Stuart issued a sharp command to his younger son. “I’ll not have talk like that in this house! If anyone deals with Jared, I will. Now, I suggest we stop worrying about Jared’s fate and concentrate on that poor child upstairs. Run and tell Henges I want to know immediately as soon as the doctor comes out of her room.”
AI the same time the tragedy of Mariah’s miscarriage was unfolding in London, Jared sat on his bunk, twelve hundred miles away, cursing the fate that had made him an attache to Lord Cardigan. He’d been ordered to the cavalry commander’s headquarters one month before for a reason he still failed to understand.
Cardigan, strutting pompously back and forth, had raised a quizzical, bushy eyebrow when he informed Jared of the reassignment. “You must have friends in high places, son,” he asserted. “The order came directly from the high command.” He walked a circle around Jared, critically surveying him, while Jared continued to stand at attention. “At ease, Bryant,” he commanded. “Well, at least you make a presentable appearance. We have some ladies due in on a tourist excursion. You’ll do nicely as their escort. I think you’ll find the duties less tiresome and more pleasant than facing the Russians in the field. Report to me tomorrow. Dismissed!”
Later, discussing it with Tony, Jared had tried to puzzle out who could have influenced such an order. “By God, it sounds like something Mariah would think of, but how would she come to have any influence?”
Tony had only laughed, amused by Jared’s luck. “I’d gladly take your place, if they’d only let me. What a cushy job, escorting ladies about the battlements! I say, Jared, you always did have the devil’s own luck!”
Now, with boredom setting in, Jared would have given anything to take Tony up on his offer. While he attended teas and social functions, Tony and his other friends were actively engaged against the enemy. I wonder if one could fade away from boredom, he mused dryly.
Hell, if he had to escort ladies around like some London dandy, he’d be of far more use at home with Mariah. Wondering how the pregnancy was progressing, he again wished he was home to watch as she grew heavy with child. He’d missed it before and this time he was bitterly aware that it was his own fault he was here, instead of in London.
Chapter 38
The ordeal was over at last. Dr. Simmons finally emerged from Mariah’s room, tired, disheveled and worn from two hours of attention to his patient. A worried frown creased his forehead as he slowly descended the stairs to join Lord Maubrey in the library.
“John, please, sit down. Tell me how she is.” Stuart indicated a comfortable chair and sent Henges off for brandy. “Were you…were you able to save the child?” His slight hopes were dashed as the doctor wearily shook his head. “But Mariah,” Stuart questioned, “she’ll be all right, won’t she?”
Henges entered with the doctor’s drink and Simmons took a healthy swallow before he replied. “Lord Maubrey, I must admit I’m worried about her. She’s lost a great deal of blood and strength, too much to risk moving her to a hospital, and I’m afraid I still could lose her. We’ll have to keep a close watch the next twenty-four hours.” In an attempt to offer comfort, he added, “Many women suffer miscarriages, your Lordship, but with Lady Carleigh’s age and strong constitution, she should be able to recover. There does seem to be one complication…
“Don’t be awkward at a time like this, Simmons. For God’s sake, man, ask me what you need to know!”
“Frankly, I’m curious as to the cause of the young woman’s loss. Evidently she’s had an emotional shock but Lady Carleigh seems to lack the will to fight for her own survival. Has she had any bad news concerning your son? I know he’s stationed in the Crimea. Surely Lord Carleigh hasn’t been wounded?”
Stuart ran a hand across his forehead, rubbing his eyes for a moment. “I’m afraid she’s had a bit of a disillusionment, John. I’d rather not go into the circumstances but I grant you it was enough to cause the child’s loss and her despondency.” He looked up again, inquiring, “May I talk with her?”
“Only for a few minutes. She needs her rest more than anything else. I gave her a light sedative.”
