Jared wasn’t about to leave. He’d seen Miss Nightingale at a party a month before and although he admired her attitude toward the wounded men, he considered her too brusque and businesslike to be truly feminine. Now, the abrupt order of dismissal goaded him into an equally abrupt reply. “If you don’t mind, ma’am, I’ll stay. The lady in question is my wife.”
Florence's eyes widened with surprise; but before she could answer him Mariah sighed heavily and her eyes fluttered open. She seemed puzzled at her surroundings and the worried expression on Florence’s face.
Seeing Jared, Mariah suddenly remembered why he’d come. “Flo, this is my husband, Captain Bryant. He’s come to see his friend—the one I mentioned to you. Could you see that he’s taken to Tony?”
Consternation filled the older woman’s face, directed at Jared. “I should think your first duty would be to get this girl home to rest, Captain. Your friend is being cared for, in fact, I had just come from checking on him. I suggest you save your visit for the morning and take your wife home now.”
Unused to receiving orders from a woman, any woman, Jared was about to tell her what she could do with her suggestion; but one look at Mariah’s wan, peaked face warned him not to make an issue of it. Instead he said, “Thank you for your assistance, I think I can take care of Mariah myself.” As Mariah sat up, he helped her to her feet and then, disregarding her weak protests, picked her up and strode from the room, leaving an astonished Florence with the beginnings of an amused grin spreading over her tired face.
In no time, Jared had hired a carriage and had Mariah safely home. Carrying her up the stairs, he was met by a groggy Beth, tying her robe as she stared in astonishment at the sight of him holding Mariah so close. He muttered a brief explanation and carried Mariah into the bedroom, leaving her in Beth’s care. Downstairs, he searched for and found a bottle of brandy and sat a while thinking before he decided to go up and check on Mariah. At the top of the stairs, he found Beth just emerging from the bedroom.
“I gave her a quick bath and she’s resting now,” Beth assured him. “Jared, she told me Tony was wounded. It’s not worse than she said, is it?” Jared assured her it was just a bullet graze and she sighed, visibly relieved. Smiling, she suggested, “It’s late, Jared, I can have the extra room made up for you, if you’d like to stay.”
Jared bristled at the suggestion. “I think you’re forgetting Mariah’s still my wife.” Indicating the closed door, he added, “I’ll be quite comfortable here tonight.” Still holding the brandy bottle in one hand, he moved toward the door.
Beth’s hand restrained him as she said with a worried frown, “Jared, she’s in no condition for anything. Mariah was at the hospital for twelve hours today and she’s exhausted.”
“I’m surprised at your interference, Beth. I don’t have any evil plans for tonight, so that should set your mind at rest!” He made a pretense of yawning. “As a matter of fact, I’m turning in immediately. Good night, dear.” Jared was amused by the fact that, although Beth didn’t like his staying, there was really nothing she could do about it. It was quite clear, he thought, as he entered the room and locked the door behind him, that he and Mariah had split the Winslow family down the middle. Tony stood for him and Beth for Mariah.
As Jared’s eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room, he noticed the moonlight streaming through the parted drapes, playing a pattern across Mariah’s sleeping face. Quietly he placed the bottle on a bureau chest and went to the edge of the bed, watching her rhythmic breathing. Desire arose within him but he knew now how long and hard she’d worked and he stilled the feeling, satisfying himself with just gazing down at her. She looks so sweet and innocent when she’s asleep, he thought. He’d seen Jenny sleeping like this and, at the moment, there wasn’t much difference between the two. Mariah’s face was lovely and guileless in the moonlight. As he watched her, he began to undress until he’d stripped entirely naked. Joining her in the large, comfortable bed, he moved carefully beneath the covers, anxious not to awaken her.
Although she stirred as he lay next to her, Mariah remained asleep. Almost by instinct, she moved closer, cuddling against the warmth of his body. A contented smile softened the harshness of Jared’s features as he curled an arm around her and settled his head against the damp black curls. After a few minutes of enjoying the closeness of her body, Jared found himself drifting off to sleep and he slept easily for the first time since Mariah had arrived.
