by Dawn Brower
“Why did you stop?” Her lips were plump from his kisses and he wanted to lean down and kiss her again, but held back.
“I don’t want this to go too far…”
“You think it would?” She lifted a brow and held his gaze defiantly. “You believe yourself so irresistible I wouldn’t walk away?”
God this wasn’t going how he wanted or thought it would. He took a deep breath. “That’s now what I said at all.”
“Then what are you saying?”
She was starting to sound a little angry and very irritable. Rafe had to steer this back toward pleasanter things. “That I was afraid of my control. You deserve to be treated well and I would hate for you to think I’m taking advantage of you.”
“Ah, I see.” She stepped away from him.
Bloody hell... He had blundered. Rafe had to figure how what he’d done wrong and fast. First he had to get her to say what she was thinking somehow. “Please explain what it is that you think you see.” He had a feeling he wouldn’t like her answer.
“This is all about you,” she began. “The man in this little scenario. You have all the control and have to keep it reined in so I don’t lose my head.” She threw her hands up in the air. “And what is wrong with any of what we just did? Why can’t we lose ourselves in the passion building between us?” She stalked forward and stabbed him with her finger in his chest. Her fingernails dug into his flesh beneath his shirt. She was almost terrifying in this mood—and he found her even more attractive. Rafe was starting to think he was a sadistic bastard.
“Maybe next time we can…”
“As if I’d let you have a second chance to mess this up. It’s your loss Rafe.” She stomped away from him. “I’m not bothering with whatever...” She waved her hand in the air. “…this is.”
Oh, hell, no… He strode forward in three long strides and blocked the path so she couldn’t leave. “Didn’t I say we were not going backwards? This thing between us isn’t going away.”
“That may be so,” she said defiantly. “But I don’t care. I don’t have time for you or your gentlemanly nonsense. Go find someone else to play games with.”
She tried to get around him but he wrapped his arms around her and held her in place. Rafe cursed under his breath. She was a wily one. “Aletha,” he begged. “Please calm down…”
“Calm down?” She seethed. He’d made another wrong step. Bollocks…
“Will you please listen to me? I want to explain…”
“You’ve done enough explaining.” She stomped on his foot and he yelped in pain.
Rafe leaned down and rested his head on top of hers. She squirmed but slowly started to calm down. He thought she was done fighting him—finally. He loosened his grip and she slid out of his arms and around him. She was out the door before he had a chance to stop her.
Wily, gorgeous, woman… Rafe smiled. He would talk to her later when she had some time to calm down. This wasn’t over. She would be his in every way, and yes, he intended to marry her. Winning her over would be the greatest challenge he ever face.
Yes, no doubt about it. He was one sadistic bastard…
Chapter 9
The wedding had been beautiful. Aletha never would have imagined getting married on Christmas Eve would be magical, but now, she thought it was the perfect day to exchange vows. There was something special about that time of year that made everything better.
She sighed a little whimsically.
Aletha wanted that. What Victoria and William had… A love that shined between two people and was evident to everyone around them. She just didn’t believe she could have it. What had happened between her and Rafe in the conservatory was an anomaly. That wasn’t love. It was…desire, lust, nothing substantial. She didn’t blame him for how it had ended. At first, she’d been angry with him, but after she had time to think she realized it wasn’t him she’d been mad at. It had been herself and her foolish expectations.
Rafe believed in love. Aletha never truly would. Oh, she craved it, but love was the exception not the rule. It didn’t exist for people like her. The ones who hadn’t grown up basking in its sunshine. Her parents relationship made her want to crawl in a dark hole and never trust anyone with something as fragile as her feelings. She’d be crushed if she opened her heart to someone and they failed to love her the way she needed them to. She didn’t want to put Rafe in a position to fail her. He didn’t deserve that.
“Are you excited for the ball tonight?” Gabrielle asked her. She had a dreamy expression on her face. “I love dancing.”
Aletha had never found it a thrilling experience. She was looking forward to the Christmas ball, and the celebration of Victoria and William’s marriage, but not for the same reasons as Gabrielle. Her special present had finally arrived. She had to go oversee its placement. “Then I hope you dance and dance and dance tonight,” she told her new friend. And Gabrielle was her friend. Aletha wouldn’t let the relationship she’d build this past fortnight die once he returned to New York and Gabrielle went back to Italy.
“Oh, I intend to.” She grinned. Her face alight with happiness. “Where are you off to?”
“The ballroom,” she answered. “I have a surprise for the decorations.”
“How exciting,” she exclaimed. “Care for some company.”
Aletha shrugged. “Sure. I don’t mind.”
They continued the trek to the ballroom in silence. It wasn’t a long journey and it didn’t take them long to cross over the long hallway and then push open the doors. It was decorated in every Christmas adornment imaginable. There was green garland wrapped in red ribbons and tied with little silver bells along the walls. Misltetoe had been hung in every alcove and entrance way for those wishing to steal a kiss without recriminations. In the center of the ceiling around the large crystal chandelier holly had been draped over the gold filigree. An enormous pine had been erected in the far right corner near a fireplace. It had several ornaments already on it. The names of each member of the Marsden clan was engraved over several of them. On top stood a beautiful crystal angel that shimmered in the light. It was a gorgeous tree and showcased the love of each one of the family. A pang of something stung her heart and she fought tears.
