Bluegrass Blush

by Carolyn Bond

  “It’s personal, you understand.”

  “But, Mr. Steel,” she looked at the ground embarrassed, “don’t you, don’t you want me? I need to know.”

  Pain crossed his eyes as she looked back up as though he couldn’t bear to see her so vulnerable. With sudden purpose, he reached around her and pulled her against him. The warmth of his body melted her like hot wax in the sun. She breathed in his scent, rugged and earthy, and relaxed into his hold. The effect of their closeness affected him as well. His breathing got more rugged and his hand searched her back in a soft rub. His head leaned down so his lips grazed the soft curve of her ear.

  “My dear,” he whispered, “more than you know. It takes all my strength to be a gentleman next to you.”

  She raised her hand and caressed his cheek and looked into his eyes. Closing his eyes, he covered her hand with his and nuzzled into her palm. He kissed her fingertips then sucked in a breath and looked into her eyes again. She could see a lifetime of desire rise in his eyes.

  “Mr. Steel, Malcolm, I think I don’t want you to always be a gentleman around me.” She turned her face up and kissed his jaw lightly.

  The effect on him was his undoing. His breath hitched as he pulled her body up and against him. He buried his face into her neck struggling to not let go of his resolve and yet his body betrayed him.

  “Oh, Everleigh,” he choked out hoarsely letting all his breath go giving up. His mouth found hers and her head leaned against the crook of his elbow as he bent over her. Tender lips covered hers searching and hungry. His tongue traced her lips, tickling with a satiny touch before plunging deep into her mouth searching for hers. In a sensuous tango, he kissed her soundly and completely until she felt the dizziness from not breathing overcome her.

  “Malcolm,” she moaned.

  “Yes, my love,” his eyes danced with happiness.

  “Malcolm, I need you.” Her hands inside his coat, she explored the texture of the firm muscles of his chest covered by his white shirt

  “As I need you.”

  They embraced until her arms ached and then pulled away. His green eyes held her gaze as though a tangible cord between them had been created.

  “Walk with me in the gardens behind the Inn,” he invited with a slight smile of a scoundrel.

  “Do you think it’s safe?” she asked peering around him to see through the trellis.

  “Probably not,” he stole another kiss and smiled, “but you can hold my hand if you are scared.”

  She giggled and put her hand in his. Her hand was like a child’s in his, so small. His skin was hot and rough. She felt like nothing could ever harm her with him there. He led her down the wood steps that led behind the house. The moonlight lit the path of crushed seashells. The scent of roses tickled her nose as they passed several bushes as tall as she was. They came to an opening between two hedges that served as garden walls for an inner terrace. Tall grasses shot up in a spray of spikey leaves that grabbed at her lace sleeves as they passed. She heard water babbling and as they turned past a section of daisies, she saw rocks stacked around a grassy spring that bubbled up out of the ground and tumbled away toward a small pond with cattails and lily pads. An iron bench, nearly hidden by a leafy tree, glowed white in the moonlight. He pulled her with him as he sat down, wrapping a protective arm around her back.

  They sat listening to the water and the cooing of a dove nearby. Her heart pounded and jumped inside her chest as she leaned into his side under his arm. He turned to her and lifted her chin, pressing a delicate kiss across her lips that felt like butterflies drinking nectar from her mouth. She traced the length of his muscular neck, feeling goosebumps rise on him from her touch. The heat of his pulse burned the center of her palm as she felt it throb in her hand.

  He bowed his head and took her hands in his.

  “Everleigh, I have tried, but I cannot deny my feelings for you.”

  “Tried? Why have you tried to deny it? Is it because of that creep Mr. Peeble?”

  He smiled at her description of him.

  “I’m not certain what a creep is but it sounds right. No, although I will say it is imprudent to fall in love with another’s betrothed.”

  She snorted, “I am not marrying that guy, no matter what he thinks.”

  “I am glad to hear you say that. I wouldn’t wish that man on any woman. But, no, that is not the reason. My life is,” he paused, “um, complicated.”

