Mariah’s stomach roiled. She stared at the supper Pansy sent up to her room that evening after Cora Barclay’s callous outburst. To think that after being so happy to have the family back home at last, she had been treated with such viciousness by her mistress. The woman had all but snarled as she berated Mariah for not preventing Colin from reporting to the militia. Why, a person would think she’d encouraged him to leave, when in truth, she’d begged him to stay.
Even more disturbing, his mother actually insinuated that Mariah should have used her womanly charms to induce him to remain at home—to sacrifice her greatest asset, her innocence. Highly unchristian of Mistress Barclay, indeed. Mariah grimaced.
Neither had the tirade been characteristic of the woman. Because of the grand hopes she held for her son, she had not been thrilled by an outsider’s sudden presence in the household. Nevertheless, the mistress had heretofore treated Mariah with courtesy during her stay. She’d never been mean-spirited. Leaving the tray of food untouched, Mariah changed into her night shift and climbed into bed, even though she knew she’d face a restless night with little sleep.
Rising early the next morning, Mariah tiptoed through Amy’s room without disturbing the sleeping child. Steeling herself to face her mistress—hopefully without an audience—she descended quietly. But inside she wondered if she was to be tossed out into the cold with no place to go until Colin returned.
At the bottom landing, she ran her fingers across her hidden amethyst ring. Perhaps if worse came to worse, and she was left to fend for herself, she might be able to sell a day gown or two to tide her over for a while. She still had more than two pounds sterling in her possession. Only as a last resort would she consider selling the beautiful ring.
She scarcely noticed the heat from the blazing fire while she traversed the parlor on her way to confront Colin’s mother. The slight clatter of china drifted to her ears from the dining room. Upon entering, she saw to her dismay that both elder Barclays sat at breakfast.
Mr. Barclay stood to his feet at once, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Good morning, child. I’d love to stay and chat, but alas, I have a full day ahead of me after having been gone so long.” Then, coward that he was, he made a hasty retreat before Mariah had the presence of mind to answer.
She held her breath and flicked a swift glance at his wife.
“Do fill your plate and come sit down. I have something to say.” The woman’s tone was suspiciously pleasant, but Mariah wasn’t sure if she’d caught a hint of warmth in those sable eyes.
About what? Mariah was sorely tempted to rail at her. That shrewish mouth of yours? But she refused to allow herself to act in a manner as unladylike as the uppity woman had displayed last night.
Despite not having eaten the previous evening, Mariah had little appetite. She chose a small serving of fruit and a buttered biscuit, then poured some tea and carried the items to the table, making certain an empty chair separated her from Mistress Barclay. She made a point of folding her hands and bowing her head in silent prayer. Father in heaven, help me to swallow down this food, and help me not to let her get the best of me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. She raised her head.
Colin’s mother set down her teacup. “Mariah, dear, I am…dreadfully sorry for my outburst yesterday. It was thoughtless and cruel. I should never have uttered such unkind words. I was overtired from our journey and not prepared to hear that we’d missed our son’s arrival and departure. Nevertheless, I should not have taken it out on you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Realizing her mouth had fallen open, Mariah closed it and raised her tea to her lips, hoping to block some of her surprise.
The mistress continued. “Colin has always been extremely stubborn when he believes he’s right. And as his father reminded me repeatedly, our son truly was obligated to report for duty.” She smiled and reached across the space between them, catching Mariah’s hand. “I beg you to forgive me for my ghastly behavior…please.”
Something about the way her ladyship looked at her combined with that tender touch of her hand brought sudden moisture to Mariah’s eyes. Until this moment she hadn’t realized how starved she’d been for a bit of motherly affection. “I—I—” Her throat closed up as she fought against an emotional display. But try as she might, she was powerless to stop the unexpected rush of tears. “I’m—Excuse me,” she blubbered between gasps as she blindly lurched up from her seat. “I—”
Mistress Barclay got up just as quickly. Coming to her side she drew Mariah close and patted her back. “No, dear. I’m the sorry one. I’ve been so obsessed with the notion of you spoiling my plans for my son, I haven’t considered you and all you’ve gone through since leaving your home in England.” She leaned back slightly and brushed aside a lock of hair from Mariah’s face. “You truly are a beautiful and talented young lady, and from now on, I plan to make more of an effort to see that you’re treated as such.”
