All three men chuckled at the bodacious imp.
“So you think you’re big enough now for a Thoroughbred, is that right?” Colin turned toward Geoffrey. “What do you think, Mr. Scott? Is Miss Amanda ready for a real horse?”
“Hmm. What one did you have in mind, missy?”
“Russet Knight.”
Colin almost choked. “He’s the fastest one in the stable. You’ll start on Snowflake.”
“Snowflake!” Amy moaned. “She’s slow as molasses.”
Tuck entered the mix. “Plenty fast enough for an eight-year-old.”
“Eight! I’ll have you know I’m nine and a half.”
“Eight, nine, or ten,” Colin said, “it’s the pony or the mare. Take your choice.”
She released a snort of defeat. “Oh, all right. Snowflake.”
“And one more thing, little sis. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. We’d all miss havin’ you around. A lot.” Especially me, Colin added silently. She’d brought the only little sparks of happiness he’d had in his life.
Chapter 35
Using her very best penmanship as she wrote out wedding invitations, Mariah found it almost impossible to concentrate on the task. An hour ago, Colin, Amy, and that exceptionally intelligent dog had passed right by her on their way out to the stables. She couldn’t help glancing up from the table on the terrace every so often and gazing toward the barn, but they were nowhere in sight.
She chided herself for being concerned. Far better to pay attention to the costly paper Mistress Barclay had been hesitant to risk at the hands of her daughters. Surely her fingers would stay steady long enough to pen this one last note.
The mistress and the two older girls would be home soon from yet another gown fitting. Then, thank heavens, they’d all sit down and help address the invitations. How could one family have so many acquaintances?
Mariah smiled, remembering how Amy had chattered incessantly about the morrow, when she and her father would ride into Alexandria with invitations needing to be sent out on north- and south-bound coastal packets. Then they would deliver the remainder personally to all their local friends. That would be the highlight of the entire affair for the girl. The child had spoken of little else for days. And most important, she’d sit proudly astride her new Thoroughbred, a handsome chestnut with a white star centered between its huge brown eyes.
As Mariah sprinkled silver dust on the last invitation to dry it, she caught movement on the edge of her vision. Colin and his sister were leaving the paddocks behind and heading toward the manse. Amazingly, instead of holding on to Colin, Amy was skipping backward ahead of him.
His whole demeanor had improved dramatically since the collie’s arrival a couple of weeks ago. Colin now walked with assurance, appearing as tall and confident as when she’d first met him. He no longer squinted in the sunlight and had regained most of the weight lost during the militia’s weeks of privation. Of course, the fancy cane he used added additional flair.
Duchess wagged her long, furry tail against Colin’s leg as they walked, no doubt shedding hairs on his breeches. Though Mistress Barclay had allowed the animal to stay inside the house, she’d frown whenever she spied a hair on her son or the furniture. She kept the maids busy searching for each and every strand or tuft of rust-colored fur—even though the dog had been bathed twice and brushed daily since its arrival.
As Colin and Amy neared, Mariah’s gaze lingered on his strong, handsome face. She rarely saw him for more than a few seconds here and there since he took his meals in his room and declined to spend evenings in the parlor with the family. As much as she longed to be near him, she suspected he stayed away because of her. She had finally reached the conclusion that for this family’s peace and happiness to be restored, she would have to leave. And she would, once Victoria was married and on her way.
Besides, Rose was in the family way now, with her first baby due to be born in December. Mariah didn’t want to miss the blessed event. Her hand moved to the letter in her pocket as it often had since she received the gladsome news yesterday.
Duchess started barking.
Looking to see what had drawn the dog’s attention, Mariah spotted the Barclay landau coming up the lane. A second carriage followed.
The family was not expecting guests. Mariah stood for a better view. “Oh, dear.” She recognized Mistress Engleside and her two rowdy sons, whose towheads bobbed up and down with the vehicle’s movement.
Amy, however, let out an exuberant yelp and ran to meet her young friends. No doubt the boys’ feet wouldn’t hit the ground more than two seconds before the scuffling and chasing around would start.
Mariah glanced back to Colin. Though his sister had deserted him, his steps hadn’t faltered. Still, perhaps she should go to him, in case he needed assistance navigating through the carriages and people. She doubted he’d appreciate help, especially from her, but she descended the veranda steps anyway as everyone converged amid happy chatter and the high-pitched greetings of the children.
Colin and Duchess halted just short of the first conveyance. “Good afternoon to you all,” he said. “If you’ll please excuse me, I was about to retire to my room.”
“Colin, dear,” his mother called after him, but he didn’t turn back.
Mariah watched in amazement as he quickly found the steps with his cane and mounted them. He and the dog disappeared inside the house. She bit back her disappointment that he’d passed right by her again as if she didn’t exist.
