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  Gabrielle frowned slightly. "It looks as though I won't be making any trips except for the return to Liberty for the time being, Mr, Royal, so your question is an irrelevant one." She pulled her hand from his and placed it in her lap to avoid any further advance on his part. His glance was still far too direct, and while his interest in her seemed sincere, he made her uncomfortable. She regretted having accepted his dinner invitation.

  "Why don't you trust me?" Jason asked, surprised that she'd be so reticent about confiding in him.

  "It is not a matter of trust, Mr. Royal, for I was ready to place my life in your hands so to speak. It is simply a matter of my own choosing. I do not intend to burden you with my sorrow."

  Struck by his own insensitivity, Jason hastened to apologize. "Forgive me, you said you had buried your aunt only this morning, and I did not mean to suggest any disrespect to the woman's memory if she were dear to you."

  Gabrielle's eyes filled with tears but she blinked them away. "My aunt knew of my plans and she could not object since I am eighteen and did not require her consent to leave Liberty and go where I chose."

  Since she was at least replying to his comments, Jason prompted the lovely young woman to continue. "I wish you could have met a few of the others we spoke with today. Some were impossibly foolish, others so eager to find a husband I think I could have shown them sketches of grizzly bears and they would not have objected. None saw what you did in my drawings, that the men are real, live human beings with flaws as well as virtues who want partners to share their lives. I know them all, and frankly, none seems a fine enough man to win your love."

  Puzzled by his comment, Gabrielle didn't realize she had taken his bait as she began to describe her views in more detail. 'There was no mention of love in your advertisement, but life is too difficult to maintain on the frontier without a spouse. What you've offered provides men and women with an opportunity to meet and marry to improve their lives. If love should enter into the bargain, then both will be pleased, but even if it doesn't, both will be far better off than they would have been alone."

  Astonished that so attractive a creature would scoff at love in such a fashion, Jason asked quickly, "How can it be that you value love so little? Have you yet to feel its spell?" He

  understood love well enough himself, although he had no illusions that he would ever be so foolish as to succumb to its magic. What he enjoyed was the expression of love, which was magic in itself even if the object of his affections was a woman with whom he'd spend no more than one night.

  A wistful smile graced Gabrielle's lips as her eyes filled with sadness. '*I have been far more fortunate than most women for I have known a love of such beauty it will fill my heart to the last of my days. I know I will never encounter the same devotion in a man again, nor do I wish to try. My reasons for going to the Oregon country are purely practical ones, Mr. Royal, I am willing to marry an honest man who wishes to have a wife, but I do not expect to find love."

  Jason sat back in his chair, unable to comprehend how the amazing young woman before him could come up with two such contradictory statements in so short a span of time. Before he could ask her to explain more fully, their waiter returned to serve steaming bowls of vegetable soup which smelled so delicious they began to eat. When he glanced up, he found his guest was eating with the same hearty appetite he'd shown and he began to laugh.

  "Fm sorry, but you're obviously as hungry as I am and the food here is excellent."

  Cabrielle returned his smile as she agreed. "I've had no time to eat all day. I was afraid I'd arrive too late to speak with you, which of course I almost did. It didn't occur to me that you would select the women during the day. I thought you'd speak to everyone and then make your choices."

  "That was my suggestion, but Clayton felt it would be unfair to make those who'd come a great distance wait all day for our decision. As it turned out, his plan worked fairly well. At least I thought it had until you arrived." Jason watched as Gabrielle brought her silver soup spoon to her lips for a dainty sip. Her manners were as flawless as her appearance, exactly as he had expected them to be. As soon as she had finished he encouraged her to continue her story. "If you've known such a

  magnificent love as you describe. Miss MacLaren, why are you not planning to marry that man?"

  Gabrielle took a small sip of water; she'd decUned his offer of wine as an extravagance she could not accept. Stalling for time,, she glanced at the others in the room. Most of the hotel's guests seemed to be men, and she suddenly realized several were staring at her most rudely. She looked back at Jason to hide her embarrassment.

