The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  David’s eyes flashed in amusement. …Broken in and trained indeed! I have a feeling nobody breaks or trains Cecilia…and I wouldn’t want to be the man who attempted it!

  ~*~

  While David went on to talk with another gentleman, Cameron approached Cecilia. “Who’s the Brit you’ve been seein’?”

  “Why do you want to know?” she inquired in a frosted tone. “Are you seeking an introduction?”

  “Hardly,” he snarled, “I want to know why you’re seein’ him, and why you took him to O’Malley’s—the place we used to go.” Cameron’s eyes narrowed.

  “Look, Cameron, we haven’t dated in years. I owe you no explanations as to whom I see or what I do. Is that understood? Now leave me alone and go back to Amelia. The two of you deserve each other.” Giving him a scornful look, she walked away to join a group of ladies near the refreshment table.

  Cameron’s eyes followed her as he sipped his whiskey. …Celia, you will be mine, and no damned Englishman is gonna interfere.

  ~*~

  As Cecilia approached the assembled ladies, Glenna Cunningham reached for her hands, taking them in a gentle squeeze. “Celia, darlin’, your Mr. Darcy is such a charmin’ young man, and he has excellent manners, too, so polite and thoughtful. Maybelle, Jenny, Tabitha, and I have all been talkin’ to him, and we just love him, darlin’. Don’t we, girls?” she said as she looked to the other ladies present.

  “Oh, yes, indeed we do,” Maybelle said with the others agreeing in unison as they nodded among themselves.

  “I hope you’ll bring him to more of our functions. He has really impressed my husband with his knowledge of huntin’ hounds.” Jenny added, “Apparently, he and his brother keep a variety of dogs, and they hunt. Did you know they have a large estate in England?” Her eyes danced with mirth. “Oh, and they raise horses, too. I heard him and Mr. Abercrombie talkin’ about racehorses. Your Mr. Darcy sure knows a lot about em’, suga.”

  “No, Jen, I didn’t know,” Cecilia’s voice faded into a whisper, surprised at the more human side of David Darcy. “You all appear to know him better than I do. I only know him through our business association. …He raises hounds and horses, does he? Interesting… Daddy raised hounds and horses…I like both …

  “Well, honey, a good-lookin’ man like that? You need to get to know him, darlin’. The way he looks at you tells me he’d like to get to know you better.” Tabitha said.

  “Everybody’s talkin’ about him, honey, and Celia, they like him. Look how he laughs and converses with the men—so at ease as if he’s known ‘em forever.” Mrs. Cunningham raised her hands in praise while glancing in David’s direction.

  Cecilia cut her eyes across to where David stood talking with several gentlemen. “I suppose you’re right. He seems to mix and mingle as if he belongs here,” Cecilia said with a slight frown. “Somehow I didn’t expect that.”

  “Well, Celia darlin’, I don’t know why not. He’s a perfect gentleman, and if I were you, I wouldn’t let that one slip away. You need to snatch him up. We all know you can do it, if you only will.” Mrs. Appleton smiled while everyone present mumbled in agreement.

  “Perhaps. Excuse me, ladies. I think I’ll join him.”

  The ladies only smiled while gently nodding.

  Cecilia strolled across the room and approached David, slipping her arm into his while she looked up at him admiringly. “David, let’s have another glass of wine.”

  David turned and smiled. “If you wish,” he said before turning back to the gentleman he’d been talking with. “Excuse us, Mr. Smith. My date has reclaimed me. You take very good care of that English Setter. She sounds like a good dog. I think my male might be what you’re looking for in a stud. Perhaps someday I can see her, and we can discuss breeding in more detail, and give my regards to Mrs. Smith,” David said, shaking Asa Smith’s hand.

  “Louise will be pleased you thought of her,” Asa said.

  David and Cecilia walked together to the bar where she ordered two glasses of port. “It seems everyone has occupied your attention but me.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” His eyes swept downward before lifting and holding her gaze. “You’ve occupied my thoughts for months.”

