Tony put one hand under her chin and lifted it, staring into her eyes. “You know there’s a chance Jared won’t survive? We’ll do our best, of course, but so far behind the lines…”
Mariah’s hands trembled in his hold but she nodded her head, admitting she knew the consequences. “The last time I saw him, I told him I couldn’t go through with Drew’s plan. He has a knife I stole from one of the guards. At least he’ll be able to defend himself.”
“Well, thank God for that anyway! Look, Mariah, you’ve been through hell! Get some rest tonight and tomorrow I’ll request an appointment with Cardigan. Once I explain, I’m sure we’ll be able to devise a workable plan. He’ll be as anxious as we are to stop Drew.”
Mariah spent a restless night, falling asleep for a few minutes only to wake again, worrying that something would go wrong. In the morning she was up early to see Tony off. “I thought of something last night. What if Drew has me watched? He’ll know I didn’t see Cardigan. Wouldn’t it be better if once you’ve explained to the general and gained his approval, you sent me a note and I came to the yacht?”
Tony nodded, agreeing it would look better. “I’ll send for you as soon as possible.” He smiled and patted her shoulder. “Keep your hopes up!”
Mariah fidgeted the time away, one ear straining for the sound of a knock at the door, and when it finally came, near noon, she was right behind Anna when she opened the door. The messenger tipped his hat, nodding to Mariah and telling her he would wait for her. She was already dressed for the meeting. It took her but a second to gather her hat and parasol before she was out the door and entering the carriage.
Boarding Cardigan’s yacht, she was the recipient of many an interested stare but she made sure she kept her hood close about her face. The yacht was luxurious by any standard and she felt a twinge of impatience with the man who could live in such an opulent manner while his men and officers endured the dirt and misery of field camps. Pushing the angry thought away, she followed the young ensign to the main salon, entering to find Tony seated across from Lord Cardigan. Both men rose as she came forward, dropping the hood from her face. Cardigan bowed low over her hand. It was the first time she’d met the man who was Jared’s superior, although she’d heard much about him. Surprisingly, he wasn’t in military dress, preferring to wear his own elegant Saville Row clothing. He had quite a reputation as a ladies’ man but he was partially bald with only a fringe of hair about the sides of his head, and Mariah thought him a little dowdy.
“An honor to meet you, Lady Carleigh. Unfortunate that we have to meet under such circumstances. Won’t you be seated.” He showed her to the room’s most comfortable seat and deposited her there. “Captain Winslow has informed me of your situation.” He cleared his throat before he continued as though he were treading on dangerous ground. “It’s imperative that we stop this brother-in-law of yours at once. I’d like to keep the whole affair as quiet as possible, of course. I’ve had occasion to meet Lord Maubrey, and I doubt he would appreciate this sordid business becoming common knowledge. Also, it would have a demoralizing effect on our troops.” He sat down again behind the huge, handsomely carved desk. “Would you care for refreshments, Lady Mariah, perhaps some tea?” When Mariah declined the offer, somewhat impatient with his small talk, he continued, “This plan you’ve come up with…from what I understand of Andrew Bryant, it puts you in some danger. I don’t like the idea of your being alone with him again. If you’ll consent to allow the Captain to accompany you. I’ll agree to the plan.”
“I’m afraid Drew wouldn’t accept Captain Winslow as an escort, Lord Cardigan. He’s well aware of how close Tony and my husband are and he’d know immediately that it was a trap. No, if I must have an escort, it has to be someone other than Tony Winslow.” She paused a moment, then her face brightened. “Are you acquainted with a Lieutenant Adam Warrener? I don’t know whether he’s still assigned to this area, but he escorted Lady Elizabeth Winslow and me here. Drew wouldn’t know him.”
