by Linda Daly
Pulling slightly from him with tears running down her cheeks Miranda said, “Oh Gilbert, I do love you—with all my heart.”
“Then ya must learn to confide in me, as ya have with Mr. Honeycutt.”
“I can’t. You will be angry with me,” she muttered.
“Don’t ya know that yer just made me the happiest man in the world? How can I possibly be angry with ya when yer gave me your heart?”
Timidly she looked up at him wanting desperately to be able to confess what she had planned without his consent, but fearful if she did, she risked ending this moment of blissful tenderness.
As if sensing her awkwardness, Gilbert drew her in his arms and whispered, “I meant what I said Miranda. I love ya. You do believe me, don’t ya?”
Feeling his breath on her cheek and hearing him declare his love for her again Miranda timidly nodded her head while nestling closer to him. “Oh Gilbert, if you only knew how often I’ve prayed you would say those words to me. Even when you were so cruel, picking fights with me, I kept praying that the day would come when you realized that you loved me as I loved you.”
“My love for ya was never in question. Don’t ya see Miranda, I had nothing to offer and my love is so deep for ya, I could not allow me own selfish needs come before what was best for ya. Even now, as much as I want this to happen, I know …”
Anticipating his words, she pulled from him and placed her fingers over his lips. “Please don’t even think of such things Gilbert. What you didn’t take into consideration all the while you pushed me away, was that when a woman truly loves a man, as I love you, such love isn’t measured by worldly possessions or standing in society. I say this not out of the throngs of passion, nor from a lack of not knowing a privileged life. We both know I was more fortunate than you were in this regard. For months, I’ve been prepared to gladly to give up everything to be with a man that I admire and respect but most of all, love. You may be stubborn Gilbert O’Flaherty, but what you must come to understand is I too, can be equally stubborn when I believe in something. And I believe in you, and in us. Especially the life we could share if you would only let it happen.”
Tenderly caressing her cheek, he said, “What kind of life could I possibly offer someone as perfect as ya? Even if I were wealthy, Miranda, the fact remains in this country I’m judged by not who I am, but where I came from. I cannot bring such pain and misery down on ya, simply because ya love an Irishmen. So please be a good lass and go back to yer fine room, back to the life where ya belong and let me have this memory untarnished forever.”
“No. Please don’t push me away again. I’m here where I want to be, where I belong.”
“Oh Mandy, I’m only a man, and as God is my witness, I can’t just hold ya without wanting to make ya mine. So before I can’t stop myself, ya better leave.”
Stubbornly she shook her head. “If you force me too, I’ll beg because where you’re concerned, I have no shame. I want you to make me yours.”
Hungrily his mouth came crushing down on her, and she matched his passion by clinging to him, moaning softly, feeling his hands pull her body firmly against his. Hearing him groan, swept away with his desire for her, Miranda gasped breathlessly. “Oh please Gilbert, love me.”
Pulling slightly from her, their eyes locked and he breathlessly said, “Heaven help me, after tonight in the eyes of God ya will be my wife. From here out, I promise to do all in my power to deserve the love and trust ya have in me.”
Seeing a tear run down Miranda’s cheek, Gilbert tenderly wiped it with his thumb before continuing. “Perhaps, yer friend Mr. Honeycutt could bring by a parson tomorrow to make it legal. That is, if ya will honor me by sharing a life together and becoming my wife. But before ya answer, ya must know Miranda, that marriage is sacred to me. In the eyes of God, we will be one, so there will be no more secrets between us, no hidden meanings in yer words, or no more being alone with another man who wants ya as much as I do.”
Hearing his words, she lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. “Gilbert O’Flaherty, nothing would make me happier than to be your wife and for us to build a life together.”
Saying not a word, Gilbert tenderly swept her into his arms and carried her toward his bed, while Miranda silently leaned her head on his shoulder. No longer was she fearful that she was incapable of loving another. Casting aside what she had been taught of morality and decency, she clung to him wanting only to give herself completely to the man she loved.
Upon reaching the bed, Gilbert knelt on the edge and gingerly released her. A tender smile crossed her lips as their eyes locked on to one another, and she traced his broad chin with the tips of her fingers, as he inched his way next to her.
