Jared appraised Mariah, approving of the lovely picture she presented, and he was struck by the thought that the name Angel did indeed suit her physically. She seemed composed except for the too-bright gleam of her jade-green eyes as she politely asked him if he would like a tour of the club. He agreed, offering his arm, and he was well aware that, as they mounted the stairs together, he was the object of many envying glances.
After they toured the second floor, the last stop was a small lounge set aside as a rest area for the guests. “If you’ll follow me downstairs,” Mariah said, “I’ll see that you have a drink, and the chef will fix a plate for you.” She kept her eyes purposely lowered, unwilling to battle with him on this of all nights. She wanted nothing to fluster her so that she could give her full attention to business.
As Mariah opened the door to leave, Jared caught her arm and pulled her back inside. Closing the door, he lounged insolently against it, coolly observing her reaction and studying her features with heavy, half-lidded eyes that transmitted an alarming intent.
“I haven’t time to play games, Jared,” Mariah sighed. "The guests have all arrived and I’m expected at my table. You know I haven’t the strength to make you move, so please be kind enough to let me pass.” She issued the request in a totally controlled, dispassionate voice, as though she were speaking to a child.
“What if I don’t choose to let you leave,” he replied in a smug tone. “Who could stop me from keeping you to myself? After all,” he added with a possessive leer, “you’re still legally my wife.”
Mariah spurned the ridiculous idea. “This isn’t Montana, Jared! You’re forgetting we’re in a very civilized country, in a highly proper city. I don’t think any of the gentlemen below would consider it sporting of you to force your wife against her will.” She smiled, gaining confidence and challenging the narrowed, gray-blue eyes. “The days when you could do as you pleased with me are over.”
Jared reached forward, catching her shoulders in a hard grip and bringing her to rest against his chest, then releasing her to encircle her waist with his hands. Her angry, flushed face was close to his own, although she made no attempt to straggle or break away.
With an arrogance that made a mockery of her defiant statement, Jared reminded her of another time. “Who said anything about force, my love…as I recall, beneath an old oak tree, you fairly flew into my arms, begging for my attentions. Do you doubt I can still call up that old feeling once again?”
Mariah was helpless within the unrelenting, steel band of his arms and furious at his overconfident taunt. They were both well aware that she couldn’t resist the physical appeal his body held for her; once his arms had seized her and caused her will-less body to melt against him, she was helpless to stop the rush of traitorous feelings that made her want to surrender to the lean, hard strength. His breath mingled with hers and she closed her eyes as the short distance between their lips closed. His tongue thrust familiarly between her yielding lips as her heart and stomach lurched together at the remembered desire he aroused. She relaxed against the hard length of his body, giving in to the inevitable response.
After a year and a half of loneliness, the dizzying feeling of being swept toward passion seized her…Only this one man, with his arrogant, confident virility had been able to generate the deep, primitive response. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once, tugging at her hair, loosening the carefully styled curls until they tumbled down her back. As his fingers found and worked at the row of tiny buttons fastening her dress, an alarm bell rang in her mind, a distant warning that if she stayed, she would tumble, headfirst, into a hopeless emotional entanglement that would only result in being hurt again. Her eyelids fluttered open and the lazy flush of success written on his features helped her to steel her will. She quickly raised her knee and aimed for and connected with his groin.
She was released immediately as Jared doubled over in agony. Watching the pained expression on his face, she was seized by a small twinge of pity. It was quickly dispelled as she recalled the many times he had abused her without a touch of that emotion. Stepping out of range of his wrath, she swiftly fixed her hair and straightened her clothing, checking her reflection in the heavy gilt mirror that hung on the wall. She saw his face reflected behind her, his eyes glaring animosity as she ignored the pain she’d caused. She took a deep breath to give her the courage to walk past him to the door, although he looked in no condition to stop her. Steeling her voice to reflect outward tranquillity, she stated calmly, “I told you not to try anything…You can’t say I didn’t warn you!” Head held high, she defiantly moved toward the door. “When you recover, you’ll find a drink and a seat saved at my table. Don’t be too long, darling.”
When the door had closed, leaving him alone with his aching, throbbing groin, Jared struggled to his feet. Slumping into a chair, he called Mariah every name he could think of. Then he laughed aloud at his own stupidity. Once more he’d underestimated her resourcefulness. He made a mental note to be more careful in the future. He was just beginning to discover the intriguing fact that not only had Mariah become more independent, but she’d apparently earned the right to be. What was worse, while he still ached from her defensive blow, he admired the spirit that had made her dare it!
I really want the little minx back, he acknowledged to himself. It wasn’t mere physical desire but the unique blend of fire and ice in her character that made him drop his plans for revenge. He decided instead to concentrate on a calculated plan to encourage her return to him. By now, the pain of the glancing blow she’d dealt him had eased and as he stood before the mirror, straightening his shirt, he recognized the old hunter instinct gleaming from his eyes. With a cocky smile, he objectively appraised the man reflected in the mirror. Women found him attractive. He’d realized that early in life when an older actress had taken him under her wing when he was fourteen and had carefully seduced him. She had tutored him until he’d mastered the art of seduction himself. Since then, he’d confidently sauntered through life, picking and choosing at will from the bounty of femininity he encountered. Other than his rugged good looks, a part of his charm came from the fact that he merely communicated his desire to the opposite sex and arrogantly waited for the quarry to come to him. If a woman failed to respond to the approach, he quickly dismissed her, for there was always an abundance of tempting young things to satisfy his appetite.
