War of Hearts, A Historical Romance (7 page)

“Who the hell are you?” she asked, her
steady voice belied the fear she felt inside.

“Who am I?” he asked, pulling the pin out of
his wrist. “I was just about to ask who you were, and why you were
in my bed.”

Her eyes widened when his words sunk in.
“Oh! Well, the Colonel said I could rest in here.”

“I see,” he said, flexing his wrist to make
sure there was no permanent damage. “You have nothing to fear. I
will not harm you.”

“I am terribly sorry, you surprised me,”
Sarah said, relaxing a bit. She felt a bit foolish sitting here
half clothed in a man’s bed. What the hell had she been thinking
earlier? It was quite obvious the room belonged to a man. She had
mistakenly assumed it was the Colonel’s.

Tristan took a deep breath to help cleanse
his mind. He was getting way too stimulated by the vision of the
girl tangled in his covers. “Let’s try this again shall we? I am
Tristan Radcliff, welcome to my home.”

Sarah was rendered speechless as his name
sunk in. This was Robert’s brother. Her eyes went to his face
searching for recognition. They looked quite different to be
brothers. Where Robert was dark, Tristan was light. He was a bit
taller, and definitely more muscular. Of course Robert would be too
if he wasn’t half starved like the rest of them.

“And this is where you’re supposed to
introduce yourself,” he added when only met with silence.

Sarah’s mind whirled, still fresh from
sleep, she ran through her thoughts trying to decipher what name
she had chosen. “Sarah... Smith,” she finally spat out.

He raised an eyebrow at her reply. “Well,
Miss Smith. Welcome to my home,”
and my bed
, he added
silently.

“Can I have my pin back?”

“No, I think I am safer if I hold onto
it.”

Sarah sat up straight in bed. “I must have
it back, it was a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Yes, it was all she had.” Tears stung her
eyes when she thought of Margaret.

Tristan, seeing her despair, handed over the
pin. He wondered what kind of people only had pins to give as
gifts.

“Now be off! It isn’t decent to be in a room
with you; I was raised better.”

He stepped back and nodded to her before
stepping into the hallway. Sarah was out of bed as soon as she
heard the click. She grabbed for her clothes and was dismayed that
they were not there. Instead was a lovely blue dress; she threw it
on and was surprised by the fit.

Apparently Cecilia swapped them while she
was asleep. Thankfully it buttoned up the front. Running her hands
through her slightly damp hair, she quickly plaited it into a
braid.

Sarah glanced at her reflection in the
mirror.  She was a bit surprised by her appearance; her face
was thin and sharp. Her usual rounded cheeks had disappeared so she
pinched them to add a bit of color. Nonetheless, her eyes were
still a lively green; eyes that had seen enough death and despair
for a lifetime. The spark of hope had not died, but it was
flickering.

How had she ended up here? At Robert’s
family home? This was supposed to be her last resort; she was
running out of options fast.

She wondered how Robert could give up a life
such as this. Most of the soldiers were from humble backgrounds,
and didn’t have much to lose either way.

With Robert’s wealth he could do as he
pleased, or nothing at all. Of course Washington himself was quite
wealthy, and he chose to not only fight, but to lead. She had asked
Robert once why he joined; he had laughed and told her it was for
the wonderful benefits. Perhaps he left because of his wife after
all. However, it was one thing to leave a trivial wife; it was
another to abandon your entire family.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she
headed out the door. The hallway was thankfully vacant and she
followed her earlier steps down the stairs.

The front door once again beckoned to her,
but her growling stomach won out and she followed the aromatic
smell of baked chicken to the kitchen. She was met by Cecilia, whom
eyed her critically before escorting her to the dining room. She
hesitated just an instant to compose herself before stepping into
the room.

The Colonel, some man she didn’t know, and
Tristan occupied the room. Their deep conversation was cut off
abruptly when she neared the table.

“Ah, so glad you could join us,” the Colonel
greeted her as the men stood.

“As am I,” Sarah replied, flashing him her
best smile. He reached across the table and grasped her hand. Sarah
cringed inwardly as his moist lips brushed against the back of it.
Repulsed, she resisted the urge to wipe off the wetness and instead
took a seat across from Tristan.

