by Bobbi Smith
“Oh, Matthew…” she cried. “Can you really mean it? You love me and you want to marry me?”
“I mean it, love. I’ve never felt this way before, and I know I’ll never feel this way again. I love you, darling. I will forever.” He murmured the last against the softness of her hair, and he felt the tension drain from him at her answer.
“I love you, too, Matthew, and there’s nothing I’d like more than to be your wife.”
Matt held her slightly away from him to look down at her. Never in his life had anyone possessed his devotion more completely. Faith was the woman of his dreams…the woman some men would search their entire lives for and never find. Matt had found her, and he never intended to let her go.
They came together in a rush of passion, their mouths meeting and blending, their hearts beating as one. Only the sound of Ruth clearing her throat in the doorway forced them apart.
“Faith…Matthew…” Her tone was reprimanding, and Matt jumped to his feet, embarrassed at having forgotten in his joy where they were and what they were about.
“Mrs. Hammond, my apologies. “I…we…well, I have just proposed to Faith and she’s accepted, and I suppose, in the moment, we forgot ourselves.”
“What?” Ruth was completely dumbstruck. She had hoped from the beginning that there might be a future for these two, but she had not planned on it. If there was anything she’d learned from life, it was to take what happiness you could while you could.
Faith came to her feet, too, and she took Matt’s hand. “Yes, Mother, Matthew has proposed and I’ve accepted.”
Ruth looked from one to the other, reading the love and happiness in their faces, and she smiled, moving into the room to kiss her daughter and hug Matt. “That’s wonderful.”
“I had hoped you would feel that way, Mrs. Hammond,” Matt told her as he looked down at his future bride, his eyes alight with the depth of love he felt for her.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Ruth was glowing. “I think you’re a wonderful man, and I also think you love my daughter very much.”
“Indeed I do, ma’am,” he replied.
“Have you discussed the wedding yet?”
“No, Mother. Matthew had only just proposed when you came in,” Faith answered, and then blushed as she remembered the kiss her mother had witnessed. “Matthew?”
“As soon as possible,” he told them enthusiastically.
“Will you be wanting a big wedding?” Ruth asked cautiously. She expected that Matt might be wanting a splendid wedding and reception befitting his status in life, and the thought troubled her. There was no way she could afford more than the simplest of celebrations.
“I think that’s something we have to talk about. There are things I have to tell you that need to be discussed,” he told them seriously.
Again Faith was puzzled by his tone and she drew him back down on the sofa beside her. “What do you have to tell us, Matt? It sounds important.”
“I’m afraid it is, but it’s not going to stop us.”
“What?” Both women were attentive.
“As you both know, I am here with my brother, Noah.”
“Yes, you told us about him….” Faith urged him on.
“Well, Noah and I have had a falling out, and I’m not completely sure what my status is right now.”
“I don’t understand. What did you have a fight about?”
Matt sighed as his expression grew troubled. “It’s a long story that began in England many months ago. You know that my father died recently.”
“Yes…”
“When he died he left enormous debts that had to be settled against the estate.”
“Oh no…” Faith was immediately sympathetic. “Did you lose everything?”
He smiled weakly. “Not everything, but almost. We still have two good vessels left and a small inheritance from our mother’s estate.”
“Your mother is dead also?”
“Yes, she died some years ago. Anyway, Noah was more affected by the losses than I was. It devastated him to see our family’s holdings stripped away.” He shook his head sadly. “Noah changed.”
“How so?”
“We got along marvelously until this happened. The loss of all he held dear seemed to destroy him, and he suddenly became almost obsessed with the need to reclaim our heritage.”
“I can understand his feelings,” Faith said with empathy.
“I can, too, but there comes a time when maybe it would be better to start anew, start over fresh—throw out the past and look to the future. That’s what I want to do. I like the colonies, I like Boston. I can see how a man with drive and ambition can make a comfortable living for himself.”
“And Noah?”
