While he was still thinking about it, he hadn't even noticed that he was riding down Moira’s driveway, and stopped in surprise when he saw her appear in front of him.
"Good morning Robert! I didn't expect to see you this morning."
Moira could not believe her eyes and was relieved when she saw him coming down on his horse. He was doing well. Thank God, what she had done last night had apparently left no consequences. She resolved inwardly to never do that again. There had to be another way to get rid of Sir Dumfrey.
"Good morning Moira." Robert tipped his hat to her and stopped his horse. "I was just looking at your pastures and rode the cliff trail while I was at it. I had no idea it ended here on your property.
"Yes, it can actually be taken right off the street, if you know the somewhat hidden entrance through the hedge. A few of our employees used it as a shortcut, so they didn't have to walk up the long driveway when they wanted to go into the village. At that time it was still equipped with a small gate, which disappeared at some point. I think the hedge will soon become so overgrown that it won't be able to be used."
Moira seemed to have no idea that the small trail was no longer as small as she had assumed and was being used by thieves. Even now he could not think what that might mean, because Moira had asked him a question.
"What do you think? Are the two pastures suitable for the horses?"
"Oh, yes, absolutely. I'm going to talk to my caretaker about it and then we can get started with the business.”
"That sounds wonderful and so exciting."
She was so delighted, her face radiant with a smile, that made his pulse beat faster.
"Moira, I enjoyed last night very much and if you did too, I would be delighted if you would be my guest again."
"I would be very happy to, but this time you must do me the honor of being my guest, if you could be content with the modesty of my house."
Robert leaned down to her and came closer with his face. Again she looked into those unbelievable eyes, which seemed to look at her tenderly.
"I thought I told you yesterday that I didn't particularly care for all the luxuries. I openly admit that I like you and I don't care whether you live in a palace or in a tree house. So if you want to invite me, I'll be glad to come. Just let me know when, and I'll be there."
"I'll let you know."
On impulse, Robert leaned even further toward Moira and breathed a kiss on her cheek. "Looking forward to it."
Then he tapped his hat in greeting, turned his horse around and rode back down the driveway. Moira's heart leapt inwardly for joy. He had told her for the second time that he liked her and he was flirting with her. How happy would she be if she could enjoy his courtship of her, but she was not stupid. She knew, that if he ever found out that she had deceived him, she would be dead in his eyes.
Chapter 11
His hands slid contentedly over the oak barrels as he walked around the sparsely illuminated vault.
The last shipment had finally arrived. The fine Jamaican rum would bring him a lot of money in the pubs and taverns along the harbor in Edinburgh. Down here, in this cellar, the barrels from three deliveries were stored and waited to be transported. A small fortune, if he was not mistaken. His plan was ingenious, and he was not far from his goal. Soon he would be one of the powerful of this country. His opinion would be valued and he would enjoy great influence. For more than two years he had been working on his plan and now it seemed that it was going to happen faster than he had planned. Unconsciously all acted
according to his will. The young MacIntyre had apparently fallen for Moira's grace and beauty, as he seemed to be seeing her regularly in recent weeks and months.
His informant told him that they met for meals, went for walks, or went for rides together. It was probably only a matter of time before the lord would ask her to marry him. But how could he resent him. He himself wanted to possess her and would achieve this in the not too distant future.
But first she had to become Lady MacIntyre, even if it would mean that Robert would have his hands on her body first. This was the price he would have to pay for his success. Time was working for him. In the coming week he was expecting another delivery and it was necessary to tighten the thumbscrews on Moira. The good woman probably thought she was free from him, already, since he had not been in touch for a long time. Well, next week she would have to be used again and he smiled smugly at his perfidious plan. Nobody was as ingenious as Charles Dumfrey.
"Samuel, what I've been wanting to ask you: Have there been any cases of smuggling around here in the past? Have you heard anything about it?"
Robert was with Samuel in the stable and was examining the first mares that had become pregnant from his breeding stallions. A start had been made and he hoped that the next few months would go well and that the mares would give birth to healthy foals. Right now they were in the process of planning to turn one of the two pastures at the cliffs to an all-mare pasture, so that the pregnant ladies could tend to their foals in peace and quiet, with good grass and fresh air. Robert's thoughts suddenly turned to the nocturnal
activities in the bay. The only explanation he could tell himself was that he had a picnic date with Moira later on and the tracks led across her property.
"Smugglers? Here in our area? No, I haven't heard anything about that. Why do you think there are
smugglers? I ask, because your uncle asked me exactly the same question shortly before his death. At that time I could only give him the same answer as I can give you now."
Surprised, Robert looked at Samuel.
"My uncle asked about that, too? That is strange."
"That's what I think too. So, what happened to make you ask me that?"
