Tears welled up in her eyes. But they were tears of joy. She was so happy she could barely speak. Kelly appreciated Sam’s brotherly advice, especially now that he really was her brother. She made herself say what was on her heart. She had to admit the truth graciously and honestly. “I love him very much. More than I thought a person could love another. I admit I harbored some misgivings about a physical relationship and that made me behave strangely for a while. But I’m no longer afraid. I realized, just as you say, that William is nothing like those men who attacked me. And he is not anything like that slick Harpes. William loves me and treats me with kindness and respect. Almost from the day we met, I found myself strongly drawn to him. Pardon me if I’m being too bold or inappropriate. I don’t want to appear brazen.”
“No, we’re family now. And after what you went through, your fear was perfectly understandable.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t feel fear anymore. I just don’t know much about…I just want to be able to show William how much I love him.”
“Do you trust him?”
“Yes, completely.”
“Then focus on your trust. On your love for him. Keep trust and love in your mind and your concerns will disappear like the setting sun.”
Kelly straightened her shoulders and stood. As Sam paid for their dinner, she strode out of the inn to her husband, then with William’s arm wrapped around her shoulder, watched as the sun set in the west beneath a cloud-free rose and amber sky.
CHAPTER 20
Their horses laden with the bare essentials they’d picked up at the general store before leaving town, Kelly and William arrived at the cabin in the soft, almost black, purple of twilight. Before dismounting, Kelly once again admired the view of the rolling hills spread out before her. Thousands of majestic trees, silhouetted against the sky, joined together in a dark curling ribbon that stretched across the horizon. It was too late to see much of it now, but the many splendors of nature she’d seen yesterday—a canopy of trees flashing brilliant fall foliage, late blooming wild flowers, the brisk creek, and the wide open landscape—made her think she would never tire of being here.
And living here with William would make her life a dream come true.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, she felt at home. But her boots had barely landed before William swept her up into the cradle of his arms. “Welcome to our home,” he said with a gentle softness in his voice and eyes.
“I can hardly believe it’s true,” she whispered. She laid a hand against her chest. “It is our home.” She placed an arm across his broad back. As he held her close, she could feel his uneven warm breaths on her cheek.
Jauntily, William inclined his blonde head to one side. “Are you ready?”
Her heartbeat raced, but she gave firm a nod of consent.
He bounded up onto the porch, somehow managed to open the door without dropping her, and stepped across the threshold. After shutting the door with the heel of his boot, he looked down and caressed her with his eyes.
She buried her hands in his thick hair and drew his mouth to hers. His kiss was slow and so gentle it was soul soothing. She quivered at the sweet tenderness of it. When he pulled his lips away, she dropped her cheek to his chest, and with a sigh of pleasure, relaxed, sinking into his cushioning embrace.
For a moment, he just stood there quietly. He seemed to be savoring the moment. Then, he lowered her feet to the floor, took her hand above her head, and spun her around in a small circle. “Our first dance, my lady,” he said gallantly. “As husband and wife,” he added.
She had to chuckle, remembering how they’d enjoyed dancing together when Sam and Catherine married. At the wedding, William held her for the first time as they’d danced. It was also the first time desire stirred within her. Now, after twirling her around a time or two, her need for him swelled within her. And, as he pressed her body to him, her heart called out to his.
He gazed down at her, his eyes brimming with tenderness. “We’re home,” he said, his voice somewhat husky. “We should get settled. I’ll go tend to the horses and bring in our supplies.”
“And I’ll get a fire going in the hearth,” she offered. “I see kindling in that bucket and some wood was stacked on the front porch.”
As Kelly worked on getting the fire going, a blaze of love already burned brightly in her heart. Feeling as though she’d entered a safe sanctuary, her mind filled with a calm peace. William’s presence, the cozy haven of the cabin, and their mutual love surrounded her.
At this point, she was beyond the burdensome chains of fear. She had no more worries. She envisioned her future here with William with confidence and clarity.
William made several quick trips into the cabin with their packages, his rifle and other items. On his last trip, his arms full of their food supplies, new blankets, and linens, he nearly dropped it all. Kelly knelt before the hearth, coaxing the small flames to a larger life. The flickering fire made her long hair sparkle like strands of gold and cast her face and form in a warm becoming light. Her figure had more curves than the surrounding hills.
She turned her head toward him and stared intently. Was that longing he saw in her eyes? How he wished he were right. He hoped he could be sensitive enough to her feelings tonight.
He tossed everything down on the table and went to her. He offered her a hand and tugged her to her feet. “Do you realize how beautiful you looked just now? I never want to forget that image—the first time I saw you in the light of our hearth.”
Something intense flared within him. How could he show her how much he loved her? Then he had an idea. He unsheathed his knife. “Come here,” he said as he moved toward the bed.
She followed, curiosity filling her sweet face.
He started carving a heart into the wall beside the bed. When he finished, he etched their initials into it—W.W. and K.W.
“Good thing my name’s not Wilma,” she said.
Despite her jest, he could tell she was pleased because, while he carved, she never stopped smiling.
