The Gift

by Julie Garwood

  “Hell, yes, I was worried.”

  He’d bellowed his answer. She held her smile. “I really would like you to kiss me.”

  He didn’t even look at her when he responded, “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “It has to be right, Sara.”

  What in heaven’s name did that mean? “It’s always right when you kiss me.”

  “I’ll ruin everything if I kiss you.”

  “You aren’t making any sense.”

  “Tell me what happened with Henry,” he ordered.

  She let out a little sigh. “I hit him . . . there.”

  A soft smile changed his frown. “Did you remember how to make a proper fist?”

  She decided she wouldn’t answer him until he looked at her. A long moment passed before he finally gave in.

  He was fighting one hell of a battle to keep his hands off her. He thought he was winning the fight, too, until she smiled at him and whispered, “I knew you would be proud of me. Most gentlemen would have been appalled, though.”

  He roughly pulled her into his lap. His fingers were already twisting into her hair. “I’m not most,” he said an instant before his mouth came down on hers. His tongue swept inside her mouth to taste, to caress, to tease. He couldn’t get enough of her, couldn’t get close enough, soon enough.

  He kissed the side of her neck while he worked on the buttons at the back of her dress. “I knew if I touched you, I wouldn’t be able to stop.”

  He’d lost all control. The carriage stopped, but only Sara realized that fact. She made him button her up again. It took him much longer, for his hands were shaking.

  Nathan dragged her by her hand inside the townhouse. Jade smiled at the couple when they went flying up the stairs.

  Nathan regained a little of his control by the time they reached their bedroom. He opened the door for her. Sara was already reaching behind her back to get the buttons undone again on her way over to the bed. She stopped when she heard the door slam.

  She turned around to find that she was all alone. Nathan had left her. She was too astonished to react for several minutes. Then she let out an outraged scream. She pulled the door open and went running down the hallway.

  Jade caught her at the landing. “Nathan just left. He said to tell you to be ready to leave by eight. He also suggested I lend you a gown, since your trunk is still on board the Seahawk.”

  “How could he have told you all that and have left already?”

  Jade smiled. “My brother acted as though he had the devil on his tail,” she said. “He finished his instructions from the walkway out front. He’s going to meet us later, Sara. He must have some business to attend to—at least I think that’s what he added when he jumped into Caine’s carriage and took off.”

  Sara shook her head. “Your brother is rude, inconsiderate, arrogant, stubborn . . .”

  “And you love him.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “Yes, I love him. I believe he might love me, too,” she added in a mutter. “He might not truly realize it yet, or he might just be a little afraid. Oh, I don’t know anymore. Yes, of course he loves me. How can you believe he doesn’t?”

  “I’m not arguing with you, Sara. I believe Nathan loves you, too,” she added with a nod. “It’s quite obvious to me, as a matter of fact. He’s so ... rattled. He’s always been a man of few words, but now he doesn’t even make sense when he mutters.”

  Sara’s eyes filled with tears. “I want him to tell me he loves me,” she whispered.

  Jade was full of sympathy. She patted Sara’s hand and led her to her bedroom.

  “Do you know that I’m everything Nathan could ever want in a wife? No one could love him as much as I do. Please don’t consider me inferior. I’m really not. I’m just very different from you, Jade.”

  Nathan’s sister turned from the wardrobe to stare incredulously at Sara. “Why would you think I would ever consider you inferior?”

  Sara stammered out her explanation of how the men on board the Seahawk had constantly compared her to Jade, and how she’d always lost the contest. “And then the pirates attacked, and I was able to redeem myself in their eyes.”

  “I would imagine so,” Jade agreed.

  “I also have courage,” Sara said. “I’m not boasting, Jade. Nathan did convince me that I’m very courageous.”

  “We’re both loyal to our husbands, too,” Jade said. She turned back to her wardrobe and continued to sort through, looking for an appropriate gown.

  “Nathan only likes me to wear high-necked gowns,” Sara said.

  “That’s telling, isn’t it?”

  “I usually try to be accommodating.”

