This Savage Heart Read Online Free Page B

everything. I’m just glad to be alive.”
    Julie accepted the coffee gratefully. She liked Esther well enough, but the woman did love to gossip—and Julie felt that was a waste of anyone’s time. Sure enough, Esther began to report what people had said in criticism of Julie.
    “I know some people are mad at me,” Julie said softly. “In time, they’ll get over it.”
    Teresa chimed in. “Just as soon as something else happens to give them something else to talk about.”
    Esther, a plump woman whose eyes glittered with excitement when she had special gossip to impart, feigned disgust as she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I think it’s terrible what some of the women are saying.”
    Julie and Teresa exchanged looks.
    Esther shook with eagerness as she rushed on. “It’s absolutely sinful to suggest that, just because you and Captain Arnhardt were alone all night on the other side of the river, something immoral went on. They even say you planned the whole thing so the captain would save you and you’d have to spend the night on the other side, that you’ve been throwing yourself at him since we left Brunswick. Isn’t that terrible?
    “After all,” she continued, eyes blinking, “we all know you are a lady, and the captain a gentleman. He would certainly not take advantage of a situation, and you wouldn’t stand for it if he did. It’s just nasty gossip is all it is. I’m sure there’s a special place in hell for people who talk that way.” She smiled at them.
    Julie was stunned, speechless, staring at her incredulously. Teresa was instantly furious. “Who would dare say such things? Esther, you tell us right now who is responsible. Myles will want to speak with them. And I’m sure the captain will set them straight. We will not stand for slander.”
    Esther’s smile faded. “I’d rather not say.” She picked nervously at her cloak. “I don’t want to cause trouble.”
    “Well, you already have,” Teresa snapped. “How many other people have you told about this? Really, Esther, you’re just as bad as a person who starts gossip when you spread it around.”
    “Well, pardon me!” Esther cried. She rose to leave. “I thought I was doing you a favor, coming to let you know. Now you blame me for it! I had nothing to do with it.”
    Teresa said calmly, “If you refuse to tell us who started this ugly talk, then at least do Julie a favor and not spread it any further.”
    Forcing her anger below the surface, Julie said, “Esther, would you be so kind as to tell me who would even think such a thing? I would like to go to them and tell them how wrong they are.”
    Suddenly the curtain covering the back of the wagon opened, and they looked down to find Elisa Thatcher glaring up at them. “I’ll be glad to tell you, Julie,” she exploded, eyes flashing, lips curled back in a snarl. “I said those things, and I said them because they’re true. You have been throwing yourself at Captain Arnhardt since the day he rode into Brunswick. It’s obvious to anyone who has eyes. You’ve been so brazen. Flirting with a man is one thing, but causing him to risk his life, holding up the entire wagon train because you want a chance to be alone with him all night, well, that’s another matter entirely. My goodness, can’t you just meet him after dark?”
    Julie and Teresa were too stunned to speak, and even Esther Webber was shocked by the young woman’s outburst.
    Teresa was the first to recover. “You are very cruel, Elisa Thatcher. And very wrong. I demand that you apologize to my sister-in-law at once and stop spreading lies, or I will have to tell my husband and Captain Arnhardt about this.”
    “Tell your husband,” Elisa taunted, hands on her hips as she swished her long skirt sassily. “Tell him what his sister is. I don’t care. And Derek already knows the kind of woman she is. Shameless!” She pointed her finger at Julie and cried, “Wanton! You would be doing everyone a favor if