Not much, really. She’d set her cap for him, and he’d dutifully begun courting her. After proposing, he’d returned home and she had set about a flurry of wedding plans that had taken her to New York more than Boston. Only in the last few weeks had they even found themselves in the same city, and then they saw each other only with chaperones present.
“What you don’t know is, Micah and I have our own ways of communicating. He didn’t have to say a thing.”
Right. She’d heard of twins and their being attuned to each other. She tossed her head. “Well, how was it?”
He looked startled, then shocked, and then vastly amused. “As much as I wish I could have experienced it fully, alas, I didn’t have that pleasure. Judging from the satisfied look on Micah’s face, however, I can say with certainty that he enjoyed himself.”
Siobhan folded her hands on the stone balustrade, a streak of feminine satisfaction running through her. She had no experience yet she had managed to bring Micah pleasure and reap some of it, too. And now Andrew, the other half of her forbidden fantasy, stood close beside her. She shivered, only partially from the cool night air after the heated ballroom.
“Are you cold?” He slipped out of his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
“Isn’t this sweet?” Siobhan looked over her shoulder to see Stephen, the youngest Berwick. He lifted a glass of spirits to Andrew. “Since I just met one twin asking if I’ve seen his wife, I assume you’re the other one.” He smirked. “Out here in the dark with the new missus, eh? Trying to convince her you’re Micah? I’ve heard you two do that with women sometimes. Or are you telling her about her new home, maybe?” He took a healthy gulp and then threw the empty glass out into the garden.
“Do you mean our home on Beacon Hill?”
He laughed. “You have a surprise coming.” He looked at Andrew. “You, too. The old man might think he can keep me from taking control of my own idea, but he doesn’t know me very well.” He stumbled past them, barely catching himself from falling down the steps that ended at the lawn.
She faced Andrew. “What does he mean?”
Andrew frowned and placed his hands over hers. “This is for Micah to tell you.” He stopped and looked over the balustrade thoughtfully. “In fact, let’s go and find him.”
Whatever the trouble was, Siobhan refused to move. She would hear the problem now, where she had some semblance of privacy. “You tell me, Andrew.”
He studied her eyes in the light coming through the doors leading into the house. “Father gave Micah a wonderful wedding gift.” His voice sounded a notch higher than it had a moment ago, and a forced cheerfulness laced it. “He’s made him a vice president of the company and in charge of his own office, the first new office in the history of the company.”
She brightened. This was a problem? They would be able to afford an even better home now, maybe even a vacation cottage along the coast. She’d heard of Bostonians taking carriages to places far afield like Cape Cod or north to Maine in order to spend the hot summer months on the water.
“But, that’s wonderful!”
“It is, it truly is. But…” He stopped and then shrugged one shoulder. “The office is in California.”
“What?” This couldn’t be true. She’d planned on life as a woman of leisure and wealth, venturing forth from her luxurious townhouse to dine at the finest establishments and attend balls and teas in sophisticated, fashionable Boston. Traveling West to the wilderness had never been in her plans, never. She’d seen Regan do that and knew instinctively it was not for her.
“But, Micah won’t stand for that.”
“I’m afraid he will. Unless you want to see him disowned?”
She shrank back in horror. Disinherited? God in heaven! After all her careful planning, she had ended up in a situation no better than her sisters.
“Are you all right? You look pale.”
“Fine.” She gathered her thoughts. There had to be a way around the two options of abandoning all she wanted by moving to a godforsaken unknown place, or chance sinking into poverty without the financial security of the Berwicks. With a sinking heart, she realized that she couldn’t even ask for an annulment because, thanks to her own impetuousness, she couldn’t claim they hadn’t consummated the marriage.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be going West with you to help run the office.”
Despite her former libidinous fantasies, Andrew’s companionship on their exile did nothing to lift her spirits.
“I don’t relish the thought of moving West any more than you,” Micah said from the open doorway. “At least we’ll have time on the journey to become well acquainted.”
Well acquainted, indeed. She didn’t need to know him that well. She had intended breakfasts, dinners, some parties, and a few times a week in bed. That was all a wife needed to see her husband. They didn’t have to be fast friends for a marriage to work. In fact, from what she had heard, too much of each other was undesirable.
“Why don’t I leave you two to discuss this?” Andrew said.
“You might as well stay, Drew. Our fates are tied to one another.”
In another time and place, Siobhan would have restrained herself in the presence of a third party. Not now. “Did you hear of this before you compromised me?”
Micah’s brows shot up in surprise and she felt a little shame. He remained calm, however. “Just before we walked into the church. None of us suspected Father would do such a thing.”
“And your father is most implacable in this?”
Andrew snorted. “That’s an understatement. He grabs power and control wherever he can and won’t relinquish it. Is that what you mean by implacable?”
“So, when we come back from Italy we turn around and leave again? Or do we sail from Italy to California?”
The men shared a meaningful look. One that boded ill for her, she knew right away.
“I’m afraid the honeymoon will have to wait, Siobhan,” Micah said. “I’m so sorry, my dear, but we must leave for the Coast soon.”
