by Bobbi Smith
"If you'll excuse me. I also have packing to do. Mark, I'll see you again," he spoke cordially. Then bending over Katie's hand, "My dear, I trust I'll see you soon." Nodding abruptly to Christopher, he left.
"Look!" Mark interrupted as the steamer rounded a bend in the river and Kingsford House was suddenly visible in a distance framed by massive oak trees hung heavily with Spanish moss.
Set back a half mile from the landing amidst the emerald green, perfectly manicured lawns, the gleaming white three story house was a testimony to the evident wealth of its owner. Massive Corinthian columns circled the home, supporting a wide second floor gallery whose balustrade was trimmed in intricate wrought iron scrollwork. Twin garconierres flanked the main structure as did a dovecote and a kitchen house.
Katie and Mark exchanged bemused looks.
"I knew Uncle Isaac was rich, but I never dreamed that he was this rich!" Mark declared.
"I know." Katie, too was awestruck.
"So that's Kingsford House." Christopher looked at the mansion appreciatively. "It's as impressive as everyone said."
Katie and Mark nodded in agreement. "We'd better get on down to the main deck." Mark took Katie's arm. "We'll be seeing a lot of you once you settle in at Greenwood, won't we? How soon are you planning to take possession?"
"Joel and I have business in New Orleans first, so it will probably be early next week before we can get back."
"Well, be sure to look us up." Mark shook hands with Christopher.
"Of course," he replied distantly. "Katie. I hope you enjoy your stay."
He did not take her hand and she felt angry at his indifference. She glared at him and was about to speak when Captain Lindell joined them.
"If you're ready, Miss Kingsford, Mr. Kingsford?" he directed them to the companionway.
"Goodbye, Christopher." Katie spoke up, at last drawing his attention, her eyes revealing her regret at their parting.
"Goodbye, Katie." Christopher was suddenly tempted to say more, but held his tongue. The memory of her re fusal was still vivid in his mind. "Mark."
Christopher watched them until they had disembarked and the boat was reversing back out to midstream. He was more than a little aggravated with himself. He had sworn all day yesterday that he would steer clear of Katie Kingsford and yet he had almost weakened from that purpose. She was a beautiful woman and he cursed her for rejecting him.
Heading into the grand salon for breakfast, he was even more determined to deny his desire for her.
Suzanne waited in the carriage at the landing as the plank of the big steamer was lowered. She watched eagerly, but could see no sign of any youngsters. She was frowning in concentration when a young man and woman left the boat and made their way to her.
"Aunt Suzanne?" Katie questioned, noticing the woman's consternation. "I'm Katie and this is Mark."
Quickly regaining her composure, Suzanne smiled warmly. "You are hardly the `children' I'd expected. Welcome to Kingsford House."
Climbing down from the vehicle with the help of her driver, Suzanne embraced them both.
"Uncle Isaac didn't tell you about us?" Mark was curious.
"He only said that his younger brother's children were coming for a visit. I just assumed you'd be... children." Laughing, she ushered them into the carriage. "Let's go up to the house so you can relax."
The driver loaded their bags and then they were off, following the much-used path to Kingsford House's main entrance. Suzanne took the time to study Katie and Mark. What a shock! They wore certainly a far cry from what she'd been expecting. Mark was tall and lean, his features tanned and rugged. He looked more mature than his seventeen years. And the girl! Katie Kingsford was pretty... too pretty as far as Suzanne was concerned. She had no desire to spend her time nursemaiding Katie through the upcoming social season. Disguising her thoughts, Suzanne engaged them in small talk, telling them Isaac would be gone for one more day on business and asking them about their trip. She was pleased to discover that they'd already met Emil and Andre Montard.
"I'm glad. They're our nearest neighbors and very good friends," Suzanne was saying as they climbed down from the carriage.
After directing the servants as to where to put Katie's and Mark's belongings, she led them indoors. Bidding them to take a seat in the front parlor, she sent Patsy to the kitchen for light refreshments.
