“Do your brothers live there?”
“Paradise spends his time traveling, but New York is his home now. Dev lived in Virginia until last year, when he set out as a circuit preacher somewhere out West. Dev was never one for writing much, so I haven’t heard exactly where he’s traveling. I’d like to show you Virginia, and New York isn’t far. There’s a gay and wicked city that would set your prim bonnet on end.”
“You sound rather fond of it. I’m sure after being there, Rainly must appear provincial with its limited forms of entertainment.”
His laugh was rich and low. “I wondered when that starched little tongue would start wagging. You had me worried for a while, darlin’. I thought I called for the wrong young lady this morning. And no, I don’t miss the city or what it offers as much as Dice does.”
“Dice?”
“It’s a brotherly name Dev and I gave Paradise. I’ll tell you the story behind it someday,” he promised with a grin for the private memory it recalled.
Inside Dara, hope flared brighter. If Eden was now willing to share his family secrets with her, he must have some thought of establishing a future relationship. She was risking more than her virtue by agreeing to spend the day alone with him.
“Will you be going home to visit soon?” she gently prodded.
“Not until I have everything here settled to my satisfaction.”
It was not a statement that invited her pursual, and Dara let it be. She gazed out at the land, much as Eden did, and tried to see it through his eyes. It was flat, but here, away from town, huckleberry, sparkle berry, and fetter-bush grew between palm and evergreen shrubs. In her mind she tried to compare it to the land Eden had once described of rolling hills thick with lush grasses, soft breezes, and flowering plants surrounded by hardwood forests. He claimed the soil was so rich, a seed could be dropped and would grow, while here the sandy soil needed constant replenishing of enriching fertilizers. Far off, the land rose in a terraced effect, and Dara searched for something interesting to point out to him that Virginia couldn’t possibly have.
Her vigilance was rewarded as they swung into a widened place on the road. “Eden, look at the cycad. My father said the Indians used the roots to make bread during the Seminole Wars, when they couldn’t remain in one place long enough to plant their com. It’s a shame you haven’t seen this area in the early spring, when the flowers are blooming. It’s a breathtaking sight. Blazing star and pale blue lupines, red lilies, and sometimes the unexpected find of an orchid make the land pretty.”
“Don’t go all defensive on me, darlin’. I wasn’t comparing the two. And enjoy this, ’cause when we get near the mine, I’m afraid it will come as a shock to you.”
“How did you get interested in mining phosphate? I recall you mentioned that you worked along the Peace River before coming up here.”
Eden slanted her a wry glance. “Inquiring into my past, darlin’? Dare I hope this is an indication my suit finds favor with you?” Her cross look brought a chuckle. “I was partners in a silver mine that didn’t pan out, so I came home. Dice was in Washington and needed some help. The city life appealed to me, and I had an opportunity to work at the Smithsonian Institution, since I was qualified to analyze samples of ore. At a mutual friend’s I met Captain LeBaron, and we spoke at length about his discovery of pebble phosphate on the Peace River. He was frustrated when he couldn’t get many industrialists interested in the project and left the city for another government job. It wasn’t long after that I became restless and made a trip down here to look over the possibility of mining the area. The rest you know.”
“But Eden, all the newspaper stories claim that this area is where the mineral was first discovered.”
“And history, love,” he noted with rich humor, “will lend truth to their claim because of the value of the phosphate in this area.” He guided the horse onto a smaller lane, his grip tightening by a slight degree as Dara was pressed against his side. She was all sweetly scented lavender today, starched to full capacity, and he smiled, thinking of the spot he had chosen for their picnic.
“Remember what I told you, Dara,” he said as the first tall wooden drying machine came into view.
She remembered. Dara also believed that shock was a rather mild word to describe what she was feeling. For miles the land was pocked with excavated pits and trenches. Lengths of raw lumber haphazardly formed walkways across the outer edges. She listened as Eden described the use of the drying towers after the phosphate rock was crushed and washed, her eyes wide until the men who were working began to stop swinging their picks and turned to stare at them. Her surprise increased when Eden began greeting most of them by name and good-naturedly returned their teasing comments about his not working.