A deep contentment settled within him. He liked pleasing Kelly and he wanted to go on making her happy the rest of their lives.
When he finished carving their initials into the heart, he turned to her. “Now, whenever you’re in our bed, you can look up and see that our hearts are one.”
“I know,” she said, “I can already feel yours beating within me.”
Her loving words called for another kiss. But this time he deepened it, letting her feel his passion. After thoroughly kissing her, he said, “We’ve already eaten dinner. Would you like some wine? I told the store owner it was our wedding night and managed to talk him into selling me the only bottle he had.”
“I’ve never had wine before. What’s it like?”
“We used to enjoy it quite often back home. Our brother Edward, the only one of my siblings who remained in New Hampshire, sells quite a lot in his store. It’s made from grapes grown in vineyards, but it’s not sweet like grapes. Sometimes you can taste a bit of walnut, cinnamon, vanilla, or dried fruit. A good wine, like this one from France, will make your mouth pucker a little. But it has the effect of relaxing most people, including me,” William said, “and after the day we’ve had, I would enjoy relaxing a bit.”
“Wine sounds delightful, but let’s put everything away first and we’ll need some water from the creek,” Kelly said. “And you’ll need to bring in a few more logs.”
“Already you’re a bossy wife?” William teased, affectionately, while he removed one of his pistols, lead pouch, and items from his pockets. He set them all on a small table by the door. “But you’re right. Once we start drinking that wine, the only thing I’ll want to do is wrap my arms around you and never let go.”
“That sounds delightful too,” Kelly said coyly.
He took his new coat off, not wanting to get firewood chips all over it, and hung it on a deerhorn attached to the wall by the door. He went to her and ran his hands up her arms, brin
ging her closer. Her soft curves molded to the contours of his body and she was just tall enough that he could rest his chin against the top of her head. They fit together as if God had made them for each other. Maybe He did, he thought, as he hugged her one more time before attending to his tasks.
He’d always thought he could never be happy with just one woman in his life. Now he realized just how wrong he’d been. Never had any of the, admittedly far too numerous, women in his past made him feel anywhere close to what he felt for Kelly. It wasn’t just his undeniable physical attraction to her. He was pulled to her by a far greater force—love.
Not wanting to appear too eager, he took his time as he brought the logs in and then strolled to the creek, a bucket in each hand. The drenching rain earlier in the day caused the peaceful brook to spread out of its banks for a few hours before receding, leaving behind a boggy and muddy bank. Through the moonlight, he could see the still somewhat swollen stream flowing swiftly by. He scanned up and down the creek, looking for a place to access the water easily. But it looked muddy every direction. Intent on getting the water quickly for Kelly, but not wanting to bring mud into their new home, he tried hopping from rock to rock to reach the creek. But in the darkness, his boot skated across a particularly slippery rock and he plunged face first into the mud. His entire body mired in the deep sludge, William lifted his face, and spit out dirty rain water and bits of grass.
“Bloody hell,” he swore. His wedding night was not starting off well. He rubbed his face, trying to get the mud off, but his hands were equally dirty. Raising himself up on his palms, he realized his best white shirt and cravat were no longer the least bit white. And his brand new silk waistcoat appeared ruined. “Damn.”
He stood, teetering, his boots clutched by the thick mud. He pulled one out and heard a whoosh. He stepped back with that foot and then pulled his other boot clear. His best boots would never be the same. Oh well, it was time for a new pair anyway.
There was only thing to do—immerse himself in the creek completely and let the rushing rainwater rinse all the mud off his clothes and body.
“Wait. I have a much better idea,” he said aloud and turned around.
Kelly quickly dusted off the bed and then put the fresh linens and blankets on it. Making sure no wrinkles were apparent, she smoothed the blanket again and fluffed the pillows. She studied the bed for a few moments. Her stomach fluttered and something pleasurable rippled through her. She moistened her lips and grinned in anticipation.
She found two pewter cups, in a cabinet, for the wine. When William got back with the water, she would rinse them out thoroughly and wipe the table down. Her immediate priorities taken care of, she wondered where he was. He should be back by now. Something pulled her outside.
She opened the door and gasped. “Good heavens. What on earth?” William, covered head to toe in thick mud, was approaching the porch.
“I was thinking, my bride, perhaps a dip in the creek might be in order for both of us. I seem to require your assistance with getting clean,” William said, smiling, his white teeth shining through his mud-covered face.
She glanced at him playfully. “William Wyllie, did you deliberately fall in the mud to lure me into that stream?”
The thought of a bath, even if it would be in the chilly stream, appealed to her immensely. At least the wind mercifully died down and the temperature had come back up a little.
“No, my dear, I am innocent of any premeditation. Attempting to be a dutiful husband, I was simply rushing to get your water in an area not favorable to moving swiftly.”
She could tell he was trying to sound dignified to make up for how perfectly ridiculous he looked. Even covered in mud, though, there was something warm and enchanting in his manner.