  Jade didn’t dare let Sara see her expression. The anger in her sister-in-law’s voice made her want to laugh. The poor love was getting all worked up again.

  “Perhaps, Jade, that is the problem,” Sara announced. “I’ve been too accommodating. I’m always telling Nathan how much I love him. And do you know what his answer always is?” She didn’t give Jade time to guess. “He grunts. Honest to God, that’s what he does. Well, no more, thank you.”

  “No more grunting?” Jade asked.

  “No more accommodating. Find me the lowest-cut gown in your closet.”

  Jade did laugh then. “That should push Nathan right over the edge.”

  “I do hope so,” Sara answered.

  Five minutes later Sara held an ivory-colored gown in her arms.

  “I only wore the dress once, and not out of the house, so no one’s seen it. Caine wouldn’t let me keep it on.”

  Sara loved the gown. She thanked Jade several times, then started out of the room. She suddenly stopped and turned around. “May I ask you something?”

  “We’re sisters now, Sara. You may ask me anything.”

  “Do you ever cry?”

  Jade hadn’t expected that question. “Yes,” she answered. “All the time, as a matter of fact.”

  “Has Nathan ever seen you cry?”

  “I don’t know if he has or not.”

  From Sara’s crestfallen expression Jade realized that wasn’t the answer she was hoping for. “Now that I think about it, yes, he has seen me cry. Not as often as Caine, of course.”

  “Oh, thank you for sharing that confidence with me. You have no idea how happy you’ve just made me.”

  Sara’s smile was radiant. Jade was pleased, though she admitted to herself she still didn’t know exactly what Sara was so thrilled about.

  Two hours later Jade and Caine patiently waited in the foyer for Sara to make her appearance. Jimbo paced back and forth by the front door.

  Jade was dressed in a dark green silk gown with embroidered cap sleeves. The neckline showed only the barest hint of bosom. Caine still frowned over it before he muttered that she looked beautiful. He wore his formal attire, and she told him he was the most handsome devil in the world. Then Jimbo started nagging them about making certain someone stayed by Sara’s side all evening.

  “Don’t let her out of your sight until Nathan shows up to take over,” Jimbo ordered for the fifth time.

  Sara drew everyone’s attention when she started down the steps. Jimbo let out a low whistle. “Nathan’s going to see red when he gets a look at our Sara.”

  Both Jade and Caine agreed. Sara looked magnificent. Her hair was unbound, and the soft curls swayed about her shoulders with each step she took.

  The virginal-colored dress was extremely low-cut and ended in a deep V between her breasts. It was the most provocative gown Caine had ever seen. He remembered it, too. “I thought I tore that thing when I helped you get undressed,” he whispered.

  His wife blushed. “You were in a hurry, but you didn’t tear it.”

  “Nathan’s going to,” Caine whispered back.

  “Then you think my brother will like it?”

  “Hell, no, he won’t like it,” Caine predicted.

  “Good.”

  “Jade, sweet, I’m not so certain this
is such a good idea. Every man at the ball is going to be lusting after Sara. Nathan’s going to have a fit.”

  “Yes.”

  Sara reached the foyer and made a curtsy to her audience.

  “You needn’t be so formal with us,” Caine said.

  Sara smiled. “I wasn’t,” she said. “I was just making certain I wouldn’t fall out of this dress when I do have to curtsy.”

  “What about when your husband has his hands around your neck and he’s strangling you?” Jimbo asked. “Will the gown prove sturdy enough, do you suppose?”

  “I’m going to find her a cloak,” Caine said.

  “Nonsense,” Jade argued. “It’s too warm for a cloak.”

  The argument continued even after they were on their way.

  The duke and duchess of Farnmount lived a scant mile outside of London proper. Their home was gigantic in diameter, with impressive manicured lawns circling the terraces. Hired servants held torches along the side of the road, lighting the way.

  “Rumor has it that the prince has tried to buy Farnmount’s residence,” Caine said. “He won’t give it up, of course.”

