Mariah spoke before he had a chance to respond. “Why, yes, Mistress Barclay.” She lifted her hand to display the ring. “Colin bought this from Papa when he was in England and asked my father for my hand in marriage.”
“That was before this happened,” Colin grated through clenched teeth. He pounded the table with his fist, and scooting back his chair, lunged to his feet. “I’ve since given Mariah her indenturement papers, and I was arrangin’ with Father for her transportation to her sister’s when she…she…”
“I what?” Mariah shot up from her seat and planted her fists on her hips, wishing she were a foot taller as she eyed him, even though such an advantage would have been useless.
Both his hands had balled into fists as well, and she was very glad a large table separated them. Then slowly he unclenched his hands and turned toward his father. “Will you please handle the matter we discussed? I’m goin’ to my room. Benjamin!” he called out. “I need you!”
“But, darling,” his mother pleaded as the slave rushed in from the butlery.
“Let him go, Cora.” Mr. Barclay met her gaze. “You can speak with him later.”
As Mariah watched Colin leave on the African’s arm, the enormity of what she’d just said and done began to dawn on her. Had it been not more than ten minutes ago she’d promised herself she would act just like Rose? Mortified, she dropped down to her seat again and picked up her teacup, wishing it made a larger shield. Her pulse throbbed in her throat so intently she feared it must be visible.
Mistress Barclay lowered her elegant self to the chair her son had just vacated and arched her brows. “What, may I ask, have I missed here this morning?”
“Quite a bit, my dear.” Her husband tipped his head in amazement. “Your son and our tutoress were having a rather heated disagreement about her future. Seems they have differing views on how and where she should spend it.” A most unexpected grin slid into place.
Speechless, Mariah could only stare.
The lady of the house hadn’t been struck dumb, however. She leveled her gaze on Mariah. “You say you and our son are betrothed?”
Mariah breathed deeply, trying to still her pounding heart. “Yes, madam. Since February, when Colin returned from England.”
The woman’s glare hardened. “Why is it we are just now hearing about it?”
“Colin felt it would be best to wait until his return from duty with the militia. He thought it would be only a matter of weeks. But…” She gave a helpless shrug and raised her cup to her lips, swallowing a gulp of mint tea.
“Engaged all this time. And now that he’s been blinded, you’ve suddenly lost interest, is that it? He’s no longer worthy of your—”
Mr. Barclay interrupted. “You’ve got it backward, Cora.” He reached for his wife’s hand and enclosed it in his. “It’s Colin who wants her to go.”
“Oh.” The mistress settled back in her chair and gazed across at Mariah, her dark eyes now soft with sympathy. “My son wishes to break off the engagement.”
“Yes.” Feeling emotion welling in her again, Mariah struggled to maintain her composure. “He thinks that just because he’s blind I should stop loving him and find someone else. Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. I love him dearly, and I don’t know how to stop loving him. I don’t care about his blindness.” Despite her best efforts, those blasted tears started again. Clutching at her napkin, she sprang from the table to escape before they noticed. “Please, excuse me.”
“Wait!” Mistress Barclay also came to her feet. Circling the table, she approached Mariah and drew her into her arms.
Overcome by the unexpected tenderness when Colin’s mother hugged her close and hard, Mariah’s tears poured out in earnest. Sobbing uncontrollably, she melted into the older woman’s comforting embrace.
Her tears stemmed from a mixture of joy and sadness, made even more intense when Colin’s father came to join them and enfolded them both in his strong arms. For several moments, they wept together.
Finally, Mr. Barclay broke away and wiped his nose on his handkerchief. He spoke with emotions still quite raw. “Enough of this, ladies. God will help us all through this hard time, I’m sure. Colin included. Meanwhile, Cora, my love, dish yourself some breakfast, and the three of us will discuss the dilemma while we eat.” He glanced warmly down at Mariah. “I’ve come to think of you as my daughter, Mariah, as part of our family, and your desire to stand by our son despite all that’s happened means more to me than you will ever know.”