Mariah had been the first to make him break his pattern, and now, as he found himself contemplating her seduction once again, he was following the same pattern of pursuit. There was an exhilaration of the chase to it, a sharpening of the senses, and he whistled contentedly as he left the room to rejoin her.
Mariah breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Jared calmly take the seat next to her. Knowing how volatile his temper could be, she had half-expected to see him stalk downstairs and drag her off in front of everyone. She risked a quick, sideways glance and found his interest centered on her dealing. A moment later he leaned close, his breath warmly caressing her neck; and as she shivered involuntarily, he whispered softly that he had decided he wanted her back for good and added, “If you remember, love, I always get my way!”
Automatically shuffling and dealing, her mind disengaged from the task, she considered the import of his claim. Jared had accepted her rejection as a challenge and as long as she held him at bay, he would remain enchanted with the prospect of subduing her once more. Hadn’t he pursued her once, when she was an innocent? But then he’d become a tyrant, dominating her physically as well as emotionally. His arrogant belief that she had come to England, not for the divorce settlement, but to seek him out again still rankled, but as she caught sight of his devilishly handsome profile, she wondered how close he’d come to the truth. Jared was like a fever she had caught and despite the emotional scars she still carried, she still craved the heat of that fever. Having declared her independence, she was curious to find out just how strong her claim was. Did she have the strength to reject him if he
again became overbearing? Would his ardor ebb if he possessed her again? If she could only strike some kind of bargain…an agreement with set terms, it could be quite an exciting proposition!
Leaning toward him, Mariah whispered low, “Jared, how would you like to take me to supper tonight…say around eleven-thirty?”
Curious at the abrupt change of heart, but interested nonetheless, Jared winked at her. “You’re on, angel, it’s a deal.” He spent the next hour watching her acquired skill at dealing and then excused himself and wandered about, watching the various games of chance. Several times he spotted Ben but the man managed to keep a distance between them. You’d never think we were once friends, Jared mused silently. Until he stole my wife, that is, he added, qualifying the thought. His pride had been deeply wounded when Mariah had chosen that strutting weasel as a lover, and he fully intended to ask her just what appeal the bastard had held for her.
Catching snatches of conversation around the room, he found that Mariah was the main topic of discussion. Everyone was agog at her beauty, poise, and the enchanting air of mystery that surrounded her. For the first time he viewed her as a person, instead of just another beautiful conquest to be used and then neglected until his desire was resurrected. The time seemed to drag, but finally it was time to leave and he sought Mariah, only to find her gone from the table. Searching the room, he settled his gaze on a group of young dandies. A small shift in their ranks to accommodate a new admirer revealed that Mariah was the focus of their adoring attention. As he watched, a young buck, far handsomer than the others, leaned close, too close, to Mariah and whispered in her ear. Her head tilted back gracefully on the slender column of her neck as a merry peal of laughter bubbled forth to carry across the room to him. It’s time to put a stop to that, Jared decided with a frown, and he headed purposefully across the room. He politely shouldered his way to the center of the group and deposited himself before Mariah. “I believe we have an engagement, ma’am. It’s close to eleven-thirty.”
Mariah smiled and made her excuses to the group. “Viscount Carleigh’s been kind enough to invite me to join him for a late supper. I want to thank all of you for making me feel so welcome.” Her long, dark lashes fluttered coquettishly. “I don’t really feel like a stranger anymore. Who could feel alone with such charming company?” Jared arched his brow and cleared his throat significantly and Mariah hurried her farewells. Placing her hand on his arm and smiling at her round of admirers, she allowed him to escort her to the hall.
At least ten envious glances followed the pair, piercing Jared’s back like thrown daggers. It was a feeling he was fast becoming accustomed to. He helped her into her cape and noticed Natalie standing near the front door with his own cape and hat. The woman seemed even less friendly than she had when he arrived; her full mouth was set in a tight, distrustful grimace. When he moved to take the articles from her, she released them as thought his touch might contaminate her.
Mariah adjusted her hood, arranging it carefully over her coiffure and when she looked up again, Ben stood directly in front of her. He glared in Jared’s direction and then faced her, grabbing her wrist. “Are you crazy, leaving with him? I thought you wanted to get rid of that arrogant son-of-a-bitch!” His jealousy was apparent, and Mariah looked around embarrassed and wondering if any customers had seen the exchange.
“If I wish to talk privately with a man who is still my husband…” she glanced down at his hand, still holding hers tightly and when he finally released her, she continued, “I think I have that right.”
