“Why not, has someone else asked you?”
“No, but…”
“Then say maybe,” he coaxed. “Say maybe you can love a man like me. I know I can love a woman like you.”
“This is so…so unexpected!”
“This day is unexpected. It has brought us close. The storm gods are in our favor.”
“How would you know?”
“I feel it here,” he said, taking her hand and placing it on his heart.
Tommy could feel his heart beating, and she realized that her heart to was starting to beat out of control.
“You feel it too,” he said, placing his hand against her heart. “That same feeling is within both of our hearts. Our hearts can beat as one if you wish it.”
“I never thought about having a husband. Working on the ranch has been my passion ever since I was a child.”
“I could help you on the ranch. At least say maybe,” he begged.
Tommy was silent, as her hand rested on Konton’s heart and his hand rested on hers.
“Maybe,” she whispered so low she didn’t think he had heard her.
“Good,” he smiled, and then hugged his arms around her. “You will be happy once I become your husband.”
Had she just agreed to marry this Comanche Tommy wondered? She didn’t even know him, but she liked the way his arms felt around her, holding her close in spite of the mud that caked her clothes and hair.
This must just be a dream or her imagination, caused by their escape together from the water below. When the rain stopped, everything would go back to normal again, she promised herself. Her mind was having a hard time believing Konton was serious. Were all Comanche as compulsive as he was in his sudden desire to have her become his wife? Was that how Chayton had responded to Callie? She reminded herself to ask that question when Callie returned.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Have I told you how charming you look?”
Arnel tilted his head as he appraised the beauty riding beside him. He had never seen such a beautiful and charming woman before. Not only that, but she was exciting, alluring, and adventurous. He wished he had met her sooner. He took in a deep breath. Now that he was with her though, he longed for nothing more than to touch her and kiss her. He wondered if she would let him.
“I am completely enamored by you, and I am not afraid to admit it,” he smiled as he caught Shanny’s eyes and held them for as long as she allowed, before she looked away, appearing a little flustered.
“You flatter me,” Shanny said softly, remembering the lessons on the proper method of flirting, her grandmother had given her.
“I can’t take my eyes off of you, to tell you the truth,” Arnel admitted. “You are turning every man’s head that passes, which makes me proud and lucky to be the one riding beside you.”
“You are rather dashing yourself,” Shanny giggled.
“Then we make a perfect pair,” Arnel smiled. “There is only one problem.”
Shanny’s eyes darted up in concern.
“What is it?” she inquired.
“I have to return to New York a little sooner than I had expected, which means we will not have as much time to spend together. I want to be with you every moment of the day until I have to leave, but I am sure your grandmother will frown on that idea.”
“She expects me to follow all proper protocol,” Shanny sighed.
“Is there any way you can escape her watchful eye to meet me somewhere?” he asked.
“No. I am not allowed to go out on my own. I have to take Joey or a maid or someone else with me.”
“The thought of having to leave so soon saddens me. I need to see you alone. I have something important to tell you.”
Shanny widened her eyes.
“You do?” she asked with interest.
“Yes,” he said in a low voice, glancing over his shoulder to see if Joey or Eleanor was within earshot. “Say you will meet me tonight.”
“The only way I could do it is if I meet you in my grandmother’s garden. When I get home from riding, I will unlatch the gate. Later, you can slip in and wait for me in the gazebo. After dinner, I will claim I want to enjoy the garden on my own, and I will meet you there.”
Arnel smiled. She was so cunning. He liked that along with everything else about her. The very thought of being with her alone, caused his heart to quicken.
“That sounds good. I will be there around seven.”
“I will look forward to it,” Shanny smiled.
Shanny had to admit the thought of going behind her grandmother’s back to meet Arnel alone excited her. It brought out her natural sense of adventure she had always followed in Texas. That sense of adventure and risk was one of the things that caused her to take Joey’s feather, she realized suddenly. Maybe she wasn’t such good ‘lady material’ after all, she laughed to herself.
Shanny looked over her shoulder at Joey and Eleanor who seemed to be deep in conversation. The way Eleanor’s eyes sparkled, as Joey spoke, told Shanny how much Eleanor enjoyed Joey’s company. Joey even appeared happy to be with Eleanor. Though that is just what Shanny thought she wanted, something about it caused a slight pang in her heart. She realized her relationship with Joey was changing drastically. She was hoping for Arnel to ask for her hand, but when that happened, what about Joey? She may never see him again. He would go back to Texas and she would end up in New York. The thought sobered her, and almost frightened her, wondering if this would be the end of a comfortable relationship she had experienced with Joey since they were infants? They had been like twins, and soon they may have to go their separate ways.
Shanny pushed the thought from her mind and focused on Arnel again. She was certain the important reason he wished to see her alone was to ask her to become his wife. He may have been thinking he would wait until he could spend more time with her. Now that he would have to return to New York sooner, he probably wanted to make sure she accepted his offer before she had her coming-out party, she reasoned. She already knew what her answer would be. She couldn’t wait to meet him in the gazebo so she could tell him how much she wanted to become his wife, once he asked the anticipated question.
