by Bobbi Smith
“Wonderful,” she grimaced. “I was looking forward to being alone with you.”
“So was I, but Renee’s right. A day in the woods with me, and your reputation would be in shreds.”
Delight looked thoroughly crestfallen, and Jim couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t look so forlorn. We’ll be married in a little over two weeks.”
“Right,” she sighed. “Keep reminding me of that, all day. All right?”
“I most certainly will,” he agreed, pulling her closer to his side.
“So, who’s the mysterious protector of my virtue?”
“Roger,” Jim grinned.
“Roger?”
“Absolutely. He loves going to the country,” he said as he reined in the horse in front of Marshall and Renee’s. “Do you want to wait here while I go get him? It shouldn’t take a minute.”
“Fine.” Delight was amused.
It wasn’t long before the sturdy little boy came running from the house to climb easily up beside her. “Hi!”
“Hi, yourself.”
“I’m glad I get to go with you. We’re going to have a lot of fun, aren’t we, Uncle Jimmy?”
“We sure are.” Jim joined them in the small carriage he had rented for the day and they were off. “Where do you want to go?”
“Cedarhill!” Roger exclaimed. “I haven’t been there since last summer.”
“It’s a long drive…” Jim tried to suggest something else.
“Please?”
“Delight? Did you have anything in mind?”
“No, Cedarhill sounds fine to me. I’ve never seen your family’s country home. I think I’d like that.”
“All right, but it’ll take a while to get there.”
“That’s fine. You drive and Roger and I will sit back and enjoy the scenery.”
“Cedarhill it is, then.” And Jim turned the carriage in the direction of the country estate.
The trip to Cedarhill went smoothly as they chatted and generally enjoyed being together. Listening to Jim and Roger, Delight couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have Jim’s son. The thought made her smile.
“That’s a bewitching smile, darling,” he said, for her ears only. “I just wonder what’s on your mind?”
“You’d be surprised….”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he grinned, and then was distracted by Roger’s shout that he’d finally spotted the house in the distance.
Turning up the drive, they tied up the horse and buggy out front and went inside.
Louise, the maid who lived at Cedarhill all year round, was delighted to see them. “This is wonderful!” She greeted them excitedly hugging Jim and Roger. “I never get much company this time of the year.”
“Louise, I’d like you to meet Delight de Vries. Delight, this is Louise. She rules Cedarhill with an iron hand.”
“I do not,” Louise argued with Jim affectionately. “I just like to keep things running smoothly.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I hope we haven’t disturbed you by stopping by like this.”
“Nonsense!” She ushered them toward the kitchen. “Come in and get comfortable. I’ll make you some lunch.”
“That sounds great!” Roger followed her enthusiastically.
“We’ll be along shortly. I’m going to show Delight the rest of the house.”
“You know where Roger and I will be,” Louise called.
“I think I’d like to show you the upstairs first….” Jim said thoughtfully as he took Delight’s cloak and hung it up with his coat. Then, directing her up the steps, he led her down the long, wide hall with its highly polished floor and brilliantly colored throw rugs to the last bedroom on the left.
“Is this yours, by any chance?” Delight asked, her tone sultry.
“I do believe it is.” He opened the door for her.
She entered ahead of him slowly, taking the time to admire the pure masculinity of the bedroom. Delight’s gaze was drawn to the heavy, four-poster oak bed that dominated the entire room.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, going to run her hands over the intricate carvings on the massive headboard.
“I would love to see you lying on it right now…naked.” Jim vocalized his deepest yearnings, and Delight felt the heat well up inside of her.
“I’d love to be lying on it…waiting for you to come to me.”
The temptation to lose themselves in a stolen moment of passion gripped them as Jim took her in his arms and kissed her fiercely, his hands possessively caressing her soft curves. But the reality of their situation kept them from letting things go too far. Smiling ruefully, he stepped away from her and headed back out into the hallway.
