Payton's Woman

by Marilyn Yarbrough

  Height did have its advantages, but at this particular moment, Julia wished she could make herself very small and inconspicuous. Too late for that. She saw the snarl on his face. His lips curled back, exposing his bared teeth. His eyelids narrowed to slits as he glared at the men around her.

  As he strolled toward her, his slow, deliberate manner reminded her of the wild beasts she’d seen at the circus. His body exuded power and strength. His movement across the floor looked lithe and graceful.

  Just before he reached her, he changed his direction. He veered off to the side and circled her like a predator stalking his prey. His angry expression conveyed his mood. The air about him seemed charged with the sense of barely contained fury. The other men must have sensed his agitation, for they backed away.

  When he’d completed his circling, he stopped in front of her. He grabbed her fan and squeezed it shut. He held out his hand to her in invitation. “I believe you were about to ask me to dance.”

  Nervously, she glanced around the room. No one else danced. She looked back at him. “There isn’t any music.”

  As if on cue, the musicians struck up a waltz. She stepped into his arms. They were the only couple on the floor for several moments. Everyone stared at them, as if waiting for a frightful scene to develop. When it appeared an incident wouldn’t happen, the tension in the air dissipated, and other couples joined them in the dance.

  She chanced a look at Payton. Fire flashed in his brilliant blue eyes, but the sight gave her a chill.

  “It appears as though this gown you’re wearing may be cursed.” His voice sounded calm, but it contained an edge. “There seems to be a significant number of men who, if refused a mere dance with you, would resort to suicide. Isn’t that approximately what happened the last time you wore it?”

  Julia had expected him to be upset about her wearing this gown, but she’d not realized the extent of his anger until this moment. When she didn’t answer, he directed his attention to her hand he held as he guided her around the dance floor.

  “How did you explain not having gloves to match the gown?”

  She chewed at her lower lip as she recalled her duplicity in the deception. “I blamed it on the maid.”

  “Why didn’t you just wear a different gown?”

  “I didn’t have a choice. Mrs. Collins insisted I wear this tonight.”

  “You always have a choice, Julia.”

  Explaining to him the necessity of catering to Betsy’s demands didn’t seem to be a wise decision. The day quickly approached, though, when he would understand. In the meantime, she wouldn’t allow anything to spoil her treasured moments with him.

  She gazed into his chilling blue eyes while searching for a shred of warmth. “I could’ve refused to come tonight, but then I would’ve missed the opportunity of dancing with you.”

  “You didn’t look too eager a moment ago.”

  “That’s because I’ve never before danced with a wild tiger.” Hoping to lighten his mood, she forced her lips into a tentative smile. “I wasn’t certain if you intended to devour me immediately, or if you planned to toy with me for awhile before you ripped open my throat.”

  “Are you suggesting that I behaved like a wild beast?” His angry expression didn’t change, but the coldness went out of his eyes. He leaned closer so his warm breath flowed across her neck. “Your throat does look inviting. Perhaps I’ll help myself to a nibbling little taste.”

  Disregarding the protocol of maintaining a proper distant from one’s dance partner, he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. His teeth nipped at her skin while he emitted a low growl.

  She muffled a shriek, but couldn’t contain her laughter. Extremely tense situations always caused her to giggle at inappropriate times.

  “Don’t do that again,” she said, her bubbling laughter almost under control. “You’re causing everyone to stare.”

  “You can’t blame that on me. You had everyone’s attention the moment you walked into this room. It’s not that your gown is any more revealing than what some of the other women are wearing, but holding that fan in front of you caused every eye to stare at what you were trying to hide.”

  “Is that why you closed my fan?”

  “I had to do something with my hands. Either grab that fan of yours, or take a swing at a couple of those men.”

  “I’m relieved you didn’t take a swing at me,” she said playfully as his mood lightened.

  “I’d never hurt you.” He looked at her with such intensity that it nearly took her breath away.

  The music stopped, but they stood poised on the ballroom floor gazing into each other’s eyes.

  “Would you like to go in search of some food?” His voice broke the spell of the moment. He led her toward the dining room. “I’ve suddenly developed a hunger.”

  “That’s an excellent idea. For some reason, I’m very hungry also.”

  The buffet table overflowed with numerous choices to appease everyone’s appetite. After they had their fill, he escorted her through the various rooms so they could visit with the host and hostess as well as guests.

  She understood what motivated him. With his show of possessiveness, he silently conveyed to the other men that she belonged with him. He also deliberately kept her away from Betsy and Sylvia, and anyone else of the Dunbar ilk. But it didn’t matter. She enjoyed every moment with him.

  Listening to him converse with other well traveled and intelligent people fascinated her. He kept her close to his side and included her in the conversations. He even asked her opinion on different subjects.

  Surprisingly, he didn’t object to any of the men who’d found the courage to ask her for a dance. But due to his attentive behavior toward her, each man made certain to secure Payton’s permission first. And when the dance ended, they promptly returned her to his side. As the lateness of the evening approached, he seemed less inclined to share. He led her away from the others in search of some private area where they could spend their last few moments alone.

