by L. P. Dover
“You’re safe to change now. No one can see.” His raw, primal stare made me shiver. Crossing his arms over his chest, he turned around and leaned against a tree.
Opening my bag, I pulled out a heavy, wool coat and a pair of pants. They were my great-grandfather’s. Since he was still out of town, he wasn’t going to miss them. Heart racing, I slowly walked over to William and turned my back to him. “I need your help. Could you possibly unbutton my dress for me?”
He sucked in a breath and blew it out, the warmth of it brushing across my neck. Then tentatively, his fingers grazed my skin and he unlatched the first button, followed by the rest, exposing the bare skin of my back.
I met his gaze over my shoulder. His eyes flashed and he turned suddenly, walking away to lean on a nearby tree. “You’re torturing me, sunshine,” he said, his voice low and full of heat.
Chuckling, I decided not to push the poor man any further, as I’m sure I’d crossed about ten rules of etiquette in the past ten seconds. Sliding on my clothes, I couldn’t stop from shivering, even when I put on my jacket. The cold, crisp air whipped through the trees, the snow swirling up like small, glittery tornadoes in the sun. I wished I had a camera to capture it. It was the most magical thing I’d ever seen.
“Done. You can turn around.”
William picked up my bag, grabbed my hand, and we continued up the trail.
“Where exactly are we going?” I asked.
Smirking, he glanced at me over his shoulder. “The Blair’s own this land, but not for much longer. There’s a spot up here that has an amazing view of the Appalachians. I want to see it one last time.”
Up ahead, the trees cleared to reveal an open meadow. He was right. It was the most beautiful view of the mountains I’d ever seen. In my day, when you visited the mountains, there were houses and hotels everywhere. Seeing it untouched was surreal, but I had a feeling of déjà vu once again. It all looked so familiar.
“Asheville’s going to be one of the top places to visit in North Carolina one day.” We walked to the edge of the large meadow. “In a few years, this is all going to change.”
Gaze narrowed, I studied the layout of the mountains. I knew everything about Asheville’s geography. That was when it hit me . . . I was standing in the exact place the Biltmore House would be built. Mouth gaping, I circled around and envisioned it all. I could see the house and the gardens in my mind. I’d been to the Biltmore House over a dozen times.
“Asheville is going to change,” I murmured. “It’s kind of sad. I like the way it is now.”
William slid his arm around my shoulders. “I do too.” We walked around the meadow and I was amazed at how detailed my dream was. Maybe it was the love for my city that helped me to think it all up.
“William, why aren’t you married? Have you never been in love?”
We stopped at the edge of the cliff and climbed up on one of the large boulders. William sat down and pulled me next to him, holding me in the nook of his arm. “No, I haven’t,” he replied, his warm breath fanning out against my ear. “Believe me, I’ve had a lot of chances. I guess I was just waiting on someone like you. A woman who’s independent, smart, kind, and is genuinely a good person.”
“Do you honestly think that, or are you trying to sweet talk me?”
His arms tightened around me. “I don’t lie, Adeline. I’ll admit, I’m usually never this forward with women. Disclosing my feelings isn’t something I do.”
“Why now?”
“I don’t know,” he answered, his shoulders lifting with a shrug. “I guess I don’t have anything to lose . . . or maybe I have everything to lose and I don’t know it yet.” He sighed. “That really didn’t make any sense, did it?”
I snickered. “Not really, but it’s okay. Honestly, I’m in the same boat. I’ve never cared about someone enough to tell them how I feel. With you, I don’t want to hold back.” I didn’t know how much time I had with him. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slow. “Do you think we’re moving too fast?”
“Do you think we are?”
I turned to face him. “My heart says no,” I said, looking right into his gray stare. “But it scares me.” Because none of it is real. “I’m afraid to fall for you, just to have you taken away.” Of course, he had no clue what I was talking about. He was just a figment of my imagination.
He cupped my cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. Right here, with you, is where I want to be.”
Was it possible to fall in love with a dream man? Yes, it was, and I was falling fast. Closing my eyes, I snuggled into him, breathing in the scent of sandalwood and cedar. He smelled like the perfect Christmas candle.
Frederick drove us back into town and we ate our picnic lunch right in town square in the gazebo. People watched us as they walked by, the old women gossiping under their breath. William’s uncle and the Ferguson’s weren’t going to like it, but I didn’t care about them. It was my dream and I wasn’t going to let anyone ruin it.
When we arrived back at my house, William grabbed the picnic basket and walked me to the door. He set the basket down and reached for my hands. “I want to see you again tonight.”
“You’re not tired of me yet?” I asked teasingly.
He kissed me, and I closed my eyes, losing all train of thought. “Not in the least,” he murmured.
I opened my eyes. “What’d you have in mind? Did you want to come here?”
“No, no.” He appeared nervous, like he might pass out. “I want us to be alone.” My breath hitched and I trembled, wishing I could read his mind. His brows furrowed. “I’m not implying what you might think. That came out wrong.” He shook his head and tried again. “I just want to spend time with you, without the whole world watching us.”
