Midnight Marriage

by Victoria Bylin

  When Rafe moved a checker without thinking, Nick jumped five of his men. “King me!”

  That did it. King Henry had better watch out, because Rafe wasn’t about to let Susanna spend the night dancing with a man who didn’t appreciate her. If he put on his best clothes, he’d blend in with the crowd. And if he cut his hair, he’d be even harder to recognize. He looked across the board at Nick. “How are you doing on those crutches?”

  “Pretty good. I can move around the apartment now.” Nick looked up. “Why are you asking?

  “I have to go somewhere, but I don’t like leaving you alone.”

  “Heck, I lived alone for a whole month.” The boy’s eyes lit up. “You’re going to rescue Dr. Sue, aren’t you?”

  “That’s right, kid. She deserves a good time, and I’m going to give it to her.”

  After a single polka, Tim escorted Susanna to the sidelines and offered her a cup of punch. She accepted it with a smile, but it was Rafe’s face that shimmered in her memory, along with his advice to Emily.

  If he offers you a cup of punch, you can dance with him again.

  Only Susanna had no desire for another turn on the dance floor with Tim. He was a competent dancer, but he didn’t enjoy it like Rafe did. As hard as she tried, Susanna couldn’t shake the memory of their dance in the meadow and the knowledge that he moved as she did. The rhythm of that waltz had soaked into her body and touched her soul, taking her to the edge of the mystery of a man and woman moving in perfect time.

  “Susanna?” Tim’s voice broke into her thoughts. “This is Charles Logan. He’s my neighbor to the east.”

  Susanna offered her hand and realized that she’d broken a rule. Women didn’t normally shake hands, but she had insisted on that equality at Johns Hopkins.

  Looking surprised, Charles Logan shook and introduced her to his sister, a woman named Eleanor who was about Susanna’s age. Small talk revealed that the woman had come from Ohio and would be keeping house for her brother. When Susanna mentioned she was a doctor, Eleanor raised her eyebrows.

  “Isn’t that disturbing work for a woman?”

  “Not at all,” Susanna replied.

  “But it’s so unladylike.”

  “Perhaps, but I like helping people.” Having endured this conversation before, Susanna met the woman’s critical appraisal. “I’m also in favor of women’s suffrage and changing divorce laws. Have you read anything by Susan B. Anthony?”

  “No, I certainly haven’t.” Eleanor offered a faint smile, then turned to the men and pretended to be fascinated by a discussion of cattle prices.

  Susanna wanted to plead a headache and leave, but it was too soon. Instead she excused herself from Tim and looked for Emily. She spotted the girl looking lovely and excited as she sipped punch with Clint Morgan. When they left to dance, Susanna ambled to the refreshment table. She was about to help herself to a chocolate biscuit when the orchestra struck the first notes of “The Blue Danube.”

  The music spread through her veins, bringing with it a sense of Rafe. She could smell his skin and hear the rhythm of his breath. With that awareness came the sense of a man standing behind her. The bay rum belonged to Rafe but not the soap. And yet it was familiar…a mix of lilac and witch hazel, like the brand her mother kept in the parsonage.

  Before she could look, Rafe’s deep voice reached her ear. “Good evening, Dr. Leaf.”

  With chills shimmering down her spine, she turned and studied the stranger behind her. The blue eyes belonged to Rafe, but everything else about him was brand-new. Instead of denim, he was wearing a black suit with an ascot tie that made him both sophisticated and rakish. Even more eye-catching was his hair. He’d cut it short and combed it away from his face. The new cut showed off his fine cheek bones and the warmth of his smile.

  He held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

  Yes…Yes…Yes…

  But Susanna felt a flutter of warning. She could say no to the bounty hunter who made rude propositions, but this man had the power to break her will. Not because he was poised and polished—she wasn’t fooled by his fancy clothes. What made her blood race was the knowledge that he’d cut his hair for her. Why was he taking this chance? What did he want? She didn’t know, but she could guess, mostly because she couldn’t look at him without thinking of forbidden things. She’d have to be crazy or stupid to dance with this man. She wasn’t stupid, but crazy was another matter.

