No Gentle Possession

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No Gentle Possession Page 13

by Ann Cristy


  "The boys told me that Damon read them the story of the albatross, the bird that brought bad luck when the mariner killed it. I see a parallel between that story and your own. Fortune smiled on you and Damon when you first fell in love. It was only after you denied that love and separated that you both became so unhappy. It's only when you are fighting that love, instead of accepting it in your heart, that you have these accidents." Sophie chuckled. "I am sure that soon you will be handling my son with ease."

  "Never with ease." Zen grimaced ruefully, and Sophie laughed.

  "Come, my child, say that you forgive me. My son must be growing impatient. He told me you would not let him near you while I was in the house."

  Zen lowered her eyes. "He shouldn't have said that."

  "Ah, but it was so good to have Damon come and talk to me about you. Instead of the cold man who would not answer my questions, he is once again a loving son."

  "He's still a blabbermouth."

  Sophie laughed again, and Zen felt a smile pull at her mouth. She stretched and kissed the older woman's cheek. "I forgive you.. .and I thank you for Daniel. He is a beautiful boy."

  Just then someone banged on the door, startling them both.

  "Zen, for God's sake, hurry."

  Sophie looked at Zen, her eyes brimming with mirth. "I think the bridegroom has lost what little patience he had."

  "He won't wait for anything." Zen took a deep breath, wanting to believe what Sophie had told her but not able to heal all her deeply buried wounds in an instant.

  "Oh, by the way, Xenobia, there is an Irishman downstairs who says he is a friend of yours."

  "Seamus! He came!" Zen clapped her hands in delight as Sophie nodded that that was the name he had given— Seamus Dare.

  "Is my mother there with you?" Damon demanded, rattling the doorknob.

  "Yes," Sophie answered, opening the door. "But you cannot come in. Go downstairs and watch your bride descend to join you."

  "Tell her to hurry. The guests are getting anxious," Damon said.

  "Pooh," his mother responded. "You are the one who is growing anxious." Sophie looked back at Zen. "I am glad the priest will marry you."

  Zen heard Damon's disgruntled voice fading as he returned to the small gathering who would witness the ceremony. Three times the number would join them for the reception.

  Zen checked her appearance in the mirror, feeling a momentary sadness because her other Irish friends couldn't be there. Still she was glad that Seamus had come all this way to toast her new life.

  There was another knock on the door as she was about to leave the room. She was ready to tell Damon that the groom should not see the bride before the ceremony. But when she opened the door, she was enveloped in a huge hug.

  "Seamus," she breathed.

  "Did you think I would miss this, colleen?" The sound of his Irish brogue brought tears to her eyes. She had such wonderful friends in Dublin. Would she ever see them again?

  "I've come to see that rapscallion, David."—Seamus kissed her nose—"Not to see you." He leaned away from her, still clasping her arms. "Not that you aren't passing pretty today." He kissed her again as they both walked to the top of the stairs, where they stood in full sight of the assembled group.

  Damon was standing there with the boys, Father Constantine, and the judge.

  David caught sight of them. "Seamus!" he called out, then clamped a hand over his mouth as Aunt Dalia shushed him.

  "I've decided that I will give the bride away," Seamus told Zen, his eyes twinkling. "That will give that fulminating giant something to think about."

  "He may kill you." Zen warned, but she took his proffered arm, feeling the need of his assistance.

  They descended the stairs together, as the processional began.

  Zen kept her eyes straight ahead, smiling a little when she heard Daniel whisper, "Aunt Zeno sure is pretty."

  When she stopped next to Damon, Seamus kissed her on the cheek and stepped to one side.

  She looked up at Damon, but his eyes were fixed on Seamus.

  Father Constantine cleared his throat several times before he was able to catch Damon's attention. "Join hands, please," he intoned.

  Zen felt her hand being taken, felt Damon's life force pumping into her blood.

  She made her responses in a low voice. Damon answered strong and sure... the way he did everything.

  When he turned her toward him, she felt as light as air and filled with joy. Her hand rested on his cheek as he lifted her off her feet, and his mouth found hers and lingered there.

  Then people were crowding around them, congratulating them with exuberant hugs and exclamations. Damon was forced to release Zen. Well-wishers kissed her cheek. Seamus kissed her mouth.

