Assuming her most charming manner, Summer raised her eyes to gaze admiringly at Fights Bear. “Your brother esteems you greatly and craves your respect. He has told me that you taught him the skills of a warrior.”
“This is so.”
“He would never willingly incur your censure. That is why he regrets angering you. He realizes that he was mistaken to
deny your request. Sharp Lance said you wished to sleep with me, and he bows to your wishes.”
The grunt the war chief gave was no more than an acknowledgment of the facts.
“And although your customs are not mine, I do not want to make Sharp Lance lose the respect of the Comanche People. I wish to honor my husband, as a wife should.”
Fights Bear nodded approvingly. “This is good.”
Summer took a deep breath. She was prepared to present her reasons why their coupling would be a mistake—and to suggest an alternative. She only prayed she could make him listen.
“I don’t wish Sharp Lance to be cast out from the Comanche people, and yet…he must also live in the white world. It is against white laws for a married woman to sleep with a man who is not her husband.”
Scowling suddenly, Fights Bear looked every inch the dangerous barbarian that he was. “I care nothing for these white laws!”
“Of course not,” Summer said soothingly. “Forgive me for implying such a thing. But truly, I was merely explaining the thoughts that ran through your brother’s mind. He only hoped to protect me. Whites do not think highly of a woman who would give herself to many men.”
Impatiently Fights Bear thumped his chest with his fist. “Not many men! One only! We are brothers. It is fitting for brothers to share wives.”
“In the Comanche culture, yes. But it would shame Sharp Lance terribly before whites if his wife were to take another man as her lover.”
“Whites are fools!”
Summer smiled. “I have often thought so. But that is another subject. My concern now is my husband. It would deliver a fierce blow to his pride if he could not protect his woman. Perhaps you can understand. A proud man suffers far more from shame than from physical wounding. And Sharp Lance is very proud.”
To her relief, Fights Bear nodded slowly in agreement.
“I will do whatever you ask,” she murmured. “If you wish to have me in your bed, then that is your right. Indeed, I am honored that so great a warrior as Fights Bear would favor a mere white woman. Still, it is a pity…” She lowered her eyes sadly.
He barked something that she took to mean “What are you talking about?”
“It is a pity that Sharp Lance will suffer for adhering to Comanche law. In this case, it would greatly hurt his consequence in the white world.”
“I tell you, I care nothing for the opinion of whites!”
“Yes, I know. Forgive me.” She clasped her hands humbly.
“It is just that…I care for my husband. I don’t wish for him to lose face with either people. I would do anything to protect him.” She stole a glance at Fights Bear. “Is it wrong for a woman to wish to protect her husband?”
For the first time, Fights Bear cast a glance at their Mexican translator. “I would wish that my own wives would show such devotion,” he replied in a tone that sounded almost dry.
Summer bit her lip. She hadn’t wanted to cause a family squabble. “I’m certain they would do no less for you than I wish to do for Sharp Lance,” she said quickly. “I worry greatly for his pride, for I know the scorn that the whites will show him if he allows his wife to sleep with another man. However…there is an honorable alternative, I think. One that would allow Sharp Lance to save his pride and still honor you as a brother.”
Fights Bear looked at her narrowly.
“Perhaps you would accept horses in exchange, as proof of Sharp Lance’s respect for you as his brother.”
She held her breath as she let that sink in. Horses to a Comanche were like gold to whites; they symbolized wealth and prestige and power, and meant more to a Comanche than females ever could. She could only hope Fights Bear would rather have horses than her body.
The speculation on his dark features told her she had aroused his attention at least, and Summer went on hopefully, beginning with flattery. “I know that you already own many horses, and that you do not need more to improve your consequence, but you would spare your brother much pain by accepting the horses instead.”
“It is not the usual way,” the war chief said thoughtfully.
“No…but then, these are not usual circumstances. And you are wise enough to see the merits of this solution. Would you at least consider it, Fights Bear? You would make your brother very happy.”