Destiny for Three

by Lilly Hale

  "Me too," Elise managed to whisper. Her mind was reeling, trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle that could, when complete, map out the direction of her future.

  Elizabeth McBride had undergone a mysterious personality change after an illness twenty years ago, when she was five--the same age Elise had been when she'd nearly drowned. Of course, Elise didn't remember the accident, but her mother had harped about it constantly, blaming Elise's every shortcoming on the fateful event. It could be merely a coincidence that she and Elizabeth had both endured close brushes with death as children, at the same age, at the same place—Cottonwood--but then again it might not. Perhaps Elise had some sort of weird connection to Elizabeth that she had yet to discover. Did she and Elizabeth share a heritage? Was Elizabeth McBride a forgotten ancestor with whom Elise had some kind of psychic bond?

  Another possibility came to mind: reincarnation. She wasn't sure if she believed in past lives, but then she hadn't believed in time-travel either until a month ago when it happened to her. Maybe there was something to it. Perhaps she had died in the car accident and was sent back here to relive a previous life, correct her past mistakes.

  Maybe that would explain that weird dream she’d had her first night here. Was it a just a dream? What if it were a memory from another lifetime? Could those boys in her dream be Trey and Rad? Now, thinking about it, it gave her the chills. Those youthful faces did hold an awful lot of resemblance to the two men.

  Elise was quiet as she finished her coffee and let Jemma help her into a simple gown of burgundy linen. The possible reasons for her being here were certainly intriguing, but completely unprovable. It was as if the truth was out there, yet just beyond her reach--a carrot dangling from some great cosmic stick. She could only hope whoever or whatever was holding that stick would someday take pity on her and reveal the answers so she could get on with whichever life she was meant to live.

  She wanted a future with Trey and Rad, but what kind of life could they have if there was no sense of permanence. How could she have a marriage or children, knowing one day she could wake up back in her old life, leaving behind everyone she loved in this one? Trey and Rad were beginning to believe her change was permanent due to the length of time her condition persisted, but that was because they thought it was a permanent physical injury, not something as bizarre and unpredictable as her soul traveling through time to take up residence in another body. She was going to have to tell them sometime. It felt wrong to keep her worries and suspicions to herself. They needed to know. But how could she broach the subject without having them think she was a complete loon?

  Elise was still distracted when she finally left her room to go downstairs. She stepped into the hallway and would have collided with Rad if he hadn’t caught her.

  “Mornin’, sugar.” He glanced around to make sure they were alone then gave her a quick kiss. “Or I should say good afternoon, since it is past midday. How are you feeling today?”

  Elise wrinkled her nose. “Ugh. Rad, promise me if I ever suggest Tequila shots again, talk me out of it.”

  Rad chuckled. “Well, I was surprised when you suggested it in the first place, but who am I to hold you back? You know I find your free spiritedness quite adorable.”

  “That’s because you’re a rogue, Rad Kingston, a bad influence,” she teased. “But you’re so good at other things, I can’t seem to stay away.”

  Rad’s smile faltered just slightly, but he covered it with an exaggerated sigh. “You cut me to the quick, darlin’. I shall endeavor to reform my evil ways, so one day you may find me worthy.”

  ****

  At supper that evening, Rachael still seemed to be on a high from the previous night’s party at the Andersons’.

  "The meal last night was divine, don't you think?" Rachael exclaimed. "I simply must start planning the menu for my party. It has to be French. All the parties this season have featured French cuisine, it's the thing. Oh, dear, I will have to have a word with Mrs. Donnely. I do hope she can handle such an exotic menu."

  "We can hire a chef for the evening, Rachael," Rad suggested before taking a sip of water. "Which reminds me, we'll be losing one of our staff soon. Oliver informed me today that he'll be leaving our employ to pursue a degree in higher learning."

  Elise saw Rachael blanch at the news. She wondered if the young woman had a real affection for Oliver or if she was simply disappointed to be losing such a convenient admirer.

