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Page 202
was jealousy. Uncertainly, she drew closer. She didn't want Thorn to run off with Ainsley without paying for her purchases.
"Quite well. In fact, you must come to the fort this afternoon. The men will be conducting special parade drills for which they have been practicing, and you must watch."
Mariah watched as Thorn's neck stiffened. "Some other time, perhaps."
Ainsley drew up beside Thorn and slipped his arm around Thorn's proud shoulders. "You have been running for too long," he said in a low voice. Mariah suspected she was the only one beside Thorn who heard it. "You must show that none of what happened matters any longer," he continued. "Only then will you regain the respect of your former fellows at the fort."
"Of course." His words were clipped, his pride speaking, but Mariah heard what he didn't say, that what had happened before did still matter. "Let us go."
"Wait!" Mariah touched Thorn's back. "I thought you'd advance my wages so I can buy that fabric."
At first, when Thorn turned to look at her, there was no recognition in his eyes, as though she'd just appeared for the first time. She flinched but didn't look away. She realized Ainsley's words had probably taken him back to his past, when he was a soldier in disgrace and she hadn't been there.
His blankness wounded her nevertheless. In an instant, though, his expression thawed. In fact, if she hadn't known better, she'd have thought he looked relieved to see her. Happy, even.
But, no. He'd simply put his memories behind him. It had nothing to do with her.
"Of course, Miss Walker," he said. "Have Mr. Allen tally your bill."
"Who is this?" Ainsley looked at Mariah for the first time. His narrow lips, stretched forward by teeth too prominent, curved in a boyish grin. His small, nearly black eyes were set deeply beneath sketchy dark brows. Holding his tricornered hat in his hands, he regarded her expectantly.

 
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