  “Yes,” Jade agreed, though she was barely paying attention to her husband’s remarks. She was watching Sara. “You look flushed to me,” she said. “Are you feeling well?”

  “She’s fine,” Caine said.

  Sara wasn’t fine, though. Her mind raced with her worries. “The Winchesters will be there tonight,” she suddenly blurted out. “None of the men would dare offend the duke and duchess. I don’t understand, though, why this is the only affair the St. James family attends.”

  Caine grinned. “It’s the only affair they’re invited to attend,” he explained.

  “I worry about Nathan,” Sara suddenly blurted out. “Jimbo, I wish you could come inside, too. Caine may need your assistance watching out for my husband.”

  “The boy will be all right,” Jimbo answered. He patted Sara’s hand. “Quit your fretting.”

  No one said another word until the carriage drew to a stop in front of the mansion. Jimbo jumped down, then turned to assist Sara. “I’ll be standing right beside this carriage. When you’ve had enough, just step outside the front door, and I’ll spot you.”

  “She’ll stay with us until Nathan arrives,” Caine said.

  Sara nodded. She took a deep breath, lifted the hem of her skirt, and went up the steps.

  The ballroom was located on the top level of the fourstory structure. The stairway leading up was a blaze of candles and fresh flowers.

  A butler stood next to the entrance to the ballroom. There were three steps leading down to the dance area. Caine handed his invitation to the servant, then waited until the bell was dutifully rung. It was a signal to the other guests crowding the floor. Few paid attention, other than to give a quick look up toward the entrance, for a waltz was in progress, and they were busy concentrating on their footwork.

  “The earl of Cainewood and his wife, Lady Jade,” the butler announced in a loud, booming voice.

  It was Sara’s turn next. She handed the man the invitation Caine had given her, then stood by his side until the introduction was made.

  “Lady Sara St. James.”

  He might as well have shouted fire. The announcement had just the same force. A low murmur began in the middle of the crowd, and by the time everyone had added their whisper the sound had increased to earthquake proportions.

  One couple actually bumped into another as the man and woman strained to get a better look at Sara.

  She held her head high and stared down at the crowd. She prayed she looked composed. Then Caine took hold of her hand. Jade moved to Sara’s other side and took hold of her other hand.

  “Sara, dear, have you noticed that the Winchesters are all squeezed up together on the right side of the ballroom, and the St. James are all on the left? One might be led to conclude that the two families don’t get along.”

  Jade had made those remarks. Sara broke into a smile. Her sister-in-law had sounded so perplexed. “Rumor has it they don’t particularly like each other,” Sara teased back.

  “I think we’ll take up the middle so as not to show partiality,” Caine announced as he led the ladies down the steps.

  “Nathan isn’t here yet, is he?” Jade asked. “Sara, do keep smiling. Everyone’s gawking at you. It’s the dress, I imagine. You look positively stunning tonight.”

  The next hour was a trial. Sara’s father was in attendance. He made quite a show of giving his daughter the cut direct. When she looked over to the Winchester side of the ballroom the guests turned their backs on her.

  Everyone noticed the slight, of course. Caine was furious on Sara’s behalf until he looked at her face and saw that she was smiling. He relaxed then.

  Dunnford St. James hadn’t missed the cut, either. The leader of the St. James clan let out a loud snort, then strolled over to speak to his nephew’s wife.

  Dunnford was a large, square-framed man with far more muscle than fat. His hair was gray, thinning, and cut as short as a squire’s in olden days. He had a full beard, broad shoulders, and looked ill at ease in his formal black attire and crooked starched cravat.

  Caine thought he was prettier than his wife.

  “What do we have here?” he bellowed when he stopped directly in front of Sara. “This be Nathan’s woman?”

  “You know perfectly well who she is,” Caine answered. “Lady Sara, have you met Dunnford St. James?”

  Sara made a formal curtsy. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said.

  Dunnford looked bewildered. “Are you jesting with me?”

  Now she looked confused. “I beg your pardon?”

  “She has manners, Dunnford. Surprising in a St. James, isn’t it?”

