Wanton Splendor

by Bobbi Smith

  "Mark! Get up and we'll go riding."

  Mark's lack of sleep the night before left him with little enthusiasm for a late morning ride.

  "Not today, Katie. I'm going to rest up for tonight."

  "Tonight? What's so strenuous about tonight? You've been to dances before."

  "I just want to sleep, Katie," he snapped. "Go on with out me."

  More than a little hurt by his refusal, she headed out of his room.

  "And Katie," he called after her.

  "Yes?" She brightened, hoping he'd changed his mind.

  "From now on, knock before you come in here."

  Startled by such an unusual request, she mumbled her reply and hurried outside, shutting the door behind her. What was wrong with him? He sure was acting strangely today. Knowing that there was no reasoning with him, she hurried on downstairs anxious to be gone on her ride.

  Stepping from the warm scented water of the bath, Suzanne dried herself and with Patsy's help began to dress. She felt relaxed and content, her body satisfied yet more sensually aware than ever. Even the softness of her silky chemise against her skin held its own brand of eroticism for her this day. The memory of her pleasures from the night before brought a glow to her face that even Patsy remarked on.

  "Ali doan think Ah've ever seen you lookin' so fine, Miz Suzanne," the servant admired her mistress' stunning good-looks.

  "I don't think I've ever felt so fine, Patsy. But thank you. Do you think my dress is appropriate?"

  "Mmm..." she nodded happily. "If you was a single lady, there wouldn't be any man safe tonight."

  Suzanne, preening before the mirror, was forced to agree with her servant's assessment. She felt delightfully wicked and very sexy in her low-cut, full skirted gown of deep rose. And she couldn't wait to play her game of temptation with Mark again tonight. She was sure that he wasn't expecting it and that's what made it all the more appealing. Taking one last approving look at herself she started downstairs. Isaac would be waiting and she needed to keep him happy.

  Mark glanced at himself once more in the mirror over the fireplace in the study as he waited with Isaac for the women. He found it hard to believe that a simple change of clothes could so alter his appearance. He seemed quite the man-about-town in his fashionable dark suit and intricately embroidered vest. Flashing a smile at his reflection, Mark straightened his cuffs and turned away, satisfied that he looked his very best.

  Strangely enough, he felt as confident as he looked, though earlier today, he had been reluctant to face Suzanne. He had been unsure as to how to act around her, but she had treated him with such cool nonchalance whenever they met, that Mark wondered if last night had really happened. As the day had passed he'd been grateful for her ability to remain unaffected, for it was only her indifference that had kept him at arm's length. He wanted her... desired her passionately... and the illicitness of their coming together only made it more exciting. The prospect of being near her all evening in the company of Isaac wore on him greatly. As much as he liked and respected his uncle, Mark did envy him his wife and he wondered why Suzanne had married him in the first place.

  The door to the study was open and Mark glanced out into the hall just as Suzanne began her descent.

  "Suzanne's ready," he told Isaac as he watched her, taking in every detail of her loveliness.

  Gliding toward him, her eyes darkened with remembered passion as she noticed how handsome he looked, "Good evening, Mark."

  "Good evening, Suzanne," he responded automatically, his gaze riveted on her breasts, so amply displayed. "You look lovely, as usual."

  "Why, thank you." She brushed against him as she went to greet her husband. "Isaac, you look very dashing tonight."

  "Always the flatterer, my dear," he protested as he kissed her lightly. "I've never seen you look more beautiful. I'm pleased. But where is that Katie-girl of mine? She should have been down here by now."

  Suzanne bristled at being so casually ignored, especially in favor of the younger Katie. So she took the time to talk with Mark, drawing him even further under her spell.

  Katie couldn't decide whether she was nervous or excited. She only knew that she'd never before felt so feminine. When she'd returned from her ride, Lottie had been ready and waiting for her. Despite her initial grumblings, Katie had given in to Lottie's demands and the results had mystified her. She had been bathed, perfumed and powdered. Her hair had been combed up and away from her face and then allowed to tumble down in back in smooth, soft curls and Lottie had highlighted the style by weaving delicate yellow flowers in with the heavy golden coils. Her breasts, round and full, swelled temptingly above the decolletage of her gown and Lottie had had to lecture her twice about being embarrassed. The pastel paleness of the gown matched the sunlightened streaks in her hair and the total effect was dazzling. From the carefully coiffed tresses to her new yellow slippers, Katie Kingsford was devastating.

