Captives' Charade

by Susannah Merrill

  “Tell me, then,” Sarah said sleepily, “what happened that has you in such a state?” Juliana turned toward her, propping her golden head on her hand, a contented smile turning her entire face radiant. “The Yankee, Mr. Chamberlain? He is the most divine man I have ever met. He is so charming; I was completely swept off my feet. He dances like a prince, and Sarah, he is so romantic. Why, poor Jack was beside himself. But I doubt that I could have turned Mr. Chamberlain’s attentions away if I had tried. He is so persistent,” she smiled, then giggled. “But I adore a man who knows how to get what he pursues, don’t you?”

  Sarah’s face had gone completely white. “What is the matter, darling? Is something wrong?” Juliana asked sweetly. “I told you I would be with him – if he were handsome – and oh, he has surpassed my wildest dreams! Sarah, don’t you think he’s magnificent?”

  Sarah forced herself to close her mouth, and blinked her eyes to shake her mind of the dread that was forming there. “I-I suppose he is good looking enough. But what of Jack?” she replied, in a desperate attempt to hold at bay the confirmation of her growing suspicions.

  Juliana raised her head angrily and slammed her open hand on the coverlet. “Oh, will you please let me forget about Jack one moment?” she shouted. “I am sick to death of everyone thinking he is my beau. He is not! And you can be sure I made Mr. Chamberlain aware of that fact,” she huffed, and just as quickly, her face took on its former dreamy look as she sighed, “Stewart. What a marvelously strong name. Stewart Chamberlain. It fits him to a tee, does it not?”

  Sarah felt her skin go hot as her teeth clenched in helpless dismay. Of course Stewart and Juliana would be attracted to each other. Why had she so blithely assumed that hers was the only company he sought under this roof?

  But then, a fit of jealousy took hold. The nerve of him to woo both his host’s daughters in the same evening! He was despicable.

  As delicately as she could, Sarah attempted to stop Juliana’s effusive praise of Mr. Chamberlain’s attributes. She certainly did not want to hear any more about him. “Julie, I am very pleased that you had such a wonderful time, but I feel I must remind you that he is only visiting Father for business reasons. It would appear doubtful that you would ever see him again once he leaves.”

  “Oh pooh, Sarah. The man spends his time traveling all over the world,” Juliana shifted her small body excitedly. “He is free as a bird, and if I want him to stay – which I most certainly do – I am quite sure a way can be found.

  “Do you realize,” she crooned, suddenly changing the subject once again. “Mr. Chamberlain is at this moment in the guest room over our very heads,” she sighed and looked longingly at the elaborately wall-papered ceiling. “Father invited him to stay the week and I have no doubt he will be spending all his free time with us. Is that not the most marvelous news? We are going riding tomorrow and Stewart has promised to tell me all about his home and his adventures. Did you know he used to be a sailor?”

  “Itdoesnotsurpriseme,”Sarahreplied through clenched teeth, thinking of the Yankee’s duplicity, and not Juliana’s ramblings. How dare he ask her to go riding – and then invite Juliana as well? At the moment, she did not know with whom she was most angry: Mr. Chamberlain or herself for being so naïve.

  With an unusual desire to mollify her sister, Sarah snapped, “Tell me, Julie, are you not being forward in calling him ‘Stewart’? After all, you only met him this evening.”

  “Oh, but he asked me to. He says that in America, they have become much less formal about such things than we, and besides, we did take a walk in the gardens, so it would be ridiculous to pretend we are strangers,” she said smugly, a sly smile quivering on her rosy lips.

  “You what?!” Sarah gasped, her cheeks burning. “You let Mr. Chamberlain walk you alone in the gardens? Juliana, have you no sense of propriety? Father would be outraged,” she blurted, though she knew her sire could be no more offended than she herself.

  “Sarah, for heaven’s sake. You are such a prude! The man asked me to show him around. And at the time, I thought I may never see him again, so you can understand I simply had to know what it would be like to kiss him,” Juliana said simply, as if her logic were ridiculously clear.

  “Juliana, you should be ashamed of yourself. Sometimes you are so bold, I cannot believe you are my own flesh and blood,” Sarah railed, horrified by the knot of jealousy tightening in her stomach.