Placing my hands on his chest, I nodded in understanding. “I want that too, William. Meet me here at nightfall. I’ll be ready.” Nightfall was only a couple hours away, there was much to do.
Thirteen
Adeline
Nightfall came all too soon, and not soon enough. The moon was covered by a dense blanket of clouds; there was a snow storm brewing. Once all was quiet around the house, I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders and waited on the front porch. It wasn’t long before William rode up, flashing his devilish smile. A hat hid his dark brown hair, and he was dressed in a pair of brown pants and a brown jacket to match.
“You’re here,” he said.
“Did you think I wouldn’t be?” I asked, tightening my shawl.
He shrugged. “I thought maybe you’d be afraid of getting caught. A lady’s virtue is important. The town will talk if we’re discovered.”
I snorted and waved him off. “We’ll be fine.” It was just a dream anyway. I didn’t care what anyone thought.
William reached out and grabbed my hand, so he could help pull me up onto his horse. “Climb up,” he said. I put my foot in the stirrup and jumped on behind him. “Hold on tight.”
I laid my head against his back and squeezed my arms around his waist. “I’m good. Let’s go.” We rode across the field and into the woods. “You live alone, right?”
He chuckled. “Yes. My uncle is still a little angry at me for choosing you over Elizabeth.”
I scoffed. “My grandparents don’t care about that kind of stuff. They just want me to be happy. They know adversity better than most, as my grandmother had been a servant when my grandfather wanted to marry her. No one approved of her, but my grandfather didn’t care. He married her anyway.”
William placed a hand over mine. “And they’ve been happy ever since.”
There were lights up ahead in a small cabin by a frozen creek. I recognized the creek. I used to play in it as a child, only there was never a cabin beside it.
We rode up to the small stable in the back and William hopped off. Grabbing my waist, he helped me down. “When we go inside, don’t laugh at me. I’m trying to get into the Christmas spirit.” He secured his horse in the small barn, and took my hand as w
e walked to the front door.
I could smell food and my stomach grumbled. Excitement bubbled in my veins.
William placed his hand on the handle and took a deep breath. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
When he opened the door, I gasped in surprise. Inside, was a bare Christmas tree, but on his wooden kitchen table were dozens and dozens of ornaments. “William, this is fantastic.” I walked in and went straight to the table. There were crocheted stars and stockings in red, green, and white, along with various ornament balls in the same colors. The only thing he was missing were lights, but we didn’t need them. It was going to be beautiful, no matter what.
William cleared his throat and grabbed one of the small stockings. “I thought maybe you could help me decorate the tree. I’ve never done it before.”
“You never helped your parents?” I asked, staring at him like that was the ultimate sin.
He shook his head. “It was never my thing. Besides, my mother used to like to do it her own way. Each ornament had to be placed in a specific spot.”
It probably wasn’t the right time for me to admit I was kind of like that as well. “I think it’s a perfectionist kind of thing,” I confessed, sliding one of the stockings onto a branch. “I try not to take decorating so seriously, but I like the ornaments to be spread out evenly. I blame my family for that.”
He placed a star ornament on the tree, a couple branches over. “I told you I was going to try to get into the Christmas spirit, so this is the first step. I promise I won’t get mad if you move the ornaments around after I put them on.”
I broke out with laughter. “I’ll try not to. So far, you’re doing admirably.”
Even if he did place his ornaments close to another, I wasn’t going to move them. All that mattered was that we were together. “Afterward,” he said, carefully placing a star ornament on the tree, “we can eat the beef stew I made.”
Surprised, I couldn’t stop from smiling. “You cooked?” The delicious smell came from one of the pots on the stove and my stomach grumbled again.
William smirked. “I’m not all that bad at it. You’re just the first woman I’ve ever done it for.” He walked over to a smaller pot on the stove and poured steaming amber liquid into two cups. “Do you like apple cider?”
“Love it is more like it.” He walked over and handed me a cup. The aroma reminded me of the way my house smelled when I had my candles lit. “I feel special now.” I blew the steam away and moaned as my first taste of the sweet, hot liquid ran down my throat. It was absolutely delicious.
“I was hoping you’d do something for me in return,” he said sheepishly. “I thought maybe the dinner would butter you up.”
Brows furrowed, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. “The cider itself buttered me up. What do you need me to do?”
Setting his cup down, he took a stocking and hung it on the tree. “First, I want to say thank you for helping me decorate. I honestly don’t know the first thing about it.”
Grabbing a handful of ornaments, I giggled. “You’re welcome, William. There’s not much to it.” I hung one of the red, shiny balls on the tree. “You just put them on and enjoy. There’s no right or wrong.”
There was nothing more enjoyable than decorating for Christmas. William’s chuckle caught my attention. I looked over at him and his eyes twinkled. “Why are you laughing at me?”
He took another ornament off the table and hung it. “I’ve never seen your face so lit up before. You’re beautiful.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “Thank you. I blame it on the holidays. It was always so magical as a kid, being able to decorate the Christmas trees and wrap the presents.”
“What about now?”
I shrugged. “It’s still just as joyous, but I’m older. It’s not the same as it used to be. I think it’s because I’m more alone now. Everyone I know is married and starting families.” I started to hang another ornament, but he grabbed my hand.
