The Lady Who Lived Again

by Thomasine Rappold

  Maddie opened her eyes, trembling. Releasing her fierce grip on his arm, she nodded, trying to calm down.

  “The wheel must have broken,” Jace said. He stood, balancing on the buggy’s slanted floor. “Come on down,” he said as he helped her to the road. “You’re sure you’re all right?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, feeling a fool for her exaggerated reaction to a simple broken wheel. “I was startled, that’s all.”

  Jace nodded. Turning his attention to the buggy, he knelt to check the undercarriage to assess the damage. He got down on all fours for a closer look. Maddie watched, the beat of her pulse ebbing as she enjoyed the view. The memory of his naked body pumping into hers sent a flush of warmth to her cheeks, and her pulse leaped once again.

  “We’ll have to ride the horse to your house,” he said over his shoulder.

  She blinked, gathering her wits.

  “I’ll arrange to have the buggy repaired tomorrow. I think I can manage to get it into the trees so no one disturbs it until then.”

  Maddie turned toward a sound in the distance. “Someone’s coming.”

  Jace crawled out, then gazed down the road. A wagon appeared around the bend, trudging toward them. “Perfect timing,” he said, wiping the dust from his knees.

  The wagon approached and slowed to a stop. With a grateful wave at the driver, Jace strode toward the wagon.

  Matthew Webster frowned back.

  Maddie was dismayed at the thought of being rescued by Matthew, but the fear of having to board his wagon was far worse. Her heart thundered. She stared at the tall vehicle, the spacious double seats and spoke wheels. Swallowing hard, she froze amid terrific visions of the accident that felt vividly real.

  She needn’t have worried.

  To her utter shock, Matthew snapped the reins and the wagon lurched, sending Jace scuffling backward to avoid being hit. Matthew sped past them down the road, leaving Jace and Maddie in the dust.

  “What the hell…?”

  Breathing deeply to maintain her calm, she said, “Oh, never mind him. It’s a beautiful night. We’ll do without his assistance.”

  Jace nodded, watching Matthew barrel down the road. “I’ll take care of the buggy, then get the horse ready.”

  Maddie waited. Her annoyance with Matthew for leaving them deserted was superseded by her subsiding panic about boarding a wagon. She glanced at Jace as he prepared the horse, relieved to be spared from her cowardice.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  He lifted her to the horse, and she arranged her light work skirt around her straddling legs. Jace hopped up behind her. The heat of him radiated on her back and her bottom, and she clenched her legs tight. Positioning himself more comfortably, he edged closer, his thighs flanking hers. With a kick of his heels, he spurred the horse to move.

  They rode under the moonlight, through the sound of chirping crickets. The horse walked at an even pace in rhythmic footfalls on the deserted road. Straddling the bareback horse with Jace behind her, she found the motion of their bodies as the horse moved beneath them undisputedly arousing.

  Maddie leaned into Jace, just a tad. The warm breath he released fanned her neck, sending tingles through her veins. He straightened behind her, and she smiled, knowing he felt something, too.

  He held the reins with one hand, and the other rested on his knee. She dropped her hand to his and guided it to her thigh. The soft pressure of his touch felt exquisite as his fingers kneaded and squeezed.

  Their bodies moved with the horse as they engaged in a tango of sensual caresses that had her burning for more. Jace’s lips touched her neck. She released a long sigh, arching her spine. Raising an arm, she coiled it around his neck, fingers raking his hair, urging him on.

  Cupping her breast, he nipped at her ear, trailing hot kisses down the length of her neck. His hand dropped to her knee and then rose to her thigh, dragging a fistful of skirt up with it. Slipping beneath the fabric, he skimmed over her stocking to her bare thigh.

  “Ooh,” she moaned, arching against him. His fingers reached inside her bloomers, and she dizzied with tremors of excitement. He touched her there, and she flinched, afraid she might fall.

  “You’re safe with me, Maddie,” Jace whispered. The tenderness in his voice, the wisp of warm breath in her ear, lured her back into the dream. “Just sit back and enjoy it. I won’t let you tumble.”