Samuel looked expectantly at Robert, but he did not let on. Could he dare tell Samuel about his observations in the bay? Or could it be, that he was in cahoots with them? Samuel needed money. He had seen him here in the stable a few days ago, standing in a close embrace with Eileen. Without wanting to, he had witnessed a conversation between them, through which he now knew that Samuel had money problems. The two were in love and wanted to get married but Samuel could not afford to marry Eileen at the moment. Eileen had then left in disappointment and Samuel had also been unhappy about the situation. Robert had planned to talk to Samuel that day about a raise because of his good work, but had not yet had the chance to do so. Now he remembered this conversation and he wondered whether Samuel would be desperate enough to join such a gang? For the time being, he decided to keep it to himself until he had gathered more information. The mere fact that his uncle had apparently also witnessed activities at the bay made his death appear in a different light. Could it be that things had not gone right there and the supposedly natural death had not been one at all? In order not to give Samuel further speculation, Robert resorted to a white lie.
"I read a book about this area and it was about smugglers. Apparently my uncle read the same book," Robert grinned at Samuel.
Samuel was apparently not so easily deceived, because he watched Robert for a while, but then he just nodded and said nothing more about it.
"OK, we're done. Please ride over and inspect the fences at the pasture, so that everything is in order when we bring the mares tomorrow. I won't be here this afternoon."
"Are you meeting Moira?"
"Yes, it's a beautiful day and I've invited her to the picnic."
"She deserves it. The last few years haven't been particularly good for her. Eileen and Moira work very hard to support themselves and the orphanage."
"Samuel, I was an unwilling listener to your conversation with Eileen the other day and I know that you would like to marry her."
"Yes, we've known each other forever and we love each other, but..."
Robert interrupted Samuel.
"That's exactly why I want a chance to talk to you. Unfortunately, we have to postpone it, because I have to go. Let's have the talk in t
he next few days," with that he cheerfully patted Samuel on the back and turned to leave.
Samuel called after him: "Say hello to Moira from me," then Robert hurried out of the stable.
Half an hour later he was sitting on his little Landauer, which was pulled by a strong, brown English thoroughbred gelding and was looking forward to the afternoon. In the back he had a fully equipped picnic basket, which Gwyneth, the cook, had stocked with many delicacies; a good bottle of red wine, two glasses, a fluffy blanket and a surprise for Moira, which he himself wasn’t yet sure, how she would react to it. Eagerly to finally get to her, he slammed the reins down on the horse's backside.
Moira could hardly contain her excitement. All day long she had been looking forward to this moment. Robert would be there soon and they would spend this beautiful spring afternoon together. He had invited her to a picnic and the weather seemed to be graciously accommodating with them. The temperatures were quite warm for early May and the sun was already high in the sky.
A light breeze made the spring flowers dance happily in the flower beds. Moira had made herself a dress from the fabrics that Robert had bought for her. She had sewn herself a dress from yellow muslin fabric.
In keeping with spring, the fabric also featured small meadow flowers. She wore a white long-sleeved blouse with it. Her head was adorned with a yellow sun hat with a broad brim and a chin strap, which was now loosely tied. Nervously, she stood at the door. She was alone at home. Eileen had gone to town with the children to deliver the sewing work they had done for the tailor, and also to get bread from the baker.
Moira couldn't wait to see Robert again. In the last few weeks they had seen each other more regularly, and each time it had been harder for her to say goodbye to him. When they were together, she could forget her worries and feel happy. She enjoyed it when their bodies touched as if by chance, or when he kissed her forehead and cheek goodbye. Moira had found herself the last few times wishing that he would kiss her. What would it be like to feel his lips on hers? She was so unsure.
Was it sacrilegious if she longed for more? She dreamed that his hands would touch her everywhere? Did he feel the same way? He had never made any effort to get close to her. So far, everything had proceeded with decency where no one could have any complaints about it and yet she longed for more. Much more. Moira heard the carriage coming and even before Robert had brought the horses to a stop in front of the house, Moira was out of the house and ran to meet him beaming with joy.
Robert, with equal fervor, jumped off the wagon, greeted her with a bright smile and a kiss on the cheek and helped her onto the carriage. When he had taken his seat next to her, he looked at her with a look that went right through Moira. Her heart was beating up to her throat and she realized that she had fallen head over heels in love with Robert MacIntyre.
"Ready?" Robert asked her with a grin.
"Ready!" replied Moira with a laugh, and immediately he turned the carriage and trotted off again.
