by Loyd, Sandy
After Bradford Tyler’s death, the news about his misdeeds spread. He’d been responsible for hiring the men to disrupt the building of the racetrack as well as the railway tracks to bring in the US marshals, which included Simon Harrington. They found the body of the railway worker the same afternoon Tyler died.
The deaths of the thoroughbreds seemed such a waste to both Parker and Simon. Tyler did have a fast thoroughbred, and according to Tyler’s trainer, the horse had a good chance of winning the derby without killing off the competition.
Parker Davis came and went, but not before assuring Simon everything was taken care of and the case was officially closed. The only task that remained—telegraphing President Grant and Jonathan Morgan. Upon leaving, he told Simon he would deal with it, as well as wishing his friend the best of luck. Since Parker was to be best man, he would see him at his wedding.
Later that afternoon, Simon, who was free of duties for the time being, had no intention of letting Giselle out of his sight. But her family had other plans and overrode his intentions.
He and Marcus were in the Thorpes’ library, going head-to-head over the issue of spiriting her away to Shelbyville.
“Marcus, it’s a little late to be playing the outraged father,” he lashed out, incensed at his interference.
“That may be, but I always say, better late than never,” Marcus shouted back, his face red with anger. “If I had any doubt about a marriage eventually taking place, Simon, you would be a dead man now.”
“You can’t lay all the blame for our actions on me,” Simon scoffed, becoming more irritated. “I only have so much restraint. Your daughter was playing every bit as much as I was, more so, if you ask me. I did my best to keep from falling into her trap.”
“You have a point.” Marcus’s anger died a tad as the words sank in. He obviously knew his daughter well enough to know Simon spoke the truth. “I wasn’t about to interfere in Giselle’s choice, but now that it’s been made, you can both damn well follow convention. I’ll guard her with my life, Simon. You know I will.”
Simon felt he was slowly losing the battle. Still, it was hard to relinquish control. “We can follow convention here, now that Colin and Libby are back.”
Marcus snorted. “What kind of fool do you take me for?” he asked in a tone denoting his amusement. “Giselle will not be staying here. If you want to see her before the wedding, you’re perfectly welcome to come and visit her in Shelbyville anytime in the next couple of weeks. But be warned, Simon, I’ll be watching the two of you like a hawk.”
“It’s a good thing we’re on the same side,” he said grudgingly, hearing the finality in Marcus’s words. “I’d hate to come up on you in a deserted alley.”
Marcus’s head went back and his bark of laughter filled the room. “My sentiments exactly, my boy!”
In the end, Simon spent the next week making the five-mile trek every morning, weather permitting, only to return to the farm in the evening. That is, until his family—three sets of Harringtons—along with Simon’s sister, Amelia; her husband, Robert Evans; and their two children in tow—had overtaken Twin Oaks after showing up a few days before Christmas.
He’d telegraphed his parents, two brothers, and sister inviting them to his wedding the day after Bradford’s death. Once Simon’s family arrived, they expected his undivided attention, so his trips to Shelbyville abruptly ended.
On Christmas Eve, the Thorpe household became overcrowded. The Franklins, complete with Sophie, Marcus, Marguerite, and Giselle, made the journey to Twin Oaks, because as Giselle told Marcus and Sophie, nothing was going to keep her from spending Christmas with her beloved.
That evening, after a festive dinner with everyone in attendance around the massive table—enlarged for the occasion—the mood was jovial, all talking a mile a minute about the upcoming wedding only two days away.
Giselle glanced up and caught Libby’s knowing smile.
“See, Giselle,” she said. “I knew there was more to the two of you than met the eye.”
“I feel so lucky.” She grinned, feeling warmth rise up her face. She looked over at Simon, then back at her friend. “It seems I have wasted a lot of time on the wrong men.”
Libby shrugged. “You know what they say—you need to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.”
“I guess that is one way of looking at it.” Giselle laughed. She’d definitely kissed her fair share.
