Read Red Bird's Song for Free Online Page B

again."
    Charity shivered with satisfaction. “A just punishment."
    "Not to his father. Lord Montgomery's trumped-up charges of murder are responsible for my flight from England. Damnable liar. Sorry. You don't need to hear all of this."
    "I don't mind, really. Go on, please."
    "He sent word to his powerful brother in Philadelphia, a discovery I made soon after my ship docked. It seems Oliver Montgomery also intends my arrest on the same false charge and had his cronies watching my uncle's home for my arrival."
    "Is that when you came to the Shenandoah Valley?"
    "Yes, after dashing off a letter to my uncle to inform him of my whereabouts. It must have been intercepted. How else could Oliver Montgomery have discovered my refuge?"
    "He must be terribly vindictive to risk coming into the frontier to seek you."
    Colin's sun-browned features creased in contempt. “Oliver is a base coward. He sent his men. I fled deep into the mountains to escape them where Wicomechee found me."
    "And now you're with the Shawnee, all because of Rachel?"
    "Not only am I with them, I'm one of them. And I must deal with Chaka. What he did defies their code of honor."
    "I didn't know they had one."
    "Oh yes. Forcing any woman, even a captive, is strongly frowned upon. Chaka has no shame."
    Charity considered uneasily. “What will you do?"
    "Challenge him.” Colin's eyes promised retribution.
    Emma flinched. “No. What if he kills you?"
    "I'll give him a good fight, darling."
    She grasped his sleeve. “If you kill him, what then? Will you not anger many warriors?"
    Colin shrugged. “He's well liked. So am I."
    "Don't take the risk,” she pleaded.
    Charity blotted her damp face with her sleeve and sat up. “Won't Mechee protect me? He said he would in the night."
    "I thought I heard some talk between you in the wee hours. You were sleeping mighty close together when I awoke."
    Her cheeks warmed at his observation. Emma swiveled her head at her, fair brows drawn together above gaping eyes.
    "I was cold—” Charity faltered, and appealed to Colin. “Please, sir, could you not allow Mechee to deal with Chaka?"
    "That's not a great deal better than my intervening. Those two have been rivals from the start."
    "With your temper, you're sure to be in deep,” Emma said, eyeing Charity as though she had some peculiar ailment.
    "Very well. I'll let Wicomechee handle this,” Colin agreed, still weighing Charity. “It's odd he left you so suddenly. Did he say where he was going?"
    "No. Though I might have vexed him,” she admitted.
    "Ah. I'll speak to him. Now, you really must eat."
    "I only want to wash away Chaka's touch."
    "Certainly. But you must keep up your strength or you'll never make this journey."
    "Mechee will see to it that I do."
    Colin's lips twitched. “Ah, Miss Edmondson. The stars are calling to you. Mars is aligning with Venus."
    His mysterious allusion sent a frightening yet strangely exciting tingle through Charity.
    The beagle begged for the scraps James tossed him while Charity sat eating slices of ham and wild grapes and listened to the unintelligible exchange between Colin and her rescuers. Whatever they discussed seemed to be a matter of disquiet.
    As they spoke, she grew increasingly aware of the young brave sitting beside her. Like Wicomechee and Colin, he wore his shoulder-length hair loose. His chiseled features set off black eyes shining with intelligence. She glanced his way, caught his warm gaze on her, and averted her eyes.
    He spoke rapidly to Colin, who gave a nod. “Posetha wishes to be introduced.” He laid his hand on Emma's shoulder. “This fair lady is Emma, my wife, niwah ,” he said and gestured at Charity. “This beauty is called Charity. We will stick with Christian names to simplify,” he explained. “James they know. I entrusted him to their care yesterday."
    The big warrior nudged Colin. “Ah yes, Muga. His name means bear. Posetha and Muga are my good friends, gitchee niNeeakahs . They,