Fire and Ice

by Hart, Catherine

  “And just where did you learn about steamboats, wife of mine?”

  “I keep my ears open. Lots of things are discussed in front of women when men don’t think they are listening. Most of the time I suspect you think we are too stupid to understand what is said, but we absorb more than you realize.”

  “So I’m discovering,” he chuckled. Then, before she knew what he was about, he drew her closer and lowered his lips to hers. Instinctively she stiffened, but his lips were so warm, and the kiss so tender, that she relaxed in his arms and opened her lips to his gently probing tongue. A sigh escaped her as she raised her arms to lock them about his neck. A tingling warmth crept through her as his kiss deepened with desire. His palm caressed her breast through the fabric of her blouse and she shivered and pressed closer to him, her head spinning as he awakened her sleeping passions.

  When he drew back from her, it was with reluctance. “As you pointed out, kitten, we can be seen from the house, or else I would take you here and now.” His blue eyes sparkled playfully the next moment. “Perhaps I shall anyway,” he teased as he attempted to draw her near once more. “After all, it is my birthday.”

  “You will not, you randy rogue!” she squealed as she wriggled in his arms. “You’ve had your birthday kiss.”

  “You miserly woman! Is that all I get?” he exclaimed in mock despair.

  “For now. ” Her emerald eyes danced. “I have a gift for you which you can unwrap later,” she stated demurely.

  “That is not what I meant, and you well know it, temptress. The gift I desire is wrapped in golden skin as smooth as satin, with coppery hair as soft as silk and accented with emerald eyes as green as the hills of Ireland.” His voice was as soft as velvet and husky with feeling, and his eyes were the darker blue they always became when he desired her.

  “Come to me again tonight, Kat.”

  Choked by her own yearning, she could only nod her assent.

  Kathleen dressed with care for Reed’s birthday party. From her closet she removed the latest of Mrs. Fitz’s creations. Again the daring design was Kathleen’s idea, but the beautiful handiwork was Mrs. Fitz’s. For a moment she debated whether to don the gown, then she waved away her doubts and rang for Mammy.

  With the old woman’s help, her hair was pulled back from her face and into a high knot atop her head. From there fell a long, thick coil that draped itself across her shoulder. Next she slipped into the gown. It was in the Grecian style, coming up over one shoulder and leaving the other completely bare. The shoulder clasp was of gold and secured a length of the sheerest silk that fell to drape one arm. The material of the dress itself was layer upon layer of filmy gold-colored silk. It sported a deeper gold taffeta sash and fell from there in smooth folds that draped her hips and long legs and made the viewer wish the material were even more diaphanous. In the shimmering, flowing gold gown, combined with the hairstyle, she looked like a Greek goddess come to life.

  From her plunder, she had also taken a plain gold arm band which she clasped firmly about the upper part of her bare arm. About her neck she wore the emerald and diamond choker Reed had presented to her.

  Mammy was aghast. “You cain’t go down der in dat! Land o’ goshen gal, yo is next to nakid! Whut is yo’ thinkin’ ob?”

  Kathleen viewed herself in her mirror. The dress was indeed most daring, but so was she. Facing Mammy, she said, “I most certainly do intend to wear it. All of Europe is patterning itself after the Empress Josephine’s manner of dress. If it is good enough for her, it’s good enough for me!”

  Mammy walked out muttering, “It's heathen, dat’s whut ’tis, jes’ heathen!”

  Kathleen looked after her with a smile.

  She waited deliberately until she knew most of the guests had arrived. Just as she was about to leave her room, she heard a rap on the door.

  “Kat, are you coming down?” Reed opened the door and stood gasping. Momentarily he was awestruck. His eyes shone with desire as they traveled the length of her. When he finally found his voice, he said reverently, “You are a vision, Kat, a golden love goddess. Every time I think I am accustomed to your beauty, you amaze me anew.”

  Kathleen pirouetted before him and said with an impish grin, “Mammy says I’m a heathen.”

  “Then I am addicted to heathens, my pet. Come.” He offered his arm. “Let’s join the party.”