“Isn’t it lovely,” Gabrielle said. “That’s my ornament.” She pointed to a ballerina in the middle a pirouette. Gabi had been engraved on one of the ballet slippers. “My full name was too long to put on her shoe so we shortened it.”
“But you are not a Marsden.” Aletha frowned. “I thought only the family had ornaments.”
She shrugged. “We’ve always celebrated in some way with them. They treat us as if we belong to them. I’ve never considered it.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though if Sofia has her way she’ll be a Marsden one day in truth.”
“I’ve noticed her mooning over one of the twins.” Aletha still couldn’t tell them apart. “I think she should give up on that particular wish. Neither one of them seem as if they want to settle down anytime soon.”
“You’re not wrong,” Gabrielle agreed. “But there is no reasoning with her. She’s in love…”
Aletha sighed. There was that word. The one she didn’t speak aloud but secretly hoped for. She wanted love. She craved it. Aletha could have it if she believed hard enough. Rafe spoke of it and believed he felt it for her. Did she dare take him at his word? Did he really think he loved her?
“So what are we doing in here?” Gabrielle asked bringing Aletha out of her thoughts.
“We’re waiting for the servants to bring in the items.”
The doors swung open and two servants brought in a large box. It was at least five feet long and 3 feet wide. They carried it to the center of the ballroom and set it down, then turned to her. “What would you like us to do with it Miss Dewitt?”
“Can you open it so I can inspect the item?”
This was what she’d been waiting for. The item she had made special for the ball and to celebrate William and Victoria’s wed
ding. It might seem silly, but it had been important to her to mark it with something extraordinary.
The servants opened the box and lifted the lid. Gabrielle gasped and leaned over. “Is that what I think it is?”
Two giant candy canes were nestled in soft white paper. The molds she’d ordered to make them had worked nicely. The white and red ribboned candy looked perfect. “Aren’t they marvelous?”
“Is it actually candy?” she asked.
“It is,” Aletha confirmed and then grinned. “We can take a mallet and break it up later for guests to taste. I asked them to flavor it, but I don’t know what they used. Candy canes are usually just sweet with no particular taste to them.”
“Where would you like them?” the servant asked.
Aletha scanned the room to figure out the best way to display them. The fireplace might be too warm but if she had them lean the candy canes on each end it would work. Otherwise there was nothing to prop them up. “Over there,” she pointed to the fireplace. “One on each end with the curved end pointing outward.”
“Very well, miss,” the servants said in unison and went to work putting them where she’d directed.
“What made you think of this?”
Aletha shrugged. “I wanted something big and extravagant. My family owns a candy shop but hard candy is the only thing that truly travels well. I wasn’t certain anything else would have survived the crossing.”
“It’s a lovely gesture,” Gabrielle said. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction to them.”
She couldn’t either. Aletha may not have gotten her wish to start a English branch of the candy company, but at least this much had gone as planned. All she had to do now was figure out what she wanted to do with Rafe. She’d make up her mind before the ball.
Aletha smiled to herself. She didn’t have to think too hard on what she desired. She knew exactly what she was going to do and couldn’t wait until later that evening…
Rafe walked into the ballroom at Weston House. There was only one person he wished to see. As usual the Marsden family had outdone themselves in decorating for the event. This was the only event they ever celebrated with their peers during the Christmas season. Those in London showed up in droves. The Marsden’s loved Christmas and family.
He scanned the room for Aletha. Rafe had to convince her to marry him and let him love her forever. He hadn’t expected to fall in love let alone meet the woman of his dreams on a train. That had been a miracle. No other woman compared to her. Aletha was special and the one woman who would always hold his heart in her hands. He prayed she treated it kindly. She wasn’t in the room. Did she decide to skip the ball? If so, he planned on finding her where ever she’d chosen to hide for the evening. He was tired of allowing her room to run away from him.
Rafe moved farther into the room. When he reached the other side he turned around and frowned. He hadn’t been wrong. She wasn’t there.
“Who are you looking for?” His sister Gabrielle asked. He hadn’t even realized she’d come to stand beside him. Rafe had been too engrossed in his quest to find Aletha.
“No one,” he told her. Rafe didn’t want her to know how attached he’d become to Aletha. Not until he secured her as his. He had no doubt he would succeed in his effort. He just didn’t want to jinx anything. Perhaps he was being a little superstitious, but he had to ensure nothing went wrong.
“Right,” his sister said and then smiled softly. “Then you won’t want to know where to find Aletha then.”
He spun on his heels to face her. Shocked she had deduced how much Aletha had come to mean to him. Surely, he had heard her wrong. Why would she know where Aletha was and why did she think he might care? He did, of course, but his little sister should not know that. “Where is she,” he demanded.