“I know it’s a bit much to take in all at once,” Eden began, stopping the carriage. “We’ll walk about, and I’ll explain the process to you.”
He had already leaped down, and Dara stared in dismay at the mud.
“I guess a walk is out of the question,” he said, coming around to her side. “No matter, I can explain it all from here.”
“But why are the men working today? Don’t you give them the day to attend service?”
“I alternate my crews. These men haven’t worked since Friday. And the pit they are digging in is one that already proved to have rich deposits. When I’m about to break fresh ground, we dig several small rectangular pits and excavate them. If the deposits are rich, we enlarge the area to one this size. Then I determine the quantity and quality of the rock. Those piles you see are waste and will be removed to a site away from here.”
“The wheelbarrows, Eden, what are those men doing with them?”
“They’ll haul them to the conveyor belt, where others … here, lean out of the carriage and you’ll see.” Eden stood slightly in front of her so Dara could lean on his shoulder. “The men there will remove debris, stones, and other impurities from the phosphate rock. Once it’s crushed, washed, and dried, it’s ready for shipment.”
“I never realized that it took so much work. The talk I hear in the store … why, I feel foolish even repeating it to you.”
“Don’t. I’ve heard enough to make me aware of how foolish men had sunk their life savings in the belief that they could just walk the land and pick up chunks of rock and be rich.”
“What does Matt do here?” Dara asked, resisting the urge to touch the soft dark curling hair so close to her cheek. Eden hadn’t moved, and she was content to lean with one hand resting on his shoulder and her head tilted toward his.
“Matt, it might surprise you to know, has shown a remarkable interest in developing new techniques to help us mine in more profitable ways with less accidents. He is looking into the use of steam shovels and perhaps, in a pit this rich, setting up a rail that would enable us to lower cable cars into the pit. The work would still be done by hand, but it would make it easier on a man’s back.”
“You really do care about your workers, don’t you,” she noted softly, wondering how she could ever have doubted it.
“Don’t believe noble sentiment is the cause, Dara. It’s simply good business practice to give a man some dignity when he labors hard for you.”
With a soft laugh she leaned back and away from him. “Oh, Eden, I would never make the mistake of believing you did anything for noble reasons.”
“A man of dishonorable intentions,” he murmured, humor bright in his eyes. He had turned to face her, smiling to see the becoming blush tint her cheeks. “No regrets for coming with me today?”
Dara ignored the light tone, sensing there was more to his question. And when she answered, her gaze held a serious look. “No, I have no regrets. But,” she added, needing to recapture the lighter mood, “if you plan to feed me sometime today, let it be soon.”
“Greedy woman, of course I plan to feed you. The basket is packed full of Annamae’s goodies and stowed in the boot.”
But Eden mad
e no move to return to the carriage, and Dara found herself glancing about with dismay. “You didn’t intend for us to picnic here?”
He ran a finger over the cameo pinned to her collar. “Oh, no, love. Not here. I’ve a private spot staked out that will leave us undisturbed to enjoy nature as it was intended.”
“Private,” she repeated, drawing back against the seat.
“Completely,” he assured her solemnly.
“Close by, I hope.”
“No. It’s a ways. Worried?”
“Oh, goodness, Eden, do stop! You’ve behaved yourself for the most part, and there’s no need to make me rethink my decision to trust you.”
His finger once again drew close, but this time he touched the comer of her pouting mouth. “Foolish little saint, never trust me. But do tell,” he asked, rubbing her lip, “did you wear that laced nuisance?”
“Eden! You can’t expect me to answer you!”
“Ah, darlin’, you disappoint me.” His look was thoughtful as he stepped back and slowly shook his head. “No, I guess you won’t at that. Slide your sweet bustle over, and we’ll leave. I’ll see to the task myself.”