Chapter 43
It was near dawn and Mariah was dreaming. She and Jared were out riding, racing into the wind at the hunting lodge. Magically, in the next scene she was in her big comfortable bed at home in London with Jared by her side. He whispered low in her ear, saying her name over and over as his gently demanding hands traced sensual patterns across her body with increasing urgency. Mariah stretched, enjoying the delicious sensations, an abandoned smile touching the corners of her mouth. Drowsily, trying to hold on to the remnants of the dream image, she opened her eyes—to a very real hand caressing her bare breast. Bottom lip caught between her teeth, Mariah slowly raised her eyes, following the length of the hand to its owner’s face. The green irises widened in disbelief as she beheld Jared’s lazy smile.
“Jared!” The startled exclamation made his eyes crinkle in laughter before he grew teasingly solemn.
"And who else would be caressing your naked body, my love?”
A small troubled frown creased her forehead as she pondered the previous night, remembering that he had come to the hospital and vaguely aware that he had brought her home. The memory of their brief argument returned and her mouth narrowed to a petulant set. “I thought you were angry with me.” Glancing significantly down at his hand, still involved in its slow teasing action, her eyes rose to challenge his and her mouth quirked with silent amusement. “You don’t look angry now.”
Jared placed a soft caressing kiss at the base of her throat, his mouth gentle against the soft, silken skin. “How could I stay angry with you? I can’t fight my desire any more than you can.” His last statement commented directly on her obvious state of arousal. Both nipples were hard, swollen peaks and as Mariah blushed at the evidence of her body’s response, Jared lowered his head to capture a pert, dark-rose tip in his mouth. He was rewarded by a frustrated moan reluctantly breaking from Mariah’s throat. This isn’t supposed to be happening, she thought. Her hands made one half-hearted attempt to push him away. “Jared, stop…please. We have to talk.”
Jared’s eyes, lowered lids barely covering the desire-darkened blue irises, stared at her briefly. “That’s part of our problem, Mariah. We talk too much.” He positioned his body over hers so that she was unable to resist his advances. I hope to God she doesn’t fight, he thought, frowning. He’d tired long ago of having to force himself on her. There was nothing he wanted so much now as to bury himself in sweet, yielding softness and lose himself within her.
It was Jared's turn to be surprised as the stiffness disappeared from her body, and when he raised his head to stare into her eyes, he saw the alluring glow of passion her gaze. The delicate lines of her mouth curved into a soft smile as her arms went around his neck. Clinging possessively, she forced his head closer, until the sweetness of her mouth blended with his own hungry lips.
Jared and Mariah spent the next two hours in a searching renewal of their passion. Satiated at last, they lay in each other’s arms, each withdrawn but sharing the same unspoken thought—why couldn’t it be like this all the time? Finally, it was Jared who spoke, as Mariah snuggled contentedly against the lean, hard length of his body. "I missed you.” He laughed in self-amusement at the confession, for the passion with which he’d taken her made the statement needless. “I…look, Mariah, if you haven't started a divorce…maybe we can still sort things out.” It had taken all his willpower to admit he didn’t want it to go through. Now that he’d voiced it, she held his pride in her hands and if she still insisted, well…that was the end of it. He waited with held breath
, watching the conflicting emotions flit across her face. In succession, indecision, worry and finally a vague sense of hope filled her eyes.
“We’ve both made mistakes, Jared, at least I admit I have. If we can keep from arguing, we might just have a chance.” With a wicked half-smile, she admitted. “Maybe you’re right, we should spend more time in bed and less in discussion.”
Relief flooded him and he joined in her laughter at the suggestion. Taking her into his arms, and feeling the warm softness of her naked body relaxed against him, he agreed aloud. “Your wish is my command, m’lady.” As tin morning sun rose higher in the sky, Jared’s desire matched its ascent and he quieted Mariah’s giggling laughter with his mouth as his body mastered hers once more.