  Rafe took her hand and kissed the top of it. “Say yes, Susanna.”

  When his eyes found hers, she saw a mix of challenge and mirth. He’d enjoyed surprising her. Another shiver ran down her spine and into her toes. The night was alive and full of possibilities. Maybe she’d offer a surprise of her own. Or maybe not. She didn’t know what she wanted, so she smiled at him. “It’s ‘The Blue Danube.’”

  His voice turned husky. “It’s for us.”

  As Susanna stepped forward, Rafe swept her onto the dance floor and into the music. Her blood thrummed with the rhythm and pleasure of matching his steps. With each turn he pulled her closer until his arm was around her waist and her skirt was tangling with the wool of his trousers. Even with their straight-backed posture, she felt as if they were molded together. Yet the distance between them was perfectly respectable.

  Rafe brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

  Heat raced to Susanna’s cheeks. “And what have you imagined?”

  A low hum had spilled from his throat. “Since I’m being a gentleman tonight, I won’t answer that.”

  They should have been on familiar ground—the place where Rafe pushed and she said no—but this man was a stranger. Needing answers, she tipped her face up to his. “You bear a striking resemblance to a bounty hunter I once met.”

  His eyes burned into hers. “I know him well.”

  “Is he a friend of yours?”

  “More like a distant cousin.”

  “Tell me more.”

  A wry smile curled his lips. “He’s a dangerous man, Dr. Leaf. You should keep your distance.”

  Susanna shook her head. “The man I know has a good heart. He’s not nearly as tough as he wants me to think.”

  Refusing to look away, Susanna waited for Rafe to reply. Slowly she became aware of his hand on her back, sliding from a respectable position on her waist to the bottom of her corset and finally to the upper curve of her bottom. The heat of him passed through the silk and into her skin.

  Desire filled his eyes. “Do you still think LaCroix’s harmless?”

  “Absolutely.”

  But she had lied. Desire was slithering around her hips and up through her chest. It traveled higher still to her imagination—the most dangerous place of all. She blinked and saw them together in her bedroom. She inhaled and felt Rafe breathing with her.

  Challenging her with his eyes, he pulled her an inch closer. His touch was commanding, even possessive, and she flushed in his arms.

  A night with Rafe…mysteries revealed.

  Susanna knew what she wanted—flowers and courtship, a gold band—but what if love wasn’t in her future? What if tonight was her only chance to cross that line?

  With the music rising and Rafe’s eyes on hers, Susanna weighed the risks. She’d been born because of a night of passion and her parents had paid for that choice. But Susanna knew her body and how to avoid conception. Her monthly was due in two days. As far as a woman could be certain, this was a safe time of the month.

  Shaking inside, she raised her fingers to the nape of his neck and caressed the strip of warm skin between his collar and hairline. When his muscles tensed, she smiled and stroked him again.

  Rafe’s eyes burned into hers. “I’ve been having dreams.”

  Me, too.

  But she couldn’t find her voice. So much was at stake. If she let Rafe take her to bed, she’d never be the same. But wasn’t that the point? She was tired of being curious. She wanted to experience passion
for herself. But she also wanted forever and not just a night. As the waltz came to an end, the violinist held a high note until it quivered to silence. All around them couples were linking arms. Some were strolling to the sidelines, while others gazed at each other in anticipation of another dance, a kiss, maybe a lifetime together.

  Susanna pushed back a swell of envy and faced a simple truth. She was tired of being naive and sick of being alone. Knowing she couldn’t go back, she reached for Rafe’s hand and said, “Take me home.”

  Unless Rafe had lost his knack for reading women, “Take me home” had meant “Take me to bed.” He wasn’t sure what to make of Susanna’s request. He’d come tonight with the best of intentions—to rescue her from Duke and protect her from a pack of wolves. Instead she was flirting with the biggest wolf of all.

  He should have been eager to whisk her out the door, but he’d come to waltz with her and treat her right. A few more turns around the dance floor wouldn’t hurt at all. In fact, dancing close would make the rest of the night even better. As the orchestra began to play, he smiled at her. “I like dancing with you. Let’s stay a bit longer.”