  "I'm ready," she greeted them as she entered the library and all eyes turned to her at once.

  "Katie?" Mark couldn't believe his eyes.

  "My dear, you are ravishing." Isaac came to kiss her cheek. "You are a woman now."

  "Thank you." His compliment meant the world to her. "Suzanne, the dress is perfect."

  "Yes, you chose wisely," Isaac added his approval. "Well, shall we be on our way?"

  Ordering the carriage brought around, Isaac squired Katie from the room, leaving Suzanne to follow with Mark.

  "Suzanne?" Mark offered her his arm and she placed her hand gently upon it, the contact lighting a fire in his blood. He had been waiting all day to be alone with her. He wanted to talk to her about what had passed between them in the dark last night.

  Suzanne sensed that Mark had something to tell her, but she was giving him no opportunity to be maudlin about their encounter. She wanted to keep him totally off-balance so she could be in control. Smiling at him, her eyes wickedly taunting him, she started after Isaac and Katie and Mark was forced to hurry to stay by her side.

  "Are you certain I'll be accepted?" Christopher asked Robert Adams.

  "Of course. And even more so, now that you've won Greenwood," Robert confided confidently. "In fact, even if you hadn't shown up, I wager your name would have been bandied about more than anyone else's... with the exception of the Montards, of course," Robert paused. "You realize our plans couldn't be going any better, don't you?"

  Christopher nodded. "Winning Greenwood was a godsend. No one's ever suspected..."

  "No one, and we must never break confidence. You understand the significance of complete secrecy in this matter, don't you? There are lives at stake here and not only our own."

  "I understand completely," Christopher answered solemnly as their carriage drew to a stop and the driver hopped down to open the door. "Are you familiar with the Kingsford family?"

  "Isaac Kingsford is a personal friend of mine. He's a very shrewd businessman and his wife Suzanne is one of the most gorgeous women I've ever had the pleasure to meet. They should be here tonight. Why do you ask?"

  "I met his niece and nephew on the boat coming down."

  Christopher made his statement conversationally, but a glimmer of anticipation lit his soul. Try as he might, he had been unable to forget his night of thrilling passion with Katie and as much as it irritated him, he still wanted her. Maybe if, Christopher decided, he saw her tonight, he would be able to get her out of his system once and for all... for surely Katie couldn't be as beautiful and desirable as his memory made her out to be.

  "Good," Robert was saying, "then you've already made some headway toward being accepted. The Kingsfords are most influential. Come now and let me introduce you to our host, Roger Fontaine."

  Katie's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were aglow as Isaac led har to the refreshment table after dancing with her. Carefully opening the delicate, spangled fan that Suzanne had insisted she carry, Katie fanned herself lightly.

  "I never thought dancing was much fun before tonight,"
she told her uncle happily.

  "So you are having a good time?" They had been at the ball for over an hour now and Katie hadn't missed a dance yet. Only Renee Fontaine, who was making her debut, had had more offers.

  "I'm having a wonderful time. But what amazes me, Uncle Isaac, is that none of these men have noticed how badly I dance!"

  Isaac chuckled. "My darling girl, they're too smitten with your charms to notice anything else. I'd venture to guess that you could step all over their feet and they'd still tell you that you were the best dancer here tonight."

  Katie laughed. "Now I know what Mark meant when he told me to play the game."

  "I don't understand."

  Looking up at him, Katie knew that now she could tell him the truth.

  "I didn't want to come on this trip, Uncle Isaac."

  He was surprised. "Why not?"

  "I just had the feeling that Father was trying to force me to marry. And believe me, I'm not in the least bit interested."

  "Oh," Isaac acknowledged sagely. "Were you nervous about all these fancy parties?"

