by Anne Brear
“She wants someone better for you. She told me.”
He tilted his head, studying her with a frown. “She told you that you weren’t good enough for me?”
“Not in those precise words, but yes, she implied it.”
“I think you are mistaken. Besides, my mother will not select my bride for me.” A gate led into a field and Reid opened it, then grabbing her hand, they sneaked behind the hedge, leaving Princess to munch the grass in the ditch.
Anything Aurora was about to say flew from her mind as Reid grasped her to him and kissed her until she could barely remember her own name. His hands spanned her waist, pulling her against him, deepening the kiss until her senses reeled with the essence of only him. Unreservedly she kissed him back, wondering briefly if she was doing it correctly. She arched into him, not knowing what she wanted more of, but instinctively knowing she could only get it from him.
A passing cart made them pull apart. Shakily, they smiled at each other and grinned with the intoxicating knowledge of what they had shared. When it was safe, they went back onto the road and Reid reclaimed the mare.
“I’m not being much of a gentleman, Aurrie. Kissing behind bushes like a youth isn’t my way of courting you. I’m sorry we cannot be open about it. I will speak to your father soon. It’s just the timing is all wrong at the moment.”
“I understand.” Aurora absentmindedly stroked Princess’s soft nose. Although she did understand, she was dreadfully frustrated that their relationship couldn’t be acknowledged. “You’ll come to dinner tonight? You don’t want to spend the evening alone.”
“An evening with you is exactly what I need. Perfect.” He kissed her gloved hand.
She smiled and they strolled along the road, chatting quietly as lovers do about nothing and everything. At the entrance to the drive leading to her home they paused, not daring to touch in case they were seen.
“About seven o’clock then?”
He gazed into her eyes. “Seven.”
Aurora walked Princess down the drive, her spirit so light she thought she would fly.
“Aurora!” She turned to see Reid running down to her. “I cannot wait until tonight to see you, we have such a short time. Come to the Hall in an hour, we’ll spend the afternoon together.”
“I will.” She rose onto her toes, wanting to kiss him, but Jimmy, the groom, came around the side of the house to take her mare. Aurora grinned at Reid and hurried inside to find her mother and sisters in the parlor. “Oh Mother, I bumped into Reid Sinclair on the road.”
Her mother put down her sewing. “Did you really? Have all the family returned from London?”
“No, they still remain there. Mr Sinclair has had a heart seizure.”
Winnie gasped, a pale hand going to her throat. “Heaven save us. John Sinclair?”
Aurora told them the news and about the dinner invitation and prided herself on not letting an ounce of emotion color her words.
“Well, of course Reid must come to us and have dinner. He cannot be alone tonight.” Winnie stood, the movement causing her to cough. “I am not fully myself yet, but as a friend and neighbor we must do our duty in times of need. I shall consult Mrs Pringle.”
“Yes, Mother.” Aurora turned for the hall. “I shall bathe I think. I’ve been riding for a good while. I promised Reid I’d go and spend the afternoon with him, to take his mind off things, you understand.” She spun from the room in excitement and took the stairs at a run. She wanted to be her best for Reid. How many chances would she get to visit him without his family nearby, without his mother casting her cold glares?
That evening, after a magnificent lazy afternoon with Reid where they spent hours touching, whispering and simply being together, Aurora stood in front of the long mirror and studied her reflection. She couldn’t wear one of her best gowns, her mother would think it ostentatious on such a simple private occasion and it would make her appear to be trying too hard for Reid’s attention. Though God knows it was true, she did want his sole attention, but she’d have to act nonchalant. She’d chosen a soft pale cream silk with wisps of lace an even paler shade of cream at her throat and sleeves. Hilda had scooped her hair up in a casual knot at the back of her head. Small diamond earrings were in her ears and a silver diamond pendant necklace around her throat.