  She shook her head. “I want to leave right now.”

  Rafe didn’t understand the hurry, unless it had something to do with Duke. Cold fury settled into his belly. “Did Duke do something? Did he—”

  “Not at all,” she insisted. “I just want to leave. I’ll make an excuse to Tim and meet you outside.”

  Who was Rafe to argue with a lady? Besides, every minute he spent at the dance brought him closer to being recognized. “I’ll wait by the door.”

  “I’ll be there in two minutes.”

  The promise in her voice gave him ideas, but Rafe couldn’t shake the sense that something was wrong. She was in too much of a hurry—like a person mustering the courage to jump off a cliff.

  When the orchestra struck up a reel, Rafe guided her into the crowd where he spotted Duke approaching them with his youngest daughter in tow.

  After a snide glance at Rafe, he spoke to Susanna. “We have to go. Bonnie’s not feeling well.”

  Susanna put her palm on the child’s forehead. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “Noth—”

  “She ate too much candy,” Duke said. “I’m taking her to my sister’s house. Sorry to cut things short, but I have to take you home.”

  Over Rafe’s dead body. Using his best manners, he addressed Duke. “If Dr. Leaf agrees, I’d be glad to look out for her.”

  “This conversation isn’t necessary, “Susanna said archly. “I can take care of myself.”

  “I can’t allow it,” Duke insisted.

  Rafe wanted to throttle the man, but it wasn’t his place. Instead he glanced at Susanna whose eyes had filled with pity. “I’m sorry, Tim. I encouraged you, but tonight was a mistake.”

  Duke huffed through his nose. “You’re right about that. You’re too uppity by half.”

  “Hold it right there.” Rafe’s voice was a growl. “You owe Dr. Leaf an apology.”

  Duke saw Rafe’s fury and relaxed his stance. “I’m sorry, Susanna. That was uncalled-for.”

  “Apology accepted,” she answered. “I hope we can be friends.”

  After a grunt, the rancher muttered, “I guess.” Then he lifted Bonnie and headed for the door.

  Rafe turned to Susanna and took her hand. “Do you still want to leave?”

  “More than ever.”

  So did Rafe. The argument with Duke had drawn a handful of curious spectators, mostly biddies with nothing better to do. Gossip was the last thing he needed. Nor did he want Susanna to be the focus of worthless talk.

  He held out his arm. “Let’s go.”

  She took it and followed him to the cloakroom where he tipped the clerk and then helped her with the shawl. The back door was closest, so they slipped outside and walked through an alley to the main street. As soon as they reached the boardwalk, Susanna picked up her pace.

  Rafe figured she was either eager to be alone or freezing to death. He wasn’t in the mood to hurry, so he clasped her elbow and slowed her to a halt in front of a dress shop. The black glass caught their reflections as she pivoted and faced him with her chin tilted up and her eyes ablaze. He could see the creases at the corners of her mouth, the powder she’d put on her nose and a faint sheen on her lips because she had just licked them. Wanting to make the night last, he shrugged out of his coat and held it for her. “Put this on.”

  Smiling at him, she slipped the shawl off and put her arms through the sleeves. When she straightened the jacket, her dress pulled tight across her breasts, revealing their fullness and the cleft between them. Rafe took the shawl from her hand and draped it around her neck, freeing her hand so he could hold it. She looked beautiful and eager, but he couldn’t forget the expression he’d seen in her eyes at the dance. He wasn’t sure what she needed tonight, but he was determined to give it to her. “Let’s slow down,” he said.

  When she nodded, he put his arm around her waist and tucked her against his ribs. Side by side, they walked past storefronts until they reached the front of her office. A cloud shifted over the moon, turning the night even darker. When Rafe squeezed her hand, she squeezed back—a silent acknowledgment that she wanted more than a kiss good-night.