  "Boys and girls seem to pair off early in Liberty. At least Beau and I knew from the time I was no more than five and he was seven that we would eventually marry. My aunt didn't approve of him for reasons I never understood. She seemed to see only his family's modest means rather than what a fine person he wsis."

  "Well, if the woman has died, what is stopping you from marrying Beau now?" Jason asked abruptly, although he hoped she had a thousand compelling reasons to prevent that from happening.

  As she replied, Gabrielle's thoughts turned inward. She could see Beau clearly in her mind. He'd been tall and blond, with rich, warm brown eyes that had always been filled with love when he'd looked at her. He was quite the finest-looking man she'd ever seen, as handsome as a prince. "My aunt did all she could to discourage our romance, all to no avail. We planned to wait until I turned eighteen and then be married whether she'd give us her blessing or not. Our dream was to go to Oregon and build a small farm into an empire. I know it sounds incredibly foolish, but that was our hope."

  "It is not in the least bit foolish to have dreams. Miss MacLaren." Jason was mystified now. He wanted her to come to the point, but he did not want to be so rude as to demand that she did. If he pressed her, he felt she'd simply stop speaking and then he'd never learn what had happened between her and Beau. "What happened to that dream?"

  Gabrielle found his deep voice and tender tone very soothing. The glance she'd found so unsettling only moments

  before seemed sympathetic and she was sorry she'd misjudged him, however briefly. "Beau had an opportunity to go on ahead. An uncle of his was moving his family to the Willamette Valley and he invited him to go along. That meant we'd be separated for a time, but if Beau could find land and begin building our home before I arrived, we thought it would make our decision to marry seem less impetuous. They began the trip in early spring when the rivers were the highest, and while fording the Platte his uncle's wagon snagged upon something—a tree branch, a boulder, it's not known what. You must know the route well. Two of the youngest children were swept into the water and Beau dove in to save his cousins."

  "Was he successful?" Jason asked in a whisper, suddenly knowing how the story was going to end and dreading the tragedy he knew would come.

  "Yes. He got them to the riverbank where others took the children to safety, but he was swept away by the current. They were unable to recover his body. That is what pains me most, that he does not even have a grave I might visit, for we had always thought we'd spend our lives together and be buried side by side." Gabrielle looked down as tears began to roll silently down her cheeks. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to tell that story—not ever—to anyone. I beg you not to repeat it."

  Jason pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to the weeping young woman, thankful he had a freshly laundered one to offer. "I give you my word on it, I will never tell a soul that story. Did your aunt blame herself for Beau's death? Had she allowed you two to marry, then your young man would not have been with his uncle."

  Gabrielle looked up; she'd dried her eyes and had forced lierself to adopt a calm facade no matter how wretched she felt inside. "It is difficult for me to even begin to describe my aunt's reaction other than to say it was unabashed glee. It would never have occurred to her to accept the responsibility for his death, nor should she have, for surely our fate is in God's hands alone."


  "Of course," Jason agreed promptly. Religion of any type was not something he'd contemplated seriously, but he could accept her view as the true one since it seemed to give her comfort. "And you still wish to seek your fate in Oregon, is that it?"

  "Yes." Cabrielle paused while the waiter returned with their entrees. She had been given as large a serving of roast beef as Jason and was certain she'd never be able to finish it all despite her earlier hunger. "Everyone in Liberty knows I was Beau's girl, and I can't bear the way people there look at me now. It's as though he died only yesterday rather than a year ago; their pity is so clear in their gaze. If I live there until I am one hundred I will always be that poor Cabrielle MacLaren whose fiance died so tragically. I have no hope of having a happy life there, and now that my aunt is dead, there is absolutely no reason for me to stay."

