Creighton Manor

by Karen Michelle Nutt

  “Now what?” he mumbled under his breath.

  Gillian turned. A woman stomped toward them, her arms swinging at her sides. Her fists were balled as if she’d like to punch someone. She would have been beautiful with reddish colored curls that bounced with each step, but her lips were pinched together in a thin line and her blue eyes flashed with unbridled anger. “Zachary Creighton!” she screamed, again drawing the attention of everyone who stood near enough to hear her, which was quite a distance. She glared at Gillian with pure hatred in her eyes. Then she turned her attention back to Zachary. “You…” She fought for the right words she wanted to lash out at him. She must have decided there weren’t any. She lifted her hand and brought it down squarely against Zachary’s cheek. The woman then turned on her heels and stomped off in the other direction.

  “I take it that was Violet?” Gillian stared after the woman.

  “Uh huh.” He inhaled deeply.

  “You have a way of bringing out the best in women, don’t you?”

  He rolled his eyes and she grinned.

  Without another word, he walked around to the other side of the carriage.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Lotti had brought Tyler home, and Gillian and Zachary found him playing in back of the house. Tyler screamed in delight and ran to greet his uncle, plowing into him as if he were a linebacker. Zachary laughed and picked him up, twirling him around before he placed him firmly back down on the ground again.

  “I’d swear you have grown an inch if not more since last week.” Zachary ruffled Tyler’s hair.

  “Really? Do you think so?” He grinned from ear to ear.

  “I’m sure of it.”

  Tyler looked at Gillian in awed fascination. “Is that the lady you married? Is she to be my aunt now? She’s much prettier than Violet, if I do say.”

  Gillian immediately liked the freckled face Tyler.

  Zachary turned his gaze to her and answered, “I hadn’t thought about it, but I do believe you’re right.”

  “Aah Uncle Zachary, you’re teasing me. You know she’s pretty. Why else would you have married her?”

  Zachary avoided the question. “So what have you and Lotti been up to?”

  Tyler’s face lit up as he talked. It wasn’t difficult for Gillian to see how much Tyler adored his uncle. Zachary could tease Tyler into laughter.

  Tyler reminded Gillian of someone. It was his expressions, the quick smile, the tilt of his head and the way his eyebrows lifted right before he chuckled. Tyler didn’t resemble Zachary in coloring. Zachary’s hair was dark and his eyes were blue. Tyler had sandy color hair, and his eyes were a deep brown.

  She didn’t have the chance to dwell on it. A dog’s sharp bark drew her attention. She turned her head and shaded her eyes. “Oh no.” She felt the blood drain from her face. She took a step back. It was the dog, not any dog, but the dog. She knew there had to be a connection with this animal and the reason she ended up in Zachary’s cabin. What it was, she hadn’t the foggiest idea. Was she to go back now? She felt a wave of panic course through her. She wasn’t ready to go. Before she could decipher the meaning behind that crazy thought, she grabbed a hold of Zachary’s arm in a deathlike grip as if he could stop her from being whirled back to her time.

  “Hey, don’t be scared. That’s just Molly. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  Gillian looked at him in surprise. She didn’t understand. “This is your dog?”

  He chuckled. “More like she adopted us. She showed up one day and decided to stay.” Molly slid to a stop in front of them and rolled over, begging to have her tummy rubbed.

  “She’s always doing that,” Tyler said as he plopped down on the ground. “You silly dog.” He scratched Molly’s stomach. “There girl, is that the spot?”

  Gillian released her grip on Zachary’s arm and knelt down. Molly sat up and tilted her head to the side as if she were waiting for Gillian to say something. “Why did you bring me here?” Gillian whispered as she nuzzled her neck. She leaned back and Molly licked her face.

  “She likes you.” Tyler’s freckled face lit up.

  Tyler’s smile was so familiar. A dim ripple flittered across her mind, making her think she should know why.

  “Do I call you, Aunt Gillian?” Tyler asked breaking through her thoughts.

  Zachary answered for her. “You do indeed.” He sat down beside Gillian and gave his attention to Molly.

