Daughters of Harwood House Trilogy : Three Romances Tell the Saga of Sisters Sold into Indentured Service (9781630586140)

by Crawford, Dianna; Laity, Sally

  The buyer climbing down from a loaded wagon was by no means a fine gentleman. His clothing and floppy hat looked soiled and disheveled. As his scuffed boots reached the decking and he turned to face forward, she saw that he was a squat older man who couldn’t possibly have bathed in months. In a deplorably smudged and droopy ruffled shirt, he kneaded his frizzled beard and headed straight for the platform.

  And straight for Rose.

  Following the captain as he stepped down to meet the unkempt man, Lily rushed to Rose’s side. “What are we to do, Rose? You cannot go with that nasty lout. He’s horrid.”

  In complete agreement with Lily, Mariah drew close to her sisters. “We must not allow that disgusting creature to take you off to heaven knows where. I shall have Colin speak to Captain Durning on your behalf.”

  Despite her own unbelievable turn of fate, Rose’s brows dipped into a frown at Mariah’s words. “Colin is it? And I suppose Colin is already addressing you by your given name, as well.”

  Mariah’s hackles went up. “Upon my word, Rose. This is not the time for such trivial nonsense.” She whirled away to fetch her own stylish buyer.

  Right on her heels, Rose caught up with her and wrapped a staying arm around her as they approached Colin Barclay. She spoke to him in her forceful tone. “Sir, before you sign my sister’s papers, I’ll thank you to relate exactly what duties will be expected of her in your employ.”

  What a crude thing to imply. Mariah felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. She lowered her gaze to the splintery planks of the dock. Embarrassed or not, she wanted to hear his answer, to set her own mind at rest.

  “To be quite truthful, Miss Harwood,” he said, his voice smooth and unperturbed, “I have no duties in mind for her whatsoever.”

  At his odd reply, Mariah peered up from beneath her bonnet’s brim to see his relaxed and smiling face as he continued.

  “But I assure you, my mother shall be most pleased at my finding someone of your sister’s refined qualities to be her companion.”

  What a perfect response to Rose’s impudent inquiry, Mariah mused, marveling inwardly.

  Her older sister looked stunned. “You…you bought her for your mother?”

  “Why, yes. Of course. Surely you didn’t think me the sort to have something else in mind for the lass.” He arched his brows in pure innocence.

  Mariah had a hard time keeping her mirth to herself.

  Rose, however, was unimpressed. “Then I’m sure you’ll not mind pledging to see my dear, virtuous sister placed into your mother’s watchcare before the sun sets this day. And you’ll see to her religious instruction as well.”

  That was beyond rude. “Rose.”

  Colin placed a calming hand on Mariah’s arm as he met Rose’s eyes. “You have my most solemn word, miss.”

  Somewhat mollified, Rose withdrew a shard of lead and a scrap of paper from her pocket. “Might I ask where I might post my sisterly correspondence? I should hate to lose touch with one of the only two relatives I possess on this continent.”

  “Of course. Send it to Barclay’s Bay Plantation.”

  Mariah swelled with pleasure as the conversation receded into the background. Colin Barclay must be the owner of one of those sprawling, prosperous farms she’d heard that so many of the British aristocracy had come to America to establish. Why, he could quite possibly be related to a lord, or even the king!

  A sudden gasp from Rose interrupted her musings. “A day’s ride?”

  Letting out an impatient breath at having missed some pertinent details, Mariah suddenly recalled her older sister’s impending dire fate. She turned to Colin. “Pray, sir, forgive me, but I’m afraid my sister and I have a matter of much deeper concern. We must not allow that swarthy old man to take her away. Would you please speak to the captain? Implore him to withdraw those proceedings.”

  For the first time, Colin’s expression turned grave. “My dear Mariah, the man bid fifty pounds.”

  “Yes, we’re aware of that.” She offered her most pleading smile. “However, if you would just try.”

  He gave a sad shake of his head. “I regret to say all closing bids are final. I do find it rather astounding, though, that one so unkempt should have that amount of ready cash on hand. One can only wonder how he came by such funds.”

