by Connie Mason
Suddenly Alexa stirred, effectively halting Adam’s disjointed musings. “It’s nearly noon. Alexa,” Adam said as violet eyes regarded him warily.
“You should have awakened me earlier.” Alexa yawned.
“No need. Besides, you were exhausted. But the dressmaker will arrive soon and you need to get up now.”
Alexa sat up abruptly. “Dressmaker! But I have clothes.”
“Nothing appropriate for a wedding. I know for I’ve already gone through your bags. Besides, every one of your dresses has been let out more than once. I don’t want my bride embarrassed before my friends.”
“Or for them to be embarrassed by your obviously pregnant bride!” shot back Alexa, flushing. Adam shrugged eloquently and left her to her ablutions.
8
Alexa hated to admit it but Adam had been right. The bright-eyed, twittering Madam Dubois, the dressmaker summoned from Savannah, was a marvel with needle and thread. She had taken one jaundiced look at Alexa’s burgeoning figure and set out immediately to work a miracle. Or so it seemed to Alexa as she spun slowly before the pier glass in the stiff brocade gown so heavily embroidered with crystal beads that it nearly stood alone.
While the very low neckline emphasized Alexa’s high, prominent breasts, the empire waistline fell from just below those enticing mounds in stiff, embroidered folds to the floor. And miracle of miracles, the telltale bulge in her middle was invisible. Taking into account her delicate coloring. Madam Dubois had fashioned the gown of soft pink to compliment the cloud of ebony hair and enhance her magnolia-blossom skin. All in all, Alexa was very pleased with the result of the dressmaker’s handiwork.
Though Adam had yet to see the wedding gown, he had commissioned Madam Dubois to fashion an entire wardrobe to accommodate Alexa’s growing bulk. She was grateful to him but not deluded as to his reasoning. As the wife of an earl she had a certain position to uphold in the community. On that score Adam need have no worry for she was a lady born and bred.
Alexa had seen little of Adam this past week, what with fittings and all. In fact, he was rarely at home. One thing Alexa did learn in her time at Foxworth Manor was that for some unexplained reason Adam had firmly established himself with the royalists. At first Alexa found that difficult to believe in view of his friendship with Mac and Fox, both notorious patriots. But Alexa could not deny the obvious. All Adam’s friends were Tories. And they in turn thought highly of him. In a sudden burst of insight Alexa felt certain she had more sympathy than Adam for the Colonists and their quest for freedom. How could she not after listening to Mac expound endlessly on the cause for which he fought?
In those all too swift moments before her marriage vows were to be spoken, Alexa allowed herself to dwell briefly on Fox, and wondered if he was still raising havoc with the British navy. Or was he even now resting at the bottom of the sea? Somehow she pictured him alive and well, his muscular legs balanced on the bridge of The Gray Ghost, a smile lurking at the corners of his lips visible beneath his mask. Fox, the man who had taken her virginity—Fox, who could well be the father of her child.
Suddenly, amidst the scattered thoughts of a man other than her intended hsuband, it was time. Hattie, the little black maid assigned to her, arrived to tell her everything was in readiness and that the groom was awaiting her appearance. Though Alexa had sworn many times during the past week she would not be bullied into this marriage, she moved out of her room-Adam’s room, for she had not moved to another—and began the slow descent down the curved staircase.
Instead of dwelling on her unlikely marriage. Alexa surveyed her surroundings, still amazed at the beauty of Adam’s home despite her thorough exploration during the last week. A two-story dwelling, it was set back half a mile from the main road and reached by a long driveway of crushed shells. On all sides of the mansion were green areas interrupted by flower beds kept neat by slaves. The house itself was simple with two double chimneys rising above a slanting roof. Inside, a wide, carpeted reception hall led the way into the house, adorned with huge chandeliers and the grand staircase which Alexa was now descending.
The drawing room where she was to be married was huge, serving also as a ballroom. The mahogany floor was covered with a large, round rug. Besides the drawing room the first floor also contained a dining room, library, and study that was solely Adam’s domain. An archway led to a covered arcade and the kitchens beyond. Upstairs were six bedroom suites all lavishly appointed. Alexa had certainly not been idle this past week as she became acquainted with her new home. She decided it was a fine place to raise a child.
