BEYOND THE RIVER BEND| Little Puma

Winifred had hoped to spend the whole day alone. She knew Jerome would be staying late at the Jameses'. But when he returned in the morning, beaming with inexplicable happiness, her spirits sank.

She slowly turned to face her husband, who stood frozen in the doorway of the living room. She forced herself to smile at him.

Come on, Winifred. It is not that hard. She commanded herself.

Meanwhile, Jerome produced a large basket from behind his back. It was covered with a cloth. He said cheerfully: "I brought you a gift, my dear. I am so sorry I hurt you so badly... I did not know how else to make amends, but Mrs. James gave me an idea... Go on, my dear, open it. You will like it."

Jerome smiled at her with that very smile he always wore when he wanted Winifred to forgive him for any foolishness. She knew that smile all too well. It always repulsed her.

Now, however, Winifred wore an expression of genuine surprise and joy on her face. She sat down beside the basket and threw the cloth aside. At that very moment, a spotted cocker spaniel puppy jumped out onto the parquet floor. It spun around Winifred, wagging its fluffy tail.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed and scooped the puppy into her arms. "Where did you come from, little one?"

"Eli James gave me this little fellow. Their bitch whelped a month ago, and the Jameses were looking for good homes for the pups."

Winifred raised a look full of tenderness at Jerome and smiled. "This is a wonderful gift, Jerry. I will take care of him, I promise."

Jerome grinned. He sat down beside her and reached his hand out to the puppy. The puppy bared its teeth and nearly bit his fingers. Cursing, Jerome moved away from the puppy and asked: "What do you want to name him?"

Winifred pursed her lips in thought. Then, pressing the puppy to her chest, she said quietly: "I will call him Lucky. Such a sweet name for such a charming little creature."

Jerome nodded approvingly. "A fine name, my dear. We will have a tag made for him as soon as possible."

"He will have his own tag?"

"Of course. All the Jameses' dogs wear them. It is elegant and very practical. If the puppy gets lost, the tag will always help find his owners."

"You are right, Jerry."

Winifred set Lucky down on the parquet. Feeling free, the puppy began racing around the living room. He nearly knocked over the crystal decanter that had been placed too close to the edge of the table. Jerome moved the decanter farther away and suddenly announced: "I am leaving for Oswego. Maybe for a few days. Maybe for a few weeks. It will all depend on the circumstances. I want you, my dear, to behave impeccably while I am away. And finally, I want you to start taking part in social life. Do not forget that your reputation affects our common future. Show yourself in the best light. If Independence loves you, all doors will be open to us. I am counting on you, my dear."

Winifred rejoiced inside. Not wanting to betray the joy that filled her heart, she walked over to Jerome and gently placed her hands on his shoulders, stroking them.

"You need this trip, Jerry," Winifred said seriously. "I understand everything. Do not worry, I can show Independence my best side. You will be proud of me, darling." She swallowed the thick lump that had risen in her throat and forced a smile.

"I certainly hope so," Jerome grinned and pulled Winifred to him.

He wrapped his hand around the back of her head. His other hand held her firmly by the waist. He pushed his greedy, wet tongue into Winifred's mouth. Startled, she opened her eyes wide and jerked back. But Jerome would not let her pull away. His slobbering tongue roamed inside her mouth. Winifred felt nausea creeping up her throat. She managed to pull back before anything worse happened. Jerome licked his lips and smiled.

"Now you see how much I love you, my dear? I will miss you terribly."

I certainly hope you disappear in Oswego for a very long time...

***

The moment Jerome crossed the threshold, Winifred rushed to the washroom. She rinsed her mouth several times with water and even brushed her teeth with powder. Only when Jerome's taste had left her tongue did she exhale in relief and return to the living room.

On the sofa lay Lucky, paws up, snoring softly.

"You have already made yourself at home, little one?" Winifred chuckled and ran her hand over the soft puppy fur.

She suddenly remembered how, two Christmases ago, Eleanor had brought home a thin, soot‑covered puppy and taken it in. Her sister had knitted him a warm scarf. The little one, named Pretzel, had run around the living room, getting his paws tangled in that gift.

At the memory of home, a smile played on Winifred's lips. She would have given anything to go back to St. Louis right now, to hug Eleanor, her mother, and her father.

"I miss you so much, my dear ones..." she whispered barely audibly. "I want to believe that the post office will open in Independence soon. How I long to share with you what is happening to me..."

Lucky woke up and poked his wet nose into Winifred's palm. He yelped, expecting affection.