“Oh, blast!” Amy latched on to Mariah’s arm as the chattering womenfolk started toward the house. “Would you do me a favor, Mariah? Please, please, please?”
Mariah eyed her. “What have you gotten yourself into now?” The boys, appearing none too clean, crowded close.
Amy tossed her blond head. “It’s nothin’ like that. I promised Colin I’d read to him as soon as we got back. And now I can’t. I have company.”
“But you know he doesn’t want anyone but you to read to him.”
The child fluttered a hand as if that was of little import. “Oh, he’s not nearly so grumpy anymore, and you read so much better than me.” She bobbed up to her tiptoes with a pleading look. “We’re readin’ some real interestin’ stuff right now. Even Colin couldn’t answer some of my questions.”
“You don’t say. And what were you reading?” Mariah stalled, warring against her desire to be near her beloved for a few minutes.
“About the apostle Philip and some man called a eunuch. Colin tried to ‘splain somethin’ about bulls and oxen, but I thought it was a man Philip was baptizin’. Maybe you can figure it out and let me know later. Will you do it? Please, please?”
“Very well.” Mariah knew she shouldn’t have agreed. But, Lord, is it terribly selfish of me to want to be near him, speak with him, this one last time?
“Thank you! Thank you!” Amy grabbed Mariah in a hug, then hitched up her skirts and took off for the stables with the boys.
Returning inside, Mariah cast a furtive glance at the staircase Colin had ascended moments before, and uncertainty slithered through her. He’d be most displeased. But perhaps after she let him know she’d be leaving they could have a pleasant chat….
She took a deep breath, then bypassed the stairs and headed for the butlery door. She’d stop at the kitchen for a tray of refreshments, to give him time to get settled and allow her heart to stop its infernal pounding.
Duchess, lying at Colin’s feet, gave a throaty bark as the chamber door opened.
He smirked. “I reckoned you’d run off to play with those other brats, Amy.”
A moment of silence.
“It’s not Amy. She asked me to come read to you in her place.”
“Mariah.” The woman never missed a chance. “That won’t be necessary.”
She moved closer. “Truly. ’Twould be my pleasure.”
Colin inhaled, recognizing the fragrance that was hers alone. Why did she always have to smell so good? And why
did her voice have to sound smooth and rich as warm honey?
“I brought some refreshments.” Coming entirely too close, she placed the tray on the table.
He gave a resigned sigh. If she was going to insist on staying in this house with the blessing of every other member of the family, he might as well get used to it—for all the good it would do her. “As you wish.”
He heard her fussing around, placing items on the table and removing the tray. “Eloise sent up a bit of her iced peach tea and some spice scones.”
“Please thank her for me.”
“I’ll do that. Is it all right if I give Duchess a scone?”
“I reckon.” He could tell from the rustle of skirts that she’d taken her seat, and he surmised she was probably wearing that shiny emerald gown that complemented her coloring so well. Strange how much stronger sounds and smells affected him now that he could no longer see.
“I have to tell you,” Mariah said, “how much reading for you has improved Amy’s reading skills.”
He nodded. “She does seem to be getting better. She still needs to spell out big words, though.”
Mariah gave a light laugh. “I still remember the first time I saw her. You were so right; she is a handful. But such a fun, happy one.”
Chuckling, Colin found himself beginning to relax. “She’s a corker, that’s for sure.” Perhaps things wouldn’t go so badly, after all. He reached out a cautious hand and found the frosty glass.
“Where’s your Bible?”
“On the bureau.”
She swished quietly away. Even the sound of her soft steps enticed him. He couldn’t help but remember her alluring curves…and those incredible violet-blue eyes. Too late he realized her being here was not such a good idea. He was on the verge of telling her so, when she spoke.
“I received the most wonderful news yesterday. Rose, my sister, is with child. She’s due to give birth in December. So I thought I’d take a riverboat up there after the wedding and spend some time with her. If you don’t mind.”
If I don’t mind? Was she joking? He’d been trying to rid himself of her since he returned—unless this was some kind of ploy to get him to beg her to stay. “You’re free to come and go as you please. Give your sister and Nate my best wishes and sincere prayers for their child’s safe entrance into the world.”
A heartbeat’s silence preceded her next words as she returned from fetching the book. “I will gladly do that.” She settled into her chair again and opened the Bible. “Now, did you finish with Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch that Amy found of such interest?”
Colin couldn’t stop his grin. “Absolutely. We’re definitely finished with that.”
“Then I’ll begin with Acts, chapter nine: ‘And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.’ ”
Even if the words were full of strife, the lilting music of Mariah’s voice melted pleasurably into his ear. Colin took a sip of his cool drink and eased back to listen.