Almost before she was ready, Alexa found herself at Adam’s side in the drawing room decorated with holly and bayberry and crowded with strangers whose faces reflected their appreciation of the beautiful bride. From the corner of her eye Alexa saw Lady Gwen, her face grim and unsmiling. Beside her sat a handsome, dark-haired man wearing the uniform of an English officer.
Had Alexa looked at Adam she would have seen a glimmer of admiration in his gunmetal eyes. Though she had missed it. Gwen did not. Her automatic responses to the marriage vows were given in a flat and unemotional voice, barely registering upon her befuddled brain. Only when Adam’s lips lightly brushed hers did she realize the ceremony was over.
The rest of the day was a blur as Alexa met and promptly forgot the names of most of Adam’s prominent guests. The reception immediately following the ceremony must have been impressive, the food sumptuous, but Alexa did not remember. She felt relief that Adam had insisted upon an afternoon affair for had a dance been held Alexa knew she could not have danced a step in the heavy gown that disguised her pregnancy so well.
By evening Alexa teetered on the brink of collapse and she excused herself to retire to her room leaving Adam to bid good-bye to the last of their guests. With Hattie’s help she removed her ornate gown and donned a beautiful sheer nightgown that had mysteriously been placed on her bed. Within minutes she was sound asleep.
Alexa had thought little about her wedding night. She had wrongly assumed that her protruding stomach repelled Adam and she had months before he would consider bedding her. Alexa viewed it as a kind of reprieve. She had no desire to bed Adam. At this point her emotions were too fragile to be bombarded by his masculinity. She hadn’t had enough time in which to explore her feelings for the new husband who had previously been her tormentor. She hoped during the months she carried her baby to term she would get to know Adam and try to understand the intricate workings of his mind.
It was very late when Adam entered the bedroom he intended to share with Alexa. Though he was disappointed to find her asleep, he undressed swiftly and climbed in bed beside her. She was warm and smelled of violets. Adam noted, a scent he often associated with her long after he had left her. Alexa stirred as Adam tentatively explored the soft curve of a hip before moving on to full, soft breasts that seemed to fit his hands even better than he remembered. Parting the neckline of the pale mauve nightgown he had purchased for their wedding night. Adam’s lips tenderly encircled a ripe, rosy nipple. He was rewarded by a deep, soft sigh.
Adam knew the exact moment Alexa was awake for he felt her violet eyes upon him despite the dark room lit only by moonlight. “Adam, what … what are you doing here?”
“I want you, Alexa.” His words came to her on a gusty sigh and instinctively she knew he was asking—not demanding.
“Why?” Alexa was bewildered. “I’m certainly unlovely to look at right now. And I know you don’t love me.”
“Surely you remember how it was between us?” Alexa nodded, for she remembered far better than he how he had carried her to heights never before imagined. “Then how could you doubt that I would still want you? I went into this marriage fully expecting to share your bed. It’s one of the unexpected compensations for marrying the daughter of John Ashley. Besides, strange as it may seem, I do not find you unlovely.”
Alexa stirred uncomfortably, his words serving only to confirm her belief that Adam wanted his c
hild enough to lie to her. “Adam,” she hedged, immediately sensing his keen disappointment, “I’m tired.”
“I won’t hurt you, Alexa, if that is what you’re worried about.”
“Can’t you understand that I don’t want you, Adam?” she retorted, attempting to convey her feelings. “I married you to give our child a name. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be in this embarrassing situation.”
Suddenly the old Adam returned, one Alexa knew well from her stay with him in England, and she experienced a brief moment of stark fear. Bathed in moonlight, a scowl cut crevices in his stony face and his eyes matched the murky darkness of the room. A low chuckle filled the silence and Alexa felt the hackles rise at the back of her neck as he ripped apart her fragile nightgown, baring her body to his rough caresses.
“I tried to be gentle, Alexa. And I thought we might learn to enjoy what little we have together. I have no intention of harming you or the baby but I won’t be denied my wedding night. Now relax and enjoy what I can do for you. Lord knows what we share is little enough on which to base a marriage, but it’s better than nothing.”
