by Dee Jones
"I don't want a shot," she argued moaning at the pain exploding in her head.
"Enough foolishness," the doctor snapped; his hand on the girl's shoulder. "Either roll over or I'll have these two hold you down," he finished, pointing as Daniel and Jeremy both smiled to her.
"Fine," she finally conceded, the pain easing to embarrassment. "But not until you turn around," her eyes were locked with the turquoise depths of Daniel's intent gaze. He chuckled softly and glanced to Jeremy.
"You too brother," she growled, although the attempt made her head explode like fireworks on the fourth of July. The two men laughed lightly before they did as they were ordered.
"I think this is more for your benefit than mine," teased Jeremy as he and Daniel turned and offered the woman their backs. "After all, I've seen her without her clothes on."
"Was she worth it?" Daniel asked, glancing at the woman across his shoulder.
"As far as sisters go, yeah, but she always complained and yelled for mother when she caught me looking."
"Women never let a man enjoy himself," Daniel replied, winking at Julia before completing his turn.
"Ouch! That hurts!" she complained loudly, as the doctor's needle struck with her tender flesh making her momentarily forget the rest of her trials.
"Make certain she stays in bed," ordered the doctor, who paid no attention whatsoever to his patient's outburst.
"Is that an order doctor?" Daniel teased, looking at the delicate face that flushing a scarlet red.
"When you've reached my age son," began the plump old man, his round face and balding head making him look more like Santa Claus, than a physician of medicine. "You learn to take advantage of every given opportunity." Julia groaned, Louise cleared her throat and Jeremy and Daniel exploded in laughter.
"I'll remember never to question a doctor’s orders again," Daniel snickered, shaking the man's hand as he left. He allowed Jeremy to guide the older man to the door, while Louise went to make certain Julia's bed was prepared.
Once the room was empty, Daniel turned to look at the young woman reclining against the sofa cushions, moving toward her with the slow grace of a panther about to prance on its unsuspecting prey. He knew he was worrying her, but the deliberate suspense was too erotic to pass up. After feeling the terror of finding her unconscious on the floor, to holding her in his arms, he felt the day had managed to explore every emotion known to man.
Gently he slid his hands beneath her slender frame drawing her off the sofa and into the strong curve of his arms. His restrained hair fell across his shoulders as his hand brushed the side of her breast, cradling her close as his touch sent a shiver of anticipation through her - and him. He stared down at her with a gaze so sensuous that she was forced to look away. Her cheeks felt hot and her head began to spin, but all she cared about was the feel of his arms around her, his chest close to her breasts and the warm look in his eyes.
"Knock it off Browning," she whispered a soft warning in the stillness of the room.
"Doctor's orders, Princess," he insisted, his lips brushing against hers tenderly, once, twice and then again, this time capturing them more fully. He released her mouth only to reaffirm the pressure in a deeper, more stimulating kiss. His lips tasted and teased hers into responding. The pain was gone, the dizziness forgotten, as his tongue brushed across her lower lip taking it between his teeth until she groaned, then released it reaffirming the previous pressure against her mouth fully.
Julia's arms circled his neck holding onto him tightly, winding her fingers playing with the thick ponytail at the back of his neck until it fell from the leather restraints. The muscles in his shoulders contracted, his arms pulled her against him so hard she thought she'd never breathe again. Then the air was there, his mouth had released hers and moved to her cheek down to her throat and finally capturing the small lobe of her ear. With a groan of regret he pulled his mouth away, yet he continued to hold her tightly against his chest.
"We'd better get you upstairs," he whispered, his breath brushing across her face, his tone deep and husky.
"I can walk Daniel," she insisted, her own voice shaky and weak.
"Can you?" The deep emotion rumbling between them both bounded forward with each syllable. She looked at him for a long moment, considering what he had asked. She shook her head softly and laid it against his shoulder. Daniel chuckled knowing his ego was bursting to new heights at the woman's silent applauds for his attempt of seduction. His arms circled around her a little tighter, holding her in a band of security.