“I think we’ve seen enough bedrooms for now….”
“I suppose you’re right.” Her voice reflected her disappointment and frustration. “Did Louise say something about lunch? Maybe food will take our minds off our other cravings.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. I think I could live on your love.” Jim stopped in the hall to pull her to him and then pressed tender, quick kisses on her neck. A shiver went through her at the touch of his lips, and he sighed, reluctantly letting her go.
“Lunch?” Delight managed, trying to get control of the wild emotions Jim always aroused in her even with his lightest touch.
“Lunch,” he nodded, turning with her to start back downstairs.
It was mid afternoon when they thanked Louise for her hospitality and climbed back into the carriage to begin their return trip home. Roger’s stimulating presence hadn’t left them a quiet moment all day, and Delight was surprised to find that the time had passed so quickly.
Settling back in the buggy, she prepared herself for the bumpy ride back. Roger, who was exhausted from the day’s busy activities, curled up beside her, and Delight put her arm around him so he could rest more easily. Within a few moments, the child was sound asleep. Jim glanced at them and smiled tenderly.
“Madonna and child,” he said softly, and she smiled serenely back at him.
“He’s a sweet little boy. I hope we have a son just like him someday,” she murmured.
“So do I, love. So do I.”
Dorrie had been more than a little disappointed when she received the hasty message that Mark had sent her informing her that he’d been called back to duty and that he had to cancel their date for the afternoon. She had been looking forward to being with him again…especially after their explosive embrace Friday night.
Dorrie’s thoughts had been confused all weekend as she had tried to sort out her feelings for Mark. What had happened between them had been so unexpected that, initially, she had found herself denying it. But the memory of his fiery kiss had haunted her continually, finally forcing her to admit the truth to herself. She loved Mark Clayton. The revelation astounded her.
After all the years of self-imposed isolation from emotional involvement, Dorrie found that she could hardly wait to see Mark again so she could tell him of her love. He had been so patient with her…and so kind. She knew now that he had been waiting for her to come to him. What a fool she’d been….
Dorrie was musing on these thoughts when Wade MacIntosh arrived, reissuing his invitation for her to attend a display with him downtown. She didn’t want to go, but his persistence won out. Finally she agreed, but only after he promised to have her home early. She was hoping that Mark might stop by when he got off duty, and she didn’t want to chance missing him.
Wade was being his usual solicitous self, catering to her continually, but today Dorrie found him boring. Her thoughts were all of Mark.
Accompanying her through the exhibition at the St. Louis Museum, Wade was growing angry. Dorrie had been distant and quiet all afternoon. Their conversation had been stilted and mostly one-sided as he had attempted to draw her into the intimacy that they had once shared. Even a subtle mention of Paul had no effect on her, and he was getting more frustrated with each passing minute. Glad when they came to the
end of the displays, he helped her with her coat and then took her arm to escort her outside.
“Would you like to go somewhere else? It’s still early,” he offered.
“No. If you don’t mind, I’d just like to go home now.”
Wade almost snarled that he did mind, but he held himself back. “Shall we walk back? The weather is pleasant today.”
“That sounds fine,” Dorrie smiled, trying not to be too difficult. Wade was a nice man, but she wanted to be home waiting for Mark.
Wade searched for a way to bring their conversation around to Jim and the gold. “So, how are Jim and Delight’s plans coming along for their wedding? Is it going to be soon?”
“As soon as Jim gets back from this next trip. He leaves later this week and it’ll probably take him about two weeks. Although, with Delight as his inspiration, he might set a new speed record from here to Tennessee.” She smiled, knowing how deeply in love her brother was.
Dorrie wondered idly how Annabelle was taking the news. She knew that she would find Jim’s sudden engagement to Delight a bitter pill to swallow so soon after their breakup. Dorrie almost wished that she could have been there to see her face when she’d gotten the word.