Thoroughly incensed by his arrogant words, Alexa decided Adam could go to the devil, and told him so. “The devil has already claimed me, my love,” Adam mocked sardonically. The endearment sent a strange chord singing through her blood.
“Don’t mock me, Adam,” Alexa declared hotly, “by calling me your love when we both know why this marriage took place.”
“Do you know, Alexa?” Adam asked softly, his voice suddenly gone hoarse. “Do either of us really know?”
A sigh of consternation fluttered past Alexa’s lips as she sought an appropriate retort, but the words never left her mouth as the moon silhouetted a half view of his face, painting a silvery wash over his chiseled cheekbone and down to his determined jaw, and her heart gave a painful lurch in her breast.
Suddenly Alexa realized his naked skin was warm against the cool night air, and she felt herself drawn to him. Exultantly. Adam reveled in her moment of capitulation. The deep kiss he pressed to her parted lips was a demand and she responded without willing it, without wanting to as some hard kernel of denial dissolved within her.
His hand paused briefly on the bulge of her stomach, then moved between her thighs, and Alexa felt her flesh throb at his touch. Her fingers scored the tawny hair at the nape of his neck as her own hot nature triumphed treacherously and she surrendered to his need.
Sliding his lips to her breast. Alexa felt her heart catapult to her throat, then tumble down to pound against her ribs as his tongue teased its taut peak. Desire burned like liquid silver in Adam’s eyes as he devoted special attention first to one engorged nipple and then the other, her body reacting violently to his masterful manipulation.
He tightened his hands about her waist to hold her close as he began to nuzzle the dark triangle of curls that beckoned to him with the promise of delights he could not resist. He felt the exquisite pleasure he gave her shudder through her body and he could wait no longer to share her joy. His body so taut and inflamed, he swiftly entered her. With each movement her body began to pulsate with sweet tormenting pleasure until she was engulfed in a maddening spell, gasping, moaning, calling out his name mindlessly. Then he freed her in a blaze of bursting stars and exploding lights, following close behind.
Afterwards, both were silent, thoroughly shaken by the flame that seemed to lick to life each time they came together. It left Adam shaken and confused, but Alexa, her perception keener in matters of the heart, knew exactly where to place the blame for her amazing and ardent response to Adam’s lovemaking. Love! Against her will love had entered like a thief in the night and stolen her heart! Love possessed her, but its pain condemned her. Before she fell asleep she vowed never to allow Adam the satisfaction of knowing the depth of her feeling for him. His mockery could not be endured should he discover she loved him, she reflected bleakly as sleep finally claimed her.
His wedding night was all Adam had hoped. Alexa moaned softly as he awoke her with light, feathery kisses, and gently, considerate of her condition, he took her again, sweeping her with him on a magnificent upward journey to the very peaks of passion.
When Alexa awoke the following morning Adam was gone. Not only from her bed but from the house. To her chagrin she learned that he had placed his sprawling plantation into her care only when the overseer. Tom Forbes, called on her later that afternoon. Silently she cursed Adam for not warning her he planned on leaving so soon after their wedding. To Alexa it was the final insult, serving to reinforce her belief that Adam cared nothing for her. Thankfully, Forbes proved an able overseer, perfectly capable of running the plantation during Adam’s frequent absences. Alexa liked him immediately and was delighted to hear that he had a wife and two children living with him in the overseer’s cottage, promising herself to call on the Forbes woman soon. The reason for Forbes’s visit was unclear but Alexa surmised his curiosity concerning Adam’s hasty marriage played a big part in it. Whatever the reason she was glad that he came and looked forward to meeting his wife.
Alexa hoped her advanced state of pregnancy did not shock Forbes but he had the good grace to pretend not to notice as he concluded his interview and left. She did not fare so well with her next visitor to Foxworth Plantation.
Two weeks had passed since Adam left so hastily and Alexa glanced up from her book to see a carriage make its way up the long driveway. Her first thought was that Adam had returned and she thoughtlessly rushed outside without first donning a cloak just as three women stepped down from the conveyance. Alexa stopped dead in her tracks, her face a pale oval as she faced Lady Gwen and her two companions.
