Wanton Splendor

by Bobbi Smith

  "Andre, I hardly think anything we have to say to each other is that important," she bristled.

  He was irritated by her attitude but tried not to let it show.

  "What I have to say is," he insisted. "And I don't want the whole world knowing my business."

  Eyeing her in the soft lamplight, it took all of his willpower not to ravish her then and there. She was beautiful... her golden hair... her breasts swelling daringly above the d5ecolletage of her evening gown. God, how he wanted her. Fighting down his baser instincts, he faced her squarely.

  "I love you, Katie. You must have known that when I proposed to you on the island."

  Katie tried to stop him...to keep him from embarrassing himself but Andre continued, waving aside her attempts to speak.

  "If you were forced into this marriage by circumstances beyond your control, all is not lost. We can still be together... You can get an annulment."

  "Andre! I..." she began, wanting to set him straight on the matter, when the door flew open and Mark and Jacqui entered laughing gaily.

  "Oh!" Jacqui was startled to find them there.

  "Katie?" Mark asked, surprised to find her alone with Andre.

  "I was just leaving. You're welcome to the study." With a swish of her skirts, she was gone.

  "Mark, Jacqui," Andre nodded, his eyes following Katie's retreating back. "If you'll excuse me..."

  Mark watched Andre leave, noting the tenseness in his manner and the glare in his eyes.

  "Where were you?" Christopher asked as Katie joined him.

  "With Andre."

  "What did he want?" Christopher stiffened.

  "I'll tell you later. Can we leave now?"

  He noticed how pale she was. "Of course. Let's get out of here."

  They made their excuses to Mark and Jacqui and quickly left.

  Seated in the carriage, Katie leaned heavily against Christopher. Putting his arm around her, he held her protectively to him.

  "What happened?"

  "The man is a fool!" She was angry at having let him upset her so. "He wanted me to get an annulment, so I could be with him!"

  "He what?"

  "Andre thinks I only married you because I was forced to. He wants me to leave you and marry him."

  "That's ridiculous!"

  "I know. I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen. And then Mark and Jacqui walked in..."

  "Walked in?"

  "Andre said that we had to talk in private..."

  "Don't ever go anywhere with him alone again! Do you understand me?"

  "Yes, Christopher."

  "The man is dangerous and when he finds out the truth, I don't know how he'll react."

  Katie nodded. "I wanted to tell him but he wouldn't let me get a word in."

  Christopher tilted her chin up and kissed her softly. "I'm glad Mark and Jacqui interrupted. It probably saved you from a very awkward situation."

  "I know."

  Mark smiled down at Jacqui as the last of their guests departed.

  "What a night. It was wonderful!"

  "It was," she agreed. Then admiring the diamond and sapphire ring he'd given her, she said, "Thank you for my ring. It's lovely."

  "You're welcome. It was my mother's. I'm glad that you like it." Mark wanted to kiss her, but her parents were just in the other room.

  "I'm sorry your uncle couldn't be here tonight."

  "I miss him," Mark said simply. "He was very good to me."

  "He was a good man," Jacqui paused. "Have you heard any more from Suzanne?"

  "Not a word since the reading of the will."

  "It really upset her, didn't it?"

  "That's putting it mildly."

  "Why do you suppose he made you the executor?"

  "Because he knew I'd take care of Cherie and Denis. I promised him that I would."

  "But to give you and Katie the townhouse and put you in charge of all his business dealings..."

  Mark shrugged. "He trusted me. He knew I'd do a good job."

  "Have you thought much about school?"

  "There won't be time now. I've got too much work to do."

  "You won't be dealing with Suzanne much, will you?"

  Mark smiled at Jacqui's jealousy and kissed her in spite of her parents' nearness. "Hardly at all."

  "Good," came her reply. "I don't trust her."

  "Well, we agree on that at least," Mark chuckled. "Now, how soon do you want to get married?"

  "Tomorrow?" she responded hopefully.

