by Lisa Day
The two men didn't share a word when the door opened allowing the visitor to enter. Moving past Fenmore Keith headed toward the front dining room.
Keith stopped up short and took in the scene before him.
“Brother, what have you done?”
Thomas couldn't explain the raw emotions cascading through him like a waterfall crashing, churning, and bubbling debris up as the water slammed into the plunge pool below.
For a few seconds he stared at Keith. Then a smile, a bare hint of one nudged his lips.
Thomas turned and glanced at his fingers they never let go of Victoria's head. His fingers unconsciously continued to stroke her hair as if to soothe her.
“I think, brother, I have just found my wife to be, and the next schoolteacher of Edenville.”
“By knocking her unconscious? Really, Thomas?” He looked at the pair and shook his head.
“Its just a bit of laudanum. Left over from Fenmore's toothache. Now, I need your help to move her to the house. Did you bring a wagon?”
Keith murmured something about family and few other words Thomas couldn't make out, nor did he think he wanted to.
***
Thomas picked Victoria's emasculated body up. Keith held the backdoor of his brother's house open. Their eyes met as they passed. Thomas read the pity in his brother's eyes for a moment both men were held in check. He didn't know if the emotion was for him or the woman draped over his arms–maybe both.
“If you hurry to the depot you can get her luggage off before the coach leaves. If not wire ahead to have it returned here.” His words were a dismissal.
Victoria sank into the soft mattress when placed in the bed. Thomas pulled the chair next to the foot of the bed from where it sat in the corner overlooking the garden from the upstairs window.
He needed a plan. She was too intelligent to be convinced if he pleaded love at first sight. She'd most likely flee the instant she could if he reasoned with her to stay and see what might happen between them as he wooed and tried to court her. He didn't like it, but he knew he could do it. Hopefully, forgiveness would come later. He muttered, “For the good of the town.”
Silently, he closed the door behind him. On his return he moved about the room setting the scene. He returned to the chair when finished and waited for Victoria to stir.
“Well, has my sleeping beauty awaken?”
Victoria's head jerked toward the sound. Her confused state still very apparent. She tried to move her arms. When she discovered she couldn't he watched as the fear and realization of her predicament manged to make it through the remaining haze of the drug. She screamed.
He stood. She pulled her legs beneath her and squirmed as far as she could moving herself up close to the headboard. He moved to the side of the bed. His eyes never breaking away from hers.
“You can scream all you like. No one will be answering you. Or, Miss. Trent, you can behave and find a way to better the plight you seem to find yourself in.”
“Why you contemptible, abhorrent, execrable, and vile man. Release me this minute.”
Thomas leaned over her and leered. “Actually, my dear Miss. Trent you need to watch what you say and do. For you have not idea of the abominable and monstrous things I might be capable of. Do you now?”
What ever her next words were he watched her swallow them down as true terror filled her.
“That's better. Now, at the moment you're just another pig in the poke, so lets us just see what I have on my hands.”
He reached for and jerked the sheet from her body.
The bed frame creaked and shook as her tried to free her hands from it.
“Stop it.” It was a demand and it carried the authority to make it so.
She froze. It was obvious she was remembering... 'For you have not idea of the abominable and monstrous things I might be capable of.'
A tear ran down her cheek. He stripped her while she lay unconscious.
He used one finger to touch her. He could have been using a pointer the touch was that impersonal. He asked, “How did you get this scare.”
His finger touched the mark on her right hip.
She wasn't going to play his game and refused to answer him, until he moved his face closer and barely whispered, “I asked you where did you get the scare.”
“My cousin and I was playing William Tell and he missed the apple.” Thomas understood she wasn't being glib.
“And this one.”
His finger now rested on the spot on the side of her left breast. He didn't comment how enticing he found her deletable orbs to be.
Victoria didn't hesitate to answer this time.
“I was climbing a tree and the branch I was on gave way and I dropped on to the branch below and kind of got impaled. I think I was about seven years old. It bled viciously. Apparently, some dirt or maybe a piece of bark remained for it got infected, and mother took me to the town's doctor and he him drained it. Before I grew sicker. I was...” She was babbling.
He cut her off with, “Thank you.” He pulled the sheet back over her. He needed her to fear him, but only to a point. He wanted her to understand he was in charge of this new relationship.
“Are you going to kill me?”
It took him a second to steady himself enough to answer.
“No.”
“Are you going to hurt me?”
“Do I need to hurt you?”
He watched her tremble at his cryptic reply.
A second tear traced the path of the first one before she found the courage to ask more of him. He knew she would. Woman like her needed answers. It didn't matter if they liked them or not. They just had an intense need to know.
“What do you want with me? Why have you done this?”
“What does any man want with a beautiful woman?”
He eyes scanned her body as if there was no covering. There was no way to stop the other part of his body from reacting. Victoria might be innocent, but she wasn't stupid, nor naive. Her lips formed and unspoken, oh god.