Stretching lazily, Mariah watched as Jared dressed. His dress uniform was required by Lord Cardigan, although most officers were allowed to dress less formally. It fit him perfectly, from the top of the crisply pressed dark blue jacket to the elegantly creased trousers with double gold-lace stripes running down their sides. She sat up, demurely tucking the sheets across her breasts and admired the dashing figure he cut. Aside from the dangerous duties the uniform called to mind, she would have been happy to see him remain an officer in the army. Rarely had she seen the Lancer uniform worn with such distinctive elan. Smiling to herself, she wondered if she dared compliment him. Jared was like a lean healthy animal, totally aware of his sleek grace although he rarely showed conceit. Something in the arrogant tilt of his head and the way he sauntered about the room with natural confidence made her suppress the comment. I’d never be able to deal with him, she thought. He already knows he’s irresistible to women. A troubled frown briefly crossed her face and Jared startled her by inquiring about the reason for it.
“Oh, I was just wondering how many other women have played a part in schooling you to be such a wonderful lover. I must admit, I owe them a debt of gratitude, whoever they might be.”
Bowing to acknowledge her flattery, Jared smiled mischievously. “All in the line of duty, ma’am. I knew somewhere along the line I had to be prepared to satisfy an insatiable appetite and merely applied myself to the task to prepare for your coming.” He laughed good-naturedly as the pillow Mariah tossed flew past his head, just missing its target.
“Now, unless you have more demands to make, I suggest you get dressed. I have two days’ leave and I intend to squire you around. How would you like a tour of Constantinople?”
Excitedly, Mariah bounced out of bed and across the room into Jared’s arms. After he’d placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead and playfully swatted her naked derriere, she danced away to dress and Jared left the room to wait for her downstairs.
Mariah ran to the wardrobe, selecting her prettiest day dress of dark blue muslin sprigged with small white flowers; then she dropped lightly to the seat before her mirror to attack her tangled black curls.
A half-hour later, with Anna’s skilled assistance, Mariah was an enchanting vision. Her cheeks and her eyes were aglow with eager excitement. It had been a long while since she’d had an outing and she intended to enjoy every second of Jared’s leave.
The first stop they made was at the hospital. Mariah had belatedly remembered she’d promised to work. Leaving Mariah at Florence’s office, Jared went off in search of Tony, ignoring the nurse’s sly, knowing look at the sight of Mariah’s happily shining face.
When he left, Mariah explained her problem. Florence understood perfectly. “You worked too hard yesterday, Mariah. You have every right to enjoy yourself while your husband is here. Don’t worry about anything, the situation here has calmed considerably.”
Still a touch guilty, Mariah nevertheless allowed herself to be persuaded. “I’d like to visit Captain Winslow myself, if you’ll tell me where he’s quartered.”
They found Beth and Jared next to Tony’s bed in one of the smaller, less crowded wards. Tony’s face lit with eagerness as he spied Mariah through the door and he confided to Jared and Beth that Mariah had been his savior.
When Mariah had kissed his cheek and commented on how much better he looked, Tony winked at Jared. “I was just telling your husband how lucky he is to have you permanently. The poor men in the wards, myself included, only receive your care temporarily.” In a somewhat louder tone, he added chidingly, “I only hope the stubborn fool realizes his luck!”
Jared flushed uneasily as everyone’s attention turned to him but, putting his arms around Mariah, he admitted his good fortune.
“What a thing to say to your best friend! Your humor doesn’t seem to have suffered any wounds, Tony. I hope this means you’ll be up and around soon.”
Beth touseled her brother’s hair affectionately. “Thank heavens, he wasn’t hurt more seriously! You’ll come and stay with us as soon as you’re released, Tony. I’m sure we can give you more personal care than you’ll receive here.” She looked, up, suddenly aware of how her words must sound to Miss Nightingale.
Florence smiled to show she wasn’t offended. “Your brother should be able to leave in another day, Lady Elizabeth. We can use the space for others, so your plans meet with my approval. I’ll have the doctor stop by and sign his release papers in the morning.”
Tony and Beth thanked her enthusiastically. Tony called to Corporal Linden, his orderly, who was nearby. “Please see that my belongings are sent over to my sister’s house this afternoon, Linden.”
“We’ll have to be leaving, Tony.” Jared squeezed Mariah’s shoulder. “I’ve promised this little minx an outing and she’ll have my hide if I don’t carry through! I’ll see you later. Beth, take good care of him; he’s the best mate a man could have in a battle.”