“You’d just better watch out, you’re not as smart as you think you are. Your dear husband’s playing both sides of the fence. I ran into a friend of ours today from the Sunburst. Del made sure I knew she’s been with Jared since he sailed from ’Frisco. Spends quite a bit of time and money on her. She’s got her own house over on Morton Street”
Mariah managed to maintain her composure even though the news shocked her. She’d forgotten about Del’s disappearance and even if she’d remembered she would have thought that affair would have been long finished.
Her hood shielded her expression but it was clear she smiled the length of the hall at Jared, who was waiting impatiently. Turning to Ben, she touched his cheek fondly with a slender, gloved hand and sighed. “I can take care of myself, Ben. I thank you for the information, though, it’ll be very handy.”
Joining Jared, Mariah apologized for the delay and smiled prettily. “Just a small business matter,” she lied, “I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”
Outside, she was assisted into the waiting carriage and Jared told her they would go to his favorite restaurant. “It has a very discreet reputation and excellent food. I doubt if you’ve ever been in one like it.”
“Are you worried your reputation will be ruined if you’re caught with your own wife, Jared?” Mariah commented in a tone of wry amusement. When they reached the restaurant, she could tell immediately that he was a frequent patron. It was extremely dark inside, but the maitre d’ welcomed him with a flourish before he escorted them down an even darker hallway and unlocked a door.
“Number seven as usual, Lord Carleigh…only the best for you!” The man bowed and waited until Jared had shown Mariah inside.
Mariah waited in the middle of the room until the glow from the gas lamps had sparked it to life. She heard Jared order champagne and as the door closed, she turned to face him and dropped her hood to her shoulders, unable to repress a delighted giggle. “Really, Jared…number seven, as usual!” Jared grinned sheepishly and moved toward her to take her cape. In one sweeping glance, she realized what the room was meant for. The walls were covered in red velvet and plush cushions were strewn casually about. “I doubt whether they actually serve meals here,” she said, as her gaze fastened on the large bed that filled the small alcove to one side of the room.
“Neither of us has been a saint, Mariah,” Jared reminded her. He stood behind her, his hands cupping her shoulders and lying possessively on the gleaming, ivory skin. Mariah turned her head to gaze up into his eyes and suddenly wondered whether she would be able to hold out for her agreement. A knock broke the silence and Jared released her and answered the door.
A waiter entered wheeling a champagne bucket and presented the wine for Jared’s approval. When the attendant had filled their glasses and departed as quietly as he’d come, Jared locked the door after him. Returning to her side, he raised his glass in a salute to her. “To our reunion, Mariah.” Acknowledging the toast, Mariah made one of her own.
“To our agreement, Jared, for there won’t be a reunion without one.”
Jared sat down opposite Mariah, curious about the terms of her surprise proposal. Regardless of the terms, even if he didn’t agree to them, he had no plans to leave the room without making good use of the alcove bed. It had been a long time, too long. He’d be damned careful this time, he thought, remembering the blow she’d delivered earlier. “All right, m’love,” he said, “state your terms. The only thing I want to know,” he added with a devilish grin, “is whether I have to sign in blood!”
“Your word will be good enough. If you violate the agreement, I’ll merely begin divorce proceedings again, only the next time it’s final. The terms are really very simple: that Jenny is your acknowledged heir and that you stop seeing other women. I hardly think it’s more than any wife could expect from her husband.”
Jared agreed the terms were simple enough but he had some of his own to add. “Of course, Jenny will be taken care of, I’ve already acknowledged she’s mine. In fact my father is quite anxious to get to know her. You must admit that little bundle was a bit of a shock to me. As for the second term, I’ll hold to it providing you do the same.”
Mariah smiled, happy with the discussion. It would be easy for her to comply, for she had never yet betrayed him. Jared noted her smile and his eyes narrowed a bit with malice as he added, “Rather than seeking a divorce, if I caught you with another man, I would…how shall I put it…see
that you were both punished to the highest degree.” Jared’s mouth twitched in a half-smile but his eyes were deadly serious.
I really think he’d kill me without a qualm! How ironic, she reflected silently, when I’ve never been unfaithful of my own free will. The brutal rape she had endured at the hands of Clay Hamilton could hardly have been of her own choosing and when she’d slept with Gray Hawk, she’d had no memory of her wedding vows. What was the use of correcting his mistaken image of her? Jared’s stubborn, masculine pride would never allow him to believe her. “Very well, Jared, I agree.”
Now that they had struck a bargain, Mariah’s thoughts mined to his nearness and the sensuality his physical presence had always aroused in her. After a year and a half of total abstinence, she was eager to feel his body close to hers. Softening her voice, she issued a seductive appeal. “Don’t you think we should seal our agreement, Jared?” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and she glanced quickly to the alcove, her alluring invitation clear.
Mariah was still the same impassioned creature he’d left behind.’ No wonder men found her irresistible…She radiated a delightful innocence that barely hid a sensuous passion. With more control, she would have been the perfect woman, the perfect wife. As much as he hated Ben, he sympathized with him, knowing the man couldn’t have resisted her any more than he himself could now.
Savage In Silk Page 24
