“Oh, Maggie.” Aaron held her close, realizing that he loved her, too.
Chapter 9
In the white cedar-floored entrance hall of the Coleman town house, Maggie Campbell held out her arms to a teary-eyed Judith.
Propelling her petite body into her sister’s, Judith cried out, “Oh, Maggie. We were so worried about you.”
Maggie hugged the child tightly, stroking the back of her tiny head. “You shouldn’t have run off, Jude. When you and Micah didn’t come back I got scared something had to happened to you all, so I went looking everywhere trying to find you.”
Clinging to her sister, Judith rationalized her actions. “I had to find Thayer. I knew he’d help us. But he wasn’t home, so we had to go all the way over to the place to get him.”
“What place?” Maggie asked, looking over the top of the child’s head to where Thayer Coleman stood in the parlor doorway, Micah at his side.
“It was a fancy place,” Jude said. “With a long bar, and huge mirrors, and lots and lots of painted ladies. Micah said they were fallen angels, but they didn’t look like angels to me.”
Aaron, standing behind Maggie, could not suppress a chuckle. Looking across the foyer at his friend he saw a slight flush on Thayer’s smiling face.
“Micah, you don’t meant to tell me that you allowed Judith to go into a . . . a . . . a house of ill repute?” Maggie glared at her brother.
“I couldn’t stop her, short of killing her,” the boy said. “Anyhow, we had no choice. We had to find Thayer.”
“Thayer?” Maggie asked. “Haven’t you two forgotten your manners using Mr. Coleman’s Christian name so freely? Just because I’m the talk of the town doesn’t mean you two can turn into heathens.”
“It’s all right, Miss Maggie,” Thayer told her. “They’ve been given permission. The three of us have become quite good friends tonight.”
“Come on in,” Aaron said, lifting Judith onto his hip before taking Maggie’s hand. “Let’s go into the parlor and sit down. We have some things to talk about.”
“Indeed we do,” Thayer said. “Come on. I can ring for Ludie if anyone would like something to eat or drink.”
Everyone gave negative answers as they entered the front parlor, a room of understated elegance with flowered silk-papered walls and velvet-carpeted floors. Two brocade sofas flanked the fireplace, a brown marble-topped table between them.
“Please sit down, everyone,” Thayer invited.
Aaron placed Judith at her sister’s side on the sofa and went to stand by an open window, the night breeze blowing softly against the lace curtains. It had been years since he had felt such a sense of confusion and desperation. The realization that he was in love with Maggie had startled him. He had never expected to know this all-consuming emotion.
“I’ve told Micah and Jude that I want the three of you to stay here,” Thayer said, leaning against the brown marble mantel behind him.
“We couldn’t,” Maggie said. “What would people say?”
“Miss Maggie, at this point other people’s opinions should be your least concern,” Thayer reminded her.
“I’m not thinking about myself,” Maggie replied. “I know my reputation is lost. But what of Jude and Micah? They shouldn’t even be with me. They should have stayed at Uncle Chester’s. They have to go back. That’s their only hope.”
“I won’t go back. I won’t!” Judith declared loudly, grabbing her sister around the waist and holding tightly.
“Neither will I,” Micah said. “We’re a family and we’ll stay together.”
“I’m afraid, for tonight, we will all be under the same roof,” Thayer admitted. “But tomorrow I’m leaving for Silver Hill to spend the summer. I’m expecting my mother as well as my sister and her family to join me next week. Aaron is moving to White Orchard to oversee the completion of its renovation.”
“So no one could say there is anything improper going on here when Thayer and Mr. Stone are gone,” Micah told her.
“We can’t accept charity,” Maggie said.
“You are going to need assistance, Miss Maggie,” Thayer said. “I want to help. As a friend, allow me to offer my home. It will be unused the whole summer.”
Maggie’s uncertainty weighed on her heart. She had to think of the children. What was best for them? “If we stay, we’ll earn our keep.”