She tried to suppress a giggle. Amusement flickered in his pale blue eyes, and then she laughed. Soon he was laughing too and before long, their merriment had her sitting on the porch, in hysterics, holding her sides. Their tears of hilarity felt good. How long had it been since she’d laughed this hard? She couldn’t even remember. And it had helped her forget all the terrible events of the last day. That was all behind her now, shed with her tears of laughter.
Half laughing, half crying, she stood and took a long look at her husband. He was so handsome, even covered in mud, her breath caught in her throat. His beckoning eyes, still sparkling with tears of laughter, now also smoldered.
“Shall we attempt to get you clean?” she asked, her heart racing.
“Are you prepared for the challenge?” The question in his eyes probed deep into her.
“Yes, husband, I believe I am.”
William was amazed at the thrill her answer gave him. She not only appeared unafraid, she openly admired him.
“Bring that bar of soap we bought,” William said, “and you’d better leave your boots and gown. It’s awfully muddy down there.”
“That, I could have guessed.”
William watched Kelly shamelessly tuck the bar of soap between her breasts and then stared spellbound as she removed her gown, stomacher, and petticoat. Her body silhouetted against the light coming from the open cabin door, her every movement sent a thrill racing through him.
Her eyes seemed to beckon to him and he swallowed, finding it increasingly difficult to just stand there and watch her. Soon, she wore only a shift, stays, and stockings. Her burning eyes held him motionless for a moment before she lowered her thick lashes. She reached down, removed the garters above her knees and rolled her stockings off. When she glanced up, her eyes sparkled impishly as though she were playing a game.
He liked this game very much.
In two strides, he was beside her. He lifted her into his arms, spun around, and marched toward the stream. He held her out in front of him, away from the mud, as much as possible.
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
“Doing?” he asked, with false innocence.
“You’d better not be planning to toss me into that stream!” The warning was gentle, but firm. “I prefer to ease in.”
A twinkle of moonlight lit her blonde hair, making it gleam with shadows of deep gold.
“Sometimes, it’s better to just take the plunge,” he answered. “The water’s cleaner out in the middle.” He trudged straight into the swollen creek, and tossed her in.
Her outcry was shrill and sharp. She found her footing and stood, the water only a little more than waist deep. With her hands on her hips and glaring at him, she said, “That was not easing in!”
Mockingly, he placed his hands on his hips, and then moved toward her. “Oh this is going to be fun.”
“William Wyllie, you’re a muddy mess. At least let me get you cleaned off before you touch me again.”
“If you insist.” He just stood there at attention, his hands clasped behind him.
She cautiously moved toward him, and removed his cravat. “I’m going to use this to wipe you down. I think it’s pretty much ruined anyway.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment,” he declared.
“We need to hurry. This water is chilly,” she said, shivering, as she sponged water onto his face and neck.
“Then I will attempt to warm you,” he said. Taking her small waist in his hands, he started to lower his mouth to hers.
She quickly moved away. “Oh no you don’t. Not until your face is spotless.”
William instantly ducked his head into the water and vigorously scrubbed his neck, face, and hair. His face close to the water, with one eye open, but pretending he couldn’t see, he groped for the bar of soap. He started patting her chest until his hand found one of her breasts and he cupped it. “I know that soap is in there somewhere,” he said, his hair dripping water into his eyes and mouth. Then he palmed her entire chest. She was laughing gently and his mouth turned up with amusement. He loved making her laugh. “I can’t seem to find it,” he said.
“Keep looking,” she said, shock
ing him.
His head still bent to the water and his eyes closed, he moved his hand lower and rubbed her stomach before lowering his fingertips to the mound of her womanhood. He pressed his palm between her legs and she gasped.
“It’s not there!”
“Oh, yes it is,” he teased and stood up. “And I’ll prove it to you later.”
Her eyes bright with desire, Kelly rubbed soap onto the now somewhat clean cravat and then put the bar into his outstretched hand. While she washed her own body, he rubbed the bar over his clothing and scrubbed until the last traces of mud were gone.
“William this is such a beautiful place,” she said, scanning around them.
He gazed about too. She was right. In the soft light of the moon, the picturesque view was so serene and peaceful he could almost feel it restoring his soul as he beheld it. And her presence here made the place all the more extraordinary. “Some people look for a beautiful place to make their home. Others, like you, make a place beautiful.”
She shivered at the compliment, or maybe she was chilled? “Are you cold?” he asked.
“No, not any more. It’s actually kind of nice, don’t you think?”
“Yes, it is,” he said, never taking his eyes off of hers. He rubbed the soap in his hands until they were slick and then tucked the bar into a pocket. He began to rub her neck, letting his fingers gently glide up and down, up and down, each time descending a little further. When they finally reached her breast, he let his fingers explore, slowly, lightly. The soft mounds and their hard peaks made a hot ache grow inside him.
He felt her quiver and he gazed deep into her glimmering eyes as he rinsed the soap off of her. When he’d finished, she reached up and hauled his head down to her lips with a sense of urgency. He was equally eager to kiss her, and he did, as his hands explored the curves of her back. “I love you,” he whispered into her ear.
Whispering Hills of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 3) Page 16
