Fire and Ice

by Hart, Catherine

  “I do not!” She swatted at him playfully. Then she grabbed a handful of black, curling chest hair and tugged lightly. “Take it back.”

  “Ouch! All right, you win. You don’t snore like a lumberjack. You have a very delicate and ladylike snore. Ouch! Stop that! I was just teasing.”

  She settled back into the curve of his shoulder with a sigh. “I hate to admit it, Reed, but this feels so right.”

  “What does?”

  “Being here with you. Waking up with your arms around me.” Suddenly all sleepiness vanished and she sat up on her heels, her hair in glorious disarray about her. “What do you suppose people are going to say?”

  He propped his pillow behind him and sat up. “They’ll be shocked, of course, but they’ll accept it. You have been setting Savannah on its ear for some time now. They are getting to expect it of you. Besides, in two weeks something else will grab their attention and we’ll be old news.”

  "I suppose so.”

  “Now, wife,” he said with an evil glint in his eye, “greet your husband good morning properly.”

  “You randy old sea-dog!” she laughed as she fell into his waiting arms.

  Chapter 24

  EVERYONE’S reaction was fairly predictable. The news was announced at breakfast. Barbara, over her initial shock by now, was gearing up for the defense. William was back to business as usual, vastly relieved at not having to face Reed at ten paces. Mary was her calm, serene self.

  Susan’s eyes opened wide at the announcement, and then she smiled shyly at them both. “I’m so happy for you! I could not hope for a more beautiful sister-in-law. You belong together. I saw it from the start.”

  “You did?” Ted was genuinely surprised. “I say, Reed. I’m sorry. I really didn’t have any idea. No wonder you were so upset last night.”

  “I’m still debating whether or not to take a willow switch to the seat of your britches.” Reed gave him a mock glower, then grinned. “Let that be a warning to you. As it is, I’m feeling benevolent this morning, so you are forgiven. ”

  “How touching!” Amy grumbled irritably. Her mother had broken the news to her earlier and her eyes were still red and swollen from crying. Even Mammy’s remedies could not remove all traces. It was all she could do to pull her tattered pride about her and hold her head up. Her grand revenge had exploded in her face, and she was not taking it graciously.

  “I suppose your grandmother knew all along,” she said now.

  “Amy!” Barbara gasped, glancing hurriedly at William.

  Amy’s comment might have passed unnoticed were it not for Barbara’s reaction.

  “Yes,” Amy retorted spitefully, “or hasn’t she told you? It is the second-best-kept secret in Georgia—next to your marriage, of course. Kate O’Reilly is Kathleen’s grandmother. Now I know what people mean when they say blood will tell!”

  Reed shot Kathleen a quick look that clearly said to keep silent. “Of course she told me, Amy. Why wouldn’t she? It is no sin to be Irish, you know. Kate is a great friend of mine, has been for years.”

  When they once more gained the privacy of their room, Reed exploded, “Damn it, Kat! Why didn’t you tell me? What other little secrets do you have up your sleeve?”

  “Reed, the Bakers are still very English and have never liked the fact that my father married an Irish lady. They never saw the need to acknowledge any relationship with Kate in all these years. Now suddenly I show up and it would have been awkward for them to all of a sudden claim Kate as one of their family. Kate understood all this. She and I agreed that when the time was right we would acknowledge one another. In the meantime, I have spent a great deal of time with her.”

  “But why couldn’t you tell me? I’m your husband. Did you at least tell Kate that?”

  “Yes, I did. After all, I had a miscarriage in her home.”

  “I should have seen the resemblance; the hair, the eyes.”

  “Everyone says I take after her. My parents named me for her.”

  “Are there any of your other relatives waiting to pop out of the closet?”

  “No, Reed. I promise. I have a few shirt-tail cousins in Ireland, but no one close. I’m really rather an orphan.” She gave him a sheepish grin and wrinkled her nose at him.

  “How can I stay angry at you when you look at me like that?” he grumbled, pulling her into his arms. “Come here, orphan. I’ve adopted you now. You’ll never lack for attention around me, my pet.”