  Smiling up at him, she sipped her wine as they engaged one another in quiet conversation until the hour approached eleven and people began to leave. Cecilia once again slipped her arm into his. “David, we need to go. Would you escort me to my suite?”

  “Let’s go,” he said with a warm smile.

  Approaching the lobby, he told her, “Cecilia, I had a very interesting evening. The people were warm and friendly. I don’t usually enjoy being in society, so that’s a compliment to you. You see, I can give an admiring comment, when one’s warranted.”

  She smiled affectionately as they walked towards the lift. “With those I saw talking with you, I can only imagine what they had to say about me. Not all of them like me, but that’s all right. The feeling’s mutual.”

  “It wasn’t bad at all. They had nothing but good things to say.”

  ~*~

  Escorting her back to her penthouse, uneasiness settled in over David. He felt as nervous as a first-year university student as he contemplated the close of the evening. It was not like him at all. His mind was in turmoil.

  When they came to her door, he reached over to kiss her goodnight, deciding it was probably best to simply leave. Somehow the things he had desired seemed hollow, and he was not entirely sure what would happen if he should stay, considering their past. But when she returned his kiss with such desire, such fervor, his uncertainty gave way to his desire to stay. If he had ever felt this much passion while kissing a woman before, he couldn’t remember it, not even with her. He felt her draw and pull on him, and without realizing what he was doing, he was in her suite, kissing and caressing her.

  “This is the second half of your bargain, David,” she whispered softly against his lips. “I just happen to be in the mood tonight.” Her lips caught his once more in a deep, lingering kiss. Breaking free, she looked him directly in the eye. “But, before we continue, one thing must be made crystal clear, Darcy. Just because I screw you, it does not mean that I love you, or that I ever will. Understand that, and we’ll get along just fine.”

  David swallowed hard, taken aback by her boldness, for that had always been his line. Although he had never considered the possibility of loving her, he was stunned just the same that she would echo his own words, the very words he had spoken many times, and disappointed that she had.

  Composing himself, he gazed deeply into her passion-filled eyes. “That’s all right, Cecilia. I’m not the marrying kind.” Even as the familiar words fell from his mouth, he wondered if they were true. For the first time that phrase sounded empty and false.

  “Then we understand one another?”

  “Perfectly,” he whispered.

  His gaze held hers while a mixture of uncertain feelings washed over him. He could sense that she might possibly hold a power over him, and he wondered if this night was such a good idea after all. David momentarily thought of leaving, but the chemistry between them and the intensity of built-up desire, coupled with need, was incredible. Even if he had wanted to, he couldn’t have resisted her. She was captivating and beautiful—and he wanted her.

  His breath caught in his throat. David looked at her with uninhibited longing before taking her into his arms and kissing her with a wet, ravenous kiss, his tongue devouring hers. He was determined to have her. If her words had meant anything to him, they were quickly forgotten the moment his lips touched hers.

  Cecilia broke their embrace and took him by the hand, leading him into her bedroom where they silently undressed, and for a brief moment, stood there gazing at one another. David drew in a deep breath as his eyes traced over every inch of her beautiful body. The gentle curve of her neck begged to be kissed. He followed the line of her throat flowing into her ample breasts, imagining his lips grazing them as we
ll. Traversing downward, he focused on her flat, well-toned stomach, and then the curve of her waist into her

  well-rounded hips. Perfect! Then there were her long, shapely legs—a leggy blonde, his particular weakness.

  Given his experience, he wouldn’t have thought anything or anyone could have stirred his sensibilities to this degree, but he was wrong. She was more beautiful than any woman he’d ever seen, and yet it wasn’t her physical beauty that attracted him to this level. It was something else entirely. Something he couldn’t quite fathom—an enigma better left to another day to comprehend.

  She stood, tall and erect, watching him observe her. She smiled, her lashes sweeping downward. Then she turned and gathered back the coverlet and slid into bed.

  “Come,” she said.