  So nothing could be done. Mariah caught Rose’s hand and gave it an empathetic squeeze. Still, she could not bear to think the worst, especially after exchanging addresses with her sisters and learning that correspondence to Rose could be sent to the Virginia and Ohio Company in Alexandria. From what Colin had told them, that was a town not far from his plantation. “We shall keep in close touch,” she assured Rose. “Everything will be just fine.” It would. It had to be.

  Mariah’s optimism prevailed as the moneys were paid and signatures recorded, as she again was lifted up to Colin on his finely bred horse, and as she waved a fond farewell to her two forlorn-looking sisters. Her spirits continued to stay high as she rode through Baltimore with Colin pointing out the many mercantiles and shops of what appeared to be a very prosperous city. Truly it proved to be far beyond her own expectations.

  But once they passed by the last sprinking of buildings in the bright midmorning sunlight and she found herself enshrouded by eerie, shadowed woods and totally alone with this strange man, she came to her senses.

  As glib as Colin Barclay—if that was even his true name—had been as he’d reassured Rose of his good intentions, Mariah could now imagine any lie might roll as sweetly and smoothly from this charmer’s lips—this man who now held her captive within his arms.

  Who was he? Where exactly was he taking her? And for what purpose?

  Unable to imagine what uncertainties awaited her when they reached their destination, Mariah’s fears raced ahead of her through the primeval forest in this unknown land.

  Chapter 2

  Mariah…that is a beautiful name.”

  They’d ridden through the dim woods in silence for a time. No sounds accompanied the steady clop-clop of the horse’s hooves other than the rush of wind through the treetops and the trilling of birds, so Colin Barclay’s richly modulated voice startled Mariah. He had a sort of lazy-sounding accent she found quite pleasant to the ear. She struggled to maintain a calm demeanor before answering. “So I’ve been told.”

  Neither spoke for another quiet span, until Mariah decided that conversing might help to dispel some of her unease, particularly if she selected the topic. “My father chose to call my other sisters by rather fanciful biblical names—Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valley. But because I favored one of my late aunts, I was named after her.”

  “It suits you perfectly.” His mouth was so close to her ear, she felt the warmth of his breath. “Mariah…Your name fairly floats on the breeze like a will-o’-the-wisp.”

  She answered cheerily, hoping to keep the moment light. “My, but aren’t you the poetic one. Speaking of families—”

  “I didn’t know I was.” His breath feathered across her ear again.

  “Speaking of families,” Mariah repeated evenly as she sat up straighter, “I’ve got two brothers at home in Bath. Have you any brothers or sisters?”

  She heard him inhale, and the leather saddle creaked as he adjusted his position. “I’m the only surviving son. I do have three younger sisters, however. The youngest is eight, and the oldest is fifteen.”

  Mariah gave a small nod. “As you must have concluded from the speech that dreadful Captain Durning gave regarding the three of us, our mother went to be with the Lord more than a decade ago, rest her soul. Are both your parents still living?”

  “Yes.” A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “They’re both very much alive.”

  “Then you are truly blessed.” With that third reference to her family’s faith, Mariah hoped to quell any untoward plans Colin Barclay might have. Though she was by no means as ardent as Rose in her religious beliefs, Mariah did retain certain standards, and she knew her act
ions on the auction platform had stretched propriety more than a little.

  Gazing forward, she noticed they were about to break out of the trees, into the safer light of day. She spotted a river just ahead of them on the wagon-rutted road and saw a ferry dock jutting out at the bottom of the bank. A light wind stirred shallow whitecaps here and there among the current. “Will we be crossing to the other side?”

  “Aye, as a matter of fact, we will. We’ll cross this river along with several others before we reach my place.”

  “So many?” Mariah frowned. Just how far away was this place of his? And would the daylight hold out until they reached their destination?

  “Yes. Quite a few. We’ll dismount for the ride over, give Paladin a chance to rest. It’ll take us almost the entire day to reach the plantation at the leisurely pace we’ve been travelin’,” he drawled. “Since we’re ridin’ double, I don’t want to put too much on the boy.” He leaned harder against Mariah to administer a pat to the bay’s muscled dark brown neck. “He’s bred for speed. I’ve won some pretty pennies with him.”