Mariah stood in the doorway of the classroom, watching the girls ambling listlessly toward her for their morning lessons. She flashed a broad smile. “Good day, girls. I’ve a bit of news that might cheer you up.”
Amy’s expression brightened as she passed by on her way to her desk. “We can skip our lessons today?”
Mariah sent her a surely-you’re-not-serious smirk. “I’m afraid not.”
All three grumbled and took their places, obviously still weighted down by last night’s gloom.
Reaching to close the door, Mariah spied Mr. Barclay at the top of the staircase at the other end of the long hall. He headed straight for Colin’s room.
Her pulse picked up the pace. She backed into the schoolroom out of the man’s view. How would Colin take his parents’ decision concerning her? If only she could get the girls settled quickly and concentrating on their French verbs, she might be able to saunter down that way and overhear Colin’s reaction.
She turned toward her unsmiling charges as they sat with their hands politely folded on their desks. “I know I promised to test you on your French first thing—”
“Promised?” Victoria scoffed, pursing her lips. “More like threatened.”
“Yes, well, I’m aware that all our minds were too unsettled yesterday, so I’ve decided to give you some extra time to study.” While I sneak down to Colin’s door and press my ear against it.
Heather looked up, her azure eyes sad and troubled. “Oh, Mariah, havin’ Colin come home blind is like havin’ him come home dead.”
It made no sense to correct the thirteen-year-old for dropping her Gs. This was not the time for a grammar lesson. The devastation felt by Colin’s sisters was more than evident. Mariah crossed to Heather’s desk and lifted the girl’s chin. “That’s simply not true, sweetheart. If you’d heard Colin bellowing his head off at breakfast this morning, you’d know he’s nowhere near dead. He’s very much alive.”
Amy scrunched up her face. “Was he mad because Storm wasn’t with him? He loves that horse almost as much as I do Patches. Almost as much as I love Storm. Did Colin say what happened to him?”
“I’m afraid not, dear.” Mariah shrugged a shoulder. “The matter of his horse never came up. In fact, considering the mood your brother’s in at the moment, I would suggest you wait a few days before mentioning the animal’s whereabouts.”
“But what if he got left behind someplace to starve?” Amy’s chair screeched as she sprang from her seat. “He might be hurt. What if Storm’s blind, too?”
Mariah moved to her and placed a hand on the child’s shoulder, gently easing her back down to her seat. “Sweetheart, I’m sure nothing like that has happened. Most likely, another militiaman was riding him, since Colin wasn’t well enough to be on horseback. Storm is probably stabled in Alexandria as we speak, waiting for someone to go and retrieve him.”
“I’ll do it. He knows me.” Amy started to get up again.
Losing her patience, Mariah stopped her with a firm glare. “No one is going anywhere until after you’ve finished your lessons. I suggest you begin studying.” She glanced at the other two sisters. “All of you.”
It seemed to take forever for them to delve into their French vocabulary. But once they all were preoccupied and mouthing the verbs they’d been working on, Mariah knew she could leave. “I’ll be right back, girls. I forgot something in my room.”
It was the perfect excuse, really. If she happened by chance to overhear som
ething along the way, no one could accuse her of eavesdropping. In fact, she’d keep to her side of the hall, in the event that Mr. Barclay—or worse, Colin—should come out. Her stay in this house was quite conditional, after all. Everything she did for the next few days, at least, must appear above reproach. Then why was she out here now, with nothing but snooping on her mind?
Ignoring the twinge of conscience, she stopped directly across from Colin’s room and craned her ear toward his door. Not a sound could be heard. Perhaps a step or two closer—
The chamber door swung inward! Mr. Barclay stood in the opening.
Mariah cringed at her bad timing. Surely the man could see her heart pounding beneath her bodice.
He stared at her briefly, then closed the door quietly behind himself. “Aren’t you supposed to be with the girls?”
