Savage Spring

by Constance O'Banyon

  She had written him a note warning him about the conversation she had overheard in the garden, which she would leave where he could find it in the morning. If he chose to ignore the danger signals, then she could do no more to help him.

  When they made a wide swirling turn, they bumped into a chair, and he stopped long enough to push the furniture against the wall, giving them more room to dance. For each dance, he hummed the tune, and she guided him in the steps.

  It soon became apparent to Alexandria that Falcon was learning the dance steps quickly. They were dancing well together, gliding about the room as if their bodies were one. Finally, he drew her into his arms and rested his lips against her temple.

  “You stir my blood, little one. I have no desire to dance with anyone but you.”

  Alexandria’s body became soft against his as he raised her head and covered her lips with his mouth. Love so strong she wanted to shout it to the world encircled her heart as he picked her up in his arms and placed her on the bed.

  “I have a desire to do more than dance with you. I was forced to face a very unpleasant evening. Help me wipe it from my mind, little one,” he said, pushing the velvet covering from her shoulders.

  Alexandria buried her face against his chest, feeling the soft golden hair tickle her cheek. Her heart was filled with so much love for this man that she could sense his unrest and wanted to bring joy into his life. Somehow she would put her shyness aside and give all of herself to him tonight. Alexandria turned over on her side and ran her hand down his chest and over his hips in a slow, circular motion.

  “You have a magic about you, little silent one,” Tag groaned. He felt his body tremble as she moved her satiny breasts across his chest and brushed her lips against his ear. He felt as if his body was on fire as she kissed his closed eyelids and then allowed her mouth to move down to his lips. Another groan escaped him when she nipped at his lips with her teeth. Alexandria was determined to erase all thoughts of the other woman from Falcon’s mind.

  He was fascinated by her actions tonight. Before, he had always been the one to guide her in the act of lovemaking. She seemed to know just what to do to excite him now, with a touch or a caress. She almost destroyed his mind as a soft purr escaped her lips and her tongue traced the outline of his mouth.

  Alexandria ran her hand over Falcon’s chest and gently pushed him back against the pillow. In a daring attempt to please him, she slid her body on top of his and nipped at his ear.

  “Love me, little silent one,” he groaned as he felt her breasts pressed against his chest. He felt her satiny legs move to either side of his hips when she straddled him, and he gasped with pleasure as she guided his pulsating manhood into the soft, warm recesses of her body.

  Wave after wave of pleasure passed over Tag’s body as she began her slow up-and-back motions. Never before had he felt such a deep pleasure. It was as if he were floating in an endless sky, and his body was more alive than it had ever been before. Her soft lips that were always silent sought his eagerly, and he clutched her tightly to him. Tag realized in that moment that before he had met this silent, mysterious woman, he hadn’t truly been alive. Turning her over, he crushed her into the soft mattress and plunged deeply inside her, feeling as if the two of them were the only people in the whole world.

  Tag realized that, after tonight, he would never be satisfied until he found out who she was. He wanted her in his life, not as a shadowy, silent dreamlike figure that came to him in darkness, but as someone whom he could reach out and touch whenever he wanted. He found, to his surprise, that he needed her at all times!

  Alexandria felt the soft groan rising in her throat and clamped her lips tightly together to keep from voicing her pleasure. She admitted to herself that she lived for these nights when Falcon made love to her. It was becoming more difficult all the time to keep her silence. It was becoming almost impossible to play the part of Alex in the daytime. Many times she would become aware that her eyes were following him hungrily, and the love she felt for him cried out to be voiced.

  As Falcon took her body soaring into the sky, she sprinkled kisses across his throat. She hadn’t known one could feel such deep love and longing for a man. When his lips settled on one breast to tease and caress the nipple while his fingers brought the other to a hard rosebud peak, Alexandria thought she would cry out from the beautiful feelings that spread throughout her body.

  “I need you, I need you,” he breathed hotly in her ear.

  Alexandria felt Falcon drive deeper into her, and his body began to tremble in total fulfillment, stirring an answering fire and fulfillment within her.

  He kissed her and held her so tightly she thought her ribs would break. When he rolled over, he carried her with him and caressed her lightly while kissing her eyelids, her lips, and her throat.

  Alexandria curled up in Falcon’s arms, feeling strangely contented and at peace.

  “You have never spoken one word to me, little one, and yet I can sense your goodness. After what I have been through tonight, you are like a breath of fresh air to me. I want to breathe in your goodness to sustain me in the days ahead.”

  She raised her face to him, not understanding his meaning. Tag sensed her unspoken question and buried his face in her soft ringlets. “I cannot tell you what I mean, little one. One day you will know what I am doing, and why I must keep my own counsel. I do not ask you why you only come to me under cover of night—therefore, you must not question me about my private life.”

  Alexandria closed her eyes, knowing they both had secrets they couldn’t share with each other. She lay silent for a long time, until she could hear his steady breathing and knew he was asleep. Easing herself off the bed, she placed the letter she had written to him on the pillow and slipped silently out of the room.