"So, how were Emil and Andre?" she asked, as she sat down across from them.
"Not so well toward the end," Katie put in.
"Really?" Suzanne raised an eyebrow at the younger woman's statement.
"What Katie means is that Emil had a run of bad luck at the poker tables."
"How bad?" Suzanne was curious.
"Well, you're going to have a new neighbor next week; Emil lost Greenwood."
"He gambled Greenwood away?" Suzanne was horrified. "But it's one of the most profitable plantations in the state!"
"So I was given to understand," Mark replied. "But he lost it fair and square. I watched the whole thing."
"Who won it?"
"A man named Christopher Fletcher," Mark supplied.
"Christopher Fletcher," Suzanne tried out the name. "Was he honest?"
"VerY•"
Suzanne pondered this for a moment, "Well, it will certainly be different without the Montards in residence."
Patsy returned with the cool drinks and a plate of small sandwiches.
"Please, help yourself," Suzanne offered and Mark and Katie didn't hesitate to partake of the food.
"Kingsford House is gorgeous," Katie told Suzanne in between bites.
"Isaac has done his best to make it perfect," Suzanne told them with great pride. "I'll give you the grand tour after I show you your rooms and you rest a while."
"I'd love to see it. Mark and I have never stayed anywhere quite so-impressive before."
"I'll probably need a guide for at least a week," Mark joked.
Suzanne laughed lightly in agreement. "I know the feeling. When Isaac and I were first married, I was quite overwhelmed by the size of it, too. But don't worry, within a few days, you'll know it as well as I do now. Would you like to settle in?"
"Please."
Suzanne led them back into the main hall and then up the gently curving staircase.
"This will be your room, Mark." She directed him to the corner bedroom overlooking the garden.
It was large and airy with French doors on two sides opening onto the upstairs gallery. The furniture was heavy and ornate and most suitable for a man.
"It's wonderful, thank you." Mark was pleased to find that his things had already been unpacked and put away.
"I'm glad you like it. Take your time. If you find you need anything, just pull this." She indicated a silken cord behind the bed. "It calls a servant for you."
Mark nodded as Suzanne and Katie went back outside and closed the door behind them. Excitedly, he explored the room, searching through the armoire and testing the massive bed for softness before finally venturing out onto the gallery. The view of the gardens was breathtaking. The deep green of the foliage was highlighted by the riotous brightness of the blooming spring flowers. Going back inside, he stretched out on the comfort of the bed, knowing that with very little effort he could come to truly enjoy this life.
Katie meanwhile was being shown to a room at the front of the house. It, too, opened onto the gallery but its view was of the river.
"Do you like it?" Suzanne asked Katie as she moved silently about the room.
"It's lovely, thank you." She turned to smile at Suzanne.
"Good. Should you need anything, the pull is by your bed. I'll see you downstairs later."
When Suzanne had gone, Katie sank slowly down on the canopy bed. Perhaps this visit would turn out to be better than she'd expected. Suzanne was being so kind and thoughtful and soon, Christopher would be living near by...
Grateful for the time alone, Katie kicked off her shoes and started to undress. Stripping quickly, s
he shed all her undergarments save for her cotton chemise and lay down feeling free, at last, Closing her eyes, Katie tried to relax, but thoughts of Christopher kept intruding... his laugh.. .his promise to see her again.. .his kiss... Pulling the sheet up, she rolled over as memories of his embrace stirred feelings deep within her... feelings that she was finding more and more difficult to ignore. Maybe, once he was living at Greenwood they would see more of each other...
Andre stalked down the back path at Greenwood, frustrated and furious. He'd been trying to figure out how he could arrange to keep Dee for himself. Legally, she went with the plantation, but there had to be some way...
The small cabin he kept for her was secluded and private and he was grateful for that this day. He had no time for prying eyes and nosy darkies. Entering without pause, he found Dee sitting on the floor playing with her son, Jebediah.