  Caressing her softly, he whispered some more. “You’re so wet. So damn sweet.” He strummed her softly, his fingers circling over her burning flesh as she reclined against his chest. Breathing hard, she closed her eyes, pelvis grinding into his hand. He curled his fingers inside her, and she moaned in the sweet torture of it all.

  Spreading her legs farther, she opened to the magic of his hand, the friction of the horse beneath her, Jace’s fingers, sliding in and out of her. She writhed against his chest, panting. He pressed his hot mouth to her ear. “Come for me, Maddie.”

  The four words pushed her over the edge, and she climaxed, gasping into the night air.

  Jace pulled her bottom roughly against him, his hardness evident. The thought of pleasing him as fully as he’d pleased her, stoked her desire before it could cool. By the time they reached the house, she was afire with need. “Bring the horse to the carriage house and you can water it before you head back,” she said.

  Jace hopped from the horse and helped her dismount. She slid down into his arms and into a kiss that left her knees trembling. He led the horse to the barrel of water as she opened the carriage house doors.

  As he saw to the horse, she stepped inside. Through the flood of moonlight behind her, she assessed her surroundings. She smiled at a stack of hay bales in the corner. Spurred by excitement, she worked quickly. She arranged the bales, then pulled a blanket from the pile on a nearby stool. She tossed the blanket over the hay bales, then sat, leaning back on her arms.

  Jace stepped inside, spotting her on the makeshift bed.

  “Grandfather’s been asleep for hours,” she said. “He’ll be none the wiser.”

  Jace walked toward her, removing his coat. After pulling her to her feet, he kissed her. Hard. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his kiss softened. His tongue traced her lips before dipping slowly into her mouth to swirl against hers.

  They dropped onto the bed of hay, and he climbed over her. The crisp scent of him—his skin and hair—was still new to her senses, while the nostalgic smell of hay welcomed her home. The combination of exotic and familiar was exhilarating. Titillating.

  Jace made love to her slowly this time. With every searing touch to her flesh, every lingering kiss, she dissolved. Each twitch of pleasure in his face, each unrepressed groan brought her closer. Her body was no longer her own.

  They were one being with two heartbeats, a melding of limbs and lips flying toward one destination, one goal. One perfect moment of shared honesty.

  She shuddered with the blissful thought, with the peaking ecstasy consuming her body. Crying out, she clung to Jace’s damp neck, clutching fistfuls of his hair. Her pleasure drove his, and with one final thrust, he pulled from her body and reached his own wild release.

  The carriage house seemed deathly quiet as they lay there atop the bed of hay. Jace’s heart pounded against hers for several moments before he finally moved. Rising to sit, he reached for his trousers and began to dress.

  “I’ve never before been so eager to attend a wedding.” He chuckled, his eyes filling with wicked humor. Maddie smiled back at him with equal anticipation for the weekend ahead. Then she started to gather her own clothes. She sensed Jace was watching her movements, and tossing a glance over her shoulder, she confirmed his fixed stare. She smiled again, this time to herself, deliberately slowing her progress so that he could take his fill.

  Slipping into each garment, Maddie dressed in the moonlight and enjoyed the budding discovery that she liked him watching her. She felt bold and lovely in his simmering gaze
. A few more moments passed before she fluffed at her skirt and patted her hair into place.

  After folding the blanket, she returned it to the stool by Grandfather’s wagon. She stopped, staring at the vehicle. Jace came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You’ll overcome that as well,” he murmured against her hair. “I’m certain of it.”

  During their lovemaking, in the heat of passion, he’d uttered spontaneous sentiments, but she’d taken none of them to heart. But his words now, the way he held her, were not products of erupting pleasure. What they were, she was not sure, but she’d savor every one of them.

  His reference to her fear proved how poorly she’d hidden her panic earlier on the road. “Someday, perhaps.” She sighed. “If only I could understand…” She paused, stopping herself from saying more. She turned into his arms and looked into his face. The warmth in his eyes melted her heart. Her resolve.

