Reed gave her a mocking bow. “By all means, dearest, and please wear something stunning. I would hate to have my reputation ruined by escorting a frump to the opera.” He leered at her.
“You pompous, overbearing offspring of a skunk!” she snarled as she stamped away, trying to block out his laughter.
Reed chuckled loudly and thought, “Ah, yes, that is more like my old Kat! All fangs and claws. Welcome back, my little spitfire! Farewell, ice maiden!”
Jean and Eleanore joined Reed, Kathleen, and the others in the family box at the theater. Jean seemed highly amused at the tension between Kathleen and Reed. At intermission he leaned over and whispered, “Ah, cherie, I see you two have not patched up your differences yet. I should beg you to do so soon. Never have I seen my friend so befuddled over a woman. You are leading him a merry chase, little one. How can a man keep his mind on my business that way? You are costing me profits untold!” Jean chuckled richly.
For a frightening moment Kathleen thought Jean had learned of her pirating venture. Then she realized she must be wrong, for he was not angry.
“Jean, you are misled,” she answered with a smile. “It is not me who has him in a stew, but his pirate lady. She has needled him like a pesky mosquito for months. Now it appears she is no more, so perhaps things will return to normal for you.”
He nodded. “Perhaps, but then, perhaps not.”
When the evening was finally over, Kathleen scurried off to her room. She and Ted left by the veranda stairs some time later on their way to the gambling club.
Kathleen triumphantly lay down her hand, showing four jacks, and raked in her chips.
“Sorry, gentlemen. It seems to be my night.” She added her gains to the growing stack of winnings before her.
As she watched the man across from her shuffle the cards, she felt a hand come down on her shoulder. She looked up, expecting to see Ted, just as a familiar deep voice said, “Deal the lady out.”
Kathleen’s stomach lurched as she looked straight up into Reed’s bland face. His carefully controlled features looked calm enough, but Kathleen knew better. She could feel his cold anger just beneath the thin veneer of politeness. The hand across her shoulder tightened in silent warning, daring her to defy him.
Blue eyes challenged green as he said quietly, “Collect your winnings. I’m taking you home.”
She stood, sweeping her chips into her shawl, and walked sedately toward the cashier’s window. “Ted brought me. He can escort me home as well.” Her eyes scanned the room, coming to rest on Ted two tables away involved in a game of blackjack.
“Don’t start a scene, Kat. I’m sure Mamie would not object if I were to request a private room in which to continue our conversation.” He gave her an evil smile, his white teeth flashing.
Biting back an exclamation of surprise, she commented bitterly, “I should have known. Do you come here frequently?”
“Not as often as you seem to of late, my pet.”
Ted, having finally taken notice of what was happening, approached hesitantly. “Reed, what are you doing here?”
“Collecting young truants. It seems you need some instruction on acceptable places to take young ladies.” Reed glared at him hotly. “I’m not at all sure after this that I approve of you as a suitor for Susan.”
Kathleen placed a restraining hand on Reed’s arm. “It wasn’t Ted’s fault. I coerced him into bringing me here. Except for this evening, Eleanore has always been with us. Please, Reed, don’t blame Ted. He’d never dream of bringing Susan.” She glanced at Ted’s ashen face and back at Reed. “He adores her. Don’t destroy their happiness in your anger at me.”
Reed surveyed her with bitter contempt. “I’m surprised that you can spare a thought for them. Most of your concerns seem to center about yourself. There may be hope for you yet. Shall we go?”
“I should take her home, Reed. After all, I brought her here. It is my responsibility.” Ted spoke up bravely.
Reed wheeled about, his glare freezing Ted where he stood. His voice was dangerously soft, like velvet over steel, when he spoke. “I will say this only once, Ted, so listen well. Kathleen is my responsibility, solely mine. I will see her home. You stay out of it. You, young pup, have aggravated the situation greatly. I will speak with you later. Count on that! You had better see to yourself and hope my anger cools by then, my friend.”
Without further comment, Reed steered Kathleen forcefully toward the door, leaving the red-faced Ted to contemplate his words.
“You don’t have to be such a mule about things!” Kathleen complained as he pushed her inside her room and closed the door.
“I find my wife in a brothel gambling and I’m supposed to be calm?” he said through clenched teeth. His face was a dark mask of thunderous anger.
“I was only gambling, after all, Reed. It’s not as if I were—well, you know.” Her face reddened at the thought.
She turned from him, removing her shawl. Stepping up behind her, he started unhooking her dress. Startled, she tried to pull away from him, and heard a long rip as the cloth stayed in his huge hands.
She reeled on him. “Now look what you’ve done! If you would just leave me alone, I’ll manage fine on my own.”
“On the contrary, madam. If I leave you alone for long, you find much mischief. Now turn back around so I can finish unhooking you.”
She glared at him defiantly and made no move to comply.
“Very well, the dress is probably ruined anyway.” With that he hooked his hand in the bodice and ripped downward. Her gown split to the waist. Another swift pull and the waistband snapped and the cloth parted to the hem. He shoved the gown from her slim shoulders and it fell to the floor with a soft rustle.