  Tag awoke the next morning when the early morning sunlight came streaming into his room. Reaching out his hand, he came fully awake when he discovered he was alone. Raising up on his elbow, he wondered if he had imagined the night before when he had danced with his silent lover and she had taken him to the heights of ecstasy.

  His eyes narrowed in puzzlement when he saw what appeared to be a letter lying against the pillow where she had slept. Picking it up, he started to read:

  Dear Falcon,

  I wanted to warn you about Mrs. Landon and her lawyer, Melvin. I overheard them discussing you and want to alert you that they are checking on your identity. Please beware, for I know they are not your friends. I heard them talking about forging papers and trying to kill someone named Taggart James and his sister, Joanna. This led me to believe they are dangerous and unscrupulous. You must beware. I will not come to you again, but I shall never forget you. Take care of yourself.

  Xandria

  Tag reread the letter, trying to make sense of it. So her name was Xandria. How could she know about Claudia? Why had she chosen to reveal her name to him, if indeed it was her real name? What did she mean she wouldn’t come to him again? He would tear the whole damned town apart searching for her if he had to. Alex would know how to get in touch with her. He had to talk to her and find out how she knew about Claudia. Could Xandria know his true identity? No, that was impossible.

  Pulling on his trousers, he walked to Alex’s room and rapped on the door. When there was no answer, he pushed the door open to find the room empty. He knew where he would find the boy and rushed down the stairs, heading for the garden. He wanted some answers, and he suspected that Alex could furnish them for him.

  Alexandria was gathering a bouquet of red and white tulips when she heard footsteps on the garden path. She turned to see Falcon approaching. His features were stormy, and she could tell he was irritated about something by the stubborn set of his jaw.

  For a moment she feared he had discovered who she was and was angry with her for deceiving him.

  “Alex, I want to talk to you,” Tag’s voice boomed out. “I have had just about enough of your little game!”

  “I…don�
�t know what you are talking about.”

  “Don’t you? Who in the hell is Xandria, and why does she finally tell me her real name?”

  “Did she?” she asked, relieved to find he hadn’t discovered her identity after all.

  “You know damn well who she is, and I think it’s time you told me.”

  “I cannot do that. To do so would place her in danger.”

  “Would you rather I ask around and find out for myself? I now have a name to go on.”

  “No! Please don’t do that. You can’t know what the consequences would be if you were to do such a thing. Xandria must have trusted you, or she would never have told you her name. Will you betray that trust?”

  “You could tell me about her, and it wouldn’t be betraying a trust.”

  “No, Falcon, do not ask it of me. I can only tell you that she is running away from something that is very bad. If you were to start asking questions about her, she would be in very grave danger.”

  Tag gripped Alex tightly by the shoulders. “If she is in danger as you suggest, why doesn’t she trust me? I would protect her.”

  “I cannot answer for her. You must just forget you ever knew her.”

  “No! I cannot do that. You must go to her and tell her I want to see her tonight.”

  “She has gone away. I doubt that she will ever return,” Alexandria said, knowing it was best if she never came to him again as Xandria. He was beginning to be too suspicious.

  “Can you tell me how it is that she should know about Mrs. Landon?”

  “I can only tell you that she is afraid that you will come to harm from Mrs. Landon and her lawyer friend.”

  “Tell me all you know. I cannot tell you how important it is to me.”

  “I will tell you what I can, which isn’t very much. What would you like to know?”

  “Is her real name Xandria?”

  “Yes, in part.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “I mean I can’t tell you her entire name,” she answered hurriedly.

  “Did Xandria ever mention someone named Taggart James to you?”

  Alexandria hesitated for a moment. Could she tell him what she had overheard without casting suspicion on herself? “She did tell me that she overheard Mrs. Landon discussing this James person and his sister, Joanna. She told me they said something about forging some papers, and that if they, the Jameses, showed up, they would have to be…killed.”

  “Anything else?” Tag wanted to know.

  “Yes, the lawyer questioned if you could be this Taggart James, and Mrs. Landon said you weren’t. She assured him she would know the Jameses if they should show up. Does any of this make sense to you?”

  Tag nodded his head, and a faraway look came into his eyes. “Yes, more than you can guess. If Xandria should return, will you tell her I want to see her?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think she will.”

  Tag felt his heart contract. He felt such a deep sense of loss that it was almost like a physical pain. He looked at Alex and found the boy watching him. Pushing his troubled thoughts aside for the moment, he smiled at him. “Alex, are you above a little thievery if it’s for a good cause?” Tag asked, smiling slightly.

  “What cause?”

  “Again I must ask you to trust me. I have a notion to break into that lawyer’s office tonight and see if I can find anything of interest.”

  “That would be unlawful, wouldn’t it?”

  “Perhaps, but I think the end will justify the means. What do you say…will you go along with me and Farley?”

  Alexandria stared at him for a moment. She knew that if he were going to be in danger, she wanted to be at his side. “I will go with you.”

  He laughed and ruffled her curls. “I found a true and loyal friend when I rescued you from that sailor, did I not, Alex?”

  “I am your friend, Falcon. I would do anything you asked,” she replied, her golden eyes shining earnestly.

