Chapter 14 – The Deal

'Emile, I . . . I still have feelings for Jacques.'

I don't think the major general was surprised by Kate's answer; she'd certainly acted like a woman that wasn't sure of her feelings, about either of the men in her life. And it was no shock to me that she finally admitted what I'd suspected all along – she was furious with Jacques Armand and had more than ample reason to call off their engagement – but that didn't mean she'd stopped loving him.

Kate had used Broderick Michaels to make Jacques Armand jealous, and to distract her from the pain that Armand's womanizing ways had caused her. She'd used me in the same way, although for a much shorter period of time. Did she have real feelings for Michaels? It sounded like she did, but Kate was the only one that could answer that. The one thing she felt for me was guilt – of that I was certain. So where did that leave all of us?

Michaels was on the run, with a death sentence hanging over his head. I was on the verge of having that sentence imposed on me instead, and Jacques had done his very best to commit murder. Kate was a confused mess, and Emile seemed intent on getting to the truth, whatever it was.

Armand's next question seemed reasonable – maybe not answerable, but reasonable. "And just what do you intend to do about it?"

I took another draw on my cigar and blew out the smoke, waiting to hear what she had to say. When I finally looked at her, I was surprised to find her in tears. Somehow I didn't think Kate had emotions that ran deep enough to cause her such pain. "I don't know. Just because I still care for him . . . I can't live a life with him the way he behaves . . . the women, the bull-headedness, the disregard for anyone's feelings but his own. He wouldn't listen to me when I tried to tell him . . . it seems he would rather own me than love me."

"I got those same impressions from him, Major General. Like Kate was a piece of property, to be controlled rather than cared for." I hadn't intended to say anything – I'd just gotten out of the fire and didn't care to end up back in it – but I'd seen that possessiveness of Armand's firsthand. It was so strong that he would have hanged me for challenging his ownership, whether I was Broderick Michaels or not. Anything that threatened his hold on the woman he purported to love was fit only to be disposed of.

"And the real Broderick Michaels? Do you have feelings for him also?" I was surprised at the gentleness of the question. The major general sounded more like a doting father than a stern, almost father-in-law. The look he gave Kate was full of concern and love and pity, and I felt nothing but sadness and compassion for this man. A hot-headed, arrogant son, a fickle, spoiled rotten daughter-in-law to be, and a fort full of French Creole soldiers who obeyed his every command. I was fortunate that he was as fair-minded a man as I'd ever run up against; a lesser man in any way would have let his son hang me and been done with it. It was the easy way out.

Kate's tears hadn't stopped, and now you could hear it in her voice. "I . . . I don't know . . .oh, I do, I suppose. But I will admit to you, Emile, that I should never have tried to run away with him. And Bart," here she turned and looked right at me; "I do regret the way I acted towards you, from the very beginning. It was unfair to put you in that position. I wasn't thinking. I didn't believe that Jacques would ever try . . . but he did, and I am so sorry."

There it was, something I never thought I'd hear from Kate Duecet. A heartfelt apology. Right now she didn't seem quite as headstrong and spoiled as I once thought her. It was a welcome change.

"And what is next for you now, Kate? Do you want to find Michaels and make a life with him, or do you still love Jacques enough to . . . try something different?"

The major general had my complete attention after he mentioned 'something different.' From the look on her face, he had Kate's attention, too. "Something different? What does that mean, Emile?"

"This will only work with Mr. Maverick's co-operation. Even then it might not succeed. And truth be told, there is absolutely no reason for him to provide assistance of any kind. But if he would do me the favor of listening to my proposal and giving me his honest opinion of my plan, I would be forever in his debt. What say you, Mr. Maverick? Considering you must stay here for your own protection until your brother arrives, I would be most grateful for your assistance. I might even be able to provide a monetary incentive of some kind, should you agree to participate."

I'd been abused, injured, treated like a criminal, and almost hanged. Oh yeah, and held against my will, with no regard for my welfare or safety or even if I was being fed regularly. But Emile Armand had appealed to my better nature, and I was inclined to at least listen to his proposal. Besides, he'd said the magic words. Monetary incentive.

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It was an interesting proposition, and one that I thought just might work. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have agreed to it; the man had tried to murder me, after all. These were anything but normal circumstances, and I was willing to listen to the major general's idea. And the idea of teaching Jacques Armand a lesson in humility was appealing. As long as the major general was willing to make a concession or two concerning my physical well-being.

The plan was simple: make Jacques believe that Kate had already moved on from her attraction to Michaels and had placed her newly-freed affections with me instead. Emile seemed convinced if we could persuade his son how distasteful it was for Kate to spend her time and attention on someone other than her intended, Jacques would understand that his 'dalliances' had the same effect on her. And would choose to remain faithful to the woman he wanted to marry. Simple if it worked.

As I said before, I thought it might. It depended on two things – how convincing me and Kate could be, and how much Jacques actually loved the woman. I required a guarantee of protection before I'd agree to Armand's plan; I had no intention of ending up with a rope around my neck again. And I wanted the major general to define 'monetary incentive.' This was, after all, Kate's reputation and, more importantly, my physical well-being that we were gambling with. And I expected the payoff to be worth the risks involved.

It appeared Emile was willing to pay a high price for his son's reformation. When I asked "how much," his answer was unexpected.

"One thousand dollars," he offered.

Naturally I thought my participation was worth more than Armand did. Still, a thousand dollars was a generous amount given the circumstances. My involvement could be bought, but it would take more than one thousand dollars. "Two thousand, no negotiations. It's my neck I'm riskin', and you haven't explained how you'll keep your son from making another attempt on my life."

The major general gave me a grim smile. "Your skepticism is understandable, Mr. Maverick. You will be guarded twenty-four hours a day by one of my finest soldiers. I will personally explain to Jacques that if one hair on your head is harmed, I will have him banished and disinherited. My son is too fond of his way of life to risk losing it."

"Alright, I'm willing to listen to your plan. If you'll allow me to make . . . uh, suggestions."

The major general extended his hand. "It is a bargain, between gentlemen."

I looked at Kate before I agreed to anything. The woman was still trouble, but I was stuck here until Bret arrived, anyway. And two thousand dollars was nothing to sneeze at. "Kate? Are you willing to give it a try?"

She gave me one of her dazzling smiles, and those golden eyes shined. "I am if you are."

I took Armand's hand, and we shook. I hoped I wouldn't regret it later. "You have a deal, Major General. What exactly did you have in mind?"