He carried her up the stairs and into her room, where he laid her gently on the pink covered brass bed. Louise met them at the door then quickly left hurrying back downstairs for an extra blanket and a pot of tea. Daniel stayed with Julia for a few minutes to make certain the shot the doctor had given her was going to work. He smiled as her eyes began to flutter heavily; she was giving into the medication and he knew she would soon be asleep, but as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t stay by her side much longer. Just sitting next to her on the pink bedspread, the intimacy of being alone with her in her bedroom forced him to stand and pace his way quietly to the door, as her eyes fell shut.
"Daniel," she said softly, causing him to turn back and look at her from the doorway where he stood. "Thank you," she whispered. He smiled stepping back to the bedside and leaned over her.
"My pleasure, Princess," he told her, brushing her lips softly with his. "Just think of me as your knight in shining armor."
"As you wish Sir Daniel." He chuckled softly, lowering his mouth to hers again, pressing against her delicate lips hard and demanding for a few passionate moments.
"I'll always be here for you, my Princess," he promised.
"I was never very good at playing make believe," she told him, realizing he was speaking to her as though the whole thing was nothing but a childish game.
"Then we'll stop playing," he insisted sliding his left hand beneath her, his right hand capturing her breast and kneading it gently. His mouth covered hers with such urgency it felt as though she could no longer breathe; the only air she took was from the man who gave life back to her.
"Is she asleep?" Louise asked, entering the room carrying a small tray on top of a thick hand quilted blanket. She stopped, her eyes adjusted to the sight of her daughter in the urgent embrace of the man who appeared to be ravishing her. Daniel chuckled as he broke contact with her, allowing her to lie back against the softness of the pillow.
"No, she's very much awake," he answered, more to Julia than to her mother. "Go to sleep now Princess," he continued, more quietly then his previous statement. "I'll be here in the morning when you wake up." With that promise, he left the two women alone and closed the door quietly behind him.
Louise stood by the door for a moment watching her daughter who appeared to visibly collapse in her bed. The two looked at each other for a brief second before a yawn escaped Julia's kiss flushed lips. The last thing she remembered was her mother smiling at her and the sound of a soft click, as the door to the pink and lace bedroom closed. She was encased in the room's protection, alone with her dreams of passion, desire - and Daniel.
Chapter Six
Early the next morning, Daniel crept quietly into the pink room. Julia was still sleeping, as he had expected. Her hair lie spread in tendrils across her pillow in a way he found most inviting and erotic. He moved to the side of her bed and lifted a long dark strand, smelling the clean fragrance and feeling the silkiness of its texture as it slid through his fingers.
He had stayed in the one guest room he used whenever he stayed at the stables, waking before dawn to see to chores before taking a quick bath and slipping into Julia’s room. He had lay awake most of the night thinking about her, about how she felt in his arms, about the way she looked when he kissed her. After many long hours awake, he had finally drifted to sleep only to have her invade his dreams. He dreamed of her smiling up at him, her hair spread across his pillow, just as it now lay across
her own. Her tender erotic body exposed to his explorations, her lips locked with his as her legs wrapped around his waist.
Daniel wanted to ask how she was feeling, but he mainly wanted to ask about the accident itself. Somehow he felt she knew more than she had told him, but last night wasn’t the time for questions. She was neither in the state of mind to answer him, nor was she well enough. He knew someone had tried to harm her, likely kill her, but he had no idea as to who would do something this heinous.
With a reluctant sigh and a soft kiss to her forehead; he wanted to see her eyes sparkling at him again, as they had the night before. He wanted to hold her and kiss her and take every opportunity to love her now before the reading of the will, because he was certain she would want nothing to do with him once she learned what her father had done.
Daniel shook himself consciously, and hurried out the door. Now wasn't the time to think about any of this. The woman was recuperating from a very nasty accident and was in no condition to experience what he secretly hoped to someday share with her.