Lord Cardigan thought a moment, then rang for his aide. When the young man entered, snapping a salute, Cardigan ordered him to find Lieutenant Warrener and have him report immediately to the ship. “I remember meeting the young man once or twice. I’m sure we can use him.” He reached into a drawer and pulled forth a file. “This file contains actual maps and war plans. I’ll have one of my ensigns escort you to a cabin where you can rest until I’ve finished. I believe we can come up with a convincing facsimile of what this scoundrel requires.” The cavalry commander rose and walked around the desk, reaching out a hand to draw her to her feet. Kissing her hand once more, he fixed an admiring gaze on her and complimented, “I’m happy to have met such a charmingly brave young woman, Lady Carleigh. We’re dispatching a small group of men to fall behind enemy lines and reach the villa where your husband is imprisoned. Now, while you’re waiting for me, perhaps you could set down any details you remember from your journey. Password, roads, etcetera, anything you can remember will help. If it makes you feel more secure, I’ll assign Winslow here to head the mission.”
Mariah couldn’t thank him enough. The relief of having positive help was tremendous and her heart felt lighter than it had in days past. “Thank you for your prompt action. Lord Cardigan! I’ll try to write down everything I can remember.” She was shown from the room and down a paneled corridor to a small cabin. There was a small desk for her to use in one corner of the room. In the top drawer were a pen, inkwell and stationery. Summoning up every detail she could recall, she made a precise list and then spent the better part of an hour and a half checking and rechecking it.
Just as she finished, the same ensign knocked and requested she return to the main salon with him.
Adam Warrener had joined the small group. It was the first time she’d seen him since the last ball she’d attended with Jared. His face lit up when he saw her and he came forward to bow formally. “Lady Carleigh, how good to see you again! Lord Cardigan has explained your difficult circumstances to me. I’m honored to provide a safe escort for you.”
Mariah smiled appreciatively at his eagerness to help. Handing her list to the general, she told him it was as complete as she could make it. “I went over each detail. The passwords are correct, but I suggest that as few men as possible go.” She smiled as he accepted the list and read it over. “If I know my husband, Lord Cardigan, he’s already made an attempt to escape. It’s possible the men won’t have to go far to meet him.”
For a while, the four of them discussed every aspect of her meeting with Drew and the planned attempt to penetrate the enemy lines. When they were satisfied, Lord Cardigan ordered a toast to their success. Mariah’s part would come first. Once they had Drew in hand, the patrol could proceed without the fear of advance warning to the enemy. The next night Mariah was to send a message to Drew that she would meet him at the waterfront Inn. The note would intimate that she had the desired information in her possession and would turn it over to him at the meeting.
Mariah left the ship alone, reassured by the decisive actions that had been taken. That night, at dinner, Tony assured her that Jared would be reasonable once he understood the facts. Mariah had shaken her head in disbelief. “You don’t know him as well as I do, Tony. He’s stubborn and jealous. Even if he knows the truth about Drew, Jared will blame me for going along with his plans.” She looked down at her plate, still sitting almost full in front of her. She hadn’t been able to touch the food because of her nerves. “I think as soon as my part is finished, I’ll return to England. Stuart has to be informed about this, and I’d rather he didn’t learn about it by letter.”
Beth had sat motionless throughout the meal, trying to swallow the knot of fear in her throat. Mariah had returned from the meeting with the general, and told her everything. Since then she’d tried her best to convince Mariah it was foolish to allow herself to fall into Drew’s clutches again, even with Warrener’s protection. Mariah had remained stubbornly obstinate and refused to listen.
“I still say you shouldn’t go. What if something goes wrong? Suppose Drew shoots Adam Warrener, then what will you do?”
Tony defended Mariah’s decision. “Beth, stop worrying her! Adam Warrener can take care of the situation—he’ll be armed, and he’ll have the element of surprise on his side. If Mariah survived the past week in Drew’s company, she’ll be all right for a twenty-minute meeting. After Lieutenant Warrener places him under arrest, a squad of guards will escort him to prison. It’s the way it has to be.”
Mariah reached out and patted Beth’s hand to comfort her. “Don’t worry so, it will all be over within a few minutes. I’ll feel so much safer with Drew locked up.”
In the morning, Mariah sent off her message to Drew. To whet his curiosity further and allay any suspicion, she also mentioned an important-sounding dispatch she’d overheard and told him she would give him the details when she saw him.
