Seacrets

by Adrianna Wingate

  Mallory began to daydream of her hopeful encounter with the only man that could make her heart race this way. Absentmindedly, Mallory began to play with the hair atop Fredericks head. Winding it around her fingers and then gently running them through his thick chestnut locks. Frederick laid the side of his head at Mallory’s knee and allowed her molestation of him to continue. Her soft skin felt heavenly next to his and her scent was intoxicating to his young male sensibilities.

  In her fantasy, Mallory walks into the garden. It is a hot summer evening. The soft moonlight illuminated the rose garden. The heat from the day made the roses give off a sweet heady fragrance. She sees herself in Daniel's embrace, as if she were a voyer watching from afar. Daniel was running white hot kisses from behind her ear, along her neck, and down to her décolletage area. He buried his face in the swell of her breasts that overflowed the top of her bodice. Mallory thought she would lose her mind when she envisioned him lifting one breast from its hiding place, running his thumb across her tender, very sensitive nipple.She arched her back and sucked in her breath when he replaced his thumb with his tongue. She saw herself grabbing onto the sides of Daniel’s face, guiding him down further towards her most private area. Her fingers intertwined within his lustrously thick black mane. She motioned her hips forward, as his hot tongue slipped into her silky folds. She hissed as though she were a snake on the attack, Mallory no longer had control over her senses.

  “Miss Mallory you taste just as I imagined, like a sweet pomegranate.”

  Mallory opened her eyes to find she was in a heated embrace with the young lad.

  She was far too immersed in her fantasy… and far too hot to stop. "Freddy take me now, dear boy!" Her voice was ragged, her chest heaving with need. She thought, It's time dear little Freddy learned the fires and passion of a woman. She dropped her head back against the downy cushions of the divan, rolled her eyes back in her head and let the waves of pleasure over take her body.

  §

  Maura handed the last of her belongings to Aiden to put on the buckboard of his carriage, when Daniel walked out onto the front porch. She turned to look in his direction but he turned his attention to his brother. Maura recognized Daniel’s obvious disdain as evident by his ignorance of her, that he may still be stinging from her rebuke of his amorous attention, from the evening before. She wanted so much to run to him and tell him she in fact was enjoying their kiss and embrace, but felt if it kept on the way it was heading, they might both regret it. Maura comprehended the experience of extreme feelings of lust for Daniel, for which she felt shame. It wasn't proper to have all these morally wrong feelings for someone she hardly knew. Granted, the man is magnificently handsome, she reasoned with herself, but the most striking quality of his ruggedly handsome features is his sapphire blue eyes that are a deep violet in the center with a contrasting lighter shade to the outer aspects. They softened his features immensely. And each time she gained nearness to him she could smell the most wonderful fresh clean manly smell...like the ocean...yes, that was it, the ocean!

  Maura was roused from her daydream, when Aiden called out for her."C’mon, now, Maura. We've got to get movin', if ya are wantin' ta be settled in by midday and meet the children. It will take at least two hours to reach my estate.”

  "Yes, of course Aiden." Maura said despondently, as she passed by Daniel.

  "Here, lass, let me help ya aboard." Daniel surprised Maura, who was not expecting Daniel to even acknowledge her leaving, let alone help her up onto the front carriage seating.

  He reached for her waist and with one effortless swoop he lifted her onto the seat, his hands lingering on her hips a bit longer than necessary. They both held a long gaze into each other’s eyes. Maura, now blushing, broke her stare first. Daniel was pleased he’d gotten that response from their short interaction. That small telltale sign let him know there was room for hope between them. He released her and stepped back from the carriage.

  Maura watched as the two brothers talked a moment or two longer.

  Mary rushed out to the carriage to give Maura a basket of food for the journey, and of course to shed a few tears and let her know how much she will be missed.“Oh my dear you’ve no idea how much you’ll be missed. Whoever will I confide in my teasin’ of Daniel.” She laughed.