“Noah wants to make as much money as he can, as quickly as he can, and then return to England.”
“Have you told him how you feel?”
“Yes, and that’s when we argued. He doesn’t want me to stay behind. He wants me to go back with him, but that’s when I told him that his dreams were his, not mine.”
“I’m sorry.” Faith’s eyes were upon him with love and understanding.
Matt tried to shrug, as if it meant nothing to him, but he wasn’t convincing. The pain in his eyes was too evident. “I’ve tried to talk with him about staying here, but he refused to even consider it.”
“Matthew, why don’t you invite him here to dinner for a small celebration?” Faith offered, looking to her mother for support for the invitation.
“We would love to meet him,” Ruth agreed, “and this is the perfect opportunity.”
“I would like that, and I think he would, too,” Matt responded.
“Then it’s settled. Why don’t we plan on next Sunday? That way Ben can join us, too.”
“It sounds wonderful…and the wedding?” Matt turned again to Faith.
“In two weeks?” she suggested eagerly, not wanting to delay their marriage any longer than necessary.
“Two weeks…” Matt agreed.
“Lord Radcliffe?” Knowing how her mistress felt about him, Peggy was surprised to see Geoffrey, and her voice reflected her reaction.
“May I come in?” Geoffrey asked in his most arrogant manner as he strode past the diminutive maid and glanced up the staircase in the direction of Eve’s chamber. “Is Eve here?”
“Well…um…”
“Is she at home or isn’t she?” he demanded, his gaze frosty upon her.
“If you’ll wait in the sitting room, I’ll get her for you.” Peggy directed him toward the parlor and then raced up the back steps to her mistress’s room.
Eve was sitting at her dressing table brushing out her hair when Peggy knocked at the door. She found the intrusion annoying, for she had given orders earlier that she didn’t want to be bothered so she could spend the day totally wrapped up in her thoughts of Noah and the future she believed they had together.
“What is it?” Her tone was sharp with irritation.
“It’s me, ma’am, Peggy….” Aware that Eve had wanted to be undisturbed, she opened the door only a crack and peeked inside.
“Yes, I gathered that. What do you want?”
“It’s Lord Radcliffe, ma’am. He’s downstairs, and he wants to see you.”
“Geoffrey…” Eve remarked more to herself than to Peggy. “All right. Tell him I’ll be down shortly. Give him a drink or something.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will.”
When Peggy had gone, Eve quickly styled her hair back into a sedate bun and then stood up to straighten her skirts. Originally, after setting her sights on Kincade, Eve had sought to end all intimacies with Geoffrey, but she was now thinking better of the idea. Kincade’s refusal to bed her had pleased her emotionally but left her decidedly hungry for a man. While she wanted no future with Geoffrey, she certainly wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to enjoy his sensual company, if he was so disposed. A small, cunning smile curved her perfect lips as she thought of how easy it would be to seduce Ge
offrey, and she started downstairs with just that goal in mind.
“Geoffrey, darling…” Eve swept into the parlor with all her usual aplomb, and she was thrilled to see the spark of desire in his eyes as he came to his feet.
“Eve…” Geoffrey’s cool tone belied the heat of his gaze as he greeted her.
“I’m so glad you dropped by,” she told him with saccharine sweetness as they both sat down on the sofa.
“Really?” he drawled in mocking disbelief. “Somehow I hadn’t thought you would be.”
“Come now, Geoffrey.” Eve tapped his arm in a light, flirtatious manner. “Whatever can you mean?”
Geoffrey knew Eve very well, and he did not appreciate her using her artful, manipulative ways on him. It tested his already sore temper, and he grabbed her hand in a viselike grip.
“I believe you know what I mean, Eve.” His words were a low, threatening growl as his hold on her tightened.
“Geoffrey…what do you want?” Eve’s eyes widened slightly as his grip became painful. She struggled to pull free, but her efforts were to no avail.
His gaze raked over her lasciviously before he answered in a deceptively casual tone, “I’ve merely stopped by for a visit.” He released her abruptly.