Then, realizing that Wade was speaking to her, she dragged herself back to the present and made an attempt to seem interested in what he had to say. She thought they would never get back home, and she was greatly relieved when they finally started up the front steps. Knowing that she couldn’t send Wade away so callously, she invited him in for refreshments. Just as she opened the door, he made a clever remark that drew a laugh from her, and, turning to enter the house, she came face-to-face with Mark and Marshall.
“Hello, Dorrie.” Mark’s voice was cool as he surveyed her quickly, noting her easy manner and apparent lightheartedness.
“Mark,” she gulped, hating herself for ever having agreed to go out with Wade.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Marshall interrupted their tense exchange. “Mark and I have some business we need to take care of.”
Leading the way into the study, Marshall closed the door behind Mark, leaving a stunned Dorrie and a gloating Wade alone in the hall. Dorrie tried to recover her equilibrium as she showed him into the parlor. Calling for the maid to bring them a light snack, she sat down nervously in a chair opposite him.
“You seem upset, Dorrie. Is there something wrong?” Wade asked with smooth innocence.
“No. Nothing’s wrong,” she answered, listening for the sound of Mark’s voice in the hall.
Dorrie wanted to run to Mark and tell him of her newly discovered feelings, but instead she was stuck in here with Wade MacIntosh. She was angry with herself for having given in to his prodding to join him in the first place. She hadn’t wanted to go and now she was paying the price for not doing what she really had wanted to do. Stifling a groan, she managed to make pleasant small talk with Wade until the refreshments arrived and she could busy herself with them.
Mark paced the study like a caged animal. “I don’t believe it! The man is a snake!”
“Calm down, Mark,” Marshall said, pouring them both a drink. “It’s probably not what you think.”
“Let’s face it. MacIntosh deliberately had me called back on duty so he could spend the day with Dorrie.”
“So?” Marshall was trying to be logical. “You’ve known Dorrie for years. One afternoon is not going to matter in your relationship.”
Mark glared at him, “Would you have liked it if Renee had gone out with another man before you were married?”
“She was seeing another man.”
“And did you like it?”
“Hell, no, I didn’t like it!” Marshall replied. “But there’s a difference here. I happened to overhear Dorrie’s conversation with Wade before she went out with him this afternoon. She was not anxious to go, but he was so per sis tent that she finally gave in.”
Mark looked at Marshall skeptically. “She hardly looked like she was having a bad time when she came through that door.”
“And she looked a little upset when she came face-to-face with you. Why do you suppose that was?” Marshall challenged. “She certainly had nothing to feel guilty about. You had broken your date and she was free to do what ever she wanted to.”
Mark was quiet for a minute. “You’re right.”
“My advice to you is to stay for dinner. I’ll manage somehow to make sure that MacIntosh is out of here before then. All right?”
Mark nodded and finished off his drink.
“Good. Now, what’s the news on the next shipment?”
It was over an hour later that they heard Dorrie bid Wade good-bye. Mark was tempted to step out into the hall, just in case Wade was trying to kiss her, but he managed to control himself.
Marshall, leaning back in his desk chair, motioned toward the door. “What are you waiting for? Go get her.”
A curious mixture of fear and confidence assaulted him. What if she really did care for MacIntosh…what if the response he’d felt in her on Friday night had been nothing more than a physical reaction…what if…?
“Mark!” Marshall’s sharp tone forced his attention. “I heard the front door close. Wade is gone. You’d better catch up with Dorrie before she goes upstairs.”
“Right.” Taking a deep breath, Mark placed his glass back on the liquor cabinet and went out to find her.
Dorrie stood at the front parlor window, staring out at the passing vehicles.
“Dorrie?” The sound of Mark’s voice caused her to jump, and she turned to him quickly.
“I’m glad you’re still here.” She began tentatively.
“So am I,” he said, approaching her slowly.
They stood apart, their expressions wary as they looked at each other.
