Colt by Georgina Gentry Page B

long moment, they waltzed and she was aware of nothing else but the pleasure of his embrace. If only she had met this man long ago, but now he was engaged and she was heading back to the Comanche camp.
    Then as she slowly opened her eyes, she became aware that everyone else had left the dance floor and were watching the lone couple with horrified looks and scandalized whispers. When she looked over at the sidelines, Olivia looked like an angry shrew, her pretty face flushed and her fists clenched.
    It occurred to Hannah that she might be ruining the lieutenant’s chances for advancement, him dancing with a woman who had been in the bed of savages. She didn’t want to do anything to cause him trouble.
    â€œI—I think I need some air,” she whispered, pulling out of his arms and walking rapidly out the door. She leaned on the porch railing, taking deep breaths. She had known it would be like this if she was ever rescued and had to return to white civilization. The public expected a virtuous white woman to kill herself before she’d let herself be used by a savage. Well, there hadn’t been that much difference between Luther and Spider. Only her indomitable spirit had kept her alive all these years, and now there was another reason....
    She heard the door open behind her. Maybe it was Doc. Good, she’d like to go back to the infirmary now.
    â€œAre you all right?” It was Colt’s deep Texas drawl.
    â€œI—I’m fine.”
    â€œYou’re not cryin’, are you?”
    She turned to look up at him, shook her head. “I haven’t cried in a long, long time. It doesn’t do any good.” And besides, it made her look vulnerable and she would never be that again.
    â€œI didn’t mean to cause you pain by askin’ you to dance.” He put his hands on her shoulders and she tried not to tremble.
    â€œI know you meant well, Lieutenant, but it wasn’t good for your reputation and besides, your fiancée wasn’t happy that you asked me.” She turned and gazed out across the fort’s grounds.
    â€œOlivia? Oh, I’m sure that’s not true. She’s a wonderful girl.”
    He was warm against her back. She didn’t say anything but pulled away from him. His nearness was too much for her. She wanted to go into his strong arms and have him hold her close and tenderly, tell her she was his and he would protect her from pain and misery and hurtful people from now on. No man had ever held her tenderly.
    â€œI shouldn’t have come,” she said. “I knew that, but I hoped—”
    â€œThey just don’t have much to talk about around here,” Colt said. “And anyway, you’ll be leavin’ soon, when your husband hears we’ve found you and comes after you.”
    That would be even worse than going back to Spider, she thought with a shudder. However, she didn’t intend to be here if and when Luther Brownley showed up.
    â€œYou go back to the dance.” Hannah managed a smile as she turned to face him. “And I’ll walk on back to the infirmary.”
    â€œI’ll walk you back,” he said.
    â€œThat would cause talk.” She shook her head. “I’ll be all right.” She stepped off the porch as she heard the door open again and Olivia’s voice.
    â€œDarling, what are you doing out here?” Olivia sounded angry. “People are talking—”
    And then Colt’s annoyed voice. “Damn it, Olivia, are you cryin’ again? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
    â€œBut you followed that—that woman outside and you danced with her and—”
    â€œLet’s go back inside, Olivia, and please stop cryin’!”
    Hannah heard the door slam shut, and she paused, listening to the faint music and laughter from inside. For a long moment, she remembered dancing in Colt’s arms and sighed. She had never met a man like him, powerful,