  "But-but what will you and Trey do?" Rachael stammered unhappily. "You know how hard it is to find a valet as trustworthy as Oliver."

  Rad shrugged. "It's not that serious a matter. We can manage to dress ourselves, you know." Elise knew that Rad and Trey likely wouldn’t replace Oliver because of the extra measure of privacy it would afford the three of them.

  "But Oliver performed many other duties besides that of a traditional valet," Rachael argued.

  "Ned has already mentioned he’d like additional duties. Seems he feels that he's not of much use around here because Albert's so efficient. I’m sure Trey will agree, it will work out fine." Rad cast a knowing look at his younger sister. "Unless, the additional duties to which you were referring had to do with being your personal slave?"

  Elise couldn’t resist adding, "A very adoring personal slave."

  Rachael's cheeks turned scarlet. "Of course not. Oliver's been a very helpful and trusted employee, is all." She picked around at the food on her plate. "I'm sure you're right, Ned can handle the job nicely."

  "I think it's wonderful that Oliver wants to further his education," Elise said. "What is it he plans to study?"

  "The young man has his sights set on becoming a lawyer," Rad replied. "An ambitious undertaking, but Oliver is as bright as they come. I'm sure he'll do well."

  “Can he afford it?” Elise asked. “Doesn’t college cost a lot of money, not to mention law school?"

  “He’ll have to attain a university education, but his law education would most likely be through apprenticeship,” Rad explained. “University is certainly costly, though. Evidently, Oliver and his parents have been saving a long time for this. As a matter of fact, I offered to assist him financially, but he declined."

  "Well, that’s great, then,” Elise replied. “I’m really excited for him."

  Rachael finished her meal in uncharacteristic silence then excused herself. Watching the young woman leave, Elise came to the conclusion that the attraction between Oliver and Rachael wasn't entirely one-sided.

  ****

  The rest of Trey's absence passed with excruciating slowness for Elise. Rad, of course, had a business to run by himself, so he was tied up most days. She’d hoped he would break the monotony of the long days by taking her dancing at least one evening, but he’d politely denied her, explaining that he was putting in long hours at the office and needed his rest. It was strange--Rad the party boy was acting downright responsible. That was a good thing, of course. Trey would appreciate the fact that his younger brother was settling down. But when Rad didn’t come to her bedroom for several days, Elise began to worry.

  Something just wasn’t right with him. He was still sweet and thoughtful to her; sneaking kisses when they were alone, bringing her decadently rich and expensive chocolates to make up for his spending so much time working. He even found the time to procure a more effective method of birth control for them: a sponge that they could soak in vinegar. Very thoughtful, but they hadn’t even used it yet. Had she done something, said something wrong? Or maybe he was just losing interest in her. Rad had been living life in the fast lane since they moved to New York, drinking, carousing and having his pick of numerous beautiful women. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for staying with just one woman, especially since he had to share her with his brother. Maybe Rad was changing his mind about the whole thing.

  And how would she feel if he did? She’d never imagined she’d have a relationship with two men at the same time, but now that she was in one, she found it agreed with her, very m
uch so. What if Rad decided to back out? She would still have Trey, and she loved Trey with all her heart. What they had together was more than enough to keep her happy for the rest of their lives. But the thought of living that life with Trey and having to watch as Rad moved on with his, found love with someone else, left a hollowness in her chest and an ache in her throat. If Rad was unhappy, though, she could do nothing less. She would have to let him go.

  Those thoughts plagued Elise each night while she hugged her pillow wishing it was a warm muscular body in her arms instead of a bag of feathers. Thank heaven Rachael kept her busy during the day. On Monday they paid a call to Mrs. Vanderbilt, thanking her for her impressive hospitality and sharing a few minutes of polite chit-chat over a cup of tea. Afterward, they went shopping. Tuesday was spent going over Rachael's guest list and menu ideas, dropping off the extensive list to the calligrapher and picking out the paper for the invitations, then more shopping.