  "Oh c’mon now mother, you know Maura will be out here every Sunday for dinner." "So enough with the tearful good-byes. It's Wednesday. We'll be back in four days and ya know that ya are always welcome out ta our place."

  With a quick giddy up and a flick of the crop, they were off. Maura had a tear in her eye for she had grown very close to Mary. In fact Maura thought of her as a mother. Not ever remembering her own mother, she was sure she would've been a lot like Mary Hargendon. Maura turned to look back and saw that only Mary stood at the end of the carriage road. Daniel was nowhere to be seen.

  This fact seemed to bother Maura, though she did not know why. Why only a few short minutes ago the man could not seem to take his eyes from me, but now could not spend another few seconds until I disappeared from site? The man is a puzzle.. One minute intense, the next aloof.

  Aiden yammered on and on about his farm and his children and how he couldn't wait for them to meet her, yet all she could think about was how dare he not stand there pining for me. Maura nodded and smiled appropriately when the opportunity presented itself in the conversation, but her thoughts were miles behind them.

  The weather was perfect, sunny, with a few wispy clouds here and there. As the carriage approached the end of Aiden's estate, two adorable youngsters ran out to greet their daddy. " Dhaidi! Dhaidi! Ya are home." His son Mick yelled." What have ya brought me dhaid?"

  “Here, son, take these inta the house ta yer mother." Aiden handed down the basket of goodies nana Hargendon had sent to them. Mick already had his hands inside the basket and was pulling out his nana's famous chewy chocolate drop cookies. With chocolate smeared all over his face he ran up the carriage road with Colleen in tow.

  "Your children are precious, Aiden." Maura was already looking forward to beginning her job as governess. She took in a deep breath and began to help unload her belongings from the back of the carriage.

  "Here, lass, let James finish unloadin’ ya bags. I want ta show ya about the grounds and introduce ya ta my wife, Quinn."

  Quinn proved to be all Aiden had described and more.

  Maura was shocked to find not only did she have her own quarters but it was a whole house.

  Aiden assisted Maura into the guest house. It was a charming cottage by a brook, with a few oak and maples to frame the property. “Oh aiden, I’ve read of the spectacular colors of fall in this region and am sure the view will be spectacular from the oversized bay window in the drawing room where I plan to make a classroom.”

  Maura pulled back the heavy crimson embroidered draperies in the drawing room and opened the windows. The guest house had not been occupied in quite a while judging by the fact she could write her name in the dust on the furniture and the musty odor in the cottage. She was definitely pleased, though, and thought to make it her own.

  "Sorry 'bout the condition of the place, luv, but it's been ages since we've actually had a guest that stayed more than one night, so we've not kept it up, but I'm sure you'll make the best of it, eh?" Aiden said with a smile. He also had ulterior motives for having her see the place in disarray. He knew it would keep her busy making it her own style and keep her mind off his brother. He sensed they have a connection and if something were to come of their relationship, then absence would make the heart grow fonder and she'd be needin' some tasks to keep her busy.

  "I think it's lovely, Aiden. Oh, I'll be sure to call you by your sir name when in front of the children." She stated, apologetically.

  "No need to stand on ceremony with us, luv, Quinn and Aiden will be fine." He winked in her direction.

  "Well then, I guess I'd better get started." Maura reached for a dust rag but Aiden tossed it away.

  �
��Not until you've rested and had something to eat. Come, lunch is probably ready in the main house." Aiden extended his right arm.

  Maura smiled and said "Alright sir." smiling back at him. She placed her arm above his and they both walked towards the main house.

  §

  Unbeknownst to them both, were a pair of sinister eyes watching them from behind one of those giant oaks, just beyond the guest house. "Ruin my plans, will ya? Well you will surely rue the day that ya set foot off of ya precious Ireland, mark my words, Miss Maura McCoveny."

  †

  Chapter Sixteen

  Finally! Sunday had come! Maura had been counting the hours and minutes since she'd left Hargendon Manor and could not wait to get back there...to see Mary, of course, she told herself.

