The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  “David, how nice to hear your voice. I thought you might have lost my number.”

  “No, it isn’t that. I’ve simply been busy. In fact, I’m very busy during the month of April. Cecilia, concerning the event you invited me to. I—”

  “David, if you don’t want to come, don’t worry yourself about it. I was looking forward to seeing you, but I do understand how busy you are. After all, I run a corporation too, so I do understand. It’s just that...well, I really would like to see you again,” she murmured softly.

  Sensing the evident disappointment in her voice caused his resolve to falter and his heart to leap. “It’s not that I don’t want to come.” That statement was the absolute truth. He wanted to see her.

  He hesitated. The silence on the other end was deafening. His desire to see her overrode his resolve. Reasoning that one more weekend together wouldn’t hurt, he acquiesced. “I suppose I can rearrange my schedule. You wrote down the first weekend in April. I’ll be there. Email me at DDarcy@Pemberley.co.uk with the details, and I’ll come.” He released the breath he’d been holding, uncertainty creasing his brow, realizing he’d just agreed to do the very thing only a moment ago he’d decided he wouldn’t.

  “You know you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. But if you do, I’d be very pleased to see you.”

  “Then I’m looking forward to it. And…” Again he hesitated, but quickly pushed his doubts aside. “Now that you have my mobile number, feel free to ring me should you ever wish to talk, or if you need me for anything. It’s always with me. That is unless I’m asleep, or in a meeting, or—”

  “In somebody’s bed?”

  “Perhaps,” he mused. “Lawton, is your mind never very far from the bedroom?” She never failed to catch him off guard with a zinger when he least expected it—as if she understood him. That was a frightening concept. “I’m going to have to remember to expect the unexpected from you.”

  She laughed. “My mind is in a lot of different places at a lot of different times. You figure it out. And David, with you, my mind is always especially focused. Remember what Queen Elizabeth I said?”

  “And what did she say?” He chuckled.

  “She said a woman’s mind is never very far from… You fill in the rest.”

  “…From her—oh no you don’t, Lawton. I’m not going there.”

  “Well, David I could say something, but I’ll keep my powder dry,” she said wryly.

  “Ha! You do that. Now if you don’t mind, I do have a meeting to attend early tomorrow morning, so I need to go. If I don’t hear from you between now and then, I’ll assume everything is still as planned. Oh, and I’m not in anybody’s bed but my own—yet.”

  He heard her peal of laughter, and couldn’t resist one more flirting tease. “Have a good evening and don’t misbehave.”

  She laughed again. “Never, Darcy…never. But if I do, I’ll name it after you?”

  Closing his mobile, David chuckled to himself. …I know why men find her attractive. She has a way of drawing you in, of stirring your very soul. If you’re not careful, you’ll be caught in her web, Darcy. Sandra’s safe—Cecilia’s not!

  Chapter Thirty-three

  …After all these years it’s just like me to fall in love with a woman who is untouchable…

  After a long, difficult week, David finally boarded Pemberley Two for South Carolina. He had left a message with his personal assistant informing her where he would be, but since his father had chosen to investigate him, he’d let him find out on his own.

  David leaned back in his seat and thought about the two prominent women in his life. Sandra had always been his favorite girlfriend. He liked her a little more than any of the others he had dated, but of late, she held little interest beyond the sexual attraction they shared. And after the last three nights together, he was ready for her to go. When the sex was over, so was his interest. All he wanted to do was to roll over and go to sleep at the best of times, and at the worst, he wanted to get up and leave. Sandra would do for short term gratification, but in the long run, she left him empty and dissatisfied. There was no danger of an emotional attachment there—ever.

  Cecilia, however, fascinated him from the boardroom to the bedroom and everywhere in between. Her sharp mind, her indomitable spirit, and her gorgeous body occupied his thoughts every time his mind was idle and sometimes when it wasn’t. She held a lethal attraction on his sensibilities and presented a threat to his emotions. With her, he knew he was in danger of losing his heart.

