One morning, in the middle of May, when they had lived at the Sunburst for about a month, Mariah awoke and realized it was her birthday. At home, the day had always been a major occasion with a large party and piles of gifts. Looking at Jared’s sleeping face, she wondered whether he even knew when her birthday was. A depression settled over her, and although she would have loved a gift of flowers or some small remembrance, she stubbornly decided not to mention the importance of the day. Their days all followed the same pattern. Sleeping late, because Jared worked past one in the morning, they would rise and breakfast leisurely and if she needed to shop for anything, Jared would take her out. It wasn’t safe for her to walk along the streets without a male escort. Sometimes he would take her to The Willows, an amusement park outside of town, but, she reflected, not often enough.
Today, Jared awoke preoccupied and noticing her subdued mood, managed to pick a fight with her. They’d seemed to get along amazingly well since leaving Montana, but occasionally he would brood about the Hamilton episode and would be harshly critical of her, watching to see if she flirted with any of the men who cast admiring glances her way. Even though she’d assured him time and again that Lil had been the prime instigator of all their troubles, he’d been deeply hurt those three months she was gone and still harbored suspicions that it had been her fault. She was hardly ever out of his sight, but he couldn’t help wondering that, if given more freedom, she might wind up tempting some man into an affair. It was thoroughly unreasonable, but his deeply cynical nature made him cling stubbornly to the idea.
Now, after Jared had slammed from the room and entered the casino, Mariah sat and cried, depressed because she was eighteen today and no one had taken note of it and because of the irritating way he’d picked a fight. She dried her eyes, determined to make a day of it, no matter what. She changed into her prettiest outfit, a sprigged muslin that was gay and springlike and decided to seek out Natalie and take her to lunch and a shopping spree. If I don’t have any presents, I’ll buy one for myself, she pouted. At any rate, she refused to spend her birthday, a glorious spring day, moping about the apartment.
With a wide-brimmed, cream-colored hat in hand, she locked the door and went down the hall to enter the casino. She rarely ventured inside it, but Natalie’s room was upstairs, above it. At this hour, there should be no one about. An old colored servant was sweeping the floor and the day barkeep was shining glasses as she walked hesitantly into the large, cluttered room. Since no one was about to see her, she paused curiously to stare at the roulette tables and what were referred to as craps tables. She wrinkled her nose delicately, thinking it an odd name for a game. Jared had taken the time to explain the various games to her and although she understood the principles behind them, this was the first time she had actually studied the tables. A voice startled her and she jumped and whirled to find McCabe standing behind her, ah amused grin on his rakish features. “I see you’re curious about vices, Mariah. It’s a pity your husband is so stodgy. With a woman as beautiful as you as a dealer, I could increase my winnings tenfold each month.” He paused and leaned closer, the spicy scent of his cologne swirling about her, as he whispered in a lower tone. “Should your husband ever…leave you for any reason, that offer stands, Mrs. Bryant.”
Mariah was offended by the suggestion. “Unless you’re aware of something I don’t know, Mr. McCabe, I hardly think I’ll ever have to take advantage of your…kind offer. I was just on my way to see Natalie. I thought she might like to lunch with me.” She nodded politely and began to mount the wide staircase that split the center of the room. Knowing his eyes followed her the entire way, she kept her back stiff and, as she paused before Natalie’s room, she glanced quickly over her shoulder and found him still staring. When he saw her look, he tipped his hat, grinning sheepishly, and sauntered back toward his office. Really, she thought, the man had nerve to even make such a suggestion. Jared would be as furious as she if he knew of it.
A sleepy, bedraggled Natalie slowly answered the door, surprise lighting her face when she saw Mariah Bryant outside. Remembering her manners, she invited the girl in and apologized for the mussed way the room looked. “I had a rather late night last night. We were busier than usual.” She flushed, embarrassed that Mariah would visit her in the room where she entertained men.
Mariah passed over the girl’s embarrassment and, apologizing for waking her, explained the reason for her visit. “Natalie, it’s my birthday and I thought…well, I thought you might like to go to lunch with me as my guest. It’s such a nice day outside, it’s a shame to waste it cooped up here. We could go to the St. Francis and then go shopping. Please say yes!”
