When his lips brushed her navel, Hester groaned in the half lit silence. He repeated the delicate gesture against the small whorl, then grazed his hand over the soft, dark garden of her woman's hair. Hester reached out to touch him, wanting to give back some of the fire he'd stoked within her, but he brought her hands to his lips, saying, "Just lie back, petite. Tonight, it will all be for you..."
And he kept his word. Every caress brought a leap of fire. Every touch made her soar. His hands moving up and down her thighs made them part with erotic innocence. He accepted her invitation and slid his fingers over the damp offering.
"Oh..." she whispered.
He leaned down and kissed her mouth. "Oh, what...?"
But she couldn't speak. His hands were too knowing, the licks against her navel too exciting. When he parted her wantonly then kissed her heatedly, her hips came up off the bed.
He gently brought her back. "Don't run away yet petite...the fun's just beginning..."
Her virgin body was no match for his tender expertise. Hester wanted to be touched by his powerful magic. The need for completion tore through her like a white-hot bolt of lightning, until she exploded in the age-old bearing of passion.
He brought her back to herself with kisses and touches which left her shimmering like stars. She finally opened her eyes and looked up at the man smiling down. "You are a very proper lover indeed, Galen Vachon."
"My pleasure, La Indigo. Now...are you ready...?"
She nodded. Unable to resist, she ran her hand over the strength in his golden arm. How would she learn to live without him?
But her thoughts soon faded. It began again, the passionate touches, the dallying kisses, the heat. She moaned and twisted in response as he whispered words of love in French, and promised her pleasure in Cuban Castilian. While the strokes of his long-boned fingers teased her into the rhythm of desire, his lips once again teased her breasts in sweet, fevered counterpoint.
To ready her for his possession, Galen slid a finger into her virgin cove. She tightened around him and he shuddered. His own pleasure was put off a moment so he could enjoy the sight of her. He eased his fingers out once more, touching, circling. Then, while she lay, dazed, pulsing, and keening softly, he eased his manhood into her damp heat.
Hester stiffened.
"We'll go slow," he promised grazing his mouth across her lips. "It will hurt just once."
And it did. So much so, tears filled her eyes. He kissed them away, soothing her, trying not to add more pain. For a moment he held there until he felt her relax a bit around him. When she did, he began to stroke her with the gentlest strokes he could manage, forcing himself to maintain a slow pace. Only after he felt certain she would enjoy their lovemaking did he let himself begin again in earnest.
As the pain began to subside, Hester's body began to respond. Soon his strokes became more rhythmic, more enticing. Soon she was once again being heated from within. The rhythm increased, becoming possessive, deeper. She let her body have its head, let it be taught the ways of man and woman, and when the lesson ended in another bolt of heat, Hester screamed his name.
Galen couldn't hold himself back any longer. He knew he should withdraw so as not to compromise her future, but she felt so good around him, so tight, just the thought hurled him into an uncontrollable, shattering release. The world exploded, his hands gripped her hips, and he filled the silence with the sound of his golden roar.
At dawn, Hester lay in the bed watching the soft light fill the room while Galen slept unawares beside her. Her thoughts drifted back to last night. Never in her life had she dreamed such pleasure possible. She now understood the erotic lure of passion. Under Galen's tender tutelage, she'd fully unleashed the woman inside, but that woman now lay smothered beneath the weight of reality.
She and Galen could never be married. If he were truly a member of the elite he could not publicly claim an ex-slave woman with indigo hands as his wife. Any relationship they shared could not advance beyond the role of protector and mistress, and Hester had too much respect for herself to be relegated to such a life. She didn't regret the moments spent with Galen; the memories would linger to the grave, but now that she'd been gifted with the knowledge of passion and desire, would her work on the Road and with the church be enough to compensate for waking up alone, once he left her life?
She had no idea he was awake until she heard him say quietly, "You know you'll have to marry me now."
Silence.
Galen reached over and stroked her cheek. "No reply?"
Hester's eyes closed from the sweetness flowing from his touch.
"Say, yes, petite."
Hester hesitated a moment, then whispered, "I can't, Galen."
Galen Vachon had never been turned down by a woman before in his life, and he didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh. "Why won't you marry me?"
"Your family will not be pleased to have me as your wife."
"My family doesn't matter."
"It does to me," she confessed softly.
He scooted closer so he could pull her into the shelter of his arms. She felt the kiss he placed atop her hair and savored the warmth and safe feelings that flowed from being held close. "Galen, last night I experienced the most powerful emotions I've ever known."
"Ma coeur, what you gave me last night was a gift for a husband. I want you to be my wife."
"But for how long? Look at my hands. Are these the hands you want presiding over your household? Are these the hands you want presented to your friends and family?"
"Yes."
"I don't believe you," she said softly.
"Believe that I don't dally with virgins and then turn my back on them."
"See, Galen, for you it's duty."
"That isn't what I meant."
The air had become heated with tension. Hester sought to soothe the waters. "Let's not argue, please?"
She placed her palm against his tightened jaw and he covered her hand with his own. "Agreed."
Her eyes were serious as she met his. "Thank you for last night."