Dreamily she said, “That first day we met at the orphanage—even though you angered me so—hours later, all I could think of was your eyes. And although I saw in them such anger and hate, somehow I knew you had a great capacity of tenderness too. I was then as I am now, bewitched.”
Smiling, he placed her hand in his, then looking down at it as if it were a delicate and rare art object, he leaned forward and softly began kissing it tenderly. Feeling his lips move slowly across her arms sent immediate rushes of desires through her. Pausing, he huskily growled, “Bewitched ya say? Was that before or after ya walked away from me in a huff?”
A smile crossed her lips, recalling the look of merriment she had seen in his eyes that morning when he knew he had gotten her goat. Gazing into his green eyes now she saw a glimmer of amusement along with a longing that took her breath away.
“Huff, you say …” she cooed, enjoying the sensation of his hands slowly tracing her shoulders and inching up her neck that heightened as Gilbert slowly began to kiss her skin where his hands had just been.
Leaning slightly further into the featherbed, she stretched her head back and closed her eyes, drinking in the splendor of such sensual caressing. Being aroused by his touch, Miranda inhaled deeply and slowly finished her sentence. “As I recall … you were deliberately trying to provoke me.”
“Aye. And now, am I still able to arouse ya, Mandy girl?” he asked suggestively as he leaned in to kiss her. Feeling his mouth on hers, Miranda responded eagerly to his tongue as it parted her lips while his hands began to explore her petite frame. Never had she felt such longing, and urgently and she grasped her hand tightly around his neck. Feeling the hardness of his body next to her, aware that his hand had found its way into her corset and was fondling her breast, Miranda moaned softly, causing Gilbert to pull away from her and sheepishly apologize.
“Forgive me for hurting ya. I didn’t mean to be so rough.”
Brazenly, with trembling hands, she began to untie the cord that fastened her corset and said, “You weren’t hurting me …”
Needing no prompting, Gilbert placed his hand over hers. “Please let me,” he huskily whispered. Nodding her head, Miranda leaned back on the bed, allowing herself to feel the full sensation of his touch as his hands loosened the garment.
“My, but ya wear a lot of clothing, don’t ya?” Miranda smiled as he caressed her breasts through her lacy camisole. Obligingly, Miranda raised her arms as Gilbert removed that as well. Tilting her head back, her spine arched, she gasped feeling his hands trailing down her breasts, softly caressing her abdomen. Without prompting, she raised her hips as he slid the lace-trimmed pantaloons over her thighs and gently removed her stockings.
Completely exposed to him, Miranda rested her head on his pillow, watching Gilbert remove the remainder of his clothing, finding it erotic. Her heart raced seeing his aroused manhood. Never had she felt such desire as she stretched her arms out to him.
Gingerly he returned beside her, the length of his body firmly pressed next to her as their mouths hungrily sought the other. As their desires increased, their hands voraciously began exploring the newness of the other’s nakedness, all the while urgently kissing each other through their gasps of pleasure. As Gilbert inched his body closer to her—Miranda eager
to become his— completely grasped his neck as he slid his body over hers. Parting her legs so Gilbert could enter her, she moaned feeling his enlarged manhood inside the warm crevice of her body, and immediately their bodies moved in perfect unison, intertwined until they reached ecstasy.
Between gasping for air, Gilbert, huskily whispered, “I love ya, Mrs. O’Flaherty.”
Hearing his words, Miranda clung to him, and said hoarsely, “Oh Gilbert, I love you.”
While still inside her, Gilbert leaned to one side and Miranda did the same, contently lying nestled in Gilbert’s arms. Feeling their oneness, she smiled radiantly at him.
“Now that I am yours completely, if you truly need for me too tell you what Alfred and I spoke of, I will tell you, so there will be no secrets between us.”
“What ya spoke of earlier with Mr. Honeycutt was as Miranda Brown, and as much as I want ya to confide in me, that’s one secret ya can take to yer grave if ya wish.”
Tenderly caressing his chest, she smiled, thinking what a wonderful man she had just given herself too. “No. I want to share everything with you from here out. I’m just embarrassed and a little frightened that you’ll think badly of me.”