  Katie nodded. "I just thought it was a waste of my time. I was happy where I was. I didn't want to change anything in my life."

  "I don't think you've changed, Katie. I think you've grown. There's a difference, you know."

  "There is? When I'm dressed like this I hardly know myself." Katie was confused.

  "On the outside, maybe. But inside, where it counts, you're still Katie."

  "Do you really think so?"

  "I know so."

  Katie gave him a warm, open smile, "I guess you're right. I've been so busy resisting the outside changes that I didn't think about anything else."

  "So, relax. You'll always be you no matter how your hair is styled or what dress you're wearing."

  "Isaac.. .Miss Kingsford." That dreaded voice interrupted their conversation and Katie turned to face Andre Montard.

  "Good evening, Andre," Isaac greeted. "Join us, we were just having some punch."

  "Mr. Montard." Katie said his name coldly, but there was no escaping his maneuvering this time.

  "Maybe later. Right now, I'd like to dance with your niece, if you've no objections?"

  "None at all. Katie?"

  Out done once again by Andre's sly manipulations, she stifled the urge to run away screaming and reluctantly consented to the dance. Perhaps if she stepped on him a few times, he would hesitate before asking again.

  Christopher had spent the best part of the evening with Robert in the gentlemen's study drinking their host's fine aged bourbon and discussing the merits of sugar cane over cotton as a base crop. Each time that he'd started to leave to go in search of Katie, he had been caught up in another conversation and many hours passed before he and Robert managed to get away. Finally, realizing that they had yet to make an appearance in the ballroom, they crossed the hall and stood in the doorway watching the dancers float gracefully around the floor.

  "It's time I claimed my dance with Renee," Robert said as the music ended. "I trust you'll be all right?"

  "I'll be fine, Robert. Don't worry."

  When his friend had moved off, Christopher headed for the refreshment table where he'd caught sight of Mark talking with a very attractive woman.

  Suzanne noted the approach of the handsome, darkhaired man immediately. He was a stranger and yet seemed to be coming straight toward her. She absently answered a question Mark posed, as she watched him draw nearer, hoping that for some reason he was going to single her out. To her amazement, the man greeted Mark like an old friend.

  "Christopher?, I can't believe you're here," Mark told him as they shook hands.

  "I'm staying with Robert Adams and Mr. Fontaine was gracious enough to include me in Robert's invitation." Christopher explained his unexpected appearance.

  "Let me introduce you to my uncle's wife, Suzanne Kingsford. Suzanne this is Christopher Fletcher, your new neighbor."

  Suzanne turned the full force of her wiles on Christopher as she smiled up at him.

  "Mr. Fletcher, I've heard so many things about you. How nice to finally get to meet you."

  "I'm pleased to meet you too, Mrs. Kingsford," Christopher charmed her. "Robert Adams has told me of your beauty and now I know he is a man of his word."

  For the first time in years, Suzanne blushed, thrilled that this newcomer would find her attractive.

  "Why thank you. You say Robert Adams is a friend of yours?"

  "Yes. I'll be staying with him for the next few days until I take over Greenwood."

  "Well, you must join us for dinner soon."

  "I'd be delighted," he answered.

  Mark was surprised by Suzanne's change of heart. Why just yesterday she'd been upset about Yankees and now she'd invited Christopher to dinner. He was finding her to be a very complex woman and he wondered if he would ever understand her.

  "If you'll excuse me," Christopher said, "Robert looks like he needs me."

  "Of course, I'll see you later," Mark told him.

  "Mrs. Kingsford," Christopher nodded as he started to walk away.

  "I hope we'll see you again soon, Mr. Fletcher," Suzanne said.

  When Christopher had disappeared across the floor Suzanne took Mark's arm to get his attention. She wanted to learn all she could about this new man and Mark seemed to be the best source of information.

  "Shall we dance?" she suggested.

  Mark had been waiting all evening for some indication that she cared about him and his heart was light as he gazed down at her.

  "My pleasure," he answered, taking her in his arms.

  Suzanne managed to give him an encouraging smile and they moved out onto the floor.