“Now,” he said huskily as he eyed her heaving breasts, “are you going to be more cooperative or shall I continue with the petticoats and chemise and underdrawers?”
“You are a vile, loathsome creature!” she hissed. She removed the petticoats, eyeing him carefully all the while. Then she presented her back to him while she reached up and untied her chemise. Her bare breasts were exposed to his exploring fingers. His breath was warm and tingling on her neck as he nibbled his way up to her ear.
Kathleen felt his touch as he released her underdrawers, and they joined the other garments on the floor. Next he pulled the pins from her hair and it tumbled in a shining red-gold mass down her back to her hips.
“Beautiful!” he murmured as he buried his face in her hair. He picked her up and carried her to the bed, then stepped back and began removing his own clothing.
Naked, except for her stockings and jewelry, Kathleen raised herself on one elbow, watching him through slanted green eyes. “Just what do you think you are doing?”
“My dear, not-too-bright woman, I am preparing to bed my wife.”
“Perhaps your wife does not wish to be bedded,” she suggested with an edge to her voice.
“Perhaps she should reconsider. If she is at all wise, she would rather be made love to than beaten, which is what any other husband would do under the circumstances.” He leaned over her, the look on his face telling her he was still quite angry with her.
“You would, too, wouldn’t you?” she pouted as he removed her stockings.
“Don’t push your luck. I may yet,” he answered as he pulled her into his arms. “It all depends on how persuasive you are.” His eyes held hers in silent combat for a long moment.
Knowing she was beaten, she sighed in defeat and brought her lips to his as her hands sought his body.
“I should hate you,” she whispered mostly to herself.
“I thought you did,” he reflected softly.
Before she could answer, his lips sought hers in a savage kiss that chased all thought from her mind. Her tongue darted into his mouth to duel with his, and her slim fingers twined themselves in his raven hair. She felt herself melting beneath his hands. Everywhere he touched, his fingers seared her flesh. Little tongues of flame seeme
d to leap to the surface of her skin, and all the while a wilder fire raged deep within, building until she felt she would burst.
Her fingers danced across his back creating exotic patterns of their own. Her legs entwined with his, pulling him closer. Her breasts strained upward to brush his chest, and she felt his hot lips along her neck.
She shivered in delight. His hand found her, and as his fingers teased and tantalized, she thrust her hips toward him, begging him for more. Then she felt his lips trail downward to her breasts and the ache in her loins was intensified. She twisted and arched beneath him, crying out her needs. His mouth left her breasts to trail kisses across the plane of her stomach until his lips replaced his fingers.
When she thought she could bear no more, he brought her to climax, and her mind spiraled heavenward as her body shuddered beneath him. Then he was on and in her, and his lovemaking was as savage and wild as his kisses. Oblivious to everything but her need for him, she clung to him and wound her legs about his hips, showering his face with fevered kisses. Several times he brought her near the summit, only to draw back and leave her panting for him. She shook her head from side to side in frustration and tightened her pelvic muscles in an effort to hold and hurry him.
She heard him chuckle as he whispered words of love in her ear. “Patience, kitten,” she heard him say.
She was not a kitten, but a tigress in his arms. She nipped at his neck and bit his shoulder, and her nails raked at his back in an effort to achieve her release. She ignited a fire in him to match her own as he drove powerfully into her body. His size, the feel of him within her, his masterful strokes excited her beyond measure. They climaxed together, a staggering adventure, like flying over a rainbow. Thousands of bright, glittering objects seemed to surround them, as if a stained-glass window had shattered in their midst.
Wet with perspiration, sated, and for the moment exhausted, they clung to one another and waited for their breathing to return to normal. He lay atop her still, his heart thundering against hers, his lips teasing the corners of hers, his fingers wound in her unbound hair.
“Sweet, merciful heavens, but you are beautiful!” he sighed fervently.
At that moment the door to Kathleen’s room flew open and William stood framed in the doorway. Kathleen let out a shriek and Reed, conscious of their nakedness, threw out an arm and drew up the coverlet. As Reed slid off Kathleen, he turned to face the intruder, a scowl on his handsome face.
Now it was William’s turn to gasp. “Reed!”
“Who did you expect?” Reed growled crossly.
“I don’t know,” William answered absurdly. “Amy heard noises and woke me up to say she thought someone was in here with Kathleen. I was sure she was wrong.”
At that moment Amy poked her head into the door. Her sly smile immediately evaporated upon seeing Reed in Kathleen’s bed. “Reed!” Unconsciously she echoed her father’s previous exclamation. From the look on her face it was obvious she had thought Kathleen’s lover had been anyone else. In fact, she had been so sure that she had awakened her father so that he could catch them in the act. She was sure that having exposed Kathleen, Reed would never have anything more to do with her. Then, of course, he would turn his affections toward Amy, as he should have from the first.
Amy burst into tears and rushed from the room, nearly bowling her mother over. Barbara, hearing all the commotion, came hurrying down the hall and into the room. She froze and her mouth fell open in mute astonishment.
Kathleen hugged the coverlet over her breasts and glanced pleadingly at Reed. Casting a glare at William and Barbara, Reed reached down for his breeches. The coverlet dragged to his waist and Barbara turned her head into her husband’s chest with a squeal.