Quietly entering the room, Stuart walked softly to Mariah’s side, noting the still, waxen features. Natalie sat at the bedside and when he nodded to her, she glanced once at Mariah and sniffled into her handkerchief as she left. Kneeling by the bedside, he took one of her chilled, pale hands in his, chafing it to bring back a semblance of warmth. “Mariah, dear…can you hear me?” he asked. Not a muscle moved but he could see that her breathing followed a regular, if somewhat shallow pattern. “I know what happened,” he admitted. “You’ve got to pull through—for my sake, for Jenny’s sake. You’ll start a new life, whatever you want, but…” His breath was a ragged gasp and then he continued, “For God’s sake, Mariah, don’t give up!” He bent his head a second in silent prayer and then lifted it to watch her face for signs of understanding. There was no change at all, and with a heavy sigh, he pulled himself to his fret and dragged dejectedly from the room.
The entire household of Bryant House, from the lowliest kitchen maid to his Lordship, kept a vigil through the long hours of the night. The servants gathered in a light, whispering group in the kitchen while the doctor and Drew kept Stuart company. At three o’clock, Henges shuffled quietly into the library, bearing a tray with a large, steaming pot of tea and small sandwiches. Stuart glanced up, his face drawn and lined by worry and fatigue. “I didn’t order anything, Henges.”
“I took the liberty of assuming you might need something to keep up your strength, sir.” He bowed politely and left as quietly as he’d come.
A brief smile flickered across Stuart’s face for the first time that night as he offered his two companions a cup of tea. “If I know Henges after twenty-five years service, this is his way of offering his sympathy.”
Drew declined the tea, preferring to nurse the drink he held. John Simmons had just gratefully accepted the refreshment when Natalie suddenly appeared at the door. Doctor, she’s awake! Her color looks much better.”
Simmons immediately reached for his bag and followed Natalie up the stairs. Mariah’s pulse had strengthened and, as Natalie had noticed, there was a healthy flush of color staining her cheeks. Mariah watched him through heavy-lidded eyes and weakness left her unable to make in effort at speech. “You gave us quite a start, Lady Carleigh,” Simmons said, smiling down at her. “I’ll let your father-in-law come in for a few minutes, if you feel up to it.” When she nodded, he patted her hand and left. Five minutes later, Stuart entered the room and came to her side.
“Thank God, you’re all right, child!” He hesitated and then admitted, “Drew told me everything that happened. I just don’t know what to say to you.”
“Was it a boy?” The words were whispered so softly that he had to lean close to make them out. “Was the baby a boy, Stuart?” she asked again.
When he nodded, Mariah closed her eyes tightly. “I don’t want you to let Jared know yet. I’ll tell him in person when I’m stronger. Tell Beth not to write Tony about it either.” At Stuart’s dubious look, she became adamant and excited. “Please, Stuart I’ll handle this my way!” There was a bitter, unfeeling tone to her voice that suddenly made her seem hard and older than her age. Anxious not to upset her further, Stuart could only hold her hand and agree with her demands. Undoubtedly, he thought to himself, when she feels better, she’ll change her mind.
It took Mariah over three weeks to regain her strength. By the beginning of May she was able to sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the warmth of the spring weather. Coming upon her by surprise, an old friend might not have recognized her. She was painfully thin. The high cheekbones showed hollows beneath them but the most noticeable difference was her eyes. Once her most striking feature, they now reflected a haunted, wise-beyond-her-years disillusionment. To anyone’s knowledge, she hadn’t shed a tear since the day she’d lost the baby; and, although she would laugh at some nonsensical bit of news Beth would bring
to cheer her, the laughter seemed a surface emotion. The amusement never penetrated the shell of apathy that shielded her from further hurt. Even her small daughter grew quiet when the nanny brought her to see Mariah.
Every day she would sit and read through the notes of sympathy sent by well-meaning friends; and though polite courtesy required an acknowledgment, she couldn’t bring herself to answer. Only one such note moved her to make a reply.
Queen Victoria had sent a personal letter, expressing her deep sorrow at Mariah’s loss. From similar, sad experience, she stated, she knew how Mariah felt and emphasized that only time and another child would ease the emptiness. Replying, Mariah thanked her for the kind and gracious expression of interest, telling her she would always cherish the thoughts.