  They wandered out to the terrace and gazed up into the night sky. He stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist, his lips pressed against her temple.

  “Do you remember what that one’s called?” He pointed to a cluster of stars shining in the heavens.

  “It’s Orion.” She stretched her arm out next to his and pointed to another grouping. “Right there is the Big Dipper, and that’s the North Star.”

  “You’d make an excellent navigator.”

  “Oh, look! A shooting star.” Her arm stretched upward to the heavens. “Or perhaps a meteor, but no matter, you still have to make a wish.”

  “I already did. Now you it’s your turn.”

  She made a humming noise while she thought.” I know. I wish we could stay just like this, with you holding me in your arms, for the rest of the night. Now tell me your wish.”

  “Believe it or not, it was almost the same as yours.” He squeezed her gently against his body. His lips glided over the sensitive area of her temple until his mouth hovered close to her ear. “Only we weren’t standing on someone else’s terrace. And we didn’t have on so many clothes.”

  His words didn’t startle her, but the sound of his breath next to her ear made her shiver. She turned her head slightly to move her ear from his lips and attempted to look at his face.

  “Are you shocked?” he asked.

  “Merely surprised. I wasn’t certain how you felt about me. You’ve changed these last few weeks.”

  When he made a murmuring sound of question, she tried to clarify. “You haven’t tried to kiss me once.”

  His lips glided down her cheek and pressed at the corner of her mouth. “That’s because when I kiss you, I never want to stop. And since you seemed to believe the only thing I want from you is to get you into my bed, I wanted you to see for yourself that wasn’t my only goal.”

  He turned her in his arms so she faced him. “I also wanted to prove that I could be the kind of man
who could earn your brother’s approval and, if he were alive, would allow me to court his little sister.”

  “Oh, Payton.” She moved her hands up his arms to his shoulders. “If only you could’ve met Reggie. He was so wonderful. I know he would’ve approved of you.”

  “What about your approval?”

  “You must know you already have it. Every moment I’ve spent with you has been marvelous. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this happy.”

  “I’ve been happy, too. I don’t want it to end.”

  She could feel the warmth of his body, see the heat in his eyes. He bent over her. His mouth moved towards hers. She didn’t want this to end either, but they stood in someone else’s yard.

  “It’s going to have to end for tonight.” She tried to put some levity in her voice so he wouldn’t notice her longing. “Mrs. Collins said she’d be ready to leave in fifteen minutes. We’ve been out here twice that long.”

  Reluctantly, he relaxed his hold of her. “I’ll meet you in the park tomorrow.”

  “I can’t. Tomorrow afternoon is the garden party. I’ll be much too busy to get away.” She glanced at his face. She wanted to memorize his every detail so she could recall him when they were apart. “When I addressed the invitations, I noticed your name wasn’t on the guest list. That means we won’t see each other until the next day.”

  “The next day?”

  An odd note sounded in his voice. She listened intently to his words.

  “I don’t think that will be possible. I wanted to put this off until tomorrow, but I suppose I’ll have to tell you now. Something’s come up, and I have to leave for awhile.”

  “You’re getting command of a ship?” All the breath left her body.

  “No, that’s not why I’m leaving. There’s something else I have to take care.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I always knew you’d leave.” She steeled herself so her emotions didn’t show. She lifted her chin, squared her shoulders, and forced herself to speak calmly. “I guess this is goodbye. I wish you a safe voyage, captain.”

  “Julia.” He gripped her arms when she tried to turn away. “I’ll be back.”

  “When? In a year or two.”

  “I’ll only be gone a few days, maybe a week. There’s some business I have to attend to.”

  “But you’ll leave eventually. You can’t afford not to work. You’ll get a ship, and then off you’ll sail.”

  He shrugged at the inevitably of her statement. “Aye, but not right away.”

  “It doesn’t matter when. You’ll still be gone.” She put her fingers to her lips when they began to tremble, but she couldn’t prevent the sob in her voice when she spoke. “Why did I let you do this to me? Why couldn’t you have left when I first asked you? Why did you have to wait until I fell...”

  “Before you what?” He held her tighter when she struggled to pull away from him. “Fell in love with me?”

  “Please, let me go.” She twisted out of his grip. “I don’t want to discuss this now. You said you’d be back in a few days. We can talk then.”

  As soon as he released her, she darted through the double doors that led into the ballroom. Sylvia appeared out of nowhere and followed her.

  “Do slow down, Julia. I can’t keep up with you.” She talked as fast as they walked. “What is it? A lover’s quarrel? No, it can’t be that. You’re not lovers. It’s so obvious. You still have that innocent look about you. I admire you for wanting to stay a virgin until you marry, but what will you have to compare your husband to if you never experience other men?” She glanced over her shoulder to where Payton stood next to the double doors. “Although with some men, there may be no equal.”

  “Goodnight, Sylvia.” Julia struggled into her cloak.

