by Piper Stone
A long sigh passed her lips, and she relaxed.
Matthew watched her with a smile on his lips. She was so beautiful. Her dark, curly hair was strewn across the pillow, and her blue eyes were deep, almost indigo. When she remembered once again to open them and look into his, he grinned. “I could spank you for forgetting.”
Her eyes were suddenly round and alarmed. “You’re teasing.”
“Yes,” he chuckled. “I am. But now it’s my turn, little one. I’ll try not to hurt you.”
She nodded, and he lowered himself toward her, touching the outside of her channel with his member. When her eyes grew fearful again, he reached down and deftly circled her button with his fingers. Thrusting ever so gently, he began to enter her channel carefully as he watched her face.
Her eyes widened, and he slowed even more. The last thing he wished to do was frighten her. But it was only a moment before he realized the wideness of her eyes stemmed from arousal, not from fear. He put his hands gently around her face and tilted it toward him.
“Sir, I… think I’m about to…” It was all she was able to say.
He watched her carefully, as the first burst of orgasmic pleasure began to overtake her. Her delightful little body under his matched the ‘o’ of her mouth, and at the sight of her he lost control and thrust deeply, spilling his seed.
He held her wrapped in his arms for a long time before he allowed her to move. Suddenly, he rolled her over so that she was on top of him, her hair cascading across his chest and her cheek leaned against his chest. She gave a soft moan of pleasure. His arms wrapped around her, and one hand cupped her bottom as the other rubbed her back.
She raised her head and met his eyes. “Is it unladylike to say I think that was delightful, sir?”
He kissed the top of her head. “I don’t know, but I can tell you I like hearing it.”
She let out a giggle, and sighed, closing her eyes. “Then it was delightful.” After a few seconds, she raised her head, and her eyes popped open. “Was it—” There was a question in her voice.
But he was smiling indulgently. “You were perfect, Cassandra. Absolutely perfect.”
She tilted her head. “And what shall I call you?”
“What would you like to call me?”
“Well, let’s see,” She was counting on her fingers. “Matthew? Matt? Mr. Downing? Sir?”
“No need for the ‘sir’ unless you’re being scolded. Then it helps me to know that your attitude is respectful. Call me Matthew. Or Matt.”
She leaned her head down on his chest again. “I like Matthew.”
He was gently rubbing her bottom, and stopped, suddenly, as they heard sounds coming from downstairs.
Cass stiffened. “What was that?”
“Remember the woman who works for me? She comes in every morning about this time.”
“Do you really need a housekeeper every day?” She looked up. “I could probably do what she does and save you some—”
He lifted her chin. “It isn’t that I don’t think you would do a fine job, Cassandra. But this is a tough place to live right now. Mrs. Billings and her husband are elderly, he isn’t able to work at the moment, and they need the income. Also, I don’t want you to be overwhelmed.”
She tilted her head to one side. “You’re being nice.”
“I’m being practical. Eventually they’ll have to move closer to their children. This keeps them here for a while longer and part of the community. Do you see?” When she nodded, he leaned down to kiss her mouth. “And I’m also being selfish. The less hard you work, the more I can enjoy you in the evenings. Ah, I knew that would bring another one of your blushes.”
She grinned. “So, tell me about Lucas. Why doesn’t he speak?”
His hand stilled. “That’s a question I don’t know the answer to. Something happened to him when he was two. He lived with his mother and father then, and his father drank. When his grandmother took him to raise, he had stopped speaking, and hasn’t since. He’s not only afraid of storms; loud noises, clapping, candles also frighten him. The lightning was probably what frightened him and caused him to run. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to know to run away from them. Sometimes he runs toward them.
“He’s a beautiful boy.”
He looked down at her and tapped her gently on the nose. “You should see his sketches. He’s very talented. Daniel would occasionally stop by and they would both draw. And he hears well. He just doesn’t speak. I’d like you to see him when he isn’t frightened.”
She nodded. “I would like that.”
“What else would you like to know?”
She chewed her lip thoughtfully. “I do have another question. I spoke with the sheriff, but he said I’d have to ask you.”
But as she paused, the expression on his face changed, and he stiffened. “If it’s about Christmas, Cassandra, perhaps someday I’ll discuss it with you. I make no promises. Right now, I will not. Don’t ask.”
“But I really want to know,” she maintained.
His hand raised and a second later, he popped her bottom. “I said, don’t press it.”
She jumped with the smack. “Ow. I’m sorry.”
He rolled back over so she was under him. “Mrs. Billings will be wondering where I am. I’d better get down there and explain our marriage before she thinks you’re a wanton woman.”
Cass glanced up. “I’m not sure what to wear this morning. My gown from yesterday is ruined, and my trunks—”
“Are still at the depot.” He nodded. “Let me speak to her, and then I’ll run over and pick them up. Stay where you are.”
“You’re worried about your reputation.” She frowned.
“No, I’m worried about yours. Gossip in small towns travels fast. I’m serious. I want you to stay put.”
Cass watched as he left the room, and then laid back in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her first impression of him was of strictness. She decided that she had underestimated him.