  Jason chewed the succulent roast beef slowly as he watched her cut a tiny bite from her meat. They would spend the entire night dining if she continued to eat so fastidiously, but suddenly he didn't care. He was content simply to be with her, to share her pain as he'd never shared another woman's grief. "To say I am sorry does not seem to be nearly enough. Miss MacLaren. Since you want to go so badly, I will see if I can't arrange for your passage somehow. I am taking a large number of people this time. If there is no room for you with the young women we interviewed today, then I will simply find space somewhere else."

  "Can you really do that?" Cabrielle's tears had made the blue of her eyes even more vivid, and now her gaze was not only rapt but fascinating as well.

  Laughing, Jason nodded. "I am the wagon master, Miss MacLaren. The entire wagon train is my responsibility, and what I say goes or people are invited very quickly to take their wagons elsewhere."

  Cabrielle smiled in return, for his mood was infectiously pleasant. "Aren't you very young for such a job? I thought the

  wagon master would be a veteran of many trips along the trail/^

  **0h, I am indeed a veteran. I began at a very tender age.*' Seeing that her interest was sincere, Jason related the tale of his first trek upon the Oregon Trail, being careful never to mention any incident which involved even the slightest peril upon the water. She was so charming a companion he was surprised when he looked down and found not a morsel remaining on his plate. Wanting an excuse to continue their conversation, he ordered apple pie, which he ate as slowly as possible while she sipped her coffee and smiled at all his stories as if they were a delight to hear. When finally he could delay no longer, he folded his napkin and placed it beside his dessert plate.

  "I promised to arrange for your lodgings. Let's see what's available." He signed the tab for their dinners and, taking her arm, escorted her to the reception desk.

  ''Miss MacLaren will need a room for the night, just add the expense to my bill."

  The thin, balding night clerk swallowed nervously as he explained why that request must be denied. "I am most dreadfully sorry, Mr. Royal, but the hotel if filled to capacity. We don't even have a closet to let."

  "Nor do we want one!" Jason replied crossly for it had not even occurred to him that he might be unable to find Gabrielle a room. There were other hotels, but none in which he'd care to leave any woman alone for the night, most certainly not one as lovely as Gabrielle. "I believe you have her luggage. I'll take it please."

  "Where are we going?" Gabrielle whispered anxiously, for like Jason she had lost all track of the time and had not realized the hour was late until she'd glanced at the clock upon the wall behind the desk.

  "You'll see." Jason carried her one valise in his left hand while he laced the fingers of his right in hers. With long sure strides he led her out the front door and down the sidewalk to the corner of the two-story building. "Clayton and I have a

  suite of rooms, the drawing room where we interviewed the young ladies and bedrooms on either side. I'll give you my room, for the rest of the hotels in this town are far too rowdy to serve single ladies."

  Cabrielle looked up and down the street. She'd made such infrequent visits to Kansas City that she could not dispute his description of the inns, but she doubted taking his room was a proper solution.

  'That is very generous of you, Mr. Royal, but I will be on my own for the rest of my life so I might as well begin tonight. Surely there is one hotel where I'll be safe, even if the other patrons are boisterous."

  Displeased that she'd argue, Jason raised his voice to a commanding tone. "Miss MacLaren, I told you I do feel responsible for your welfare. We will go around to the rear entrance and up the back stairs to my room. I will sleep on the couch in the drawing room and that way I'll be certain you are safe. No one will know you slept in my room unless you tell them so, which I trust you have sense enough not to do."

  Stung by this rebuke which she regarded as being totally unwarranted, Gabrielle lashed back at him sarcastically. "I've had little need to practice the kind of discretion you're suggesting, Mr. Royal, but I understand why it is to your advantage to protect my reputation."