  In a bored voice, Juliana replied, “And sometimes you are so cold, I find myself thinking the same.” With that, she jumped off the bed and twirled around on the pink and blue rug. “I am as far from ashamed as I can possibly be. Stewart is an accomplished lover and his kisses are divine,” she sighed dramatically, reaching for the bedpost and clutching it between her breasts. “If you were not so straight-laced, you might have found that out for yourself.”

  With that, she planted a loud smack on the carved oak. “And now that I have told you my wonderful news, I am going to bed and pray that morn comes soon. I cannot wait to feast my eyes on Stewart Chamberlain again. Sarah,” she smirked, as she placed her small hand on the doorknob. “I want you to know that I envy you.”

  “After what you just said, how in the world could you envy me?” Sarah said hotly, wrenching herself down under the covers.

  “Because,” Juliana teased, a thoroughly devilish look on her face, “you have the privilege of knowing that Stewart Chamberlain lies atop you tonight.”

  With that, she giggled and rushed out the door, just missing the pillow that was thrown at her retreating form.

  CHAPTER 4

  Sarah awoke the next morning to the sound of cheerful humming coming from somewhere beyond her bed. She knew without looking that it was Tegan, her personal attendant. “What time is it?” she asked huskily, turning her face away from the sun-bright windows.

  “Wellgoodmorning,mum,”Tegan responded brightly. “I feared you would sleep the day away while everyone waits for you to go riding,” she said as she stopped to pick up the undergarments Sarah had left on the floor the night before.

  “Iamnotgoingriding,”Sarahdeclared, pulling the covers up under her neck. Ignoring her, Tegan pulled Sarah’s green linen riding habit from the wardrobe.

  “Why Master Chamberlain insisted on waiting for you. And Viscount Harrington agreed, though Lady Juliana is as impatient as ever. You are going to ruin a lovely outing if you fail to hurry,” Tegan chuckled. “Shall I help you dress?”

  Sarah glared speculatively at her maid, who returned a bright, carefree smile. Nothing passed Tegan’s notice, though she rarely revealed her opinions unless asked. Usually grateful for the companionship of the petite red-haired young woman, Sarah had a terrific urge to insist that she leave.

  The last thing she wanted to do, after Juliana’s revelation of the night before, was to spend a morning with any of those three downstairs! Stewart Chamberlain could go to the Devil for all she cared. And Juliana should be ashamed of herself for playing the Yankee against her tender-hearted beau.

  It was her sympathy for Jack that finally made her acquiesce. With a look that warned Tegan not to gloat, she hastily removed her nightgown and began pulling on her clothes. When Tegan had finished buttoning the fine white muslin blouse of Sarah’s riding costume, she commanded her charge to sit at the dressing table while she fixed her hair.

  Sarah plopped on the needle-pointed cushion, willing herself to remain calm, though thoughts of the two-timing foreigner overtook her. How would she face him? Since he was a guest in their home, she would have to be polite, but that did not mean she had to be pleasant. And if Juliana were up to her old tricks, it would be quite easy for them to ignore each other.

  That problem somewhat solved, she turned her thoughts to Jack. He must be in agony right now, watching Juliana using her wiles on Stewart. “Please hurry, Tegan,” Sarah begged impatiently, “I cannot keep Jack waiting another second.”

  “There you go, mum. As pretty as a picture you are,” Tegan said a
s she stepped back to let Sarah pass by. “Have a good time. It’s a lovely day for riding.”

  “We shall see,” she countered as she stepped from the room, rushing to the stairs. As she caught sight of the foyer, she could hear voices in the front parlor opposite the ballroom where the party had been. Steeling herself for the difficult situation that lay in store, she slowly descended the stairs and made her way toward the entrance hall.

  “Sarah!” she heard Jack call as she came into view. There was no mistaking the note of relief in his voice.

  As she entered the parlor, Juliana, a vision in a cream-colored riding habit and blue stock, turned and exclaimed cheerfully, “What a sleepy head you are this morning!” She rose from the settee facing the fireplace and moved toward the tall form of Stewart Chamberlain, who was leaning casually against the mantel. “Mr. Chamberlain has agreed that we should all go riding together this morning and Father has even offered to let him use Nubian. What do you think of that?” Juliana said, beaming, her words more a statement than a question.

