“I am sorry, senorita. This has been a very long day. I will press your gown immediately!” Maddy’s voice was polite but a hint of sullenness tinged it.
Mariah straightened her back and smiled at the servant. “I’ll be in my room when you’ve finished it, Maddy,” she said evenly. “And Maddy, I do appreciate your cooperation.”
A half-hour later Mariah was dressed in the neatly pressed gown and waiting for Clay’s arrival. She sat with Lil in the drawing room and to pass the time, mentioned Maddy’s attitude to her sister. “I don’t wish to cause any trouble, Lil, but I was wondering…would Maddy have any reason to dislike me?”
“Why do you ask, dear?”
Mariah explained the incident and mentioned the veiled antagonism that the woman exuded. “It’s not the first time I’ve felt it, Lil. She makes me feel as though I were an intruder, a very unwelcome guest.”
“Nonsense, Mariah dear. The woman’s been with me since I was a little girl. There couldn’t be a sweeter, more gentle soul around. I’m sure you must be imagining those feelings, perhaps out of loneliness. The solitude of Montana can play tricks on your mind.”
Mariah frowned, slightly disconcerted to find Lil doubting her impressions. Had she been imagining it? No! Perhaps once, but not the many times she’d encountered Maddy’s hostility. Well, she wouldn’t worry over it tonight. Tonight she wanted to enjoy herself.
Lil was dressed in a low-cut black gown that, far from making her look somber, accentuated her voluptuous and seductive figure. The color set off her pink-and-white complexion and contrasted sharply with the bright gold of her hair. Glancing at the grandfather clock that stood against one wall of the room, Lil commented that Clay should be here any time now. “You look so sweet in white, Mariah! It really is your color with that black hair of yours!” She glanced into the mirror, preening and patting at her own coiffure. “We certainly are opposites, aren’t we, dear?”
Maddy entered the room, showing Clay in and then backing out. “Well, ladies, I’m doubly honored tonight. I’m the escort of the two most beautiful ladies in Montana!” Clay looked as elegant as usual in a black coat and vest, with a small ascot scarf at his neck. He offered an arm to each of them and, outside, assisted them into the carriage.
Lil kept up a running conversation on the way to the Hamiltons’. Mariah was content to stare out the window and watch the scenery.
At the Hamilton ranchhouse, gay colored lanterns lighted the yard. Because of its size, the party had to be held outdoors. Sam Hamilton’s house was not so big or fancy as Lil’s and could accommodate only about twenty people. Clay had told them there were forty-five people invited, some from as far away as Fort Pierre. A great many of the military would be there, and she would have a chance to meet most of the settlers.
Seeing the carriage arrive, Sam Hamilton walked up and helped the ladies down. “What a pleasure to have you grace our get-together, ladies. Clay, why don’t you lake Miss Randall inside and introduce her?”
Some of the early arrivals were standing about, many in army uniforms, and Clay took her arm in his, introducing her to the other guests. One woman, Sharon Michaels, standing next to her husband, warmly took Mariah’s hand in hers. “I knew your mother very well, my dear. She and I were great friends. I still write to her occasionally.” She introduced her husband, General Michaels, commandant of Fort Pierre. “We lived at Myer’s Landing when Susannah lived there, but five years ago we were transferred to Fort Pierre,” she explained.
Mariah felt instantly at home and relaxed. Belle spotted her and ran up to give her an affectionate hug.
The small room was becoming more crowded with each new guest and Clay suggested they go outside and begin the dancing. The small band consisted of two guitar players and a fiddle player. At a signal from Clay, they began a waltz and Clay asked Mariah to join him. They whirled about the courtyard as other couples joined in the lively dance. Mariah saw a laughing Lil spin by.
Hours passed quickly and between dances, the guests ate the buffet supper and made small talk. As a newcomer and the prettiest of the young, single girls, Mariah was the center of attention and was kept constantly dancing. Clay finally managed to recapture her and asked her if she’d like to rest a while and walk around. She agreed and he managed to find a quiet spot near the back porch. A small garden of flowers bloomed before them, a result of Belle’s attempt to add beauty to the dull life she lived. Picking a white rose, Clay handed it to Mariah. “The flower pales by comparison!”