The new man was introduced as the Colonel’s
aide, Ryan. He was awfully quiet and his ink stained fingers gave
away his talent.

Sarah glanced at the elaborate table
settings. There were more utensils next to her one plate than her
family owned.

“Did you rest well?” the Colonel asked.

“Very much so, thank you for the
hospitality.”

Tristan leaned forward. “I am sorry for your
loss. Surely you have other family?”

Sarah’s eyes welled up with tears; not all
of them were false. “There’s no one. This wretched war has taken
them all.” Three handkerchiefs were instantly presented and she
accepted the nearest one.

Unfortunately she didn’t notice the ink
splatters until after she dabbed her eyes. Her glance at Tristan
trying to hide a grin, confirmed her suspicions. She had just wiped
ink on her face.

“Ryan!” the Colonel scolded.

“I am so sorry miss, ma’am, missus,” Ryan
stuttered. “Let me help.”

“I will take care of the lady,” Tristan
said, already kneeling next to Sarah’s chair. Even with him on his
knees, they were practically eye-to-eye.

“No need,” Sarah said, trying to rise.

“Shhh,” Tristan replied, dipping his
kerchief in the water goblet. With no other choice, she closed her
eyes and Tristan placed the damp cloth to her face, gently dabbing
here and there. He was so close she could feel his warm breath wash
over her and a shiver ran down her spine.

She felt him move back and she opened her
eyes to stare into his blue ones. “Barely noticeable,” he assured
her.

“I’ve dealt with much worse.”

“Have you?” Tristan inquired with worry.

She was rescued by the first course being
brought to the table. “Delicate lobster bisque,” the cook
announced.

Her stomach growled in reminder of her
hunger and she blushed brilliantly. Tristan watched her closely
from across the table and she shyly returned to her food. She
wasn’t sure why she so was so nervous around him. She was used to
being surrounded by men, a good many of them naked at that! So why
was this different?  Of course there was the whole spy thing,
but she hadn’t learned any war altering secrets yet. No, this was
different, something more instinctive.

She looked down at the array of silverware
before her. She wasn’t quite sure which spoon to use and decided to
wait until the others started to eat. She looked up noticing they
were waiting for her to eat first.

Tristan, seeing her hesitation, picked up
the spoon on his far right and lifted it with a wink. Sarah
followed suit and took a tentative sip of the broth. It was
delicious; she nodded her approval and the men started to eat as
well.

As Sarah ate the men resumed their
conversation. She expected it to turn to war, after all what else
was there to discuss?

“Since we have a lady in our midst, I think
it is a grand time to throw a ball. I haven’t been to a good bash
since Christmas,” the Colonel exclaimed.

Sarah dropped her spoon in surprise. “Oh, I
just couldn’t. I’m not even sure where I’ll be staying. And with
the loss of Aunt Margaret, it just doesn’t seem right.”

“Well you will be staying here of course. We
have plenty of room,” Tristan spoke up, his rich full voice drawing
her eyes to his lips. His eyes met hers and she looked down at her
soup.

“Not to sound ungrateful, but I do not think
it is suitable to be housed with men. Surely there must be
someplace else.”

Tristan guffawed. “With the city thick with
soldiers, any boarding home would be swamped with men as well.
Moreover, I cannot guarantee their character. As I can my own.”

She raised an eyebrow at him remembering
their earlier encounter in his bedroom. She did trust him, purely
for the fact that Robert vouched for him. She so wanted to tell him
that Robert was alive and well, but that would give too much
away.

“I suppose I can stay the night, and then
revisit my options. I need to get my horse. Do you have a
stable?”

“We have a paddock for our horses. I will
see that yours is cared for.”

“No need, I’ll take care of Molly myself.
And I will pay you for the board.”

A large steak was placed in front of her,
and her soup was swept away. Her mouth watered just from the aroma.
It had been so long since she had real meat to eat. Mostly they had
to stew rabbit or some other vermin, and if you were lucky to get
meat in your bowl it would be a bite or two at the most.