  Oliver, who was completing his last two weeks of service for the Kingstons, accompanied them on their errands. Rachael wasn't her usual flippant self in his presence. She seemed uncharacteristically shy, as if she were meeting the handsome young man for the first time instead of ending a close association of several years. Her relative timidity appeared to unnerve Oliver. When Rachael wasn't looking, Elise saw his perceptive gaze rest upon the distracted young lady, creases of concern etched between his brows. They became so uncomfortable around one another it was almost painful to watch, and Elise breathed a sigh of relief when the outings came to an end.

  Elise felt sorry for Rachael. She was so obviously smitten by the young man and distressed that he was leaving, that Elise couldn’t help but give the poor girl some unsolicited advice as they sat together in the drawing room before supper. “Rachael, perhaps you should consider telling Oliver how you feel before he leaves.”

  Rachael’s brown eyes widened and she set her embroidery down on the table. “Whatever are you talking about, Elise? Oliver is an employee. I’ll miss his services, of course, but-”

  “Really, Rachael?” Elise challenged gently. “Please. I can see the attraction, it’s plain as day. And it’s also obvious the feeling is mutual.” The young woman’s face turned beet red. “You know, if you let him go without telling him how you feel, you may never see him again.”

  Rachael got up and walked to the window, keeping her face turned away from Elise. “I know that.” She took a deep breath. “But really it’s for the best. Oliver and I… well, there could never be anything between us. We’re from different social spheres. He’s hired help, for pity’s sake, and that just isn’t done, I’m afraid.”

  “Rachael Kingston, I’m surprised at you. Don’t be such a snob. Oliver is a smart, capable young man. He may be the hired help now, but he’s determined to better himself, and I think you’re being very foolish if you write him off simply because he isn’t a viscount or some spoiled rich boy who’s living off his daddy’s fortune. After all, your family hasn’t always been this wealthy. Your brother Trey used his intelligence and hard work to build all this from much humbler beginnings.”

  Rachael finally turned to Elise, one dark eyebrow lifted. “Do I detect more than just platonic admiration in your tone, Elise?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Why, Trey, of course.”

  Elise shifted nervously, not sure if she should reveal anything of her feelings for Trey. “Don’t change the subject, Rachael.”

  Rachael came back and sat down in her seat across the table from Elise, now suddenly eager to talk. “Why bother to deny it, Elise? I’ve seen the looks the two of you have exchanged. Has he declared his intentions yet? Will you say yes? Goodness, why am I even asking? Of course you’ll say yes. Trey is an excellent catch, but then you already know that, and I’d adore having you for a sister-in-law.” Elise could only blink at the rapidfire questions and commentary bombarding her. “I must tell you, I was a little worried when you were spending so much time with Radcliffe. He’s my brother, and I do love him dearly, but his predilections make his suitability for marriage quite dismal, I’m afraid.”

  “Predilections?”

  Rachael wrinkled her nose. “He’s a shameless rogue, Elise. He’s toyed with and broken the hearts of more than a few unfortunate women, and he frequents the most unsavory haunts in the city.” Elise cringed inwardly, thinking of the pleasure house he’d taken her to, wondering how many other women he’d seduced there. “But enough about Rad, you haven’t answered me yet. Has Trey declared his intentions?”

  Elise hesitated. There had been no formal proposal of marriage from Trey, as of yet, but she knew he loved her, and he had told her that day in his study that he’d marry her if he could. But things were so complicated, with Elizabeth’s ghost hanging over them, with Rad… “Not exactly,” Elise finally hedged. “Though, I will admit there is a mutual admiration between us. Trey is a fine man.”

  Rachael beamed and clapped her hands together. “Oh, I knew it! It’s only a matter of time, I’m sure. This is just wonderful news!” Then jumped up and gave Elise a hug.

  “Wonderful news? Did I miss something?”

  Elise looked up to see Rad had stepped into the room. He’d just arrived home from work and was wearing a charcoal jacket over a burgundy vest and black trousers. Even after a long day of work, he looked good enough to eat, and she longed to wrap her arms around him and welcome him home properly, show him how much she’d missed him.

