by Angela Lee
“Yes, it was, belle.” He smiled back, hardening again with the knowledge that she had loved every minute of their fiery passion. He pulled her close and they laid content for a short time.
Finally, Fin broke the silence, “We need to get you home, my love. I’m sure even your liberal parents will be worried.” His arm was wrapped around her as she snuggled into his chest. Their legs were intertwined and each lazily stroked the bare skin of the other. Pan sighed.
“You are right. But I don’t want this to be over. I want this night to keep going,” she whispered.
“Pan, we’ll be as discreet as we can in returning you home. There is still a chance you’ll be seen, or someone will find out you were here. Your parents could rightfully demand that I do the honorable thing. I will do whatever you wish.” He lifted her chin so that she could see the sincerity in his eyes.
“I don’t want this night to end either. I want this with you every night of my life. No one will be forcing me to save your reputation, I need no one to demand that I do the honorable thing. I want to marry you because it was what I want, what my heart demands,” he said with conviction. “The decision is yours to make. I’m asking you to marry me. But I want you to answer for the right reasons. The decision is yours.”
Pan inhaled a shaky breath, her head already nodding her response.
“Is that a yes?” He needed to hear the words to make it real.
“Yes, Fin. I will marry you.” Tears slid down her face and she smiled as she responded. Fin pulled her to him for a passionate kiss to seal the deal.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
As they sat in the Fontenot parlor late Wednesday night, Fin insisted that there be no wait. He wanted an immediate wedding and promised to secure a license and have the church the following week. Pan had argued that they should wait until after the election. A compromise was reached, the couple would wed in two weeks and make a public announcement after the election.
The pair had offered her parents an abbreviated version of the night’s events. Many elements were eliminated including the private moments in the office, the men who had threatened her, and any explanation of what Pan had been doing when she was caught out after curfew. The story concluded with Fin coming across her traveling home and had offered the safety of his carriage.
Fin assured her parents that society would assume it was the rush of young passion because it was. The fact that an expedited marriage served the other practical purpose of keeping Pan’s reputation intact was a bonus.
Pan suspected that her parents’ reaction to the news was far different than Fin had expected. Many Creole fathers would have raged at any man who had brought an unwed daughter home without an escort regardless of the reason. Instead, Dr. Fontenot thanked his soon to be son in law for protecting his only offspring. Most mothers would have become excited at the prospect of marrying off a daughter; Madam Fontenot sat quietly watching her daughter. Each of her parents asked Pan at separate times if this was indeed what she wanted. Fin smiled each time that she promised her parents that it absolutely was.
The next morning, Pan awoke to a quiet home. It was a day like any other. She had slept little through the night, replaying the many events of the hours past. Sleep had finally come sometime near dawn and the exhausted doctor did not rise until late in the morning. Still exhausted, she called for a bath and then dressed and headed downstairs.
She expected the house to be in an upheaval with a wedding to plan. Surprisingly, there was little activity. When she asked a maid after her parents, she was told that both were out and had not wanted to disturb her rest. Pan made her way to the veranda praying that the staff had not removed the coffee. Thankfully the breakfast tray was still ready, and she was surprised to find her new fiancé reading the paper in her seat.
“Hurry, eat. We have an adventure awaiting us,” Fin said with a welcoming grin, he stood waiting for her to take a seat. She chewed the side of her lip indecisively as she considered telling him that he was in her chair.
“Shouldn’t you be working? I’m positive I have wedding plans to attend to,” Pan said avoiding the seating issue by filling a cup of very hot coffee. The idea of wedding preparations was too much to consider before she had had a full cup. Fin approached from behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and began to pepper her neck with kisses.
“Belle, that can wait. I have something to show you. I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind. Besides I cannot wait to have you to myself in the carriage. Mmm. Vanilla.” His voice became gravelly as he just barely rubbed his lips along her neck.
Heat stirred her southern regions and Pan slammed her coffee cup down and spun to face him. “I’m ready.”