"Oh, sweetheart, come here!" She sat Lucky on her lap and began scratching him behind the ear. "You know, I never once told my family about my problems during the whole year of marriage to Jerome... At first I thought I was imagining things. Then it just became too frightening... Jerome was dangerous in his predictability, and I was truly afraid of him back then... Now I would tell them everything... Well, never mind, little one. You will see, I will ruin Jerome's life and make him file for divorce. I will break free from this cage."

No matter what it takes.

Lucky stared at Winifred very intently for a moment. Then he jumped off her lap and raced out of the living room.

"Oh, yes, darling, I understand. Running around the house is much more interesting than listening to someone's pitiful stories..." Winifred laughed, and for the first time in a long while she felt truly free.

***

Jerome's departure gave Winifred the opportunity to finally accept the Mitchells invitation and visit them. Preparing for the visit, Winifred baked a fragrant apple pie. She wrapped it in a cloth and placed it in a small basket. Then she took a few candies from the box in the pantry, wrapped them in paper so they would not stick together on the way, and put them with the pie.

When the treats were ready, Winifred arranged her hair in a simple style, put on a light pink walking dress, tied a bonnet on her head, and hurried to the door.

Lucky's curious nose appeared in the doorway. The puppy nearly knocked Winifred off her feet as he dashed out of the house.

"Oh no, Lucky, wait!" Winifred barely managed to grab the puppy, who had run out onto the porch. "You cannot come with me, little one. I do not think the Mitchells would be happy to have a strange dog in their home, although I must admit, you are simply wonderful!"

Lucky wriggled out of Winifred's arms and bolted toward the road.

"Lucky, stop! You will get lost!" Winifred ran after the puppy and caught him very close to the trail. "You little rascal. I cannot take you, do you understand?"

Lucky clearly did not understand. He just stared at Winifred with huge eyes and whined softly.

Winifred felt a pang in her chest. How could she leave a tiny, defenceless creature alone in that huge empty house? With a heavy heart, she scooped up Lucky, held him like a child, and set off toward the Mitchells house.

"I hope you will behave like a true gentleman when we are visiting, and I will not have to blush for you," Winifred said with a smile.

Lucky yelped and wagged his fluffy tail.

***

When the Mitchells house came into view ahead, Winifred stopped. First, she had not thought at all about how to explain Lucky's presence to the hosts. Second, she was not sure if they were expecting her today. Although William had been happy to invite her, Winifred hesitated. Would she be coming at an awkward time? Would she disrupt the Mitchell's plans? The way back was long. Jerome had taken both horses, so she would have to walk.

She stood there for a while, then made up her mind and took a step. Then another. Realising there was no turning back, she swallowed, but she ran up to the porch and knocked a few times on the ring hanging from the door.

Winifred felt as if an eternity had passed before she heard footsteps behind the door.

Good Eagle appeared on the threshold and broke into a friendly smile.

"You have come to visit us, Mrs. Kingsley?" she asked, trying to hide her childish curiosity, while already examining Lucky in Winifred's arms.

"If you will have me," Winifred replied cheerfully. "And forgive me for not coming alone..."

Lucky yelped.

"Of course we will have you."

William appeared in the doorway and smiled good‑naturedly.

"Come in, Mrs. Kingsley. Make yourself at home. And your little dog is welcome as our guest as well."

"And I, well... I baked a pie..." Winifred murmured, lingering a little in the entrance.

"That is wonderful!" Good Eagle exclaimed.

Winifred entered the house. Her gaze immediately fell upon a small room that served as both living room and dining room. The walls were painted white. The furniture everywhere was plain, without upholstery. Light brown curtains covered the wooden windows. Winifred suddenly thought that the people living in such a simple house were far happier than she was.

"Allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Mitchell."

At that moment, a short, dark‑skinned woman in a light dress entered the living room and stood beside William.

"Welcome, and thank you for honouring our humble home with your visit." Although Mrs. Mitchell spoke politely, Winifred could tell from her expression that she was not very pleased with the visit.

"Your home is lovely," Winifred said timidly. She felt so ashamed and awkward in front of Mrs. Mitchell that her cheeks flushed.

"We love it very much," Mrs. Mitchell said firmly, and there was so much pride in her voice that Winifred grew even more embarrassed.

"Let us sit down at the table. The pie seems to be cooling," William hurried to intervene.

Good Eagle jumped up happily and took the basket from Winifred. While Mrs. Mitchell cut the pie and arranged it on a platter, Lucky circled around her and rubbed against her legs like a small child.