  "Tonight," he murmured teasingly, kissing her again.

  Andre listened attentively as his mother related everything she had found out talking with the other women at the party.

  "And Suzanne didn't visit him once the whole time Isaac was in the hospital," Marie Montard confided scandalously.

  Andre knew all that, but didn't let on.

  "Why?" He tried to sound genuinely confused by her behavior.

  "Well, it seems that Isaac had a mistress and he wanted her with him, not Suzanne."

  Andre nodded.

  "Of course, when he died, there was no way around it. Suzanne had to go and she put on a pretty convincing act, too. Why, even I was fooled," Marie sounded smug. "It must be miserable for her now, having to mourn him for almost a year when obviously she didn't love him and he didn't love her."

  "What of Katie's sudden marriage?"

  "Oh, the niece?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, she was stranded alone with Christopher Fletcher for over a week... What else was there to do, but insist on a wedding. I mean, her reputation was in shreds."

  "Oh."

  Marie looked at her son shrewdly. "Why did you want to know?"

  "I had been courting her and I wondered why she up and married Fletcher. Of course, now that I know she was compromised..."

  Marie nodded. "I understand... who'd want her after she'd spent all those nights alone with him..."

  Her comments infuriated him and he got up and stalked from the room. Were Katie and Christopher lovers? The thought enraged him but he knew that he had to face up to the possibility.

  His only chance was to find the opportunity to speak with her alone where they wouldn't be interrupted. Maybe than they could straighten everything out between them.

  Mark drank his coffee and smiled warmly at Cherie.

  "Is Denis doing better?"

  "Much. The first few weeks were terrible for him, but now he's finally accepted Isaac's death."

  "Good. Acceptance is the hardest part," Mark paused. "And you? Are you well?"

  "I'm fine." Cherie gave him a sad half-smile. "We have some adjustments to make yet, but Isaac semis to have taken care of everything...

  "He did do that. Why Denis's inheritance is a fortune. He'll be a very rich young man when he reaches his maj ority."

  "Money is not everything..."

  "No, it isn't. But it can help both of you to find some peace in your lives."

  "You're right." Cherie felt guilty about her bitterness. "I'm sorry."

  "There is no need to apologize, Cherie. I understand. I only wish I could find some way to ease your pain..."

  "You have done so much already."

  "But if you ever need me-for anything-please, don't hesitate to call upon me."

  "I won't Mark," she told him as he rose to leave. "And thank you for everything."

  Joel waited impatiently on Greenwood's Landing for the steamer to tie up. He had returned to Greenwood right after Christopher and Katie's wedding and had been anticipating their arrival for quite some time now. He was glad to see that they had finally made it home.

  "Joel," Christopher greeted him with restraint, maintaining an air of master and servant. "Please see to Mrs. Fletcher's bags."

  "Yes, suh," Joel answered obediently, aware of the watchful eyes upon them from on board the boat.

  Christopher helped Katie into the small, open carriage as Joel loaded the luggage. When they were all seated, Joel took the reins for t
he short trip to the house.

  "How are things going?" Christopher asked as they moved off up the drive.

  Joel looked at him uncertainly.

  "Katie knows everything. You've no need to worry. We can trust her."

  "All right," Joel confided. "The patrollers seem to have let up. And traffic's been so light that there's been no need to hide anyone in the canebrakes since I returned."

  "Good. When was McCarthy through here last?"

  "Three days ago."

  "Did we have any freight?"

  "Not that trip."

  "Have you seen or heard from Dillon?"

  "He was here about ten days ago, but he hasn't been back since."

  They fell silent as they arrived at the house.

  While Katie went to settle into her new home, Christopher met with Joel in the study to review all the plantation business of the past weeks. When he found that the books were in order, he shared a drink with Joel and then retired upstairs to spend some time with Katie.

  The drapes were drawn in the master bedroom, blocking out most of the bright sunlight. But even in the deep shadowed stillness of the room, Christopher could make out Katie's sleeping form on the massive four-poster bed. Standing at the foot, leaning against one of the posts, he took the time to study the young beauty who was his wife.