“She won’t be kissing anyone but me from now on,” Simon said, picking up Giselle’s hand and bestowing a kiss on it. Then piercing her with an intense green gaze that spoke so much, he went on. “And she won’t be doing any more fishing either.”
Libby’s smile broadened. “I’m so glad you found each other. In a way, we have Bradford’s heinous actions to thank for bringing the two of you together.”
“Oh, I think they would have found each other eventually,” Marcus said, chuckling. “Especially since both our families have ties with the same families in Chicago. I for one am only glad it happened before I got too old to enjoy peace and quiet.” Then his chuckle erupted into full-blown laughter. He was laughing so hard; he had to hold his stomach.
Both Giselle and Simon glanced at each other and shrugged, their expressions puzzled.
Simon smiled. “Why not share your humor. We could all use a good laugh about now.”
“Yes, Papa. Tell us.”
“I thought for sure she had you in Chicago.” Marcus shook his head, his contagious grin still in place. “And when she let you slip away, I almost intervened then.”
Simon’s questioning look spread to his eyes. With a snort, he said, “I don’t follow you?”
“At that ball—with Giselle. And don’t deny it. I was watching you without your knowing. I was surprised at Giselle, though. I couldn’t believe she didn’t recognize you after all the fuss she made over you in Paris. But I guess I saved you there, because over time she’s become a little fickle.”
“What are you saying, you old goat?”
“I only hope you have a daughter who’s as much trouble. And you should be thanking me, you know.”
“Oh?” Simon’s grin matched Marcus’s. “All right, I’ll bite. Why should I be thanking you?”
“For warning her off two years ago. As it happened, you’ve both had time to grow up and figure out what’s important. If you had gotten together back then, no telling what the outcome would have been.”
“How can you think something might have happened in Paris? She was too young. Surely you knew I’d never do anything unseemly.”
“Now that, I’ll never be totally sure of. You know damn well the attraction was there. I not only saw it, I also felt it. My main purpose at the time was to avoid problems. Giselle was much too naive and foolish, harboring some silly notion of you as her knight in shining armor. It appears she was right.” When Simon started to shake his head, Marcus put up a hand and said, “Don’t try and deny it, my boy. Since I did step in, we’ll never know.”
“I don’t know why I bothered fighting it.” Simon’s smile increased as he slowly shook his head. “Fate’s been against me all along. I guess I should be happy you gave us both a little more time, Marcus.”
Simon’s mother, Charlotte Harrington, met her husband, William’s, contented gaze, before chiming in. “Thank God you finally found each other. I was beginning to believe you really did mean to remain single forever. I’m so pleased to finally have another daughter, especially one who seems so perfect for my son.”
~~
The next two days went by in a blur. On the day of his wedding, while waiting for his beautiful bride to make an appearance at the altar in a Shelbyville church bursting at the seams with people, Simon thought back to the afternoon Bradford was shot and killed. It seemed as if a lifetime had passed in such a short time. Simon realized right then and there that if something had happened to Giselle Franklin at Tyler’s hands, his life would have been an empty shell.
Music
filled the air, drawing his gaze. What he saw took his breath away. Fierce pride and happiness swelled inside his heart. Giselle, in a stunning gown of ivory silk and beaded lace, stood ready to begin her march toward him. Seconds later, Marcus held out his elbow. She placed her hand on his arm and proceeded to let him escort her down the aisle.
A satisfied smile appeared on her face when their eyes met and held as she glided the final steps toward him. Her smile spoke volumes and Simon’s answer was one of his own.
During the ceremony, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Their wedding and the celebration afterward was the talk of Shelbyville. Despite it being held in a small town, the gathering was anything but. Almost two hundred attended the event, including friends from Washington such as Connie and Charlie McKnight. The dancing, eating, drinking, and celebrating lasted well into the night.
When it came time for Simon to escort Giselle to their hotel room where the two would be spending their first night as man and wife, a raucous and rowdy crowd followed them.