Natalie couldn’t resist the invitation and although she wondered why Mariah wasn’t spending the day celebrating with Jared, she was kind enough not to inquire. Suddenly noticing Mariah’s eyes were slightly red, as though she’d been crying, she wondered if Mariah had fought with Jared over Del. Everyone in the place was aware that the blonde bitch craved Jared and had been constantly making a play for him since his return. From what she’d seen, Jared pretty much ignored her efforts but…maybe he’d taken her up on her offer. As she dressed, Natalie swore silently to herself. She didn’t see how that rascal could look at another woman with such a fine, beautiful lady for a wife. Still, she could be wrong. Possibly they’d just had a little spat over something.
When she was ready, having donned her most conservative dress, she tucked her arm into Mariah’s and they left the room. In the hallway, a man was entering Del’s room and although she didn’t get a glimpse of him, she wondered who the blonde would be entertaining so early in the morning.
Although Natalie hadn’t seen the man, Mariah had and she was suddenly faint and lightheaded. Her face drained white and something about her sudden tenseness communicated itself to Natalie. “Whose room is that, Natalie?” she inquired, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, honey. That’s Del’s. Mr. McCabe gave her the best room in the house. It’s got a sitting room and a big bedroom. Why’d you want to know?”
“Oh, it’s not important. Natalie, I…suddenly I don’t feel well. I’m sorry, but could we postpone our luncheon until tomorrow? I…I’d like to lie down a while.” She put her hand to her head and weakly closed her eyes.
Puzzled and disappointed, Natalie nonetheless agreed. Mariah’s face seemed so pale and wan. “D’you want me to help you down the stairs and sit with you a while, honey? It’ll be no trouble at all.” Mariah thanked her but declined the offer and she watched with a worried frown as her new friend slowly descended the stairs, tightly grasping the railing for support. Suddenly she remembered Mariah’s question about Del’s room. Remembering the man she’d seen going in and putting two and two together, she realized the truth. She waited until Mariah had disappeared from sight and stalked angrily down the hall. Hushed voices could be heard inside and she knocked, her mouth set in a grim line. Managing to peer past Del with undisguised curiosity, she spied Jared lounging in a chair, a drink in his hand and his coat off. Shoving Del to one side, she entered the room. Ignoring Del’s outraged protests, she fixed a concentrated glare on Mariah’s husband and began to berate him.
“What do you think you’re doing with this blonde hussy?” She glowered at Del again and made a threatening move toward her. “I have a good notion to tear your bleached hair out by the roots! You cheap, conniving bitch!”
“I think you’d better explain yourself, Natalie. So far you haven’t made a hell of a lot of sense. If you’re just going to stand there and babble, you can do that in the hallway!” Jared’s voice was sarcastic and slightly amused.
“I’m making more sense than you, Mr. Bryant. Apparently you’re too selfish to spend the day with your wife on her birthday.” The handsome features registered surprise and she knew it was part of the reason for Mariah’s red, swollen eyes. “That’s right, because you forgot, she came to me and asked me to spend the day
with her. Unfortunately, as we were leaving my room, she must have seen you come in here. She’s in your apartment now and believe me, she didn’t look well when she left. If you have any conscience at all, you’ll go and try to make up to her.” Del stared murderously at Natalie and as Jared quickly rose and put on his coat, she turned on the dark-haired girl, screaming vituperations at her. Jared left the room without a glance at her and she attempted to follow him, but Natalie’s hand on her shoulder restrained her. “You cause any more trouble between them, honey, you’ll be the only bald dealer at the Sunburst,” she warned. The tone of voice implied she was deadly serious and as Natalie left, the blonde spitefully slammed the door after her.
