Savage In Silk

by Donna Comeaux Zide

  During the night, no light penetrated the pitch-black sepulchral gloom, nor was there any source of warmth to ease the damp, icy chill of the place. Jared shivered involuntarily even now, as the frigid air reacted against his rising fever. Another swipe with the damp cloth helped to ease the heat radiating from his forehead. He tore off another strip of cloth to blot at the blood pulsing from his wound. The involuntary twitching of his leg as he gently touched the wound made his leg irons clank loudly, and the metallic sound bounced off the stone walls in a reverberating echo.

  He had to lie back again, resting his upper body against the wall as the little strength he had left drained away. He knew he’d pass out unless he found some way to draw his attention away from his misery. Squeezing his eyes shut, he made his mind a blank; then, like a succession of brilliant watercolors, visions of Mariah filled his mind’s eye. Mariah dancing at the reception, whirling gracefully in his arms; Mariah, holding a giggling Jenny high in the air, then turning to smile a greeting at him; then, further back in time, he saw Mariah wild-eyed and dressed in buckskin. Finally he came to the memory of the first time he had possessed her. He moaned in absolute frustration, cursing his stupidity in recalling the last, all-too-sensual memory. A deep, abysmal panic engulfed him and he sobbed as he realized he’d probably never see her again, never feel the warm, abandoned response that was special to her. Lord, all the times he had taken her so lightly, trampled over her feelings and even forced her against her will. Mariah had stormed and ranted at times but still she had clung with a tenacity he’d never valued.

  What an ironic twist of fate that just when he discovered he couldn’t live without her, there was a strong chance he wouldn’t survive to tell her so. Ignoring the throbbing of his leg and the angry rumbling of his empty belly, he solemnly vowed to survive. The thought of never seeing Mariah again tormented him as much as the physical pain of his incarceration and the aching wound, and he wondered how Mariah was taking the news of his capture.

  Though it was still early in the afternoon, Mariah lay on her bed, thinking about Jared. Tony, Beth, even Florence had done all in their power to convince her that Jared would be safely returned. From the first moment, over two days ago, when she’d received the message that he was missing, she had felt certain that they were wrong. Deep in her soul was an emptiness that told her he would never come back. His orderly, Corporal Maynard, had died in her arms at the hospital just after he’d described Jared’s fall beneath the onslaught of the enemy troops.

  Now, she suddenly ceased her weeping. An image of Jared seemed to float before her sore, swollen eyes and she felt strangely comforted and filled with the conviction that he was alive, somewhere. The vision brought hope back into her heart. Her breathing became more controlled as she sipped at the sherry Beth had thoughtfully left by her bedside.

  In her first hysteria, she’d had no thought for anything but her own misery. Now, she seated herself at a small desk and wrote a note to her father-in-law. She briefly described the disastrous action that had sent the Light Brigade charging down the valley and had led to their overwhelming losses and Jared’s capture. At least she could report that he was thought to be a prisoner instead of a casualty. Prisoners still had a chance to be traded for Russian soldiers the Allies held. Tony had reassured her that the farther removed the prisoners were from the battlefield, the better they were treated. Jared had to he alive or they wouldn’t have taken him prisoner. Assuring Stuart that there was nothing he could do but wait and say a prayer, she asked him to stay in London until she heard something definite. As she signed with “love,” a solitary tear dropped to the page and blurred her name. She sealed the letter and said a silent prayer that the assurances she’d given Stuart were not just false hopes—that Jared would soon be home again.

  Chapter 48

  In the weeks following the Battle of Balaclava, Mariah managed to live with her anguish. Maintaining a heavy work schedule at the hospital kept her from dwelling on Jared’s fate.

  She kept after Colonel Bridges to seek some information concerning Jared’s whereabouts; and on December first, having heard nothing definite, she went once more to see the colonel.

  Waiting in the anteroom, Mariah seemed lost in her own world. Lieutenant Alistair, Bridges’ aide, had politely informed her the colonel was closeted with an important visitor. She’d been waiting over a half-hour now and glancing up, caught the lieutenant’s eye and raised an impatient eyebrow.

