Games (Timeless Series)

by Loyd, Sandy

  “The Thorpes will be back soon, and I am sure you will have Simon to keep you company,” Sophie said softly.

  “Simon will not be here much longer.” She did not bother keeping the sadness out of her voice.

  Sophie cleared her throat. “Oh?”

  “Once his case is solved, he has no reason to stay.”

  “What happened to make you so glum, ma petite?”

  Her mother’s gentle prompting was Giselle’s undoing. Tears streamed down her face. “Oh, Mama! I did the stupidest thing in the world. I fell in love with him, and he only loves his job. He warned me, but I would not listen.” She jumped up and fled the room.

  ~~

  All four at the table were stunned.

  When Sophie got up to follow, Marcus held her arm. “Whatever this is, it’s between them. They need to work it out amongst themselves.”

  “But I hate to see her in pain,” Sophie answered with a torn expression.

  “Wait awhile. We have to trust we gave her the tools to make her own decisions. She’s made her choice. If it was a bad one, she’ll suffer the consequences, and then she’ll need your arms.”

  Sophie sat back down. For the rest of the meal, conversation was spotty and subdued.

  ~~

  Giselle ran into the library for privacy and let her tears fall. After crying herself dry, she glanced around the room. Memories swamped her. When her focus landed at the bar, she thought of Simon pouring her a drink last night.

  She smiled wistfully. So much had happened between them in the past couple of days, and most had taken place in this room. Her smile deepened, thinking of their poker game. It had taken a bold man to win her heart and Simon Harrington was exactly that—a bold man.

  Well, she was a bold woman and a survivor as well, she thought as realization set in. If given the choice between the pain in her chest and never having the experience of Simon Harrington, she no qualms as to what she would pick. She dried her eyes and headed outside to work.

  When she entered the stables, no one was around. All the activity was centered in the corral, where men and horses still darted about in complete disorder.

  A shrieking horse’s whinny pierced the air, along with the distinctive sound of a whip cracking. Giselle lifted her skirt and hurried toward the sound just in time to see the man, Black, leading a horse out of its stall toward the rear entrance.

  She quickly followed, bowing her head when she pushed open the door. Rain lashed, hitting her face, and the wind howled, both making it difficult to see. Giselle finally saw him mount another horse and head off toward the track, leading the recalcitrant animal. She returned to the stable to saddle a horse and realized that Black had taken Fortuna, her favorite. Now more determined than ever to discover what he was doing, she quickly saddled Asapurna. Once outside, she galloped in the same direction Black had taken.

  Chapter 22

  Simon spent the next two hours talking with his informants. Neither had new information. The man in charge of hiring the workers for the new train track wasn’t much use either. Simon did happen to find out the name of the fellow Black was chummy with, another lonely drifter who hadn’t shown up for work in almost a week, and no one knew where he lived.

  Disappointed, Simon caught the one o’clock train to Shelbyville. When he disembarked at the station, the weather had worsened. The bitter wind and rain continued. Every now and then droplets would turn into icy shards, making the journey back to Twin Oaks a painful one.

  When he finally made it, Jake met him sporting a wide grin. “You look like you could use some warmth.”

  Simon returned the grin. “I’ll damn sure be happy to get out of these wet clothes and have a glass of bourbon.”

  “Go on. I’ll take care of the horse.”

  “Thanks, Jake. Have you seen Giselle?”

  “She was headed toward the stable just a few minutes ago,” he said, grabbing the reins and turning toward the building.

  “Thanks again.” Simon grunted, then he added before he turned to go, “Will you tell her I’m looking for her? I’ll be in the library.”

  Attempting to avoid the penetrating barbs, he ran toward the house.

  In his room, he hurriedly changed, anxious to find Giselle and talk to her. Minutes later, he strode into the library and poured himself a liberal drink. While waiting, Simon stood by the fire, drinking the fiery liquid and letting heat soak in from both sources.

  After warming himself and finishing his drink, he stared at the clock. What was keeping her?

