Page 143 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“Thank you.”

After he left, Lydia stared at her. “You did not make him apologize.”

“He said I did well.”

“That is not an apology.”

“It is close enough for a man who has spent his life believing women do not know where wheels belong.”

Nathaniel laughed from inside the wagon.

“You are supposed to be sleeping,” Eleanor called.

“I was until Lydia began demanding justice.”

“Someone must,” Lydia said.

*****

NATHANIEL’S THOUGHTS were clear by the second evening, though his shoulder remained strapped close to his body and Martha had forbidden him to ride until he could lift his arm without whitening around the mouth.

He walked with Eleanor after supper, moving slowly enough to satisfy Martha, carefully enough not to jar the shoulder, and quickly enough to preserve some dignity.

Caroline and Rebecca had full charge of the Whitaker wagons. Eleanor had not checked behind them once.

“Your sisters managed without you,” he said.

“Do not sound so pleased.”

“You wanted proof.”

“I wanted reassurance. Proof is much harder to argue with.”

They stopped where the prairie opened beyond camp. The sky was streaked with gold and rose.

“If we marry,” Eleanor said, “we need to discuss practical things.”

Nathaniel kept his face calm with effort. “If?”

“You have not asked properly.”

“You told me to ask later.”

“This is still later.”

“Not late enough.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Practical things.”

“Very well.”

“My sisters will live together when we reach Clover Creek.”

“Agreed.”

“No husband will force one of them to leave the family's land.”

“Agreed.”