  "You're just trying to start something," Zen chided him, then grinned when David tackled him around the knees.

  Seamus was about to swing the boy into the air when all at once he paused, staring at someone behind David. "So... and you must be Daniel. And a fine broth of a boy you are with such a name." Seamus kept hold of David's hand as he held out the other to Daniel. "And I'm your Uncle Seamus."

  Zen's smile faltered as she looked up at Damon and saw the grim expression on his face. His black eyes were on Seamus. Then, even as she watched, a stunning woman, tall and dark, slipped her hand through Damon's arm, commanding his attention.

  "Damon, darling, you must introduce me to your... ah... cute little wife." She turned to Zen. "I'm Cherry Crawford. Damon and I have been close for years."

  Zen didn't hear what Damon said to the woman. A roaring in her ears and a red haze in front of her eyes deafened and blinded her.

  Then Sophie was at her side. "Xenobia, dear, you must meet the Levinsons. She was Marta Leandros, and we went to school together." She plucked at Zen's sleeve. "She has brought you a set of Haviland china. I know you're so partial to dishes." Soohie's eyes darted nervously from Zen to Damon and back again.

  "I am?" Zen stared blankly at her mother-in-law, then patted her arm.

  "Sophie." Thag appeared at his wife's side. "Don't worry. Zen is not worried." But his frown conveyed his own concern.

  With great effort Zen smiled at her mother-in-law, masking an anger that threatened to overwhelm her. How dare Damon invite his former mistress to the wedding! But out loud she said, "Thag is right. I'm not upset."

  Sophie closed her eyes in dismay. "I couldn't believe it when I saw her walk into the room and take a seat. Dalia had pointed her out to me many times before, so I knew her."

  Just then Seamus broke away from Damon and Cherry and returned to Zen, who introduced him to Sophie and Thag. "Shall I take the luscious Cherry away while you receive your guests?" he suggested.

  "Would you?" Sophie gave him a grateful smile.

  "Perhaps she would like to receive with us," Zen whispered sarcastically to Thag.

  He bit his lip and agreed, "That would be interesting."

  Damon strode toward them, his eyes narrowed on Seamus. "You seem to be everywhere my wife is."

  "And you seem to be everywhere Ms. Crawford is," Seamus observed.

  Damon seemed to swell with indignation.

  "Mr. Dare," Sophie interjected, "has offered to accompany Ms. Crawford through the reception line."

  "Fine," Damon snapped.

  "Delighted, ma'am," Seamus said at the same time. He grinned at Zen and winked, then reached for Cherry's hand and tucked it into his arm. "C'mon along, my lovely. You just got lucky, as you Yankees say."

  "Really?" Cherry drawled, her smile not quite reaching her eyes as she touched Damon's arm. "We'll talk later, darling—when we're alone."

  Zen reeled. Stars, wheels, and big dots floated in front of her eyes.

  For a moment, as she and Damon moved toward the arch of white orchids that led to the dining room, Zen had to resist the urge to heave the tiered wedding cake at her husband. "How dare you do that?" she demanded.

  "What the hell are you talking about?" They stood gr
im-faced under the arch. Sophie and Thag stood to one side and began to form a receiving line that led into the dining room.

  "Don't swear at me, you womanizer," Zen snapped.

  "Womanizer!" Damon exclaimed. "Will you kindly explain what you mean by that? And where the hell did that Irish rover come from? Why was he up in your

  room?"

  "Seamus Dare is my friend and a man of honor." Her voice softened as she addressed Daniel. "Yes, dear, you and David come stand with us."

  "Friend!" Damon's voice rose. His mother leaned forward and shot him a warning glance.

  "Seamus and I—" Zen began hotly, then lowered her voice as Daniel looked up at her. She smiled and leaned closer to Damon, speaking in a harsh whisper.

  "Seamus and I have never lived together."

  "That's what you're telling me. I saw the way he looked at you as you came down the stairs with him."

  "Don't try to weasel out of—oh, yes, Mrs. Dinmont. Damon has spoken of you often. Thank you. Yes, how do you do?" Zen's head began to spin as dozens of guests greeted her. Damon played the charming host at her side, but Zen sensed the lingering tension in him.