Her stomach twisted with tension as they gathered in the parlor to wait for Reid’s arrival. Why, she didn’t know. Their guest was Reid, her Reid. But something felt different tonight. This evening her family would be able to properly talk to him alone, perhaps for the first time. Her father could judge him man to man and when the special day came that Reid asked him for permission to marry her then her father would know and like him, not as John Sinclair’s eldest son, but for himself.
Her cheeks glowed when she thought of the afternoon spent kissing and laughing, darting through the Hall’s orchard, blossom scent heavy on the air. Although Miss FitzGibbon had stayed in the back of her mind, she refused to mention her again and spoil what time they had together. Reid told her about New York and North Carolina where he’d also spent time. Captivated, she listened to his tales of all he experienced and the plans he had for expanding the Sinclair empire. They made plans to go to America together, to travel the world, to be together for always. Perhaps tonight he would even speak to her father about marriage? No, she must not rush him.
Downstairs, waiting in the drawing room, Aurora sipped the sherry her father gave her. She wavered between excitement of seeing him to dread, for in the morning Reid would be gone again. However, the moment Reid entered the room, the tension left her as his warm smile encompassed them all, but only she saw the twinkle in his blue eyes meant for her as they went into dinner.
Mrs Pringle, Aurora was certain, had cooked a marvelous meal, but later she knew she wouldn’t be able to name a single dish. Her whole focus was Reid, but also, strangely enough, on her family too, as they chatted and discussed things so easily, so naturally. Aurora felt as though Reid had always sat at their table, been one of them, been in her heart. It was beautiful to watch him, listen to him, to hear his views on events. She cared not a whit about Britain and Egypt ruling the Sudan or anything else that her father and Reid discussed, but she took the opportunity to learn more about the man she loved.
It was as their spoons were scraping up the last of their dessert pudding that it happened — the incident that made Aurora sit up and take notice. Bettina, unbeknown to the rest at the table, except Aurora who sat directly opposite her, was surreptitiously gazing at Reid beneath lowered lashes. A fine blush tinged Bettina’s cheeks and she smiled widely at anything Reid said, her gaze following his movements.
Sipping from her wine glass, Aurora watched her sister for another five minutes, her mind racing. If her sister, young and naïve, could be attracted, obviously deeply engrossed, in Reid, and see him as a man and perhaps a possible suitor, then so could any other young woman. Miss FitzGibbon flashed into her mind again, the stranger whose mere name made Aurora’s teeth clench. With his mother on Miss FitzGibbon’s side, encouraging, plotting, how would Aurora stand a chance when he was back in London?
She tried to think rationally. Reid had told her Miss FitzGibbon meant nothing to him, but he had the force of his mother working against him and he wasn’t even aware of it. Aurora must secure his attention, his affection. But how? Soon he would be back down south and prey to his mother’s scheming. She had to do something that would never allow him to think of another woman, something that would show him she was the one for him.
Tom’s books.
Heat invaded her cheeks at the thought of them. A little over a year ago, Tom had found her in the Sinclair library during a New Year’s celebration. Always the one for mischief, Tom had drunk a little too much and laughingly led her by the hand to a small step ladder. He urged her to climb it and reach for a red leather bound book on the top shelf. To her shock and curiosity he flipped through the book, which depicted graphic sexual poses of couple
s. Apparently there were similar such books on that top shelf. Two days later, a parcel was sent to her and when she unwrapped it, three of those books fell out of the paper with a card saying, Enjoy! She’d seen through Tom’s joke of course. The next day, she boldly walked over to the Hall to hand them back to him in front of his father, who, obviously knowing the contents raised his eyebrows at his wayward son. She left them with a smile on her face. But now, the taunting sketches clamored in her brain, making her hot under her clothes.
“Aurora?”
She looked up at her mother, blinking back to focus. “So sorry, Mother.”
“Do you feel unwell? You look flushed.”
“Not at all.” She rose from her chair. “But if you could excuse me for just a moment.” Before her courage deserted her she left the dining room and hurried into the parlor and over to her mother’s secretary. The note was simple. However, she knew getting it into Reid’s hands wasn’t going to be. While they had tea and coffee in the parlor, the note was tucked into her bodice, a constant reminder of what she was about to do.