Mariah was a bit startled at his poetic boldness; his normal reticence seemed to have dropped away. “How kind, Clay. You’re more gallant than usual tonight. Could it be the moon, or the excitement of the party?” Her words had been meant in a teasing manner, but it was obvious that Clay was in a serious mood.
“How bored you must be with us, Mariah, after the liveliness of a city like St. Louis! You’re a beautiful butterfly, brightening our drab setting.”
“Actually, though it has been quite a change, I think I enjoy it here, Clay! The people are very friendly and open—there seems to be none of the gossip or backbiting that goes on in more ‘civilized’ areas. I’m not even as homesick as I imagined I’d be,” she added, smiling up at him.
Clay looked hesitant a moment and then, taking a deep breath, he leaned closer. “Mariah, I…every time I look at you, I’m driven mad with longing! I know we’ve been acquainted only a short while, but I feel I’ve known you a lifetime. Would you be offended if I kissed you? I know it’s forward of me, but you’re so beautiful…” His voice trailed off timidly.
Mariah thought his question sweet and shy. How different from Jared, who had not asked but had taken what he wanted without regard for her feelings. “Yes, Clay, I think I’d like that.” He reached forward and took her gently in his arms, his hands trembling as he brought her closer. His kiss was a light touch of their mouths, soft and tender, and he quickly drew back, unwilling to take more than the one, light liberty.
Mariah felt nothing. She was aware he hadn’t wanted to push her, but his kiss had been like a brotherly peck and she smiled at him, raising her hands to each side of his face and kissing him back, with more pressure than he had used with her. He was tense with surprise for a moment, then his arms encircled her and, emboldened, he used her with more passion. Mariah drew back, more impressed by his second effort, and leaned back against the bench.
"God, Mariah, your nearness drives me insane! I hope you intend to let me continue to call on you. Could I hope that you might feel something for me? That you might find it in your heart to let me court you?”
Mariah was surprised by his shy request. “I enjoy your company, Clay, I see no reason why we can’t continue to ride or visit with each other. Now, I think we’d best return to the others or my actions will be the talk of everyone for miles around.”
Clay helped her up, and holding her hand, pressed it to his lips lightly. “No one would dare whisper a word, Mariah, or they’d have me to answer to,” he promised solemnly.
Mariah returned to the dancing and at quite a late hour, Clay took them home, thanking them for coming. After Lil had said good night and gone inside, Mariah lingered a moment and Clay stepped close. “May I take you riding tomorrow? There’s a lovely view north of here.”
Mariah agreed and Clay pressed her hand to his lips once more before he drove off. Mounting the steps, Mariah was startled by a voice from the shadows of the gallery.
“How touching—Hamilton is such a gentleman, isn’t he?” The chair Jared sat on swung to the floor with a loud bang and he stood up, coming forward to stand near her. His face was covered by a three-week beard and it gave him a rough, barbaric look. His eyes swept over her, taking in the manner in which she was dressed. “I see I missed the party. A shame, I would have liked to dance with you.”
Mariah was immediately on edge, tense at his nearness and it made her snap with irritation. “You’re quite right. Clay is a gentleman, one of the few I’ve met h
ere. But you wouldn’t know anything about treating a lady properly, would you?” She lifted her head haughtily and tried to go around him.
Jared shot out a hand, holding her arm and stopping her. “Depends on the lady in question. When it comes to you, I wonder how much of your proper air of breeding is a cover for what lies beneath. Your response when I held you close was hardly ladylike, Mariah.” His voice mocked her, reminding her of that episode eight weeks before.
The nerve of him to bring that up! “Unless you’ve forgotten, you manhandled me. I did not seek your attentions!” She looked down at his hand holding hers with a frown. “Now, unless you intend to force yourself on me again, I’d appreciate it if you’d release me!”
Mariah’s cutting words infuriated him and he gripped her harder, actually pleased when she winced. Her eyes came up, staring wide and defiant into his and she threw him a challenge.
“You are obviously stronger than I. If it pleases you to overpower a helpless woman, you’re less a man than I thought.”