  So did Rafe. Not once in his life had he said no to a woman and he didn’t want to start tonight. At the base of the stairs, he pulled Susanna fully into his arms. Looking into her eyes, he matched his mouth to hers and kissed her as if they had all night. She wasn’t the least bit shy. For every glide of his lips, she matched him with a demand of her own. He felt her hands in his hair and then on his back, exploring his muscles and holding him close.

  Wanting to feel more—needing her—he slid his hands inside the coat and caressed her shoulder blades, her spine, the curve of her waist. As the silk turned hot beneath his hands, their kiss caught fire all over again. She wanted him in her bed. He was sure of it, but he couldn’t shake a sense of worry.

  With the taste of her on his lips, he eased the kiss and looked into her eyes. The clouds had drifted by, giving full glory to the moon and the dazed expression on her face. Rafe felt his stomach twist into a knot. They were back on the cliff and she was mustering the courage to jump. He knew it would be a thrilling fall. They’d plunge together into a lake of pleasure. The water would engulf them and they’d gasp for air. Then they’d surface together and jump again.

  It sounded like pure pleasure—except the water was deep and Susanna didn’t know how to swim.

  Instead of asking her if she was sure, he tucked her head under his chin and stroked her hair. He noticed the blackboard where she’d written “At the train depot.” Those chalky letters said everything about the differences between them. He never told anyone where he was going, and she always left a note.

  Still holding her close, Rafe imagined swimming in that lake of fire. But he knew in his gut that part of her would drown. She wanted to sleep like spoons and he’d be gone in the morning and again in a few weeks. Then there was the matter of babies. He was careful when it came to sowing his wild oats, and he didn’t have a French letter. But even if he’d had one, it wouldn’t have mattered. He couldn’t imagine barriers with Susanna. Sex was supposed to be wet and messy. Couples tasted and touched and forgot about everything but each other. A least that’s what Rafe had in mind.

  Knowing he’d feel like a fool and that she might hate him for it, he tipped back her head and kissed her forehead. “Good night, Dr. Leaf.”

  Her mouth gaped. “You’re leaving?”

  “That’s right.”

  She grasped his shirt. “But I want you to stay.”

  Her breath warmed his face and weakened his knees. He told himself to let go of her, but instead he caressed the shell of her ear with his fingers. “Go on, Doc. Get upstairs before I change my mind.”

  A slap to his face would have been kind. Instead she tangled her fingers in his hair and gave him a tender kiss.
The sweetness was cruel to the extreme, and the press of her breasts was added torture. But it was nothing compared to his awareness of her hips. Rafe pulled his mouth from hers and moaned into her ear. “Don’t tempt me, Susanna. I’m trying to do the right thing.”

  She went still in his arms, murmured something and stepped back. Huddling in his coat, she looked into his eyes. “Why now?”

  Rafe clenched his jaw. “I think I…” Love you.

  Hell would freeze before he’d say those words to her. His life was a mess and he didn’t want to hurt her. She belonged in Midas and he was headed to Mexico. But neither could he say something mean just to push her away. His conscience was gossamer thin, but it saved him now. “As much as I want you right now, I don’t think it’s right for either of us. I’m trying to protect you.”

  She took his hand in both of hers, raised it to her lips and kissed his knuckles. It was a blessing of sorts and he felt proud. He also needed to get away from her before he changed his mind.

  “Go on,” he said. “Get inside before you catch a chill.”

  He saw a twinkle in her eyes and felt like a fool. When had he become the doctor? He never talked about things like chills. Nor had he ever turned down a willing woman.

  Susanna gave his hand a squeeze and then started to remove his coat. “You’ll need this back.”

  “Keep it,” he said. “I’ll get it later.”

  He watched as she walked up the stairs. When she reached the landing, she smiled at him.

  “Good night, Rafe.”

  “Good night, Doc.”

  As she lingered on the landing, moonlight stretched her shadow across the wall. Rafe thought of Nick’s angel—tall and strong in the middle of the night. He didn’t want to believe in miracles, but something had happened to him tonight. For the first time, he’d done the right thing. Was it a miracle? It had to be. The other explanation was to believe in his own good intentions, and that was more ridiculous than believing in angels.