Eve eyed him cautiously as she rubbed her wrist. She had never seen this unpredictable side of Geoffrey before, and she was startled by it. Always in the past he’d been malleable and quite easy to influence, but today…today there was something very ominous about him. In a strange way, it excited her even as it frightened her.
“Would you care for another drink?” she offered, seeing his half-filled glass on the table.
“No. I didn’t come here to drink, Eve, and you know it. Why do you feel it necessary to play coy with me?”
“I’m hardly playing coy with you, Geoffrey,” Eve answered with as much indignation as she could muster.
“I wish that were true, my sweet, but I’ve seen and heard enough for myself lately to know exactly where your interests now lie….” He stressed the last word with snide meaning.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” She was deliberately evasive.
“Your portrayal of innocence is not amusing, Eve.” His gaze was hooded as he regarded her. “You made every effort to avoid me at the Demorests’ ball, and then you left with Noah Kincade. The two of you have also shared a dinner assignation here just the other evening. I may be many things, darling, but I am no fool.”
“I never thought you were.” Eve was finding his manner far too overbearing.
He laughed harshly at her answer. “Come now, my dear, you tried to make a fool of me, and I’m here to let you know that you’ve failed. If I want you, Eve, I’ll take you, and if I decide I don’t want you anymore, then I’ll be the one to end it. Do you understand me?”
She stared at him in silent wonder. Could this be the same Geoffrey who only several weeks ago had scurried to do whatever she asked? Had her flirtation with Kincade changed him so?
“I take it by your silence that you do understand.” He put an arm about her waist and drew her closer.
Eve was mesmerized by his more forceful personality, and she did not try to resist him.
“I think it’s important that you know I don’t share what is mine with anyone, and you, my precious Eve, are mine!”
His mouth ground down on hers in a brutal assault that left no doubt in her mind as to his emotions. He was furious with her, and he was here to prove to himself and to her that she was still his.
A short time before Eve would have fought his domination, but she found this new, assertive Geoffrey much more appealing. Since she knew Kincade wouldn’t be coming to her bed any time soon, she hungrily accepted his kiss, her arms slipping around his neck to entice him even closer.
Geoffrey was caught totally off guard by her response. He had expected her to fight…to argue…to refuse his advances, but instead she was submitting to him almost eagerly. Having temporarily lost his element of anger and vengeance in the face of her surrender, he softened his kiss to a more coaxing, tantalizing exchange.
“Geoffrey…it’s been so long….” Eve invited when they broke apart for a moment. “Let’s go up to my room, where we won’t run the risk of being interrupted.”
She took his hand, and together they left the room with one thing and one thing only on both of their minds.
It was a long time later that they lay together, limbs intertwined on the wide softness of her bed. Sex between them had always been inventive and satisfying, but today there had been a new element to their coming together…the element of provocation.
Despite his deceptively calm demeanor, once Geoffrey had gotten her into bed, he’d been completely determined to control her. She had taunted him with her interest in Kincade, and Geoffrey was now resolved to prove to her that he was the better man. He knew her body as well as he knew his own, and he’d played upon her senses until she’d been crying out for him to satisfy her needs. Even then he’d refrained from giving her what she had so craved and had teased her with his body until she nearly fainted from the power of her desire. Only when she had completely surrendered to his will did he finally take her to the heights of ecstasy.
The moment of domination had given Geoffrey a supreme sense of power more stimulating than any sexual adventure they had ever shared. He’d held himself in restraint until the last possible second, enjoying the thrill of conquering her body as long as he could before seeking his own release.
Eve lay sated and relaxed beneath Geoffrey. They had always gone on well together, but what had happened between them just now had been different from anything she’d ever experienced, and she wasn’t quite sure if she’d truly enjoyed it or not. Geoffrey had mastered her. There was no other way she could describe it, and even as his caress had aroused, it had also degraded. His demanding, insistent touch had left her with no will of her own. She had been mindless in her need, and the discovery that he could reduce her to that left her unsure of herself. She was the one used to being in control.
