by Dee Jones
"Good God Julia!" Margie snapped, grabbing her friend by the arm. "Just look at you. You look like a common street rat. What on earth are you doing here? Does Daniel know you're down here working in your condition?" Julia quickly silenced the woman, placing a dirty, smelly hand across her mouth.
"Shhh," she scolded, looking around for any uninvited ears. "Let's go to the house." They walked up the path toward the house, Margie spitting and wiping the dirt and sweaty smell from her lips with a lace handkerchief. Julia couldn't help but smile; this wasn't the sort of life Margie would ever be able to accept.
"Now, tell me; why all the secrecy?" Margie insisted, looking back to make certain they were alone. Julia stopped short of the back door and sighed. The walk up the small incline to the main house seemed more difficult today and her legs felt as though they would buckle underneath her at any minute. She was exhausted beyond reason and in desperate need of something to drink.
"Daniel doesn't know yet and I don't want him to worry," Julia explained, slipping the biscuit from her pocket and taking a bite of it.
"Why on earth haven't you told him? He has a right to know, unless...he shouldn't, for some reason?" Margie narrowed her eyes with suspicion causing Julia to nearly choke on her mouthful of food.
"Of course he should know!" she defended herself, swallowing her biscuit before she suffocated on it. "I just don't want to give him anything more to be concerned about until the sale is over. He's been working himself into an exhaustion getting this place and those horses ready for this weekend. If I told him now, he'd worry more about me than what he was doing. I don't want anything to cause him further grief, so I've just decided to keep quiet until Sunday. By then the sales will be over and he'll be able to take some time off and relax."
"I still think he should know. It's not fair keeping this kind of news from him. I'm sure it hasn't been very easy for you either, has it?"
"Actually it hasn’t been hard at all. Fortunately Daniel's out of the room when I wake up or he'd see me puking my guts out and I’m dressed before he comes up from the stables for breakfast."
"Well surely he's noticed your weight gain. I noticed it right off. How on earth have you been able to keep that from him?"
"We've both been too tired at night to do anything more than sleep. At least that part hasn't been a problem…yet."
"I don't believe either of you. Here you have the biggest news of your lives and neither of you are willing to acknowledge it. I feel sorry for that baby, when he's born. You'll have to hire a nanny, just to keep him company."
"That's not fair Margie," Julia scolded. "Daniel and I are going to be wonderful parents. My reasons for not telling my husband about our baby is logical and completely sensible and you know it. How dare you assume we wouldn't love our child?"
"I'm sorry Julia," Margie apologized, putting a gentle hand on the woman's arm. "It's just that I want to celebrate with you and I'm told to keep my mouth shut. I've never been very good at keeping secrets."
"You have to promise me Margie, you'll keep this between us. My mother is the only other one who knows. You can't even tell Harold, if he knew he'd tell Daniel and then I'd have to contend with him learning from his best friend, instead of me. Please just trust me on this. I know I'm doing the right thing." Margie sighed, then nodded her head causing her red curls to bounce across her forehead. She agreed to keep the secret, but with a great deal of reluctance and another five minutes of arguing before they stepped into the back door of the mansion.
Margie stayed at the ranch for another hour, talking with Julia about babies and what was to be expected in the months to come. Just as she had Julia scared to death of childbirth and ready to back out of the whole deal, Daniel came up from the stables for lunch. He eyed the two women for several seconds, before shaking his head and heading into the washroom to clean up. He couldn't understand why it was when two women got together, they gossiped about everything and everyone until a man came in the room, than they acted as though nothing had happened and they hadn't spoken a single word for hours.