Dara obeyed simply because she didn’t know what else to do. The man at times was impossible to take seriously! He was every bit as outrageous as the very first time she had met him. But when he teased her, she felt alive. The day was bright and her blood warmed from his nearness and the wicked threat to be on guard for the unexpected from him.
They drove off, and Eden kept the horse to a slow pace. Once they were away from the mining site, they crossed winding streams that were overhung by trees festooned with Spanish moss that swayed with the soft breeze. Sweet bay and pine trees lightly scented the air within cool shaded hammocks.
Eden was silent and Dara made no attempt to break his pensive mood. She had never traveled this far west and was engaged in peering into the encroaching foliage when the faint sound of rushing water came to her.
Eden drew rein and remarked, “This is as far as we can go with the carriage. I’m afraid we’ll have to walk.” He leaped down, turning to lift Dara out, and while she stood there trying to determine where a path was, he went to the back of the carriage. With a large market basket held in one hand, a blanket tucked beneath his arm, he came to her side. “Ready?”
Gamely Dara smiled. “Lead on.”
They followed the small stream, and Eden held broad-leaved palms out of her way, for there was no clearly defined path to follow. The sound of the water grew louder, and Dara wondered where they were heading. Rocks were piled to the side. The suddenness of a water fountain shooting up made her cry out, and Eden laughed.
“I should have warned you about those. But it’s not much farther.”
“Thank goodness,” she muttered, untangling her skirt hem from the bush that snagged it.
The opening appeared ahead, and Dara ignored Eden for a moment to stare. A waterfall cascaded to the pool below, a charming untouched spot of land that entranced her.
“Eden, it’s beautiful.”
“I thought you would be pleased.”
Dragonflies skimmed above the pool surrounded by broad ferns, and gentle geysers of crystal water bubbled up unexpectedly. Splashes of sunlight woven through the trees played over the cool shadows. Eden took her hand, leading the way to the small clearing. He spread the blanket and set the basket in one comer, smiling all the while at the enraptured look on Dara’s face.
Dara knew they hadn’t gone far, but the sounds of the fall were muted here. And suddenly shy, she faced away from him when he moved behind her.
With his hands resting gently on her shoulders, Eden whispered, “I’ve wanted to share this with you from the first time I discovered it. But there are a few alterations I must make first.” He slid the hatpins free, lifted her hat off, replaced the pins in the crown, and tossed the hat toward the comer of the blanket.
“You shouldn’t—”
“Today there are no shouldn’ts, love. And you’re far too prim for such an enchanted place.” He smiled, ignored another protest, and began removing her hairpins, carefully tucking them into his pocket. With a kiss he brushed her hand aside, his fingers deftly uncoiling her waist-length hair.
“Eden, it’s improper—”
“And we can’t,” he noted softly, “have any improprieties. They are simply not allowed,” he added, threading his fingers through the thick silken mass of her hair to spread it across her shoulders like a dark mink cape. “Lovely,” he breathed against her ear, slowly turning her around to face him. Tipping her chin up, he gazed at her delicate features surrounded by the dark waves, and with the patience he had cultivated for this woman alone, he watched her eyes flutter closed. “Lovely,” he repeated, kissing the tip of her nose, inhaling the tiny rapid breaths, and stilling the desire to feast upon the tantalizing pout of her mouth. “I seem to recall that you were greedy to eat, darlin’.”
Dara’s eyes flew open. He was so close, and she knew he was about to kiss her, but Eden surprised her. He set her back from him, his bow courtly.
“My lady, your feast awaits.”
Tossing her hair back, Dara moved to the blanket, kneeled down, and investigated the contents of the basket.
“Eden,” she said after a few moments, “there’s no plates or cutlery to eat with.”
“I know. Annamae fixed everything I asked her to. We won’t be needing them.”
“Not need them? How do you expect—”
“I’ll feed you, and if you’re in a charitable mood, love, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to return the pleasure.”