  “Anything but tell me where to find Xandria,” he corrected.

  “Yes, anything but that. Would you trust me if I were to betray a friend?” she questioned.

  “You could never betray Xandria to me, Alex. I would never do anything to harm her. I have come to care a great deal about her.”

  There were many questions she would like to have asked him, but she didn’t dare. “When will we go to the lawyer’s office.”

  “Like I said earlier, we will go tonight. We will wait until everyone has gone to sleep, then you, Farley, and myself will sneak away. I have been watching his office, and there is a small window in the back that should be large enough for you to climb through. You will then open the back door and let me in. How does that sound to you? Does it test your sense of adventure?”

  “It sounds crazy and dangerous to me,” Alexandria admitted.

  “It won’t be as dangerous as you think. We will have Farley on the outside to alert us in case of danger.”

  “It still sounds crazy to me. What could that man have that would be of interest to you?”

  “He holds my life in the palm of his hand. If I want the advantage, I must find some papers.”

  Alexandria didn’t understand at all, but as she had told him, she would do anything he asked of her. She knew deep in her heart that he was an honorable man and that anything he did would be for a good reason.

  “I’ll be ready when you are,” she said, walking toward the house and leaving Tag with a puzzled expression on his face. Sometimes Alex seemed older than his young years. Tag knew he would trust the boy as he did Farley. There were only the three of them in a hostile environment. He knew that if Claudia found out his true identity, he might never get his inheritance back, and he would have trouble even staying alive.

  If luck was with him tonight, he would find the papers that were so vital to him. He smiled, thinking if he were fortunate enough to find the documents, what Claudia’s reaction would be when she discovered them missing!

  Chapter Sixteen

  Farley led the horses around to the back of the law offices of Melvin Garner and watched as Tag and young Alex cautiously approached the back door. He placed his hand on Tag’s horse to gentle him and looked skyward. The bright moonlight shed its light on the town, casting the back of the buildings in half-light. He had tried to talk Tag out of coming tonight, because of the full moon, but the young man had been set on breaking into that Mr. Garner’s office.

  Tag looked up and down the deserted alleyway. It seemed unnaturally quiet, and he wondered if he had been foolhardy to try such a daring plan. Glancing down at Alex, he could see the boy was eagerly waiting for him to tell him what to do. He hesitated, not wanting to place the boy in any danger—after all, this was his fight, not Alex’s.

  Alexandria could tell Falcon was having second thoughts, and she touched his hand. “If you will break the window, I believe I am small enough to fit through. All you have to do is give me a boost up.”

  She saw the doubt on his face. “I don’t know, Alex, I have been wondering if we aren’t on a fool’s mission. I have no right to ask you to help in this. I must remind you it could be very dangerous.”

  Alexandria realized that if she didn’t do something quickly, Falcon would probably change his mind. She surmised that the papers he wanted must be important to him or he wouldn’t have wanted them in the first place.

  Seeing a piece of discarded pipe lying on the ground, she picked it up and quickly wrapped her coat around it so there would be less noise when she broke the window. Tag was looking back toward the horses when she moved forward and delivered a heavy blow to the window. The sound of shattering glass seemed to split through the silence.

  “What the hell…” Tag said, swiveling around.

  Alex gave him an impish smile as she agilely climbed up to the window ledge.

  “I’ve changed my mind, Alex, come down right now. You could cut yourself on the broken glass!”

  “Shh,” she said, smiling down a
t him. “There will be no danger if you don’t alert everyone with your loud voice.”

  “Alex, come down…now!” he commanded.

  She only laughed and climbed through the window, taking care not to cut herself. Her feet had no sooner touched the floor when she heard a key grating in the front door. Seeing that she was in some kind of storage room, she quickly ducked down behind a wooden crate.

  She prayed silently that Falcon would know someone had entered the building and not call out to her!

  Tag saw the light streaming through the window and cursed to himself that Alex would be so foolish as to light a lamp. He was about to call out to him when he heard voices coming from the inside and realized that Melvin Garner must have arrived at his office with a client. He flattened himself against the building, knowing he was too large to fit through the window. There was no way he could help Alex. He hoped the boy wouldn’t lose his head and do anything foolish. Surely he would know to hide and stay out of sight. He motioned for Farley to keep the horses quiet. Tag removed the gun from his belt and waited, knowing that if Alex were discovered he must be ready to break down the door to rescue him.

  Alexandria peered over the crate and hoped against hope that the two men she could hear talking in the office wouldn’t decide to come into the storage room. If they did, they would be sure to see the broken glass from the window that littered the floor and know something was wrong.

  Minutes passed with the slowness of hours as she waited apprehensively for the two men to leave. She was certain that Falcon and Farley were aware of the two men by now. Alexandria was comforted by the fact that they wouldn’t abandon her should the worst happen.

  Sitting down, she leaned her head against the wall and listened to the droning voices in the next room. Up to now, she hadn’t paid too much attention to what the men were discussing. Then she recognized one of the voices. He was the same man she had heard talking to Mrs. Landon the night of the party.