  “Whose isn’t?”

  He smiled at her attempts to make him feel at ease.

  “When you find out what I am trying to say, you may think differently. I have something to tell you. After you hear it, I will not hold it against you if you find it too difficult.”

  “What are you trying to say?” She searched his eyes.

  He took a deep breath before beginning, “I am the guardian of my nephew. A little boy.”

  She sighed a great breath of air, “Is that all? For heaven’s sake. Why would you think that would deter me from wanting you?”

  Her words affected him and he closed his eyes trying to regain composure. He shifted his position.

  He stood suddenly facing away from her with his hands on his hips.

  “Malcolm,” she stood up and put her hand on his back, “I think it’s wonderful you take care of your nephew. That’s a lot of responsibility. I didn’t realize your aunt and uncle had a child.”

  He turned to face her taking her hands in his, “And Bethann, Mrs. Monroe, she is his nanny.”

  Everleigh looked at the spring bubbling happily in the moonlight.

  “But why didn’t you just tell us earlier about Bethann?”

  “I,” he paused, “it would raise questions, you see.”

  “I don’t see how. That seems like a typical thing to happen. After all, my aunt is taking me in. How is that any different?”

  He stared at her in the moonlight watching her response. He breathed a heavy sigh and she knew there was something more. Surely this was not what he was hiding. It was not worthy of being hidden.

  “I just want you to understand that I have obligations that are mine to deal with.”

  “Oh, don’t give it another thought. I can’t wait to meet him.”

  She turned and bent to smell a rose blossom giving him a plain view of her backside. His eyes shot up and he sucked in a breath.

  “Yes, er, there is no rush. I do not want him to be involved until, uh, when our relationship is more determined. It might be hard on him, you understand.”

  Turning back to him, “Oh. Yes, I suppose that makes sense. I’ll leave it to you then.”

  He released a held breath. He reached for her and crushed her to him suddenly moved with passion.

  “Darling Everleigh, I do care for you so.”

  “I feel the same for you.” She smiled, filled with joy at his closeness.

  “Can I see you tomorrow for dinner?”

  “Yes! I would like that very much.” Then she remembered Mr. Peeble. “Of course I will need to give Mr. Peeble the heave-ho. He is getting on my nerves.

  “I would be happy to run him out on a rail for you. I have a rail that would work” His eyes jumped with mischievous delight.

  “That is very nice of you to offer, but I can give him the bad news myself.”

  He wrapped his hands around her tiny waist and pulled her close, playing with the ribbons of the bodice with his thumbs. Then he bent down and left a trail of hot kisses along her collar bone. His breath felt like hot feathers beating against the wet skin. She shuddered at the touch of his mouth. Taking his face in her hands, she turned his head up and held him, lingering several seconds before she boldly kissed his mouth in reply to the heat that was coursing through her. His arms wrapped double around her torso and pulled her off the ground as his desire took hold. His passion left her breathless. He kissed her until she was nearly faint and she realized she had stopped breathing. The whole garden seemed to buzz with the magic their hearts were creating.


  ***

  Malcolm took his time putting General in his stall. The sweet night air seemed to have followed him all the way from that garden. He could feel her mouth on his, feel her soft fingers on his cheeks. His hands had memorized the contours of her back as it curved to barely nothing before delicately fanning out in a blessed curve of hips. She was going to be the death of him. He had wanted to lay her down on the soft grass next to the brook and make her his right then, but he was too much of a gentleman for that.

  His father raised him to protect ladies at all costs even if it meant your death. It was a godly man’s duty. Women gave life and therefore it was a man’s job to give her his. He would have drowned himself in that pond before he violated her tender beauty. That didn’t stop his mind from daydreaming, though.

  He pulled the saddle from the horse’s back, set it aside, and grabbed the brush. He carefully stroked the soft hair of the horse brushing away the perspiration from the ride. The horse whinnied its pleasure and turned back from the bucket of grain to nuzzle his hand.