  Who would have thought, all those months ago when she'd attacked him on the steamboat, that she would have become the most important person in his life? Certainly not he, and yet, she was.

  Turning away from her scantily clad body for a moment, Christopher stripped off all but his pants and then joined her on the bed. He had left strict orders that they were not to be disturbed until dinner, so he knew that they would have at least a few hours of privacy.

  Even though the bed dipped under his weight, Katie didn't stir. Stretching out beside her, he toyed with a sunstreaked curl, marvelling at its softness and the sweet fragrance of it. Then unable to resist the offering of her barely concealed breasts, he moved lower to kiss their tempting pink peaks through the sheer material of her shift.

  Katie awoke at the touch of his hot, wet mouth upon her bosom. Sensuously writhing against him, she murmured his name in a sultry welcome.

  Christopher rose above her and kissed her more fully awake as his hands slipped the barrier of her shift from her slender body.

  "No matter how many times I take you, your beauty still stirs me," he told her, touching her breasts in awe. "You are so perfect..."

  Katie's desire for him deepened at his words and she pulled his head down to her aching bosom. Her breasts swelled as his mouth explored them and she moaned her pleasure when his questing hand sought the softness between her legs. Yearning for completion, Katie moved restlessly beneath his practiced caresses, seeking the ultimate union with his big, hard body.

  But Christopher was in no hurry as time and again he teased her to her limits, leaving her panting and on fire with her need for him. It was only when Katie begged him for release from his exquisite torture that he shed his pants and joined his body with hers.

  The feel of his masculinity possessing her so deeply drove Katie into of frenzy of longing. Clinging to Christopher, bucking eagerly against him, she bit back a cry of passion as the pulsing joy of her excitement rocked through her.

  Christopher, too, was carried away by the power of her love. Meeting her in a peak of rapture, they achieved love's ultimate gift and drifted peacefully together through the enchantment of their hearts' haven.

  During the week after the engagement party, Andre had anxiously tried to come up with a way to catch Katie alone, but to no avail. Before he could arrange anything, Katie and Christopher had left New Orleans for Greenwood. Frustrated but not defeated, Andre immediately planned a visit with Suzanne at Kingsford House. He was confident he could convince her that he was there to see her, not to pursue Katie.

  Early on the day of Andre's departure, Emil summoned him to his study. Sitting at his desk, looking most pleased with himself, he motioned Andre into the room.

  "And close the door!" he directed excitedly. "I have something here I think you'll be interested in."

  "Oh, really?" Andre was openly curious.

  "It just arrived by special messenger. It's from St. Louis."

  "St. Louis! Did they finally find out what we needed to know?"

  "See for yourself." Emil handed him a small leather portfolio which Andre opened eagerly.

  He read the missives once quickly and then reread them again more slowly.

  "It's unbelievable!" he muttered in astonishment, unable to understand how Christopher could have fooled everyone so completely.

  Folding the letters carefully, Andre returned them to their place of safety.

  "They've already picked up that Dillon person and from what I understand, he was very uncooperative. It took the most extraordinary measures to get the rest of the information out of him."

  "But we've got the facts, now!" He was almost jubilant. "When do we go to the authorities?"

  "Not so fast, son," Emil looked pensive. "I think we can do a lot better for ourselves if we don't rush into anything..."

  Andre looked at his father quizzically. "What do you mean?"

  "What I mean is well wait until the time is right... Well let Fletcher sweat a little... Then we can get what we want just by asking. Later, when there's nothing more to be gained, we'll tell the sheriff."

  Andre smiled at his father's cunning. He would enjoy watching Fletcher squirm as they tightened the noose on him and his operation.

  Suzanne had been surprised when Andre had arrived at Kingsford House. She had thought their last confrontation had been the final word on their relationship... and yet, here he was.

  "Andre," she greeted him warily. "This is, as you can well imagine, an unexpected pleasure."