Simon laughed and joked along with them until he’d unlocked the door to his room.
“Enough!” he said to the group, causing the revelers to realize their game was over. His manner turned serious and all joking ended. “Good night. I can take it from here.” He slammed the door in front of many astonished faces.
Simon didn’t care a whit about them. Once the closed door effectively cut off those who dared keep the game alive, Simon’s gaze held his bride’s captive while he carried her to the bed, seizing the opportunity to have her alone for the first time in more than two weeks. His need for her—a need that had grown daily—was close to boiling over.
“Finally I have you to myself. Do you know how long I have waited to do this?” His head lowered and his mouth captured hers in a heated kiss. He let his lips linger, tasting and taking his fill. He smiled inwardly when her hands went to his nape, pulling him closer. He broke their connection and kissed a wet trail across her gorgeous face, nuzzling her neck, biting and nipping his way to her ear, where he spent time licking and nibbling.
“Have I told you how much I love you,” he said after plunging his tongue inside her ear. She offered a soft moan in response and heat filled his groin. He couldn’t wait another moment to have her.
He quickly divested her of the rest of her clothing as well as his own. Once he had her naked, his lips found hers again. But it wasn’t long before Simon was lost in a sea of sensation. Kissing Giselle was intoxicating and addicting. The more he kissed her, the more he wanted to kiss her. Of course, the fact that Giselle was a wild woman, fully engaged in inciting his lust, didn’t help his restraint. When her touch became too much—when Simon lost that last vestige of control he’d been holding on to by a silky thread—he plunged into her and couldn’t stop his urgent strokes until they both shuddered with completion. His last coherent thought had him wondering if she would always have the power to cause this reaction.
“Simon, I need to tell you something.”
Giselle’s soft voice interrupted Simon’s thoughts. He held her in the crook of his arm as one of his hands slowly circled her back with pleasant strokes. He smiled, totally relaxed, on the verge of sleep.
“Yes, sweetheart?” he asked in a distracted voice. “What is it?”
“Are you paying attention? This is important.”
That comment got his full attention. Shaking off sleepiness, he turned his gaze to hers.
She smiled. “Remember our bet—the first time we played poker together?”
“Umm-hmmm.” His smile spread across his face and he leaned his head back against the pillow, closing his eyes. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. Why?”
“Well, I think it is time you learned just what I threw away,” she said in an amused voice.
His eyes opened and eyebrows shot up in question. “What are you talking about?”
She giggled and sat up, placing her hand on his chest. Their gazes locked. “I told you I was a good poker player.”
“Giselle, our game was little more than one of chance, or luck, not at all the usual type, which includes betting on the odds and bluffing, as well as luck. As I recall, we both had a pretty even shot at winning.”
“Well, I thought my bluff was one of the best performances I have ever given,” she said proudly.
“I don’t understand?” He looked into her eyes, searching for what she was trying to tell him. “What bluff?”
“I cheated.”
“But you lost!”
“Not really,” Giselle admitted sheepishly. “I would have won had I kept my original cards.”
Shaking his head, he gaped at her with a confused look. “I still don’t understand.”
“Simon, you dealt me three kings. I threw away two of them.”
Now his eyebrows knitted together and he was silent before a grin took over his face. “You threw away two kings so you wouldn’t win with three?” He could only shake his head and laugh. “I should have known. It seems your father was right; I never stood a chance against you. That, my dear, deserves a kiss.”
Epilogue—May 17, 1875
Simon and Giselle were seated along with the Thorpes and the Franklins in the newly completed grandstand, waiting for the first running of the Kentucky Derby. Parker Davis walked up with the Bentleys, stopping to say hello.
They all hugged warmly and both Simon and Colin invited the three to sit with them.
“Too bad Fortuna’s not competing in the derby,” Parker said as he sat.