  “He certainly is a fine-looking animal.” Mariah deftly tilted forward to keep at least the semblance of a proper distance between her and her owner. So the man was a gambler. How many other vices did he have?

  As if taking her subtle hint, Colin straightened his posture. “Yes, we’re quite proud of our stable.”

  We? Was the blighter married? He couldn’t possibly be, could he? But then it was entirely feasible there may not be a mother, either. It might be advantageous to plan some sort of hasty escape, should one become necessary. He’d reported that Alexandria, where Rose was headed, was a short distance from his plantation. She might be able to seek a safe haven there with her older sister. In any case, Mariah knew she would need her luggage. “With such a distance to your plantation, do you think my trunks will arrive by wagon before the morrow?”

  “Of course. I gave the driver a generous tip. He’s probably not more than a mile or so behind us.” He paused. “Speaking of those trunks—if the gowns they contain are even remotely as fashionable as the one you’re wearin’, you could have sold them and paid your own fare to Baltimore, thereby avoidin’ an indenturement entirely. Not that I’m complainin’ at all.”

  Picking up on the eager note in his tone, Mariah decided she’d be relieved when they were able to dismount so she could see his face and discern his true merit. She tried for a bright lilt when she spoke. “Surely you know a young gentlewoman could not possibly present herself in public without an adequate wardrobe.” Then, recalling the way Rose had ravaged all their best frocks, she couldn’t help a moment’s grousing. “I do grieve, however, that my sister felt compelled to sell my two most elegant evening gowns.”

  “Hmm. If you don’t mind my askin’,” Colin said as they started down the bank, “what dire calamity befell your family that necessitated your having to sail across the ocean? I believe you said your father is a goldsmith and that you resided in a most fashionable resort, did you not?”

  “Ah, yes. The calamity.” Mariah shook her head, feeling her blood heat at the memory. “The cause was the untimely death of a rapscallion young nobleman. The young lord had purchased dozens of very expensive brooches on account for his many lady friends, for which my father was never reimbursed. After the scoundrel’s death, his uppity skinflint uncle refused to honor his nephew’s enormous debt. In turn, my father was not able to pay his.”

  “I see. Say no more for the moment,” Colin spoke quietly as they reached the dock. “Ferry operators have the loosest tongues in the colonies.”

  As Colin swung down from the stallion, Mariah eyed the wiry ferrymen, one at the mule-drawn wheel and the other opening the front gate of the docked flatboat. She wished she could question them, learn from their lips who exactly her handsome owner was. But as he took his time lifting her down, then wrapped an arm about her waist before leading the horse onto the raft, she doubted she’d have the chance to question anyone.

  Mariah had to admit that Colin Barclay had not lied about the distance, at least. They’d passed numerous plantations containing miles of rolling, cultivated farmland and several charming hamlets brimming with a veritable symphony of flowers that took her breath away with their brilliant hues. The colonists appeared every bit as industrious as the folks back home in Britain. She suppressed a weary sigh when Colin finally suggested they stop at a roadside inn to rest the horse and partake of a meal. The horse wasn’t the only one who needed a rest. Hours of bumping her bottom against the hard leather saddle had taken its own toll. Would she be able to manage anything akin to a ladylike walk once her feet touched solid ground?

  Colin reined their mount onto a gravel-lined drive that fronted a two-story fieldstone building with royal-blue shutters and double doors. A sign hanging from a signpost read Knight’s Rest Inn. He swung down to the ground and reached up to assist Mariah. The weakness in her legs did make it difficult to stand, momentarily, and she more than appreciated the way he steadied her with a strong arm.

  A freckle-faced lad came running from around the side of the inn, his floppy cloth cap almost tumbling from his copper hair with each footfall. “Mr. Barclay! Back already?” Then, spying Mariah, he slowed to a stop and gawked at her. “Oh. Uh…I better see to your horse.”

  Grinning, Colin flipped him a coin. “I’d appreciate that, Billy.”