"Such a nice puppy!" Good Eagle ran over to Lucky and began ruffling his face. "What is his name?"

"Good Eagle, you can play with the puppy later. Sit down at the table," Mrs. Mitchell called out.

"His name is Lucky," Winifred answered and smiled. "And by the way, Good Eagle, there is something for you in the basket."

"Really?"

Good Eagle rummaged around the bottom and, a moment later, pulled out several candies wrapped in paper.

"Thank you, Mrs. Kingsley!"

Mrs. Mitchell gave Winifred a grim look and let out a breath.

"You should not eat so much sweets. Your stomach will hurt."

"But pies do not hurt my stomach..." Good Eagle pouted and stuffed the candies into her pocket.

Mrs. Mitchell did not argue. She set the pie on the table and asked: "Will you have black tea or herbal tea, Mrs. Kingsley?"

"Oh, unfortunately, I do not drink tea... But I would not mind coffee..."

Mrs. Mitchell gave her a reproachful look and pursed her lips. Noticing this, William said: "To make coffee, you need coffee, Mrs. Kingsley." He shrugged.

"Then black tea. Please..."

Winifred blushed to the tips of her ears and did not dare raise her eyes to Mrs. Mitchell again.

"In our culture, giving gifts is a way to show respect, Mrs. Kingsley. You came to us with gifts and peace, and we respect you greatly for that. Besides, you showed kindness to Good Eagle, which means a great deal," William said in passing. "And now that we are neighbours, allow me to ask, what brought you to our wonderful land?"

The same thing that brought all the other settlers... I doubt he does not understand. Is he curious, or is he trying to find out something about me or about Jerome? Probably about Jerome...

"My husband brought me here from St. Louis. He said I would feel better here. He said the air was fresher and the water purer. I often suffered from illnesses at home, but here in Kansas, I truly feel healthier."

Winifred's words were only half true. She decided to keep quiet about Jerome's plan to build a railroad through Osage lands. She did not want to ruin the relationship with a family that had not even accepted her into their circle yet. She would tell them about Jerome's plans when the time came.

Mrs. Mitchell silently finished her slice of pie and did not join the conversation. However, Winifred felt her piercing, searching gaze on her.

She really does not trust me. No wonder...

"You look at me as if you are afraid I suspect you of something, Mrs. Kingsley," William chuckled and popped the last piece of pie into his mouth.

Winifred started. "Not at all!" she blurted out.

William smiled, took a sip of tea, and continued: "You have nothing to worry about, Mrs. Kingsley. I do not suspect you of anything of the sort. Times are changing, and I believe that we, the Osage, must strive for peaceful coexistence and harmony with the white settlers. That is my work."

That is why he invited me... he wants to build connections with the settlers.

"And what do you working, Mr. Mitchell?" Winifred inquired.

"I am an interpreter, Mrs. Kingsley."

"A very diplomatic profession. Such people are worth their weight in gold in today's society," she remarked.

"Diplomacy is a far more effective weapon if you know how to use it properly. That is what I believe."

"Too bad white people almost never understand that. All they do is start wars," Mrs. Mitchell unexpectedly said. Her dark brown eyes were fixed on Winifred.

"I think not all white people are like that. My sister's husband works at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Nebraska. He protects the rights of the Sioux, as far as I know," Winifred remarked.

"Lakota, Mrs. Kingsley," William corrected.

"Excuse me?" she did not understand.

"Those you call 'Sioux' are the Lakota people. Oglala, Hunkpapa, Sihasapa, Sicangu, Minneconjou, Oohenunpa, and Itazipcho."

Winifred's spirits sank. She had lost count of how many times she had embarrassed herself in front of the Mitchells that day.

"I'm sorry, I did not know that..."

"It is not your fault that you did not know something. It is enough that you acknowledged it," William said encouragingly. "But you are right, Mrs. Kingsley. Not all white people are terrible people who only want to fight. I have had the pleasure of meeting a very good family that recently moved here from Wisconsin. A husband, a wife, and a two of lovely daughters. Good Eagle is friends with one of them."

"You are talking about the Ingalls, are you not?" Winifred caught on.

William nodded. "You are right. They are a wonderful family..."

"Are you acquainted with them?"

"Only a little. I happened to meet them at Miss Henderson's store," Winifred finished her tea and leaned back in her chair.

"And speaking of Laura..." Good Eagle began, "She told me that Mr. Edwards has kittens, and anyway, I wanted to ask if we could take one or two home?"