“My God, woman,” Aaron said, wanting to shake the stubborn redhead one minute and longing to hold her in his arms the next. “Can’t you just accept our help? It’s my fault that your family is in this situation.”
“I’m to blame,” Maggie said, too tired to cry anymore. “Aunt Tilly warned me that we had to keep spotless reputations.”
“To hell with your Aunt Tilly,” Aaron told her. “You’ll regain your reputation. I’ll see to it that everyone knows of your innocence. Any fault in this matter is mine alone.”
“Folks aren’t going to forget that Maggie beat the daylights out of Mrs. Arnold,” Micah said, grinning at his sister.
“I’m not sorry I hit her back,” Maggie said. “She had no right to call me a whore.”
“Eunice called you a . . . a whore?” Aaron asked, astounded at the news. “I’ve never known her to behave like this.”
“What if I bring in a sewing machine for you?” Thayer tactfully changed the subject. “You can earn a living sewing. As for Micah, we will find him a job so he can earn enough for school.”
Aaron eyed his friend, knowing the other man was right to drop the matter of Eunice Arnold. There would be time enough to deal with that situation later. For now, Maggie had to be his main concern. He could probably think more reasonably if his feelings didn’t keep getting in the way. He had never intended to fall in love, most definitely not with a girl who could never make his dream of respectability come true.
“I want to help too,” Jude said, sulking. “Maggie’s going to take in sewing again, and Micah is going to get a new job. What can I do?”
Kneeling before her, Thayer took the child’s hands into his. “Your job will be to help Maggie until school starts, and then your job will be to work hard and learn all the things a proper young lady should know.”
“I guess I’ll have to become a lady,” Jude groaned, her freckled face marred by a frown. “You want me to be a lady. Maggie wants me to be a lady.”
“We all want that,” Micah said.
“Then, it’s settled.” Thayer stood, lifting Jude to her feet. “There will be no charity. The Campbells will earn their keep.”
“And I’ll learn how to be a lady,” Judith said, yawning.
“Bedtime for you, young lady,” Thayer said, laughing. “I’ll ring for Ludie. She can show you all upstairs to your rooms.”
“Don’t disturb her,” Maggie said. “Tell us and we can find the way.”
Aaron put a hand on Maggie’s arm, stopping her departure. “Thayer, why don’t you show Jude and Micah upstairs. I need a moment with Maggie.”
Agreeing, Thayer and the younger Campbells left the parlor.
“I intend to do everything I can to help you,” Aaron told her once they were alone.
“Thank you.”
“I know it may be impossible to undo the damage, but I will try. After all, we didn’t . . . I mean, you’re still a . . .”
“I should go see about Daisy. I’ve been so concerned with my problems, I’d almost forgotten about her,” Maggie said, ignoring his pitiful attempt at consolation.
“Don’t change the subject, damn it!”
“I see no point in discussing the matter further.”
“Maggie . . .” Sensing her determination to end their brief conversation and seeing the wariness in her sweet, sad face, he agreed. “Very well.”
“Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go check on Daisy.”
“There’s no need. Phineas gave her more pain medication before he drove me to the opera house. He expects her to sleep until morning.”
“In that case, I think I’ll retire for the night.” Thus said, Maggie walked out, leaving Aaron staring after her.
At the top of the stairway, she found Thayer on his way down. He smiled at her.
“I’ve put you and Jude in the first room on the right.”
“Thank you, Mr. Coleman.”
“Thayer. Remember, we’re all friends now.”
Maggie tried to smile as she nodded yes.
Judith squirmed restlessly in the bed. Maggie, lying beside her, longed for sleep that would obliterate the day’s happenings.
“Thayer said that we were all invited,” Jude said, laughing.
“What?” Maggie had been only half-listening to the child’s endless chatter.
“The party. The party.”
“What party?”
“You haven’t been listening,” Jude said. “I’ve been telling you about the big party that Thayer is going to have at Silver Hill. I’ll have to stay and watch from upstairs with his niece, Rachel, because I’m not old enough to go to a formal party yet. But he expects you and Micah to be there.”