He turned her palm and kissed the center. "It is you who's owed thanks."
She could sense herself succumbing. "I—should get home."
Galen didn't want her to ever leave his side. "You will be marrying me, petite."
Hester slowly slid from the bed and began a search for her cape. She refused to dwell on his last statement because she saw no future in it.
His voice came to her soft as the light in the room. "Did you hear me?"
She slipped back into her blouse. "I heard you."
"What if there's a child?"
She stared, confused.
"What we did last night could result in a child."
The reality of that statement made her pause. Granted, she knew coupling sometimes produced babies, but..."Surely, that one time—"
"Sometimes, once is all it takes."
"Are you certain?"
He nodded.
Hester was overwhelmed by this information, but she refused to dwell on it. She finished dressing.
"So what if there is a child?"
She faced him and replied honestly, "I don't know."
"If you wait a moment, I'll see you home."
She shook her head. "No."
Galen wanted to drag her into his arms and soothe her fears and worries, but he knew how proud she was. He also knew that if last night's lovemaking did result in a child, all her excuses for not wanting to marry would be moot. He'd make her marry him, and seek her forgiveness afterwards.
"Will you have dinner here with me tonight?"
Hester could only shake her head no. "I must go."
"Petite—"
"Goodbye, Galen."
She slipped from the room and was gone.
Back home, Hester took the time to wash away the remnants of the night's lovemaking, then changed clothes and headed over to see Bea Meldrum.
Bea met her at the door. "Come on in. What brings you o
ut on such a gray morning?"
Hester took a seat at Bea's kitchen table and said, "Bea, I want to know about woman things."
Bea looked over her coffee cup at Hester. "What type of woman things?"
"Coupling, babies—those kinds of woman things. Aunt Katherine's upbringing has left me dreadfully ignorant."
Bea cocked her head at Hester a moment, but complied. For the balance of the morning, Hester asked questions and Bea answered. Some of Bea's explanations were so blunt, they made heat fan Hester's cheeks, but in the end, Hester had a firmer knowledge of the things she needed to know.
Chapter 16
Hester was surprised to find Foster at her door early the next morning. He appeared to be quite upset.
"Has something happened?" she asked as he came in.
"Where were you last evening?" he asked pointedly.
"Excuse me?"
"I came by last evening to talk to you. You weren't here."
Hester did not feel bound to inform him of her whereabouts so she asked instead, "What did you wish to discuss?"
He asked bluntly, "Did you and Vachon threaten Jenine?"
Hester stilled. "What?"
"She says she caught you two fornicating in the school and you threatened to harm her if she told anyone."
"She said what?!"
"You heard me," he snapped angrily. "Hester, how could you let Vachon turn you into a whore?"
Hester's eyes widened. "Foster—"
"Hester, Janine doesn't have a mean bone in her body. The two of you have her absolutely terrified."
"Did she say why Galen threatened her?"
"I already told you. Because you didn't want anyone to know about your illicit acts."
"That isn't the truth."
"Why would she lie?"
Hester held onto her patience and replied, "I don't know, Foster, why would Jenine lie?"
"So, now you are calling my wife a liar?"
"I haven't called her anything, Foster, at least not yet."
He took offense. "And to think I was going to marry you."
"Makes one shudder, doesn't it?"
"You stand there and mock me? I thought we were friends."
"So did I Foster, but now, I want you to leave."
"Hester, I will not let you slander my Jenine."
"Out of my house, Foster. Now!"
He stormed to the door. "This is not the end, Hester Wyatt."
"I'm sure you're right."
She slammed her door so hard the china shook inside the highboys.
The day got even stranger as Hester went into Ypsilanti. She walked into Kate Bell's boarding house to purchase the latest copy of the Liberator only to have the women inside surround her excitedly.
Olympia asked, "Hester is it true you and Vachon are to be married?"
Kate called out from behind a customer's head. "It's always the quiet ones you have to watch. Congratulations, Hester. He's a fine-looking man!"
Hester found herself inundated with questions concerning wedding dates, wedding dresses, and offers to cater the affair. One woman even volunteered her daughter as the ceremony's soloist. Hester wanted to laugh at all the uproar but she was too appalled. "Quiet!" she shouted.
Everyone froze.
Hester said, "Thank you. Galen Vachon and I are not marrying as far as I know. Who says I am?"
"Viola Welsh," someone confessed weakly.
"Viola Welsh?" Hester exclaimed. "Everyone in here knows that woman can't be trusted. Who'd she hear this from, did she say?"
No one knew.
"But we saw Vachon watching you the night of the party!"
A chorus of female voices supported that position.
"That doesn't mean we are going to marry."
"If he looked at me in that fashion I'd marry him before the sun set," someone piped up.
Laughter rang out, followed by another chorus of agreement.
Hester shook her head.
Kate said with disappointment, "We thought you were going to give us something to talk about all summer, Hester. Guess not, huh?"
"Nope, Kate, sorry."
A chorus of groans went up.
Hester laughed, purchased her paper, and left.