She sighed. This time yesterday, she had been approaching the little village of Valley Spring and expecting to see the house Daniel had built for her.
Then suddenly, a lightning strike, a fire, and her whole life had changed. Now, one day later, she was married to a different man, and living in another house. How could things change so quickly?
She rolled over on her right side, and thought of the differences between Daniel and Matthew. Daniel had been such a patient man. He’d loved her, she knew that, but there were moments after they were first married, when she’d had her doubts whether they were suited for each other. Daniel had never threatened her, never spanked her, and she doubted he ever would have. The day she’d thrown the plate at him, she almost wished that he had. She might have felt better.
Matthew, on the other hand, was a much more dominant man. She knew he wouldn’t let her get away with the things that Daniel had. He hadn’t hesitated to tell her what his rules for her were, and what would happen to her if she disobeyed them. She shook her head, frowning, and hoped she didn’t have to find out the hard way that he would keep them.
When Matthew came back a few moments later, he was dragging in first one trunk, then the other, behind him.
Cassandra stared at him. He was apparently a strong man. “Thank you for bringing them for me. I should hurry. Mrs. Billings probably thinks I’m lazy. I wonder what she thinks about our marriage, now that you’ve told her.”
“She already knew.” Matthew was grinning. “I told you this is a small town.”
He opened the first trunk, and looked down, puzzled, as things tumbled to the floor. “Cassandra? What’s this?”
“My patterns. I brought them with me because I thought I might have some time on my hands to… make things.” She halted, her eyes wide at the look on his face.
“I see.”
It was obvious he didn’t, but his eyes crinkled with mirth. “I’m hoping the other has some gowns in it, or we’re in trouble.” He opened the second, chuc
kling with relief, and began putting her things into the wardrobe. “Elizabeth always insisted on staying in her own room. After she died, I realized how much time I’d lost with her, by allowing it.” He looked back over his shoulder. “I learned my lesson. You will never be allowed to stay in a separate room. Unless you are ill, that is, and the doctor insists on it.”
“I have no say in where I stay then?”
He paused, and glanced down at her. “In this case? No.”
Her lips formed a straight line, and she scowled. But she bit her lip, when he moved toward her. Bringing her up from the bed, he gave her bare bottom a smack. “Attitude, Cassandra. And this,” he said sternly, as he turned her sideways and gave her several additional hard smacks. “Is for your defiance this morning.”
“Oh! Ow! Stop!”
“Did you think I’d forget?”
She was rubbing her bottom and frowning. “I hoped you would.”
“I see. Here, let’s get you dressed. One thing you’ll learn about me, Cassandra, is that I follow through on my pledges. Which of these would you like to wear today?”
She glanced over them. “The blue one.”
He smiled. “Good. It matches your eyes.”
She reached for it, but he moved it out of her reach, turning her away from him.
“Matthew? Would it be possible to see the house that burned?”
His fingers stilled. “Are you sure you want to?”
“Yes. Even if just to see what the valley below looks like. Daniel sent me a sketch he made of the clouds below, in the early morning.”
“I saw that sketch before he sent it to you. The valley looks exactly like that. Perhaps you’d like to see it in the early morning sometime, when the clouds are nestled below, like they were in the drawing?”
“I would like that, very much.”
“But just remember what I said about climbing the mountain. I’ll take you up in a carriage when we go, but you are not to go up alone, any time.”
She turned to face him. “You don’t trust me?”
His large hands descended on her shoulders. “I don’t know you. Daniel was full of tales on your stubbornness. Some of it I’ve seen for myself already.”
Her expression was rueful.
“I can’t let you go alone, Cassandra. The lower floor has collapsed into the basement. It would be easy to fall into, and I’m determined to keep you from getting hurt.” He stood her in front of the tall mirror in the corner, and she picked up the hairbrush lying on top, tugging it through her locks.
“Now, you’re beautiful. I’ll spend the morning with you and introduce you to some of the folks who live here. This afternoon, I need to get back to the mine and see how things are progressing.”
“Tell me about it. Daniel said it was an emerald mine.”
“It helps employ some of the people who live here, now that the railroad has left. When it did, many of the people from Valley Spring went with it. The sawmill is the biggest employer here now. Since I’ve discovered the mine on my property, I’ve begun hiring some of the others. It’ll keep those families here a bit longer, I hope. And now, young lady, time to go meet Mrs. Billings.”
She turned, suddenly, to face him. “What will I do with myself during the days when you’re gone? Can I go and visit with the families in town?”
“Do you want to?”
“Yes.”
“Of course then, as long as you tell me when and where you’re going so I know where you are.”
“You’re too strict.”
“After losing one love, my girl, I don’t think I’m strict enough.”
She sighed, and let him lead her toward downstairs.
Getting to know Valley Spring
Cassandra found Mrs. Billings to be delightful. She’d had breakfast on the table when they reached the dining room and Cass turned to Matthew. “We should invite Mrs. Billings to eat with us.”
A smile played across the woman’s surprised face. “I’ve already had my breakfast, but it’s nice of you to ask. I usually eat in the kitchen.”
