Without warning, a wave of homesickness for England washed over Elizabeth. It had never occurred to her that she would so soon yearn for the overprotective attentions of her aunt, who would not let her walk two miles to the village by herself if the weather was wet. She didn't want Nathaniel to leave her.

"I'll be fine," she said, but heard her voice shaking.

Nathaniel glanced around them and then touched her face.

"You're a brave one," he said. "My mother would have liked you, English or not."

"I'm all bluff." Elizabeth said, managing a sour grin. "Haven't you seen through me yet?"

"Oh, I see more than you think. I saw you run off after that shooter, didn't I?" But Nathaniel dropped his hand from her face. "Did Many-Doves tell you I'm going with the women to the Midwinter Ceremony?"

"She said you'd be gone a week."

"You think you might miss me a little?"

Elizabeth squinted up at him. He had undergone one of his transformations: now all trace of his fury and cautiousness were gone. It was an amazing talent he possessed, and she wondered if it could be learned.

"I don't see much of you as it is," she said, trying to match his tone. Elizabeth bit her lip, knowing how familiar this sounded, and what it gave away.

Nathaniel glanced around them again, and swung his rifle to its accustomed place across his back. "So maybe you will miss me a little."

"No," said Elizabeth. "I won't miss you at all, because I won't be here. Julian wants to go to Johnstown for a few days."

Nathaniel looked down at her in surprise. "Where did he come up with that idea? Did somebody tell him about Midwinter afternoons at Trees—Standing—in—Water?"

It was Elizabeth's turn to look puzzled. "There's games played after the morning ceremonies," Nathaniel explained. "Some pretty serious wagering goes on, even the whites come to watch."

"But where is—Trees—Standing—in—Water?"

"The whites call it Barktown. Just about ten miles short of Johnstown, after you leave the Sacandaga. On the Big Vly."

"And there are games. I see," Elizabeth said thoughtfully. "Well, I wasn't sure about going along with Julian, but now I fear that I must. Nathaniel," she said, "you'll watch out for yourself?"

"I have no intention of getting myself killed, if that's what you mean." Nathaniel shifted his weight suddenly and stepped away.

"Moses Southern is coming this way," he said under his breath. "Don't be startled, now."

Elizabeth fixed her face in a friendly but neutral smile and turned as Moses approached. He had a fishing net draped over his shoulder, and he kept on walking, barely nodding to the two of them in response to Elizabeth's greeting.

"Got better things to do than stand and gab in the snow," he mumbled.

"So do we all." Nathaniel nodded. "I best be getting on home." Then, when Moses was well past, he lowered his head toward Elizabeth and whispered. "Remember, nothing about what happened at the schoolhouse."

"Will I see you in Johnstown?" she asked, trying not to let her voice creak with the effort it took to ask this question.

"I hope so," Nathaniel said. "But that would be up to you.

Chapter 14

"What good luck!" Katherine called out suddenly over her breakfast, waving the newspaper in Elizabeth's direction.

At the start of the third full day in Katherine's company, Elizabeth's patience with the younger woman's sudden shifts of mood was wearing fragile, but now she put down her teacup and tried to look intrigued.

"What's that, then?"

From across the table, their hostess caught Elizabeth's eye and smiled kindly.

"You'll have to come visit with Kitty more often," Mrs. Bennett said. "She brings such enthusiasm with her, and you are the heart of serenity. You complement each other well. Don't you think so, Mr. Bennett?"

Caught unawares, Mr. Bennett looked up from his own newspaper with puzzled expression. "Of course," he said. "I couldn't agree more."

Katherine jumped up from her place to put her arms around Mrs. Bennett. "What a dear friend you are," she said. "I would be here with you always if I could."

Elizabeth smiled her thanks for her portion of the compliment, but she made no promises about further visits. The Bennetts were kind people, hospitable and generous with the considerable comforts of their home, but Elizabeth was wishing herself back in Paradise. They had spent a full day in Johnstown and, in Elizabeth's opinion, exhausted its charms.

But as much as she would like to be away home, Elizabeth was not looking forward especially to the journey, as it would require another full day alone with Katherine. The trip to Johnstown had been difficult: it took some time for Katherine to come to accept the idea that Elizabeth had asked someone else—and an Indian woman no less—to assist at her school, and she had been distant and indignant for most of the journey, turning around constantly to see if Julian, who followed on horseback, was within hailing distance. Elizabeth knew that they were once again on friendly speaking terms not because Katherine had come to some understanding or appreciation of Elizabeth's motives, but simply because she was so very pleased to be in town that she could not stay in a temper. She didn't even seem to mind Julian's absence, although he had spent not a half hour with them since they had arrived.