Libby sighed. “Yes, well it seems she strained a muscle and we had no recourse but to pull her from the race. Letting her run with an injury, no matter how slight, wasn’t worth the risk.”
“It is too bad she’s not in the running.” Colin’s smile turned wistful. “I believe she would have had a good chance of winning, and now we’ll never know.”
“Well, there’s always next year,” Libby said, patting his hand.
Colin shook his head. “It’ll take a few more years to come up with another three-year-old thoroughbred with the heart and soul, as well as the speed, Fortuna has. Horses like her take time and effort to breed.”
The discussion turned to Simon and Parker. They hadn’t seen each other since Simon’s wedding. Parker regaled the group with his harrowing tale about his last case. When he finished speaking, he was quiet for a bit before turning to Simon. “I see your new partner has worked out well. I was crushed to be usurped, but since she’s prettier than I am, I understand your reasons.”
“Just wait, Parker.” Simon’s grin was quick. “Your turn’s coming.” An embarrassed flush hit his cheeks and his smile turned sheepish. “Besides, I had no choice over the matter. She beat me in a poker game and I have her as a partner until I can get her with child. I never thought she would win the bet and I certainly never thought it would take this long for her to conceive.”
Marcus laughed. “You didn’t have to play, Simon. I’m so glad she’s your problem now.”
Giselle laughed too, clearly enjoying Simon’s discomfort. “Papa is right, Simon. You did not have to play.”
Simon snorted and said, after giving Giselle a quick peck on the cheek, “Well, all I can say in my defense is that you used undue enticements to get me to play, didn’t you, sweetheart?”
Giselle’s face reddened as a blush crept over it. She shook her head, denying this. “I most certainly did not!”
“My money’s still on you,” Marcus said, laughing. “We’re waiting on pins and needles for our first grandchild. If you keep going at this speed, Marguerite may just beat you to the deed.”
“I’m doing my damnedest to bring it about, Marcus. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was cheating in some way.”
“Will you stop?” Giselle said, blushing profusely.
Parker chuckled. “I heard President Grant almost had a heart attack when you told him you’d be including Giselle on your last case. That is, until he learned she wa
s Marcus’s daughter.”
“Yes, it was an interesting and humbling encounter.” Simon’s grin went from ear to ear. “Let’s just say it took some heavy persuasion on my part to ensure his full support. He had many misgivings, as did I. But a bet is a bet and I honor my obligations.” He stopped talking and turned to his wife, who, though still slightly red in the face, was now grinning at the exchange. Taking her into his embrace, his next words were spoken with a warm, loving quality. “We do make a pretty good team.”
Parker sighed. “I’m guessing things have turned out as they’re supposed to, especially since you’ll soon be taking over Jonathan Morgan’s job, now that he’s been promoted. I still can’t believe you’re giving it all up to take a desk job.”
Keeping his arms around his wife, Simon caught Parker’s eye and said, “A wise man once told me the challenge of being married and raising a family was much more harrowing than anything he’d encountered as a US marshal. After living with Giselle for these past five months, I’m inclined to agree. I find I’ll be perfectly happy to stay behind the scenes, if I have her by my side.”
Then his eyes moved to Giselle’s and his whispered words that only she could hear became more fervent. “There is no other game I’d rather play than the one I’m playing right now with you. My only hope is that we have a lifetime to play.”
Talk then turned to the race at hand, the first running of the Kentucky Derby, with everyone voicing his or her favorites.
“My money is on Aristides,” Giselle said confidently.
Simon’s amused laughter carried to the others.
“Oh? I see my choice amuses you. Care to make a private wager, my love?” Giselle asked with a knowing smile on her face.
Noticing her smug expression, Simon’s demeanor sobered and he cleared his throat. After thinking about it, he shook his head and said, “No, I think I’ll pass this time,” just as the gun went off and the horses shot off from the starting gate.
When the thoroughbreds crossed the finish line and Aristides led the way, Simon glanced at his wife with renewed awe. “How did you know?”