. Will you please have your men place my cousin's coffin on the dock? I don't wish to remain on your ship another minute."
The captain raised his hands in a plea for understanding. "Please, Miss Barclay, just consider my suggestion. Hunter referred to you as his wife, but did a clergyman actually conduct a ceremony, or is he following the tradition of his people which requires no legal sanction for a marriage?"