“Oh, Jude. We can’t . . .” Maggie stopped midsentence as she looked at her young sister, whose pretty little face was filled with youthful hopes and dreams. “Honey, it’ll be wonderful. We’ll all have such a good time.”
“You’ll have to make yourself a new dress. Something so beautiful that every woman there will envy you.”
Maggie listened as her sister talked on and on about the big party, about Thayer’s family, and about Silver Hill. Finally, after nearly an hour of nonstop talking, Judith succumbed to sleep, but Maggie remained wide awake.
She could hear sounds from outside, insects and night birds, the distant rumble of a train, and the gradually increasing roar of the wind. Going to the window, she tiptoed quietly so that she wouldn’t disturb her sleeping sister. Outside the world was total darkness, huge rain clouds obscuring the moon and stars. A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the Colemans’ yard, the lawn green and well kept, rows of petunias lining the walkway.
Maggie longed for rain. Perhaps it would lull her to sleep and wash away all her worries. She wondered if Aaron was asleep. It was dangerous to think about how close he was, how easy it would be to go to him, how good it would feel to be in his arms. She had to stop thinking about what could never be.
Thunder shook the house and lightning filled the world with its brilliant flash as the wind howled, and tree branches swayed, scraping across the window panes. Then the rain came. Fast and hard and loud.
Maggie’s restlessness increased as the rain poured down. She had tossed and turned until her body ached. If only she could stop thinking about Aaron, she might be able to sleep.
Deciding that movement might help her pass the hours till morning, she opened the bedroom door and walked down the hall. She tried to be quiet, not wanting to awaken anyone fortunate enough to be sleeping. Maybe she could light a lamp downstairs and find something to read. A man like Thayer was sure to have newspapers, even books, somewhere in the house. She had enjoyed reading the Atlanta Constitution that Uncle Chester received by mail. She especially liked the Woman’s Kingdom section.
The hallway was so dark that she had to feel her way along the wall, stepping carefully down the stairs, clinging to the railing. Flashes of lightning, visible through the parlor windows, allowed her a brief glimpse of the entrance hall. An open door behind the stairs revealed a dim light. Beckoned by the pale glimmer, Maggie entered the room and found herself in the kitchen, a kerosene lamp glowing faintly in the center of the eating table. Its fuel was almost gone. No doubt one of the servants had forgotten to extinguish it before retiring.
Again thunder boomed and the house trembled. Maggie rushed to the outside door, flinging it open so she could watch the lightning streak across the black sky.
She loved the rain. Pa had always said it was a farmer’s friend. Tonight it was her friend, the sound of the steady downpour crooning to her like a mother to her babe. She watched and listened from the doorway, the strong wind blowing moisture onto her face and body. Although the night was summer-warm, the rain was cool, refreshing her with its touch.
She wondered if Aaron liked the rain. Would he enjoy standing here with her, watching the lightning and savoring the taste of fresh rain on his lips? Was he lying awake upstairs listening to this sweet music? Was he thinking about her? She had told him that she loved him, but he had not responded. Did he love her? He had come to her when she needed him, when her whole world was falling apart. Would the events of this terrible day change things for him with Eunice Arnold?
Aaron Stone stood in the hallway, gazing through the open kitchen door. He could see Maggie at the back door, the pale lamplight silhouetting the shape of her womanly body beneath her sheer muslin nightgown. He had been watching her since she came down the stairs, feeling her presence even before he heard her light footsteps. Unable to sleep, he had been sitting in the back parlor, dulling his senses with a bottle of Thayer’s best whiskey.
His body was hard with need, the sight of Maggie, the memory of her naked flesh, making him sick with longing. Burning desire, coupled with the liquor’s influence, had brought forth the primeval forces within him. He was a male animal driven to mate with the female who had aroused him.
He stepped into the kitchen, his eyes never leaving Maggie’s enticing form.
She knew Aaron was behind her there in the kitchen. She didn’t need to turn around to be certain of his presence. She could feel him.