  Gillian wondered if it was really a good idea for Tyler to call her aunt. She wasn’t going to be his aunt for long, but Zachary seemed to want to carry the charade to the fullest.

  “Lotti says she’s going to throw a party for the both of you. Can I go?” Tyler pleaded.

  “For a little while, then you will have to go upstairs with Dora. The party will probably last long into the night and growing boys need their sleep.”

  Tyler petted Molly while he scrutinized the two sitting beside him. Being a little boy, he thought nothing of asking what was on his mind. “Where did you two meet?”

  Zachary cleared his throat as he stalled for time.

  Gillian didn’t want Tyler to know how they really met. Some secrets were best not told. “We met aboard the Ida Belle. You’re uncle being the charmer that he is, swept me off my feet.” So she embellished little. A little white lie wouldn’t hurt.

  “No,” Zachary interrupted, “I believe it was you, my dear, who swept me off my feet.”

  Gillian chuckled. “So I did.”

  “Is that why I have never seen you before?”

  “That’s why,” Gillian replied.

  “Uncle Zachary was Violet real angry when you said you wouldn’t see her anymore? ‘Cause I think she rather fancied you.”

  Gillian again supplied the answer. “Oh, she took the news quite well. Matter of fact, she congratulated us this afternoon. Didn’t she, honey?” Gillian smiled and batted her eyes innocently.

  “Hmm, yes.” Zachary cleared his throat. “Why don’t we head back inside and find out what Dora has made for dinner.”

  Dora Chandler was an older woman, thick with age and hair nearly a solid gray. She had worked for the Creighton family since Zachary was a child. She cooked, cleaned and helped take care of Tyler when Zachary left on his gambling adventures. She was genuinely thrilled to find out Zachary had settled down and married. It didn’t matter to her in the least that she’d never seen Gillian before today.

  For dinner, Dora cooked lamb chops, vegetables and sweetbread. For dessert, she served them a fruit cup and coffee. Everything tasted wonderful. Gillian couldn’t remember eating so well. She usually popped her meals in the microwave. There had to be something said for a homemade meal.

  Afterwards the three settled in the library. Tyler entertained them with his stories. Gillian sat back sipping her coffee and listened. Zachary transformed into a good humored and easygoing man, another characteristic of her complex husband. She could learn to like this side of him.

  “Aunt Gillian, do you know any card games?”

  “I know a few.”

  “Will you show me?”

  “Sure.” Gillian showed him how to play concentration and they played for quite a while before Dora came looking for Tyler.

  “Tyler, I think it is high time we get you settled for bed,” Dora announced bustling over to him.

  “Do I have to? I’m not even tired.” He yawned.

  Gillian smiled.

  “It has been a long day,” Dora told him firmly. “You best get some sleep. Come along now.”

  “Okay.” He stood with reluctance. “I’m glad you came to live with us, Aunt Gillian. You make Uncle Zachary smile. Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Good night, Tyler.” She stood and put the cards on the desk. Tyler thought she made Zachary smile. The boy obviously missed the scowls. Where did Zachary go anyway?

  As if her thought conjured him, he appeared in the doorway with a half-cocked grin, making her fantasize how those lips felt pressed to
hers. She looked away trying to temper her thoughts. No matter how disturbingly attracted she found him, she would have to keep her hands off. She didn’t belong here.

  “I have a surprise for you.” His voice sounded strange, huskier.

  She looked at him again her eyes wide and questioning.

  “It is something I believe, you might enjoy. Will you come with me?”

  She hesitated but then curiosity won out. She nodded and walked over to him. He took her hand as he led her toward the kitchen. “Close your eyes.”

  “Zachary, I don’t—”

  “Trust me.” His gaze held hers, blue eyes pleading with her.

  “Lead on then.” She closed her eyes.

  He draped his arm around her, leading her forward. His hands lying heavily upon her shoulders, his mouth close to her ear, he whispered, “You may open your eyes now.”