  He obeyed. Not even in his wildest dreams had he imagined what it would be like to take her to bed, or how strong his attraction had become. His pulse quickened. The violet hue in her shimmering eyes flashed with desire. She wanted him, and he wanted her. As he settled in beside her, she pulled him into her arms, kissing him, touching him, tasting him, savoring him. And David welcomed her embrace, tenderly returning her kiss while he caressed her, as if she were a treasured possession.

  “Beautiful…you’re so beautiful,” he whispered inaudibly against her neck, inhaling her exotic scent—jasmine mingled with gardenia and sandalwood. He handled her with more tenderness than he was aware he even possessed. It was suddenly important that this night become special for the both of them.

  Just as he made every effort to please her, she made every effort to please him, and please him she did. Her hair teased his skin as she bent low, running kisses interspersed with light traces of her tongue as she ever-so-lightly caressed his body, working her way down to his arousal and taking him in, sending shivers coursing through his body. When she retraced the path she’d descended, he moaned softly. She had discovered the tender spot on the nape of his neck that many of his lovers overlooked. The sensual feel of her warm breath against his skin unleashed a torrent of feelings he was unaware he possessed, driving him to places he’d never been. He caressed her, tenderly memorizing her every curve with the tips of his fingers.

  They made love on pure raw instinct—taking, giving, consuming. It was different—she was different. When he entered her, she tightened around him, flooding him with a euphoric feeling he could not remember ever experiencing. The ferocity of his desire overwhelmed him as they rhythmically rocked and swelled as one upon the silken sheets. When they reached their completion, he withdrew and fell back, pulling her into the curve of his body. Holding her close to his heart, he lovingly stroked her hair and back, tenderly caressing her every curve all over again.

  His mind was a tempest, and he could tell from the way she trembled that she had felt it, too. Every kiss, every touch, evoked feelings that he’d never felt with anyone, and while he laid there holding her in his arms, David Darcy felt for the first time in his life that he wanted to tell a woman he loved her.

  …How can this be? I can’t love her. I don’t even know her…And she could never love me. Darcy, did you not hear her words? It’s just sex. I wonder who’s using whom.

  No, I must be rational—this is only one night. I leave for London in the morning. Even if…NO! She is not the kind of woman who would commit. She said so herself, and you have heard the rumors about her.

  No, tonight I’ll love her and hold her, but tomorrow I must leave. I cannot allow my feelings to become engaged—especially not by her. I will not be her plaything. I can’t let her know how much she has affected me. I’m not in too deep…not yet.

  He’d been with countless women, had known their passion and enjoyed their charms, but none had stirred his senses like the woman he now held in his arms. He had intended to please her for his own selfish purposes, but instead, he pleased her because he wanted to. He’d have to shake this feeling before he saw his brother in a few days. He couldn’t hide much from him. Fitzwilliam read him like a book.

  Cecilia took a deep breath. Although she would never admit it, David had moved her like no other, throwing her emotions into chaos as she lay there trembling in his arms. He was the best lover she had ever experienced. He had truly rocked her world. She reached up and kissed his cheek as she snuggled closer. And there was another thing that she had not expected—the softer, genteel side of David Darcy. With what she had seen tonight, Cecilia had garnered a newfound respect for him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  …I love him…I truly love him…

  Elizabeth stood at her upstairs bedroom window, staring out at a vortex of twirling leaves playing in the street below. It was the eleventh of December, and the fall semester had finally come to a close. With final exams, scoring papers, and submitting grades, there had been little opportunity for her and Fitzwilliam to spend time together. She sighed.

  Tonight was Fitzwilliam’s last night in town before leaving for London. With all of the activity, she had not had a chance to really talk with him since Thanksgiving. She needed to tell him about her trust fund. It had been on her list of things to talk about, but for some reason, they had never gotten around to the subject. Tonight she had to do it, but something else occupied her mind as well.