With the promise that someone would be with Julia when she woke, he hitched his steed to the small runabout Louise allowed him to use and steered the carriage down the road to the small town of Mayfield. He glanced at the numerous horses scattered among the many acres of Turner Stables and smiled. It was very relaxing to watch the horses in the pasture, though now was not the time for such thoughts.
Neighboring farms and open fields pass by with a familiar sense of awe. Nothing could compare to the beauty and majestic splendor of Kentucky. It was beyond anything he had ever seen. Only the ancient beauty of Britain’s lush rolling hills were an equal match to this small Southern state.
Daniel pulled the carriage to a halt in front of his office and climbed down, tying his horse to the post. The building was smaller than most of the town's structures with only three stories overlooking the street. The first floor of the large brick building contained his office and that of his partner, Harold Leonard. The second floor held the town's accounting office and the third floor was rented out as bachelor apartments, one of which was his.
"Well, hello there stranger," Anna said as Daniel entered the office. The aroma of the woman's floral cologne drifted around the room like a fragrant spring breeze. He smiled as he accepted his mail from the attractive young brunette, glancing about the empty office. The well-furnished, yet spacious waiting room contained Anna’s desk and two large file drawers. A settee of imported leather; an extravagance Harold insisted upon, was seated across from two matching armchairs. A large potbelly stove and several waist high book cases, holding magazines and literature from all over the world lined the other wall. The coo-coo clock hung above the stove, ticking the seconds like raindrops falling against a tin bucket. The floor was a dark wood to match the crown molding and the walls were decorated in rich gold and beige wallpaper. A large window looked out onto the streets, revealing a view of Mayfield's city life as it passed by.
"What's been happening around here?" he asked with a smile, as bright as the morning's light.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Harold’s been going half-crazy around here without you. Victor Turner’s death seems to have made a lot of farmers around these parts remember they were mortal. We’ve had five wills this week alone."
"Sorry to be so distant. I’ve had a lot on my plate with Victor’s stables. Besides, I’m sure Harold can take care of a few wills."
"He's had a lot on his mind lately."
"Yes, I know. So where is the old badger?" Anna chuckled softly and pointed at the closed door that separated the reception area from the man’s office. Daniel winked a friendly blue eye at her before he stepped to the door and rapped lightly on it.
"Anybody home?" he asked, poking his head around the corner of the wooden barrier.
"Daniel, where the bloody hell have you been? I was beginning to think I didn’t have a partner anymore.” The slightly bald, somewhat plump man pushed his way out of his chair and headed toward the man.
"I've been staying out at the Turner place, remember?" Daniel reminded the man gently, shaking his hand. “I've been trying to help out the family."
"I guess it’s true; when one life ends another begins,” Harold smiled and blushed at the disapproving frown his friend offered him. “Margie had the baby two days ago," he said in explanation. The new father’s enthusiasm echoed in his voice and showed proudly on his face as he handed Daniel a cigar from his vest pocket.
"That's great, what is it?" Daniel took the cigar and shook the man's hand again, before sitting in one of the two chairs facing Harold's desk.
"A boy and he's as cute as his old man, but he has a little more hair than I do.”
“How’s the mama?”
“She’s perfect, already out of bed. She can’t wait to start showing him off. Oh yeah, before I forget, we want you to be the boy's godfather, how about it?"
"I’d be honored, just let me know where and when and I’ll be there."
"So," Harold said, returning to his chair behind the large oak desk. "How’s the Turner family holding up?"
"Alright I suppose, under the circumstances. Louise wants the will read this evening if you can arrange it."
"What's wrong?" the older man asked, his honey brown eyes examining his friend and business associate closely. "I don't think I've ever seen you so...professional before."
"Meaning what? You think I don't do my job?" Daniel knew his friend was only teasing and decided to dwell on it for a while longer.
"I never said you didn't do your job and you very well know it. It's just that you seem different somehow." The man's voice took on a serious tone. "You're not thinking about your father are you?"
