Captives' Charade (6 page)

As Stewart brought her indoors, she smiled rather impatiently, irritated at the result of her encounter with this domineering stranger. “I am fine,” she said wearily. “All I need is a bath and a rest. Father,” she added, seeing her father’s distraught expression as he hovered in the foyer. “It is nothing, really. Mr. Chamberlain is only carrying me out of courtesy. Actually I can walk quite well.”

Before she could insist that Stewart put her down, he spoke above her head to her mother. “Your Grace, she is not badly hurt but walking is painful to her. Could you please lead us to her room and I will see that she gets there without any more strain.”

So this ridiculous charade would continue, Sarah thought furiously. And with the blessing of her parents, Sarah saw as her father nodded and her mother hurried up the stairs.

As the Duchess moved quickly up the steps, clucking soothingly under her breath, she did not notice the hot flush on her daughter’s pretty face or the calmly assured expression Stewart wore. No one seemed to mind the fact that this overconfident Yankee was violating all the rules of propriety by entering her bedroom, and it irritated Sarah immeasurably that he could so easily manipulate everyone to his advantage.

As the trio entered the rose and blue bedroom, Sarah noticed that her hand-painted porcelain tub was already in place and two young serving girls were pouring steaming water into the flowered vessel. Immediately their eyes widened as they saw the tall, dark stranger holding their mistress easily in his arms. Their nervous giggles seemed to spur Sarah’s mother into action.

“Come,come,”shecalled,“letusbequick. Mr. Chamberlain,” she said, turning to him. “Put Lady Sarah on the bed – gently,” she added, unnecessarily for he was quite careful with his precious however, straightened over her huddled form. bundle. Before she could continue, Stewart spoke quietly to Sarah as he

“LadySarah,”hemurmured,andonlyshe could distinguish the mockery in his formality. “I am quite sorry our ride ended in such an unfortunate way. I hope after your bath and a rest that you will be able to join us for dinner.”

“We shall have to see,” Sarah responded coldly, all too aware of how his presence had overtaken the entire room. And then for her mother’s benefit only, she added, “Thank you for helping me home.”

“Think nothing of it.” He smiled knowingly. “I am glad I was able to be of service.” Then, with a broad wink, he was gone.

“Oh darling, where does it hurt? Are you sure you do not need the doctor?” Quickly the Duchess began helping her daughter out of the torn and stained riding habit.

Sarahwincedandsighedwearily.“Idonot need the physician for a few bruises, Mother. I wish everyone would not get so hysterical. It is nothing, really. I have fallen from a horse before.”

“Not since you were learning to ride,” her mother countered as she untied the stock at Sarah’s throat. “You are an impeccable horsewoman, Sarah. I just do not understand how it could have happened. Was Serena frightened?”

Sarah was most unwilling to rehash the events of her encounter with Stewart. Masking her pain, she rose slowly from the bed before her mother had a chance to help her finish undressing. “I-I do not remember. Mother, really,” she implored, moving toward the tub. “I am all right now. Just leave me to my bath. I promise I will rest afterward.”

“Very well, dear,” her mother replied uncertainly, and then suddenly remembering, added, “Where is your sister – and Jack? What happened to them?”

“Oh, they rode to the Gables. I did not wish to go and Mr. Chamberlain said he had letters to post so he offered to return with me. I suppose they will be along soon enough.”

“All right, darling,” the Duchess said, opening the bedroom door. “Please ring for Tegan if you need anything. I will return later to see how you are feeling. Come on, girls,” she called to the serving maids, “let us leave Lady Sarah to her bath.”

After everyone had left, Sarah painfully removed the rest of her clothes and went to her mirror to survey the damage. She was startled by the ugly bluish purple flesh below her left breast. Turning slowly, she moaned aloud at the sight of her discolored left hip. Her leg and arm were also blemished by angry bruises, guaranteeing a slow recovery.

“And it is all his fault,” she whispered petulantly as she moved to enter the steaming tub, delicately scented with lavender to cover up the vinegar used to treat bruises. But as she sat soaking in the delicious feel of the hot water easing her pains, it was surprisingly pleasant thoughts that crowded her mind. She instead found herself reliving the feel of his gentle hands on her body and the indescribable sensations his closeness had aroused.