  “I’m sorry, m’lady, but the colonel left strict instructions he was not to be disturbed. If you’d care to leave a message…”

  It was obvious from his attitude that he preferred she leave a message. The colonel must have told him to put her off, she thought. The idea that she couldn’t get cooperation from the military angered her and she stiffened her back obstinately. “I’ll wait as long as it takes to see the colonel, Lieutenant.”

  With a shrug, Alistair went back to the papers he’d been shuffling for over an hour. It was a damn shame the Carleigh woman was so taken with her husband! Sneaking another look at her out of the corners of his eyes, he found her withdrawn, contemplating the tightly clasped hands in her lap. The colonel had given him instructions to see that Lady Carleigh was turned away if she came again. He’d been told to tell her that he had no news concerning Captain Bryant’s capture, but frankly, Alistair rather enjoyed being in the same room with such an enchanting creature. She reminded him of home and his own sweetheart.

  The door to the inner chamber of the colonel’s office opened, and as Bridges came out, he shook hands with his visitor. “Good to meet you, sir. Of course if I hear anything at all, I’ll get in touch…

  He was interrupted by a soft exclamation from Mariah. With a glad cry, Mariah flew into her brother-in-law’s arms. It was Drew!

  “How is it you neglected to inform me of Lady Carleigh’s arrival, Alistair?” Colonel Bridges demanded of his aide, conveniently forgetting his previous orders. “How long has her Ladyship been here?” When Alistair informed him, Bridges glowered at the junior officer and turned to apologize to Mariah.

  “I can’t believe you’re here, Drew,” Mariah cried, “you don’t know what a comfort it is to see you!” He smiled down at her, patted the hand tucked affectionately in the crook of his arm, and turned to Colonel Bridges.

  “The colonel’s been quite helpful, Mariah.” Drew told her.” He’s just had a dispatch from the Russians. They’re holding Jared and five other prisoners and wish to negotiate an exchange.”

  The colonel’s florid, jowled face deepened to a dark flush as he explained. “Well, I hate to raise Lady Carleigh’s hopes too high, Mr. Bryant. Sometimes these negotiations take quite a while to arrange.” Bowing, he drew Mariah’s free hand to his lips. “Rest assured that I’ll do all within my power to expedite any exchange. Until that time, now that you have your brother-in-law to care for you, I suggest, most respectfully, that you allow him to assume the burden of worrying over your husband’s release. Such a pretty face shouldn’t be stressed by anxiety.”

  Mariah had never really liked the too-suave, heavyset colonel, but now the suggestion that she shouldn’t worry about Jared irked her beyond control. “I’m sure you mean well, Colonel Bridges, but I hardly see how I can help but worry. It’s been over five weeks since Balaclava and this is the first I’ve even heard that my husband is alive!” She could barely suppress the scorn she felt for his ineffectual handling of the whole matter.

  Noting the irritated tone in Mariah’s voice, Drew moved quickly to soothe things over. “Lady Carleigh is naturally distraught over my brother’s capture, Colonel. I…we both appreciate your concern and hope to hear even more heartening news soon. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my sister-in-law and I have a few months’ news to catch up on.”

  Bridges bowed politely and watched the two exit; he was seething with buried anger. Whether the woman was Lord Maubrey’s daughter-in-law or not, she had no right to be so snippy with him. If it hadn’t been for the
polite courtesy of Andrew Bryant, he doubted whether he’d exert himself further in the case. Glowering at the unfortunate Alistair, Bridges stalked angrily into his office and slammed the door shut.

  Mariah had wanted to take Drew straight home to sec Beth and Tony, but he’d insisted he had to talk with her alone. Ordering the driver of the hired trap to drive into the hills above the bay, he had him stop and wait while he took Mariah for a walk.