  Every day since the Thanksgiving break, Elizabeth had been thinking about this night. She walked back from the window and flopped down on her bed, gazing at her scattered collection of CDs. Shuffling through them one by one, her mind was lost in careful thought as she listened to the song Tonight’s the Night and thought of Fitzwilliam. Even with their limited time together, they had not really been together. Having reverted back to his behavior before they’d shared their first real kiss, he had not so much as touched her, in spite of the desire and longing she saw reflected in his dark brown eyes. Wanting each other, desiring each other, and yet, not having each other—she shook her head. “This will not do,” she softly said to herself.”

  Getting up, she went to her closet and surveyed her wardrobe, wanting to pick an outfit that was both sexy and elegant. Finally deciding on a blue and black plaid long skirt, she took it from the rack. Then she selected a black cashmere sweater with a neckline low enough to reveal a bit of cleavage—enough to be sexy, yet feminine.

  Once she had her outfit selected, Elizabeth decided a bubble bath with the rose- scented gift set Jane had given her for graduation was in order. Remembering that Fitzwilliam liked this fragrance, she combined it with her mother’s rose-scented hair oil as she dried her hair. Once dressed, she put the final touch to her hair, pinning it up in a chic figure eight twist with a Ficcare clip that matched the blue in her skirt perfectly. With another quick look in the mirror, she grabbed her CD and purse and was out the door for Willow Street.

  ~*~

  Fitzwilliam hummed a light melody as he went about setting the table. Charles was spending the evening with Jane, and having given Mrs. Norris time off to spend Christmas with her son in Ohio, he and Elizabeth would have the house to themselves. Since he knew she enjoyed Italian food, he’d made a simple pasta dish and salad. Handel’s Messiah played in the background as he put the finishing touches on the table. Just as he lit the last candle, the doorbell rang. Elizabeth… he smiled.

  Upon entering, he helped her with her cape as he leaned in and kissed her cheek, catching the scent of roses. He stepped back and froze. Inhaling sharply, his gaze dropped. Eying her slowly from head to toe, his eyes rested on her low neckline. Something was different. She was unusually beautiful tonight. Her sweater clung, flattering her well-shaped breasts, and his pulse quickened as he remembered how her bare breast had felt in his hand. He groaned silently as his body automatically stiffened into an almost painful arousal. If this kept up, they would have to marry before June.

  She smiled coyly, sniffing the air. “What’s for dinner? It smells wonderful.”

  As if coming out of a dense fog, he replied, “Right this way, Elizabeth,” he gestured. “I hope you like fettuccini. I also made a
salad, and bought some Italian wine.”

  “I love it! I can’t wait to try it. Let’s eat.”

  He hung her cape on the coat rack and took her by the hand, leading her to the small dining room. All through dinner, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her while he tried to pay attention to their conversation, finding it more difficult as time passed.

  As she began discussing her trust fund, telling him something about mutual funds and the stock market, his mind tuned out, more agreeably engaged on her physical form. Her eyes were intense, but her expression and mannerisms were casual; the contradiction confusing him.

  “Fitzwilliam, are you listening to me?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Elizabeth. What were you saying?”

  “I was telling you about my trust fund. I will have access to it when we marry. The stipulation was either when I married or on my thirtieth birthday. Since I will be married first, I will have access to it then as opposed to later.”

  Slightly blushing, Fitzwilliam responded, “I’m sorry, Elizabeth, my mind is distracted. I don’t believe I heard you. Is it substantial?”

  “I said the principal is three million dollars. It has earned between ten and fifteen percent annually for the past two years, and should do the same this year if the economy remains stable. Fitzwilliam, you’re still not paying attention to me,” she scolded playfully.

  His body tensed as his eyes drifted to her slender neck, following the graceful curve to her cleavage. Glancing up to meet her eyes, he said, “Liz, I assure you I am paying perfect attention to you.”

  He stood up to clear the table, automatically prompting Elizabeth to help. When the kitchen and dining room were cleaned to their satisfaction, Fitzwilliam said, “Let’s go to the library where we can talk or listen to music.”