"Women," he grunted with a half-smile, splashing water on his dirty face. He still hadn't decided whether or not he loved them or just tolerated them. Julia on the other hand was different; he loved her for everything she was and all that she did; he even loved her temperament and stubborn attitude. The thought of all the ways he wanted to prove his love began to pound through his veins, making his breeches feel suddenly tight. He grunted again, this time for his own sake. There was too much work to be done to take a dip between those cool sheets waiting for them upstairs, though he had to mentally go through the list of events yet to be prepared for in order to keep him from carrying her up the stairs and locking her away in their bedroom for the rest of the afternoon.
With a third grunt, this time from disgust, he left the little washroom and headed back to where his wife and Margie sat talking. This was going to be one time he had to prove just how much resistance he could muster, though his restraint was quickly dissolving. As they ate their lunch of beef stew and homemade bread, Daniel thought over his plans to take her back to his flat once the sale was finished. There he planned on exploring the depth of his resistance with great pleasure, along with the device she enjoyed so much the last time they were in town.
The thoughts that echoed through his mind remained with him the remainder of the day. By the time the horses were brought in from the fields, he was sore and exhausted, but certain he could muster a bit of energy to keep his young bride awake. It had been nearly a week since they last made love and he was eager to make up for lost time.
Darkness fell across the ranch while millions of stars twinkled like gems in the clear night sky. The moon was merely a sliver and the woods surrounding the small pond were black as pitch. A rustle in the brush brought a sudden turn to the man's head; his heart pounding, his palms sweating. He didn't know if he was up to handling this tonight or not; he was beyond exhaustion and his back ached from the long hours of hard work.
"What the hell took ya so long?" he growled through the silence, as the woman's slender figure appeared out of the brush. His anger and fatigue had worn on his nerves until he could no longer control his emotions.
"I had to make sure no one saw me, didn't I?" the woman answered, slipping her arms around the man's neck and kissing him full and hard on the lips. He tasted of whiskey and smelled of sweat, but that didn't distract from the burning needs and urgent desires that raked her young frame. She slid her hand down across his chest to unfasten his belt, pulling savagely until it released. The man groaned; he knew what she wanted and the idea of how easily aroused she became, brought a heat rushing through his veins. He felt the buttons of his breeches pop open one after another until his hard erection sprung free from the thin material. He grabbed her by the shoulders, crushing her delicate flesh with his large hands as he laid her to the ground, his weight pinning her to the cool earth and soft grass growing wild and free around them.
He lifted her dress with a careless movement and smiled as the sound of material ripping filled the small confines of the swimming hole. He growled with a mixture of disgust and passion at her naked body beneath the thin fabric; like usual, she didn’t bother to put on a petticoat or knickers.
Without waiting for her reaction to the ruined material of her gown, he thrust his hard penis against her dry vagina and pushed savagely into her, smiling again as she gasped in pain. This was one time he wasn't going to worry about her pleasure. He was still angry that she had kept him waiting in the dark for nearly half an hour, determined to take all and give nothing in return. He moved against her delicate body with a primal, brutal action that brought about his release in a few moments, spilling his seed inside her as he growled against her mouth. A wicked smiled curved his lips as he pulled out of the woman, hearing her curse of frustration.
“That’s it?” she gasped as he stood and pulled his pants back up across his lax penis. “What about me?”
"
Next time, don't keep me waitin' so long 'n maybe ya'all will get somethin' in return."
"You bastard!" she snapped, straightening her torn skirt back across her legs. "I don't need you for my pleasure. I have a hundred men willing to please me."
"Don't even think 'bout findin' ‘nother bed ta share or I may just have ta send ya back where ya came from. Ya wouldn't want me ta do that, now would ya?" The woman's attempt to goad him into a jealous fit had back fired, leaving her to feel the chill of fear while she rocked like a small child on the ground.
"Please don't say that, you know how much I hate that place. The guards are so mean; they only want me for their own needs. They don't love me, not like you do. They never please me, even when I beg. They just screw me and leave me to take care of myself. I hate that, you know I do."
"Shut up already!" the man growled, his anger mounting with the woman's pitiful display of sympathy. "I didn't come out 'ere ta play nursemaid ta ya. We's have business ta take care of."