  A sparkle entered the older man’s eyes. “She just became a St. James. She’ll have to prove herself before I’ll welcome her.”

  Sara took a step toward Dunnford. That surprised him more than the curtsy had. He was used to having women back away from him. They never smiled, either. This one, he concluded bleakly, was different.

  “How shall I prove myself to you?” Sara asked. “Should I shoot one of your brothers to gain your approval, do you suppose?”

  She was jesting. He took her suggestion to heart. “Well, now, I suppose it would depend upon which brother you shot. Tom’s always a good choice.”

  “For God’s sake, Dunnford, Sara was teasing you.”

  Dunnford grunted. “Then why’d she offer?”

  Caine shook his head. “It was a jest in reference to the time you shot your brother,” he explained.

  Dunnford rubbed his beard. His grin was devilish. “So you heard about that little misunderstanding, did you? Tom doesn’t hold a grudge,” he added. “Pity, that. A good feud livens up a family.”

  Before anyone could remark upon that outrageous remark Dunnford let out a low growl. “Where’s your husband? I’m wanting a word with him.”

  “He should be here any minute,” Caine said.

  “Where is your wife?” Sara asked. “I would like to meet her.”

  “Whatever for?” Dunnford countered. “She’s probably in the dining room seeing about my meal.”

  “Aren’t you going to say hello to me?” Jade asked her uncle. “You’re pretending I’m not even here. Are you still upset because I gave Caine a daughter and not a son?”

  “You carrying again yet?” Dunnford asked.

  Jade shook her head.

  “Then I ain’t speaking to you until I get a nephew.” He turned to Caine. “You bedding her proper?” he demanded.

  Caine grinned. “Every chance I get,” he drawled out. Sara turned red with embarrassment. She noticed that Jade was trying not to smile. Dunnford was giving Nathan’s sister a hard glare. Then he turned to Sara again, and suddenly the older man reached out and clasped the sides of her hips with his big hands.

  “What are you doing?” Caine demanded in a whisper. He tried to push Dunnford’s
hands away.

  Sara was too astonished by the bold action to move. She simply stared down at his hands.

  “I’m taking her measure,” Dunnford announced. “She don’t look wide enough to bring a babe into the world. The skirt could be deceiving,” he added with a nod. “Aye, you might be wide enough.”

  He was now staring at her chest. Sara’s hands immediately covered her bosom. She wasn’t about to let him measure anything else.

  “I can see you got yourself enough to feed the babe. Are you carrying yet?”

  Her face couldn’t possibly turn any hotter. She took a step forward. “You will behave yourself,” she whispered. “If you touch me again, sir, I will strike you. Are you completely without manners?”

  Dunnford guessed he was. When he said so, Sara took yet another step toward him. Caine was amazed by her boldness. Just as astonishing was the fact that Dunnford actually backed up. “I would like a cup of punch, Uncle Dunnford,” Sara said then. “It would be proper for you to fetch it for me.”

  Dunnford shrugged. Sara let out a sigh. “I do suppose I could ask one of the Winchesters to fetch it for me,” she said then.

  “They’d spit on you first,” Dunnford announced. “You’re swaying toward our side of the family, aren’t you?”

  She nodded. He grinned. “I’ll be happy to fetch a drink for you.”

  Sara watched her uncle force his way through the crowd. There was a line waiting for the servant to ladle out a portion of the pink punch. Dunnford pushed the line of guests aside with a hard shove.

  “I wouldn’t drink any of the punch if I were you,” Caine drawled out after Dunnford picked up the giant punch bowl and took several long gulps. He put the bowl back on the table, then dunked a cup into the liquid and turned to walk back across the room.

  He wiped his beard with the back of his hand when he presented the cup to Sara.

  Caine noticed there was no longer a line in front of the punch bowl. He reached out and grabbed the punch so that Dunnford couldn’t accidentally spill the pink liquid on Sara.

  “Tell Nathan I’m wanting a word with him,” Dunnford announced once again. He added a frown to his reminder, then turned his back and walked over to the far side of the room where his relatives were standing.