by Bobbi Smith
“I know,” Renee agreed, slowly losing her own battle to stay awake. “What time is it, anyway?”
“It’s after one.” She glanced at the mantel clock.
“No wonder everybody else went to bed. You know, they might not make it back until tomorrow. Maybe we should go on upstairs, too.”
“No. I’m going to wait down here for him. But why don’t you go to bed? You know Roger’s going to wake up at seven, regardless. You’re going to need a little sleep.”
Renee smiled as she stood up. “That’s true enough. He’s a regular alarm clock. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night,” Delight called softly, as Renee headed on up to bed.
Getting up, Delight picked up the lamp and carried it with her to Marshall’s study. The flickering golden flame cast wavering shadows about as she entered the dark paneled room to select a book from his large library. Checking the titles of the beautiful leather-bound volumes, she finally chose a well-worn book of poems and went back to settle in on the sofa.
She had been reading for almost an hour when the words began to blur before her eyes. Wanting to stay awake, but knowing that the battle was lost. Delight curled up on the sofa and fell asleep.
“Gentlemen,” General Fields was saying as he lifted his glass of bourbon. “To a job well done.”
Mark, Jim, and Marshall joined him in that toast. It had been a long, dangerous day, but they had succeeded.
“Have you made any decisions concerning replacing the Enterprise?” the general asked.
“I’ve made some inquires,” Marshall told him. “There is a steamer for sale in Cincinnati. We could have her refitted and ready to sail in about six weeks, I should think.”
“Good. But can you fulfill your contract? There will be at least two more gold shipments in that time. Do you have a boat available?”
“We own four other packets, all of which will suit our purpose,” Jim told him.
General Fields nodded. “Now that we’ve eliminated the informers from our midst, we should be safe.”
“We’ll be ready whenever the shipments come in, sir,” Marshall assured him.
“Thank you for everything. We’ll be in touch.” He shook hands with Jim and Marshall both.
As they turned to leave, Mark started to follow.
“Captain. I’d like to speak with you for a few minutes.”
“Yes, sir.” Mark thought all their business had been concluded, and he was surprised by the request. “Jim—Marshall, I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell Dorrie I’ll be by as soon as I can.”
“Okay.” Good night.”
When they had disappeared from the room and closed the door behind them, Mark turned to face his commanding officer.
“Yes, sir?”
“I wanted to commend you on your handling of this investigation. You alone suspected that we had an informer in our midst, and, by your perseverance, you uncovered him.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You are to assume the rank of major, now, Clayton.”
Mark was taken completely by surprise. “Major?”
“You’ve earned it. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, sir!”
It was near dawn as Jim and Marshall finally got away from headquarters and started home. They rode in silence, both exhausted yet excited by the events of the day.
A single lamp burned low in the parlor window, and both men entered the house, looking forward to its warmth and shelter. Heading into the parlor, they stopped, the sight that greeted them making them smile.
“I guess Renee gave up on me,” Marshall chuckled. “I’ll see you sometime later today.” And with that, he went up to his wife.
Jim crossed the parlor quietly and stood staring down at her gentle loveliness for long minutes before kneeling beside her. With infinite care, he leaned forward and kissed her softly.
Delight stirred at the touch of his lips and smiled sleepily. “I knew you’d be home soon.”
She caressed his cheek and then slid her hand behind his neck to pull him down for another kiss. It was a warm, loving exchange, and Delight’s heart swelled with her love for him.
Without breaking off the kiss, Jim shifted his weight until he was lying beside her, and Delight turned on her side to give him more room.
“Have you been here all night?” he asked huskily as his lips explored the sweetness of her throat.
“Yes,” she whispered, shivering at the force of the emotion he was arousing.
Jim’s control slipped as she responded to him without restraint. He had wanted to be with her ever since his confrontation with Annabelle…a confrontation that had left him feeling somehow soiled. He needed to taste the splendor and peace of Delight’s love again.
“Darling?” He spoke softly.
“Um?” She wriggled closer to him.
“I think we’d better go upstairs…” He gave a low chuckle as she murmured a protest and sought to draw him to her for a kiss.
“Do we have to?” she protested when he refused her tempting ploy; she didn’t want to move from this haven.
“I’m afraid so.”
“But why?”
“First, because I refuse to make love to you here on this lumpy, uncomfortable sofa. And second, because it’s almost dawn, darling.” He couldn’t resist her any longer, and he stole a quick, passionate kiss.
“Dawn?” Delight blinked in surprise as he ended the embrace and glanced out the window to see the sky brightening to the east. She had thought it was only two o’clock in the morning. “What happened? Where have you been? I had no idea it was this late.” She turned worried eyes to him as he got up awkwardly off the couch.
“It’s a long story…let’s go up to bed and I’ll tell you.” He held out a hand to her and helped her to her feet.
She slipped her arm about his waist as they left the room. “How’s your leg? I was so worried about you…”
“It’s better.” His leg was the last thing on his mind.
“Good.” She hugged him. “Did you catch up with Anna-belle and her father?”