  Andre, understanding Suzanne only too well, smiled at her veiled sarcasm. "I thought you might be lonely living out here in the country, all alone."

  "I am. But I'm not sure you're the one I want to help liven up my life." Suzanne started back indoors. "Come in."

  Andre followed her without speaking, trying to figure out a way to keep in Suzanne's good graces while he arranged a private meeting with Katie. When they were seated in the parlor and Suzanne had ordered refreshments, he spoke.

  "Have you given up mourning already?" he noted her fashionable gown.

  "Why should I mourn something that died years ago?" she flashed at him. "We both know how Isaac really felt about me. I'm just sorry that I didn't find out before I married him."

  "Ah, but then you wouldn't own Kingsford House."

  Suzanne shrugged. "The money is nice, but I wonder if it was really worth it. All those years of my life..."

  "You're still young."

  "Thank you for that much," she glared at him. "Now, enough small talk. Why did you come?"

  "To see you," Andre replied truthfully.

  "Oh," she watched him cagily. "Why?"

  "I missed you."

  "Really," she said tartly. "Somehow I find that hard to believe."

  "Isaac's treatment of you has made you bitter, Suzanne," Andre observed.

  "Isaac was not the only man I've been involved with who needed more than what I could give him," she said pointedly.

  "Touche. But now that he's dead, things will be different."

  Suzanne didn't deign to reply to his optimistic observation.

  "Did you miss me?" Andre asked.

  "Occasionally," she admitted.

  "Well, that's a start. We'll begin anew," he lied, knowing that he had to win her trust once again.

  After trying to figure out his ulterior motives for wanting to resume their relationship, she agreed. "I'd like that."

  "Good."

  "I take it you're planning on staying?"

  "If you have no objections."

  "Very well. You might as well make yourself at home."

  "Thank you." He was relieved that Suzanne belie
ved him.

  Now it was just a matter of catching Katie alone next door at Greenwood. And, from those reports on Fletcher's comings and goings, that didn't look to prove too difficult.

  "Father received some information yesterday that was quite exciting," Andre told her, setting his coffee cup aside.

  Andre found the possibility of trapping Fletcher enormously entertaining and he wanted to share it all with Suzanne. Andre had no doubt that she would be glad to see him suffer, for after all, he had rejected her.

  "Really?" she answered drily.

  "Really," he asserted. "After we lost Greenwood, we decided to do some checking into Fletcher's background."

  Suzanne did not appear interested. "So? What's to know? He's rich and handsome and married to Katie."

  "Ah, but there's more," he told her cryptically. "He's also an abolitionist and has been working with the Underground Railroad, moving slaves out of state."

  Suzanne arched an eyebrow at Andre's disclosure. "Christopher?"

  "Yes. We just found out yesterday," he related growing more excited as he thought of finally seeing Fletcher get what was coming to him.

  "Have you gone to the sheriff?"

  "Not yet."

  "What are you waiting for?" Suzanne thought him stupid for not turning the information over to the authorities right away.

  "I want revenge, Suzanne," Andre suddenly seethed.

  "Revenge? For what?"

  "He's taken everything I ever wanted."

  "Are you still thinking about Katie?" she demanded.

  "I'm talking about Greenwood," Andre replied, hoping he sounded convincing. "I want it back."

  "And just how do you propose to go about it?"

  "Blackmail, of course," he grinned evilly.

  "I wish you luck," she sighed, seeming bored. "Frankly if I was handling this, I'd let the law take care of it."

  "Well, you're not handling it, I am. And I intend to see him sweat a bit before I'm finished."

  "I'm sure," she dismissed him and his plotting. "But leave me out of it. I want nothing more to do with any of them."

  "All right. I will. But at least now you'll know where I am if I ride off the plantation occasionally." Andre felt triumphant as he found the opening he'd been looking for.

  "Andre," she looked at him levelly as she stood up. "You do not have to check in and out with me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I'll go up to my room for a while."