  Her eyes fluttered open and her breath caught in her throat. “Oh Zachary.” Next to the stove there stood a tub filled with water. “A bath.” She sighed as she looked at him.

  “Have I pleased you?” Zachary’s masculine lips twitched at one end.

  “Pleased me? I love it! Zachary Creighton, I could kiss you for this.”

  His deep chuckle strummed down her spine. “I would humbly accept such an offer,” he teased, but instead of pursuing the matter, he moved deliberately away. He walked over to the table. When he returned, he took her hand and placed the soap and washcloth securely within her grasp. “The soap is handmade and guaranteed to please a lady. I took the liberty of having your nightclothes washed.” He nodded toward her sweat suit. “There have been strict orders for you not to be disturbed. If you need anything, all you have to do is holler.” He turned to leave, but Gillian gently placed her hand on his arm to stop him. His gaze lingered on where her fingers brushed his skin before he looked up at her.

  “Thank you,” she said softly. “I take back all the rotten things I have been thinking about you.”

  Humor lit his eyes. “Should I even ask?”

  “No. You might take this luxury away.”

  He chuckled with a shake of his head. He left the room shutting the door behind him.

  ***

  Zachary didn’t miss how relaxed Gillian had been in Tyler’s company. He liked it when she smiled. The way her lips curved and her laughter rang sweet like a bell. He couldn’t help joining in. He wished he could bring out her carefree disposition as easily as Tyler seemed to do.

  He marveled that only yesterday morning he had been a free man with no intentions of changing the status. Now he was married to a woman he knew nothing about, and yet he felt he belonged with her. There were moments he felt he had done this all before with her. Her touch, a smile directed at him, they were familiar, but yet he knew they couldn’t be. He had to admit, Gillian stoked a fire in his soul. Maybe his grandmother was right. He should settle down and forget his pursuit of Creighton Manor. Isn’t that why he had invoked the plan to seduce Gillian? He glanced at the closed door and knew she was soaking in the tub…naked and wet. He cleared his throat.

  Zachary wished he could take her in his arms and have his way with her. He leaned heavily against the door and closed his eyes. Her appeal overwhelmed him until he could not see reason and yet he didn’t understand why when she proved unwilling to be with him.

  Violet had been relentless with her pursuit. She was beautiful. No one would deny the fact, but the woman pried on his nerves. She’d hover until he felt smothered.

  Gillian got under his skin but for entirely different reasons. Hmm, perhaps she proved a challenge and this was her allure. A challenge, yes, this had to be the answer. Gillian didn’t want anything to do with him, romantic or otherwise. God knew he loved it when the odds were stacked against him. Then when he won the hand, victory tasted so much better.

  Gillian claimed she loved another. Right now, the man Gillian fancied held all the right cards. “Not for long my friend, not for long.” He wanted to win Gillian’s hand. It was as simple as that. She was his wife, which was a definite advantage over this gent.

  He would woo her. He chuckled. “Woo her?” A day ago, he believed he’d be forever a bachelor. However, now that marriage had been thrust upon him he wanted to make a go of it. “This feels right.” He ran his hand through his hair. He didn’t know how he could be so certain, but there was truth to the words. She belonged with him. All he had to do was convince her.

  ***

  With the door closed now, Gillian quickly removed her clothing. The corset proved a little more difficult, but finally she managed. “As soon as I can find a way, you’re toast.” She shook the corset and threw it to the side. She took care in stripping the bandages from her feet. They had been screaming to be released from their confinement all day. Testing the water and finding it the way she liked it, she lowered herself into the tub and issued a sigh of pure satisfaction.

  She lathered the soap that smelled slightly of lilac. She decided to wash her hair too, since she wasn’t sure when she would have another chance. When she had finished cleansing herself, she rested her head against the rim of the tub and closed her eyes. She savored the moment, giving her an opportunity to collect her thoughts and maybe comprehend how she ended up here. “It has to be the dog,” she mumbled.