He nodded. “They’re both in custody. We managed to beat their steamer to Alton, and Mark made the arrests there.”
“Then it’s all over?” she asked hopefully, starting up the staircase.
“Yes. Everyone Sam named has been caught.”
Relief swept over her like a physical thing. Slanting him a provocative sideways glance, she asked, “Then we can start our honeymoon now?”
“I did have that on my mind.” He grinned down at her as he opened the door to their bedroom.
She smiled in delight as they entered the room and locked the door behind them.
The predawn light gave their bedroom a softly muted glow as they went quickly into each other’s arms. The embrace was tender and complete as they shared a moment of blissful contentment. But the emotional fires that had been stoked in the parlor were near the surface, and Delight lifted her face to accept his kiss.
“I love you,” Jim said earnestly just as his lips claimed hers in a searing brand.
Delight threw her arms about his neck to hug him to her, wanting only to get as close to him as possible.
Delight smiled up at him, her desire for him glowing in her eyes. “I love you, my captain.”
Willing himself to take his time, he slowly and methodically began to unbutton her dress, pausing after each button to place a soft kiss on her waiting mouth. When at last the bodice was undone, he spread the material apart and caressed the swell of her bosom so delightfully displayed above her chemise.
“You wear too many clothes,” he complained sensuously as his hand dipped within the confines of the chemise.
Her breath caught in her throat at his touch, and she clung to him as he deepened the caress with a kiss. Her knees weakening under his sensual onslaught, Delight hurried to unbutton his shirt so she could run her hands over the hard muscles of his furred chest.
His already overpo
wering need for her grew as she boldly explored him, and finally he could stand no more of her erotic torment. With gentle hands, he stripped her gown from her and then helped her shed her petticoats and chemise.
“You are gorgeous.” His voice hoarse with emotion as he stared at her slim beauty. His eyes caressed her with a heated gaze…
Delight held her arms out to him, inviting him to love her, and he went to her eagerly, needing to lose himself in her womanly sweetness.
Moving to the bed, Jim shed his remaining clothes and joined her on the wide expanse of softness.
“This is much better than the sofa,” she told him as he came to her.
“Much,” he agreed before kissing her deeply.
His hands explored her freely, touching and provoking magical responses from her as she was lost in a haze of passionate glory. His mouth plundered hers as he moved to make her his own.
They lay together as one, savoring the closeness that this, love’s fullest pleasure, gave.
Replete in love’s rapturous splendor, they rested, and they were soon lulled to sleep by the sense of blissful peace that overcame them.
It was a loud pounding on the door that woke them long hours later.
“Uncle Jimmy! Are you ever going to get up?” Roger’s voice came to them plaintively through the heavy, locked door, followed quickly by Renee’s hushed reprimand.
“Roger Westlake! You get away from there and let them rest. You know he was out late last night with your father!”
“I know, Mama, but Papa’s up…why doesn’t Uncle Jimmy get up?” His protest faded as he walked dejectedly away from the bedroom door.
Delight and Jim exchanged mischievous looks as they lay in each other’s arms.
“Why don’t I get up?” he asked, leaning over to kiss her good morning. “It must be near noon…”
“I can think of one good reason why not,” she teased.
“That’s a good reason,” he growled, before once more claiming her in love’s play.
It was nearly an hour later that they finally left the privacy of their room and went downstairs to eat.
“Good afternoon,” Renee greeted them smilingly as they came into the dining room. “We’re just having lunch, but I’m sure I can come up with breakfast for you, if you’d prefer.”
“Lunch will be fine,” Jim said as they joined her and Marshall at the table. “Where is everybody?”
“I sent Roger out to play. He was anxious to see you and he probably would have camped outside your bedroom door if I hadn’t…” She grinned.
“I know, we heard,” Jim laughed.
“Mother and Father went out, Dorrie is up in her room, and Sam went to report in,” Marshall finished.
“Has Mark been by yet?”
“No. I don’t look for him until later this afternoon.”
“No word on how his meeting with the general went?”
“Haven’t heard a thing yet.”
It was then that the knock came at the front door, and Renee went to answer it.
“Mark! We were just talking about you. Come in.” She held the door wide to admit him. “Marshall, Jim and Delight are in the dining room. Go ahead in, and I’ll get Dorrie.”
“Thanks, Renee.”
He went to join the others. “Good afternoon.” He smiled, pleased with the news he was about to impart.
“You look quite satisfied with yourself today. How did your meeting with Fields go last night?” Jim asked as Mark sat down at the table.
“It went just fine…I’m Major Clayton, now.” He beamed, proud of himself.
“Well, well. That’s impressive. Congratulations,” they lauded him.
“Mark?” Dorrie hurried into the room, anxious to see him after a long night of worry.
He met her halfway across the room and embraced her. Uncaring that everyone was looking on, he kissed her.
“I’m so glad you got back safely. We were all so worried.”
“Everything worked out perfectly. All the arrests were made with a minimum of violence…and we had only one small bit of excitement ourselves.” He looked at Marshall, his eyes twinkling.