But it is wrong for him to force his attentions on me while he seduces my sister as well, she argued to herself. But somehow that fact could not dissuade her from the realization that Stewart Chamberlain was the first man to have appealed to her – and the first man to have evoked a woman’s response.

With a horrified start, she realized how sensuously she had been enjoying the warm water’s quiet lapping against her swollen breasts as she thought of Stewart’s lazy, knowing eyes just before his passionate kisses had overtaken her. “He haunts me!” she cried, smacking her hands against the water, causing droplets to splash about.

Wiping her face with her shaking hands, she knew she had to figure out a way to handle Stewart Chamberlain – or avoid him. And since handling him had been most unsuccessful, she quickly decided that avoiding him was the answer.

Finishing her bath and moving slowly from the tub, she reached for a bath sheet and carefully patted herself dry – more afraid of touching her strangely sensitive body than her painful bruises. Determined to do anything to keep from being near him again, she took heart in her own strength of will and smiled hopefully as she donned a light chemise and a warm, rose-colored dressing gown.

Pulling the pins from her glossy brown hair, she let if fall to her waist and gingerly climbed onto the huge bed. She carefully laid down on her right side and pulled a warm woolen throw up over her shoulders. I am safe here in my own home, and he is not smarter than I – only more experienced and used to having his way. He will not find it so easy to kiss me again, she told herself drowsily. Her own words gave her confidence and she found herself drifting easily into sleep.
CHAPTER 6

WhenSarahawoke,shefoundherself immediately alert and aching with hunger. Her bedroom was pitch dark, however, and she realized that she had slept through the entire evening. She vaguely recalled being awakened by Juliana, who had heard of her mishap and seemed to think the entire episode was an amusing diversion to their otherwise uneventful lives.

Carefully she rose from the soft bed, gingerly stretching her wounded body under the dressing gown. I simply must have food, she thought to herself, feeling reasonably well and not a bit sleepy. But the ornate brass clock on her bureau showed that it was late and she knew that most of the servants had retired for the evening. She decided to find something for herself and put on a pair of kid mules as she ran a brush through her tangled locks.

Quietly leaving her room, only slightly favoring her injured side, she made her way down the darkened hall to the back stairs that led to the kitchen. Opening the door at the bottom of the stairs, she was surprised to find the huge and usually inviting kitchen so chilled. The fires were banked; it appeared her hopes for a meal were in vain. It was then that she spied a bowl of apples on one of the wide counters and hungrily snatched one.

Resigned to the cold appetizer, she was about to leave when the door to the servants’ quarters opened and a small form entered the room.

“LadySarah!”asurprisedvoicewhispered. “What are you doing here?” Sarah whirled in surprise and sighed with relief as her eyes rested on the flowing red hair and petite form of Tegan.

Tegan, dressed in a plain brown house coat, returned quickly, “I startled you? I thought I was seeing a ghost. What are you doing in here at this hour?”

“I was hungry,” Sarah replied simply, taking another bite out of her apple, “and so far, this is all I have found to eat.”

“You poor thing,” Tegan chuckled sympathetically. “You haven’t eaten all day, have you? ‘Tis a good thing I came looking for tallows. I’ll fix you something straight away,” she said, bustling into action. “The family had a lovely roast for dinner and there’s plenty left over. Would you care for bread as well?”

As she set about making a plate of food, Sarah sat on a stool next to the great preparation surface in the middle of the room. “I don’t know how I could have slept so long on an empty stomach,” she said offhandedly, glad of Tegan’s company.

“Well, I’m not surprised in the least,” Tegan replied briskly, “after hearing about your horrible accident. Why, according to Mr. Chamberlain, it was a miracle you didn’t break your neck!”

Immediately Sarah was on guard. Just the sound of his name made her heart beat faster. “Now, Tegan,” she said, carefully keeping her voice light, “how do you know what Mr. Chamberlain said?”

“Come now, mum,” Tegan answered matterof-factly, “I hardly have to tell you that these walls have ears.”

“Well then,” Sarah replied, munching daintily on her apple, “you may as well fill me in on all I’ve missed today.”