Desperately trying to get her embarrassing sobs under control, Mariah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Had Colin’s mother implied she would champion her? Inhaling a ragged breath, she stepped back, wiping her eyes as she attempted a grateful smile. “I’m better now. I don’t know what came over me.” With a small, self-conscious shrug, she returned to her seat, and the mistress did the same.
A quiet moment passed while Mariah fortified herself with a sip of tea. Setting down her cup, she met the older woman’s eyes. “Colin told me he was able to visit Bath while he was in England, and he brought me news of my family. I suppose it made me a bit lonesome for them, and a little homesick. I miss their gestures of affection. When you took my hand, I—” Another wave of feeling swamped her, and she drew another breath and fought off a new onslaught of tears. “Anyway, Colin accompanied my father to see a barrister about recovering the large sum he’s owed. He feels quite confident that Papa will be reimbursed.”
“I’m very pleased for you and your family.” Though spoken kindly, some of the warmth was missing from Mistress Barclay’s expression. “Colin went to call on your father, you say.”
Mariah sensed that the woman’s suspicions had again been aroused. “He did it as a favor for my sisters and me. I asked him to check on the welfare of my family if he happened to travel in the vicinity. My father was so very distressed when we departed last spring, I feared for his health.”
The mistress gave a thoughtful nod. “Of course, that son of ours would do no less, I’m sure.” She paused and her smile returned. “Speaking of being distressed, I suppose Dennis Tucker also went off with the militia.”
“Yes, madam, he did. In fact, he’s the one who came for Colin after Colin had barely arrived.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m sad that Dennis won’t be around to turn Victoria’s head for a while. Perhaps Edward will have a better chance now of charming her. Or did he report, as well?”
“I’m afraid that’s something I do not know. But Victoria will likely be upset, regardless. She’s so enjoyed all the attention the young men have paid her these past months.” Mariah nibbled a bit of her biscuit.
“She has, hasn’t she?” The woman’s lips slid into an easy motherly grin as she took another sip from her cup. “My sweet baby girl is growing up. And Mariah, dear, I must not forget you. You’ve been doing such a wonderful job tutoring her and our other daughters also. Even Amy is beginning to act like a proper girl on occasion.”
Mariah had to smile. “Thank you. Those girls are such dears that—”
“That’s it!” Mistress Barclay clapped her hands together. “I have a wonderful idea. You deserve a special treat. And since our young men have traipsed off on their grand adventure, we should go on an adventure of our own. We’ll take a coastal packet down to Williamsburg to see a play or two. That’s sure to give Victoria something to think about other than her beaus. Besides—” She quirked a brow. “They have the most marvelous shops there.”
Mariah was astounded that Colin’s mother could act so nonchalant today after her violent reaction the previous evening. “But…shouldn’t we wait here for news from the militia?”
Cora Barclay sent her a motherly look. “Not to worry, my dear. Eldon has assured me that the men won’t even attempt to contact the French until after the spring thaw. For now they shall merely be getting into position and fortifying things. We’ve plenty of time.”
My, how her fortune had changed since she arose this morning. Mariah glanced at her plate and noticed how much more appealing the food looked. She realized she was ravenously hungry. She picked up her spoon and dipped into the fruit. “Victoria has told me that Williamsburg is a lovely, genteel city. I would be thrilled to go on this little adventure with you.”
From the deck railing of the coastal packet, Mariah gazed ashore at the busy wharf with its large warehouses and beyond to the higher ground that housed the sprawling settlement of Williamsburg. She turned to offer Mistress Barclay and the two older girls an excited grin. They’d arrived at last.
Though they’d all been eager to embark on the jaunt to the capital, three long weeks of bad weather had delayed their departure—stormy weeks that Colin had likely spent traveling into the backcountry. But as his mother had remarked often enough, her son had made the choice himself to go with the militia in the winter. Perhaps a bit of hardship would bring him home all the sooner. At least she could hope for that.
Refusing to dwell on the fact that Colin had once again left her to fend for herself, Mariah returned her attention to the activity on the waterfront, watching the burly dockworkers loading and unloading cargo from various vessels in the port.
Victoria moved up beside her mother as the gangplank was lowered to the dock. “Why can’t we visit a few shops and show Mariah around town before we go to the Everards’ house? You and Mistress Everard will spend hours and hours catching up on the latest happenings while we’re forced to entertain those little girls of hers. That will be as tiresome as having Amy along, especially when Heather, Mariah, and I could be truly enjoying ourselves strolling about the shops.”