  The general populace of Savannah was stunned by the news. In every parlor in town the topic was Reed and Kathleen. Kate had arrived in town right after breakfast and spent the remainder of the day visiting from home to home. As an interested bystander, she offered the explanations the couple had suggested and collected opinions of the leading families. After dinner that evening she returned to the Bakers’ with her report.

  “It appears to me that after the initial shock wears off, most o’ the folks are takin’ it fairly well. O’ course, Mabel Ainsley isn’t too sympathetic, since her son had his sights set on Kathleen here. Most people thought ye’d end up gettin’ married soon anyway, so they just have to readjust their thinkin’ a wee bit. Some o’ them can see the humor of it and seem to think ’tis quite a joke. I tell ye, rather than being shut out, ye’re a curiosity, and they’re knockin’ one another down to see ye’re invited to their holiday festivities.

  “They were sort of gettin’ used to Kathleen lordin’ it over them and having things her way, so ye haven’t disappointed them, lass. O’ course, all the lassies are woebegone over Reed here being wed, and most o’ the lads are cryin’ in their beer over Kathleen, but ’tis to be expected with two people as handsome as ye two are.”

  The gossip in the parlors the next day was a little more difficult to obtain, but the servants passed on what they had heard. The entire town was abuzz for the second day in a row as word leaked out that Kate O’Reilly was Kathleen’s maternal grandmother. That, of course, only served to raise Kathleen’s status in the community, since Kate was so well thought of. All in all, what could have been a social disaster turned out much better than anyone could have hoped.

  On Sunday the entire family attended church. Kathleen dressed carefully in a cream-colored lace gown trimmed in brown and sat next to Reed, who held her hand possessively throughout the service. By the time church let out, anyone would have thought Savannah had elected them king and queen. It took them three-quarters of an hour to get to their carriage, so many people stopped them to congratulate them and wish them well.

  On the way home, Mary suggested that Barbara have a party for the newlyweds. “It is the only way to calm down the furor and pacify everyone. They are all so anxious to show their approval.”

  The ball Barbara and William prepared for the couple was an unqualified success. Everyone accepted their invitations, and Barbara had to rent the ballroom at St. Theresa’s. There were so many gifts of silver, china, and linen that Reed laughingly declared he would have to add three more rooms at Chimera just to hold it all.

  The gigantic white wedding cake that Barbara insisted upon was a mastery of the confectioner’s art. It was seven layers high and covered with roses. At Kate’s suggestion, which Kathleen enjoyed with subtle irony, instead of a bride and groom, a three-masted frigate rode atop the cake. Eleanore, upon seeing it, collapsed with laughter, eliciting quizzical looks from Jean and Reed. Kathleen smothered her giggles behind her fan.

  As Reed escorted Kathleen down the long curved stair case, everyone sighed over the beautiful young bride. Kathleen had refused to wear her bridal gown. Instead, she donned a gown of white velvet. Its simplicity of line was stunning, with a low sweetheart neckline and long fitted sleeves cuffed in white fur. It clung to her youthful figure, draping itself gently along her body. The skirt, for once, was full.

  Reed had insisted she wear the emerald collar and earrings. In remembrance of her wedding day, Kathleen drew her hair back on both sides and let the heavy, satiny length of it tumbl
e down her back. The long, wavy tresses swayed like a copper curtain with each step she took. Reed was entranced.

  The next weeks were so filled with activities that many evenings found Mr. and Mrs. Reed Taylor attending three galas in succession. With the holidays upon them, everyone found the excuse they needed for inviting the young couple to their festivities. As Christmas approached, Kathleen particularly enjoyed the evenings of caroling. Groups of young people would bundle up and go from house to house serenading the inhabitants with carols, and nearly always were invited in for a cup of Christmas cheer. After one such evening, when Reed nearly had to pour Kathleen into bed in a fit of giggles, she learned to limit herself to a few sips per stop.