Hesitating because of some innate knowledge that seeing him would destroy her defenses, she continued to watch the storm, her heartbeat so loud in her ears that it blocked out even the thunder. She was on fire. If she faced him, she would be lost.
Unable to fight the need to see him, she turned slowly, aware that he had moved to within a few feet of her. Just as she looked up, their eyes meeting, the lamplight flickered several times and then died, throwing the room into darkness. She had seen raw hunger on his face, the expression so primitive that it had frightened her.
“Maggie.” His voice was a hoarse groan.
“No,” she whispered.
A clap of thunder echoed through the stillness. Maggie tensed. She felt like a trapped animal. She had to escape. Lightning ripped through the black sky, momentarily lighting the room. Aaron’s jade eyes were wild. She could feel how desperately he wanted her.
Without a thought, Maggie ran out into the stormy night, rain pelting her body as she fled across the yard. Like a hunter after his prey, Aaron followed her, his long legs taking two steps for her every one.
He caught her, there in the rain, clutching her shoulders with his big hands, turning her to face him. Her gown was drenched and clung to her body like a second skin, almost transparent in the stabbing flashes of light.
She trembled with fear and desire as she gazed at Aaron, his golden hair curled with moisture, his shirt clinging damply to his broad shoulders, his face wet and fierce. She felt exhilarated by his savage presence, he and the storm seeming to have blended into one entity, brutal and compelling.
His mouth claimed hers with barbaric force, prizing her lips apart, his tongue plunging into her, taking his pleasure. She groaned, clinging to him as he pressed his big body against her. She could feel his arousal stirring against her stomach, and her blood ran hot with need. As the kiss went on, becoming deeper and wilder, she could taste whiskey and then blood, her own blood from her brutalized lips.
He lowered her to the soaked earth beneath them, jerking her gown above her hips and unbuttoning his breeches, freeing his desire. With one traumatic thrust, he entered her, piercing the veil of her innocence as she cried out in agony.
Maggie was stunned by the pain that shot through her body. He was so big and hard that she felt as if he had ripped her apart.
“Oh, Maggie, Maggie,” he cried out, ramming into her over and over again as the storm raged on about them, the rain covering their undulating bodies lik
e spring blossoms covering a green field.
Tears filled her eyes as she clung to him, her hips moving instinctively against him, the pain easing slightly as he moved within her. As suddenly as he had taken her, he plunged into her one last time, shaking with release, a cry of triumph falling from his lips.
As if only then realizing that he had taken this woman wildly in the pouring rain, Aaron rose up enough to lift her into his arms and run to the carriage house.
Grabbing a woolen blanket from a nearby hook, he threw it on the dirt floor, easing Maggie down to lie on it as he leaned over her, removing his soaked shirt. She could barely see him in the darkness, but she could feel him, feel his strength. After what had just happened, she should fear him, but she didn’t.
“Forgive me, Maggie,” he pleaded, bestowing sweet kisses all over her damp face. “I didn’t mean for it to be like that. I know I hurt you, and I’m so sorry, so very sorry, my love.”
“It’s all right,” she whispered. And it was. He had taken her hard and fast, with no thought of her pain or pleasure, but she knew that this first time for them could have been no other way.
“Oh, Maggie. Let me love you again. This time, I’ll make it right for you.” His big hand caressed the creamy smoothness of her neck.
“Aaron?” Could he possibly want her again so soon? Did he intend to make love to her now?
“Let me remove your wet gown, love,” he said as he tugged the sodden cloth over her head.
She gasped at the feel of total nakedness. Her body, chilled from the rain, shivered and lifted up, seeking his warmth.
“I wish I could see you,” he moaned, removing his breeches, then lowering himself to lie beside her on the blanket.
His lips sought hers in a kiss so tenderly sweet that Maggie thought she would cry. His hand cupped her face as he kissed her again, feathery light kisses.
“Aaron. Oh, Aaron.”
At that moment, she was everything to him, the very air he breathed. He could not imagine his world without her in it. Nothing in his life had prepared him for loving Maggie Campbell.
The Right Wife Page 14