Ambling toward the ship’s gate, the older woman shot her daughter a stern glower. “And just what would my friend Diana think when our luggage arrived without us? I wouldn’t think of being so rude, and neither should you. Besides, I’ve been wanting to see her and Thomas’s new home since they moved in.”
Heather, on her other side, spoke up. “You’re absolutely right, Mama. I can’t wait to surprise Francis and Martha with how well I’ve learned to play the flute and violin in a mere nine months.”
Nine months! Had it really been that long? Following behind the threesome, Mariah sighed. Nine months since she’d come to live with the Barclays, and she had yet to wed Colin. The better part of a year as a bond servant, and she could see no end in sight. Yet her sister who’d been sent deep into the wilderness had managed not only to return to civilization a free woman, but marry. Rose, married! Mariah couldn’t help but fight tears every time she recalled her sister’s words in the letter that had arrived last week. Her rather plain, spinster sister had wed before she—the beauty of the family. And all because Colin cared more about promoting his honor than he cared about her.
Victoria slowed to join Mariah as her mother and sister strolled down the gangplank. She leaned close. “It’s been two whole months since Tuck and Edward left to train with the militia, too,” she murmured softly, then raised her voice to a normal level. “One thing is certain. If I happen to meet some handsome gentlemen who desire to spend time in my company, I shall not discourage them. In fact, I’d welcome thoughtful young men who refrain from leaving their ladies behind so they can go off to shoot at Frenchmen. What a useless pursuit.”
Mariah had to smile. Perhaps Tori had the right idea. In this port no one knew Mariah was a bond servant. How tempting it would be to allow her own gaze to wander a little. Just then, a breeze off the water toyed with her light cloak. As she gathered the edges together, her hand brushed over the amethyst hidden on the chain beneath her lace tucker, proof of Colin’s offer of marriage. She might not have the ring on her finger yet, but Colin was a far more desirable catch than that poor, woodsy frontiersman Rose had wed. Mayhap it would be best to wait a little longer. After all, he did happen to be the proverbial bird in the hand, if he’d only stop flying off all the time.
“Bolts of fabric from Paris!” a hawker shouted, dodging a loaded wagon and team rumbling across the wharf toward the business district. “Unloaded today! See them at the millinery shop!”
“Did you hear that, Mama?” Victoria all but ran down the gangplank. “Paris fabrics!”
Tucking her chin and elevating her brows, her mother caught hold of Tori’s arm and drew her alongside. “Do remember you’re a lady, Victoria. As soon as I hire a conveyance to take us, along with Lizzie and our luggage to the Everards’, we shall be the gracious guests I know we can be. There will be ample time for shopping later.”
“And lots of time to go to the theater, too.” Heather’s blue eyes sparkled.
Mariah understood the girl’s reasoning. Musicians would be there to accompany the players. Just thinking about the possibilities ahead, her own excitement stirred. Why should she not enjoy herself while she visited the city with this wealthy family? Although she’d lived in Bath as a tradesman’s daughter, most of the glamour and excitement of the resort had been reserved for members of the aristocracy. Here in Williamsburg with the Barclays, she could move in the best circles of the fledgling society—as long as no one found out she was a servant. For this week, at least, she truly belonged in the family. She threaded her arm through Victoria’s as they approached a carriage for hire.
A gentle breeze stirred through trees just beginning to bud and leaf out on this gloriously mild day of April’s second week. Overhead, in a sky of brilliant blue, puffy clouds floated lazily across the broad expanse. As the aged horse pulling the carriage clopped along Williamsburg’s wide, packed-clay streets, Mariah turned her head this way and that, admiring the town’s neat weatherboard houses with their broad-based chimneys. Many larger residences were made of brick and sat amid formal gardens that soon would burst forth in full glory. Surely that would be a sight to behold. Already the season’s first brave flowers peeked out of the dark ground here and there, bobbing their bright yellow, white, and purple heads.
Beside her, Victoria sat in speechless anticipation, ogling every display window in the array of shops they passed. It would be hard to keep up with the girl once Mistress Barclay turned her loose. Smiling to herself, Mariah filled her lungs with the fresh breath of spring. This truly would be a grand adventure.