  “Don’t worry about the captain, darling.” A sly look developed in her eyes. “I’ll take good care of him after you’re gone.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Julia wiped at the tears with the sleeve of her nightgown before looking at her reflection in the tiny mirror. Her eyelids were puffy and swollen. She shook her head in disgust. This crying must stop. To busy herself, she picked up a brush and stroked the bristles through the tangles in her hair.

  Once more, she called herself every kind of a fool for allowing Payton to work his way into her heart. She needed this she told herself in consolation. His departure would rip out what remained of her heart and leave her without any emotion. Then she could continue with her plan with nothing left to stop her.

  His feelings for her were strong, but after he went to sea, those feelings would fade. Then perhaps he wouldn’t suffer too cruelly when he learned of her fate, for she’d never deceived herself about the possible outcome of her plan.

  Her search for Lawrence Dunbar carried dangerous consequences. She wasn’t physically strong, nor was she skilled with weapons. If she ever came face-to-face with her brother’s murderer, she could end up being Dunbar’s next victim.

  A single knock at the window startled her from the morbid thinking. The noise sounded like someone tapped on the pane, but she knew that couldn’t be possible. Her small room perched on the third floor of the house.

  The rap came again—a light clinking against the glass. The dressing table set near the window. She stood and looked out, but the candlelight caused a glare and all she saw was her reflection.

  She pulled back the curtains and lifted the sash. Cautiously, she peered out into the night.

  The partial moon illuminated the yard below. Near the edge of the neatly trimmed lawn stood the shadowy figure of a man. The exposed front of his white shirt glowed in the moonlight. She couldn’t distinguish his features, but she recognized him.

  “Julia,” Payton called out in a hushed voice. “Come down here. I need to talk to you.”

  “Go away. I can’t talk now.” She didn’t want to see him now that she’d just convinced herself he’d be better off without her.

  When she closed the window, he threw a tiny pebble against the pane. She opened it again and stuck out her head. “Stop that. You’re going to break the glass.”

  “Come down.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Then I’ll come up.”

  “That’s not possible. The house is locked.”

  “This is your last chance.” He planted his fists on his hips. His feet spread apart in a defiant stance as he looked around at the back of the house. “Come down, or I’m coming up.”

  He might be determined, but so was she. “I am not coming down.”

  In an angry stride, he headed to the back of the house. He stripped away some of his clothing as he walked. His dinner jacket, vest, and tie lay scattered across the lawn where he tossed them.

  When he reached the porch-covered back entrance, he put his foot on the top of the rail and climbed up. He lunged upward and grasped the edge of the roof with both hands. In one powerful motion, he pulled himself up onto the slightly pitched roof.

  In that same determined stance, with his fists planted on his hips, he looked at her. “Are you coming down here, or do I climb up the rest of the way?”

  She turned away from the window. Her gaze darted around the room as she searched for some way to discourage him from coming to her room. Her door had been bolted, but if he crawled up the back of the house, a locked door wouldn’t matter.

  Her heavy walking boot peeked out from under the bed. She grabbed it and returned to the open window.

  “I said go away.” She hurled the high top boot.

  He ducked, avoiding the flying projectile. One arm came up to shield his head. The boot bounced off his elbow with a thud.

  She pressed her hand over her mouth to muffle a gasp. She hadn’t intended to hit him.

  A string of swear words and dire threats tumbled from his lips as he stomped across the roof to the side of the house. He stepped onto the small, decorative ledge attached to the house that separated the first floor from the second. His toes barely fit the protruding b
oard. He edged his way along the side of the house, grabbing the window frames with his fingertips by balance.

  Leaning out as far as she could, she watched in growing horror as he crept along the ledge. He grabbed the eave and swung up onto the roof. Hunched over, he walked up the steep incline toward the small gabled structure that protruded from the roof.

  “You lock that,” he said, when she tried to close her window, “and I swear I’ll break it.”

  She moved back and waited for him to crawl through the opening. Nervously, she pulled at the neckline of her nightgown until he stood safely in her room.

  “What do you want?” she demanded in a low voice.

  “I wanted to talk to you,” he said between clenched teeth. His hand rubbed at his elbow. “Now I’d like to turn you across my knee for a good spanking. My entire arm tingles from where you hit me with that boot.”

  “It was your own fault. You really showed a lack of intelligence crawling around on the house like that. You could’ve fallen and killed yourself.”

  “Not bloody likely. I’ve been climbing around on masts and riggings all my life with things far more dangerous than ladies’ slippers being hurled at me.”

  Her anger waned. She hadn’t meant to cause him pain. “If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I generally have such poor aim that if I’d actually tried to hit you, I most likely would’ve missed the porch entirely.”

  “If that’s an apology, I accept.”

  “It’s not. You shouldn’t have come up here. With all your climbing and thumping around on the roof, you’ve likely woken everyone in the house.”

  “It was the only way I could get you to listen to me.”

  “It appears as though I’m your captive audience now.” She crossed her arms under her breasts. “So say whatever it is that’s so important that you thought you had to risk your life in order to tell me.”

  The muscles bunched in his jaw as he stared at her. “I can’t say it now, not with you in this kind of mood.”

  “My mood isn’t likely to change anytime soon, so if you can’t tell me, you might as well leave.”