Henges, bringing her morning tea, placed the silver service on a small table near her and called her attention to several letters lying on the tray. Mariah blanched as she picked up the first one and noting the Turkish postmark, called the butler back to her. “Throw this one into the fire, Henges. Any more with the same postmark are to be treated likewise.”
Ignoring the sad reproof in his hooded gaze, Mariah opened the other note and found a short, simple condolence from Sidney Herbert. The man’s name reminded her that soon she would be well enough to travel and he would be helpful in making arrangements. Her first thought had been to ask Drew to accompany her but Stuart had informed her that Drew had left to visit his Eastern relatives in Europe. She’d been puzzled by the sudden trip until Stuart made her aware of Drew’s guilt feelings concerning her. “He feels he should have tried harder to dissuade you from going to that woman’s house, that it was partly his fault you lost the baby.”
Again Mariah had cause to think of the differences between the two brothers, but this time their positions were transposed. The fact that Drew could feel guilty, even though he had begged her not to go, showed a deep sensitivity that she had previously missed, while Jared…well, she couldn’t even think about him.
Rising with an air of purpose, she wrote a short note to Herbert, asking for an appointment to meet with him, then sent it off to be posted by one of the maids. Searching for her father-in-law, she found him in his library. “I always know where to find you when I need you,” she smiled, kissing his cheek lightly. She perched on the corner of his desk and as he started to close the book he’d been reading, she stopped him. “No, please don’t lose your place. I’m only staying a minute. I’ve sent a note off to Mr. Herbert, requesting a meeting. I’m taking him up on the offer he made to arrange for me to travel to the East. I just wondered if you could spare an hour or so to go with me to see him.”
Stuart’s silver-gray brows drew together in a frown. “You’re not well enough to travel, Mariah. I expressly forbid you to leave. You’re far too thin, and a sea voyage would only make you lose more weight! Wait until you have your strength back and if you’re still determined to go through with this idea, I’ll go with you.”
“As much as I’ve come to love you, Stuart, I won’t be forbidden to go anywhere! You’re forgetting how much I’ve traveled in the past. I’ve lived on two continents and crossed that wide Atlantic ocean.” A faraway, painful gaze briefly glazed her eyes with remembrance before she turned to face him again. “There’s nothing to fear. It’s time I settled with Jared. I want to put my marriage behind me, but it has to be done in person.” She could tell by Stuart’s expression he doubted the wisdom of her decision but he looked near to giving in.
“I’ll return as soon as I’ve settled with him,” she promised. “After that, I’m not sure what my plans will be. I’m sure they don’t include marriage again.” She wrinkled her nose and smiled down at him. “That sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Well, at least not for a long time. It seems I’ve lost confidence in my ability to judge people.”
Stuart could think of no argument that would sway her, but he added the best advice he could think of. “Don’t judge all men by Jared’s actions, dear. If it’s any comfort, I didn’t doubt Jared either. I’ll accompany you to see Herbert but I must insist on one thing. He must come up with a proper escort or I’ll come along, regardless of your protests.”
The interview with Herbert went exceedingly well. After briefly expressing his sorrow over her loss, he gracefully dropped the subject and proceeded to inquire what service he could perform.
Once he understood her reasoning, that she wanted to rejoin her husband now that there was nothing to delay her, he quickly moved to see that her wishes were acceded to, ordering his secretary to find the young military aide who had just returned from the Crimea. When the secretary had sent a messenger to find the man, Herbert explained that Adam Warrener had orders to return to the war zone within two weeks. “I have every confidence that he’s the man to provide an escort for Lady Carleigh,” he assured Stuart. “I’ve known the boy’s family for quite a while. In fact, he went to school with my nephew, Jack.”
When the secretary returned, he shook his head, and Herbert told his guests, “It appears Lieutenant Warrener is not to be found. I’ll have him call at Bryant House tomorrow for your approval.”