  Suddenly apprehensive, Mariah stopped Drew near the crest of a small hill. “You can’t keep me in suspense any longer! What is so important no one must overhear us?” Seating himself next to Mariah on a grassy mound, Drew reached into his pocket and pulled forth a small black box. Handing it to her, he waited until she’d seen the contents before he spoke. “Of course you recognize Jared’s ring. I felt the same shock as you when I first saw it.” Taking the slender white hand within his, Drew continued, his voice shaken with worry. “There was a letter with the ring, Mariah. I have relatives in Russia, on my mother’s side, and my Uncle Dimitri…well, he’s stationed in Sevastopol. He let me know they had Jared. Even though he’s a relative, he could do no more.” Mariah’s eyes were two emeralds, sparkling and wide in a pearl-white face. “The Russians insisted on a ransom, instead of a prisoner exchange. If you agree, I’m to bring you and the money to a rendezvous point behind their lines, and they’ll release him.”

  Joy mingled with fear on Mariah’s face. She found the news hard to accept after so many weeks of wondering. “Drew, how do you know…it isn’t some sort of a trap?”

  “I thought of that,” Drew answered a bit too quickly. “If it were anyone but my uncle I might suspect such a thing. Uncle Dimitri would never lie to me about my own brother. You have to trust my judgment, Mariah. It’s the only way to get him home, safe and unharmed.”

  Mariah shook her head to clear the cobwebs. After a month of living in limbo, half-believing Jared was dead and praying that it wasn’t so, a ransom would bring him safely home. “How much did they ask for,” she questioned, fearful that it would be some unbelievable sum. “I have only a limited amount of money here in Scutari.”

  “Mariah, you know I’d help if I could, but I’m practically penniless,” He paused and slammed the ground with his fist in mock frustration. “I’ve a couple thousand pounds to spare,” he offered. “How much did you say you had here?”

  “Only ten thousand. It was to be used over a period of time for the house and servants. If it’s not enough, I could wire Stuart for more.”

  “No,” Drew insisted sharply. “You can’t let anyone else know about this! I was only to let you know. We dare not breathe a word or…” He let the sentence hang, ominously unfinished. Observing her quick intake of breath and the shaking hand she placed over her mouth, he knew his plan would succeed. It only needed one last, self-sacrificing touch on his part. With a strained frown, he told her how much the supposed ransom was to be. “They said fifteen thousand, Mariah; if I really scrape, I can come up with the balance.”

  “Oh Drew!” Mariah threw her arms around his neck, impulsively affectionate and grateful for his intercession on Jared’s behalf.

  Drew placed what seemed to be a brotherly arm around her shoulders and feeling the trembling vulnerability beneath his hand, he could barely restrain his eagerness to possess her. Silently, he lectured himself. There would be more than enough time later, leisurely time when he would have Mariah completely at his mercy. Mariah, with her head resting briefly against the comforting support of his shoulder, never saw the gloating smile or the triumphant gleam in his dark eyes. Soon they were back in the carriage and on the way back to Mariah’s house. Drew refused to come in to the house, but instead stayed well back in the shadows of the vehicle.

  He repeated his warning not to tell anyone he was here or discuss what they had planned. “You’ll have to make some logical excuse to be away for at least a week. I’ll leave that up to you,” he said seriously, emphasizing, “you mustn’t arouse any suspicion!” With a last, tender touch of brotherly compassion, he brushed the slender, tapered fingers softly with his lips. “Mariah, I pray my attempts to save Jared will make up, in some small way, for London. I still…” his voice broke, “still feel guilty about the loss of your child. If only I’d stopped you! Perhaps this effort might make up just a little.”

  “Forget about that, Drew!” Mariah protested, deeply moved, “The incident is in the past; I’ve buried those memories. If we can rescue Jared, it’s I who’ll owe you a debt!” She smiled a moment and then jumped from the cab, hurrying inside with a light and purposeful step.

  Drew was smiling again, more triumphantly than before. “I’ll be looking forward to collecting on that particular debt, dear Mariah, far more than you realize!” With a curt shout to the driver, he was off to the room he’d rented in the waterfront inn, to await the following night, when Mariah would meet him, bringing the ransom money with her.

  Luckily for Drew, neither Tony nor Beth was home. Anna was summoned to gather a few things for Mariah to take along. The maid was puzzled about the sudden trip but her disciplined training had taught her to keep her questions to herself.