Good Eagle looked first at her father, then at her mother, waiting for their decision.

"Oh, well... two kittens..." William drew out. "That is a very big responsibility, Good Eagle."

He exhaled and glanced at Mrs. Mitchell.

It seems nothing happens in this family without her approval.

"Your father is right, little one. To take a kitten, you need to have a great deal of responsibility, a desire to always be there, and to take care of such a defenceless creature. Let your father and me think about it for a day, and then we will decide, all right?"

"I will love it and take care of it, I promise!"

William and Mrs. Mitchell exchanged glances, and then William said: "We will see, little one."

"When father says 'we will see,' it means he agrees," Good Eagle whispered with a smile into Winifred's ear and reached for a second slice of pie.

Winifred chuckled, watching Good Eagle, William, and Mrs. Mitchell. Their family reminded her of her own before marriage. A strict but caring mother, a good‑natured father, a curious daughter...

Winifred dreamed of such a family.

The hands of the wall clock showed one in the afternoon. Winifred only now remembered that she had promised Jemma James to attend the women's society meeting. She hastily rose from the table, nearly knocking over her cup.

"Is something wrong, Mrs. Kingsley?"

Winifred felt a little flustered, feeling guilty toward the Mitchells and a little toward Mrs. James.

"I... I completely forgot about the time... I was supposed to visit Mrs. James, and I only just remembered..."

William nodded understandingly.

"Forgive me for leaving so abruptly. I'm very ashamed, but I truly forgot..."

"It is quite all right, Mrs. Kingsley," William reassured her. "You are our guest, not a prisoner. Guests are free to leave whenever they wish."

He smiled gently at Winifred and, together with Mrs. Mitchell and Good Eagle, escorted her to the door.

"Lucky! Come here!"

The puppy nimbly jumped into her arms. Winifred gave the Mitchell family an apologetic look, said goodbye, and left their house.

***

"Still think inviting her was a good idea?" White Sun asked some time later.

William came up to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

"She seems like a decent girl, and Good Eagle likes her."

"Even if we did it out of gratitude, she is white, no matter how you look at it."

"We need to learn to live with the settlers, even if we do not want to. I understand everything, Sunshine. But what if this girl becomes another bridge to harmony in our rapidly changing world? Let us give her a chance?"

"I will be careful with her. I want to see what kind of person she is."

"And I will support you in that, Sunshine."

William kissed White Sun on the cheek and smiled.

***

Winifred was short on time. Her situation was made worse by the lack of horses, and the journey to the Jameses was long. On her way home, she cursed Jerome for his greed and shortsightedness.

Once back, she washed quickly, changed her undergarments and dress, and gathered her hair into a tight bun. Lucky kept circling around her feet and yapping. She patted him, sat down at the dressing table, took out her jewellery box, and began choosing.

"Sapphires and emeralds seem too flashy... Mrs. James might think I am some sort of society upstart, do you agree, Lucky?"

An approving "woof" sounded.

"Malachite does not go with the dress at all... Amber is too plain, jasper will not do... Maybe then..."

Winifred took a thin string of pearls from the box and wrapped it several times around her neck.

"Restrained, elegant, and tasteful. Mrs. James certainly will not feel humiliated in my presence, right, Lucky?"

This time, there was no answer.

Winifred turned around, but the puppy was not in the bedroom.

"Lucky?"

Winifred ran into the hallway.

"Lucky, where are you?" she called louder.

"Lucky?!"

Feeling a cold fear creeping up her throat, Winifred went down to the living room. She looked under the coffee table, behind the cabinets, and behind the sofa.

"Lucky, where are you?!"

She searched every room on the first and second floors, but the puppy was nowhere to be found.

***

Little Puma took a deep breath and plunged his head underwater.

"One. Two. Three..."

Mayron stood nearby, counting the seconds and chuckling softly.

"Ten, eleven..."

Mayron's voice was muffled, but Little Puma could hear every word.

"Fourteen. Fifteen."

Little Puma surfaced and greedily drew air into his lungs.

"Only fifteen seconds, Puma. But that is better than last time," Mayron patted Little Puma on the back approvingly.

"Next time I will last longer," Little Puma promised and waded toward the bank.

He quickly pulled on his trousers and threw his shirt over his wet body. He buttoned it all the way up. Then he found his moccasins in the grass, shook out the sand, and put them on. Little Puma bent down to pick up his choker, but as he groped around, he could not find it.

"I do not understand..."