“ ‘And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
“ ‘And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
“ ‘And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
“ ‘And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.’ ”
Blind! How dare she toy with him! Colin sprang to his feet. “That is not where we left off.”
“I’m afraid it is.” Sadness cloaked her gentle words.
He didn’t want to believe her, yet there was a ring of truth in her voice.
“Chapter eight ends with, ‘The eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip—’ ”
“Right. I remember.” Colin lowered himself with care, hoping he hadn’t moved away from his chair. He despised looking helpless. Once in his seat, he silently thanked the Lord. “Read on. Let’s get the blasted section over with.”
“As you wish. ‘And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.’ ”
“That was me.” He spoke in a flat tone. “They told me I’d been unconscious for three days. And when I woke up, I was blind.”
“I can’t imagine how you must have felt.”
“Yes, well, go on. I’ll have a word or two with Geoff later about picking this chapter.”
She let out a hushed breath and continued. “ ‘And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
“ ‘Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
“ ‘But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
“ ‘And Ana—Ana—’ ” Mariah’s voice had grown increasingly hoarse. She stopped reading and drew a ragged breath.
Colin knew she’d started weeping, feeling sorry for him. It had been hard enough to endure hearing the passage without her pity. “Finish or leave,” he said, not bothering to mellow his tone.
He could tell from her raspy breathing and sniffling that she was trying to regain control. If she didn’t manage to recover her composure soon, she’d have him tearing up, too. He broke into the silence. “Unlike Paul, I was not given back my sight, but the Lord has made me see myself for the cocky, vain peacock I was.”
“And me, as well.” Emotion still clouded her words. “You saw me for the vain, selfish princess I was. What I didn’t see in your eyes and hear in your voice, the Lord showed me. And believe me when I say it has not been pretty to look at—or live with. I’ve had to face what a hedonist I’ve always been, seeking my own pleasure, my own desires. It’s been—a…hard lesson.” Her voice broke.
Please don’t cry. Didn’t she know the sound of her weeping wounded him to the core?
She drew a deep breath. “But one lesson I shall never forget.” She paused abruptly. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can…” She gulped in more air. “I really must go.”
“Wait.” Without thinking, he reached across and snagged ahold of her skirt before she could rise. “I need to say something. To thank you, actually. I know it was rude of me to tell you to leave me alone. But you’ve been more than gracious about doing as I asked.”
“No need to thank me. It was merely my feeble attempt to stop being so selfish and…” She swallowed. “So grasping.”
“Grasping?” He frowned.
“Quite. You were right to cast me aside. Once you were unable to see the outer person, you beheld the ugliness that dwelled within me. You saw the real me, and I repelled you.”
He tipped his head. “If that’s what you thought, why did you stay?”
“I don’t know. I just couldn’t make myself leave. But I’m trying, Colin. Truly I am. If I can convince myself I’m merely going to Rose’s for a short visit, I might actually go. And then, God willing, pe
rhaps I’ll find the fortitude to make myself stay there.”
He considered her words, knowing how hard it must have been for her to be so openly honest with him. “Surely by now, Mariah, you have some idea of what life would be like married to a blind man.”
She scoffed. “Perhaps if you’d stumble around more and act like a blind man, that would help. But oh, no. You must go around looking and acting more like my valiant hero every blasted day.”
He felt her bump against the table and knew she’d gotten to her feet.
“So I really do need to leave this place now, or I’ll never—”
Thrusting himself up, he reached for her and drew her into his arms, his heart throbbing in his chest. “Never what?” he managed to whisper as her scented warmth stole all other thought.
“Never stop loving you.” Her trembling palm cupped his cheek.
He could not discount the sincerity in her voice, any more than he could ignore the love he still held for her. Maybe she still had flaws. Maybe they both did, but obviously the Lord was working in both their hearts. The last thread of his resistance unraveled. “My sweet, beautiful love. I have one more request. Please don’t stay away for long.” He lowered his head, and his yearning mouth found hers.
Chapter 36
Thank goodness the rain last evening was light.” Mariah threaded her arm through Colin’s as they strolled out of their favorite place—the gazebo, where within its shadows, she always allowed him to kiss her. Her lips still tingled from his last kiss. “All our lovely autumn leaves might have come down.”
Colin chuckled. “They wouldn’t dare. Mother wouldn’t allow it.”
“I hope it stays nice for the wedding, day after tomorrow.” She paused. “Oh, there’s a dip coming up ahead.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t need your help unless I’m about to walk off a cliff or something equally hazardous.”
“Well, I’m talking about a muddy bog from the rain. So you go right ahead and wade through it then. But I’m planning to walk around it.” She started to pull away.
Daughters of Harwood House Trilogy : Three Romances Tell the Saga of Sisters Sold into Indentured Service (9781630586140) Page 61