The three of them sat together, nervously awaiting the time when Mariah would leave. Adam was to call for her at seven o’clock and ride with her to the inn. Mariah sat in a leather armchair. She kept her hands busy, sewing a shirt of Jared’s that he had left with her before his capture. She wanted to finish it before she left, having definitely decided not to be there when he returned. Somehow, she couldn’t face him. Feeling cowardly at being unable to bear another argument or the accusations he might make and certain she would never be able to explain anything to his satisfaction, Mariah thought it better to return home. Poor Stuart, she thought, left alone in England, not knowing that his younger son had become such a dissolute profligate that he’d betrayed his country and, worse, had tried to harm his own brother. If Jared didn’t come back, she had to be with Stuart to soften the blow.
The hall clock chimed six-thirty, and all three occupants of the room started at the sound. Mariah added the finishing touches to her sewing and put it aside, glancing at Tony. “I’d better gather my things. I don’t want to be late.” She rose and walked from the room while Tony patted his sister’s hand once again. “It’ll turn out fine, Beth. Mariah’ll be back before you know it.”
The carriage arrived exactly at a quarter to seven and Adam came in a moment, dressed in civilian clothing. Promising Tony he would use the utmost caution, Adam offered Mariah his arm and they were off. “I wondered many times what had happened to you, Lady Mariah. I heard your husband was captured and I assumed you’d left for England.” Adam felt an old longing to touch her come over him, and only a strong resolution enabled him to conquer it. Her face was unreadable in the dim light of the carriage interior, but her expression seemed serious.
“I’ve owed you an apology for some time, Adam,” she said hesitantly. Her eyes clearly regarded him as nothing more than a dear friend. “You were under the impression I was estranged from my husband. At the time, we’d had a disagreement that was subsequently cleared up. I love Jared as much as the day I married him.” A tragic note invaded her tone, altering it in the most subtle way. Adam wasn’t sure he hadn’t imagined it. “If you were led to believe that I…that we could have a relationship, then I’ve unintentionally deceived you and I’m truly sorry. I’ll always be fond of you.”
After a short moment of bitter reflection, Adam conceded that his desire had made him hope there might be a chance for him. Having had only a brief glimpse of the arrogant, assured man who was Mariah’s husband, Adam wondered about him now. To have such a woman’s love and loyalty despite the differences they’d had! He found himself wishing for a woman to come along for him and offer the same tender devotion. Mariah still looked ill-at-ease and he realized he’d been lost in contemplation and hadn’t replied to her.
“I understand your feelings. Lady Mariah. I honestly hope everything turns out well for both of you. Perhaps you’d feel a bit safer if I joined the group with Captain Winslow. I speak fluent Russian.”
Mariah’s face brightened at the thought of having two friends along to help rescue Jared. She felt a sudden flare of hope until she considered the consequences. “No, I can’t ask you to risk your life, Adam. It’s bad enough that Tony has to go. I’d never forgive myself if you were hurt trying to rescue Jared!”
Adam was more than a little put out at her refusal. He wanted to do it for Mariah, not that fool she’d married. “Nonsense, I can take care of myself. The group has a much better chance of succeeding with a translator along. If we’re stopped by an enemy patrol, I can speak for us.” He reached out, patting the delicate white hands that lay in her lap. “It’s settled then. I’m sure Lord Cardigan will approve when I point out the advantages.” Adam fell silent then as they both considered the parts they were to play. Mariah was to enter Drew’s room, with the folder in hand, and explain that Adam had caught her with the information and was demanding a share of the profits. Whether or not Drew totally accepted the story, Adam would have gained entrance to the room.
As the carriage stopped on the darkened street, Mariah could hear the riotous sounds that emanated from the inn. She took a long breath to build her courage and pulled her hood close about her face. The weather was still cold and damp, and Adam was well bundled against it with a heavy scarf obscuring his features. They went through the side entrance and up a long, creaking flight of steps. Outside Drew’s door Mariah knocked three times and waited. Unconsciously she held her breath until a muffled sound of movement came from within. The latch was withdrawn and the door swung part way open, revealing Drew. He smiled and reached out a hand to pull her into the room. The smile suddenly froze in place as he saw Adam emerge from the shadows of the hall. His dark eyes narrowed suspiciously as he stared from one to the other.