But by the time Hester returned to her home late that afternoon, she found no humor in the visit she'd received from Foster. Did he actually believe she would let anyone turn her into a whore? Galen had never treated her with anything other than tender respect. If he were ever to trample on her dignity she doubted she would ever see him again. Yet, Foster apparently believed his wife's falsehoods just as Galen predicted. And how did Viola Welsh enter into this? The gossip lacked the viciousness which might point to Jenine as Viola's original source. So who had it been? Foster? She doubted that too. He and Viola had never gotten along. She tossed the problem over in her mind again and again but came away with nothing except these facts: Foster had termed her Galen's whore and her neighbors were hoping she'd become his wife.
Bea stopped by that evening to bring over some eggs and to share a few words of advice. "You've heard the rumors about you and Vachon?"
Hester replied sarcastically. "Which rumor? The one which claims I'm a whore, or the one which claims I'm to marry?"
"So you have heard them?"
"Yes."
Bea asked, "Is Vachon the reason you had all the questions the other morning?"
Hester nodded tightly.
Bea sighed. "Hester I've known you since you first came north and now with Katherine gone I feel responsible for you. I hope you haven't set your cap for Vachon. A man like him doesn't marry women like you and me."
Hester didn't tell Bea that she harbored the same feelings. "I know, Bea. I'm not foolish enough to chase smoke."
Bea smiled. "Good girl. Now don't let the gossips worry you. It will all die down soon enough."
As Bea headed out to her wagon, Hester wanted to stop her to talk about Lem, but decided she wouldn't; there was already enough intrigue swirling around Whittaker. Hester didn't want to add to it.
The following day, Andre Renaud stopped by to deliver a note from his employer. Galen wrote that he was leaving town on Black Daniel business and would return in a few days. He signed it Love, Galen.
That he had taken the time to write her of his plans made her heart sing, however, she began to miss him almost immediately.
Three days passed without further word. She did not know he had returned until Raymond LeVeq knocked at her door one morning.
The sight of LeVeq made Hester wonder if something had happened to Galen. "Is he hurt?"
Raymond chuckled, "No, I've come to take you to him. Maxi won't let him leave the house."
"Why not, is he ill?"
"No, he's angry."
"At whom? Not me, I hope."
"No, never you. Foster Quint."
Hester sighed. "What has Foster done now?"
"I'll leave that for Galeno to explain. Come, we must hurry before the dragon's fiery roar burns down the house."
It seemed Foster had confronted Galen about the alleged threats against Jenine. Galen tried to calm Foster down, but when Foster refused to see reason, Galen had not minced words. He told Foster just why he'd threatened Jenine and who had really been fornicating in the schoolhouse. Foster became so outraged he demanded satisfaction and instructed Galen to call his seconds. Galen, of course, laughed, which only enraged Foster more, but when Foster began to accuse Galen of dragging Hester's reputation into the street, and vowing to tell the whole county about the scandalous goings on, Galen had Raymond put him out before he became violent.
Hester, sitting in Galen's study hearing this, asked, "Foster challenged you to a duel?"
"Yes, he did. Does he know I could kill him with my eyes blindfolded? I will not let anyone brand you a whore and live. Marry me, Hester."
For a moment she almost said yes, but then she remembered the talk she'd had with Bea, and Bea's voice echoed in her head ...Men like him don't marry
women like you and me...
Hester slowly shook her head.
Galen told her. "You are carrying my child—"
"You don't know that for sure."
Galen held onto his temper. "You are the contrariest woman I have ever met, Hester Wyatt. I will not have my child raised without a father."
"What if I marry you and there is no child? What then? What happens when you are bound for life to a purple-handed ex-slave woman you can't even present in public?"
"Would you stop using that as an excuse? You're afraid, Hester. Afraid that loving me is going to turn you into a woman who won't know her own mind."
She looked away, but he kept on, "You're afraid you're going to end up like your father, but think how deeply your father must have loved your mother to give over his very existence. He loved her enough not to care that he had no freedom. Loved her enough to turn his back on the world and all he owned. That took strength, Hester Wyatt, a strength you'll never know, all because you're afraid to trust your heart."
Hester raised her chin but said nothing.
"This is how much I love you, Indigo. By next week this time, you are going to be my wife, whether you care to be or not."
"You can't force me to marry you Galen."
Galen didn't argue. "Will you be in church on Sunday?"
She nodded.
"Good. So will I."
Hester stood. His eyes were sparkling with a determination that made her weak.
"You will be mine..." he whispered. "And the saints help us both."
That night, Hester lay in bed wondering how on earth Galen planned on gaining her hand. She could not fathom how he would accomplish it without her consent, but the prospects that he might indeed get his way made her toss and turn all night. In the morning, she awakened restless, tired, and still unable to glean Galen's scheme.
At church on Sunday, two days later, Hester parked her mule and wagon in the field amongst the vehicles and animals of the other parishioners. She noticed that some folks who usually greeted her with a smile and a friendly wave purposefully avoided her eyes. She could only assume that Foster had carried through with his threats. Stung by the cuts, she swallowed the humiliation and went on as if she hadn't been affected.
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