No honeymoon, no townhouse, no society in which to take her place. She felt numb inside.
Micah moved to her side, opposite Andrew. “Maybe it won’t be so bad. San Francisco has society, I understand. The work will be challenging but worthwhile, I think.”
Siobhan had never been one to give in to pity, but she came close at that moment.
Micah slid his arm about her waist. Andrew wrapped his arm about her shoulders. Their combined warmth and support gave her the boost of security she needed.
“Don’t worry,” Micah said at the same time Andrew said, “We’ll get through this.”
And for better or worse, through sickness or health, she resolved they would make the best of the situation. But not through poorer or richer. No matter what she had to do, there would be no poorer to it.
* * * *
Later that night, Drew lay in bed and stared at the ceiling, sleep as absent as his father’s love. Analyzing the day’s events in his mind, he came to several conclusions. First was the absolute confirmation that no matter what he did, no matter how he excelled at schooling or business, his father would never recognize his accomplishments or give his respect or affection. He’d known it all his life, and had had it proven time and again. For some reason, after each rebuff, he found the hope to believe that if he tried just a little harder, succeeded a bit more, his father’s attitude would change. Today put the end to all such hopes. For the first time, his father admitted openly that he favored Stephen, regardless of how much contribution Drew made to the company.
Many times Drew had suggested they expand the business by opening a second office, in New York, Baltimore, and even Chicago. Every time, he’d been derided as not knowing what was needed to increase business. For Micah things had been even worse. The numerous times Drew had suggested that Micah be brought into the office to learn the business, as the son of the owner was expected to do, his father said that Micah was best su
ited for factory floor work until he showed his seriousness by giving up painting. After years of hard, dedicated work, Micah had never received a salary, a promotion, a pat on the back. Even the four inventions that put their wagon manufacturing far ahead of their competitors—the inventions he and Micah had designed—were patented in the company’s name. Drew had asked Micah to prepare the patent paperwork and submit it so he felt he contributed to the business and not just the labor, but preparing patents didn’t nearly qualify a man to run the branch of a business as successful as Berwick Transport.
He hadn’t minded the long hours and basic salary instead of company ownership too much. He’d been working for the family company—which meant for the family—with the expectation that with their father’s retirement he would move into the position of leadership. That morning had put the lie to all those expectations. Stephen, who had spent a very short time in the office, could gain all Drew had worked for. He didn’t like being told he would accompany Micah to California, and minded even more the command that he happily assume second place in the office. Hell, that was what he’d been here, for the past seven years.
But even if Micah wasn’t being kicked completely out of the nest, and Andrew along with him, the eye-opening comments by both Stephen and their father alerted him to the fact that he needed to leave Boston and the main office. If he couldn’t assume the mantle of leadership for Berwick Transport that he always thought he would, then he’d help build a new, different part of the company. He and Micah would make a success of their new opportunity, if only to prove to their father that they could. His advice hadn’t been accepted in Boston. Maybe California would provide new ways for him to make his mark on the company. He hoped so, anyway. He wanted the move to signify a new beginning.
“Just like Micah is having a new beginning tonight with his new wife,” he muttered, his groin suddenly tight.
His cock ached with the knowledge of what was probably happening that very moment a few doors down the hallway.
Siobhan was one of the most strikingly beautiful women Drew had ever seen. Her Southern accent only lent charm to her tall, slender bearing. Her green eyes and dark hair showed her Irish heritage. Her smile took away his breath. Though he’d tried not to appear that she affected him while he danced with her that evening, he sensed her sensuality. She did nothing overtly to encourage the impression, but her smile, the way she tilted her head listening to him, the way she dropped her gaze to his mouth and then lifted it to his eyes led Drew to think she had her mind on matters other than waltzing with her brother-in-law at her wedding reception.
On the other hand, maybe knowing that Micah had been with her minutes before the wedding, when anyone and everyone could have discovered them, put the feelings of sexuality in his mind.
Micah had always been the carefree twin. Andrew doubted he would have had the adventurous nature to sneak into his fiancée’s room for a quick fuck just before saying “I do.” No, he would have advised waiting the extra few hours, to maintain propriety.
And you’re a fucking idiot.
The clock in the entrance hall chimed three. He’d been in bed a little more than an hour and was no closer to sleep than when he’d first turned down the lamp. He needed a book or a whiskey, both of which could be found in the library.
He rose, his naked body cooling quickly once out from under the bed covering. He pulled on a black brocade dressing gown and slipped on boiled wool slippers. Silence cloaked the house as he made his way down to the library, but when he entered, a dark form looked up from one of the leather overstuffed chairs, a large book on her lap.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said. “I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d see if your library had anything on the state that’s to be our new home.”
So, she thought he was Micah. The ache in his cock returned, now long and hard against his stomach. For two cents, he’d let her continue believing her mistaken impression and entice her into paying attention to something hard other than a book. But as he’d just admitted to himself, he wasn’t the twin who lived for the moment.
“I’m Andrew.”
“Oh!” She pulled the lace collar of her negligee closer.
