Starlight by Patricia Hagan

Author:Patricia Hagan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2012-08-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Jarman had always hated the waking blare of a bugle, but this particular morning it annoyed him more than usual. He had not meant to drink so much the night before, but each sip of whiskey seemed to ease the frustration a little bit more.

It also had not been his intention to wake up with a whore, especially a wildcat like Martita. She knew ways to keep him going all night, which is about what happened, because he had not gotten back to his quarters until nearly four in the morning. Now his head was throbbing and the roll of his stomach warned he might be spending a lot of time this day leaning over a basin.

He covered his head with the pillow to shut out the brassy sound. Just a few more weeks and he would never have to listen to it again, thank heavens. He was getting out of the service, even though the damned Indians had ruined all his plans and he now had no idea what he was going to do after his discharge. Celeste would probably never be seen again, and he felt no more than a twinge of remorse that he'd cared only about the lost dowry. Sooner or later he knew he would have to get around to writing to the marquis and let him know what had happened. He also intended to express his surprise that Celeste had been sent alone, without a chaperone, although it seemed unimportant now.

Realizing the infernal horn blowing had stopped, Jarman took his head out from under the pillow and snuggled back down. There was no one of higher rank at the fort to chastise him if he was late reporting to his office, and he figured if he could sleep a while longer, he would feel better.

He had just dozed off when a loud pounding on his door made him sit up and yell, "What the hell is it?"

A voice ringing with excitement called, "Captain Ballard, you need to get to the blockhouse quick."

Jarman bounded out of bed to cross the floor in quick, angry strides. "This had better be important," he warned, yanking the door open.

Private Stanley Moulton saw the captain's bloodshot eyes and knew he'd been drinking again. Everybody on the post knew of his weakness with the bottle, but who could blame him after what he'd been going through the past weeks? "You'd better just come see for yourself."

"I don't feel well, Moulton. Whatever it is, I'm sure another officer can handle it. Now get out of here and let me sleep." He started to close the door, but Moulton stuck out his foot to stop him.

"Sir, please come with me."

"I'm warning you—"

Moulton had not wanted to be the one to tell him but knew he had no choice. "It's a woman, sir. She asked for you." He paused and swallowed, then related the shocking news. "She claims she's your fiancée."

* * *

Left alone in the lingering darkness, Sam had sunk wearily to the ground in a kind of daze, feeling the need to sort out her thoughts before continuing.

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