Wild At Heart Read Free

accidentally jiggled it, causing the man to look up with startled gray eyes.
    Mariah gasped.
Silas?
    Amelia Winfield peered over her shoulder, her mouth tilted in a scathing smirk.
    Pressing her hand to her chest, Mariah caught her breath and spun around. She hurried down the hallway, dodging the curious glances of those she passed. She quickly claimed her cloak, and a doorman opened the front entrance, allowing the cooler outside air to soothe her scorching cheeks. Lifting her long skirts, she trotted down the steps and suddenly stopped at the bottom. Now what?
    She’d ridden to the banquet with Silas. It was too far to walk home, and a lady shouldn’t be alone on the streets at night. Oh, why hadn’t she heeded her grandma’s reservations instead of being her normal stubborn self? Had her heart suspected what her mind refused to allow her to believe? Was that why she’d had doubts about her fiancé?
    The valet, evidently not expecting anyone to be leaving so early, hopped to his feet from his perch on the low stone wall that bordered the walkway. “May I help you, madam?”
    “I need the Wellington carriage, please.”
    “Yes, madam.” He hurried down the walkway and turned the corner, disappearing from sight.
    Silas’s quick footsteps clattered down the stairs. “Mariah, wait.”
    Not wanting a public confrontation, she looked for a nook or cranny in which to hide, but no such place was at hand. With resignation, she straightened her back and turned to face her
former
fiancé.
    “It’s not what you think, Mariah, darling.” He straightened his tie and brushed his hand over his slicked-back hair. His normally thin lips looked puffy. “Amelia forced herself on me.”
    Mariah huffed. “I’m supposed to believe little Amelia Winfield overpowered you and forced you to kiss her? What is she? All of five-foot-two?”
    Lamplight illuminated the desperation that flashed through his eyes. “Uh—yes. That’s exactly what happened. She’s been chasing me for months.”
    “And I guess she also forced you into the isolated—and might I add
restricted
—library?” She crossed her arms over her chest, guarding her heart, as Silas fumbled for a response. Never had he kissed her as he had Amelia. Mariah hadn’t minded his chaste good-night pecks on the lips, thinking that showing any more ardor should be reserved for married life. In fact, she knew nothing of passion—except what she’d just witnessed. And that was plenty.
    “Just take me home.”
    He glanced toward the door. “I—uh—I’m not ready to leave yet. There are some important people I need to talk to.”
    “That’s fine. I’ve already called for your carriage. The driver can return here after he drops me off.”
    “Mariah.” He laid his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t let something so petty ruin our evening. People will think it odd that you’ve gone and I’m still here. As my fiancée, it’s expected that you’ll be by my side all evening.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “Of all the insensitive cads. I am no longer your fiancée.” She jerked away from his touch, pulled off her engagement ring, and tossed it at him. The diamond glinted in the lamplight then bounced off Silas’s hands as he struggled to catch it. The ring clinked on the stone walkway just as the carriage pulled up. The valet opened the door, and Mariah glanced up at the driver. “Please take me home and then return. Mr. Wellington wishes to remain here.”
    She took her seat, and before the door shut, she saw Silas on his hands and knees, searching for his mother’s ring. A tiny shaft of concern stabbed her. She hoped her impulsive reaction hadn’t caused the antique to get lost. Even though she no longer wanted it, the diamond-and-ruby ring was a cherished family heirloom.
    The door closed on the future Mariah had thought she’d wanted. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes. How could things change so fast? Most women would be crying over the loss of a