  Jason began to swear, then caught himself before he pronounced a filthy word that he knew would upset Gabrielle even more. He didn't know what had gone wrong between them after they'd spent such a pleasant evening, but something definitely had. Rather than waste time on apologizing, he continued around to the rear of the hotel and then, taking the adjacent stairway, led Gabrielle to the door of his room. He placed her satchel at his feet as he took the key from his pocket, but when he heard someone approaching he hurriedly unlocked his door and nearly shoved the startled young woman inside, grabbing her valise before he followed her into the room. The covers of the high iron bed had been turned down by

  the maid and the lamp had been Ht, these courtesies lent the room a romantic mood which he attempted unsuccessfully to ignore.

  "What have you packed in this bag? Surely your clothing is not so heavy!" He carried it to the foot of the bed before turning to face her with a far from friendly glance.

  Gabrielle untied her bonnet and removed her gloves, placing both on the marble-topped dresser as she replied. "I imagine it is the books which make it such a burden. I should have packed them separately.''

  "Books?" Jason was puzzled as to why she'd need more than a Bible which was the only book most people had in their homes. "Do you enjoy reading so much?"

  Gabrielle laughed at his confusion. "Why of course, don't you.'

  "I know how to read," Jason declared promptly, but seeing that did not satisfy her curiosity, he asked, "What sort of books did you bring?"

  "Poetry mostly, a volume of Shakespeare, a novel or two, just my favorites, for I know the winters are long and amusements will be few." That they were standing in his bedroom conversing politely about literature struck her as being ironic since she'd not wanted to take his room in the first place, let alone entertain him there.

  "Do you honestly think any of the farmers, one of whom might soon be your husband, will be interested in such a pastime?" Jason asked with a sly grin, but Gabrielle misunderstood his remark.

  "Just because a man makes his living from the land does not mean he is stupid, Mr. Royal. I have always planned to be a farmer's bride. Should the man I marry not know how to read I will teach him, and read to him myself while I do."

  Thinking he'd be wise to let her think that had been the intent of his question in the first place, Jason agreed. "I am certain he'll appreciate your instruction and be a wonderful pupil. Miss MacLaren." Deciding a strictly professional

  attitude was the best choice, he gathered up the things he*d need for the morning and started for the door which connected that room to the drawing room. "I will bid you good night now; you'll find this a comfortable room and FU see you tomorrow at ten."

  "Mr. Royal?" Gabrielle followed him to the door, afraid she had offended him by being so reluctant to accept his hospitality. "I want to thank you 2igain for taking me to dinner, and for giving me your room. I didn't mean to appear ungrateful. You have been very considerate, particular
ly when I'm not even one of those you selected as a prospective bride."

  Jason opened the door and tossed his belongings on the nearest chair before he turned back to face her. As she looked up at him, her expression was so sweet it seemed most natural for him to bend down to kiss her good-night. He had meant to do no more than brush her cheek lightly but she lifted her lips to meet his instead. Her lips were soft, opening easily with only slight pressure from his, and she relaxed against his chest with such easy grace that he wound his fingers in her long, flowing tresses. Holding her mouth captive beneath his own, he savored her delicious taste until he could no longer catch his breath. When at last he had to draw away he was stunned by the strength of the desire she had aroused in him, for her kiss had been filled with a promise of passion he'd never felt in any other woman. That it could come from one with such an innocent smile astonished him all the more. His own smile grew wide as he realized she knew far more of the art of love than her very proper appearance had led him to believe.

  Gabrielle stared up at the handsome man she'd so recently met and felt her face flood with the bright color of a deep blush. She'd not expected that kiss nor the depth of her own response, and she was horrified by what he must think of her lavish display of affection when they were little more than strangers. Wanting to end the regrettable incident swiftly, she tried to close the door but Jason blocked her way.

  "If you need me later, I'll be right here. I meant what I said

  at dinner; Til find a way for you to come with us." Jason's admiring glance filled with astonishment as he saw the confusion in Gabrielle's gaze turn to fury. The bright blue of her eyes grew purple with rage as she replied to what he'd meant as reassurance.