by Kitty Margo
A dark scowl crossed Joshua's handsome features as he watched Suzanne's dripping body leave the water and amble slowly toward him. She eased her slippery arms around his neck, pressed her wet, naked curves against him, and attempted to pull his lips down to hers. He pushed her away more roughly than he had intended.
“Is there a problem, darling?” she whispered huskily, urgently desiring to feel him inside her. “I knew you would appreciate my getting rid of Little Miss Prude so we could be alone.” Reaching for him, she was frustrated once more as Joshua again sidestepped her intended embrace. “It has been such a long time and I know you are as eager for my touch as I am yours.”
“Appreciate it!” he stormed incredulously. “Appreciate the fact that you behaved like a common whore?”
“Whore?” Her face flamed and she took a step back as though she had been struck. “If I behave like a whore, sir, it is because you made me one!”
“Oh, no!” he spat ruthlessly. “You will not blame the loss of your virginity on me. Your wares had been sampled long before I sailed into your life. I was but one of many.” His temper somewhat abated, his voice softened, hoping they could end this on amicable terms. “It was enjoyable for us both while it lasted, Suzanne. But it is over.”
“Over!” she cried. “What are you saying? Over? You cannot mean that! You love me, Joshua. I know you do. I have been patiently awaiting a proposal of marriage!”
“Marriage? Surely, you cannot be serious!’” Of all the fool notions! Hoping not to upset the girl overmuch, he spoke more calmly. “Unfortunately, you were dreadfully mistaken. I never promised you anything other than a good time, and unless I miss my guess, I believe I fulfilled my part of the bargain, Suzanne.”
With rising despair, Suzanne watched him mount his steed and ride away, leaving her naked, dripping, and humiliated beyond words. In search of Lynna, no doubt! She had ruined everything! Suzanne closed her eyes, visualizing Joshua’s hands roaming over Lynna’s more ample curves, whispering sweet words of devotion. That must never happen! She would not lose Joshua, especially to poor white trash like Lynna. Why, the silly girl would not have a single coin to bring to a marriage. And besides, Joshua was the only man in her entire life Suzanne had ever truly coveted. She would not lose him!
Lynna arrived home completely distraught and unobserved, so she was able to slip quietly into her room. Throwing herself on the bed, she silently gazed out the window at the fluffy fields of white and cursed herself for being such a fool.
It was over an hour later when Suzanne arrived home with a wide, satisfied smile and came straightway to her room to gloat. “Lynna, why on earth did you leave in such a fired up tizzy?”
“I saw no reason to stay and watch you degrade yourself, Suzanne.”
“Degrade myself? Hah!” Suzanne’s laughter was keen as she waltzed around the room. “You never cease to amaze me, Lynna. Why, I did not feel degraded at all, quite the contrary. By the way, you have perfect timing. After you left, Joshua joined me for a swim. Then, afterwards we lay down in the sun to…um…dry.”
“Are you saying that you paraded around him without your clothes?” Lynna tried to conceal her shock, as nothing Suzanne did should surprise her anymore.
“Lynna, dear, when will you lose that childhood innocence? It is difficult to satisfy a man, especially one as lusty as my Joshua, while still fully clothed. A real man likes to see what he has in his hands.”
“Suzanne, your behavior is like that of a common whore in the red light district! I cannot believe you could have so little respect for yourself.”
Suzanne's hands clenched tightly by her sides and her breathing became shallow as she heard Lynna call her the very same word Joshua had used earlier. She swallowed the rage boiling in her throat and forced her voice to remain calm. It would never do for Lynna see how upset she truly was. No, she must convince the strumpet that she and Joshua had spent the better part of the afternoon happily ensconced in each other’s arms. “Respect is boring. I choose to spend my life in pursuit of exciting endeavors. With a man like Joshua, what more could a girl wish for?”
She began to undress, shedding her clothes carelessly in a heap on the floor. “He was tremendous today, by the way. I could have happily remained in his arms until morning.” Picking her clothes off the floor with a contented sigh she started for her room in her chemise. “I am going to take a nap. Joshua insists I meet him by the pond again tonight and I have no intention of disappointing him. The man simply cannot seem to get his fill of me.”
