Charlotte’s views were confirmed.  Fiona didn’t seem surprised or upset in any way.  Her gaze stayed evenly on Charlotte.  “It’s silver.  Enough to see you through whatever might come.  It’s packed in cotton wool so that…” she hesitated.  Fiona nodded.  Charlotte saw that she understood perfectly.  As Charlotte watched, she slipped the bag into her waistband underneath her apron.

“Thank you.  I’m grateful.”

“Your baby’s beautiful,” Charlotte said, and she meant it.

“Go with God,” Fiona said.  Well, that wasn’t quite who it was going to be.

Edward Fenton hovered near the front of the wagon.  Charlotte could smell the ham and onions frying.

“You did a fine job,” she said.

“I wasn’t awake at first but now I am.”

“I’ve got one more thing and it’s important.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She pulled out the letter in its sealed envelope.  “This needs to go to the name on the front, Tobias Duchesne, when you get to Fort Randall.  He may not be there right away, but I’m asking you to find someone who can give it to him.  I’m also asking you to protect the letter, carry it safe on your person, until you get there.  Is that something you can do?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I trust that’s true.”  Charlotte handed him the letter.  Then she took his other hand, opened it and poured an amount of silver into his palm.  She closed his fingers around the coins.  His eyes were wide.  “If people know you have money, then you don’t always have it anymore.  And if you’re foolish with it, then you don’t have it anymore either.  But I don’t think you’re foolish, Edward Fenton.”

“I never was,” he said with some feeling.

“Good,” she said.  “I’m lucky then.”

<>

Ellis made a perfectly acceptable breakfast.  He offered it to her on one of her own tin plates.

“You’ve been busy,” he said.

“I told you I had things to do.”

“What’s the letter say?”

“I was counting on you being hard of hearing.  You’ll be in Washington talking to the old ones so what do you care?”

“I care.”

“It’s not your concern.”

“If you’ll remember correctly, it is my concern.  I was being paid to get you there.”

“That was yesterday.”

“I’m asking you again and I want an answer.  What does the letter say?”

“This must be your captain-in-charge voice.  Don’t worry, I’m used to that too.  It says I’m safe, don’t wait for me, I’ll be there when I can.”

“Or never.”

“Or never.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Ellis said.  He’d eaten his breakfast in four mouthfuls.  “I’m giving the money to Chace.”

“You can give it to anybody you want.  Makes no difference to me.”

“But wait a minute.  Do you have a real fear for Fiona?”