As she uncovered the leftover roast and began slicing, Tegan went on. “Your mother was quite distressed and begged your father to call the doctor. But Mr. Chamberlain – he’s such a commanding figure, isn’t he?” Her brown eyes twinkled. “He told them he was quite sure you’d not suffered serious injury and that rest was the best thing for you. He assured your mother that if he should be mistaken, he’d ride for the doctor himself.”

“And what of Lady Juliana and Lord Harrington?” Sarah asked, unaccountably gratified by Stewart’s show of gallantry.

“They returned much later, looking quite pleased with themselves, if you know what I mean,” Tegan said, winking. “But they were shocked to hear of your mishap. Lady Juliana wanted to see you right away, but Mr. Chamberlain said sleep would do you more good than her sympathies. The viscount, of course, was deeply distressed, but Mr. Chamberlain assured him that you were soon to be good as new.”

“No,”Teganansweredassheslicedbread and buttered it none too sparingly. “Her Ladyship whisked him out the door before the Duchess had a chance to ask him. Then,” she said confidentially, “and I only heard this, mind you, she chattered all through dinner about her marvelous day – hoping to make Mr. Chamberlain jealous, I’ll wager. But it’ll never work, you know ....”

Tegan laughed brightly as she finished arranging the tempting plate of food. “Oh Lady Sarah, you can’t tell me you haven’t noticed! Mr. Chamberlain has his preference and it is not your sister. Aye, and what a lucky one you are to catch his eye.”

Tegan went on as if she hadn’t noticed Sarah’s warning tone. “He’s an attractive blade and well-versed in the ways of pleasuring women, if I’m any judge at all. Rich as well, I’ve heard. ‘Tis enough to forgive him for being a Yankee, I’d say, if that’s what’s holding you back.”

“Tegan!” Sarah retorted, abruptly pushing herself off the stool. “Hush! Anything you have to say in Mr. Chamberlain’s favor is of no concern to me, for I find nothing in him of interest – except ‘twere I to learn that his visit was cut short. I find him boorish and most unattractive – when I am forced to take note of him at all!”

“Very well, mum,” Tegan replied, completely undaunted. “Would you like me to take this to your room?” she asked, holding up the tempting plate on a small silver tray.

“No,” Sarah sighed, her outburst over, though her cheeks were pink. “I think I will eat in the library. I’ve a feeling I am going to need a book to finish out this night. I slept so long, I am wide awake.” When Tegan began to move toward the door, Sarah shook her head and took the tray from the maid. “Go to bed. I can carry this. Thank you.”

“Very well,” Tegan replied brightly. “O ff with you, then. I’ll tidy up. See you in the morning. Pleasant dreams,” she called teasingly as Sarah shot her servant a scathing look.

“She is such a romantic,” Sarah thought of her sweet maid as she slowly and carefully walked down the darkly lit hall to the library, “that she looks for evidence of love in bloom in every occurrence that takes place in this house.” Shaking her shining dark head as if to dismiss the train of her thoughts, she quietly entered the library and was glad to see that a fire still burned welcomingly in the hearth before the settee.

After she put her tray down on the table next to the settee, she took a straw from the hearth and used the fire to light it. Turning around to illuminate an oil lamp next to the settee, her free hand flew to her mouth as she muffled a terrified scream. She was not alone!

“A thousand pardons if I have frightened you,” the easy voice of Stewart Chamberlain spoke as he rose from the dark leather tufted chair tucked into the shadows of the library.

“My god!” Sarah gasped, trembling uncontrollably. “I-I had no idea anyone was here!” Unbidden tears of shock and relief rose in her eyes. “For an instant I thought you were an intruder.” Struggling to calm down after the fright he’d caused, Sarah added, hoping to lighten the moment, “Now it seems I’ve you to blame for my first gray hairs.”

Stewart chuckled as he advanced toward her. Sarah unconsciously took a step backward, the straw still lit in her shaking fingers. “Here,” he said. “Allow me.” Taking the torch, he turned and lit the lamp for her and a soft light began to chase the shadows away. “Please,” he offered, as though he were the host, “sit down. I’ve no wish to prevent you from enjoying your repast. You must be famished.”

“Yes, quite,” she replied truthfully yet breathlessly as she moved past him to sink slowly into the far corner of the settee. Suddenly aware that she was clothed only in her chemise and robe, she pulled the material around her legs and asked uninvitingly, “I suppose you plan to keep me company now?”