Hurrying down the stairs, two at a time, Jared was cursing his stupidity. She hadn’t mentioned when her birthday was, but then, he’d never inquired either. That had been the reason for her standoffish attitude this morning. To make matters worse, she’d seen him enter Del’s room and probably thought the worst. Actually, he’d done nothing wrong and hadn’t intended to. Mad and irritated when he’d slammed out, he’d gone to the bar for a drink and found Del pouring a cup of coffee. She had invited him to talk in her room after noticing his scowl and he’d decided to go, just to occupy his time. Now, as he entered the apartment he found the door unlocked and Mariah lying on the sofa, with Ben leaning over her, holding her hand.
A blind, unreasonable jealousy seized Jared. “I hope you have an explanation for this, McCabe.” He was quite aware of how fascinated the gambler was with Mariah and he really didn’t trust him further than he could throw him.
McCabe let go of her hand and turned, a disgusted look on his face. “I should think you’re the one who owes an explanation, Jared. I was coming out of my office and down the hall when I saw Mariah sway in front of the door. I carried her in here and then you showed up. I gather she’s discovered your…indiscretion.”
Jared couldn’t decide whether he was more angry with himself or McCabe. “I’d appreciate it if you’d leave…now!” As he watched, McCabe shrugged and, with a sympathetic glance toward Mariah, sauntered from the room.
Jared was at a loss for words. Mariah looked pale and distraught and she turned her face away from him, lips tightly closed. “Nothing happened, Mariah. Hell, I wasn’t even gone long enough for anything to happen!”
“And what if you hadn’t been interrupted?”
“Don’t be so damned obstinate! I went there to talk and nothing more.” He moved near her. Bending over, he placed one hand on the back of the sofa and forced her head toward him with the other. “Mariah, I'm sorry I didn’t know about your birthday. I really spoiled the day for you. I’m sorry, baby.” He smiled, trying to cajole her out of the mood. “We’ll go out to lunch or to The Willows if you want…anything at all.”
Mariah stubbornly refused, pouting, “It’s too late. You can spend the day with that blonde hussy instead! Don’t let the fact that you’re married stop you, it never did before.” She was hurt and petulant but would have easily withdrawn her offer when she saw the anger in his face. Now I’ve done it, she thought miserably.
“If that’s what you want, Mariah. I see no reason to displease you further. I’ll see you tonight, if you’re up when I get back.” He turned and was gone before she had a chance to ask him to stay. She turned her face to the back of the sofa, weeping with frustrated anger.
Chapter 21
There was a return of the old distance between them following Jared’s abrupt, angry departure. He had come home later than usual, the smell of Del’s overpowering perfume hanging heavily about him, and more than a little drunk. She was in bed, although sleep hadn’t come as she’d tossed and turned, wondering where he was, what he was doing. When he’d got into bed, he’d reached out for her but as she stiffened to his touch, he’d cursed and withdrawn his hands, turning his back to fall into a deep sleep.
Each day made Mariah more miserable. The only words they exchanged were civilities and those were uttered coolly and distantly. Now, the dim memory of his threat to leave her returned to nag constantly at her mind and she rapidly lost weight, unable to concentrate on the food she prepared. It seemed as though he spent as much time as possible away from the apartment; and if it hadn’t been for Natalie’s occasional concerned visits, she would have gone mad from being caged up with no one to talk to. Several times, she almost made an attempt to make up to Jared, but her pride barred the way. After all, he’d been the cause of the argument, she reasoned, she had nothing to apologize for.
Tonight she was feeling queasy again. She’d felt weak and sick the past few days but hadn’t mentioned it to Jared. I suppose it’s the way I’ve been eating, she thought. Unless I perk up, I won’t have the strength to do anything anymore. She was seated near the fireplace, darning one of Jared’s socks and somehow the sight of it set her off in a torrent of tears. She’d been too emotional also, and it was another reason he was never around. If he looked at her the wrong way, she broke into tears. Drying her eyes, she put the needlework away and returned to her place, staring morosely into the fire. It was only eight o’clock and Jared wouldn’t be back for almost four hours. Her restless hands fidgeted in her lap with nothing to occupy them.
Suddenly she heard the sound of a key in the door and Jared entered, smiling good-naturedly for the first time in weeks. He was followed by a tall, slender stranger with dark hair. Startled to have an unexpected guest, she patted at her hair, wondering how presentable she looked.