  Long before everyone had arrived, David grew bored greeting guests. "Aunt Zeno, Curly is thirsty." He leaned around Damon's legs and gazed out the window at the lawn that swept down to the water. "I better go give him a drink. All right?" His hopeful look was mirrored in Daniel's face.

  Zen was about to tell them that they could play on the terrace when Damon said, "You may go outside, but you cannot go down to the water or throw sticks for Curly that might go into the water. Is that clear?"

  Both boys nodded enthusiastically.

  "Stay in sight of this window," Damon cautioned, his voice brooking no disobedience.

  "We will, Uncle Damon," they said in unison. They pushed open the French doors and skipped out onto the terrace.

  "I should have insisted they change their clothes." Zen winced as David climbed the low concrete balustrade that circled the terrace.

  Damon shrugged. "They need the fresh air more than they do a wedding reception. Besides, if I know Yanos, he's out there somewhere watching for them. He won't let them get into too much trouble."

  "No." Zen smiled up at Damon, then remembered that she was angry with him. She looked away.

  "I want to know more about Seamus Dare," he said, his arm tightening around her. "I thought he was older, not so close to you in age."

  "I will be glad to answer any of your questions—if you will tell me why Cherry Crawford was invited to our wedding."

  "Cherry wasn't invited—at least not by me."

  "Hah! Do you think I'm a fool?"

  "You're a fool if you think I would invite my... that is..."

  "Do go on. You were about to say 'my mistress,' I believe."

  "Damn you, Zen! You know I wouldn't invite her to our wedding."

  "How do I know that? She called you at the office when I was there, and you forgot all about me."

  "It would be pretty damn hard to forget you when you argue and fight with me all the time."

  Zen felt a sharp pain at his words. "I... I... we don't fight all the time."

  "Most of the time. And I'm sick of it. I don't want any more of it. You know damn well that I would never invite—"

  "Damon, dear," Cherry Crawford called, "do tell me what you wanted when you rang me a week ago. I called your office, but someone was with you and you couldn't talk." Cherry glided up to them, her black silk suit clinging to her. She turned to Zen. "I hope I haven't offended you by wearing black to your wedding, dear, but I am in mourning of a sort, you know. I even have black undies on, Damon." She smiled up at him, then back at Zen. "You understand, of course."

  Suddenly the situation struck Zen as incredibly funny. She couldn't contain her laughter as she told Cheery, "Yes, I think I do understand. My husband must have had his hands full with you."

  "I did." Damon's answering chuckle sent a warm tingle down Zen's spine.

  Cherry's doe like eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  "I think what my wife is saying is that she knows I didn't invite you to the wedding, Cherry," Damon explained quietly. He reached out to clasp Zen to his side, and his mouth brushed the top of her head in a tender caress.

  Seamus ambled over to them. "Come, my lovely. Soon the musicians will begin playing." He shook a finger at Cherry. "I could have told you it would be most foolish to spar with Zenny Driscoll."

  "Zen Aristides," Damon corrected, glowering.

  "Xenobia Driscoll Aristides," Zen amended firmly, her eyes darting between them.

  Damon's hard gaze was locked on Seamus. Then, to Zen's surprise, his expression gradually softened, and he chuckled. A mischievous twinkle crept into Seamus's eyes, and he clapped Damon on the back.

  "Women," he exclaimed and let out a boisterous laugh.

  "Women," Damon agreed in a spirit of hearty male camaraderie.

  He swooped down to give Zen a resounding kiss and walked off with Seamus, talking with him like an old friend.

  Zen stared after them in stupefied amazement. Then a family friend claimed her attention.

  Much later, after she and Damon had cut the cake, dancing began in the spacious solarium, which offered a sweeping view of the Sound. Potted flowers, all white, had been banked around the five-piece orchestra.

  As their guests drifted through the spacious rooms, Damon and Zen found themselves alone for a moment.

  Zen fed Damon a piece of cake from her plate. "So you're a pantie collector, are you? And do you like black in particular?"

  Damon held her wrist as he nibbled the cake, then nipped at her skin. "I admit to having a bent for sensual things, and I like all colors, especially if you're wearing them. If you should ever want me to chase you around the grounds before removing your under things, I accept the challenge." Damon leered at her. "In fact, just imagining it is having an effect on me. Shall I send the guests home?"