As they said farewell to Reid at the end of the night, Aurora was frantic she wouldn’t be able to give him the slip of paper, then, just as he headed out the door, she stepped forward and shook his hand to wish him and his family well. She left the note in his palm and to his credit Reid showed no reaction except to tuck his hand into his trouser pocket.
Once the door closed behind him, their mother turned and kissed each of her daughters’ cheeks. “Bedtime, girls.”
They chorused goodnights to their parents and Aurora followed her sisters upstairs. The two girls still shared a room, but as the eldest Aurora had her own.
“I believe Bettina has formed an attachment to dear Reid,” Harriet giggled as they reached the landing.
“Take that back!” Bettina blushed, her gray eyes wide in horror.
Harriet ran into their bedroom, laughing. “I knew it was true.”
“I have no such thing.” Bettina chased her, furious. “I swear I don’t.”
“Stop it the pair of you.” Aurora stood in the doorway, wanting to slap them for their childishness.
“It’s true.” Harriet defended, kneeling on the bed. “I watched her and she was gazing at him all night. Poor Reid.”
Bettina grabbed for her again and missed as Harriet rolled away. “You’re horrid and I’ll not forgive you.”
Cheekily, Harriet slipped over to the dressing table and picked up a silver hairbrush. “I’m only warning Aurora, after all, she is the one closest to him, always has been. Haven’t you, Aurrie?”
Bettina grew even redder. “She is wrong. I—’
“Be quiet, both of you.” Aurora hissed, stepping into the room and shutting the door. “Reid has much more pressing problems than worrying about possible romances. His father is extremely ill.” She turned to Harriet. “You, sister, show a lack of maturity and respect.” She glanced at Bettina, who nodded smugly. “The pair of you should be ashamed of yourselves, acting like schoolgirls. It’s time you grew up.”
“Aurora, I—’
She held her hand up to silence Harriet’s petty argument. “Have either of you noticed Mother’s cough tonight? How pale she was?”
“She’s been sick.” Bettina stepped over to Harriet, their natural closeness bringing them together when anything unpleasant happened.
“And she hasn’t got over it.” Aurora lowered her voice. “The cough lingers and she hardly ate at dinner. She hasn’t regained her good health. I think we should concentrate our efforts on her and not some silliness.”
Straightening her shoulders, Bettina, the more sensible of the two, raised her chin. “Yes, of course, you are right, Aurrie. Mother’s well-being should be at the forefront of our minds.”
“Indeed it should.” Aurora opened the door and after bidding them goodnight went into her own room. Hilda had closed the curtains and turned back her bed sheet, but she wouldn’t be sleeping for a while yet. Aurora pushed the curtains aside and stared out into the moonlit night. What would Reid think of her note?
A tap on the door had her spinning around and her mother walked in, smiling. “Yes, Mother?”
“I thought I would come and say good night again and make sure you are all right. You were quiet tonight.” She held out her hand and when Aurora took it, she felt the coldness of it.
“I’m fine, Mother, I promise you.”
“Shall I help you undress?” Her mother stepped behind her to undo the buttons of her gown and unhitch her corset before replacing the garments with a linen nightgown.
Although getting undressed wasn’t in her plans, Aurora sat on the stool in front of the dressing table without protest. Her mother unpinned her hair and began to brush it in long even strokes. “You seemed a little out of sorts tonight, my dear.”
“Did I?” Aurora asked her mother’s reflection in the mirror. “I’m sorry.”
“Is something troubling you?” Her mother’s eyes, a light green hazel, were so different to Aurora’s dark brown ones.
“No, not at all. Except perhaps your health.”
“My chest cold lingers. It is nothing.” Her mother’s hand holding the ivory brush paused. “You would tell me if something was the matter, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course.” Aurora smiled briefly.
Her mother gazed at her for some time and then kissed the top of her head. “Good. Then I shall leave you in peace. Sweet dreams, dearest girl.”