  "Christopher, I'd like you to meet Renee Fontaine, our hostess," Robert spoke as Christopher joined them.

  Turning politely, he bowed over her hand, "Miss Fontaine. How nice to meet you."

  Renee smiled warmly, "Welcome to L'Aimant. I hope you've been enjoying your evening with us.

  "I have, thank you for including me." Christopher frankly admired the young dark-haired beauty.

  "It's been our pleasure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I promised this next waltz to my father. Robert, Mr. Fletcher."

  "Let me escort you to him, Renee," Robert offered and they moved away. "Christopher, I'll see you later."

  Christopher's expression was inscrutable as he followed Renee and Robert's progress across the ballroom. Then as the crowd shifted, he glanced out into the center hall. There, looking even more lovely than he remembered, stood Katie, seemingly deep in conversation with Andre.

  Christopher tensed as he observed them and his fists clenched as he noticed Andre staring pointedly at her cleavage. In that instant, Katie looked up and her eyes met his in mute appeal.

  There were no second thoughts as he strode purposefully toward them. Christopher didn't know why he felt he had to rescue her from Andre and he didn't take the time to analyze it. He just knew that he couldn't stand to see the other man near her.

  Despite her reluctance to accompany him, Andre had led Katie outside into the hall after their waltz. He needed to talk to her alone.. .to impress her with his decision to court her more slowly.

  "Have you been enjoying your visit so far?" he ques tioned attentively, hoping to engage her in conversation.

  "Suzanne and Uncle Isaac have been very kind," she responded flatly, knowing that she was stuck here with him until the music began again.

  "They are very generous people," he agreed, his gaze fixed lasciviously on her bosom. "I didn't think it was possible but tonight you are even more lovely."

  "Thank you." Katie was growing very uncomfortable as Andre openly ogled the low-cut neckline of her gown.

  "Am I ever to be forgiven for my impetuous behavior on board the steamer our last night out?" her pleaded, greatly irritated at having to humble himself

  "Mr. Montard, I have already accepted your apology. I don't know what else you could possibly want from me." She turned
slightly to obscure his line of vision.

  As Katie glanced up, she caught sight of Christopher coming toward them and her heart skipped a bet. She didn't know what he was doing here, but she was overjoyed to see him.

  "I want to..." But Andre didn't get a chance to finish for Christopher broke in on his declaration.

  "Katie! Here you are. I've been looking for you."

  "You have?" Katie couldn't hide her surprise at his statement.

  "Fletcher!" Andre's voice was tinged with hatred and frustration.

  "Good evening, Montard. I've come to claim Katie," his tone was possessive. "This is my dance, I believe."

  "Yes," she agreed hastily. She wondered at Christopher's change in attitude but she was eager to be away from her unwanted suitor.

  "Very well." Andre knew that he could do nothing but acquiesce gracefully. "Katie, we'll talk again later."

  "Of course," she replied, hoping that "later" would never come.

  "I'll see you on Tuesday at Greenwood, Andre."

  "We are expecting you."

  "Good, if you'll excuse us then?"

  As the sweet, flowing strains of a waltz filtered out into the hall, Christopher led her back inside. Then sweeping her into his arms he guided her expertly out among the other dancers.

  "You don't look much like a knight in shining armor, but you are one. Thank you," she told him earnestly.

  Christopher grinned. "Glad to be of service. I may not have looked my part, but you definitely had the air of a damsel in distress."

  "I know. He's a very subtle, very clever man and I don't trust him."

  "I don't either."

  "What are you doing here?" Katie asked impulsively changing the subject. "I thought you were going to be in New Orleans until next week."

  "I thought so, too. But my host, Robert Adams, was invited tonight, so he suggested that I come along with him. Robert thought it would be a good opportunity for me to meet some of my new neighbors."

  "Well, I'm very glad you came." Her voice was husky with undisguised emotion. "I've wanted to talk to you.. .ever since that night on deck..."

  Suddenly needing to be alone with her, Christopher danced them near the open French doors and then quickly led her out onto the gallery. The night was cool, dark and inviting as they stood together at the balustrade that overlooked L'Aimant's garden.