“Oh Miranda, never worry about that, especially when ya just made me feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
Hesitating, she whispered, “After Alfred confronted me, explaining he had known you were here and that you were leaving for San Francisco, I told him I was going with you.”
“Oh, were ya now? And how were ya intending to do that lass, prey tell?”
“It had occurred to me that if the trains were being searched for an Irishmen traveling alone that you could be in danger, so I booked two tickets, first class as Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hourigan.”
“Joseph Hourigan, ya say?” Clearly Gilbert was shocked hearing that name in particular. “That was me mother’s da name.”
Timidly she said, “Yes, I know. MargaretAnne told me.”
“Ah, so the plot thickens. Ya’ve gone to me own sister to conspire against me too.”
She gazed into his eyes to gauge if he was angry with her or teasing her. Seeing a twinkle in his eyes while tenderly caressing her breast, Miranda said, “Not to conspire against you, but rather explain my intentions and to tell her that I loved you. It was her suggestion I use your mother’s maiden name so you would know that I had spoken to her.”
“You told her ya love me?”
“Yes. Just as I told Alfred the same tonight. Where you and your safety is at stake, I’ve already told you, I’m shameless. Nothing was going to keep me from you and nothing ever will again. Not Alfred, my father or anyone else, not even your stubbornness.”
A smile passed over his lips. “And you call me stubborn?” he whispered. “Oh Mandy, ya too good to be true. As soft and beautiful as rose, and a heart as pure as an angel. Sweet Jesus, I may not have anything to offer ya, but having ya, I have all the riches a man could ever want or need. And one thing ya can be sure of, ya have my heart and all my love.”
“That’s all I ever wanted or will ever need. The rest we will leave in God’s hands.”
Tenderly their lips found the other, and as their passion increased, they culminated their love for one another again, bringing each other to fulfilling rapture in the splendor of their love and desire.
Hours later, still nestled firmly in Gilbert’s arms, Miranda dreamily said, “Oh Gilbert, this is paradise. Please tell me again about your homeland. Do you ever want to return there?”
“Of course I do! When I’ve made a name for myself. You, me, and the children can go there and spend as long as ya like,” he whispered, tenderly kissing her forehead while fondling her breasts.
“The children? As in more than one?” Miranda smiled sheepishly, not at all embarrassed of her nudity or what they had done.
“Of course! The more the merrier,” he whispered. “Oh Mandy, yer goin’ to love Ireland!”
While Gilbert described the beauty of his homeland, Miranda turned and snuggled closer to him as his hand moved over her shoulder hugging her softly. Leaning down to kiss his bare chest, she marveled at how much at ease they were with one another. Never had she felt so much at peace.
Feeling suddenly tired, Miranda closed her eyes but jerked awake, hearing a muffled coughing from above their heads. Pulling away from him, she whispered, “Darling, I must leave you. I’m certain that is Alfred I hear. His library is directly above us.”
Tenderly kissing her forehead, he nodded. “When will ya be returnin’?”
“That really depends on Alfred, I suppose. I’ll make my excuses with Felicity and be home early. I promise.”
“Home? To our palace in paradise?”
Preferring his playful sarcasm to antagonizing her, Miranda ignored his comment and hastily withdrew from his bed and started to dress. Gilbert watched in silence, smiling at her as she stepped across the room to retrieve her other garments. After securing her blouse inside her hooped skirt, while slipping back into her shoes, she hastily reminded him that Alfred could hear everything they said. Then tiptoeing back to his bed she leaned over and kissed him tenderly. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”
Nodding, he whispered, “I love ya, Mandy.”
“I love you more,” she whispered while caressing his cheek.
“Impossible,” he growled. “Now be off and do what ever ya have to do, before I change me mind.”
Hating to leave him, but knowing she must, Miranda bent down and kissed him again. “Don’t tempt me, Mr. O’Flaherty.”
Lovingly he raised his eyebrow, and chuckled. “Now who’s bewitching who, Mrs. O’Flaherty?”