At the end of their ride together, Joey and Shanny left Arnel and Eleanor at the park and headed back to the townhouse.
“You looked like you were enjoying your visit with Eleanor,” Shanny said as she glanced over at Joey.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I was! She is interested in what I have to say. She wants to know all about the Comanche ways. She doesn’t want me to leave my heritage behind like some people I know,” he said, eyeing her.
“It’s just that I grew up with you and already know all that stuff,” Shanny reasoned. “It’s not that I dislike your Indian heritage, it is just that the Indian life you treasure so much, which you have never actually experienced, will never return, Joey. You can dream about it all you wish, and wear all the eagle feathers you can find, but it is not going to change anything.”
“I know that, Shanny! But that doesn’t mean I have to erase my roots and everything which makes me who I am. If I don’t preserve all the things my father has taught me, how will my children ever learn about their heritage? Where we come from shapes who we become.”
“You may be right,” Shanny admitted. “Perhaps Eleanor is a perfect match for you. She likes you, and she likes to hear about your heritage. She would have no problem allowing you to teach your children the Comanche way.”
“And you would have a problem with that?” Joey asked.
“I never thought about it, because I have no intention of having children with you,” she stated.
Joey climbed down from his horse and handed it over to the groom.
“I probably knew you would say that,” he mumbled, then turned and went to the house.
Shanny was happy he had left because it made it easier for her to go straight to the garden, without having to make up some excuse, and unlatch the back gate. She stopped at the gazebo, w
alking up inside of it and started to dance in circles. She couldn’t wait until seven o’clock arrived, she sang happily to herself.
Joey acted sullen during dinner, and Shanny felt it was just as well because she didn’t want to talk to him. She didn’t want to think about the consequences of accepting Arnel’s proposal. She just wanted the new adventure of love and marriage, and being the wife of someone important like Arnel. She would be able to travel with him and see the country, instead of being stuck on a ranch in the Texas grasslands. Remembering the time spent with him on the train made her certain that was the kind of life she wanted to experience.
Callie appeared preoccupied worrying about what was happening at the ranch while they were gone. Chayton knew she couldn’t wait to return to the ranch. Her father seemed to be doing well, and there was no pressing reason to remain, except for Shanny’s coming-out party, and he knew Shanny would never forgive them if they pulled her back to Texas too soon, before she could taste the full experience of living in a city.
Shanny was happy when Callie and Chayton excused themselves and said they were tired and going to their room, while Joey gave Shanny one stabbing glare and left the dining room himself.
“I think I will go out and enjoy the garden before I retire,” Shanny said to her grandmother. “Tell Nancy not to worry about me. I will take care of undressing myself when I return to my room.”
“Very well, I’ll let Nancy leave early since she has the weekend off and wants to visit her mother.”
All the better, Shanny thought, no one would be watching her come in. She could spend as much time as she pleased with Arnel, she cheered happily to herself.
Shanny put her hands on the knobs of the French doors. They were crystal knobs, and she liked the cold, hard feel of them under her fingers. They turned easily under very little pressure, and the doors were opening up into the garden beyond. The gazebo was sheltered by a willow tree and other shrubbery. A climbing rose bush traveled up one side of the gazebo and the fragrance of the newly bloomed roses permeated the air. The gazebo lay in shadow, with only the faint light from the house illuminating the garden beyond. Had there been a party, lanterns would be lit throughout the garden, but tonight it lay quiet and dark.
“There you are,” Shanny heard the low voice of Arnel saying; and then he was beside her, taking her small hand in his. “I could barely wait for this moment to arrive,” he whispered, leaning his head closer to her ear.
The feel of his breath on her ear sent an excited chill through Shanny’s body.
“Well, I am here,” she mumbled, not quite sure what was expected of her.
“Yes. My very delight! You are intoxicating to me! I get drunk on the heavenly smell of you. The sight of you causes my heart to skip a beat. All I ever want to do is be near you, Shanny.”
“I love being near you too,” Shanny whispered, as his hand tightened on hers.
“Then we are in agreement,” Arnel stated pulling her closer to him and placing his free arm around her waist. “I think you belong in my arms. I never want to release you from them.”
Shanny giggled at the thought of standing there forever in Arnel’s embrace. What would her grandmother say if she never came to bed, but merely remained there in the gazebo captured in Arne’s arms?
“Your arms feel good to me,” she murmured.
“You feel good to me,” Arnel told her, lowering his lips to her neck and touching it lightly.
Sparks raced from the spot he touched with his lips, down to Shanny’s fingertips, and she knew she didn’t want him to remove his lips from her neck.
“What….what was it you wanted to tell me?” Shanny stammered, impatient to hear him say the words.
“…That I must be near you like this. I need to feel you in my arms. I can tell you want this too, but I just wanted to make sure.”
“Of course, I want this,” Shanny said, tilting her head up to look at him through the shadows.
“That is all I needed to hear,” he breathed, as his lips came down over hers.