  David sighed and stretched out his long legs as he threw back his head and closed his eyes. He’d be with Cecilia in a little over ten hours. He’d worry about the consequences of time spent with her another day. This weekend he intended to enjoy himself—and her.

  ~*~

  David arrived in Charleston at five o’clock in the afternoon. Since he would be with Cecilia all weekend long, he’d decided against renting a car and took a taxi to the Lawton Hotel. He gave the bellhop a generous tip and had his things sent to Cecilia’s penthouse suite. Once he was settled, he gave her a call.

  “Cecilia, love, I’m here at your penthouse.”

  “Oh, good. I’m on my way out the door. I’m walking to the hotel. Would you like to meet me at the sidewalk café on Queen Street? I’m not much for a formal dinner tonight. How about you?”

  “That sounds fine, but wait there at your office, and I’ll walk over. Then we can go to Queen Street from there.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ll see you when you get here.”

  David slid his mobile shut and was soon out the door, headed in the direction of the Lawton Executive Complex. When he walked through her office door, she rose from behind her desk and approached him, greeting him with a kiss.

  “Cecilia, you look lovely as usual,” he said, his eyes twinkling with a sheepish grin.

  She laughed. “And you, Mr. Darcy, are just as handsome and debonair as always, but let’s get out of here before my phone rings again. It’s been a busy day.” She strolled over to the cabinet and grabbed her purse.

  “By all means,” he said, standing aside. “After you, madam.”

  Cecilia extended her hand as she walked by, which he gladly took, and the two stepped through the door and moved towards the lift.

  Strolling down Queen Street, David couldn’t help but take in the smells, colors, and beautiful warmth of the late afternoon spring day in Charleston. Tulips, azaleas, and spring flowers were everywhere in the sidewalk gardens, and the aroma of food cooking filled the air. The weather was warmer than he was used to, so soon his coat had to come off.

  “Is this typical weather for Charleston this time of year?” he asked as they approached the café.

  “Umm… yes, pretty much. Sometimes it’s a little warmer, but this is typical. I did tell you to bring short sleeves, didn’t I? The temperature will reach into the eighties tomorrow.”

  “Yes, you did, but I didn’t own any, so I had to buy some. I’m glad I deferred to your judgment instead of my own, or I would be in trouble. Well, here we are. Pick a table.” He gestured with his hand as they walked around the back to the outdoor tables.

  “This one over here, David, under the pergola. I absolutely love pergolas, especially when they are in full leaf and bloom. We have a wisteria pergola at my home up the Ashley River. We’ll go there someday.”

  David chuckled. “I’d like that, but let’s order. I’m starving.”

  Glancing over the menu, he decided on a hamburger with extra chips while Cecilia ordered a ham and cheese sandwich with none. After their food and iced tea arrived, they dined and talked.

  “Cecilia, what is a Magnolia Festival? I’m very unfamiliar with such things.”

  “Well, it’s like a street festival or a Renaissance fair. Are you familiar with either of those?”

  “Vaguely. I’ve heard of them, but I don’t think I’ve ever attended one. Tell me a little more.” He took a sip of tea as he studied her.

&
nbsp; “Well, there will be vendors of various kinds where people sell things they make—pottery, crafts, flower arrangements, things like that. There are also booths where girls and ladies can have their hair fashioned in styles from the 17th through 19th centuries.” She paused for a bite of her sandwich. “There are stages set up with live music. We have everything from classic rock to country to bluegrass. This year Foreigner, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and a few others will be there. Oh—and the food! Yes, I could not forget the food. There are funnel cakes to die for, and Alligator on a Stick, and hotdogs, grilled shrimp, seafood Carolina style, crawfish, and so much more. You will love it!”

  David shook his head. “I’m not so sure about Alligator on a Stick.” He frowned. “That doesn’t sound good to me at all.”