  He paced, annoyed as hell because Giselle hadn’t shown herself yet. Subduing an urge to throttle her at this obvious attempt to avoid him, he charged toward the stable.

  Spying Jake, he stalked over to him. “Where is she?”

  “Sorry, Harrington, but she’s not here. I thought she was back inside.”

  Jamison burst into the stable, thoroughly wet and shaking from the cold.

  “Mr. Harrington!” he said through chattering teeth and blue lips. “You gotta save ’em.”

  Both Jake and Simon turned at his anxious voice.

  “Save who?” Simon’s gaze narrowed. “What’s going on?”

  Jamison was all excited and could barely get his words out. “Miss Giselle and Fortuna.”

  Simon felt the blood drain from his face. “Calm down and tell me what’s happened to Giselle.”

  Jamison took a big breath. “I kept my eye on him, just like you said. Today when everyone was so busy, he started acting funny. I hung back and watched. I saw him take Fortuna out of her stall. I already had a horse saddled, ’cause I was workin’, so I followed. Miss Giselle followed on Asapurna. He’s up to no good, I tell you! He didn’t know I was behind him. I didn’t know Miss Giselle was following until I headed back to warn you. I tried to get her to return, but she said she wasn’t gonna let nothing happen to her favorite mare.”

  “Giselle’s out, with this storm picking up, following Black?” At his nod, Simon yelled, “Where?”

  “Out on the trail, ’bout a mile past the track. Miss Giselle was a quarter mile behind.”

  Turning to Jake, Simon barked, “I need a fast horse.” Glancing at the boy, he said, “Thanks, Jamison, you did a fine job, son.”

  Jake had already saddled a horse. He brought him out of the stall and handed the reins to Simon. “Hold on a minute, Harrington. I’ll be right back.”

  Jake headed for the tack room and came out carrying an armload of items. “You might need these,” he said. “It’s getting worse out there. If you find Giselle, you may not have the chance to make it back. About a mile down the road from the track there’s a big boulder. You’ll know which one I’m talking about when you see it.” He handed Simon the stuff from his arms. “I packed a compass. Go about an eighth of a mile due east from the boulder. You’ll find shelter—a small barn for the animals and a one-room cabin filled with enough firewood and food to last out the storm. We have several of these on the farm for a situation just like this, cut into the hillside for protection from tornadoes or ice. If you can make it there, you’ll be safe. Zeus will take you to Asapurna. He’ll scent her out. She’s his favorite mare.”

  The bundle Jake handed him included a rain slicker and a hat with a broad brim. Putting the garments on, Simon hurriedly repacked the other stuff in Zeus’s saddlebags. When done, he pulled the horse behind him, saying over his shoulder, “Thanks, Jake.”

  “Not to put any undue pressure on you, but you have the fate of three of Colin’s best thoroughbreds in your hands.”

  “It’s not the horses I care about, it’s Giselle. If I have it in my power, I’ll bring them all back safely.”

  “Which is why I gave you Zeus. Go. You’re wasting time.”

  Simon was out of the stable and along the trail, galloping at a good clip minutes later. The wind and freezing rain kept his pace slower than he wanted, but it wasn’t much longer when he passed the track. He spurred the horse faster, fighting the elements as best he
could.

  Simon eventually rode past the boulder Jake had told him about and he forged ahead, praying he’d see some sign of Giselle.

  The sky darkened and the temperature fell. The rain, which was now turning everything into frozen shrouds, continually worsened. The ground was icy and slippery. Simon knew he had to find them soon, if he was going to be able to make it back to the boulder and from there to the shelter before conditions became too treacherous.

  When he rounded the bend, he spotted them. Asapurna was off to the side, standing patiently while Giselle tried to pull Fortuna out of a deep ditch. The horse couldn’t get out and both were covered in icy mud.

  Giselle looked over and met his gaze, hers desperate. He leapt off Zeus and was by her side helping her in the next instant, but not before pulling a small shovel Jake had given him out of the saddlebag.

  “Thank God you have come,” she whispered. “I had no idea how I was going to get Fortuna out of the hole by myself.”