As Suzanne closed the door, Lynna could feel only pity for the girl. She sympathized with anyone in love with that devil incarnate, Joshua Jordan.
At breakfast the following morning, Lynna received a chilly reception from Suzanne. Being well accustomed to her vacillating moods, Lynna ignored her intended gibe. “Lynna, didn’t you sleep well, darling? Your eyes seem puffy this morning, almost as if you had been crying.”
“No, not at all. I slept very well, thank you.”
“I think she looks positively ravishing!” Daniel came up to slip his arms around her from behind. “How would you like to take that ride this morning, Lynna? I trust Samuel can spare me and there is no one I would rather spend my day with.”
“I would love to, Daniel! Just give me a moment to change.” She was midway up the stairs before remembering her manners. “Would you care to join us, Suzanne?”
Politely covering a yawn, Suzanne replied, “Not unless you intend to ride on Sea Grove acreage.”
“Sorry, Sis, but we plan to ride on Samuel's property today.”
“Then certainly not.” Suzanne cast a meaningful glance toward Lynna. “I did not get very much sleep at all last night.”
“Suit yourself.” Lynna heard Daniel’s relieved reply as she continued up the stairs.
The land surrounding Cedar Hill was lush green dotted with morning glories and purple heather. “The low-country of South Carolina is beautiful. I see why Samuel never returned to Georgia. Well that, and Beth.”
“It dims in comparison to your beauty.” Daniel brought up the topic she had desperately hoped to avoid today. “Do you have an answer to my marriage proposal, Lynna?”
Slipping from her horse, she bent to pluck a handful of heather. “I must confess I have been so busy lately, I found little time to think...” she blundered.
“Well, whenever you can squeeze it into your busy agenda, slip in a thought of me now and then.”
He attempted to laugh it off, but she saw the effect of her reckless words and rushed to take him into her arms. “Daniel, you know that is not what I meant. I think about you quite often. It’s just that when I get married... and I just do not…”
“You just do not love me,” he finished the sentence for her. The pain was evident in his eyes as his finally admitted the truth to himself. “I could change your mind if you would let me. I could make you happy, Lynna. Please, give me the chance to prove it.” Pulling her roughly against him, he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. But it was useless. “Lynna, what must I do to make you love me?” he cried, when his most heartfelt kiss failed to arouse even the smallest response from her.
The sound of pounding hooves was a welcome interruption. Lynna turned in his arms to see Joshua sitting rigidly in his saddle and watching her intently with an angry countenance. “Pardon the intrusion. Please accept my apology and resume what you were doing.” He jerked the reins and left in a cloud of dust in an effort to keep from strangling the younger, innocent man.
“I wonder what got into him?” Daniel said. “I have never seen him behave so rudely. But here comes Suzanne. If anyone can cheer him up, she can.”
“So, you decided to join us after all?” Lynna smiled tumultuously, thankful that she would not be alone with Daniel.
Evidently, he had other plans. “Suzanne, if you hurry, you can catch up with Joshua.”
“Joshua was here?” She brightened as her eyes darted around, scanning the lan
dscape for any sign of him. “Where? Which way did he go?”
Daniel pointed to where the dust was just settling from Joshua’s abrupt departure. “Toward the pond, but be warned, he was in a huff about something.”
“You have no cause to concern yourself, Daniel Fletcher.” Lynna knew Suzanne’s bright smile was entirely for her benefit. “I can handle Captain Jordan.”
As Suzanne rode off in search of Joshua, and with Daniel’s back turned, Lynna quickly mounted her own steed. “I would like to return home now, Daniel.”
“If you insist. But I was hoping we could find a cool spot under a shade tree and have a few moments alone.”
Unfortunately, that was the last thing she would even consider doing today. “I am sorry, Daniel, but it has become awfully hot and I have developed a simply dreadful headache. Perhaps we could have a picnic another day.”
Chapter Eleven
Lynna was in the parlor a few hours later arranging flowers in a vase when Beth came traipsing down the stairs. “Lynna, those flowers are lovely. How very considerate of you to pick them. I tend to agree with Mary. You really are the sweetest thing.”