"What is it?" Mayron turned around.

"Did you see my choker?"

Mayron shrugged vaguely.

Little Puma scoured the entire bank back and forth, grumbling and cursing, until his attention was caught by a commotion in the grass. He crept closer, and at that very moment a puppy jumped out of the grass with his choker in its teeth.

"You little wretch ! Where did you come from? Give me back my choker." Little Puma stretched out his hand demandingly and beckoned the puppy.

The puppy sat still and apparently had no intention of letting go of his prize. Little Puma approached him, but the puppy suddenly wagged its tail and darted off.

"Stop! Give me back my choker, I said!"

Little Puma ran after the puppy.

"Give it back, do you hear me?"

The puppy ran faster, until he disappeared into the grass. Only the moving ears of grass betrayed him. With an irritated sigh, Little Puma followed him. When both came out onto the road, the puppy yelped and rushed forward. Little Puma had no choice but to chase after him. He would not let anyone take his choker.

***

Winifred had searched every nook and cranny, every bush along the trail, and was almost in tears as she called for Lucky. Time seemed to stand still for her. She had wandered so far from the house that she risked running into someone from the Osage, but Lucky meant everything to her, and Winifred was not about to give up so easily.

"Lucky, little one! Come here! Where are you ?"

Winifred walked forward, but the trail seemed endless, and there was no sign of the puppy.

"Lucky!" she called again.

"Woof!" came from somewhere to the side.

Winifred started and ran toward the sound.

"Woof!" it came closer, and then Lucky's ears appeared from the grass, followed by the puppy himself.

Winifred dropped to her knees, scooped up the puppy, and pressed him to her chest. Tears streamed down her face. Lucky licked them away and nuzzled her wet cheeks.

"Where have you been, little one? Why did you run away?" Winifred asked between sobs.

Lucky gave a loud yelp and, wriggling out of Winifred's hands, picked something up from the ground.

Winifred took from the puppy a massive bone choker and stared at it for a long time with a frown.

"Where did you get this?" she asked. "We will never find the owner of this thing now. It could belong to anyone..."

From the way Lucky stuck out his tongue, pleased with his trick, Winifred knew she would not get an honest answer from him. She smiled, carefully rolled up the choker, and was about to put it in her pocket when a familiar voice reached her:

"Where are you, little thief?"

Winifred turned around in fright. Little Puma came out onto the trail and stopped a few feet away from her. Surprise and undisguised displeasure mingled in his eyes. He clearly had not expected to run into Winifred. She had not expected it either.

Lucky barked and ran up to him, wagging his tail.

Winifred lowered her gaze to Little Puma, who was bending over the puppy. He was breathing heavily. His shirt, soaked through, clung to his lean body. His damp, loose hair fell carelessly over his shoulders. At this moment, Little Puma looked least like the proud Osage she had once met at Miss Henderson's store. He smiled at the puppy, raised his head, and asked without any annoyance now: "So this is your fluffy little wretch?"

Winifred smiled. "This is Lucky. Jerome gave him to me before he left."

"His name is Lucky?" Little Puma repeated.

"Is something wrong with that name?"

Little Puma grinned at the corner of his mouth and suddenly answered her with complete sincerity: "Quite the opposite. I think it is a very fitting name."

"I really want to believe that. I hope this little one will bring me a lot of luck and joy in life."

Little Puma could not help smiling for a moment. He bent over Lucky and asked: "May I?"

Winifred nodded. Then Little Puma picked up Lucky and scratched his soft belly. The puppy stuck out his tongue with pleasure and closed his eyes. Little Puma set Lucky down and looked at Winifred.

"Here, take the choker. It is yours..." Winifred held out Little Puma's belonging to him. For a brief moment, their fingers touched.

Winifred was the first to pull her hand away, but she did not look away from Little Puma. He looked at her without blinking, then stepped back.

"My name is Winifred," she suddenly said and immediately scolded herself inwardly.

Little Puma froze in surprise, but then a look that was either a smirk or a smile appeared on his face. He nodded to her, patted Lucky on the head one last time, turned around, and walked away quickly, disappearing into the tall grass.

***

"You liked him, did you not, little one?" Winifred asked on her way to the Jameses.

Lucky gave an agreeing yelp.

"I must admit, he is not as unpleasant as I thought he was... Perhaps a little angry and not very courteous, but it would be wrong to expect friendliness from him, do you agree?"