“I’m sorry about having to cancel our plans for today.” His tone turned bitter as he continued. “Someone pulled rank on me and had me rescheduled for duty.”
“I’m sorry, too. I was looking forward to our date. Are you free tonight? Could you stay for dinner?” she invited, hoping he’d stay.
Mark relaxed a little and smiled gently at her. “I’d love to. Thank you.”
Dorrie smiled widely at his acceptance, and it was all the encouragement Mark needed. Taking the last step, he took her in his arms. With all the tenderness he could muster, his lips brushed hers softly. While his body demanded he do more, he was careful to restrain himself. He didn’t want to frighten her with his ardor.
But Dorrie didn’t want the sweet, innocent kisses he was giving her. She wanted another taste of the wildly erotic embrace they’d shared at the Montgomerys’. Slipping her arms about his waist, she moved closer to him, pressing against his hard male form.
Her unexpected response brought a low growl from Mark as he deepened their kiss. Lost in a sea of sensuous bliss, they clung together, discovering the joy of their as yet undeclared love. When they broke apart, they were both breathless, stunned by what had just occurred.
Mark’s voice was harsh with emotion as he held her at arm’s length. “Dorrie. I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a long time, but until today I wasn’t sure you’d want to hear it.”
“What?” She frowned at his confusing words.
“I love you, Dorrie, and I just can’t go on this way any longer,” he began, his expression serious.
Dorrie gazed up at him, tracing his features, so dear to her, yet, so new; for she was looking at him now for the first time through the eyes of love. Mark, not understanding her silence, rushed on.
“I know how you feel about Paul, but that’s been years ago….”
“Felt,” she interrupted him, firmly.
“I don’t understand…?” Mark looked at her questioningly.
“How I felt about Paul, Mark. He’s dead,” Dorrie explained, pausing to draw a shaky breath. Then, her lips curving tremulously into a timid smile, she went on, “I will always miss him. He was a wonderful man, and I did care deeply for him. But Mark�
��I’ve found that I love you now.”
His face reflected his joy. “You do?”
Dorrie nodded. “Very much.”
Hugging her to him, he kissed her again, showing her by his actions how much she meant to him.
“I take it you two have worked everything out between you?” Marshall’s inquiring, humorous words interrupted their reverie.
“Everything,” Dorrie told her brother, not taking her eyes from her beloved.
“Good. I’ll tell Renee that Mark will be staying for dinner.”
When he had gone, Mark looked down at her. “But what about MacIntosh?”
“I don’t care about Wade. The only reason I talked to him in the first place was because he knew Paul. They served together under Lyon…”
“What?” Mark asked sharply. He had done a little investigating into Wade’s background, and he knew for a fact that Wade had not been anywhere near St. Louis in 1861. But what reason would he have to lie to Dorrie? There seemed to be more to Major MacIntosh than met the eye….
“Wade was there when Paul was shot….”
“I hope his dragging all that up again didn’t disturb you,” Mark said protectively.
“Just for a moment, and that was when you saw him holding me in the hallway at the Taylors’.”
“And then I immediately assumed that you’d fallen in love with him.”
“So, that’s why you left so quickly….”
“Yes, my love, that’s why I left so quickly. I couldn’t bear to see you in another man’s embrace.”
Dorrie hugged him tightly to her. “You’ll never have to worry about that again!”
“Lord, I hope not.” His lips met hers tentatively, then again, with more passion. “I love you Dorrie. I always have and I always will.”
“Jim, I need to talk with you,” Mark told him privately as the evening was drawing to a close. “It’s important.”
“Sure. We’ll leave together.” Jim, after taking Delight home, had arrived with Roger just in time to finagle an invitation to dinner.
Surrounded by the entire Westlake family, Mark and Dor-rie’s good night was less than heated, and, in a very few minutes, Jim and Mark were on their way to the riverfront. Mark waited until they were in Jim’s cabin on board the Enterprise before broaching the subject.