  She had just been putting the finishing touches on her hair, when she heard a knock at the front door to the cottage. Sure that it was Aiden come to get her for her journey to her surrogate home, she shouted, "Come in Aiden, I'll be but another moment." When she emerged from the bedroom she was confused. "Yes, may I help you?" She questioned the stranger.

  It suddenly occurred to the stranger Maura was not remembering him and he relaxed his breathing.

  "Oh, you'll be Mr. Kilern, the stable master." I've seen ya around Aiden's estate.

  "Ah, yes mum that be right." He bobbed his hat and told her he'd come to fetch her for the ride to Hargendon.

  Maura grabbed for her shawl, but he beat her to it and wrapped it around her shoulders. She felt a bit strange that this man should take such liberties as actually wrapping his arms about her. She felt a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, as she nudged away from him.

  "We'd better leave now, Aiden must be waiting for us at the main house." She nervously stated.

  "Aye, that's right, mum, he is waitin'." He walked a few feet behind Maura, pleased with the fact she really did not remember him. He had purposely stayed away from her for the first couple of days, spying from afar, waiting for his chance to be nearer to his almost lost prize. He told himself he'd have to wait and be patient for the right time to strike.

  Today was not that day. One day, though, I will have my due and will show those high and mighty Hargendon's they aren’t so high and mighty. He thought in his evil mind. I’ll be killin' two birds with one stone, as they say, what...He cackled to himself. I'll have money, freedom from the sea, and Daniel Hargendon will be crushed when he learns I've sullied his precious little gem. It will be an insult he will never be able to get his arms about."

  "I will need to hide her somewhere for a while until everyone thinks she's run off, back to Ireland."I think I'll be enlistin' the aid of a jilted ex-lover, for balance.", He thought as he rubbed his greasy hand on his chin, and pulled at his bestraggled beard. He walked to the front of Maura and said, "Best be pickin' it up a bit Miss, Master Hargendon's waitin'."

  Maura could not understand why she took an instant dislike to this man, but she felt she needed to be on her guard from now on when ever he was about. She told herself to keep her distance.

  §

  The two hours it took to reach Daniel's estate seemed like an eternity. When at long last they reached the carriage road leading to Hargendon Manor, Maura's heart began to race.

  As they rounded the front of the house, Mary ran out the front door, as though a long lost daughter had returned home. "Maura, child, I've missed ya bein' about the grounds, darlin'." She squeezed Maura tight about the shoulders.

  Maura was equally as happy to see Mary. "Is anyone else about?" Maura asked uneasily.

  "Anyone like who?" Mary answered with a sly look in her eye. She hugged Maura around her waist. “Danny went inta town, this mornin' ta check on his ship's holdin's and talk with a few merchants, but he is well aware you'd be coming home today and will be here for the noon meal, my dear. Don’t ya be worryin' he's forgotten ya so soon. Why he's been busyin' himself with anything he could, o'er the past four days, just ta pass the time, until your return."

  "Truly, he said he missed me?"

  "Well, no darlin’, not in words, but in actions." She stated, as she tried to soothe Maura's feelings.

  “Mae-maw, Mae-maw, did ya bake more cookies for us!" Colleen and Mick shouted as they ran and hugged onto their grandmother's skirts.

  Maura smiled as she recognized the Gaelic term of endearment. She also called her grandmother Mae-maw, when she was a girl.

  “Nope, not a one.” Mary joked. “C’mon then, the two of ya, mae-maw's got a great surprise, for ya both, in the kitchen!” Mary carted the children into the house.

  Just then Maura heard the lazy clip clop of hooves behind her and whirled around to find Daniel atop his magnificent black stallion, Demon. “Daniel, how wonderful it is ta see ya.” She stated with a smile that could make the sunshine pale in comparison.

  "Aye, and you, as well lass."

  His eyes pierced her soul. His smile forced her to catch her breath and her heart was racing. Maura could feel the heat between them and she knew it wasn't the midday sun.