Jared’s face revealed no emotion as he set her loose, but his sharp retort proved he had been nettled by her attitude. “Some women prefer to be dominated, ma’am,” he taunted. “Haven’t made up my mind yet, whether you’re worth the effort. Still, it’d be a relief from boredom, to try and find out.” He made a mocking bow, catching her hand to his lips in imitation of Clay and watched as she withdrew her hand as though his lips had burned it. She rushed past him into the house.
Jared smiled, cold and calculating, his mind stubbornly searching for a way to subdue her haughty spirit. The entire three weeks had been a waste, he’d been unable to put her out of his mind. Mariah Randall had almost become an obsession with him; something about her had worked its way under his skin until he felt he had to come back and settle matters between them. When he had arrived at the ranch about seven o’clock, Maddy had told him where the two women had gone and he’d waited for her on the porch, wondering if he shouldn’t put his best foot forward and pay court to her in the conventional manner. It went against his grain to be the one pursuing a woman, but in her case, he felt it was worth it. All his good intentions went out the window, though, when he heard her agree to ride the next day with Clay. It galled him that Clay, whom he considered to be a weak nothing, had her so fooled by his “gentlemanly” behavior.
Now, as he walked to his room, he realized his irritation had interfered with his intentions, and he cursed his quick temper. There was only one way to go about changing her mind, he decided, as he called Maddy to heat water for a bath. He’d go to Mariah’s room later and force her to listen.
Lil had heard Jared’s voice calling Maddy, and the fact that he had returned and not sought her out immediately added to her list of grievances against him. She entered his room without knocking, finding him lying on the bed, smoking a cigarette. “I would have thought you’d have the courtesy to let me know you’d returned, Jared. I don’t like the way you’ve been acting lately.” She stood near the foot of his bed and glared spitefully.
Lil was the last person he wanted to see. He made no attempt to cover his lack of feeling for her. “You’ve changed a little too, baby. Never used to have that spoiled whine in your voice when you spoke. I’ve done a lot of thinking the past couple of weeks. Think I overstayed my welcome. I’ll be packed and ready to leave in the morning—Judson can take over all my duties.” Jared’s eyes had swept insolently down her body as he’d emphasized the word all—letting her know he was willing that Judson, his second-in-command, should inherit her, too.
The threat worked and Lil was immediately remorseful, rushing to sit at his side and throw her arms around him. “You haven’t gotten tired of me, Jared, I know it. I’m sorry I’ve been so cross. It’s all her fault. Mariah’s prissy sweetness has me on edge. I can’t wait to get rid of her!” Jared’s chest muscles tensed under her head as he spoke.
“What do you mean, get rid of her? Lil—you let me know, now, what you got in mind.”
She looked up and saw his interest. “She’ll most likely be married soon. Sam Hamilton told me Clay’s so crazy about her, he would have asked her tonight but Sam asked him to wait another couple of weeks and be sure. Sam seems to think she fits into the family well; she’s already best friends with Belle. I promised to add my support once he proposes.”
Nothing on his face reflected how fast Jared’s thoughts were racing. She couldn’t seriously consider that…milksop. He realized he would have to take action tonight. “I told you to leave her alone, Lil. Too many people have tried to marry her off. If it’s true, she’ll be gone soon enough. Now, if you stop being so bitchy and possessive, I might stay around. Push it and I’m gone tomorrow.”
Lil wasn’t sure what to do. Her voice became softly alluring. “Jared, don’t you find me attractive any longer? There was a time you couldn’t wait to kiss me.” Her eyes, blue and shiny with emotion, pleaded with him to remain.
Jared pulled her forward, his mouth pressing hers in a hard, demanding kiss. “That’ll have to hold you, Lil. I rode ninety miles today—nothing could get a rise out of me right now, even you.” His eyes held a promise that the next night he would make up for his lack of attention. “Now get, and let me catch some shuteye or I won’t be any use to anyone, even tomorrow.”
Frustrated, but satisfied with his promise, Lil kissed him once more and left the room. Jared had already dismissed her from his mind. After his bath, he’d go to Mariah’s room, make her see what a mistake Clay Hamilton would be.