“Good night, Mother.” When the door closed, Aurora let out a long breath. Lying to her mother tasted like acid on her tongue.
While the clock in the hall struck midnight, Aurora quietly slipped out of the side door near the conservatory and headed for the wood beyond the stables. A cloudless sky allowed the full moon to light the countryside in silver and gray, stretching shadows equal to the sun.
Silence cloaked Aurora as securely as the long, thick woolen shawl she wore over her nightdress. Her plans to stay dressed in her dinner gown had been thrown aside when her mother entered her bedroom, and dressing again without Hilda’s help was not possible, so the nightgown was hidden beneath the shawl. On her feet were stout walking boots. Not a glamorous look by any means. Besides, what did it matter what she wore, the night’s pewter darkness would hide her clothes. And really, Reid might not even come to meet her. Though in her heart she knew he would. The kisses they shared this afternoon proved he found her desirable. Now she had to act on it and secure the future.
Was she mad to contemplate this wanton move, this seduction? What if he rejected her, thought her fast and loose? He’d have every right to. Would he want a bride who he’d already touched? Would he think she was some kind of immoral woman not worthy of his name? Her step faltered as doubts rose.
“Aurora.” His whisper from behind a horse chestnut tree reached her like an invisible rope, pulling her towards him. “I prayed you wouldn’t change your mind.” Reid enveloped her in his arms, his warmth a comfort, his male closeness exhilarating.
“Oh, Reid.” She snuggled into him. “I didn’t know what to do.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
She clutched at the smooth material of his black coat. “You’ll be gone in the morning and I don’t know when I’ll see you again. This ... this seems desperate, I know, but ...”
“I know, sweetheart.” He nuzzled his cheek against hers and she felt the beginnings of his beard. “I’ll write.”
“Writing isn’t enough. I want to be with you.”
“And you will, soon, I promise.” His hold on her tightened. “When Father is well again, which hopefully will be soon, I’ll return from London. We’ll spend the summer together. And I’ll speak with your father about us.”
“But it could be months before your father is fit enough for you to leave him.” Frustration grew in her voice and she pressed harder against him. She cupped his face in her hands and brought his head down so she could kiss him, stamp herself on him.
“A
urora, my darling…” As though she had given him permission, he deepened the kiss, using his tongue to open her mouth so he could plunge within. His groans made the fire in the pit of her belly gather strength.
Whispering her name, he scattered kisses down her throat, tugging the shawl off her shoulders. For a moment he stilled. “You have your nightdress on.”
She ducked her head in embarrassment at his surprise. “Yes, I hadn’t intended to, but mother came into my room and helped me undress for bed ...”
“Then you…” He pushed the shawl down so that it hung from her arms and low on her back. His hands lightly traced the contours of her shoulders, waist and hips through the linen material. She shivered at the intimacy of his touch. Using the thumb and first finger on his right hand he undid the blue silk ribbon at her throat and the nightgown gaped open a few inches on her chest. She heard his soft suck of breath. He kissed the bared skin. Slowly, his hand slipped into the opening of her nightgown and found the softness of her breast. Her nipples hardened at his caress and she gripped his shoulders as the power went from her legs.
“Reid…” She moaned, tilting her head back when his head lowered and he sucked at her nipple through the material. She’d never felt such sensations rippling through her body as she did at that moment. Her legs buckled and she sank to the damp grass of the wood, pulling Reid with her.
“Aurora, no…” Reid knelt beside her, holding her in his arms. “This isn’t, I mean, I can’t…”
“I’m yours, Reid, forever.” She pushed herself against him, wanting the closeness of him.
“Yes, but—’
“No buts.” She kissed him hard. “We are to be married, yes?”
“Well, yes, but not for some time. We—’
“Then if we are to be married we can be married tonight.” She took his hand and placed it on her breast. “Let me be your wife for this night and always.”
His hand caressed her and his breathing grew shallow. “You don’t know what you’re asking. We’ve done too much all ready.” He tried to laugh, to make light of it. “You’re too tempting, Aurrie. I need to go.”