Colt by Georgina Gentry Page A

survivor and she’d dealt with much worse than a bunch of curious people. She knew what the women wanted to know: Had she been raped by a lot of the savages and what was it like to be bedded by a Comanche warrior? She flinched, not even wanting to think about it. Both Luther and Spider had tried to break her spirit, and turn her into an obedient, spineless female, but she was as defiant as ever.
    â€œYou gonna let them win?” Doc asked as the band started a slow waltz and some of the couples took the floor.
    â€œI—I can’t stop them from gossiping.” She swallowed hard, watching the young officers gathered around Olivia like bees around a honey tree, vying for her attention.
    Doc asked, “Mrs. Brownley, would you care to dance?”
    â€œI don’t think—” But he was already taking the punch cup out of her hand and leading her toward the dance floor. Lieutenant Prescott and Olivia were on the floor now, with eager officers cutting in.
    Could Hannah even remember the steps? She wasn’t sure, but she raised her chin, pasted a frozen smile on her face, and let Doc lead her out on the floor.
    Doc took her in his arms and whispered in her ear. “Now, it’ll come back to you, just follow my lead. I wanted to get my dance in before all those young officers start asking you.”
    But of course they didn’t. After that dance, she and Doc stood on the sidelines as song after song was played. While men looked at her and whispered, none asked her to dance. They probably didn’t dare, not with their women glaring at Hannah.
    â€œDoc, I think we should leave early. I’m getting a headache.”
    â€œYou gonna turn tail and run?” Doc challenged. “Or are you gonna stand your ground like a real Texas girl?”
    She was a Texas girl, all right. She took a deep breath and glared back at the people who were staring at her. Then the music stopped, and Lieutenant Prescott led a reluctant-looking Olivia to join them.
    â€œGoodness gracious, isn’t it a great dance?” Olivia laughed. “Why all these handsome soldier boys have about danced me breathless, even though I’m an engaged woman.” She smiled at Hannah, but it was not a real smile.
    Just then the major stepped up on the bandstand. “Well, before the band starts again, I’d like to make an announcement, something my daughter told me a few minutes ago. I’m announcing her engagement to Lieutenant Colton Prescott and I’ll be very pleased to have him as my son-in-law.”
    The crowd applauded and then circled around the couple to shake Colt’s hand and wish Olivia much happiness. The major opened several bottles of champagne and everyone took a glass and toasted the happy couple, including Hannah, but she couldn’t swallow the wine. She didn’t think Colt really knew what Miss Olivia was like, and the rich society girl would make married life miserable for him. Hannah wished she’d met a man like Colt before she married Luther, but now it was too late.
    The music started again and the crowd scattered to the dance floor or the sidelines. Colt set down his glass and held out his hand to Hannah. “Mrs. Brownley, you look like a sunbeam in that yellow dress. Would you do me the honor? I’ve been waitin’ to dance with you all evenin’.”
    Olivia snapped, “I don’t think she wants to dance, do you, Mrs. Brownley?”
    Hannah looked into the other’s flashing eyes and then took Colt’s hand defiantly. “Why, yes, Lieutenant, I think I’d enjoy waltzing with you.”
    She heard Olivia’s gasp of dismay as Colt led Hannah out onto the floor. People began to whisper and gave way, leaving them plenty of room to waltz. Hannah closed her eyes and held onto the man’s big hand, enjoying being in his arms. This was a real man, a true Texan, who could hold his own in a fight, or hold a woman protectively. For a