He took a quick bath and shaved off his beard. Studying his face in the mirror, he made a sudden, impulsive decision and shaved off his mustache too. Now his face looked younger and less rough. Maybe it would scare Mariah less. He ran a comb through his tangled hair, noting that he could use a haircut too.
He dressed in his newest shirt and pants and tied a red scarf around his neck. In the hall, he hesitated, making sure he wasn’t seen and then silently entered her room. A small ray of moonlight filtered into the room, outlining Mariah’s sleeping form. Quietly, so as not to frighten her, he crept up and went down on one knee, near the top of the bed.
Mariah’s profile was silhouetted in the moonlight and the innocent rise and fall of her breathing almost made him hesitate. He touched her cheek, and she moved restlessly, turning over toward him; her eyes slowly opened and adjusted, still groggy and sleep filled. Suddenly she was fully aware it was Jared, and she opened her mouth, beginning a scream. Jared covered her mouth with his hand, stifling the noise, but she began struggling and whimpering. His other hand stilled her as she tried to sit up.
“Listen, Mariah,” he whispered huskily. “I’m not here to hurt you, I just want to talk. If you promise not to call for help, I’ll take my hand away.” Her eyes were rebellious, but she nodded agreement and he loosened his grip and rose to sit beside her.
“What are you doing in my room,” Mariah said indignantly. “You must be mad to come in here!” She flinched as his hand moved toward her but he only picked up one of her long curls and played with it while he spoke.
“Mariah, I’ve got a lot to say. I know we started off on the wrong foot. I haven’t had much exposure to girls like you. I guess my actions were a little brazen in your eyes. I apologize.” He grinned sheepishly and his face, without the bristly, red-gold mustache, seemed young and open. “Guess I’m used to taking what I want.” He rubbed the curl between his fingers, concentrating on its silken texture as he asked her the important question. “I’d like to know how serious you are about Clay Hamilton.”
Mariah sat up and the coverlet fell away. Then she realized how sheer her gown was, and pulled the cover around her, tucking it beneath her arms for safety. “Why should you care about Clay?” she inquired curiously. “He and I are just friends, nothing more. I enjoy riding and he provides a proper escort. You still haven’t explained why you had the nerve to come in here. If you intend to force yourself on me, I warn you I’ll scream very loudly!” She had been staring d
own at the covers but glanced sideways, from beneath lowered lashes, tensely waiting for him to make a move toward her.
“I suppose I wasn’t very clear, Mariah; it’s still pretty foggy to me. I’ll put it as simply as I can. You’ll have to forgive me if the words come out less than courtly.
I wanted you from the first moment I saw you. You might as well know, there have been plenty of women in my life; I can’t say I’ve been an angel.” His eyes bore into hers, trying to impress her with his sincerity. “I felt your response when I held you.” He saw her open her mouth to protest and quickly continued, “I’m not telling you that to embarrass you! There’s nothing wrong with an honest show of emotion.” He paused and searched for the right words. “What I’m trying to say is…I’d like a chance to change your mind about me. I promise—no hands unless you want me to.” He held his hands aloft and Mariah, who had been stunned by the reason for his visit, although still not trusting him, was amused by the gesture and felt her face break into an unbidden smile.
“Your proposal is interesting but I really don’t think it’s plausible, Jared. What possible chance do we have for any relationship? I know what you want from me, but I would insist on marriage. You would hardly offer that, isn’t that so?”
Jared was fascinated by her eyes, the sparkling emeralds that even Saloma’s most ardent attention had not been able to erase from his memory. The thought of marriage somehow made his stomach twist uneasily but watching her lovely face, he was surprised to discover that he would even go that far to have her.
“I admit I’ve never made that offer to any woman yet, but you tempt me, Mariah, you sorely tempt me. I might even go as far as that,” he admitted in a chagrined tone. He saw the surprise light her face and was tempted to lean forward and capture the soft, pink lips but caution warned him not to destroy his chances again. He had a sudden, impulsive idea and proposed it to her. “Will you go riding with me?”
Savage In Silk Page 10