  Oh, how she yearned to tell him her secret. She had trusted him with her body, opened to him with honest abandon. Naked and vulnerable, she’d exposed and offered him her entire physical self. Could she not open her soul and reveal who she was as well?

  “Do you believe in miracles?” she asked carefully.

  “You were lucky, Maddie. You survived because of the circumstances, because of certain factors that lessened the severity of your injuries.”

  She stiffened in protest, ready to admit everything. But when she opened her mouth, the words would not come. She tried a different tack.

  “Surely you agree that there are some things we cannot explain?”

  “No,” he replied gently. “There’s a logical explanation for everything.”

  His certainty chilled her, and she sobered from her hopeful stupor. The faces of her tormentors—Matthew, Pastor Hogle and all the others—blurred into the dear countenance of her lover. She lowered her eyes, sinking beneath a wave of disappointment.

  With a stroke to her hair, he tossed her a lifeline.

  “Except, perhaps, my body’s insatiable need to have you.”

  And once again, just like that, Jace’s singular magic buoyed her back to the surface.

  Chapter 20

  Maddie hummed as she twirled about the room, packing her bags. The bridal party wasn’t due at the Crooked Lake House until later tomorrow, but since she’d awoken this morning full of excitement about having yet another night with Jace, she’d decided to put her energy to good use.

  She felt so alive, so utterly renewed.

  This fact both elated and depressed her. She tossed the dress she held to the bed, then slumped down next to it.

  She loved him.

  The words chimed in her head, and she jumped to her feet to quiet them. Pacing the room, she tried to dispel the panic that coursed through her veins. She simply could not love Jace. It was unrealistic, and Maddie, of all people, knew her limits. She hugged her arms to her chest as she sought another explanation.

  Jace had been kind to her, compassionate, protective. When added to the bliss she’d experienced in his arms these past weeks, it was no wonder she was imagining her feelings for him were something more than what they were. It made perfect sense. She and Jace were merely friends. Close friends. Very close friends…

  She blinked hard, willing herself to be convinced. A complication such as this had no place in her plans. She knew full well that after the wedding, her time with Jace would be over.

  Of course, that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy what time they had left.

  Jace had made arrangements to stay at the hotel as well, and they would take full advantage of the opportunity this would provide. Amelia and her guests would be so engaged in the pre-wedding festivities, they’d never notice if Maddie and Jace slipped away.

  Her spirit lifted as she decided to focus on that. With renewed vigor, she returned to the task of packing her bags. But she was soon interrupted by a knock on the door.

  “You have a guest, Maddie.”

  “Who is it, Rhetta?” she called through the door.

  “Dolly Hogle,” Rhetta said. “She’s waiting in the parlor.”

  Dolly Hogle? Had something happened to Daniel? What else could possibly bring Dolly here? Maddie’s pulse quickened as she followed Rhetta downstairs.

  “Good morning, Dolly,” Maddie said.

  Dolly glanced up from her seat with a timid half-smile. “I hope you don’t mind my stopping by uninvited.”

  The lack of urgency in Dolly’s voice eased Maddie’s anxiety. “Not at all.” She took a seat across from the girl. “Rhetta will bring us some tea.”

  Dolly nodded, looking a tad more comfortable.

  “How is Daniel feeling?” Maddie asked.

  “Very well.” Dolly lifted her chin. “Doctor Merrick said it was your quick thinking that helped him recover so thoroughly.” She lowered her eyes, fiddling with the folds of her skirts. “Of course, Uncle refuses to believe that.” She glanced up for Maddie’s reaction. “He prefers to believe you were trying to do something sinister to my cousin.”

  Maddie gasped at the girl’s unexpected candor.

  “Were you?”

  “You’re a bright girl, Dolly. What do you think?”

  Dolly shrugged. “I think it’s preposterous,” she said. “Though I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to hurt him after the way he so callously broke off your engagement.” She sighed. “That’s my opinion, anyway. Not that anyone cares to hear it.” She lifted her chin. “In my household I’m expected to keep my thoughts to myself.” Anger pierced through each word the unhappy girl spoke.