Chapter 39
Mariah was resting in her room the next day, when Adam Warrener arrived. As the butler ushered him through the house to Lord Maubrey’s presence, he glanced about, paying only cursory attention to the elegant surroundings. As a senior military aide, he’d been to many affairs at similarly furnished homes. He was more involved with silently cursing his rotten luck in drawing this assignment. Secretary Herbert had been quite put out when he’d finally shown up, an hour after Lord Maubrey and his daughter-in-law had left. He had been forced to listen to a lecture on punctuality before Herbert finally reached the reason for his summons. Describing only the importance of providing complete protection for this Lady Carleigh, he’d been mysteriously unforthcoming with any other information. Adam had had his share of escorting flat-chested, horsy-faced matrons around London and had been looking forward to the possibility of an amorous adventure before reaching the war zone. Now those plans were squelched by this unknown woman who was off on a jaunt to join her husband.
After offering the young aide refreshments, Stuart spent the next half-hour grilling him about his upbringing, his military experiences, anxious to know all he could about the man’s character. He proceeded in such a diplomatic manner that it seemed only that he was making polite, interested inquiries. Finally satisfied with Herbert’s choice, Stuart rang for Henges and had him request Lady Carleigh’s presence in the library.
“Needless to say, I expect you to maintain a polite distance from my daughter-in-law, Mr. Warrener. But I'm sure you’ve been cautioned by Mr. Herbert.”
Inwardly fuming, Adam’s expression remained polite and respectful. “I assure you, I intend to carry out my duties as an escort with the utmost civility.” Secretly, he wondered at the fuss. He’d be willing to stay at the opposite end of the ship if this woman looked as he expected she would.
The sound of rustling skirts brought him to his feet and turning he found himself facing the woman who would be his charge. He needed the few moments he had to recover his composure as Lady Carleigh greeted her father-in-law with a sweet smile. The woman, or girl, who stood near the door was on the slender side, too slender, he observed appraisingly; she looked as though she’d had a recent illness. Slight blue shadows were still in evidence beneath her eyes, which were a guileless jade green. Despite her slenderness, she was one of the most beautiful young women he’d ever seen.
She seemed to exude a regal air, although there was nothing condescending in the bright smile she gave him when Lord Maubrey introduced them.
Suddenly remembering his manners, Adam came forward with his most gallant manner and bowed low over her outstretched hand, placing a light, respectful kiss upon it.
“I’m so glad you aren’t a stuffy, military type, Mr. Warrener. I had visions of being bored with a recounting of every memorable battle of history.” Turning to her father-in
-law with an impish grin, she said, “Well, Stuart, has Lieutenant Warrener passed your inspection?”
“Mariah, please, I’m only interested in your welfare,” he protested.
Adam watched the flow of emotions on her face as it changed from light teasing to immediate remorse. “I know that, of course, Stuart. I apologize.”
“Well, Mr. Warrener,” she asked, “would you be able to stay for supper? I think Lord Maubrey would be much more at ease if we came to know you a bit better before the trip.”
Awe-struck and sure that he’d fallen in love at first sight, Adam couldn’t have refused if he had had an alternative invitation to Buckingham Palace. Smiling acceptance, he decided there was no doubt he would enjoy the voyage. So much for that rascally silence of Herbert’s!
Chapter 40
Three people stood together on the deck of the bark, Lady Jane, watching the docks of London recede from view. The two elegantly dressed women, accompanied by a tall, dark-haired officer, were preoccupied and silent. Finally the slim, raven-haired young woman broke the silence, flashing a flirtatious smile at her escort. “Well, Adam, I hope two ladies instead of one won’t be too much work for you!”
Lady Mariah, how can you even suggest such pleasure constitutes work! Would that all my assignments were so delightful. I’m afraid my fellow officers will tease me when I tell them how strenuous and dangerous my task has been this voyage!”
Mariah laughed appreciatively at the image he suggested. They began to feel the movement of the boat, and her face clouded as she gazed absently at the passing scenery. She seemed oblivious to her companions and while attempting to draw her out again, Adam leaned against the railing, alternately watching the scenery and Mariah’s face. “You have the strangest expression on your face, your Ladyship. Don’t you agree, Lady Elizabeth? Somewhat sad and yet yearning. Are your thoughts private or would you share them with us?”
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