She prayed that the sudden warmth at her collar wouldn’t rise to heat her cheeks. “Why yes. I just stepped out to retrieve a book from my room.” Gratified that her response had come without hesitation, she breathed easier. “So, if you’ll excuse me, I don’t like to leave the girls unattended for long.” She swept past him and headed for the door she shared with Amy. However, against her better judgement, she couldn’t prevent herself from turning back. “Is all well with Colin?”
“As well as can be expected.” No smile accompanied the statement. He strode past her and down the stairs, leaving her to speculate.
In case he paused on the steps for any reason, she continued on through Amy’s room and into her own to fetch whatever book was most handy. But she wondered all the while what Colin’s father had told him and how Colin had taken the news.
Mariah recalled that after breakfast, Mr. Barclay had decided to have Geoffrey Scott deliver the young horses Colin had mentioned to Nate—without Mariah. The decision thrilled her, even though that would give the trainer yet another encounter with Nate Kinyon. For whatever reason, Mr. Scott had been quite distant since his last conversation with her brother-in-law.
She let out a calming breath. The Barclays had decided to allow her to continue on as before, at least until the weather cooled. The mistress felt there was no need to make hasty decisions in such sweltering heat.
Mariah had the impression that Colin’s mother was on her side, though the older lady never actually said the words. In all likelihood, there were very few local belles who would consider marriage to a blind man, no matter how rich and handsome he might be. Thank goodness for that. Given Colin’s state of mind, Mariah wouldn’t put it past him to propose to some other maiden just to rid himself of her.
But one truth remained. He loved her every bit as deeply as she loved him. He’d proved it to her over and over.
As she searched through the stack of books on the small stand beside her bed, the amethyst ring caught on the edge of one of the spines. She paused and let her gaze linger on the violet gem in its exquisite setting.
A smile played across her lips.
She’d do it. The more allies she had, the better. Scooping up the top book, she hurried back to the classroom.
Chapter 30
Returning to the classroom, Mariah assured herself she wouldn’t be doing anything that should prick her conscience. Besides, this was nothing like trying to eavesdrop. Assured of her pure motives, she sauntered over to Victoria’s desk and leaned down, placing her left hand strategically across the girl’s French text. “Do you need any help with pronunciation?” Slowly she swept her hand across the page.
“No, I’m— Oh! What a beautiful ring.” Tori caught Mariah’s hand. “I’ve never seen you wear this before. What kind of stone is it?” Raising her lashes, she gazed up at Mariah, her sky-blue eyes wide, curious.
“Let me see.” Heather rose and left her seat, with Amy traipsing after her as they came to look.
Amy leaned down to peer more closely. “Is it real?”
Mariah shrugged a shoulder. “I certainly hope so. Colin bought it for me when he visited my father. It’s an amethyst.”
“If it’s from your poppy, it has to be real.” Amy gave a confident nod.
Having returned her attention to the lovely ring, Victoria looked up again at Mariah. “But Colin returned home from England months ago. Did he just now give it to you?”
“Actually, no. He gave it to me just before he left for the militia.” Mariah’s heart began to beat harder. “But since he had to go away again in haste after asking me to marry him”—all three girls gasped—“he suggested that we wait to tell your family until he came back home. So I’ve been wearing it on a chain around my neck.”
“Oh, how romantic,” Heather breathed, dreamy eyed.
Tori gazed down at the amethyst again, then at Mariah. “And Tuck was so happy to see me, I just know he’ll propose soon, too.” She twisted a finger around a golden curl near her ear.
About to remind the young lady that her mother would likely refuse her consent, Mariah chose not to burst Tori’s bubble. She needed the three girls to be happy about her betrothal to their brother so they might help to further the cause.
“Hurrah!” Amy threw her arms about Mariah’s waist. “I’m so happy! You’re gonna be my big sister, and you won’t ever have to leave us again.” Abruptly letting go, she flew toward the door.
“Wait! Where are you going?” Mariah called after her.
The child didn’t even slow down as she vaulted out the door. “To see Colin!”
“No! Wait!”
But her words had no effect. By the time Mariah reached the hall, Amy was charging into her brother’s room.
Mariah dashed madly after her. What in the world had she been thinking? She should have thought things through before divulging news of her betrothal to that impulsive imp.