  “Yeah, ol’ boy. A soft hand makes the world go round, does it not?”

  The horse resumed munching oats. Malcolm gently smoothed the horse’s rump until a glossy sheen emerged. When he’d finished, he hung up the brush and flopped onto a pile of hay in the center of the barn. The sweet husky scent of the hay drifted past his nose. The horse continued to chew the oats as a light cross breeze carried along the floor of the barn. He could smell rain in the air.

  He tried to imagine Everleigh meeting Percy. Would she gasp in horror when she knew the truth? Would she understand? He was such a sweet boy. Surely she would be able to look past the circumstances and see the sweetness in him. Worse yet, would she contact the sheriff?

  Suddenly he felt so selfish. How could he jeopardize so much over a girl? And with the lawyers on his back, he could quite possibly lose the estate. He couldn’t take care of her if he had nowhere to live. He had already liquidated all of his assets in Louisville to pay for Bethann and without the income from the estate, he would have to let her go. Bethann was so good with Percy. He had come so far. He was stupid to let his heart get so tangled in Everleigh’s grasp.

  ***

  “Have you heard the news?” asked Suzanne as she strode over to Everleigh having tea and toast on the porch.

  “No. What news?”

  “Apparently Mr. Steel is about to lose his estate.”

  “What? Why?” She imagined him with a wagon of all his belongings wandering down a road looking for a home. And now there was a little boy involved.

  “Apparently there is some craziness about the title. His uncle’s Revolutionary War ancestor acquired the land through a land grant, like so many did. But then he went and changed the title so that if at some point down the line there is no heir, the land is to go back to the government.”

  Everleigh shook her head in confusion.

  “But, but there is an heir. He told me about his nephew.”

  Suzanne looked at her now, “What? No dear, there is no heir. His aunt and uncle died childless.”

  “He just told me last night he cares for his nephew.”

  Suzanne clucked her tongue. “Cecelia had been with child at one time. It was about four, maybe five, years ago. The little doll died at childbirth.”

  Everleigh sucked in a breath confused.

  Suzanne continued, “She grieved so. She wouldn’t receive visitors for months. Even after that, they rarely invited anyone over. She seemed changed. I suppose it affected her so badly she never got over it.”

  “Could this be a nephew of another sibling that he keeps?”

  “I don’t think so. Besides, we have never seen the child? Surely it would go to school. Did he say how old it was?”

  “Young, I think. I’m not sure.”

  “I suppose he will introduce you soon enough and then we will know.”

  “I suppose. I told him I was looking forward to meeting the child but he acted like it would be a while.”

  “Our Mr. Steel is very mysterious.”

  Everleigh wracked her brain trying to piece together the mismatched puzzle pieces.

  Suzanne continued, “I suppose, if there is an heir, that would help save the estate.”

  “Yes. I imagine he will have it worked out before long.”

  “Everleigh, what are you going to do about Mr. Peeble? Surely you are not going to marry that vile man.”

  “Heavens, no! I will have to talk to him today.”

  “Don’t expect him to take it lightly. Not with all that inheritance tied up. But I agree, your only time to choose is now, before the marriage. Afterward, you have no choice at all. I got very lucky with my Edward, he never raises a hand to me, but I know of many other woman who don’t fare as well. ”

  The front door opened and Mr. Peeble stepped out, pulling his cuffs and straightening his jacket.

  “Speak of the devil,” Everleigh mumbled.

  He turned his head then and noticed her sitting with Suzanne.

  “Ah, my dear, I was just going to search out the fine justice of the peace.”

  “If you will excuse me, I think I have some business inside.” Suzanne made her getaway.

  “Mr. Peeble, why don’t you sit with me a minute?”

  “All right. For a minute, but not long.”

  She waited until he was seated and then took a breath.

  “Mr. Peeble, I must decline our arrangement. I have no interest in marrying you.” She had decided that being perfectly clear was a better route than him misunderstanding.