  “I trust, Mr. Chamberlain, that you were forewarned that Nubian is a bit o’ blood. Most have found him a difficult mount to handle and not worth the effort. Perhaps you should reconsider.”

  As Sarah voiced the challenge, she became aware of the fact that Stewart Chamberlain projected an even more dashing image in riding clothes than he had in his formal attire the night before. His white shirt and carefully knotted cravat accentuated his sun-browned skin and flawless white teeth. A well-tailored dark brown tailcoat matched the color of his knee-length riding boots. His lean thighs were covered in fawn breeches and Sarah could not help but notice how tightly they stretched across his sleek, muscular frame. It was obvious that he paid attention to his grooming, but Sarah thought it would be unfair to accuse him of being a dandy. Unfortunately there seemed to be nothing to criticize in the way of his physical appearance and that fact irritated Sarah even as an uncontrollable part of her admired the view.

  “Thankyouforyourconcern,LadySarah,” Stewart responded good-naturedly, though his grin told her that he was not fooled into thinking her remark was prompted by concern. “But my own horse back home is of a similar nature. I would find it a pleasure and a challenge to ride Nubian.”

  “Very well,” Sarah replied much too abruptly and turned to Jack, who was standing beside her near the door. “Shall we go?” Seeing his fair features straining to remain even, she asked, “I am so sorry to have kept you waiting. Have you been here long?”

  “Longenough,”hegroundoutunderhis breath, but aloud he added, “It is all right, Sarah. I had Silas saddle your horse for you already, so we will still be able to get in a good ride before noon.”

  Hearing Juliana’s happy chatter and the deep resonance of Stewart’s voice behind her, Sarah was deeply relieved that Jack had not mentioned a picnic today, which is what the three of them usually enjoyed on these outings. Sarah knew she could not bear to be in Stewart’s company too long, for his very presence was taunting her with thoughts of how eager she had been to see him again – before Juliana’s revelation the night before.

  If he were a gentleman, she thought angrily to herself, he would never think of courting two sisters at the same time! But it was obvious that Stewart Chamberlain had his own rules of conduct and Sarah was immensely relieved that Juliana was doing her best to keep him occupied – even if Jack was the one having to suffer for it.

  As the four stepped down the marble stairs of the entrance to the mansion, they noticed immediately that Silas, the stable master and trainer, was having his troubles trying to control Nubian. The coal black skittered, bumping into causing them to fret.

  stallion whinnied and the other horses and

  Stewart quickly broke from the group and crossed the cobbled drive to where the horse was tethered. Taking Nubian’s reins from Silas, he firmly led the stallion away from the others, patting the horse’s neck while he spoke soothingly. Even as Jack helped her mount her own chestnut mare, Serena, Sarah could not keep her eyes from Stewart and the stallion. She almost wished the fiery black beast would rear, but after a few minutes, Stewart, with his firm but gentle actions, was settling the horse, causing the mount to pause and gaze at him with wary respect.

  “Why Stewart,” Juliana addressed him boldly, “I do believe Nubian has finally met his match. Look at the way you have quieted him.” She grinned as Jack passed up the reins to her dappled mare, Fancy.

  “I think your words are a bit premature,” Sarah cut in. “Mr. Chamberlain has not yet mounted. That is the real test.”

  “Quite right, Lady Sarah,” Stewart agreed, without looking up. Freeing one hand, he dug into his coat pocket and came up with a piece of carrot which he held before Nubian’s dark muzzle.

  The horse readily took the treat and as he chewed, Stewart placed his boot in the stirrup and swung his long leg over the saddle. Nubian reared slightly but Stewart’s hands and knees were firmly in control. After only a moment of angry snorting and a few impatient stamps of his huge hooves, Nubian conceded to the large rider atop his back.

  “Well done, sir,” Jack called to Chamberlain, finding this man difficult to scorn, especially since he had witnessed Nubian besting nearly all his would-be riders.