  Catching Anna’s quizzical stare, Mariah relented. She remembered Drew’s warning about rousing suspicion. “All right, Anna. I can tell you’re dying to know where I’m off to. I met an old friend, Lady Hensley, this afternoon, and she’s invited me to her home in Constantinople. If I stay here waiting for news much longer, I’ll go crazy!” The maid instantly relaxed, approving of Mariah’s trip. For the past week, everyone had been insistent that Mariah take some time off from the hospital.

  Anna hurried about the room, packing the requested clothing in a small traveling case. When she had finished, she deposited it on a corner chair and curtseyed to her mistress, inquiring whether there was anything else Mariah needed.

  “No, I’m going to rest now. Please tell everyone I don’t wish to be disturbed. You may send up a light tray around seven o’clock and draw a warm bath at eight.” Anna curtseyed once more and turned to leave but Mariah added, “If Sir Anthony or Lady Elizabeth inquires, I’ve a headache and am indisposed this evening. I’ll see them tomorrow.”

  Chapter 49

  In the morning, Mariah arose before the others in the house and when Anna knocked to awaken her, she was already dressed. Suppressing her excitement, Mariah composed herself and sat at her desk to sip at her morning tea. It wouldn’t do to alarm Anna enough to have her comment on her unusual activities to Beth. She had already written a brief note to Beth, explaining her need to get away for a respite from the past few weeks’ anxiety and begging her to understand. Doubtless, they would be puzzled by her quick and somewhat furtive leavetaking but she hoped they would attribute it to the state of her nerves.

  Anna carried her bag below and ordered a cab. Mariah stood before the hall mirror, pulling on her gloves and adjusting the small, dove-gray bonnet that covered her neatly coiled hair. Her first stop would be the bank; she expected she would have to use a little persuasion to withdraw her entire account. Then she would have lunch with Florence and explain her absence before continuing on to the address on the waterfront where she was to meet with Drew. She found herself wishing the day away, wanting it to be gone so that she could be that much closer to Jared. As she settled on the carriage seat and relaxed against the cushions, she wondered if Jared knew of the plan to ransom him or whether it would be a surprise.

  Jared lay back on the comfortable feather bed, a suspicious frown creasing his high forehead. There was a trick to the leniency he’d been shown, but he was damned if he could see it! The third day after his imprisonment, when he was sure he’d never see the outside of his cell again, an older, silver-haired gentleman who spoke English with a heavy Russian accent had been admitted.

  Barely able to keep his eyes open, he was unable to focus on the blurred image in front of him. Even now he remembered thinking, as a chill ran down his spine, that they were coming to dispose of him, to do away w
ith him. Too delirious to protest as the leg irons were struck off, he’d been carried here, to this large, airy room where the welcoming warmth of a huge fire blazed in the high-manteled, stone fireplace. Of all the extraordinary luxuries, he’d been given a bath, and he vaguely remembered the lovely, dimpled maid who’d assisted him in the endeavor. Once he was clean and beneath the warm covers, a doctor had examined him, treating the infection in his thigh. Now, five weeks later, the leg was still bandaged and stiff but mending.

  The food was hardly haute cuisine but the hardy broth he’d received at first had brought back his strength and the plain meat and vegetable diet since then had reversed some of his weight loss.

  The biggest shock and one he still could not believe had been when Drew walked in one morning. His younger brother had sauntered in as though he were merely out for a stroll in Hyde Park and had happened to drop by for a visit.

  As he indolently slouched into a chair, a sly, crafty grin had lit his angular features. “I trust you’ve been well provided for, brother.” Casually brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead, Drew had waited for his reply.

  Amazingly, Jared retained his composure. It was a trick he’d been taught while an apprentice actor and it had helped him considerably in the past. There was a gloating manner about Drew that draped him like a cloak.

  Jared laughed with easy confidence, noting that his laughter annoyed his young half-brother and ruffled his feathers a bit. “I trust you’ve come to tell me the reason why, in your own sweet time, brother.” He put the same mocking emphasis on the familial tie that Drew had used, and was amused as the boy shifted angrily in his seat.