  Suddenly unsure, she hung back. At his questioning look, she said, “Perhaps Mammy was right. It is a bit daring and I wouldn’t want to cause you embarrassment before your friends.”

  His arms encircled her waist. “I am positive, darling. I am proud to have the most exquisite creature in Savannah at my side. After all,” he added, “if I had wanted a plain, docile, unimaginative woman I would have married long ago.”

  Kathleen was the talk of Savannah the day after the supper party, and within a week Mrs. Fitz was besieged with orders for gowns such as Lady Haley might wear. Once again the great green bug of jealousy bit savagely at Amy.

  Throughout the evening, Reed, although courteous to all, paid court only to Kathleen. When he unwrapped his gift from her he was astounded.

  “Kat, this is the most remarkable gift. It looks exactly like the Kat-Ann.”

  “Well I hope so, as it is an exact replica,” she informed him.

  “But how did you come by it? I don’t understand.”

  “A friend made it and I convinced him to sell it to me. Actually, he was a friend of my father’s. He’s very good, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Indeed! Does your friend have a name?” He eyed her cautiously.

  “He doesn’t care for fame and you really shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Next you’ll be wanting to know how much it cost.”

  “You probably did spend overmuch, but I can’t fault you for it. It is a unique gift, and I thank you. I shall treasure it always.”

  “You may, but I’m quite sure whoever has to dust it will soon grow to loathe the thing,” she laughed.

  “Since you purchased it, you should have that job,” Ted teased.

  “No, thank you. I respectfully decline. I claim a delicate wrist,” she bantered lightly.

  “Ah, maimed since birth, I expect.” Reed’s eyes danced with brilliance as he joined the fun. “It’s my opinion you have had a spoiled childhood, that being your sole malady.”

  Kathleen tapped his chest lightly with her fan. “You, sir, are fortunate I am so delicate, or I would surely call you out for that remark.” She smiled up at him through her lashes.

  “Oh-no!” he exclaimed. “Are you denying then that you are spoiled?”

  “Not at all.” She fluttered her fan before her face. “It is merely improper for you to say so. Your good manners are slipping dreadfully, sir!”

  “My apologies, madam!” he continued playfully. “Perhaps you could tutor me in your spare time.”

  Their eyes met, green and blue, full of mirth, and neither could hold back their laughter.

  They were still laughing hours later as they romped playfully in his huge bed. “Shh!” Kathleen giggled. “You’ll have the entire household awake!”

  His chest shook beneath her cheek as he attempted to stifle his rumbling laughter. “I might be able to stop laughing if you would quit tickling me, my sweet.”

  “Dreadfully sorry, Captain,” she answered in her best English accent as she saluted smartly.

  Fresh chuckles broke forth before he silenced her with a kiss. “You have had too much champagne this evening, Kat. I believe you are intoxicated.”

  “What a dreadful thing to say!” She paused to stare haughtily at him. Then the corners of her mouth struggled with a grin. “Even if it is the truth!”

  Much, much later he sighed contentedly as he stroked her disheveled hair. She lay asleep, curled up against his warm body, a slight smile still upon her lips.

  “My beautiful kitten,” he whispered, and closed his eyes in sleep.

  Much to Reed’s dismay and anger, the next da
y brought an unwelcome change in his life. The fall social season was starting, and the Bakers were moving back to their home in Savannah. That meant Kathleen would no longer be conveniently at Chimera.

  At the news he charged up to Kathleen’s rooms, bursting into her bedroom, not bothering to knock. A little housemaid was packing Kathleen’s trunk. A quick look around told him Kathleen was not there.

  “Where is she?” he demanded gruffly.

  “Miss Kafleen go to Miss ’Lenore’s room, massa.” The girl stood quietly wondering why the master was always upset these days.

  “Unpack these things and put them away,” he ordered.

  A swish of skirts behind him alerted him to her presence even before she spoke. “Just one minute, Reed Taylor! Let the poor girl get on with her work. We must be ready to leave after lunch.”

  He swung around to glare at her. “You are not going.”

  Sweeping past him into the room, she answered, “Oh, but I am!”

