Louisiana History Collection - Part 1 Read Free

without purpose.”
    “We won’t quibble over the term,” the other man said with expansive condescension.
    “It’s a distinction you would do well to remember, Chepart.” Reynaud’s voice was even, deadly earnest. “My mother’s people are proud; yet you have, in the last weeks, had a warrior stripped and flogged for a misdemeanor that should have been brought to the attention of the Great Sun for punishment. They are just; and you have allowed a soldier of the fort to walk about free after shooting and killing an old man whose only crime was his failure to pay back a measure of corn on a given date, when his corn was not yet ripe in the fields. The Natchez have held this land for centuries, but you have demanded that they move from one of their oldest villages, that of White Apple, because you covet the richness of their cleared fields for your own use. These are only a few of the events that have tried their temper. They are sworn to move against you in concert with the Yazoos, Choctaws, Tioux, Tensas, and others. The date has been set and a bundle of reeds sent to every tribe; one reed must be removed daily until the day comes for the attack. My mother found the bundle in the Temple of the Sun, risking much to remove a handful of the reeds. Because of her action, the attack here will come early as a warning to the French in the Mississippi Valley. If you are ready, it will come to nothing. If not, then you must be ready to face the holy war of the Natchez called the Blood Vengeance.”
    “I fear I disappoint you, my dear Chavalier, with my lack of alarm. You must forgive me.” The unctuous quality of the commandant’s voice was maintained only with an effort. Perspiration stood out on his forehead.
    “It is not my forgiveness you will need, but that of the seven hundred men, women, and children you are sworn to protect.”
    In the warmth of the room, there came to Elise, from the man on the other side of the table, the smell of well-tanned leather and woodsmoke, the bear oil scented with aromatic spikenard that had been used to seal his moccasins from water, and the sharp, wild freshness of the night air. The combination of scents was threatening as it clung to him, heightening the aura of virile masculinity and effortless power that he exuded. She turned her head in an attempt to escape it.
    Chepart thumped the table. “I should have you run down, trussed up, and flogged just to teach you to respect this office!”
    “Do so,” came the instant, scathing reply. “If you think you can.”
    Impotent rage brought purple color into Chepart’s face. “Get out. Get out of my house and don’t come back! You half-breeds are all alike: lying, thieving, cunning bastards a thousand times worse than any blood Indian!”
    “I understand your frustration, commandant, but it would be a mistake to let it blind you to your danger. I have delivered my warning and can do no more. I advise you to heed it.”
    Reynaud inclined his head once more in a curt gesture that did not begin to express the contempt he felt. He allowed his gaze to sweep over the company gathered at the table: the pale-faced women, including the beautiful creature in gold brocade with the cold features of one who feels no passion or else has learned to hide it well; the men still standing in stiff poses. Swinging around with his swansdown cape spreading wide around him, he stepped toward the door.
    Madame Doucet drew a deep breath as if released from a spell. She flicked a glance at Elise, saying in hushed tones, “A noble savage.”
    “And a malodorous one,” Elise murmured.
    Reynaud Chavalier checked, turned, his hard gray glance striking her face as he caught the edge of spite in her words. He had never seen this woman before, that much he knew. What then had caused her enmity? He had little vanity; still, he had sampled enough of the perfumed embraces of the ladies at court, the gambolings of Indian maidens as unashamed of their hungers as