“You could always spend Christmas here with me. It’s only a couple of days away.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I sucked in a breath. If I were still in my dream at Christmas, there was no way I could turn him down. “I’d be happy to,” I murmured.
“Good. Because you’re the only reason I’m doing all this.” He chuckled.
It was in that moment, I almost believed he loved me. I just wished it was real.
William poured us another cup of apple cider after we’d cleared the table of our dishes.
“Dinner was amazing,” I gushed, sitting back in my chair, absolutely stuffed. “Probably the best beef stew I’ve ever had.”
He chuckled. “Coming from a woman who loves to cook, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I took another sip of my cider. “So, what is the thing you needed me to do?”
That devilish smile of his was back. “I’ll get to that in a minute. How about we play a game of cards first?”
“Why not?” I loved playing cards. It was something my family enjoyed doing at our get togethers. Waiting on William to fetch a deck of cards, I wondered what types of games they played in the 1860s. “What game do you have in mind?” I asked as he sat back down. “I’m not sure if I know how to play very many.”
Shuffling the cards, he grinned. “There’s a game I learned at a party last year. It’s called Draw of Truth.”
“I have never heard of that,” I said, more intrigued by the minute. “How do you play?”
“Simple. Before I set down the card, we have to guess what it is, not the suit, just the number. If your answer is closer, you get to ask me a question. If I’m closer, I get to ask you one. If we’re both one away, it’s a tie and we draw again. It’s a good way to get to know each other better.”
“Interesting. I’m in.”
Placing a hand on the first card, he lifted his brows. “What’s your guess?”
“Let’s see,” I said, staring at the card. “I’ll go with a four.”
“I say a king.” He flipped the card over. Chuckling, he tossed a ten onto the table. “I win.” Rubbing his stubbly chin, he hummed in thought. “I’ll start off easy. What’s your favorite color?”
I nodded over at my shawl, which was a hunter green. “Green,” I replied, “but more of a brighter green. Not the darker shade of my shawl.”
“Blue is mine,” he added, grinning wide.
“I didn’t think you had to answer.”
He winked. “I wanted to tell you. I’m pretty good at this game. I have a feeling you’re not going to get to ask me any questions.”
I smacked his arm. “Ha-ha. I could beat you left and right at poker. I used to play with my grandfather all the time.”
His gaze narrowed. “I was under the assumption you’d just met your grandparents for the first time.”
For a moment, I’d forgotten that the people in my dream wouldn’t know where I was from. “My other grandfather,” I said, laughing it off.
A sad expression passed across his face. “Do you miss your family?”
“You didn’t draw.” I tapped the cards. “No more questions until we continue the game.”
Shaking his head, he focused back on the cards. “I apologize. I now regret bringing up the game. There are so many things I want to know about you.”
I placed my hand over the cards. “Then ask. We don’t need a card game to get to know each other. I’ll answer anything you want, as long as you do the same.”
Sliding the cards away, he reached over and clasped my hands. “Ask away.”
Heart racing, I bit my lip. “What is the most important quality you look for in a woman?”
Eyes wide, he let go of my hands and sat back, blowing out a breath. “That’s a hard question. But I know I prefer a woman who has a good heart; someone who’s genuine. I want a woman who’s strong, but also one who doesn’t mind me taking care of her. If you haven’t noticed, I can be a little protective over the things I care about.”
My c
heeks burned, and I felt the heat all over my body. “I did notice that. I’m not going to lie, I like that part of you. It makes me feel safe.”
His lips pulled back in a sly grin. “What else do you like about me?”
“I’m not done listening to the qualities you prefer. Surely, there are more?”
Grabbing my hand, he kissed it gently. “I could go on and on about all the things I admire and like about you.”
“So, the qualities you already mentioned are ones I possess?”
He nodded. “And then some. You’re smart, witty, adventurous, beautiful, and kind.” Taking a deep breath, he let it out slow. “I want to be the kind of man you need, Adeline. With you, I’m feeling and doing things I never have before. It’s all so new to me.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I replied breathlessly. “The only thing we can do is go with what we’re feeling. It scares me to let someone in, but I’m ready.”
William stood and pulled me up. “I’m ready too. Which is one of the reasons I wanted you here tonight. I thought we could take our relationship to the next level.”
Brows lifted, I stared at him curiously. “And how do you propose we do that?”
Grinning wide, he squeezed my hand and guided me into the kitchen. He opened the cabinet door beside the stove, then pulled out a sack of flour and other ingredients, and placed them onto the counter. Once everything was out, he faced me. “This is where I ask you for that favor. As you may know, I’m not the type of man who likes to admit I can’t do something. And knowing you know how to bake, I thought you could teach me a thing or two.”
I giggled. That wasn’t exactly what I thought he had in mind, but I’d take it. “What do you want to learn how to make?”
He waved his hand toward the ingredients. “Snickerdoodle cookies. They’ve been my favorite ever since I was a kid.”
Excitement fluttered through my body. Who would’ve thought his favorite cookie was one of mine? “It just so happens that snickerdoodles are one of my specialties. You’re in luck tonight.”