  “No, no… it’s really very good. You must try it. And then there is the Belle and Beau contest. I won Belle of the Ball when I was sixteen. The Belle and Beau will open the Magnolia Festival Ball Saturday night. It will be held in the ballroom of the Lawton this year. You and I will be attending as host and hostess.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” he laughed quietly, “but tell me, who was your beau the year you won and what was he like?”

  She dropped her gaze to her half-eaten sandwich, murmuring, “He was of no consequence.” She glanced up and caught the look in David eyes. “I barely remember him.” She glanced over at David’s plate and then down at hers. He’d eaten all of his food, but hers was barely touched.

  “David, I’m not really hungry. Let’s go. I want to go home, take a shower, and put on something more comfortable. I hate stuffy business suits.”

  “As you wish, milady.” David rose from his seat and helped Cecilia out of hers. He laid down the tip, paid the bill, and escorted her back to the Lawton.

  Once they were inside her suite, she reached up and gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll only be a minute. Make yourself at home. The bar is fully stocked, and I bought some brandy especially for you. Help yourself to whatever you want. I’ll be back shortly.” She turned and quickly disappeared into her bedroom.

  After she left, he leisurely walked over to the cabinet and perused the selections. Deciding upon the brandy, he poured a glass of the amber liquid and strolled back to the sofa to take a seat. The music playing from her sound system in the bedroom mixed with the sound of the shower running gave him a feeling of contentment. As he sat sipping his drink, his mind shifted to the sidewalk café. …I wonder why she wouldn’t tell me who had been her beau. Why would she keep that from me?

  “David, did you find everything you needed?” Cecilia inquired while walking into the room with her hair wrapped in a towel.

  “Huh? Yes… yes, I did. Hmm… you look nice!” A smile slowly tugged at the corners of his mouth. She was wearing a pair of soft blue yoga pants cut a little lower than usual and a well-fitted midriff top.

  “These old things?” She glanced down and ran her hands over her pants. “I wore them at Harvard. They’re out of style now, but they’re comfortable.” She took her hair out of the towel and stood in front of the fireplace, leaning over to comb it out by the blaze of the gas log. “Why don’t you shower, and then we can watch TV or listen to music. It really doesn’t matter to me.” She grinned, gesturing with her head toward the bedroom. “I cleaned the hair out of the drain for you, and I would appreciate it if you did the same.”

  He laughed out loud. “Now that’s the first time I’ve been asked to do that, but I’m your guest, so clean the shower I will, but wouldn’t your maid take care of it in the morning?”

  “Yes, she would, but I’m not a slob for my maids. My father always made me pick up after myself, and I still do. Besides, when I was in college, I didn’t have a maid. I shared an apartment with two other people, and we had to fend for ourselves. It’s a habit now.”

  He quickly went in the direction of her room and promptly showered. Afterwards he returned wearing nothing but a pair of pajama pants and a smile. He noticed the room was lit only by jasmine-scented candles with soft music, possibly from the 40s, playing in the background. Except for the few flickering candles and the light from the gas log, the room was dark.

  As he took a seat next to Cecilia, she asked him, “What would you like to do?”

  “Let’s just listen to music and watch the fire. We’ll sit on that sheepskin rug, and I’ll comb your hair dry for you. I used to do that for my sister when I was a boy.”

  Rising from the sofa, he pulled her up and guided her to the rug where they sat down. He took the comb from her hand and began to comb through her thick mane. Her long strands were almost waist-length, and stick-straight. As he sat there cross-legged, combing her hair with one hand while smoothing the length with the other, a familiar feeling he hadn’t felt in years—one of domestic contentment—swept over him, but he quickly snapped out of his thoughts when Cecilia suddenly peeled off her top and tossed it aside as she turned around.

  “David, make love to me—here—in front of the fire.”