  He looked out at the yard seemingly to take a moment to think of the right words. Then turned to her.

  “Miss Addison, I have no concern for what interests you. The arrangement is final. Your father arranged this marriage fifteen years ago and I have waited. I cannot imagine that you would sacrifice your father’s wishes and your family fortune over some silly notions of what interests you.”

  This wasn’t going to be easy apparently. She continued with what she knew from business. You don’t back down and be clear.

  “I have told you my decision. I will not marry you.”

  His jaw slacked and he looked around agitated. She figured he was not used to women being so firm of mind.

  “I have papers that state you have no other option.” He continued.

  “I have seen your papers. It is not a binding agreement on my part. I do have a choice.”

  At this his eyes narrowed. He jumped from his chair and hissed out his words, “You conniving devil! You went through my room!”

  “For matters that pertain to my life, I think I have a right to know.”

  “You have no rights, woman.”

  “No. You have no rights over me. Now, please do not come around me again.”

  She turned her posture away from him to show with her stance that she was through with this discussion.

  His hands shook and strands of hair had fallen over his forehead. He turned on his heal and darted inside. She wondered if he would ransack her room. She decided it would be best to tell Mr. Clark.

  She went inside and found him at the desk in the parlor.

  “Mr. Clark, I have told Mr. Peeble of my intention to not marry him. He did not take it well. I am worried he may go into my room and bother my things. Could you check on him?”

  Mr. Clark studied her for a minute. She could tell he was surprised that a woman that young had had such a conversation and still had her wits about her. He stood up and told her he would check into it.

  “I certainly don’t want any unpleasantness in the Inn.”

  Suzanne came in as he was leaving and took her hands.

  “Is everything alright, dear?”

  “I’m not sure. He took it badly. I just asked Mr. Clark to check on him. I told Mr. Peeble I had seen the papers, so I am sure he is going to look for them now.”

  “Oh dear! It was smart of you to tell my husband.”

  They heard a crashing nois
e upstairs and sound of breaking wood.

  “Oh no! Edward!” Suzanne cried.

  “I’ll run and get the sheriff!” said Everleigh. She darted out the front door.

  Two men from the dining room dashed upstairs. The sounds of a fight rang out with the smacking of fists against bones.

  Suzanne wrung her hands waiting for it to end. The sheriff burst through the door with his firearm out and took the stairs two at a time. A single gunshot rang out and Suzanne screamed.

  Everleigh made it back, apparently unable to keep up with the sheriff. She ran in the parlor and the women wrapped their arms around each other. Suzanne began sobbing.

  The upstairs quieted down and they heard the thumping of shoes on steps. The sight of the sheriff holding a handcuffed Mr. Peeble came into view.

  “That’s her! The thief! She is the one you should arrest!”

  “Yeah, yeah,” said the sheriff. The men following the sheriff watched them leave and then closed the door before turning back to the dining room.

  “Edward!” Suzanne tore off up the stairs. Everleigh followed.

  Upstairs, Suzanne stopped short on the landing. The door to Eveleigh’s room was splintered and shattered hanging on one hinge. Mr. Clark was examining the damage shaking his head and rubbing a red spot on his jaw. He turned to Suzanne when he noticed her there.

  “That man is crazy!” he said.

  “Oh, Edward. I heard the gunshot and I was so worried!”

  “Oh no, dear. The sheriff was just getting Mr. Peeble’s attention. He was crazed.” Then Mr. Clark looked up at the ceiling trying to find the hole.

  He continued, “Miss Addison, you made a wise choice. That man is unbalanced. Suzanne, why don’t you take her down and give her a spot of tea. She looks a little piqued. You do, too, actually. I am going to try to clean up this mess.”

  “Yes, dear. I’m so proud of the way you handled him! You’re such a hero!” She gave her husband a wink and a squeeze. Mr. Clark blushed and smiled modestly.

  “The sheriff helped, too,” he added.