“Take your time,” Andrew said reassuringly. “I thought I’d take a book back to bed but I can do without.” He turned to leave.
“No, please stay. We’re related now, so there’s nothing indecorous about our sharing the room.”
He smiled. “You’re right.” He moved to the side of the chair, unable to resist the scent of jasmine that wafted across the room or the gleam of her hair reflected from the lamp’s illumination. “What did you find?”
She released the collar of her gown to close the book so he could see the title, States and Territories of the Western United States. She opened it again to display the map of California, but all Andrew noticed was the dip of the gown’s décolletage, revealing her deep cleavage. Her breasts formed soft globes of flesh that peeped above the lacy, white fabric. From where he stood and the position of her head where she sat, if she turned exactly right, her mouth would be at cock level. His breath caught in his throat. He should move, should bolt back upstairs. This was his twin brother’s wife, for God’s sake, forbidden to him. But he wanted her with a fire that threatened to burn him alive.
“Look,” she said, raising her hand toward him to capture his attention. Her fingers brushed his raging erection.
He hissed in a breath but didn’t jerk away. God help him, he wished she would brush him again. He wanted her hands on him, her mouth around him. He closed his eyes and seemed to know what Micah had felt that day, sunk deeply in his young wife’s cunt.
“Andrew?” Her voice held nothing but a gentle question, but it was so soft and sensual, he let the sound swirl through him.
“I’m sorry, Siobhan, but I find I should return to bed.” He rushed out as quickly as he could without looking totally foolish. Taking the steps in a hurry, he barely had the door to his room closed before he ripped off the robe and took himself in hand.
With firm strokes, he rubbed his cock, head to root, using the right amount of pressure at the bottom and polishing the satiny knob at the top, spreading the cum that leaked out with the palm of his hand. Tension built immediately with the pleasure. Soon his harsh breathing became labored and sweat glistened on his body. Imagining Siobhan’s breasts took him to the next level, and his scrotum grew tight. He twisted and pulled his dick with a savagery that excited him when he imagined her legs around him, his tongue in her mouth, her nipple nestled in his palm.
He came hard and fast, leaning against the door, breathing harshly through his nose and stroking himself rapidly.
When he came back to himself, he cleaned the mess as well as he could and then threw clothing and toiletries into a suitcase. He’d leave Micah a note saying he’d gone ahead to open the office and find a place to live. If his father wanted him gone, he’d get his wish.
Drew hated to leave Micah there alone to face what could be their father’s wrath at Andrew’s precipitous exit, but he had to get out. Staying would lead to disaster, for sooner or later, his desire for Siobhan would grow. Then he’d either find a way to have her or go crazy without her, and he refused either choice. Doing one would wrong Micah. Doing the other would destroy himself.
Chapter Four
A week later, Siobhan absently watched freight being unloaded from the Missouri River boat she and Micah were taking to Omaha. There they would board a train to California. She turned to see Micah come on deck. “Do you want to come over here and watch the goings-on with me?”
“Thank you, no.” He looked around and finally took seat on a large barrel, turned on end. “I’ll sit here and watch you, instead.”
She smiled. She did love being admired, even by her husband. Preening a bit, she had to admit she liked being admired especially by her husband.
Facing the rail again, she watched large, muscular longshoremen handle the off-loaded crates and bags
with ease. I wonder what’s in them and where they came from. If she got off here in the town of… Searching for the sign along the bank where signs for other stops along the way had been, she found it. Brompton. Brompton, Missouri. What makes this town special? Could I be happy here, if I left the boat? Left Micah and Andrew and a new life in far-away, barbaric California?
She sighed, knowing she wouldn’t. Just as she’d known that staying with her father in North Carolina, where they’d traveled upon leaving Boston, wasn’t the answer to her situation. They’d remained in Asheville only a day. Siobhan sensed Micah’s anxiousness to start their journey in earnest. Truthfully, she felt the same.
People on the shore of Brompton thronged to watch passengers disembark, some rushing forward to hug visitors or perhaps loved ones returning home. Maybe she would be going West with a happy heart if she loved Micah, but really, love hadn’t figured into her careful marriage calculations when she decided he would be her life partner.
Certainly she found Micah attractive. She wouldn’t have selected him as her mate had she not appreciated his fine looks—deep blue eyes, shoulders as wide as the French Broad River, and inky-black hair. Then there was his estimated financial worth—as one of two eldest sons who worked within the family company, Micah scored well as a man who could provide an enviable style of living in Boston, one of the nation’s most sophisticated cities. And his future prospects also placed him high on the list of desirable spouses. Assuredly, he would inherit the business one day, perhaps with his two brothers or maybe alone.
Yes, she had chosen well. Or so she thought. She didn’t realize that his father was such a despot or that Micah held such a low position in his father’s esteem. He might have been in Asheville with his father to present a bid for wagons to her father, but not as a real player, just as a companion. And not a valued one, she sadly discovered when talking with him later on their wedding night. Another kink in her calculations was that Micah didn’t even care much for the family business upon which many of her plans rested.
Jenna Stewart Page 3