  “Shush. I’m here now, so save your strength,” he said. Underneath the mud, he spotted blue around her mouth. She appeared to be on the verge of exhaustion.

  He quickly dug a path in the rain-soaked earth, giving the horse a foothold. Once done, it took them more time, with Giselle leading and Simon keeping her from going backward, before they dragged the horse safely out.

  Simon put Giselle on Asapurna. “Can you hold on for a little longer?”

  She nodded and flashed him a wan smile.

  “I knew you could.” Simon grinned at the determination in her eyes. Though thoroughly drenched, frozen to the bone and depleted of her energy, his arrival seemed to give her a new energy source. He was definitely happy with her using some of his if it kept her alive.

  Simon led, trying to block the worst of the stinging blows from the icy rain, with Fortuna in tow. They made the miserable journey to the boulder. He stopped and pulled out the compass. Following Jake’s directions, he soon saw the shelter up ahead and sighed in relief.

  Giselle was near the end, total fatigue clearly evident in her mannerisms. He headed for the barn, a dry, cavern-like room about thirty degrees warmer than outside. Now out of the elements, he jumped off Zeus and hurried to help Giselle.

  She looked down with a wan smile on her white face. “I knew you’d come,” she whispered before collapsing.

  “Giselle?” Halting her fall, he lifted her completely off Asapurna. “You’ve got to stay awake for me.”

  She opened her eyes and moaned. “I am so cold.”

  “I know you’re cold.” He left the horses to fend for themselves and carried her back out into the frigid air toward the small structure. “Just hang on and don’t go to sleep. Stay with me, honey.”

  The cabin was larger than it appeared, furnished with a table and chairs on one side, a big fireplace in the middle, and a bed on the other side of the room. He sat Giselle on one of the chairs while he bent to check the firewood. Two small rockers were perched in front of the fireplace, which had wood and kindling in the grate, ready to light. Thanking God for Colin’s foresight, he quickly lit the kindling and in moments the room was awash in firelight. Simon also lit a couple of candles on the table before turning back to Giselle.

  Her lifeless form distressed him. He undressed her as quickly as he could, but the sodden woolen garments were like a second skin and didn’t peel off easily. He pulled the split skirt of her habit away from her legs and noticed the bulge in the pocket. Fishing out the small weapon, Simon bit back a laugh. Shaking his head, he put it along with the file on the table. He should have known she’d be armed. Anyone who underestimated this woman/child was a fool. He was beginning to realize just how deadly she could be if pushed.

  He finished undressing her and carried her to the bed. Simon grabbed the feather tick and placed it over her cold, naked body. Giselle shivered uncontrollably and moaned. Simon quickly shed his wet clothes.

  “Simon?” she whispered. “I am so cold.”

  “I know, honey.” He climbed in beside her and drew her closer. “I’ll help warm you. The fire should heat the room in a bit.” He pulled the comforter around them both. She was frozen to the touch and the fact that she was lethargic worried him. He began rubbing her skin, kneading it to get the blood flowing. As he warmed up, he used his body to effectively warm her faster. It took him a while before he could tell his actions were having any effect.

  Eventually, Giselle’s whispered voice broke the silence of the small cabin. “I am warmer now, but I am so tired.”

  Simon pushed the hair off her forehead and kissed it.

  “That’s all right, sweetheart. I think it’s safe to go to sleep now if you want to.”

  It took another fifteen minutes before he felt satisfied she was warm enough for him to leave her. After slipping quietly from the bed, he began searching for spare clothing. He found a pair of trousers and a shirt, and donned them before pulling on his wet boots.

  Simon spent the next hour grooming the horses, and making sure they were fed and watered. With that out of the way, he went back inside the cabin. After hanging their wet, mud-sodden clothes to dry by the fire, he began the task of finding something to eat. He got their makeshift dinner ready to cook, set it out on the table for later, then shed his clothes and climbed back into bed with Giselle. In no time, he too was fast asleep.