Daniel knew he couldn't go through a funeral without reminiscing on his own tragic loss. That was the one reason he avoided funerals at all expense. This one would have been the same if it hadn't been for Julia. He knew how hard it would be for her to bury her father and he wanted to be with her, to offer her comfort and support and perhaps get a little in return. The thought of the young woman brought a rise in his temperature, but the image of her laying on the floor of the family room with blood running down her face, her eyes closed in oblivion brought a slight frown to his handsome features.
"It’s rather a moot point,” he answered softly, trying to avoid his friend’s eyes. “I often wonder where I’d be now if he hadn’t died and Uncle William hadn’t taken over the family business. It's rather impossible to see a cemetery and not feel a little remorse, but that's not what's bothering me."
"Then what is it? Are you in some kind of trouble?" Harold’s voice sounded serious and filled with concern for his friend's safety.
"No, I'm fine. It has to do with Turner's daughter, Julia. Yesterday during the wake she was attacked."
"Attacked? How? Is she alright?"
"She has a concussion and a laceration on the head, nothing too serious, but it will keep her down for a couple of days."
"What's the doctor say about it?"
"The official report is she had a bad a fall, but I'm not convinced of it. I don't really know too much about what happened yesterday, but I tend to believe Julia knows more than she's letting on. I'm going back out to the ranch this afternoon and see what I can do to get her to open up. There were an awful lot of people there yesterday and about a dozen or more new servants helping out. I'm hoping somebody saw something can explain what happened. There’s something else. When I found her, there was a pillow beside her with blood on it. I thought she was dead, she was barely breathing."
"Do you think someone tried to kill her?”
“Yes,” Daniel nodded. “But I don’t know why or who. As far as I know, she has no enemies. Louise said she was very popular when she lived here, so I can’t seem to think of any reason someone would want to harm her.” The room fell silent of a moment as Harold studied his friend’s face.
“Daniel, I have to ask. Is this girl special to you somehow? I mea
n, are you involved with her?"
"Not the way you think," he said, feeling the color rise to his cheeks. "I promised Victor I'd keep an eye on her and help out if she needed me."
"In other words, you haven't gotten her as far as the bedroom yet, right?" The joyous chuckle of the man's deep tone brought a smile to Daniel's lips.
"Hey, you make me sound like a rogue."
"Is she cute?"
"She's gorgeous," he admitted, with a chuckle.
"You old dog; I knew there was more to it than professional courtesy."
"I just don't know how much she'll want me around once she hears the old man's will."
"There really isn't much she can do about it, Daniel. You know as well as I do, Victor made out his will the way he did in order to protect his family and to make certain his land is safe. That boy of his sure as hell isn't going to be much help, from what I understand."
"Don't be too hard on Jeremy," Daniel warned, gently. "I've met the boy and he's not as bad as Victor made him out to be. I don't know what went on between the two of them, but he's got more going for him than his father gave him credit."
"Enough to take over Turner Stables?" Harold's question brought a frown to Daniel's dark brows. He had asked himself that same question the first time he met Jeremy, and he still didn't know the answer.
"I honestly can't say. I don't know him that well, but I do know Julia. It's not going to be easy trying to make her accept her father's conditions. I only hope she gets over her anger quick enough to see reason. I know she's going to blame me for all of this."
"She sounds like a real winner, pal," Harold criticized, shifting in his seat unconsciously.
"She's stubborn and demanding and very hot headed, but I don't think she's unreasonable. It's just hard to make her see reality when she gets her emotions involved."
"Are her emotions involved, Daniel?" his frown returned as he considered his friend's question.
Daniel had hoped to bring Julia around, to have a little more time with her, to get to know her better and perhaps help persuade her not to reject her father's decision before he died, but fate hadn't been on his side. He never wanted Victor to make out his will the way he had - although he knew only a small portion of what was planned, but he couldn't prevent the man from doing what he would with his own land. Now he could only hope he could stand up against Julia when the time came and bring about a different set of emotions than the ones he knew would follow the reading of her father’s will. Somehow, he had to make her understand he was as much against this whole thing as she soon would be.