Free Captives' Charade by Susannah Merrill Page B

tell you is that I am a man of my word. Your father knows this. Look at me, Sarah,” he implored and she raised her head slightly to seek his face beneath her thick, black lashes. “You have my solemn promise that your feelings will be considered in this relationship. And if I play you false,” he added, his sensual lips curling up in a slight grin, “you only have to tell your father. Indeed I have much to lose that is of no small importance to my future. I trust the terms are fair?”
    “Oh,” she sighed and her breath came out in a shudder. “I-I cannot say ... I feel ‘twould be simpler to drop the whole matter, for it has been going badly for me since the moment we met,” she answered, wincing as she rubbed her left hip.
    Stewart laughed aloud, visibly relaxing as he looped his left arm through her right one and began moving her toward the library doors. “Lady Sarah, your wit is a delight to my ears. Come; let me escort you to the servants’ stairs. You needn’t make any decisions tonight, for I have decided to show you what a charming, trustworthy companion I can be. If, by week’s end, you find me thoroughly revolting, then you can tell me so and I’ll never impose myself on you again.”
    As he guided her to the door to the back stairs, he continued gallantly, his handsome dark eyes brimming with humor. “Good night, Lady Sarah. Pleasant dreams and I look forward to our next meeting. Until then,” he gestured, bending to make a magnificent leg, especially for a Yankee. And with that he turned on his heel and strolled casually back down the hall toward the library, leaving Sarah to gawk at him, a look of total surprise on her innocent, tear-stained face. CHAPTER 8
    True to his words, Sarah could find no fault with Stewart’s behavior over the following days, even though at first she tried. During their times together, at dinner and afterwards in the parlor, he was poised, polite, complimentary and the conversations they shared were fascinating to Sarah, who had never ventured farther from her home than Brighton Beach. Stewart was full of stories about the many places he’d visited during his days as a sailor. Minimizing the dangers involved in his exploits, he spoke easily of the many people he had met and the exotic places he had been.
    Though she tried not to show it, Sarah was impressed. Stewart had lived a life she had known only through her books. In vain, she sought to quell her curiosity, but because Stewart maintained a certain modesty about his adventures, she found herself asking many more questions that she meant to. The last thing she wanted to do was give Stewart the idea that she was interested in him, but alas, she could not hide it.
    Late on the fifth afternoon of his visit, shortly following the departure of Weston’s business associates with whom he and Chamberlain had been meeting, Sarah heard a quick rapping on her door.
    “Yes?” she responded, marking the place in the book she had been trying to read. The door opened and Tegan stepped into the room, a cheery smile on her rosy face.
    “LadySarah,Mr.Chamberlainhasaskedme to see if you would care to join him on a walk to the stables. He feels the need for some exercise, he said, and would enjoy your company.”
    Sarah was delighted to hear the invitation, but she refused to give Tegan the satisfaction of knowing her feelings. Ignoring the maid’s beaming expression, she replied offhandedly, “Tell Mr. Chamberlain I will be down shortly. I should visit Serena, since I have not seen her since the fall. I wouldn’t want her to think I bear a grudge ....”
    “Nomum,”Teganchuckled,notatallfooled by her mistress’s nonchalance. “You wouldn’t want that. I’ll tell Mr. Chamberlain.” As she turned to leave the room, she added, “It’s a lovely day. I think all you’ll need is a shawl.”
    AssoonasTeganwasgone,Sarahjumped out of her chair, rushed to the mirror and furiously began brushing her dark hair until it shone. As