  Daniel did not break his stare, as he dismounted Demon. He handed the reins to Godsey who was also nearby waiting to say hello to Maura, though Maura barely noticed.

  Godsey chuckled and shook his head knowing he was witnessing his Captain falling in love. "Poor bastard.” he chuckled, as he lead demon away to his stall.

  "Your Mother mentioned you’d gone inta town ta check on ya holdin's. Are ya plannin' a voyage, soon? Perhaps back ta Ireland?" Trying to make small talk to break the tension between them.

  "No, not just yet. Mayhap after Christmas or in the spring.” He continued.

  “I went to check on my cargo and meet with a few merchants interested in purchasin’ goods for their merchantiles." He explained as he walked just a step or two in front of Maura, hands clasped behind his back, looking straight ahead. "Why?" Would ya be missin' me if I did set sail?" He asked with a devilish look in his eye.

  Maura knew he was jesting with her and thought to give him a taste of his own medicine. "And just why would I be missin' ya, sir?" She stated, matching him look for look.

  God she is a great match for me, he thought. She could give as good as she got.

  They continued walking toward the river bank where Daniel was hopeful they may share some quiet, private moments together. With such close proximity to the object of his desire, Daniel was now beginning to feel impatient with himself. He felt nearly crazed with desire for her. His head was beginning to fill with lustfull, impure thoughts. His stomach was in knots, his heart was racing. He had to remind himself to slow down and take hold. The last embrace they’d shared, frightened her and he did not want to take her fearful. He wanted her to be a willing participant, as she had been aboard his ship.

  Daniel knew she most likely would have some apprehension when things became heated between them, again, but told himself he would make damn sure with the next encounter there would be no place for Maura to retreat and then he'd be able to convince her to trust him, as she had that lustful night aboard the Arabella, so many months ago.

  Perhaps while in his embrace her memory may be triggered to remember they were once intimate or what may have taken place after she disappeared from the ship and the night she was shot.

  Daniel watched Maura as she took her place on the edge of the river bank and stretched herself out onto her back upon the lush green carpet of grass, hands behind her head, staring up at the sky.

  "I just love summer time. Don't you, Daniel?" She spoke lazily and took in a deep breath, while staring up at the rolling, wispy clouds. "The clouds remind me of soft, comfy, goose down pillows. I'd love to lay upon one this very minute and let it drift me away." With her eyes still closed she remarked, "Daniel, ya are so quiet. Is somethin’ wrong? Am I talkin' too much?" She slowly rolled onto her side and propped herself up on her elbow to look in Daniel's direction.

  Daniel sat with his back against a large oak, staring in her general direction, but looking past her, at th
e passing waters of the river. When Maura moved it did signal Daniel to take notice of her, and he did just that. Maura was so innocent, she hadn't a clue she was enticing Daniel with her pure innocence. There she was, lying on her side, breasts pressed together, beckoning him to come to her. And the way she blended into the thick, velvet carpet of grass that could very easily have doubled as a comfortable bed for the two, made him begin to ache with desire for her. The light pink of her bodice against the green grass framed her luscious breasts making them look like a beautiful bouquet of roses waiting to be plucked.

  "No. Ya are not talkin' too much." He grumbled.

  Maura did not know what to make of his tone. She broke the silence by making a mundane comment about the weather.

  “Since the sun has moved around the tree, it has become oppressively hot. Would you mind, I’m thinkin’ ta wade a bit, into the river.” Not really asking a question, but stating what she planned to do.

  “If you wish.” he grumbled again.

  “Well I'm not wantin' ta be rude, Daniel.” She pleaded with him for less sullen behavior. She was sure she was talking too much and that's what's got him grumpy, all of a sudden.

  He knew it was because his trousers were getting tight between his thighs.

  Without waiting for a reply, she kicked off her slippers and headed for the river's edge. As she began to walk into the water she hiked up her skirts to expose her shapely calves, he'd remembered caressing so thoroughly, beneath the warm bath water on that lustful night in his cabin.