He laughed in his low timber before releasing her, “Always rushing. Eat.” He waved at the sparse breakfast tray and wrinkled his nose. “Where is the rest of your breakfast?” he asked with disdain, looking at the sweet roll and fruit she had added to her plate. Apparently, her groom did not share her preference for a light breakfast.
He handed her the paper he had been reading. “Tom brought this for you.” He watched as she opened it, looking as usual for her favorite editorial section.
Within the hour they were loaded into Fin’s carriage. Still exhausted from the previous night, Pan had fallen asleep against Fin’s shoulder within minutes of the carriage ride’s start. She awoke to Fin’s gentle kisses and whispers telling her they had arrived. She exited the carriage taking Fin’s hand as she did. They had arrived at a mansion somewhere near the waterfront.
“Where are we?” Pan asked sleepily.
“About an hour outside of the city. Just wait,” Fin gave his soon to be bride a cocky smile and led her into the home. He did not ring but walked directly inside as there was no butler waiting to receive them. The inside of the building was a flurry of activity; men, women, and a few older children.
“Good morning, Dr. Pan.” two girls called as they scurried past with baskets. Pan waved absently. Each person seemed intent on their task, carrying linens, lamps, baskets of food. Pan became more alert the more she watched; at her left Fin surveyed the scene as well, with a smile still on his face.
“I don’t understand. What is going on?” Pan said slowly, her attention distracted by two women who had stopped to direct the teens that had just greeted her. “Mama?” she called with no real question in mind.
Iris Fontenot looked over and smiled. She said something to the girls and then walked toward Pan.
Her mother embraced her and kissed her cheek, “Good morning, cher. Why are you two here?” She stepped back and touched the fatigued shadows beneath Pan’s eyes. “Dull brown. You should be resting daughter.”
Pan turned to her future husband in wonder, “I don’t understand.” By now, Fin’s mother and some of his family had joined them. The women tsked at their presence, the gentlemen made quiet jokes and chuckles. Fin’s mother stepped through the small crowd and hugged her.
“I am so excited to hear that you will be my daughter,” Madam Weathers whispered in her ear. Pan returned the hug and whispered her thanks. After that the rest of the family began to offer their congratulations.
When each had offered their well wishes, Fin waved a hand and said, “An early wedding gift. I thought you would want to see the new orphanage.”
“New orphanage? You did this? How did you secure a mansion overnight? The funds had not even been raised,” she gushed.
“Easy, my love. Alex donated the home.”
“Won it in a card game,” from behind her, Alex offered sheepishly. She turned to see the Villere cousin shrug before adding, “Never knew what to do with it. Too big for a bachelor. Even bigger pain to sell. Figured the children would be best served by it.” Pan stared at Fin’s cousin incredulously.
She threw her arms around Alex in a tight hug, “Wonderful man! Alex, this is so generous!” A throat cleared behind her. She kissed Alex’s cheek. The throat clearing was repeated even louder this time.
Alex’s shoulders shook as he hugged her back. “That groom of yours doesn’t like you hugging me, cher.” She giggled and released him. She noted that Hebe was there watching from the entryway. Her friend gave a small wave and a wink and went back to whatever she had been working at.
Felice Weathers spoke then, “The families have agreed that it is time we take more responsibility for the children of our city. We have all agreed to contribute financially to the maintenance of the home going forward. We will host charitable balls and events to raise more funds. This is too important, too big, to be on the nuns’ shoulders alone. Or yours, daughter. We have been hearing from the sisters and the children about all your charitable works.”
An hour later they had toured the home, visited with every helper and then been ushered out. Not one person seemed disturbed by the fact that they were travelling together without a chaperone. Alone in the carriage, Pan threw her arms around Fin as they rode back into the city.
“I take it you like my big attempts to woo you,” Fin chuckled. “If only I had known that all it would take was rescuing you from some thugs.”