Desperation to make the plan succeed invaded Mariah’s voice and it trembled convincingly. “I had to bring him. Drew! I had no other choice.” She moved forward and Adam followed her as Drew warily backed into the room. Once they were all inside, Adam turned and latched the door as Drew angrily confronted Mariah.
“You were to come alone, you knew that! Damn if you haven’t botched the thing up. I really thought you had more sense than that.” He turned to find Adam lounging casually against the door. With a dark scowl, he insisted, “I believe an introduction is in order.” One hand went to his waist and was hidden there a minute.
“His name is…” Mariah wasn’t allowed to finish as Adam interrupted with a cocky show of bravado.
“Name’s Mick Corby, mate. Shouldn’t blame the little lady though.” His eyes swept over to Mariah and he grinned. “She was . a…forced to strike a bargain with me. I’m not greedy, mind you, but I would like a share of the spoils.”
Adam’s rough and breezy manner threw Drew off and he sized him up as a drifter, someone who could be handled easily. “We’ll see,” he promised, “after the lady shows me what she’s brought.” He held out his left hand for the folder while withdrawing his right from his coat. It held a pistol and he aimed it steadily at Adam.
Inwardly quaking, Mariah handed over the papers and then moved as far away from Drew as she could. His face lit with greedy anticipation and while he was engaged studying the folder contents, Mariah caught Adam’s warning glance and steeled herself for what was to follow. She held her breath as Adam’s own gun came out and he aimed it at Drew’s heart. Drew still hadn’t looked up from the papers but he did so at the sound of Adam’s voice.
“It’s all over, Bryant. You’re under arrest as an enemy of her Majesty’s forces.” Mariah began to inch backward, toward the door. If Adam had to fire a shot to defend himself, she didn’t want to be in his way. Drew’s black eyes had taken on an ugly, maniacal glare as they went from Adam’s steady grip on the pistol to Mariah’s face. He was clearly stunned, disbelieving that Mariah would have dared to defy him and risk Jared’s life. Astonishment was etched clearly on his narrow, pinched face.
“You bitch,” Drew swore, “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you! Your reward for this patriotic act will be Jared’s certain death. I wish you a long life to contemplate your actions. As for me…” H
e turned to face Adam, mocking the man’s control over him. Drew had no intention of returning to England to face a trial. He raised the pistol to aim it at Adam.
In response, Adam steadied his hand and ordered Drew to drop his weapon to the floor. Drew paused, then continued to raise the gun. His eyes were cautious, feral, and suddenly they flared with a quick gambling instinct as he moved his hand to aim at Mariah instead of Adam. A deathly silence settled over the room that seemed to last for an eternity. Drew smiled, smug in the assurance that he had bested them and would safely be on his way within minutes.
“Go ahead and fire, Adam,” Mariah responded, her voice wavering but her purpose strong. Suddenly she crumpled to the floor, and for one crucial second, Drew relaxed his vigilance to look at her. His large black eyes widened in stunned surprise as a deadly accurate shot pierced his heart. He staggered and dropped his gun, and the metallic clatter resounded in the small room. Adam pulled Mariah to her feet, shielding her against his shoulder from the bloody sight of Drew’s sprawled body.
Against the comfort of Adam’s shoulder, Mariah wept quietly for Stuart, for Jared and a little bit for Drew. Despite his twisted nature, he was Stuart’s son as much as Jared was, and she was appalled by the waste that had marked Drew’s life and death.
“Thank God you fainted then,” Adam said. “He had me at a standstill. I might’ve had to let him get away.” Still held against his shoulder, Mariah frowned at Adam’s praise of what he thought was an act of helplessness. She hadn’t fainted; she’d been aware the entire time. Because of her actions, a man, no matter how twisted and selfish, lay dead on the dirty planking. Ashamed, she felt no inclination to share her guilt with Adam. Let him think she had merely reacted like a helpless, distraught female.
A loud pounding at the door startled them both back to reality. Adam unlocked the door and Tony entered, followed by a small squad of Dragoons. He took in the scene and realized quickly what had happened. While one of the men checked Drew’s body for signs of life, Tony congratulated Adam.
Savage In Silk Page 41