"She's back you know," the woman whispered with a soft chuckle. "I can start my rides again, can't I?"
"No. I's been waitin’ long 'nough. It's time ta end this n' bring the little bitch ta justice."
"What evil plans have you thought of this time, darling?"
"I's heard that Leonard bitch tellin' her she arranged a meetin' fer her in town t’morra. When she comes back, I want ya ta meet up with her n' bring her ta me."
“What do I tell her?”
“I’s don’t give a goddamn, just get her here or yer goin’ back where ya belong.”
“I’ll bring her, I promise, just please don’t send me back.”
“Be a good gurl, ‘n I’s ain’t got no reason ta be sendin’ ya back.”
"Can I kill her, please?" The woman's enthusiasm was mounting and she anxiously pulled her knees beneath her sitting on her legs like an eager child ready to open her presents on Christmas morning.
"No, that's my pleasure. I's waited a long time ta take care a her n' make her pay fer what she done ta me. I's damn well gonna take pleasure in watchin' her die."
"But what about the sale? Daniel will be terribly upset when he has to cancel this weekend."
"I don't give a shit 'bout the damn sale. If'n they cancel 'em, the stables will be thrown inta hard times n' possibly go bankrupt. He deserves that fer the way he's embarrassed me in fronta my pa."
"I didn't know you wanted to hurt Daniel too. I don't think I like that very much."
"What diff’rence does it make? Ya won't be 'round 'ere ta pick up the pieces anyhows. If'n ya don't do 'zactly what I's tell ya, I's make certain the sheriff knows everythin' 'bout ya n' they'll take ya back ta New York n' lock ya away ferever." The woman gasped with fear of being returned to what she felt was the pit of hell itself.
He enjoyed that, being in control of her; making her fear him. The heat of his power over her burned to life inside his loins, causing his manhood to awaken again.
"I'll do it baby, please don't take me back, please? I'll do anything; just don't take me back there."
"Quit yer damn blubberin', ya make me sick. Yer gonna do 'zactly what I says n' yer damn well gonna enjoy it, understand?"
"Oh yes baby, yes. I'll do anything...everything, I promise."
"Just meet her t’morra when she returns n' bring her ta me. I's gonna take care a the rest."
"I'll bring her right to you, nowhere else. I swear it, I do."
"’Nough! I’s ain’t in the mood fer no more a yer damn noise. Now git over her; ya know what I’s wantin’, n' this time ya take it all or yer gonna be sorry." The man growled at the whimpering female, thrilled with his control over her as he popped the buttons to his breeches open again. She scooted across the dirt to where he stood waiting, reaching in through the opening of his pants and pulling out his engorged penis. She kissed the tip repeatedly before running her tongue along the length, the obeyed him and took the full length into her mouth.
The man groaned deeply, savagely, winding the fingers of his right hand in her hair pulling her closer to his exposed body as his left hand slipped into the depth of his pocket. He smiled a wicked grin as he pulled the small satin and lace garter out for his inspection, running his dirty fingers across the delicate material. His plans and schemes had proven successful and Browning Estates had suffered a series of financial setbacks, but things were going to get worse for Fancy Breeches and Miss Perky Tits. He was going to have his final revenge at last; he would make certain that little bitch suffered the same fate his precious Heather had endured - suffer and die in the cold depths of hell, and this time her husband wouldn't be there to help her.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The ride into Mayfield was relaxing as the sun warmed and soothed Julia's sore muscles. So many hours had been spent cooped up in the barn, that she was certain she had missed at least a good year’s worth of living. Things had progressed so rapidly at the ranch it was near impossible to tell one day from the next. If it hadn't been for Margie and Louise, Julia wouldn't have remembered her appointment with Dr. Stewart this morning.