He pulled the knife out of his right boot. She whimpered. Thomas leaned over her and cut her hands free.
“I'm sure you're still feeling the effects of the laudanum. Rest, I'll bring you something to eat in a while.”
Victoria didn't move a muscle until Thomas left the room, and she heard the lock turn.
Thomas heard the sobs. He refused to do anything to comfort her. That would come later.
***
Victoria turned over and faced the room. The day was fading, and yet there was enough light left to see the details of the room. A large wardrobe sat across the room from the bed. It filled up most of the wall. A corner table with a lamp finished that far wall's decor. From the foot of the bed she saw a oak letter writing desk sat between two windows.
Rays of the weakened late afternoon sun filtered through the sheer curtains covering the windows.
The room was large the oval shaped rug lay centered in the middle didn't touch one piece of furniture. The colors were dark and rich blues, browns, and pinks. They swirled in a floral design. A scowl crossed Victoria's face when she thought the room was homey.
The rooms inspection brought her to the chamberpot chair tucked away into the remaining corner. She sighed in relief realizing she needed to use that particular piece of furniture.
Peering out the window she took notice that the room was on the second floor of the house, and there was no way to exit the room through the window without doing herself great harm.
The door lock clicked warning her someone was about to enter. She fling herself back to the bed and pulled the covering over her.
She didn't know how, but she knew he knew she'd been out of the bed.
“I see you feeling much better.” The tray he carried balanced on one hand as he handed her a glass.
“Laudanum can make one thirsty and a tad nauseous. Drink.”
She was about to refuse and call him a few more nasty things when she realized he was righ
t she was extremely thirsty. Victoria didn't bother to thank him She took the glass and drank all of its contents. Too late it dawned on her the drink might contain more drugs. She stared dumbly at the empty glass.
Thomas's back was turned when he placed the tray on the desk. As he turned Victoria decided to heave the glass at him. Her face gave her away.
“I suggest you stop and think about what your going to do with that glass. I can be very nasty if angered, and I do believe you all ready consider me a vile monster. You won't like the experience, trust me.”
The tension to fight him left her body and the fear of the unknown quickly replaced it.
He removed everything except the food tray from the desk top. In one sweeping gesture he lifted it and placed the desk in next to the bed.
“You need to eat. You haven't eaten since this morning. And do it while the soup is still hot.”
It was her only weapon she refused to eat. She'll die of hunger and let his conscience rot in hell before she took a bite.
He moved to the wardrobe and opened one door. Pulling out a rode he turned, “Here. Lets put this on you. I think you'll feel better.”
Victoria expected he'd make her exposed her to him while he held it open for her. Indecision filled her. Surprise won out. He tossed the wrap to her, so she could don it herself. About the same time the aroma of the beef and vegetable soup teased her nose. Her arm already found their way into the robe's sleeves when he commanded her again.
“Victoria, eat.” He sat in the chair, and she slid to the mattress' edge and picked up the spoon.
The woman before hated each spoonful of the delicious fare for it reminded her she was in fact hungry and knew to defy him by not eating won't be an option.
Victoria nibbled on the hard crusted bread. Thomas stared at the way the garment gaped giving him an enticing peek of her one breast. To cover his reaction to the view he shifted in his chair.
The spoon clinked as it rested in the empty bowl. Thomas moved the desk that served as a table back between the windows. He picked up the tray and exited the room. Before Victoria could react he returned carrying a pitcher and wash bowl setting them on the desk.
He retrieved a wash cloth and matching blue hand towel from the wardrobe's bottom draw.
“Come refresh yourself and wash. Prepare for bed. I will return later.”
“Is that when you intend to.. to... to.. force yourself on me.”
Victoria bristled. Angry flared. She didn't care. Her lips trembled uncontrollably. Her hand drew in to fists. She was prepare to fight him.
He stopped his path to the door and turned facing her. He moved as a panther sizing up his prey.
“Miss. Trent, let me clear the air and possible some of your imagined fears. I have every intention to sample your womanly delights. However, it won't be tonight and when I do it definitely won't be by force. You will in fact welcome my touch.”
“Like hell I will.” She cringed from him just in case he was indeed a physical threat.
“Tsk, Tsk, such language. I except better of you. As my wife you will speak and behave as the lady I know you are. Is that understood?” She screamed at him in rage and he responded without any reacting in kind. Instead he had spoken softly and in full confidence.
“You are a man crazed if you think for one second I'd consider marriage with you.”
“My dear the choice was never yours to make.” He bowed and turned to leave. Over his shoulder he added. “Make wise use of the time before I return.”
The door lock clicked shutting her in again.
He took hours just to unnerve her and in truth hoping she'd be asleep.
In fact Victoria had fallen asleep. The click of the key turning the lock woke her. She pretended to remain asleep. He entered the room and began to undress. She didn't dare move. The light coming through the two windows was enough to see he removed every stitch of clothing and now headed naked for the bed. The bed sagged with his weight.