“It is but a small token of my gratitude for your gracious hospitality.”
Samuel chose that moment to come bustling through the door. “What have you prepared for the noon day meal, wench? Your husband is ravenous!”
“Samuel Fletcher! What will Lynna think?” Beth giggled merrily as he grabbed her in a passionate embrace and twirled her around.
“She will think the truth, of course, which is that we’re deliriously happy and cannot tolerate being apart.” He gave her a sly wink before adding, “Besides, Joshua observed her and Daniel doing the same thing just this morning.”
The glass flower vase Lynna had been holding crashed to the floor with a loud shattering and water covered the front of her dress. “What did you say?”
“Damn, I did it again,” Samuel whispered to his wife before quickly jumping to Joshua's defense. “Don’t go into conniptions, Lynna. He wasn’t being gossipy or anything,” he assured her, hastening to pick up the flowers and the broken vase before anyone could get cut on one of the shards.
“I certainly cannot think of a better word to describe it. He had no business repeating something that was absolutely none of his concern to begin with! The man should attend to his own affairs and leave mine be!”
“Now, Lynna, just calm down. There is no call to get so riled up. Joshua was simply curious as to … well… what the situation is between you and Daniel.”
“Were you kind enough to inform him it is none of his business?”
“No, but I was kind enough to tell him the truth, which is that Daniel desires you for his wife. But he knew that already. He was actually inquiring about your feelings toward my brother.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“That I honestly could not say.” Samuel laid the chunks of broken glass on the sideboard and moved to stand before her. He placed his hands on Lynna's trembling shoulders and gazed into her deep, blue eyes. “If I am not mistaken, my little brother has some stiff competition for your affections, Lynna.”
Lynna was still far from forgiving Joshua for meddling in her affairs. “Let me assure you, Samuel, Daniel has no cause for alarm where Joshua Jordan is concerned.”
The front door slammed and all eyes turned to see a glowing Suzanne. Lynna's ire died immediately in her throat as she witnessed her satisfied smile. “Evidently, you found Joshua?”
Suzanne bestowed upon her an expression of pure bliss. “Actually, we found each other.” Shaking her head she put a finger to her lips and whispered, “Come upstairs.”
Lynna climbed the stairs with mounting dread. Why did the thought of Suzanne and Joshua together rip at her heart so?
When Lynna entered her bedchamber, Suzanne rushed to close the door, then flung herself on the bed. As if in a trance, she fabricated a detailed lie for Lynna’s benefit reveling in the immense pain it caused her. And Lynna never guessed that each and every word was false.
“I was cantering down the road, the one that Daniel had indicated. I had not gone far when I noticed Joshua standing beside his horse, deep in thought. Quietly, I slipped from my horse and went to join him. He seemed terribly out of sorts about something, as Daniel had alluded. I was about to ask what was nettling him.” She stopped and a dazzling smile curved her lips. “But almost before I knew what was happening, he was pulling me into his arms and kissing me like a man absolutely starved.”
“Suzanne, what you and Joshua do holds no interest for me.” Lynna used her most convincing tone, but they both knew she was lying through her teeth.
“Oh, Lynna, I do love the man so! He makes me feel so…alive.” She grabbed a feather pillow, clutching it to her breast. “And I am sure he loves me as well. He could never make love to me with such passion if he did not return my love.”
“Oh, believe me! Yes, he could!” The words were out before she even realized she had spoken them.
“You are just jealous!” Suzanne stormed, leaping from the bed to stand in front of Lynna with eyes blazing. “You want him for yourself. A blind person could see that. But you will never take him! Never, Lynna! Do you hear me?”
Lynna opened the door to leave, but glancing over her shoulder, she felt nothing but loathing for the girl. “To be perfectly honest, I would imagine the field hands heard your little display of temper. Be advised, Suzanne, I do not want your Captain Jordan.” Lynna had taken so much abuse and insult from Suzanne over the past three years; now she had the perfect opportunity for a little payback and she was angry enough to mete it out. “However, be forewarned on this one point, Suzanne. We both know that if I wanted Joshua Jordan, I could easily have him.”