  Rachael stood up and grinned at Rad. “Yes, Trey and Elise, they’re-”

  “Rachael, please,” Elise cut in, her face heating up. “You’re jumping to conclusions. I really don’t think we should be going on about this when nothing has been decided.”

  “Oh, pooh,” Rachael argued happily, “It’s only a matter of time, you and I both know that.”

  “What’s only a matter of time?” Rad persisted, taking a sip of the scotch he held in his hand.

  “Elise and Trey,” Rachael blurted. “It’s only a matter of time before Trey asks for her hand, and then she’ll be our new sister! Isn’t that wonderful?”

  Rad’s expression was carefully blank, but Elise saw the tension in his jaw as he raised his glass in a toast. “Very. Trey’s a lucky man.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Trey would be home tomorrow!

  Elise couldn’t get to bed fast enough. The sooner she slept, the sooner tomorrow would be there, the sooner Trey would be in her arms again. Good lord, but she was stupid in love with that man! Turning down the lamp next to her bed, Elise pulled the covers up to her nose to ward off the chill of the autumn night and settled down to sleep. Pleasant thoughts of Trey soon turned to Rad, who once again was staying away from her bed. Elise decided that once Trey was back, she would have to go to him with her fears. He knew Rad better than she did; he’d be able to help her figure out what was wrong. Soothed by that thought, she drifted off to sleep.

  She awoke to the sensation of the mattress dipping at her side. It startled her, but before she could even utter the gasp in her throat, a warm mouth slid across her own and she heard a low, masculine moan of satisfaction as his tongue swept over hers.

  Mmm, butterscotch…

  “Rad,” she breathed against his lips, returning his kiss with all the ardor she'd kept pent up for the last six days. When she came up for air, she smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

  “I haven’t been anywhere.”

  “But you haven’t been here, in my bed.”

  He paused for an instant. “Ah. Yes, it has been a few days since I’ve been at stud.” There it was again in his tone, that flat coolness that told her something was wrong. “Well, never fear, my horny little wench,” he continued. “I’ll scratch that itch for you.”

  His comment made Elise bristle, but he covered her mouth with his, swallowing her grumble of protest. “Rad,” she broke from the kiss and pushed at his shoulders, “that’s not what I meant-”

  �
��Really?” He didn’t lift his head, but continued working his lips down her neck. He quickly undid the front of her nightgown and pulled it off her, then took the peak of her breast into his mouth, suckling it hard while he rolled the other between his thumb and finger. “I know what you meant. You need some relief and I’m here to give it to you.”

  “Rad, please…” Elise struggled to maintain her thought processes through his erotic offensive. It was useless. She was defenseless against the man, putty in his hands. She wove her fingers through his hair and held his head as he ravished her breasts, his day’s growth of whiskers making her sensitive flesh burn.

  “Hold on, sugar.” He pushed off her, turned up the lamp then picked up a small white bowl from the night table. It hadn’t been there before; he must have brought it with him. “I’ll take care of you, but let’s use this tonight, shall we?” He lifted a small sponge from the bowl and squeezed out a bit of the excess liquid, then crawled back between her legs. “Open up and let me insert this, then I can fuck you to your heart’s content and you won’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy.”

  Elise squeaked at the feel of the cold sponge being pushed deep inside her. It didn’t feel right. Not the sponge, but Rad’s abrupt manner. She grabbed his wrist. “Stop, Rad. Why are you acting like this? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong,” he insisted, shifting back up to settle his hips between her thighs. “I’m fuckin’ you, darlin’.”

  Elise grabbed his hips as he made the move to thrust inside her, stopping him. “Exactly. You’re acting like a gigolo. You’re making me feel like this is more of a business transaction than lovemaking.”

  He held still above her, braced on his elbows, and gazed intensely into her eyes. “Do you want lovemaking, Elise?”