Every nerve came alive as she waited for Thomas to pounce. He moved. She bit her finger trying not to cry out. He settled down with his back toward her.
“The shows over, Victoria, go back to sleep. For that is what I plan to do. Useless, of course you'd rather...” He left the idea hang open in the air.
The bed bounced as she fling herself to face the wall turning her back to him. She harrumphed.
“Disappointed my dear? Maybe a good night kiss?”
The words were strained between her teeth. She was angry. “It will be a cold day in hell...” She remembered his warning. “A cold day before I give you a kiss.”
He laughed so hard the bed shook. He didn't need to say, we'll see. Victoria already heard the unspoken words in his mirth.
Thomas feel asleep in a few minutes. Victoria however, stared into the darkness for most of the night before the slumber fairy finally let her rest. She replayed every emotion she experienced throughout this unusual day. From seeing the extremely handsome man who walked toward her table. To the fun they seem to have shared as they bantered over coffee. To the fear she felt waking up in this room. To his odd announcements to submit to him and the strangest of all he really thought she'd wed him.
However, it was the anger that kept her awake. Why was she angry when he apparently intended to honor his word not to take advantage of her person. She felt butterflies where she never experienced them before.
Chapter Four
Flecks of dust sparkled and danced in the rays of sunshine that beamed brightly into the room. Victoria stirred. She panicked when she realized she was pinned. Now fully awake she realized Thomas' leg stretched over her hip and held her down. Something was stiff and pushing into her back. As she breathed what ever it was against her would hit a nerve and sent tingle-like sensations down her spine.
She reached behind her to push it away since the weight of his leg wouldn't allow her much movement without waking the cad up. Waking him was the last thing she wanted to do.
Her fingers gasped hold of the offending object and she froze. It was hard, soft, and alive. Victoria recognized what she held at the same time she understood to jerk her hand free would not have the desired results either. She took a deep breath and ever so slowly opened her fingers.
Rather she tried to. Thomas' hand covered hers and didn't allow her to let go, in fact, they tightened her hold on him.
“Feeling a bit adventurous this morning, sweetheart?” His voice still deep sounding from sleep vibrated husky and low across her ear.
She couldn't stop the shiver.
“Hmmm. Like this, he purred.”
He guided her fingers around him and moved them in unison up and down the length of him; once, twice, and a third time.
“Please, Thomas.”
If it took begging, so be it she'll beg.
“Victoria, to wake with you hand exploring me does please me.”
“That's not what I meant and you know it. Let go of my hand.” She snapped.
He let go instantly which surprised her.
A knock on the door echoed in the room.
“Enter,” Thomas said.
Keith and another man lugging Victoria's trunk, valise, and carpet bag moved to the center of the oval area rug.
“Everything all right, brother?”
Victoria sat up and said, “My luggage.”
Both men turned to face the couple in the bed.
“Oh, where are my manners. Victoria, may I introduce my brother Keith and his friend in crime Todd Hendren to you. Gentlemen, my fiance Miss. Victoria Trent.”
Victoria almost extended her hand in greeting until she remembered. She squeaked something and pulled the covers over her head ducking behind Thomas's body. He felt the heat of her blush.
“As you see my beloved is a tad shy in the morning.”
Keith and Todd excused themselves and left. Victoria punched Thomas in the side. He fell back and burst out laughing. She huffed and he laughed harder.
***
Victoria sat up and stretched out her arms and groaned out aloud when she saw him. Apparently enough time hadn't passed for his body to relax.
“Impressive isn't it?”
She smiled and sweetly said, “Ne pas être connu à cet égard, que je ne suis certainement pas un juge. Mais, je dois dire que c'est plutôt plus petite que ce que j'imaginais un homme robuste aurait.”
(Not being experienced in that regard I am certainly no judge. But, I must say it is rather smaller than I imagined a robust man would have.)
So she thought to insult my manhood does she.“Well, maybe next time you'll do a better job of arousing the little guy. Oui. One can only hope.”
Stunned, her mouth dropped open. He marched from the room.
Victoria missed her chance to escape for sitting there in shock at the man's audacity she never realized he didn't re-lock the door.
By the time the breakfast tray arrived found was Victoria dressed and ready to do battle with her nemesis.
They took the same seating as the night before.
“My, I say that color suits you? It brings the depth of your lovely eyes to the fore.”
“Er.. thank you.” She wanted to fight not receive compliments.
“I was wondering should I let my mustache grow into those long handle bars that seem to be popular right now?”
She looked before she realized she shouldn't have. He did have a handsome face. His skin she knew would be soft, yet it had a masculine rugged look. A good chin and when he smiled, like his was now, a person could...
“Er.. no. I don't think you should.” Victoria discovered something of interest needing her immediate attention on her plate. She pushed the food around and never looked back up. That butterfly feeling was back.
“How's the coffee? Did I do better today?”
“What?”
“Your coffee. Not to sweet is it?”
She picked up the cup and sipped before answering.