“This is amazing! Is there farmers nearby?”
she asked, taking another bite. The men exchanged looks before
responding.

“We have to trade for meat with the Rebels.
They will sell just about anything for money,” he chuckled.

“Rebels?” she asked in surprise. “Isn’t that
traitorous or at the very least, dangerous?”

“We have a whole army to feed. There aren’t
many pastures or vegetable gardens in the city. The crown tends to
overlook what is a necessity. If we didn’t trade, our soldiers
would be as debilitated as the Rebels.”

Sarah took another bite, just to keep
herself from retorting. The food had lost its allure and was now a
chore to swallow down. She couldn’t fathom Rebels trading willingly
with the British. It sickened her that they were aiding the enemy
while their own men starved to death.

Sarah pushed back her plate. “Thank you for
dinner, I need to get Molly before dark.”

“I will accompany you,” Tristan said,
pushing his chair back and standing.

Sarah nodded to the men before following him
out. She found her cloak hanging in the foyer and Tristan wrapped
it around her shoulders.

“You really should wear something
warmer.”

“I make do,” she said, thinking how it saw
her through the harsh winter.

He offered his arm to her and she accepted.
“I am sorry the Colonel offended you.”

“It’s not him, I’m just sick of this
war.”

“Well if it makes you feel better, it isn’t
expected to last. I would give it six months tops.”

“And whom do you figure to be
victorious?”

“The good King of course,” Tristan replied
disdainfully, and Sarah looked at him thoughtfully.

“It doesn’t sound as if you’re much of a
fan.”

“I believe him to be quite mad. But he does
have a very large army, with unlimited resources. I can’t imagine a
different outcome.”

I can
, Sarah said to herself.

“What of your family?” she asked him
instead.

Tristan sighed. “My parents fled to London
along with my brother’s wife.”

“And your brother?”

“My brother, the prestigious doctor, joined
the army.”

“You must be quite proud of him,” Sarah said
smiling broadly that he did not mention which army.

“I think he’s an idiot.”

They had just arrived at the British stables
and Molly was easy to pick out. She was still eerily thin, but her
mane and coat had been painstakingly brushed. She was greeted with
a neigh. Tristan pulled a carrot from his coat and offered it to
the mare.

Molly gently took it from his hand and ate
it. “You do know how to get on people’s good side.”

He laughed. “I do, it’s staying there that I
have problems with. Looks like she’s been through a lot,” he added,
and Sarah wasn’t sure if he was referring to the horse or
herself.

“Haven’t we all?” she replied softly. The
events of the day had paid their toll and she was looking forward
to a good night’s sleep.

“Some more than others,” he added, offering
her a hand to help her mount.

“I’d rather walk.”

“As you wish,” he replied, bowing
deeply.

She laughed in spite of herself and took his
arm as they returned home. “How come you didn’t join the army?”

“Someone had to run the family business.
What would come of things with no supply of silks and tea?”

“And weapons no doubt,” she added, her
interest growing. The rebels were in desperate need of ships and he
had a whole flock of them.

“You do not approve?” he asked. Most women
who learned of his profession were even more enamored. British
contractors were richly rewarded.

“In yard goods, no, but I would love to see
your ships. I’ve never been on a boat before. When I was young my
father would take us to visit the seashore. I remember the large
ships on the horizon, their sails full and proud.”

“Well then, I will have to introduce you to
the
Sea Maiden
.”

They arrived back home and settled Molly
into a stall with fresh hay. Sarah patted her neck goodnight,
unsure of both of their futures.

It didn’t seem quite right staying at
Robert’s home. However she was on a mission. After all, what better
place to gain knowledge than staying with a Colonel? The sky was
darkening and she allowed Tristan to guide her along the pebbled
path leading to the house. She stifled a yawn as the long day
caught up to her.

“I need to get you upstairs into bed,”
Tristan said huskily.

“Pardon?” Sarah asked in alarm.

“To your room of course. You must be
exhausted.”

“I’ve had rougher days than this,” she
replied, so softly that her words mingled with the wind.