While the kiss was expected, Shanny did not anticipate the effect his kiss would have on her. This was nothing like Joey kissing her in desperation, she thought. He was savoring the kiss, prolonging it in a way that took her breath away. His seeking lips worked against her pliable mouth in such a way that all she could do was cling to his neck in the wonder of the moment.
Arnel lifted his lips from hers and smiled.
“I think I am falling in love with you, Shanny. Do you want my love?”
Shanny let out her breath. It was the words she wanted to hear. The next words would be his asking her to marry him, but instead, his mouth captured hers again, pulling her very soul from within her to the surface.
Arnel’s mouth moved to Shanny’s ear.
“If you want my love, tell me,” he mumbled in a sensual whisper.
“You know I do,” she replied, caught up in the moment.
“We haven’t a lot of time to share our company,” he almost groaned. “I want to make every moment I spend with you count.”
“It does count,” she assured him.
As she said the words she could feel Arnel’s arms pulling her closer, splaying his hand over the small of her back, as he held her against him, his other hand was on her neck, capturing the back of her head, as he brought her into another more expansive kiss, which shook her senses in a way she had not expected.
It seemed his mouth wanted nothing but the touch of her, as it started to wander over her face, kissing her eyes, and finding places to linger that tantalized her in a way that made her melt under his seeking touch. She wanted more of that touch, and he seemed willing to give it.
Shanny wasn’t sure how it all happened. Somehow, he had managed to lay her back against his coat on the floor of the gazebo. The feel of his hands and lips ignited a fire against her skin, which ended up being exposed to his touch. The feel of his hands and mouth were carrying her away, and she didn’t want to question it. She knew he loved her, and she had told him she wanted his love. Now she wished to return that love in any way he requested.
Shanny’s body shivered and her heart raced. Her breathing leaped with new expectations, as Arnel began to introduce her to his talented touch. She yearned for each contact of mouth or hand, the moment she felt his breath upon her, or his fingers trace across her skin. Somewhere in the midst of his expressions of love, she thought he had asked her to marry him, but she wasn’t quite sure. She just kept saying yes to everything he murmured across her skin. Every yes brought a new, stunning awareness of how experienced he was at showering her with caresses.
The caresses continued and grew, expanding in their intimacy until her whole body felt consumed with his touch. He had a way of drawing out her need of him, wanting everything he offered, knowing she should stop him, but not having the desire to do so. More than once she could hear herself crying out in pleasure, wanting the pleasure to grow and discovering the wonders when more than her expectations were met. Her breath caught in the wonder of it, yet as it slowly ebbed away, Arnel rekindled the fire, until she was gasping, clinging to him and then suddenly…
Her eyes flew open, as Shanny felt the weight of him upon her. She felt shocked, but a part of her wanted to submit. She wanted to return the pleasure she had been feeling, and she knew this was the way Arnel expected her to do it. Therefore, she steeled herself, appeasing herself by remembering that Arnel would soon become her husband, so it didn’t matter, and besides, he loved her, and she loved him.
After the initial shock, she managed to calm herself, allowing herself to move the way he was coaxing her to move, wanting him to be pleased with her participation. Once that happened, she felt drawn to become a part of this new expression of love. Yes, it must be love she told herself, or this would never be happening. She rose to the feel of him, clung to his neck, wanting his kisses as much as he was willing to give them to her, and strangely she wasn’t sure where she left off and he began because sh
e felt one with him, both of them wanting the same end.
When the end came, they were both breathing hard, their hearts beating out of their chest as though trying to escape its confines. He kissed the tip of her nose and got to his feet.
“Don’t say we can never do this again,” he breathed, as he started to get dressed. “I must see you like this as often as I can before I have to leave.”
“We can’t do it here,” Shanny complained. “My grandmother might discover it.”
“Are you sorry you let me love you?” he asked, peering into her eyes.
“I…I didn’t expect this to happen,” she admitted. “I thought this was something saved for marriage.”
“But it is done, so there is nothing we can do about it now. Just promise you won’t deprive me of making love to you in the future.”
“Of course not, we will always be together, right?”
“Yes…yes of course. But we will be parted while I am in New York. I will try to make it back soon. Just promise me you won’t let any young man attending your coming-out party sweep you away. That is why I was so eager to see you tonight. I don’t want you forgetting about me, once I leave. I wish I could be here to share your party with you. However, you must promise that not only will you not any young man turn your head, but that you won’t run off to Texas before I get back.”
“Why would I do that?” she asked. “When you return, then we can always be together.”
“Yes. That is my wish.”
“…For the rest of our future?”
“Yes. I want to be in your future. You will remain in my future always, won’t you darling?”
“You know I will.”
“Then I will cling to that thought while I am away. I will be leaving in a few days. Before then, I can’t wait to be with you like this again. We must find ways to be together as often as possible.”
“Yes. I will figure something out.”
“Good, but you had better return to the house before someone comes out looking for you,” Arnel suggested. He was already mostly dressed.
Within the Heart Page 13