Page 25 of The Red Woman on Mars

Her stomach fluttered. “Vivian Bowen. We just arrived from Earth.”

The soldier took her hand and raised it to his mouth. His lips were dry and warm. “Silas Gatlin.”

She was used to feeling wary around strange men, but there was something about the Martians that put her at ease. With their refined manners and alien features, they were so different from the men at Sumter. She’d never had her hand kissed before, and she found she rather liked it.

The hum of conversation and laughter around them suddenly stilled. Without dropping her hand, Silas looked up sharply, his sapphire eyes alert.

“It’s Counselor Dorsey!” Vivian heard one of the soldiers hiss.

Vivian turned her head to see Xavier’s regal form striding down the sidewalk. Although she had only bade farewell to him that morning, she found she could not look away.

Xavier seemed determined not to look at her, casting his eyes in all directions until suddenly caught by the sight of the stranger. Vivian was astonished to see Silas turn red and Xavier’s face shutter. Silas, after a few moments, released Vivian’s hand to touch his hat—a salutation that Xavier just deigned to return. Without a word or gesture to Vivian, Xavier stalked in the direction of a taller building that Vivian assumed was a military headquarters from the number of flags posted atop it.

Delilah had not noticed the exchange and was soon diverted by a hat stall. With a wide smile, she went to the merchant to try on his accessories, and a group of friendly soldiers soon surrounded her, eager to offer their opinions.

Silas cocked his head to one side. “Are the rumors true?”

“What rumors?” Vivian asked.

“A young woman newly arrived from Earth with a striking face and an elegant dress. You are, I think, a Red Mother.”

Vivian smiled. “I am.”

“The oligarchs do not deserve you.” He turned his head, for a moment, in the direction of the headquarters building.

She shrugged. “I have a contract to fulfill.”

He eyed her playfully. “Vivian, Vivian, you’ll break my heart. If you are already spoken for, tell me now and put me out of my misery.”

Vivian found herself quite taken by his roguish grin. Perhaps she was disassociating too, but it felt nice to have a man’s attention who wasn’t evaluating her for her ability to bear him children. “I haven’t chosen a husband yet, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Excellent. I wish to invite you to drink with me at this fine establishment.”

Vivian followed his gesture to a rounded hut in the shadow of the barracks. She turned and looked back at Delilah. Her sister was laughing, still surrounded by soldiers. Vivian caught her eye, and Delilah made a shooing gesture.

If she’d still been in the camp, she would never have agreed. But she wasn’t at Sumter anymore. She was safe here. Safe in a way Evie never would be. Sometime in the next fifty-four days, she’d need to pick a husband interested in her for her ability to have his children. Just this once, couldn’t she enjoy the attention of a handsome man who had no other agenda?

Vivian smiled at Silas. “I accept.”

He offered her his arm with a courtly bow, and Vivian took it with amusement. The Martian airs of grandeur were quite over the top. She let herself pretend, for this moment, that he was courting her in earnest. For herself.

Inside the dark tavern, Silas pulled her into a corner and tapped out an order on the surface of the table. “Tell me, lovely Vivian, how do you find Mars so far?”

Vivian stared around at her surroundings. She’d never been inside a bar before. Soldiers gathered in groups of twos and threes, chattering and laughing. Vivian relaxed into the back of her comfortable padded chair. “The people are so friendly and welcoming. Well, most of them.”

Silas rubbed his lips. “And who might be mistreating you, my darling Vivian?”

“Counselor Dorsey,” said Vivian, glad of the chance to complain about Xavier. “I’ve just spent two days in the same house with him, and I think he’s an insufferable jerk.”

Silas smiled to himself. “X, you never change.” He raised his hands in the air in an expression of surrender. “I can’t give an opinion. I’ve known him too long and too well to be an impartial judge.”

Vivian sat up straighter. “You know him?” That explained their strange reaction upon seeing one another. She wished to know everything this handsome stranger could tell her about the irritating man. “I can’t stand him.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Silas took their drinks from a robotic server. “Martian society is blinded by his fortune and frightened by his power on the Council and sees him only as he chooses to be seen.” He handed her a glass of dark red liquid, his scraped knuckles brushing her hand. “We grew up together. My mother was the house manager of Dorsey Estate.” He gave her a tight smile. “His father was one of the best men I’ve ever known. When he died, he intended to provide for me amply, and his wishes were disregarded by his son. A man of honor could not have doubted his father’s intention, but X chose to ignore his own father’s wishes and refused to honor my inheritance. The fact is, we are very different sort of men, and he hates me for it.”

Vivian took a sip of her wine to hide her perplexity. “But why would he be so cruel?”

“Jealousy,” Silas answered promptly. “His father treated me as if I were his own son. X is not one to tolerate any competition.”