The Jamese's house, as before, stood proudly above all other buildings in Independence. Just its sight suggested that civilisation had finally come to the frontier. Winifred forced herself to step onto the porch. Previously, she had gazed at the mansion with genuine admiration, but now it evoked nothing but aversion in her.

Winifred convinced herself that she was not there to admire the "achievements of civilisation," but rather to gain the necessary connections. The first person to start with was Jemma James.

***

"Oh, my dear, we were just talking about you!"

After a short wait, Jemma James appeared in the doorway. A restrained smile appeared on her horse‑like face. Winifred returned the smile and entered the house.

However, Mrs. James, you are quite a good liar. Though you do overact a little...

Jemma took Winifred by the arm and led her into the living room, where other ladies were already seated.

"Dear ladies, allow me to introduce Mrs. Kingsley! She has been living in Kansas for a month now, but she has only now been able to honour our women's society with her presence."

Several women turned to Winifred and greeted her. When she found Caroline Ingalls standing by the window, she exhaled in relief and relaxed her tense shoulders.

Unlike Jerome, the Jameses apparently do not consider it shameful to associate with the Ingalls, since Caroline was also invited. Or perhaps Jemma simply does not know that their family associates with the Osage...

"Thank you for the warm welcome, Mrs. James and dear ladies," a nearly sincere smile appeared on Winifred's lips.

Caroline, noticing her, squeezed between two women and almost rushed across the distance separating them.

"I'm so glad to see you here, Mrs. Kingsley," she said instead of a greeting.

"I'm very pleased as well. I hardly know anyone here, except for you and Mrs. James..."

"Oh, my dear..."

Caroline was not allowed to finish. Jemma tightened her grip on Winifred's arm and pulled her along.

"Dear ladies, a moment of attention, please. Since Mrs. Kingsley is attending our gathering for the first time, I want to repeat what the women's society is all about."

Suppressing her irritation toward Jemma, Winifred prepared to listen attentively.

"As you already know, Mrs. Kingsley, although Independence was founded two years ago, it still has no school, no library, and no church. We have taken it upon ourselves to undertake this difficult mission. We will do everything we can to build them as soon as possible," Jemma explained. "At the same time, we needed a place where women from all around could gather together, to be understood and heard. And I believe that our society will become such a place for all the ladies present here. After all, we plan to win the right to vote, Mrs. Kingsley. Nothing is done without reason."

Now this is interesting... If Jemma is such an ambitious woman, no wonder Jerome was annoyed by her. But women's suffrage would be a real breakthrough, and I will support Jemma in that without a doubt.

"...but more importantly, dear ladies, soon a railroad will be built in Independence! Mrs. Kingsley's husband is a railroad magnate. He came to Kansas from St. Louis solely to carry out the construction!" Jemma leaned toward Winifred and whispered: "And strictly between us, Mrs. Kingsley, yesterday your husband and my Eli signed an agreement to build the road together. Now that our families have become partners in such an important matter, I hope you and I will become wonderful friends."

Hope dies last, Mrs. James.

"That is wonderful news!" one of the ladies exclaimed.

"But what about Mrs. Kingsley herself?" Caroline intervened. "What do you do, my dear?"

Winifred stood in confusion for a few moments before saying the first thing that came to mind:

"I... I am here to help our women's society with building the school and the library, of course..."

And of course, I hope to find reliable allies among these ladies in the fight against Jerome and Eli James's plans...

"That is so lovely to hear from you, my dear!" Jemma said touchingly.

Finally releasing Winifred, she moved away to the other ladies. Winifred looked around. Which of these women could become her ally? Winifred's gaze settled on Caroline.

She is clearly a good woman, and it seems Jemma quite likes her. On one hand, that works in my favour, because if Jerome finds out the Ingalls are welcome in the Jameses home, he will have no reason to forbid me from associating with them. On the other hand... Caroline may like Jemma herself, and then my attempts to befriend her would be in vain. And in the end, Jerome might tell the Jameses about the Ingalls friendship with the Osage, and then both of us would risk losing our reputation and connections. Better to just watch for now. There are many women in Jemma's society. Some of them may be in a similar situation to mine. That is what I will find out...

***

Winifred returned home in the evening. When Jemma learned that Jerome had taken both horses, she kindly agreed to lend her carriage. Winifred stretched out on the living room sofa and began to think over everything that had happened that day. There was a lot of good, even very much, except for Jerome's disgusting kiss and the irritating Jemma.

She pulled Lucky to her and closed her eyes. But before falling asleep, she involuntarily remembered Little Puma, and a soft smile touched her lips.