  “I imagine it’s difficult to have so strict a guardian,” Maddie said, thinking of poor Elizabeth.

  “Especially when you’re so ugly no one else will look at you.”

  Dolly’s words left Maddie speechless. As did the grain of truth in them. Before the accident, Maddie, herself, had sought to avoid eye contact with the marked girl. She had treated Dolly the way she was now treated by others.

  For whatever reason, when she first saw Dolly again at Amelia’s dress fitting, Maddie had no longer been distressed by Dolly’s appearance. She wondered why this might be.

  “You’re one of the few people who will look me in the eye,” said Dolly.

  “People tend to fear those who are different,” Maddie replied sadly.

  “I’ve learned to accept my looks and how people react to my birthmark. You only have one life, and I’m going to make the best of mine.”

  “That’s truly commendable, Dolly.”

  “What I’m not prepared to do is marry Matthew Webster.”

  Maddie couldn’t blame Dolly, but she wondered why the girl was confiding in her of all people. “Amelia told me of the arrangement,” Maddie began cautiously.

  “Uncle has had it planned all along.” She shook her head. “Gert says I’m fortunate that Matthew has agreed. That he’s my only option, since no other man would want me.”

  “Gertrude is a fool.”

  A slow smile formed on Dolly’s lips. “She certainly is. And I’m her long-suffering sister.”

  The girl spoke her mind. Who would have thought Dolly’s mousy facade veiled a witty and straightforward young woman?

  Rhetta set up the tea. Maddie poured, listening as Dolly continued.

  “Gert’s nonsense aside, I’ve no wish to marry a man I can’t stand. Matthew Webster is the worst sort of person. He takes great pleasure in controlling others, me in particular. He believes his natural skill for intimidation makes him well suited to lead a church. While that may be true, he won’t be piloting any congregation I’d want to join. He’s so self-righteous. Always watching and judging everyone with those disapproving eyes of his.”

  Maddie couldn’t disagree. The way Matthew looked at her made her skin crawl.

  “He’s worse than Uncle, I swear it.” Dolly shook her head. “And Uncle has promised to tutor him to be a man of the church once we are married.”

>   “I see.”

  “I’d accepted this fate, but now I have hope there’s a man out there somewhere who could love me.” She stared into the rising steam from her cup. “You gave me that hope.”

  “Me?”

  Dolly glanced up. “If a man like Doctor Merrick could love you, surely there’s hope for me, too.”

  Despite the initial sting of the unintended insult, Maddie admired the honesty. The words held more desperation than malice, but the hope the girl harbored was based on a lie. “You are certainly right, and I wish exactly that happiness for you,” Maddie said, feeling guilty. “But for now, you must tell me why you are here.”

  Dolly sighed. “My uncle hates you intensely, Madeline.”

  Although this was old news to Maddie, the force of hearing it aloud hit Maddie hard. She took a breath to regain her composure.

  “I’m sorry to speak so plainly, but you must understand. Uncle’s rantings about you have poisoned many members of the congregation into believing you’re the bane of this town’s existence. That there’s something…abnormal…about you. He condemns you at every turn. Matthew, especially, has been greatly influenced by Uncle’s views. So much so, he’s insisting that Uncle take more aggressive action against you.” She inched to the edge of her chair. “I overheard Matthew and Uncle arguing last night over Matthew’s scheme to split from the church to form his own sect.” She tilted her head. “Although an estrangement between Matthew and my uncle would be an answer to my prayers, it would be at your expense. Matthew wishes to run you out of town…or worse.”

  Surely Dolly was exaggerating. A man hoping for a life in the church—even a desperate one—would not be so foolish as to resort to violence. Still, Maddie was happy to have an ally in the Hogle family. It might make things easier at the wedding, at least.

  “I appreciate the warning, Dolly. But there’s nothing I can do to change people’s opinion of me.” She smiled a sad smile. “Of course, I continue to try.”

  “That handsome doctor of yours is sure trying.”