  Kathleen chose Kate’s Christmas ball to stun Savannah with another of her original gowns. Reed thought she was so ravishing he nearly refused to let her be seen in it. To be sure, it was fascinating. The gown was a lustrous dark blue silk sparkling with paillettes. The shocking thing was that it had no sleeves, merely molding itself across her breasts, exposing a generous amount of cleavage. How it stayed up was a miracle only Mrs. Fitz knew. The material clung to her waist and hips. Over it flared a skirt of sheer blue tulle. The tulle rose from the bodice to a jeweled collar at the neck and also formed long, loose sleeves with jeweled cuffs. The sheer tulle shadowed the cleft between her breasts, and only served to whet the imaginations of her dance partners. Reed stayed particularly attentive that evening.

  Finally Christmas Eve arrived. Jean, Dominique, and Eleanore joined the family at the Bakers’, and other guests came and went all evening. The house was beautifully decorated with holly and berries and scented candles. The yule log blazed brightly, adding to the warmth of the season. Laughter and cheer filled the rooms as they all trimmed the Christmas tree. The Laffites took Kate and Eleanore to midnight mass while the others attended a Christmas Eve service of their own.

  Kathleen had never been so filled with the spirit of the season, not since many years before when Mama and Papa and Nanna were all alive. It had been so long since she had felt so loved and secure, surrounded by good friends and family, with the possible exception of Amy.

  In the wee hours of Christmas morning, she sat snuggled next to Reed in the sheltered curve of his arm. The fire was crackling gaily, and all were feeling mellow and content in the presence of God and friends.

  As Reed turned her face to his, her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

  She shook her head slightly and smiled. “Nothing, absolutely nothing. Everything is so perfect at this moment. I am so content and at peace that I would like to freeze time and stay right here. I want to savor the feeling as long as I can.”

  “I know. I feel it too. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He pulled her closer to him and they silently watched the fire, her head resting on his shoulder.

  On Christmas morning everyone gathered to exchange gifts. Amid all the holiday rush, Kathleen had managed to sneak away long enough to purchase her gifts for Reed. She had wrapped each individually and handed them to him in sequence, in the privacy of their bedroom.

  First there was a pair of snug black trousers, followed by a brilliant red silk shirt with loose sleeves and tight cuffs. Then came a fancy tooled black leather vest, and finally a beautiful pair of black leather boots of the finest Cordovan leather.

  His blue eyes danced with pleasure and merriment. As he bent to kiss her, she whispered, “All for the best-dressed pirate this season.”

  Kathleen was speechless as she opened her present from him. Before her eyes lay jewels fit for a queen. First a five-strand necklace alternating tiny pearls and rubies, with a huge teardrop ruby dangling from the center, the size of which could have graced a sultan’s turban. There were matching drop earrings, a bracelet, and an oval ruby ring surrounded by tiny pearls. All were cushioned in the fur of a magnificent white ermine cloak.

  She gaped at Reed and swallowed twice before she found her faltering voice. “Reed,” she croaked. Finding no further words to express herself, she flung herself into his arms.

  “If I’d known you would react this way,” he chuckled, “I would have given them to you months ago. Now I know the key to your heart—fur and jewels.”

  She bestowed a kiss on him. Then she pulled away and gave him a wicked wink. “That, sir, is only part of the secret, but it is a good start, a tremendously good start!” When she wore the jewels and fur that evening with a clinging red velvet gown, she seemed the very representation of Christmas. With her elegantly clad and extremely handsome husband, she created a picture of perfection.

  “They are stealing the show,” Dominique told Kate. “St. Nicholas must be green with envy. I know I am.”

  “Look at them,” Eleanore sighed to Jean. “What beautiful children they will produce!”

  Jean nodded. “If they stop fighting long enough, cherie.”

  The day after Christmas, Reed announced his decision to move back to Chimera with Kathleen. “I thought it would be nice to hold our New Year’s Eve ball at Chimera this year instead of renting a hall in town,” he explained. “Besides, it is time Kat started assuming her responsibilities as mistress of Chimera.”

  Kathleen gave him a startled look. “But, Reed, your mother is still mistress of Chimera. I wouldn’t dream of usurping her position there!”