  Zen laughed, feeling both powerfully sexy and deliciously weak. "We can't do—" she whirled toward the French doors. "Where are the boys? I haven't heard or seen them for quite a while." She stepped outside.

  Damon followed, frowning. "Are you putting me off again?" he demanded.

  "No." She had to smile at his dark expression. "You look just like David and Daniel when you do that."

  Damon took hold of her arm, stopping her, then stripped off his silk jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "There's still a nip in the air, and too much of you is showing," he explained, holding the jacket closed in front of her. He leaned down to kiss her. "You're mine, Mrs. Aristides."

  "Driscoll Aristides," Zen insisted.

  "Is that so important to you?"

  "What?" Zen couldn't suppress a grin. Damon chuckled, and kissed her. "Let's go find the boys."

  Hand in hand, they crossed the lawn. As she gazed up at Damon and he returned her tender gaze, Zen felt filled to bursting with happiness. But as the minutes went on and the boys didn't answer their calls, she began to worry.

  When she caught sight of Yanos heading toward the water, also calling for them, she sucked in a shaky breath.

  "Zen, stop it." Damon pulled her around to face him. "Don't start imagining things. I'm sure they're all right."

  "Yes, but we have to find them, see them."

  Damon hailed Yanos and strode over to him. Zen stumbled after him, impeded by her satin sandals.

  Damon turned to face her. "Go back to the house. Yanos and I—"

  "No!" Zen shook her head, stubbornly determined to stay and help.

  He shook his head but didn't protest further and followed Yanos to the carriage house.

  Zen headed instinctively toward the water. Something seemed to be pulling her there.

  Suddenly she saw the boys. They were sitting in a raft like wooden vessel, floating about a hundred yards from shore. Curly was swimming next to them, trying to push them.

  Zen didn't hesitate. She threw Damon's jacket to the ground
and peeled the satin wedding gown from her body, then kicked off her shoes.

  "Damon!" she called once, then began wading out into the icy water, forcing herself to disregard her numb arms and legs.

  Curly was making a valiant effort, but Zen could tell that he was tiring. Though the boys weren't far from shore now, if Curly let up on his struggles, the flimsy craft would drift away, pulled by unseen currents.

  The water had reached Zen's breastbone when a hand suddenly caught her arm. "Go back, Zenny. I'll get them," Seamus said at her side.

  "Oh, Seamus, I'm so glad to see you. It may take two of us to bring them in."

  Before Seamus could reply, Damon bellowed from shore, "Damn you, Zen, I could throttle you! Get back here this instant. Are you trying to kill yourself?"

  She glanced back to see Damon stripping off his shirt and shoes. In a flash he was plowing through the water in a powerful crawl. She watched, treading water, as he reached the boys and began pulling the raft toward shore.

  Without speaking, awash in relief, Zen turned around and headed back, sure that the boys were now safe. She stumbled onto dry land, shivering, and was vaguely aware that blankets were being wrapped around her and Seamus. But her eyes were fixed on Damon and the twins as he lifted them from the raft and into the blankets Maria and Lona held ready.

  Zen rushed over to them, oblivious to all else. "Don't you ever do that again," she scolded even as she drew them into a fierce embrace. She sniffed and hurried after them as Damon whisked them across the lawn, into the house, and up the stairs.

  Sophie stood in the foyer, wringing her hands and whispering over and over, "Thank God, thank God."

  Damon dissuaded Zen from giving the boys their bath. Instead, he left them in the servants' capable care and led Zen to his own apartment, where he ran a tub of hot water.

  "But are you sure Lona and Maria will watch them?" Zen asked as she sank to her chin in the soothing water. "Oh, Damon, I blame myself for not watching them."

  He stripped the clothes from his own body, his eyes never leaving her. "Yanos blames himself, Lona blames herself. My mother is filled with guilt." He sank down next to her in the spacious tub and folded her close. She closed her eyes in utter bliss, letting the water lap over and calm her. "The boys have lived here together for several weeks and haven't disobeyed," Damon went on. "This time they did disobey and they will be punished for it. They were using the top of the old cistern for a raft. Yanos had put it on a pile of junk to be burned. The boys found it and decided to play Huckleberry Finn. That's it. It's all over."

 

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