  She stood with her back to him, clutching the edge of the desk as she fought for control. A thousand thoughts raced through her brain as they had since news of the move had been brought to her by Mammy with her coffee. Part of her wanted to stay near Reed, the other part warned against such softness. Her path was mapped, and she could not allow him to make her falter.

  “It is for the best, Reed,” she said softly.

  He came to stand behind her, his hands upon her shoulders. “How can it be best to have you away from me? How long are you going to keep this up, Kat? I know I promised you, but when are you going to see the folly of all this? What good does it do either of us? Wouldn’t it be better for both of us to get on with our lives—together?”

  She turned toward him, pushing his arms away. Looking at the young maid, she said, “Please leave that for now. I’ll call you when I need you again.”

  When the girl was gone, she looked at Reed. “I’m going to Savannah, Reed. I’ll not stay here with you. I’ll not be your chattel, your faithful lap dog, your obedient bedmate. I’ve told you that before.”

  “Since when has being my bedmate become distasteful to you, Kat?” He leered. “It must be since this morning, for last night you were moaning and thrashing beneath me and begging me for more.”

  At her belligerent face, he warned her, “If you deny it, you’re a hypocritical little liar. You enjoyed it and we both know it! What is more, you’ll miss it.” He motioned toward the door. “Go ahead, Kat. Leave! Go to Savannah and think of me when you awaken in the lonely dark night and I’m not there to hold you and warm you. And when you are restless and can’t sleep, recall how we have passed the hours together. When your body betrays your stubborn mind and aches for mine, remember the passion we’ve shared.”

  “Stop it, Reed!” Kathleen nearly shrieked the words at him. Her hands clasped over her ears, she fled the room.

  She did not appear for lunch and no one knew where she had gone. Just as the final bags were loaded onto the carriage, she came bounding into the yard astride Zeus.

  One look at the windblown girl with her flying hair, flushed face, and unusual outfit, and Barbara almost fell from the carriage. “My stars!” she exclaimed, clutching at her bosom. “You’re wearing breeches!” Mammy’s eyes were as large as silver dollars.

  Eleanore was the only one not upset by Kathleen’s appearance. Her brown eyes glimmered with suppressed laughter as she viewed the gaping onlookers. Ted looked as if the goddess Diana had just appeared in flesh and blood, and Reed was glowering in dark anger, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. Susan stood beside her mother and looked unable to decide whether to idolize Kathleen or to be embarrassed for her. William looked away, thoroughly scandalized.

  Amy was the first to recover. “Ladies do not ride astride in men’s breeches, cousin!” She threw her nose so high in the air that if it had chosen to rain at that moment she would have drowned. “How dare you flaunt yourself like that!”

  “I dare because it pleases me to do so.” Kathleen’s voice held a cool, deadly tone that made Reed shiver involuntarily. He had heard such voices as that at the other end of a loaded pistol. She eyed them all with the haughty air of royalty.

  Eleanore felt the inane urge to curtsy as Kathleen’s gaze reached her. “Eleanore, have all my things been packed?”

  “Everything.”

  “Fine. I’d invite you to join me, but you could not keep my pace today.” Her cool green gaze took in the other travelers. “I’ll see you later at the townhouse.”

  She whirled her horse about and charged down the drive. A few yards away, she reined in sharply, causing Zeus to rear up in an effort to meet her command. Without looking back, Kathleen called out, “Ted, you may join me if you wish.”

  The ever-eager Ted responded like a bassett after a bone. Always in awe of his beautiful cousin, he was newly amazed at this strange, defiant mood of hers today. They raced down the drive together, leaving the others dumbfounded.

  “What has gotten into that girl?” William questioned, shaking his head.

  “I’ll be double damned!” Reed said half to himself. “Lady Haley in all her glory!”

  “I must have a talk with that young woman, William,” Barbara sighed. “She has more of her mother in her than I’d guessed. Edward must be spinning in his grave!”

  “Not gwine to be able to speak to her foah long,” Mammy muttered. “She gwine bust her neck if n she ride lak dat of n ’nuff. Ride lak de debil afta’ her.”

  Eleanore gave Reed a long look as she seated herself in the carriage. “You are so right, Mammy, but can he catch her?”