“Pleasure?” Dara repeated, beginning to hate the way she parroted him. But Eden didn’t answer, for he had taken off his suit jacket, folded it, and now began to take off his tie. Dara watched in silence the progress he made with the stiff linen collar, and then, to her shock, he unbuttoned his shirt halfway before he sat down.
“I think,” he began, taking gentle hold of her ankles, “that you would be more comfortable stretching out your legs so you can hold the food.” He easily reached the basket and placed it close beside him so that he sat opposite her hip to hip with his own long legs stretched out before him. “If you get tired,” he noted with that soft sensual voice that raked her nerve endings into awareness, “you can rest against my leg.” And Dara leaned back just as he bid to find his firmly muscled calf behind her.
“Comfortable?” His gaze locked with hers.
“As if I were safe in my own parlor.”
“I’m glad. It wasn’t my intent to make you nervous.”
“But you are going to feed me?” Dara had to clear her throat. Her voice had a rusty squeak she couldn’t account for.
“So eager to begin? Ah, love, you please me more than you know.” He lifted a napkin-wrapped bottle of wine and one glass from the basket, a pleased smile on the curve of his finely molded lips.
“There seems to be only one glass,” Dara said.
“That’s all we’ll need.”
Dara’s oh squeaked past her lips.
A plate of fried quail pieces appeared, and she recognized Annamae’s corn fritters on another. The assortment of crocks concealed their contents, but never once did Eden’s smile waver.
“The rest can wait until later.” Picking up a piece of quail, he held it up to her. “Open your mouth, love.”
Dara felt a strange sensation fill her. She remembered those same words whispered when he first kissed her. Too dazed to do anything else, she opened her mouth and took the morsel between her teeth. Her eyes never left his as she slowly chewed.
“Will you offer me one now?”
She stared at him, her heartbeat increasing, and then lifted a piece to his lips. Her fingertips felt the brief warmth of his mouth, and Dara sat mesmerized as they slowly repeated the ritual with fritters, pickles, and squash biscuits. There were sips of wine between. Eden drank first, then turned the glass so that her lips came t
o rest where his had been. And each time he leaned forward, their bodies almost but not quite touching, Dara felt the insidious heat that flowed through her begin to thicken into want.
Watching her Eden sipped from the glass he had just refilled, then quickly set it down. He raised himself slightly and secured her hair in a gentle hold. His lips found first the tiny pulse of her throat, where he planted a kiss, and then the softest whisper touched her earlobe. Dara felt boneless and leaned back, glad of the support of his leg, for his breath was warm against her flushed skin, and she felt the elusive damp caress of his tongue tracing the outer shell of her ear. He murmured something, but it was lost in the tremors that spread outward from wherever he touched. Slowly he loosened her hair once more and returned to his original position, lifting the glass to sip again.
“Would you like another taste?” he asked, eyes the dark of tarnished silver upon hers.
Without waiting for her to answer, he leaned forward and brushed her mouth with his lips, leaving a sheen of wine upon them. Dara licked the moisture in a languid manner. “More,” she whispered.
Wine, heated and tart, was once again gently offered, but when Dara attempted to lick the taste from her lips, Eden’s tongue tangled with hers. He slid one hand behind her neck, dragging her head back, feasting on her mouth for long minutes until the taste of the wine was lost in the heady taste of Dara.
“You,” he murmured, lifting his mouth, “impart a decided improvement on the bouquet of this vintage. I wish I could bottle your essence, love, and drink it at my every leisure.”
Dara tried to muddle through what he said, finally making sense of it and agreeing that the wine’s taste did indeed improve. But it was the dark tanged essence of Eden’s passion that she desired more of.
He offered her no chance, leaning back and fishing through the basket. A checked napkin rested on her lap, and he smiled, a slow knowing curve that reflected his eyes.
“Dessert, love.”
“I’ve had quite enough, thank you,” she stated in a cross little voice, piqued that he could so easily dismiss her for some sweet.
Silver Mist Page 19