She hesitated only a second at Colin’s open door, determined to catch Amy before she said anything. But stopping that girl was akin to stopping a waterfall.
Already the child’s boundless energy had her jumping up and down in the middle of her brother’s quarters. “I just heard the news!”
Mariah’s heart sank. Too late. She closed her eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Amy stopped and turned around, searching the room. “Where are you, Colin?”
Thank You, Lord. Mariah clutched her chest and tried to catch her breath. Colin wasn’t in his room. She moved forward to collect his sister.
The door to the balcony swung open, and Colin came inside. “Is that you, Amy?”
Mariah halted in her tracks. She didn’t want him to know she was there.
Amy had no such concern. “Yes. It’s me. I’m real happy for you.”
He tucked his chin and frowned. “Happy that I’m blind? Why would you be happy about that?”
“No, silly. I’m sad about that. I’m happy you’re gonna marry Mariah.”
Wincing, Mariah softly back-stepped toward the door. She had to get out of there.
But Amy gushed on with nary a breath. “That’s the bestest thing I heard since…since you gave Patches to me. Isn’t that so, Mariah?”
Mariah’s heart stopped as she froze in place. She felt like a trapped rabbit and wanted nothing more than to escape and run.
His features hardening to granite, Colin raised his chin. “So my betrothed is here in the room with us.”
“Uh-huh.” Amy turned and pointed. “Right over there by the door.”
A hole, Mariah thought. If only there was a rabbit hole to drop into. Still, she knew she had to stand firm. Too much was at stake. “I’m sorry Amy burst in on you unannounced, Colin. I know you asked to be left alone today. I’ll take her back to the classroom.” She took a step forward.
“No!” Amy stomped her foot and crossed her arms. “I want to talk to Colin. I want to tell him about me and Patches and all the things we did while he was away.”
“Come, dear.” Mariah tugged on the child’s arm.
But Amy jerked free and turned a beseeching look up at her brother. “Colin, you were gone such a long time. Too
long. Me and the horses missed you somethin’ awful.”
“Amy…” His demeanor softened a bit as he moved cautiously toward a wing chair to his right and ran a hand down its side, as if assuring himself it was positioned properly. Then he eased himself down to the cushioned seat. “I missed you a lot, too, squirt.”
Hearing a gentleness in his tone that hadn’t been there since his return, Mariah felt a ray of hope. Until he spoke again.
“Come give your brother a big hug, then run along. I’d like a private word with Mariah.”
Amy glanced from him to Mariah and back and shrugged her thin shoulders. “Oh, sure.” She ran into his open arms. After a sweet moment or two, she eased from his embrace and stepped back. “I reckon now you to want to hug and kiss and all that stuff, huh?”
He gave a small grunt and lightly swatted her bottom to hurry her on her way. “Somethin’ like that. Oh, and Amy, please close the door on your way out.”
She giggled and ran to do his bidding.
As the door slammed behind Amy, Mariah felt like a condemned person with a noose around her neck, waiting for the trapdoor to collapse.
Colin released a slow breath. “Seems you’ve been mighty busy this morning, haven’t you?”
She cringed at the clipped syllables.
“Mighty busy.” He wagged his head, a droll smirk tightening his mouth.
Moistening her dry lips, she shrugged a shoulder. “The girls noticed my ring.” It was a lame excuse, and she knew it. For a second she had the impression that Colin could see, the way his glower bored into her.
He did not respond, just rubbed a hand across his chin.
Lowering her gaze from what she reminded herself was an unseeing stare, she noticed that both of her hands clutched handfuls of her skirt, crushing the muslin fabric. She tried for a casual tone. “Well, I really should get back to your sisters.”
“Not so fast.” He paused momentarily, as if gathering his thoughts. “Obviously I did not make myself clear when we spoke last night, so I’ll repeat what I said. There will be no wedding, no matter how many members of my family you rally. Your brother-in-law told me you’d always been considered the clever one among your siblings, and I see you’ve proven him right.”
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