Groaning playfully, she turned and tiptoed up the stairs, praying she could make it to her room without being detected. As she passed Alfred’s study, seeing the door closed, Miranda hesitated, not wanting to spoil her bliss by having words with him, but knew she must speak with him. Adjusting her hair, she timidly knocked gently at his door.
Hearing his gruff reply of “Enter”, Miranda suddenly wished she had waited. Then realizing she was still in the gown she wore to dinner the previous evening, her cheeks grew red. Oh dear I should have changed first. He’s sure to notice. Before Miranda had a chance to react, the study doors opened wide and Alfred looked at her in surprise. “Miranda, why what a pleasant surprise. Come in.”
“Only for a moment,” she said meekly.
Much to her surprise, Alfred did most of the talking while pacing, as she sat quietly and listened. When he announced that after being down in the basement last night for the first time in years, he had to agree with Gilbert—it was dank and dismal. Her heart raced, fearing the worst. Instead, she was relieved to hear that other arrangements were being made for Gilbert to be moved to the servant’s quarters in Montgomery’s room, where the two of them could have more privacy. Although he said nothing directly to her, just by his remark of them requiring privacy, she knew Alfred had guessed why she hadn’t changed from her gown.
Only being in the servant’s wing once, Miranda recalled that Montgomery had his own entrance to the gardens as well as the main house, and she smiled, thanking him. Blushing, Alfred then addressed other concerns on his mind, the first being if she still intended to go with Gilbert to San Francisco.
When she replied yes, explaining she and he would like to be wed as soon as possible, Alfred immediately nodded his head and said he would make the necessary arrangements. However, he insisted that the wedding be detained for a few days until Benjamin had returned, since Alfred was concerned in letting any others find out they were harboring a wanted man for murder. Agreeing with him, and grateful for his keen perception of the situation, she asked, “Is there anything else you care to discuss with me before I make my leave?”
Looking at her, she knew what he was about to say troubled him by the look on his face. Bracing herself for a lecture Miranda took in a deep breath.
“Considering the lateness in the hour and when you did not answer
your door to your bedchamber earlier, I took it upon myself to send word to Mrs. Myles that you have taken ill today.”
Hearing him say he had visited her room and knew she was not there, Miranda blushed but said nothing, listening to his every word.
“This so-called illness should suffice for a few days, my dear, by being excused from dinner and other situations where you would be required to be in contact with Tad. With Joshua and Elise arriving with the Robbins’ early next week and the preparations for the party keeping everyone preoccupied, I should venture you’ll have ample excuse not to be alone with Tad. Nevertheless, we still have the end of this week to get through. Are you certain you will have the courage to continue this charade?”
Puzzled by such a comment she said, “Of course. Haven’t I done so until now?”
Tuning to face her, he looked tenderly at her. “It has suddenly occurred to me that in my zest to help, I may have caused you and Mr. O’Flaherty more harm than good by not waiting to speak with him next week.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Honeycutt, but I’m not following you …”
Raising his hand to silence her, he added. “I wasn’t finished. You see, there is a certain glow a woman possesses when she loves and she knows she is loved in return. And my dear, you radiate. If I can see it, I am positive that a certain young man who already thinks you’re beautiful, will see it too. Therefore, from here on out, until you leave us Miranda, you must be doubly careful. It goes without saying that myself and Montgomery will help wherever we can, and I’m sure after I explain the complexities of the situation to Felicity, she too will assist you as well. However, we cannot be with you every moment of the day. Now more than ever before, we must do nothing to arouse the suspicions of Tad or the temper of Mr. O’Flaherty. Not that I think your fellow would do anything unwisely, mind you. But a man in love is apt to do anything, especially if he must protect the woman he loves from his enemy.”
Seeing her ready to object, Alfred hastily added, “Miranda, I know what I’m talking about here.” As if the matter had been settled, he added. “As I was saying, as wonderful as it is to have you confide in me, there are certain matters you need to discuss with a woman. Mrs. Myles, being worldly and as levelheaded as she is, would be my first choice. Not to mention, with Vivian hell-bent in rekindling an alliance with Felicity, for the sake of impressing Rupert Robbins, we can use this to our advantage. Don’t you agree, my dear? So I’ve urgently requested she come early tonight, before dinner.”