“Darling, I’ve got someone I want you to meet. Mariah, this is Anthony Winslow. We’ve just spent the past hour talking about England.” He motioned to a chair and asked the man to be seated. “Tony is from London and, listen to this, he knows my father! Tell Mariah what you’ve been telling me, Tony.”
Before he could begin, Mariah courteously offered him refreshments. When he declined, she settled on the sofa next to her husband and attentively waited to hear the story of Jared’s father.
Tony Winslow, or more properly, Sir Anthony Winslow, was a baronet whose family was wealthy and landed.
He was currently on a trip to see what he smilingly referred to as “the colonies.” San Francisco was his last stop before returning home to London; and as he’d taken passage on a schooner bound for the Isthmus of Panama, which would be leaving in two days, he had come into the Sunburst for a last try of luck.
“I spotted your husband immediately, Mrs. Bryant. The resemblance to his father is amazing. Lord Bryant is an old friend of the family. When I asked Jared if he had any relatives in England, he told me his father, Stuart Bryant, was English. You can imagine how astounded I was! It had to be the same Stuart Bryant I’ve known since childhood. Jared had another dealer take over and we’ve spent the last hour discussing his father. What a coincidence to meet like that! If I hadn’t wanted a last fling, I’d never have come in tonight.”
“Mariah, let’s go back with Tony. I’ve also got a half-brother I’ve never seen. The ship leaves in two days. What do you think—can we be packed by then?” Although Mariah was stunned by the rapid turn of events, the boyish enthusiasm lighting Jared’s eyes was enough to decide her. “Of course we can,” she said positively. “I know how long Jared has searched for his father, Mr. Winslow…” Tony smiled and pleaded that she call him by his first name. “Tony, then…do you really think we can book passage on such short notice?” He replied confidently that he was sure he could arrange it.
Aware that the two had a great deal to discuss, Tony got to his feet and politely insisted he had to leave. “I’ll pick up two tickets and meet you here tomorrow. A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bryant. England will be gaining a lovely lady!” Mariah thanked him with a warm smile and insisted that he also use her first name. Jared saw him out and when he returned, he picked her up and whirled her around a few times before planting a kiss on her mouth.
He was brimming over with excitement. “Do you know what this means? After twenty years, I’ll see him again. I’d half convinced mys
elf he must be dead. At last we’ll come face to face.” He had a sudden thought and a slight frown creased his forehead. “I’d better run and tell McCabe. It’s not right to walk out on such short notice. When I come back,” he promised with another kiss, “we’ll discuss this further!”
Chapter 22
The morning they were to leave for England arrived with just enough breeze to give them good sailing weather. Tony had warned them that the trip across the Isthmus, though shorter and quicker than crossing the States, was considered slightly dangerous, especially for a woman. There was a chance of malaria and part of the trip would be by canoe, with native porters. Jared had glanced at Mariah with a worried frown. He’d wondered briefly whether he shouldn’t go alone but then he quickly dismissed the idea. It could be six months or more before he returned.
She had been acting strangely of late…losing weight and looking wan and peaked. “I’ll be fine, Jared,” she’d assured him with a confident smile. “I survived a two-month trip over the Rockies, didn’t I?” She had completed the packing and looked around, wondering if there wasn’t something she’d left out. No, everything seemed ready. She reached for her hat and fixed it atop her head; she was ready. They had hired a carriage to transport them to the docks and they arrived in plenty of time, almost the first passengers to board.
Settling into the small, cramped cabin, Mariah began to unpack a few of their personal belongings. Suddenly she noticed her ring missing. Oh God, she’d left it back at the apartment! Mariah panicked. It was his mother’s ring and Jared would kill her for leaving it. How could she forget! Quickly she went above deck and explained to Jared.
“I’ve left my wedding ring back at the Sunburst, Jared.” She was about ready to cry and her mouth trembled as she watched his face take on an angry, impatient look. “I have to go back and get it. There’s plenty of time before we sail. Oh, please, Jared!” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye and Jared, disturbed because he’d valued the ring for sentimental reasons, snapped at her.
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