Matthew seated her, and she looked around the huge room. The table was long enough to seat twenty. Yet there was only the two of them, huddled at one end.
“You’re thinking.” He smiled. “I know that face by now.”
She shook her head. “I’ll enjoy getting to know Mrs. Billings.”
“I’m sure she’ll enjoy spending time with you too.” He leaned forward and took her hands in his. After praying over the food, he held the plate of eggs out to her.
“Perfect. Because I’m going to ask her all sorts of questions about you.”
He chuckled. “Now, what else do you wish to know about me? No questions about Christmas. Anything else, you’re free to ask.”
Cassandra tilted her head. “Well, you just marked the question I wished to know most off the list, but all right.” She thought a minute while consuming a bite of eggs, and then looked up at him. “Matthew? What does ‘contumacious’ mean?”
He stared at her a moment. “I must admit, I was not prepared for that one. It means contrary, obstinate… headstrong. Why in heaven’s name do you ask?”
“My father called me that when he was standing on the front porch, the day I left. That wasn’t all. I just wondered.”
He was frowning. “Your father called you names?”
“Often, when we argued. But I think that day it hurt the most, because I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again. Tell me about your parents?”
“My mother has passed. My father lives in Boone. I see him often.”
“Do you debate with him as much as I do with Papa?”
“From what Daniel told me? Not at all; we get along well.”
She stared. “I’m glad. What else did Daniel tell you?”
“Likely more than you wish he had.”
She scowled, and took a bite of eggs, chewing thoughtfully.
“We’ll discuss that in private sometime. He also told me how beautiful and thoughtful you were of others.”
She shook her head. “That was sweet of him, but I fear I don’t deserve it. What’s your father like?”
“An older version of me.” He was grinning at her now. “We tend to share the same values. I learned ‘most everything I know from him. But he always encouraged me to think for myself.”
“Mine did too,” she said, frowning, “but when I didn’t come up with the same conclusions he did, he didn’t like it.” She sighed. “I suppose that’s where the arguments came from. Do you and your father always agree?”
“Not always. Sometimes we have to just explain our viewpoints and go on. He always listens to me, and I do my best to be respectful.”
She took two more bites at his insistence, and then began to pelt him with questions about the people of Valley Spring. When had he discovered the emerald mine on his property? What were emeralds generally like? Did he sell them? She’d only seen the ones her grandmother had left to her mother.
His obvious study of her face made her wonder if she wasn’t chattering too much.
“Do you think I’m too inquisitive? Or too forward?”
“I like hearing your chatter,” he said quietly, “but I think you may be a little afraid of the silence.”
“I see… I’m sorry then.”
“But I don’t know this side of you, Cassandra. You’re very different from Elizabeth. She liked the formality of the dining room, and the formality of silence. She kept to herself, and had little desire to spend time with the people here.”
Cass lowered her eyes to the linen tablecloth. “Perhaps I should be quiet.”
Matthew took hold of her arm and raised her to her feet, drawing her toward him.
“I prefer you be yourself, Cassandra. It’s a delight to hear you say you’d like to eat in the kitchen and include Mrs. Billings. And it’s nice to know that you’d like to meet the people of Valley Springs. I’m curious to know where you ate when you were at home.”
&n
bsp; She sighed. “Most of the time I stayed in the kitchen and ate with the staff. It was more comfortable and less distressing. My mother and father always ate in the dining room in complete silence, and I hated it. If I ate with them, Papa and I invariably would argue about something. It was much more fun to sit in the kitchen and listen to the servants’ chatter, and not upset Mother with our battles.”
He had pushed his chair back a bit from the table, and was grinning. “Did you argue with the staff?”
She appeared contrite. “Well, sometimes. But I knew when to argue, and when just to listen.”
“Ah, listening. A wonderful quality in a wife.” His eyes twinkled. “I see. The kitchen it is then, beginning with lunch, including Mrs. Billings. But right now, it’s time for you to eat your breakfast.” He sent her back toward her chair, and she took a few more bites.
When she set her fork down and put her hands in her lap, he glanced over at her. “Is that all you’re going to eat? You didn’t have much.”
“It’s really all I want.”
“We need to fatten you up.”
She grinned at him. “I feel like the proverbial calf. I hope you aren’t planning on eating me for supper.” He threw back his head, laughing, and she added, “And I think I’m quite fat enough, thank you.”
Matthew sent her into the kitchen, but she stopped and picked up the plates as she went. He paused just inside the study door, listening as she came back and forth to the dining room, continuing to pick up the dishes. Was she always like this, talkative, cheerful? He knew that Mrs. Billings would soon be complaining that Cassandra was taking over her work, if he didn’t miss his guess.
He went into the kitchen a few moments later and took her hand. “I’m sorry to snatch her from you, Mrs. Billings. But my wife has expressed a desire to visit some of the people of Valley Spring today and this morning is the perfect time.”
Cass glanced up, as if she feared she’d done something wrong. “Did I chatter too much?” she whispered, as he took her upstairs.
He chuckled at her expression. “I think Mrs. Billings believes she’s been caught up in a whirlwind, Cassandra.”