  Molly had appeared to her four times, each time urging her to follow. Since she had been led directly into Zachary’s life, she could only assume she was to help him in some way. Then maybe she would be led back to her time. Of course, she had no idea if her assumption was right, but she had to start somewhere. It was in her nature to work out problems and being stranded in the nineteenth century proved to be a dilemma. She would stay close to Zachary. “Hmm, might be difficult.” She knew he was attracted to her. His advances proved that well enough, but she couldn’t quite count out her emotions either, not when her heart danced with excitement when he glanced her way.

  She went over his qualities: Arresting good looks, charming, generous and the way his nephew looked up to him, she knew he was a good father to the boy. However, it was imperative that she kept a clear mind, so she didn’t miss what she had been sent here to do. She didn’t even know if she was supposed to do anything. However, starting a relationship with Zachary didn’t seem appropriate. He belonged in the nineteenth century and she, the twenty-first. Talk about a generation gap. Still, he was a man, an attractive man and she was a woman. What was she trying to say? Somehow, her thoughts had wandered, her eyelids felt heavy. She felt relaxed as she let the warm water melt away her worries. She would close her eyes for a moment and rest. A smile touched her lips as she recalled her father’s words when she caught him dosing: I’m not sleeping. I’m just resting my eyes.

  The next thing she knew the door crashed open, and the urgency in Zachary’s voice startled her. She gasped, sitting up straight not realizing at first she was still in the tub.

  Zachary’s breath caught in his throat and his blue eyes turned a shade darker as he stared at her.

  Then she realized why and quickly immersed herself lower in the tub. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What are doing in here? I thought I was to have some privacy.”

  “I’m sorry, but you have been in here for quite some time and I became worried. When I knocked on the door, you didn’t answer. I thought…well, I thought…” He cleared his throat and pulled at the collar of his shirt. “I can see you’re all right,” he said as he backed himself into the wall. He fumbled for the door handle and clumsily made his exit, slamming the door behind him.

  How long had she been in here? The water had become chilled and one look at her prune-like fingers, she knew it had been more than a few minutes.

  She stepped out of the tub and quickly dried off. She slipped on her own clothes. It felt wonderful to be back in something familiar. She decided against putting on her shoes though. She folded her towel and took her dress, her Nikes and the dreadful corset up to her room. Then she went to look for Zachary. He was in the library. H
e had opened the jib windows, obviously in hopes to promote some circulation in this heat.

  Zachary had changed his stiff collar shirt into something a little more comfortable. He sat on the sofa with his legs outstretched as he nursed a glass of wine. He came to his feet the moment he noticed her standing in the doorway. She could see his eyes smolder with passion and she questioned her sanity for coming in here dressed in clothes of her century, showing her calves and a little skin at her waist.

  Zachary’s gaze drank her up. He gulped down his wine then placed the glass down. “Your hair is still wet. I don’t want you catching your death.” She almost laughed because it was still quite warm though the sun had set hours ago. Without saying a word, she let him lead her into the room. She sat down with her feet curled up close to her body and her arms wrapped around her knees. He took one of the blankets draped across the sofa and began drying her hair with it. He stood close, too close, but she didn’t move as his hands worked their magic. He patted and rubbed as he dried her hair.

  “How are the blisters on your feet?” he asked.

  “Much better, thank you.”

  “Let me take a look.” She tried to object, but he wouldn’t let her. He moved to sit next to her and took each foot, inspecting them for himself, while she leaned back against the arm of the sofa. His hands were gentle and tender as he examined them. He had no idea what turmoil he caused with her emotions. She chewed on her lower lip as a shudder of pleasure slid over her. He glanced up to meet her gaze. “Are you cold?”

  He thought she shivered because she was cold, and she wasn’t about to correct him. She had a mission here. She had to remain focused and not let his tantalizing touch get to her. She refused to have a meaningless fling and unfortunately, that is all this would ever be.

  Not trusting her voice, she only nodded. He stood up and had her scoot in front of him allowing her body to lean against his as he wrapped his arms around her like a warm blanket. A voice in the back of her mind told her she should get up, run to her room and lock the door. She wasn’t safe with him.