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    Jason chuckled at that taunt, for despite Gabrielle's poise and composure, she was very young. He could tell she had given the incident far more consideration than it had deserved. She had probably not kissed any man since her beloved Beau had left Liberty to make his way west, and undoubtedly her anguish over their embrace was tinged with guilt. His anger with her had melted away the moment he'd seen her standing at the door, and he teased her now with a ready grin.
    "You mean the horrors you'll have to survive on the trail do not compare to the agony of my affection?"
    "Mr. Royal!" The auburn-haired beauty's creamy complexion took on a bright blush as she stammered. "There is nothing wrong with your affection, it was merely so unexpected that I-"
    "I will be happy to forget the incident entirely if you will. Miss MacLaren." Jason's eyes took on a teasing sparkle that let her know he forgot little.
    "It is the only way I will consent to go, Mr. Royal. As you pointed out, to begin the journey is to accept one of the men waiting at its conclusion as my husband, and I do not want him to regret that I made the trip."
    Offering his arm, Jason smiled warmly. "That would be impossible. Miss MacLaren. Now won't you come with me to join the others?"
    Gabrielle licked her lips slowly. "I suppose the worst that could happen to me is that I could die." She would then be with Beau again so that prospect scarcely frightened her; it was having to live without him for the rest of her life that was terrifying. At the very least she could live her life in Oregon as they'd planned. "Yes. I still want very much to go with them

    if I may."
    Startled by her comment, Jason offered calm reassurance as he escorted her to a vacant seat. "Believe me. Miss MacLaren, if I leave Independence, Missouri with twenty-one brides, I will arrive in Oregon City with each one in perfect health. You have my word on it." The other young women turned as Gabrielle sat down, some smiling in a friendly fashion, others merely curious, and Jason saw on the faces of the prettiest, a sudden flash of jealousy so thick he knew he never should have let Clayton talk him into arranging to transport other men's brides in the first place.
    While the rest of the announcements would be brief, Jason could not shake his earlier feeling of foreboding. Knowing the sooner they began the journey the more swiftly it would come to an end, he began to address the assembled group in the hope that they could soon be on their way.
    "We have arranged for carriages to take you to Independence. As Mr. Home cautioned you yesterday, luggage must be kept to a minimum. We'll need most of the room in the three wagons we've assigned to your use to transport our provisions. We'll separate you ladies into three equal groups, but other than storing your luggage and sleeping in the wagons, I doubt you'll want to spend much time riding in them. I think you'll prefer to spend most of your time on horseback. We have a large selection of gentle mounts so I'm sure even those of you who have Httle experience with horses will soon become proficient riders. Now are there any questions before I leave to summon the carriages?"
    Gabrielle raised her hand quickly, "Mr. Royal, I have my own horse, will I be permitted to bring him?"
    Jason had not even considered how Gabrielle had gotten from Liberty to Kansas City by herself, but he responded with a smile. "If the horse can carry your valise I'd say he's brute enough to make the trip, but I warn you, we'll lose many a horse to Indians all along the route. If he's stolen no effort can be made to recover him."

    "I understand." Gabrielle had no intention of allowing the stallion she'd raised from a colt to be stolen by any man, Indian or white, but if he were, she'd certainly get him back herself. Knowing an open declaration of such a vow would only make the situation between Jason Royal and herself even more difficult than it already was, she simply smiled as if