Geoffrey braced himself above her on his elbows and smiled down at her in triumph as he began to move within her.
“Geoffrey?” Eve was amazed to find that he was ready for her again.
“Ah, yes, my dear. We have a lot of time to make up for and a lot of things to talk about….”
“We do?” The question was a gasp as he rolled, bringing her above him, his hands commandingly on her hips as he guided her movements.
“Most assuredly,” Geoffrey answered, his eyes glittering as he thought of her in this same position with Kincade. “Did you know how dangerous it is for you to be involved with Kincade?”
“I’m not involved with Kincade.” She tried to deny her desire for the other man, but he wasn’t believing it.
“Don’t lie to me, Eve. I’ve known you far too long. I’m sure he’s been in your bed, sharing your favors….” His hands on her tightened painfully and she cried out.
“You’re hurting me….”
“Good,” he snarled, his mouth twisting into a hate-filled smile. “You deserve far worse…. And perhaps I shouldn’t tell you what I know, but I am not finished with you yet.”
His hands swept up from her hips to squeeze and knead her breasts. When he could tell that she was beginning to enjoy his caresses, he stopped.
“This time, you please me, Eve….” he ordered, and Eve, eager for more, started to move excitedly.
Her hands were everywhere upon him, fondling, caressing, touching, and Geoffrey responded in kind when his desires grew to a fever pitch. Pivoting again, he brought her beneath him and thrust powerfully into her until together they reached the pinnacle of delight. They drifted slowly back to reality, aware of little save the heat of their bodies and the harsh rasping of their breathing as the excitement waned.
Exhausted and weak, Eve lay quietly against Geoffrey, wondering at the strength of her response to his torrid lovemaking. Never before in all the time the
y’d been together had he been so overwhelmingly sensual, and she smiled in satisfaction.
“Eve.” He rose above her to stare down at her, his features cold and remote.
The warmth she had been feeling died as she met his gaze. “Yes?” Her tone was soft and unsure, and it pleased Geoffrey to know that she was disquieted.
“You will not see Kincade anymore,” he ordered.
It was a command that angered her. Who did he think he was? True, he might share her bed, but he was not her husband and had no claim on her.
She responded stiffly as she tried to move away from him. “You don’t own me, Geoffrey, and I can see whomever I want!”
“I had never thought you to be stupid, Eve,” he remarked derogatorily as he watched her climb from the bed to stand glaring at him, her hands on her hips. He studied her with an almost clinical detachment, his eyes visually caressing the pale beauty of her breasts and thighs. Eve was a vitally beautiful woman, and he knew he had to have her for his very own.
“You dare to call me stupid?” she gasped, and he gave a careless lift of his shoulders.
“It would seem so, if you insist on continuing to see Kincade. You see, I have some very private information about him that, once revealed, might ruin him forever.” He watched Eve’s expression as he spoke. “I’m certain that you wouldn’t want to be caught up in all the ugliness once it comes out.”
“What kind of information?” she asked skeptically.
Geoffrey chuckled evilly. “Do you think that I would reveal all to you? Surely you give me credit for more intelligence than that! Why, if I told you now, I have no doubt that you would run to your other lover with the news just as soon as I leave you.”
That had been Eve’s original intention, but now she hesitated. Supposing Geoffrey was right…. What if Noah was involved in something terrible? Did she dare risk everything to continue to pursue him, or did she give him up now, while she was still safe? Her dilemma was very real, for she wanted Noah very badly, but she knew she could not let Geoffrey know the truth of her feelings. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she considered all the angles.
“Despite what you may think, Geoffrey, I have never made love to Noah Kincade.” Though it was not from a lack of trying on her part, she felt positive that she could use that bit of information now to her advantage. Slowly she moved sinuously back toward the bed, aware that his eyes were upon her.