She kissed him a dozen times, small pecks over his face and neck, “I could not have asked for a better engagement gift.”
“Engagement gift? Does that mean you are expecting a wedding gift as well?” Fin laughed pulling her into his lap. He kissed his fiancé in return, only his kiss was slow and warm, “I’ve missed you,” he said resting his forehead against hers.
“We’ve been together all day, Fin.”
“I know, but I’ve just needed a moment to have you to myself. I’ve wanted nothing more than to hold you. I’ve missed you.”
“Just to hold me. Nothing more, Mr. Weathers?” Pan said slyly, arching her brow. Fin smiled sheepishly and trailed his fingertips over her lips and down her throat.
“Maybe more, Dr. Fontenot,” he said as his fingers found their way along her jacket front finding the edge of her corset and tracing it through her blouse. “But we’re engaged. We should be waiting for the wedding. I really should not even be alone with you,” his thumb rubbed across her breast bringing her nipple to attention. He leaned his head down to tongue the hardened point through her blouse.
“Why must you treat me any differently today than yesterday?” she asked unbuttoning his shirt.
“You’re to be my wife. I must show you utmost respect,” his voice sounded gruff as his fingers slowly unbuttoned her blouse. Pushing open her blouse, his warm hands moved over her bodice. His eyes smoldered as he eyed the deep blue lace of her corset lined with silk in the matching blue.
She repositioned herself by straddling him with her knees on either side of him along the bench. “So, you won’t respect me if we continue?” She leaned forward trailing a path of burning kisses along his throat, nipping when she reached his jaw.
“I will. I do. Respect you,” Fin panted. His fingertips traced the lace that covered her breasts. He whispered, “This is pretty.” Over the lace, he sought her nipple with his tongue. His hands pushed up her skirts as his mouth loved her lace covered breasts. His hand brushed her bare thigh and he chuckled, “No drawers?”
“Needless,” she muttered in irritation as she tried to position her skirts and body. “Like this?” she asked as if he had given her instructions. The idea of having the lead in this position excited her but she wasn’t entirely confident she knew what to do.
He breathed, “Just like that, belle.” As if to demonstrate the point, his hands settled on her bare hip and pulled her down to meet his still clothed pelvis. Fin must have read her uncertainty; he kissed her breasts one by one. He let his hands lazily tease along the feminine folds between her thighs, “Relax, belle. Set the pace yourself, however fast or slow. How deep you want me,” his fingers demonstrated as he whispered the naughty words. He paused his actions allowing Pan to assume control, riding him with her hips and legs. She threw her head back and focused on the pleasure of his hands. His velvet words brought her attention back, “Of course, I can still pump into you from beneath,” his hand gliding in time with her. “Belle, we can find the rhythm together.”
“Fin, I want more of you,” She lifted herself off his hands so that she could sit back on his lap, allowing enough space to unlace his trousers. Her attention remained focused on the action of her hands. Trousers unfastened, his thick arousal sprang forth and Pan paused to stroke his cock, enjoying the silky firmness of his hardened manhood against her fingertips.
Fin lifted her so that she could position him at her entrance; they both moaned as she slid down over him. She rode him awkwardly at first moving slow and without finesse. She looked at Fin a bit embarrassed by her inexperience but saw that his head was leaned back against the headrest, eyes closed, pleasure clear on his face. She was already soaked with arousal, but his acceptance spurred her, and she began to increase her speed. She wanted to feel his skin, understanding more and more as each moment passed what Fin had meant about just wanting to hold on.
She unbuttoned his shirt, still riding him. She ran her hands across his bare chest, absorbing his heat. Soon she was nearly slamming down onto his pelvic bone, only to ride the length of his erection back to the tip and slide down once again.
Fin’s hands had moved from her hair to her breasts to her hips. He, too, seemed to have become frantic in his need and held her hips so that he could thrust up into her hard and fast. Pan pressed her body close hooking her arms around his back and holding on from behind his shoulders. They finished within seconds of each other, each of them calling out the other’s name in their release.