“I’m not sure I should tell you,” she chastised. “You’re being rather…authoritative.” She glared at him. “I don’t appreciate your tone.”
Rafe closed his eyes and blew out a breath slowly. He forced himself to calm down and talk to his sister in composed, even tones. She was reasonable and would give him the information he needed. “Please tell me where I can find her.”
“I will,” she began. “If you tell me why you want to find her.”
What did she want from him? Was she being protective of Aletha for a reason? “Please,” he begged. “Don’t be difficult.” He was losing patience fast and he didn’t want to be abrupt with his sister. She didn’t deserve to be treated badly because he was in a bad temper. Not that she deserved it ever, but especially now.
“Do you love her?” she asked. Her tone was soft and almost had a longing to it. Did his sister love someone or did she just hope one day to find it and hadn’t? He understood that desire now more than ever.
The easiest thing was to answer in the affirmative. Rafe didn’t want to say the words aloud his sister wanted to hear. So he just nodded.
She smiled. “All right. She said you would know where to find her if you thought about it.”
“That’s it?” Was this some kind of game. “You don’t actually know where she is.”
Gabrielle shrugged. “I’m just the messenger. Go find her.” With those words she walked away leaving him alone to ponder as to where Aletha might be.
After he had a few moments alone it came to him. There was only one place she could be in the Weston House. With quick strides he exited the ballroom and headed where he hoped to find her. When he reached the conservatory he stopped and took a fortifying breath. If she wasn’t in there he didn’t know where she would be. The last time they’d been in that particular room things hadn’t ended well.
He pushed open the door and went inside. Rafe took a few steps and then stopped. She was in the center of the room staring up at the night sky through the dome ceiling. She looked like an angel. Aletha wore a mint green gown of silk that hugged at the waist and emphasized her bosom. A long string of pearls hung around her neck. Her golden brown hair was pulled pack in an elaborate chignon with tendrils left to frame her beautiful face. Rafe didn’t want to disturb her, but he couldn’t wait to hold her again.
“Aletha,” he said softly.
She lowered her head and met his gaze. A soft smile was on her face. “You found me.”
“Was this a test?” he asked. She seemed pleased with him.
“Of sorts,” she confirmed. “I had to know if this was meant to be. I asked for a sign…a little bit of magic that would tell me what I should do.”
He swallowed hard. Rafe was afraid to discover if he passed the test. He believed he had, but it was too important for him to have failed. “And?” he lifted a brow.
“You’re here,” she said and shrugged lightly. “Quite quickly too. Did you come straight here?”
He nodded and took a tentative step toward her. “Tell me what you want.” Rafe knew she was the one for him, but he had to know she believed it too.
“You,” she said softly. Her lips quivered as she spoke. Almost as if she was afraid to voice her deepest darkest desires.
Rafe closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. “I love you,” he said.
A tear fell down her cheek. He wiped it away with the pad of his thumb. “Shh,” he whispered huskily. “Don’t cry.”
“They’re tears of happiness,” she said. Her voice was hoarse with emotion and cracked a little. “I never thought I would find love. I couldn’t believe in it.” She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I didn’t want to push too far. I was afraid I’d scare you away.”
“You’re the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life,” she admitted. “It just happened faster than I ever imagined. I didn’t want to hope and then have it all fall apart around me.” She glanced up. “I didn’t want to mess up and it was easier to walk away then ruin something wonderful.”
“If you don’t give something a chance that’s worse than never having it at all. Love is a gift.”
“I know,” s
he agreed. “Which is why I’m here. Standing before you with my heart open to you, offering it to you. It’s yours if you’re willing to have it.” She pressed her lips to his quickly. “I love you, Rafe.”
“Thank God,” he said. He leaned down and kissed her, claiming her the way he’d wanted to since he walked into the room. Christmas was a season of miracles and it had delivered the best one to him. It led him to his one true love and he promised not to take it for granted.
Epilogue
Three months later…
If Rafe had gotten his way they’d have married the day after they had declared their love for each other. Aletha hadn’t wanted to jinx anything. She had believed they still needed time to know each other. Love wasn’t always enough. She had to be certain spending the rest of her life with him wouldn’t be a mistake.
“I’ll never regret loving you,” she’d whispered. “But I want to take things a little slower. We have our whole lives…please tell me you understand.”
He hadn’t but he was willing to wait for her. She meant everything to him. If she wanted a little time he’d gladly give it to her. Unfortunately, that had meant following her back to New York for a few months. He’d asked her father for permission to marry her. Not that he cared if he granted it to him or not. As long as Aletha said yes that was all he needed. He’d abduct her and take her back to Italy, then marry her there. Her family was a hoard of vultures. They took one look at him and greed flashed through their eyes. They were huddled together discussing something. Probably trying to discern the best way to use their new relation to their advantage. They would be sadly disappointed that they wouldn’t gain any leeway with him. They’d learn soon enough Rafe, and his family, were no pawns.
“I’m sorry,” Aletha said. She nibbled on her bottom lip as she stared at her father, grandfather, and brother.