“You didn’t tell me there was any danger,” Renee said accusingly as she witnessed the exchange between her husband and Mark.
“Neither did you,” Delight added to Jim.
“Well, it wasn’t dangerous…not really.”
“What wasn’t dangerous?” Renee demanded of Marshall.
“Nathan tried to get away…that’s all. He tried to shrug it off.
“And? I know there must be more to it or Mark wouldn’t have brought it up.”
“I had to jump in the river to get him,” he answered blandly.
“From the promenade deck!” Jim embroidered.
“From the promenade deck?”
“I had to hurry or he might have gotten away. Besides, I figured if Nathan could live through the fall, so could I.” He grinned at her, and then said, for her ears only, “I wasn’t taking any chances. You know what a good swimmer I am.”
Renee softened. “I’m just glad it’s over and done with.”
“You’re not the only one,” Delight admitted.
“Mark. Tell Dorrie your good news,” Jim prompted.
“Good news?”
“I’ve been promoted. I am now Major Clayton.”
“How wonderful!” She threw her arms around him and kissed him again. “Now, how soon are we having the wedding?”
“As soon as you can arrange it. I want us together as soon as possible.”
“Is anyone going up to Cedarhill anytime soon?” Jim asked conversationally.
“Not that I know of. Mother and Father are planning on staying in town for the Bradford ball in two weeks. Why?” Marshall responded.
“I want to spend some time alone with my wife.” He took her hand. “We really haven’t had a honeymoon yet.”
“That sounds romantic…” Renee sighed, giving them a gentle smile.
“I hope so. Of course at this point, anyplace alone with Delight would sound romantic to me.” Jim laughed in good-natured frustration and then turned to her. “We’ll leave in the morning, then.”
“I’ll be ready whenever you are.”
“Uncle Jimmy!” Roger’s loud call reverberated throughout the room as he rushed back in from playing.
“Hello, Roger. I understand that you’ve been looking for me?”
“Yes. I’ve been waiting all morning for you to get up. How come you slept so long?”
“I guess I was just tired,” Jim replied, giving Delight a special look.
“Oh.” He found his uncle’s answer evasive, but let it go. “Anyway, are you really going out to Cedarhill tomorrow? Can I go along this time, too?”
“Not this trip, I’m afraid.” Jim’s eyes gleamed as he looked at his wife. “I just want to go out to the country to rest and relax for a while. But I promise you I’ll take you next time. All right?”
“All right.”
“Rest and relax?” Marshall queried, his eyebrows raised mockingly.
Leaning toward Delight to kiss her gently, Jim smiled widely. “Well, I will need to rest and relax…afterward.”
His eyes met hers in perfect understanding as their love flowed around them, encircling their lives and guiding them to life’s greatest joys.
ROMANTIC TIMES PRAISES BOBBI SMITH,
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR!
WANTED: THE HALF-BREED
“Smith fulfills her title of ‘Queen of the Western Romance’ in this fast-paced, suspenseful offering.”
LAWLESS, TEXAS
“Readers will be entertained and find themselves cheering for the good guys in the final shootout.”
HIRED GUN
“Nobody does a Western better than Smith. Hired Gun is about a man…depending on no one and nothing but his wits and his gun. Finally he meets a woman who demands more of him….”
DEFIANT
“The talented
Smith is in her element out West. This novel is fast-paced and filled with adventure and tender feelings…a very beautiful story.”
HALFBREED WARRIOR
“Smith is the consummate storyteller. The pacing is quick, with snappy dialogue moving the story forward at breakneck speed.”
BRAZEN
“As sexy and gritty as [Smith] has ever written.”
HALF-MOON RANCH: HUNTER’S MOON
“Bobbi Smith is a terrific storyteller…wonderful characters, good dialogue and compelling plot will keep you up all night.”
FOREVER AUTUMN
“Forever Autumn is a fast-paced, delightful story.”
LONE WARRIOR
“Fast paced, swift moving and filled with strong, well-crafted characters.”
EDEN
“The very talented Bobbi Smith has written another winner. Eden is filled with adventure, danger, sentimentality and romance.”
MORE ROMANTIC TIMES RAVES FOR
STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR BOBBI SMITH!
THE HALF-BREED
“Witty, tender, strong characters and plenty of action, as well as superb storytelling, make this a keeper.”
BRIDES OF DURANGO: JENNY
“Bobbi Smith has another winner. This third installment is warm and tender as only Ms. Smith can do…. Ms. Smith’s fans will not be disappointed.”
BRIDES OF DURANGO: TESSA
“Another wonderful read by consummate storyteller Bobbi Smith…. Filled with adventure and romance, more than one couple winds up happily-ever-after in this gem.”
BRIDES OF DURANGO: ELISE
“There’s plenty of action, danger and heated romance as the pages fly by…exactly what fans expect from Bobbi Smith.”
WESTON’S LADY
“Bobbi Smith has penned another winner.”
HALF-BREED’S LADY