Florence strolled down the hall with them, pausing at the door of her office. “Don’t worry about anything, dear. Enjoy yourself while your husband has leave.” She held out her hand to Jared. “Take good care of her, Captain. I only wish we had a hundred more just like her.”
Jared agreed and once outside told Mariah how proud he was of her. “There are few ladies who would even enter a hospital, much less work at one, Mariah. It seems others always have to remind me of your good qualities.” The rest of the day was a whirl of contentment. Jared and Mariah took passage on a small craft and sailed across the short expanse of the channel separating Constantinople from Scutari. The city was alive with mysterious Eastern sights: the mosques, Moslem minarets and heavily robed Arab men and women. At a street bazaar, Jared bought Mariah a white silken veil, which he teasingly secured across her face. “So the other men can’t gaze at what belongs to me,” he explained, adding, “It’s a shame to cover any of that loveliness, my sweet, but it makes your eyes seem even more bewitching!”
Joyful at just being together, they found every street a delightful experience, wandering through little shops and past open stalls, completely ignoring the cool chill in the air. They finished the day with dinner at a small, intimate tavern. The effusive waiter bowed and scraped, bringing his best bottle of wine for “the lovely English lady,” and they sat engrossed in each other’s company until the sound of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer reminded Jared that twilight was near and it was time to return to the boat. Raising her hand to his lips, Jared placed a tender kiss in her palm. “I only hope you enjoyed today as much as I did.”
As they drove back to the docks in the rented trap, Mariah sighed, “I wish the day would never end, Jared.” Her features were suddenly sad and she turned to stare pensively out the window. She was thinking about the latest battle and of the battles that would come in the future. Now that she was safe within his arms, the memories of those who had died or been maimed for life haunted her. What if one day she found him mutilated and torn in one of the ward beds? “I just wish you were still part of Lord Cardigan’s staff, Jared. At least you were safe even though it bored you. I don’t want to come across you lying in the Barracks hospital someday.”
Jared smiled at her worried concern. “I don’t know how I was assigned to that
useless position in the first place, Mariah. It’s only fair that I take my chances with the others. At any rate, it’s better to be active than to die of boredom as a messenger for Cardigan. Believe me, I have all the reason in the world not to take extraordinary risks.”
For the first time, on board the boat back to Scutari, Jared heard Mariah’s story of how he’d been assigned to Cardigan’s staff. He stared, astonished at her influence as she revealed the Queen’s maternal interest in her.
“She even offered to be the baby’s godmother.” Afraid of the anger she was sure she’d see in his eyes, she timidly raised her face. Astonishment slowly turned to amusement and the rust-colored mustache bristled above a smile.
“Ah, Mariah, my own! I told myself long ago never to be astonished at anything you do. Foolishly, I keep forgetting my own advice!” Jared gathered her close against him, smelling the fresh clean scent of her hair as her hood fell back upon her shoulders. Mariah was so happy he wasn’t angry she leaned contentedly against him; her doubts about him had disappeared and she was sure he knew how truly she loved him. They watched the stars appear, one by one, in a celestial display that seemed meant for only their eyes.
Once at home, Mariah had only a few minutes to regale Beth with the story of their outing before Jared made a pretense of yawning and apologized for his exhaustion, insisting he and Mariah had spent a tiring day.
Jared sat in the drawing room and had a brandy. A short while later he entered the bedroom to find Mariah already beneath the covers. Her green eyes twinkled, as the stars had overhead, filled with mischief. She wore the gilt-edged veil he’d bought her and in no time Jared stripped and lay beside her, eager to unveil the charms shimmering beneath the gossamer silk.
Chapter 44
Mariah would later remember those few weeks as one of the happiest periods in her life. Jared had somehow charmed his commander into temporarily reassigning him to Colonel Bridges’ command at Scutari. Once there, he’d explained to the colonel that Mariah would be leaving soon and asked for as much free time as possible to spend with her. Impressed by his husbandly devotion and, of course, having met the reason for it himself, Bridges wholeheartedly gave his consent with one condition. The extended leave depended on Jared’s bringing Mariah to another party he was holding at the end of October. Jared agreed to the simple request, knowing Mariah would enjoy the social event.
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