  “Now, don’t upset yourself, Kathleen,” Mary put in. “Reed is right. You must learn how to manage the plantation. I’ll be there to help you, but believe me, it will be a relief to have you taking charge. I’ve done it alone for too long. We’ll start out gradually, of course, but it is time for the reins to change hands. It will leave me free for more enjoyments of my own. However, the season is not yet over and I’m afraid it will be dull for you to leave Savannah now.” She gave her son a level look.

  “Chimera is not that far, Mother. Kate stays at Emerald Hill nearly year round and still manages to attend almost every function you’d care to name. The weather is still fine and we’ll be in town often, but we need a place of our own just now. It is kind of William and Barbara to open their home to us each winter, but there just isn’t as much room here as at Chimera, or as much privacy. If truth be told, I’m not sure how much longer I can put up with Amy’s attitude without exploding in anger.”

  “She is being rather nasty,” Mary agreed ruefully.

  “She is being impossible,” Reed corrected. “She is hateful and rude to Kathleen, and I won’t stand for it.”

  “Not only that,” Kathleen added, “but she is sickening sweet to Reed, especially in my presence. She nearly drools over him. She hangs all over him and makes a spectacle of herself. It is thoroughly disgusting!” Kathleen made a face.

  “Why sweets, I believe you are jealous,” Reed goaded.

  “Jealous, my foot! As your wife I refuse to sit passively by while another woman plies my husband with her wiles, that’s all. It is within my right to object, and object I will. If that flirtatious little baggage doesn’t cease soon, she will need a wig to cover her bald head. I swear I’ll pull every hair from her scalp one by one!”

  Reed’s dark head flew back as he let out a roar of laughter. Mary joined him, despite herself.

  Kathleen stamped her foot at them. “It isn’t funny! I refuse to be made to look the fool, and Amy had better watch her step. And you, Reed...” She shook a slim finger at him.

  “Yes?” He arched a dark brow at her.

  “You had best not play into her hands, for you’ll rue the day you do.”

  “Would you snatch me bald too, my pet?” he challenged with an amused look still on his face.

  “No,” she answered coolly. “There are other means to use on you, dear husband, and I would not hesitate to use them.”

  “That door swings both ways, Kat, so don’t get caught behind it yourself,” he warned.

  Mary watched carefully the exchange between her son and his wife. No wonder he had been drawn to her. She was not merely beautiful, but smart and
spirited as well. Amy, too, was beautiful, but she had a vindictive nature. Behind that pretty face lay a shallowness of character that would have bored Reed to tears. One thing Mary felt for sure. Regardless of all else, Reed would never become bored with Kathleen as his wife. She was as changeable as a chameleon and as unpredictable as a leprechaun.

  Mary smiled and shook her head. Her son was also strong willed and used to issuing orders. There would be storms ahead, she was sure. Reed and Kathleen would clash often, but if their love was strong enough, all would end well.

  Kathleen had less than a week to prepare for the New Year’s Eve ball, and she threw herself into it energetically. Jean, Eleanore and Charles had come along, so Eleanore helped as well. Dominique had also tagged along, but wisely spent most of his time with Reed and Jean, or visiting with Kate. Mary had stayed in town, allowing Kathleen her first challenge as mistress of Chimera.

  As Kathleen busied herself supervising the cleaning and cooking and decorating, Reed attended to plantation affairs and business meetings with Dominique and Jean. The time sped by quickly and was well spent.

  The evening of the ball, Ted and Mary arrived early, bringing the costumes. Reed’s tailor had done a magnificent job on his Spanish outfit. The tight black breeches with the gold braid down the sides molded themselves to his muscular thighs. The white silk shirt was layered in ruffles beneath the gold-braided black vest. With the flat black hat, he made a dashing Spanish don, especially with the higher heeled black boots. The shirt he left open at the neck, tempting Kathleen with the view of his broad, hairy chest.

  Admiration leaped into her eyes, and he chuckled. “We’ll never go downstairs if you keep looking at me that way.” He turned her around to hook the back of her dress. In the mirror he saw her watching him and smiled. Then the smile faded into a thoughtful look.

  “Something wrong?” she asked.

  “Isn’t there supposed to be more bodice than that? My God, Kat, it is nearly indecent!”