  Even outside the structure, Mariah could detect a delicious mixture of food smells emanating from within, and her stomach came close to rumbling. Thank heaven it wouldn’t be another moldy shipboard meal awaiting her here! And the boy had called Colin by name, so surely that had to be her owner’s true identity. Mayhap everything else he’d told her would prove to be true, as well. Perhaps he actually did have a mother to whom he would deliver her.

  As he opened one of the blue doors and escorted Mariah inside, she determined that by the time the meal was over, she’d learn whether or not he had a wife, or her name wasn’t Mariah Harwood.

  “Good day, Mr. Barclay.” The exuberant greeting came from a flaxen-haired serving girl balancing a tray of soiled dishes against her shapely hip as Colin escorted Mariah across the inn’s low-ceilinged common room. The girl’s gaze then swung to the beauty on his arm, and her smile flattened.

  The server had every reason to be envious, Colin conceded. Any woman who entered Mariah Harwood’s sphere would place a distant second. Long lashes framed her stunning violet eyes under tapered brows, and beneath her straw bonnet, silky brown-black curls caressed her slender shoulders. He could hardly keep his eyes from focusing on the soft, rosebud lips that turned up at the corners. The English beauty was as much a champion as Paladin. “Where would you like us to sit, Peggy?”

  Her attention returned to Colin, and she flopped her free hand in a casual gesture. “Anywheres. We ain’t too busy this time of day. Will you be wantin’ a meal?”

  “Yes. And some cool cider, if you please.”

  The ruffle on her mobcap bobbed with her nod as she carted the soiled dishes to the kitchen.

  Colin figured that if they chose to sit at one of the long wooden tables occupying the center of the room, some bloke might scoot in next to his lovely companion. Wanting to keep her all to himself, he seated Mariah at a small square table by a window, then took the opposite chair while she settled her skirts about her. Only a sprinkling of other patrons talked among themselves as they enjoyed their food. None seemed to pay Colin and Mariah any mind.

  “I hope I don’t reek of horse too much,” Mariah commented, wrinkling her nose. “That serving girl, Peg, didn’t seem too pleased with me.”

  Colin chuckled. “My dear Mariah! You are a star that outshines all other young maidens. I would imagine you’d be used to that sort of reaction by now.”

  The small ivory plume on her bonnet dipped as she gifted him with a coy tilt of her head. “La, but you do flatter me.”

  “Truth is not flattery.”

  “That may be so. However, m
y sister Rose never ceases to remind me that true beauty is not outward but comes from within.”

  He sat back and grinned. “Ah, yes. The valiant Rose. She makes quite the impression on one.”

  Mariah’s tapered brows knitted closer as her expression filled with dismay. “Dear Rose. Having to go with that grimy oaf who bought her. I cannot believe she’s bonded to someone like that awful man. I do hope she will fare all right.”

  Reaching across the table, Colin covered Mariah’s smaller hand with his. “Don’t fret. Your sister seems to be a stalwart sort. And I’m sure we saw that fellow at his worst. Since he works for a fur company, he most likely just arrived from the wilderness. Once he reaches home, his missus will no doubt make sure that he’s scrubbed down good and proper.”

  “Oh, my.” Mariah sighed with longing. “I’ve not had a real soak in a tub since we departed England.” Twin spots of color suddenly sprang to life on her cheeks. She jerked her hand from beneath his and covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. “I cannot believe I uttered something so unseemly in the presence of a gentleman. Pray, do forget my rash words.”

  “Never fear, my dear Mariah,” he said gently. “Unseemly or not, I’ll see that you have your wish the moment we arrive at home.”

  His remark seemed to aid the return of her composure, as she visibly relaxed. “Bless you.” She paused. “I certainly wouldn’t want to cause your wife undue inconvenience.”

  Colin couldn’t help but chuckle at her not-so-subtle attempt to gain personal information. “I have no wife, I’m sorry to say…nor even a betrothed, much to the dismay of my matchmaking mother.”

  He caught the barest hint of a smile playing with a corner of Mariah’s rosy lips just as Peggy arrived. The serving girl bore a platter loaded with tall glasses of cider and plates heaping with shepherd’s pie, along with generous chunks of crusty bread. Setting it down, she distributed the various items without meeting either of their eyes and quickly swung away, her serviceable indigo skirt flaring with her movements.