  Sarah turned her head away to hide the disappointment in her deep blue eyes as Juliana gushed over Mr. Chamberlain’s success. Lord Harrington, trying to ignore her, nudged his tan gelding forward meadow beyond followed.

  in the direction of the green

  the mansion and the others Once in the open meadow, the group rode four abreast, with Jack and Stewart on the ends, slightly ahead. Sarah could not help noticing how well Stewart rode, keeping the troublesome stallion under perfect control. He seems to have his way with every creature, she thought, her full lips pursing in a tight line. It was also apparent that while he was attentive to Juliana’s chatter, he was not overwhelmed, as most men were, by her flirtations. In fact, he seemed to accept it as his due. This Sarah found strangely comforting, though she could not guess why.

  In time the party came to a ridge from where they could view miles of rolling countryside basking in the light of an unusually cloudless sky. Juliana abruptly turned to the others and said brightly, “I insist we ride on to the Gables today. It is such a gorgeous morn and I am in the mood for a tear.”

  The Gables was a Roman stone formation Jack and the girls had discovered on one of their frequent jaunts. It was still a fair distance and Sarah was not at all interested in stretching out this ordeal. Besides, the Gables was a secret place, one she had no desire to share with this imposing stranger. An excuse came to her quickly, “Juliana, I cannot possibly go. I am sorry but I have not eaten yet today and I am feeling a headache,” Sarah said, rubbing her temple with a gloved hand.

  “I will not hear of it,” Juliana retorted, her sweet voice a perfect balance of irritation and persuasion. “You eat like a bird anyway and this fresh air will clear your head. Besides,” she added coyly, smiling at Jack, “I did promise Jack we would ride today and we must not disappoint him.”

  “You are quite right,” Stewart suddenly agreed and all eyes swiftly turned to him. “But I do have some important letters to post today, so I will be happy to escort Lady Sarah. My Lord, you would not object if we left you and Lady Juliana to ride to the Gables alone, would you?” he asked, his brown eyes guileless.

  Jack, not one to hesitate when he had the advantage, returned eagerly, “Of course not, sir. See Julie? We will have our ride today.” He grinned and before she could open her mouth to form a protest, he added, “Come then, I shall race you to the copse.” With that, he turned his horse to face the other side of the ridge.

  Sarah, as horrified as Juliana was perturbed, could think of nothing to say to get herself out of the situation she had just created. Before she had a chance, Stewart was pulling up the great black horse beside her as he bid a puzzled Juliana farewell. But Julie was not one to brood for more than an instant and seeing that ther
e might be an advantage for her in all this, smiled brilliantly at Jack and urged her horse ahead suddenly, getting a head start down the bank, her blond curls flying in the wind.

  Sarah watched Jack let out a whoop as he took off. Mortified, she turned her horse around, avoiding Stewart’s look. As their mounts fell into step, Stewart let out a low chuckle.

  Sarah bristled at the sound and snapped her head around to face him. “You are insufferable,” she spat, her cheeks hot.

  “WhyLadySarah,”heanswered,notatallput off by her tone. “I thought you would be pleased that your indisposition did not spoil everyone’s ride. Besides,” he leaned toward her, his brown eyes crinkling, “I consider it a privilege to escort you.”

  “Do not insult my intelligence, Mr. Chamberlain,” she spat. “I know about you and my sister, and I will not be used by you to make her jealous.”

  He grinned easily as he settled back in the saddle. “I had no such thought in mind, but it could just as easily have worked the other way,” he suggested. “As a matter of fact, I think perhaps it has.”

  She gasped, her reaction fueled by the obvious truth of his words, though she had never consciously considered it before. “Surely you are not so naïve as to think that my interest in your views last night constitutes anything more significant. And I am insulted that you would presume to manipulate a very strong bond between your generous host’s daughters.”

  “I beg your pardon, Lady Sarah,” Stewart replied intimately, “but I have no designs on your sister, though she is an extremely lovely young lady

  – and appears to know much more about men than her older sister.”

  “I presume you base your statement on the experience you had with her in the gardens last night?” Sarah bit back and then immediately regretted her pettish words.

  “It is unknown to me what your sister may have told you,” Stewart answered, his voice still teasing. “And I am not one to discuss my private affairs for the titillation of others. I will say, however, that I had a most enjoyable time last evening, especially the all-too-fleeting moments you and I shared.”