"I thought I told you I never wanted to see you with that brat." He looked with disgust at the black toddler she held close to her breast.
Andre found it hard to believe that a slave as lightskinned as Dee could have borne such a dark baby. It had been that damned nigger she had "married"... that damned Joel. He was a big buck and black as night, too.
"Get rid of him. Now," his voice was quiet but deadly and Dee hastened to take her son outside to one of the other women.
When she returned, Andre had already loosened his tie and discarded his jacket and had stretched out on the bed.
"Close the door and come here."
"Yes, suh," her voice was throaty and low as she approached him.
"Stand here by the bed, Dee," he ordered and she obeyed. "I don't ever want to see that child again. Do you understand me?"
Dee was clearly nervous; Jebediah was all she had left. "Yes, suh."
"I've told you before how I feel about it and I expect you to satisfy my wishes. If you don't..."
"Doan worry none, Mastah Andre. Ah'll leave him wid of Alice. He wouldna been here today, ceptin' I was lonely."
"You missed me?"
"Ah did," she lied, wanting to distract him from thoughts of her son.
"Show me how much." He grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her to her knees on the floor beside him. "Now."
Dee knew what he wanted. He had taught her from the beginning those things which pleasured him most and she had every intention of satisfying him completely. It was the only way she could insure the safety of her child.
Andre watched intently as Dee bent over him to loosen the rest of his clothes. It was a ritual in their coming together and he enjoyed the feeling of power it gave him to control her. Even though he was certain that she loved every minute of it, too.
Andre's body tensed with lustful desire at the thought of having her again. The business trip with his father had taken longer than expected and he was more than ready for the relief she would provide.
Dee ignored his watchful eyes as she stripped his clothes, gently, methodically from him. She was very much aware that for Andre this was the most erotic part of their joining. He liked her to wear her shift while she came to him so that she would concentrate only on his pleasure. When he was nude before her, she once again knelt at his side caressing his manhood to full erection before taking him within her mouth. There was no passion in Dee's ministrations as she thrilled Andre with her lips and tongue, only the need to keep him enamored with her.
Only when Andre was content did he forget about Jebediah. He had threatened to sell her son away from the plantation once and that had been the year before, right after he'd sold Joel; since then she had been frantic with fear. Dee knew that his warning was not to be taken lightly for he was a cold, vicious man who would do whatever he had to to achieve his own personal goal. And where she was concerned, his goal had been to make her his willing mistress. Dee realized sadly that he had accomplished what he had set out to do, for she was his mistress and for all outward appearances she was willing. It was only in the deepness of her soul that her hatred of him burned steadily, banked by his continued use of her body and his malice toward her child.
Andre's body grew taut as he felt his time draw near. With eager hands, he pulled Dee up beside him and entered her roughly, his thrusts deep and powerful. Dee wrapped her legs around him and moved expertly, carefully keeping the revulsion she truly felt from showing on her face. When at last he climaxed, he collapsed on top of her in complete satisfaction.
Looking down at the contented woman lying with him, Andre's expression was one of satisfaction. He had taught her well, his golden-brown beauty, and he wondered idly if Katie could ever be as passionate as Dee. One thing for sure, he decided, bet or no bet, he would never give up Dee. Why, he wouldn't give her up even if Katie did become his bride. In no way could her blond coolness match Dee's torrid dark passion.
Dee's head rested on his chest, her skin glowing silkenly with a sheen of perspiration. Somehow, Andre's touch always made her feel dirty and she longed to bathe.. .to wash away all remembrances of his possession.
"Take off your shift and let me see all of you," he demanded, his voice once more thick with desire.
Sliding from the bed, she slipped the short shift over her head and stood perfectly still before him.
"You're lovely, Dee. Your body was made for this," he murmured, reaching out lazily to explore her intimately.
Dee closed her eyes as his hands had their way with her. Andre assumed that she was already weak with longing for him and rose from the bed to crush her to him.