  Gazing into her passion-filled eyes, he dropped the comb and cupped her face, kissing her slowly as he laid them both down on the rug. He broke the kiss long enough to remove their clothes, and then gathering her into his arms again, he slowly began to traverse her familiar curves with his hand while hers slid over the planes of his back, urging him on. He could feel the heat of the fire enflaming him, or was it the slow stroke of her hand across his back and down his hips as she dug her fingers into his muscles. He didn’t know. He didn’t care.

  She was a lover with an easy touch who slowly took him where no one had ever taken him before. By now she had discovered every sensitive spot on his body, and she knew what to do with them.

  With Cecilia, he was never in a rush. He wanted to savor every touch…every kiss…every caress. For the first time in his life, he cared for nothing except for her and this moment in time. They made love as they always did—slowly, deliberately, and passionately, with great care to please one another.

  Afterwards, he lay there with her comfortably resting against his chest, satiated and contented, his hunger over the long months finally filled. He held her close, gently stroking the curves between her waist and hips as she rested her head on his shoulder. This felt so right. How was he to know that a woman like her would come into his life?

  Smiling, he tenderly looked down. She was sound asleep, wearing a slight smile as her warm breath tickled the hair on his chest. Realizing they couldn’t stay here for the night, he gently rolled her onto the rug and rose up to go to the bedroom and turn down the covers. Returning for Cecilia, he scooped her up in his arms and took her to bed, tucking her in before climbing in beside her and pulling her close. He kissed her cheek and drifted off to sleep with her snuggled into the curve of his body, her back against his chest.

  The next morning Cecilia awoke more relaxed than she had been in months. She stretched out in her bed like a lazy cat waking up from a long nap. Suddenly she realized she was not alone. Confused at first, she finally remembered that David was spending the weekend with her. She smiled as she looked over to where he lay, still sound asleep. They had made love by the fire. That was all she remembered. She rose up on one elbow, propping her head in her hand as she watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest, his breathing calm and relaxed. He was so beautiful. Could a man be beautiful? She didn’t know, but he certainly was, and the way he kissed her. She’d never been kissed like that before. Her heart might not be easily touched, but her body was another matter entirely. His kiss burned like fire, and her body trembled when his lips trailed down the curve of her neck. She had never known a man could kiss the way he kissed or could make her feel the things he’d made her feel when he made love to her. She breathed in deeply the scent of his masculine smell…woody tones of sandalwood, cedar, and spices. …Umm…if we had the time, I’d wake him just so we could make love all over again. She sighed.

  Shaking her head, she tumbled out of bed, found a nightgown, and then we
nt to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Since they had a busy day ahead, there was no time to waste lounging in bed.

  The toast was buttered, the bacon crisp, and the coffee was brewing. As she stood there scrambling eggs, suddenly a pair of strong arms encircled her waist while a pair of soft lips caressed her neck.

  “Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?”

  “Umm… very well, and you?” she asked, reaching up for a quick kiss.

  “Yes, but the smell of bacon and hot coffee brought me here. I had no idea you could cook.”

  “It’s a useful thing to know, especially when you’re away at school. I learned a lot of things besides what’s taught in a book. Have you had your shower yet?”

  “Yes, and now I’m ready to eat. When will the eggs be ready?”

  “They’re ready now,” she said, taking them out of the pan and fixing two plates. “Get the orange juice out of the refrigerator and help me take these things to the table. The glasses are in the cabinet to the right of the sink, and the flatware is in the drawer to the left of the dishwasher. Help yourself to the coffee. I’ll get mine when I’m finished here.”

  After they ate and cleaned the kitchen, she showered and dressed, and they left for Magnolia Springs Garden. Crossing the bridge over the small duck pond, they entered the heart of the festival. The outer rim of the park was bordered by thousands of blooming azaleas in colorful hues of white, purple, pink, and red. Vendors were scattered about, and the smell of food being prepared by local restaurant owners permeated the air. Huge magnolia trees in full bloom graced the park with pink and white blossoms, and the live oaks draped in thick blankets of Spanish moss finished the scene as they walked hand in hand into the center of activity.