She casually strolled from the room, having finally succeeded in delivering to Suzanne her comeuppance and, for once, leaving her at a loss for words. Now her eyes flew open as her aunt shook her from her afternoon nap. “Lynna, honey, wake up. Captain Jordan was here with an invitation for dinner.”
“What! But I...we cannot possible go!” The mere thought of spending an evening with the man caused her entire being to quake. How could her betraying body react to him in such a way when she knew him to be nothing more than a heartless philanderer who used women without a care? She had no intention of becoming his next conquest, again. “You go ahead without me, please. I don’t feel up to visiting today. I would rather remain here and keep Bethany Breanne entertained.”
“Nonsense!” Judith's hands on her face forced Lynna to meet her eyes. “You have just as much chance as Suzanne does, actually a better one.”
“Aunt Judith, what on earth are you talking about?” Lynna cried, extremely puzzled. Sitting up, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and wondered if she was dreaming. Her aunt could not possibly know her true feelings. Could she? “A better chance at what?”
“Why, Captain Jordan, of course. He is a very handsome man, dear,” she replied, going to the armoire. “I have seen the way your eyes sparkle at the mere mention of his name, and you cannot deny he is attracted to you.” She brought out a lovely gown of peach silk and carefully spread it across the bed. “If you want him, go after him and do not let anything stand in your way.”
Evidently, by anything, she meant Suzanne. “But I do not want him, Aunt Judith.” And if you knew him for the rake he truly is you would not be trying to push me into his arms.
“Of course you do, any woman would. Now hurry, your bath water is getting tepid.”
Shocked clear to her bones by her aunt’s words, Lynna soaked in a hot tub until her skin was a becoming shade of pink, then sat at her dressing table brushing her hair until it shone, still unresolved as to how to style it. Pulling it atop her head, she tied it loosely with a velvet ribbon, allowing the tiny tendrils to frame her face. That should do. On impulse she added a small amount of kohl to her eyelids and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Who was she trying to impress?
After completing her toilette, she slipped into a sheer lacy chemise. Next she stepped into the peach colored gown trimmed with ecru lace that she and her aunt had only recently completed, with the delicate folds of material enhancing her every curve. Satisfied with her appearance, she pecked on the door between her room and her aunt’s. “Aunt Judith, would you fasten my gown, please?” Would you fasten my gown, please? Those remembered words caused a shiver to rush down her spine.
“Certainly.” Judith entered the room with ample pride glowing in her eyes. “You look beautiful, darling.”
“Thank you, but we both know you are not an impartial judge.” She smiled fondly. “Most of my so-called beauty is in your eyes only.”
“We shall see. You just keep an eye on Captain Jordan's face when you enter the room.”
“Oh, Aunt Judith, for heaven’s sakes. Where do you get these ideas?”
An hour later, Judith and Lynna descended the staircase together, greeted by a chorus of whistles from Daniel and Samuel. “You ladies are positively breathtaking!”
“Are there any compliments left for your own sister?” Suzanne floated down the stairs in a cloud of emerald green chiffon. Her hair was also pinned atop her head, but unlike Lynna's shimmering curls, Suzanne's raven locks were straight and lacked the added effect of the short, bouncy tendrils falling to softly accentuate her face. Brilliant emeralds dripped from her ears to caress her neck. She gloated in the knowledge that she would outshine Lynna, one way or another.
As Silas and Mary joined them, Daniel remarked, “Father, I would say we have the pleasure of escorting four of the most lovely ladies in all of Charleston tonight.” Lynna was confused by Daniel's animated banter. She had dreaded having to face him after their talk that morning. However, he didn’t seem in the least disturbed by their earlier discourse, actually he seemed to be in good spirits. She had that much to be thankful for.
Daniel smiled bravely for Lynna’s benefit, but Suzanne knew his soul was tortured as she recalled their discussion earlier. “You realize that Joshua has developed an apparent infatuation for Lynna, don’t you, Daniel? Believe me, the fact leaves me quite mystified, when he could have me instead. I am sure his choice leaves you as perplexed as it does me, dear brother. At any rate, if you continue to behave like such an incompetent wimp, Joshua will succeed in snatching Lynna out from under your nose, leaving us both in the cold!”