“Lady Foxworth, we’ve come calling,” Gwen called gaily.
Assuming a pleasant countenance, Alexa forced a semblance of cordiality into her voice. “Welcome, ladies. Come inside where we can chat over refreshments.”
“Lady Foxworth,” Gwen simpered, “these are my friends, Ellen Corby and Frances Lyme. Both are married to army officers quartered in town.”
Alexa nodded pleasantly, then turned to lead the way into the house. “Please call me Alexa.” As luck would have it, a sudden breeze caught at her full skirts, molding them against her protruding stomach. A collective gasp rent the air as Gwen and her friends stared fixedly at the unmistakable bulge beneath her dress. To make matters worse, Gwen laughed crudely while the other two ladies tittered behind gloved hands. Flushing with embarrassment, Alexa turned and entered the house, wishing her guests would disappear.
But luck was against her. Gwen waited until they were all seated before she began her malicious goading, egged on by her goggle-eyed companions. “At last we know the reason behind Adam’s indecent haste to wed you. From the look of you he must have bedded you the moment he arrived on English soil. How did you meet?”
“Lady Gwen, I’m certain our meeting and courtship hold little interest for you and your friends,” Alexa hedged evasively.
“Oh, but you’re wrong. I’m sure we’d find it vastly amusing, wouldn’t we ladies?” snickered Gwen. Two carefully coiffed heads nodded in agreement. “After all,” continued Gwen snidely, “if you hadn’t arrived when you did Adam and I would be practically married by now.”
“Why don’t you ask Adam if you are so anxious to learn about us?” Alexa countered, refusing to be baited by the insulting trio.
“Rest assured I intend to,” Gwen returned haughtily. “Where is the happy groom?”
Just then one of the maids entered the room with a tea tray and Alexa was saved from answering while she served refreshments. But Gwen was not about to let her escape so easily. “Well, where is Adam? No one has seen him since the wedding. Have you chained him to your bed?”
Alexa sighed, carefully setting her fragile cup back on the tray. “Adam has been called away on pressing business.”
“I’ll bet,” snorted Gwen derisively, exchanging knowing looks with her two friends. “It’s obvious the poor man was trappe
d into this marriage and now regrets the haste with which he complied with your wishes. Under the circumstances I’d leave, too, the sooner the better.”
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Four heads swiveled to where Adam lounged lazily in the doorway. Though giving the impression of total relaxation, Alexa knew him to be as tightly coiled as a sleek tiger ready to strike.
Gwen’s two companions nodded nervously but Gwen had the temerity to ask, “How long have you been here, Adam?”
“Long enough,” he answered, cryptically as he uncoiled his lean length and moved on cat feet to Alexa’s side, making a great show of greeting her by pressing a tender kiss on her startled lips. “How nice of you ladies to call,” he continued smoothly. “It gets lonely out here for Alexa.”
“Yes, well … er … just because you chose to wed Alexa doesn’t mean we can’t be friends,” Gwen stammered helplessly. “Especially since we all know now why you married her, the poor child.”
“Just why did I marry her. Gwen?” Adam asked in a soft voice that should have warned her.
“Come now, Adam, we’re not blind. Any fool can see Alexa is pregnant. Five or six months, from the looks of her, you devil. What more can I say?”
“You can say that you came here to offer friendship, not criticism. From what I heard you and your friends were quick to condemn. What chance does Alexa have against your malicious gossip?”
“Adam, darling, we meant no insult. It’s just that we were … shocked when Alexa showed up from out of nowhere to claim you. But of course we don’t blame Alexa. Far from it, you rogue. How could she resist you? Even I was not immune.”
Adam was not deceived by Gwen’s sugary words but he smiled in order to ease the tension as the ladies finished their tea. Perversely, Adam chose to remain and the talk did not veer toward the snide innuendos that marked the first part of the visit. Indeed, Adam bestowed such lavish attention on Alexa that Gwen turned green with envy. As soon as was decently possible she ended the visit and, flanked by her twittery friends, departed in a flurry of rustling skirts.