  ~~

  Giselle woke to a darkened room. The fire had long died. At first she was not sure of her surroundings, but glancing around, her memory returned. She felt so comfortable right then, safe with Simon’s arms around her; she really did not want to move. Unfortunately, nature called. Easing out of bed, careful not to disturb Simon, who was still slumbering, she dressed in his discarded clothes, rolling up the overlong sleeves and pants legs. She pulled on her boots, then went outside to take care of her business.

  Simon was just sitting up when she reentered the cabin. His warm green gaze captured hers, and the heat in its depths caused her to look away. Embarrassed, but not knowing why, Giselle felt the heat rush up her face.

  She licked her lips nervously and stammered, “Um…thank you…um…for helping me.” She turned and added logs to the embers of the fire. Poking the logs, she added, “I do not know what I would have done if you had not come when you did.”

  He put his feet on the floor and stood.

  Giselle noted his actions and shrieked, “What are you doing?”

  “I think it should be obvious.” Simon glanced up at her. “I’m getting out of bed.”

  “But you are naked!”

  Simon laughed. “Yes, Giselle, I’m naked. And since you have the only dry clothes in the place, I’m likely to stay naked until my clothes are dry.”

  In all his glory he padded naked across to the middle of the room where his clothes hung. He checked them, turned to her, and shrugged. “Sorry. They’re still damp. I have no desire to don damp clothes, so you’re out of luck. You’ll just have to make do.”

  Giselle watched him strut around the room, fiddling with different things, totally oblivious to the fact that he was naked as the day he was born.

  When he started preparing the items on the table, she said in a disgusted voice, “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” She stood up and took off first the boots and then the pants she wore. Her shirt covered her to her knees, so she felt decent enough. She handed him the trousers. “Put these on, you are distracting me.”

  Simon chuckled. While putting them on, he said, “Most women don’t mind it when I distract them.”

  Giselle grinned and shook her head. “I am not like most women.” It was then that she remembered Caroline Hillier. The memory of the woman kissing Simon shot through her right then. Her smile faded and she turned to stare at the fire.

  “Don’t I know it!” The laughing reply hung in the air. “Giselle?”

  She turned at his question and couldn’t keep the sadness out of her eyes when she met his inquiring gaze.

  He’d put on the trousers and now rushed to
kneel beside her.

  “My God, Giselle, I never meant to hurt you. You have to know that,” he said in a fervent voice full of contrition.

  “I know, Simon. It is not something I want to think about right now.”

  When he started to talk, she used a finger to silence him. “Shush. A wise man once said to me, ‘No regrets,’ and as long as we are here in this cabin together, I want no regrets. We will not talk about it and we will not regret what goes on here. You were there when I needed you most. And for that I owe you my life.”

  “But Giselle—”

  She placed her finger on his lips again. “No regrets.” She then replaced the finger with her lips, bending and framing his face with her hands and bringing him closer. Needing no further encouragement, Simon unleashed kisses over her face and neck, nuzzling, sending thrills in the form of goose bumps along her spine.

  When his mouth journeyed to her ears, leaving a wet trail of sensation in its path, she moaned in response, unable to resist what his lips were doing.

  He whispered, “What have you done to me, Giselle? I have no will where you’re concerned. All I can think about when you’re near is to be inside you.”

  He quickly picked her up and carried her to the bed.

  Giselle knew what would happen when she kissed Simon, and she knew she would have to deal with the consequences of loving him later. More than anything, she wanted what only he could give her. She was determined to take as much as she could while here, in this secluded spot where life could not intrude. She realized right then, she had lied earlier today when she told Simon she would refuse to take less than what she wanted. She would take whatever he gave, and keep the memories of loving him forever. While in this cabin, he was hers and she could pretend that he always would be.

  After shedding his trousers and joining her on the bed, Simon pulled her to him and his lips lowered. Giselle opened herself up to his lovemaking. She loved his kisses and wanted more. His mouth was gentle and coaxing. When his tongue traced her lips, sliding inside once she opened, pleasure surged through her. She met his thrusting tongue with hers, and the game of seduction began.