From the small hill on which they had stopped, they had a breathtaking view of the distant sea on one side and of the slight hills of the hinterland on the other side. Robert had found this place on one of his rides and had chosen it for the picnic. A bunch of small trees brought the necessary shade and so he spread out the large blanket on the grass. Moira was completely enchanted by the view, she closed her eyes, spread her arms and turned like a child in all directions, as if she wanted to see the whole world. Robert, who was quietly observing this, had to control his soaring heart. How he would have liked to just take her in his arms and close her mouth with his.Her well formed lips seemed to literally scream for him. He cursed inwardly. If he had not been brought up so well, he would have long since tasted her lips and and let his hands glide over her body as he imagined night after night. His desire for her grew day to day and he could hardly hold back from approaching her. He noticed how his thoughts began to dominate his body, and before it could become more than embarrassing for him, he had to create a distraction somehow.
"I hope you brought an appetite. Gwyneth has been very kind to us and has filled the basket as if an
entire cavalry would have to be fed from it."
Moira turned laughing, and came toward him. Robert, you're in trouble, he thought to himself, as she sat down on the blanket in front of him and began to take the delicacies out of the basket. He quickly took a seat next to her and distracted himself by opening the bottle of wine. For a while they sat next to each other in silence and ate from the delicious meat pie, fruits and bread. The atmosphere between them seemed to be different today than usual. The impartiality of the last encounters was lost. Robert glanced furtively at Moira, who was sipping her wine and looking off into the distance. His hand slipped into his vest pocket and clutched the small box. He noticed his pulse quickening. What was so damn hard about showing his feelings for her? Why couldn't he just ask her? He loved her and wanted to be with her. She was the woman he had been looking for and he wanted to hold on to her for the rest of his life. He knew that she also liked him, but was it love with her, too? What if she laughed at him and thought he was crazy. After all, they had only known each other for about half a year and yet he was so sure that she was
exactly the right one for him. Moira must have noticed the expression on his face because she looked questioningly at him with her green eyes. Come on, say something, Robert encouraged himself.
He felt like a little schoolboy, but in all his life nothing had ever been so important to him as the impression he made on Moira. So he tried to be casual with her again.
"It's nice here, isn't it?"
Was he mistaken, or did a disappointed look just flit across her face? If so, she quickly regained her
composure and hid it.
"Yes. The view you have from up here is really breathtaking."
"Just like you are."
Moira paused in amazement. Had he really just said that? Robert seemed magically attracted to her, for he bent to her and let his hand slide over her cheek. Her soft skin was warm and he noticed how Moira stiffened under his touch. Becoming brave, he let his hand play with a strand of hair that had come loose from her hairstyle. Without giving an objection, Moira let herself feel these strange sensations. Her heart beat faster and the vein on her neck throbbed violently. Would he kiss her now? Since they had arrived here, she had the feeling that something important was going to happen today. The atmosphere between them seemed to crackle. She didn't dare move, possibly destroying the intimate moment when she felt his hand in her hair. Slowly, she lifted her arm, carefully took off her hat, and placed it next to her in the grass. Robert took this as an opportunity to let his hand deepen into her hair. Suddenly she noticed how it was loosened and fell in soft waves over her shoulders.
"You should always wear it like that."
Her breathing was intermittent, her lips became dry and she was no longer able to speak. Somewhat
anxiously she watched as his face came closer. When his lips touched hers tenderly, a tingle flowed through her body. An indescribable happiness surrounded her and she heard herself, as if from afar, groan. When the pressure of his kiss intensified, she closed her eyes and allowed the wonderful feelings that overwhelmed her take over.
Robert had only wanted to touch her briefly with his lips, but the sensations had struck him like a
thunderbolt, demanded more and so he had deepened his kiss. He had changed his position slightly and now took her tightly in his arms. His lips closed hers with an intimate kiss. Moira seemed to enjoy it, because she let herself fall. She returned his kiss and opened her lips for him. Immediately he penetrated her with his tongue and took her in possession. In both of them the fire flared wildly. Moira held on to him convulsively and Robert closed her tighter in his arms. Over and over again they kissed and with each time the desire for more grew.
Suddenly Robert shifted his weight and carefully pushed Moira backwards to the ground; where she now laid
under him on the blanket. The weight of his upper body, which lay half on top of her, held her captive. She should have stopped him but somehow she couldn’t. She enjoyed being touched by him. To feel his warm breath on her face and his lips on her mouth.
Under no circumstances did she want him to stop now. Time should stop for her. Full of passion he kissed Moira again and again. He had been surprised at the vehemence with which the feelings had been kindled in him when he had touched her with his lips. And now he was on fire. He wanted more, wanted to touch her all over her body, caress her and he did not want to let her go anymore. Breathing heavily, he paused for a moment and had to smile, when he looked into Moira's disappointed face. The words that had seemed hard to say at the beginning of the day now bubbled out of him.
"Moira, I love you."
Her face lit up and to his relief, she replied, "I love you, too."
Robert rose and helped the astonished Moira to her feet, then he knelt with one leg in front of her. From his pocket he pulled out the small box and looked up at her.
When Love grows doubt Page 8