  No one knew quite how to deal with Kathleen after that. Barbara tried to talk to her and was politely ignored. Mammy tried to shame her and got nothing but a wry grin for her efforts. She listened to Mary’s advice and Kate’s warnings, but said nothing.

  Kathleen did not go out of her way to embarrass her family. Indeed, she behaved most properly, but the vivacious young girl they had come to know was gone overnight. In her place was Savannah’s new ice queen. She maintained a cool, aloof attitude and her bearing was positively regal. She let everyone know that she would do, say, come, and go as she pleased, and they could like it or not; it mattered little to her. She created such an imposing figure that soon the elite society of Savannah was deferring to her, rather than the other way around. What Kathleen wore became the fashion; her hairstyles were copied overnight, her likes and dislikes were noted and religiously adhered to. Eleanore laughingly told Kathleen that if she shaved off all her hair and strolled bald through the streets, the next day all of Savannah would reflect the sunlight from their hairless pates.

  Wherever she went, her favorite foods and drinks were served, her favorite music played. Her name topped everyone’s guest list, and each hostess tried to outdo the next. It was the most exciting social season Savannah had known in years.

  Reed was conspicuously absent from her side for nearly two weeks. He had stayed at Chimera when Mary and Susan had moved into the Baker’s for the season. When he finally showed up, he was amazed to find the changes that had occurred.

  Once again Kathleen was surrounded by the eligible male population of Savannah. They hung on her every word, fought one another for the privilege of a dance or to escort her to dinner, and nearly groveled for a mere smile from her lips. If she made mention of a favorite author or poet, the next day found scores of books pouring in from ardent admirers. Once she mistakenly mentioned her preference for roses, and for a week the house resembled a funeral parlor. So much candy arrived that if she had eaten it all she would have outweighed Mammy and been indistinguishable beneath the blemishes.

  Through it all Kathleen remained outwardly poised and aloof. She found it ridiculous and vaguely amusing. She was constantly attending parties and other functions, and smiled her way graciously from one to the other, being at once congenial and yet somehow above it all. Rarely did she laugh outright anymore, or tease her suitors in a girlish fashion. It was
as if she were the crown jewels—beautiful, glowing, and coveted, but cold, unattainable, and untouched by human emotions.

  Only Eleanore, who now shared Kathleen’s bedroom, knew differently. Only she knew that once the door closed for the night, once the jewels were put away and the gowns hung up, the much sought-after ice queen of Savannah cried bitter tears into her pillow.

  After the first few days, Ted cornered her. “Kathy, I don’t know what happened to make you change like this—”

  “Change?” she cut in shortly.

  “Yes. Oh, you still do the same things, but you don’t laugh anymore. You don’t seem to enjoy anything anymore. Your lips smile, but your eyes don’t.” He paused to look at her in concern. “Do you know what they call you now?”

  “Lord only knows, Ted.”

  “The ice queen. Oh, you intrigue them. Your reserve draws them like flies. Each man wants to be the one to thaw you out.” He gazed at her in dismay. “You don’t need to explain to me if you don’t want to, Kathy, but if I can help in any way—”

  “You are adorable, Ted.” She took his hands in hers and smiled sadly. “No one can help, but don’t worry yourself about me.”

  “I do worry. You don’t have fun anymore. If you were a man I’d drag you along with me when I go out with the fellows. I’d take you to some establishments down by the docks and we’d drink and gamble till dawn. But you’re a lady and so I can’t help you.”

  Kathleen’s eyes suddenly lit up dangerously. “Oh, but you can! You can take me along anyway!” He’d finally sparked her interest.

  Ted was appalled. “You can’t be serious! Ladies aren’t allowed in places like that. I’m talking about brothels, Kathy!” His face turned beet red.

  “Do you always gamble in brothels? Isn’t there someplace else just a wee bit more acceptable? I’ve no wish to rub elbows with ladies of the evening, but I would dearly love to try my luck. Why, in London they have some very discreet places where lords and ladies can enter to gamble. They usually require masks. Ladies must have escorts, and generally you have to know someone to get in, but they exist.”