She managed to convince Daniel into believing that she promised to visit Margie and the children, and take them some of Mrs. Lester’s bread. She insisted that she needed some time off from all the work and wanted to visit her new friend before the chaos surrounding the sale would take control of their lives. He agreed that she needed a break and agreed that some time away from the ranch might do her good, though he wasn’t happy about her leaving alone.
Her head fell back against the back of the leather upholstered seat and her eyes closed, allowing the morning sun to warm her face. It had taken every bit of fight she had left in her, to talk Daniel into allowing her to leave the ranch without an escort. She had to point out more than a dozen times, all the hands had too much work to play nursemaid to her, and she had to go regardless of his feelings on the matter. Julia even refused her mother's offer to accompany her - much to Daniel's objections.
So many buyers were expected to stay at the stables and preparations had to be made for their comfort and convenience. The truth was, she didn't want anyone around her today who might slip and tell Daniel where she had been and that included Louise. Since learning her daughter's secret, it was proving difficult for her mother to hold the news and allow Julia time to tell Daniel in her own way. Patience was quickly proving to be an unwanted visitor at Browning Estates these days.
Julia straightened back up in her seat as the horse drew around the last curve in the road. She was anxious to learn how far along her pregnancy actually was, yet frightened to know just how much time was left. Margie filled her head with horror stories of labor and childbirth, two facts she had never considered when thinking about having a baby. Julia had helped her aunt Lena with the birth of little Lucy, but that was her aunt's third child and labor was considerably easier and quicker than with the first.
Mayfield streets were busier than normal, with so many visiting breeders heading in for the annual sale. Extra carriages had been hired from Graves County and the hotel was so overwhelmed with guests that many of the privately owned homes were taking in boarders for the added money. Julia waved to several of the passersby, recognizing them as faithful customers of her late father's, while looking at the many unfamiliar faces with interest.
There were three other ranches in the area also breeding thoroughbreds, so it wasn't likely she would see all of the buyers who had come to Kentucky with the intent to purchase, whether for breeding purposes or racing intentions. Those she did know however, she was certain she would see this weekend. Turner Stables had the finest reputation for quality horseflesh than any other breeder in this part of the country. A reputation her father had prided himself on and made certain everyone within two hundred miles knew of his horses. A reputation Daniel was quickly becoming known for himself.
Julia stopped her small carriage in front of Margie's house and climbed down from the seat as her red-headed friend opened the door waving with enth
usiasm at the woman.
"I thought you'd never get here. I was expecting you hours ago," Margie complained as she hugged Julia.
"I thought you said I was to see Dr. Stewart at one thirty? It's only half past one now," Julia was quick to point out.
"But I assumed you'd want to take in a few shops first. You're going to need new clothes you know. You can't wear those tight things for long and if I know our good doctor as well as I think I do, he's going to tell you to let out those expensive seams."
"I'll worry about all of that later, right now I just want to get this thing over with and get home. There's still a lot of work to do before the buyers start arriving tomorrow night."
"Good heavens, you're not actually going to work more today, are you? Why, just look at these hands," Margie scolded, pulling Julia's hands up to reveal the many callouses splattered across her palms. "How can Daniel stand to be touched with all these rough spots?"
"He hasn't complained so far," Julia teased with a blush, pulling free of the other woman’s grip.
"I'm sure he's just been too preoccupied to notice. And look at your face, why you're as brown as a dry piece of leather. If you don't slow down and start paying a little more attention to your looks, you'll have a face full of wrinkles before you're twenty-five."
"I'm sure you're exaggerating, but I promise, starting this Sunday I'll stay completely away from the stables. I might even indulge in taking naps during the day."
"Well you'd better. Heaven's sake, how you can keep going at this rate is beyond me." Julia smiled at her friend's concern and climbed back into the carriage beside her, pulling the horses back out onto the road that led to Dr. Stewart’s office. Margie had insisted on going with her in case anyone became suspicious or curious. They would think it was Margie in for a checkup rather than Julia.