“See,” she said kissing along his throat as her hands roamed his heaving chest. “No drawers is better.”
He laughed and kissed her hair. “Marriage to you is never going to be boring, belle.”
Chapter Thirty
They had agreed not to draw vast attention to their engagement, but Fin invited Pan to attend some of his political events. The first was a rally on Louisa Street, right outside of his office. She watched as Fin stood to address the crowd. Louisa Street had been blocked off for the afternoon. All around people wore buttons and hats showing their support for her fiancé.
Pan had left her duties at the orphanage a bit early to walk over and hear Fin’s address. The speech had yet to begin and Fin was surrounded by a group of supporters, smiling and at ease. Seeing her, he immediately abandoned the group and walked over to her with a broad grin. He pulled a satin sash that read Weathers for Councilman from his coat pocket and wrapped it over her head and across her chest.
“I’m glad you came,” he said taking her hands. “My family is just there,” he nodded. “Will you be alright? I have to get to the podium.”
She smiled, “You need not worry about me. I will be alright. Go to work.” He held her hands a moment before giving her a wink and heading toward the stage.
She watched as Fin resumed his efforts of working the crowd, shaking hands and thanking folks for supporting his campaign, before stepping up to the podium. He was so comfortable commanding the attention of those in attendance. He gave a riveting speech about the need for better public works, the rebuilding of the city, the benefits of cooperating with the Union to facilitate the potential port reopening, and even to Pan’s pleasure, the need for a state medical board to regulate physician’s practices.
Out of the corner of her eye, she became aware of someone watching her. She turned her head and scanned the crowd, locating Ian Byrne and giving him a friendly smile. The Irishman nodded at her and made a subtle gesture for her to approach. She looked around before making her way to where he stood.
“Mr. Byrne, how are Margaret and the baby? Is everything alright?” The Irishman looked as though he had just come from work in the sewers. He pulled a rag from his back pocket and wiped his face and hands with it.
“They are well. Missus said you dropped by again last week. Thank you. I went by the orphanage to see you. Sister said you had already left to att
end the rally.”
Pan nodded, “I saw that you had fixed the orphanage stairs, thank you. You were looking for me. Is something wrong?”
“Doctor, soldiers came to the house asking questions.” Ian looked around as he spoke but paused to give her a serious look.
“What? What sort of questions?” she breathed. Pan could feel the blood leaving her face, could feel her heart plummeting in dread.
“Asked if I had any contact from my brother. Had anyone come around saying that they had seen him or maybe had a message from him, or might I want to send a message to him.”
“What was your response?” Her frightened question was barely a whisper. The Irishman reached his hand out to her shoulder.
“I told them nothing. No messages, no messenger. I would not turn you in, Dr. Fontenot.” He dropped his hand. “Nor would I trust that I wouldn’t be putting my own family in jeopardy if I did. I think it best, though, if you stay away from the prisoners. Union must know something. Why else would they have come asking?”
“Thank you for keeping our confidence, Mr. Byrne,” she said shaking her head and rubbing the fabric of her dress. She whispered to herself, “How have they discovered?”
Ian answered her anyway, “Soldiers don’t usually explain themselves, doctor.”
“No, I guess they wouldn’t,” she responded absently with a frown. Ian tipped his hat and made his way through the crowd. Pan watched him go, worry gnawing at her.
“Everything alright, Mademoiselle Panacea?” came Alex’s cool question at her left. Pan plastered a false smile to her face before turning to Fin’s cousin. He was watching Mr. Byrne make his way through the crowd. His attention shifted to her with a look of suspicion.
“Of course. Please just call me Pan,” she replied, hearing the false pleasantness in her voice.
“Seemed like a serious conversation,” Alex said nodding in the direction of the retreating Irishman, his eyes glancing at her fingertips that still rubbed the side of her skirt.