"Want me do you?" he questioned mockingly as he squeezed her breast. "This time you'll have to wait. I intend to take my time with you now."
Dee shuddered as she thought of what she would have to endure during these next hours and she prayed that the time would pass quickly. She gasped in pain as his fingers probed between her legs and Andre chuckled.
"I know you're in a hurry, Dee. But this time, we're going to go real slow.. ."Andre's voice was husky in anticipation as he lowered her slowly to the bed.
Dee put her arms around him, hoping against hope that somehow she could excite him enough so that he would take her quickly and be done. But logically she knew what Andre was capable of and she doubted if he'd be finished with her much before the following morning. Resigning herself to her fate, she gave herself to him, knowing that submission was the price she had to pay.
Later that evening, Suzanne sat at the head of the dining room table, listening to Katie and Mark reminisce about their home. She found it thoroughly amazing that they had turned out to be so well-mannered, after having been raised in such a rough and tumble environment. In Mark's case, Suzanne admired it; in Katie's case, she resented it. She was irritated at the thought of having to introduce Katie into society. But she also knew that since Isaac expected her to do it, she would. She had already taken the liberty of having Patsy check their wardrobes and make note of everything they'd need for the coming months. Now, it was just a matter of taking than into New Orleans so they could get what they needed.
Picking up the conversation, she laughed appropriately at something Mark was saying and then spoke.
"The Fontaine Ball is coming up this Saturday. I hope you don't mind that I went ahead and ordered evening clothes for you both."
Katie looked at her in surprise, "But we have all new clothes."
"Yes, dear, and they're quite satisfactory, but you just don't have anything quite fancy enough for Renee Fontaine's debut tell."
"I don't?" Katie was a little skeptical.
"I had Patsy check while she was doing your unpacking."
"Oh." She wasn't quite sure what to say.
"Believe me, Katie," Suzanne confided condescendingly. "The Fontaine Ball is going to be the high point of the social season and, of course, you'll want to look your best."
Katie stiffened at the tone of the older woman's voice, "Of course."
"Will they be ready in time?" Mark asked, obviously excited about the prospect of attending such an important event.
"Thank you." Mark was impressed not only with Suzanne's beauty but also her generosity.
Katie, on the other hand, was more than a little put out. She was unaccustomed to having her life managed so completely. Already this woman was picking out her clothes and planning her days. Resentment flared hotly. She'd expected to have some say in her activities during these next few months.
"We'll have a simply wonderful time Saturday evening," Suzanne was saying. "Isaac will be so proud of you."
"I hope so." Katie gave her a forced smile, noting a coldness in Suzanne's eyes that hadn't been there before.
"Don't worry, Katie. You'll look just fine. I sent instructions as to the color and style of your new gown so it will emphasize all your good points."
Suzanne secretly wished Katie was either uglier or fatter. As it was, her trim figure was perfectly proportioned and her beauty was fresh and natural. Suzanne knew that her own stately attractiveness would be dimmed when compared to Katie's youthful good looks. But, in frustration, she realized that there was nothing she could do about it. Her best bet would be to get the girl engaged and out of her way as soon as possible. So, with that purpose in mind, she knew what had to be done. With an all new, exquisite wardrobe, a change of hairstyle, a little practice flirting... why the child would be snapped up quickly by one of the younger, eligible men of the parish and then she could get on with her own life.
"I'm sure," Katie was responding.
Though earlier Katie had thought the trip might turn out to be fun, she was rapidly changing her mind. If tonight was any indication of how the rest of this visit was going to go, she was ready to pack up and head home now. Fancy new gowns and balls and debuts-Katie could hardly imagine what kind of creation Suzanne's seamstress was going to come up with and in a way she was afraid to find out. Emphasize her good points? Really! And while Katie hated the dresses she'd brought with her, she perversely resented Suzanne's implication that they weren't good enough. She had been independent and without female guidance for so long that Suzanne's determination to help her only saved to make Katie indignant. She had come this far on her own and there was no need for Suzanne to concern herself.