“If it is not too much to ask,” Reed suggested with a growl, “may we continue this family conference once everyone is clothed?” At William’s doubtful look, he added, “I am not going to escape out the window, William. I would not dream of leaving Kathleen to face you alone.”
At this William sighed and said, “Of course you realize if you do not agree to marry her, we will have to duel.” Barbara let out another squeal, this time in fear.
Kathleen looked from Barbara’s terrified face to William’s tired one, and then to Reed’s. She let out a tremulous sigh, tears rolling silently down her cheeks. “You needn’t do that, Uncle William,” she said softly. Under Reed’s quizzical gaze, she choked out, “Reed and I are already married. We have been for many months.”
The meeting that took place in the library was nothing short of mass confusion. William, of course, required a full explanation. He and Barbara and Mary listened quietly while Reed and Kathleen told of Nanna’s death and their subsequent marriage. In answer to why they had kept it hidden, Kathleen admitted they had not been getting along well together. In addition, she fabricated, they had thought it best that the Bakers get to know her and she them for a short while first. Neither did they wish to spring a stranger on Mary Taylor for a daughter-in-law. Reed agreed to let her get to know them all first, and for them to adjust to her. As time passed, Reed explained, their deceit compounded itself and they did not know how to resolve the situation. Neither Kathleen nor Reed mentioned Grande Terre or the Lafittes. Kathleen in all good conscience could not, as it had been she who had at last announced their marriage, not Reed.
“I suppose you have the marriage certificate as proof,” William inquired.
“It is in the safe at Chimera.”
“How could you have kept this from us? What are we going to tell our friends? However shall we face everyone?” Barbara lamented, balefully eyeing the two.
“Now, Barbara, I’m sure it will all work itself out,” Mary soothed. “After all, it’s not as if they have committed a crime.”
Walking over to where Kathleen sat, she put her arm protectively about her. She bent and kissed her on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, Kathleen. I really should have guessed. There were so many little things that make sense now.”
“They’ll simply have to get married again,” Barbara exclaimed suddenly. Everyone gazed at her in amazement.
“Yes! Don’t you see? Everyone is expecting it sooner or later. We needn’t go through all these embarrassing explanations. Reed and Kathleen need never admit to being married before, they’ll simply get married now. I can arrange it by next month, I suppose, if we rush things.”
“But Barbara, dearest, what about the house slaves? You know how they talk,” William pointed out. “Why, by morning every family in town will know that Reed and Kathleen were discovered together.”
“We’ll shut them up somehow,” she declared adamantly, “even if we have to threaten to sell each one of them south.”
“No,” Kathleen stated quietly.
“Did you say something, Kathleen?” Barbara looked at her as if she had forgotten her presence.
“I said no! No, I will not get married again.”
Reed stretched his long legs out in front of him, highly amused by what he knew was coming. “I thought it was an interesting idea, my love,” he said.
Kathleen stood and faced them all. “Absolutely not! Reed, I wed you once, and that was once too often to please me! If it didn’t take the first time, that’s just too bad.” To Mary she said, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Taylor, but your son and I do not see eye to eye. We tend to disagree on nearly everything. ”
“I gathered as much already, my dear, and you must call me Mary or Mother, whichever suits you.”
Reed folded his arms across his chest. “Why not go through the ceremony again? I rather like the part where you vow to love, honor, and obey—particularly obey.”
“If you think for one minute that I’ll go through that again, you have less brains than I credited you with! You’d have to drag me to the altar in chains!”
“That could be arranged, too.” He gave her a devilish grin.
Kathleen tossed her long copper hair over her shoulder. “And how, pray tell, do you intend to force m
e to repeat my vows?” Her emerald eyes glittered with certain victory. “You can drag me to the altar, but what do you do when the minister says ‘Will you,’ and I say no! I swear to you that before hundreds of people I would yell no at the top of my lungs, and what would you do then?”
“You wouldn’t, Kathleen!” Barbara was aghast. “Tell me you are joking. Surely you wouldn’t!”
“Oh, but she would,” Reed answered. He rose lazily. “You may as well tell everyone the best way you know how and forget about any wedding ceremony. I was just goading Kathleen at any rate. I would not agree to it either. It would be too confusing. Which wedding date would we celebrate? What if the truth leaked out anyway? What would we tell our children? Speaking of which, what if there is a child on the way already?”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Barbara muttered.
“I had,” William added.
“Come, Kat. Let’s go back to bed.” Kathleen felt Reed’s hand at the small of her back. At her look of amazement he threw back his dark head and laughed heartily. “Yes, my pet. At long last we need not worry who may discover us. Neither of us need sneak back to a cold bed at dawn.”
Reed was on top of the world the next day. Finally he could openly lay claim to Kathleen as his wife. There would be no more Gerard Ainsleys to deal with, and no more sneaking down dark corridors at dawn.
He awoke to find Kathleen nestled in his arms, as content as a kitten. Her bright head lay upon his shoulder, and one long leg was thrown across his. He smiled to himself. This was as it should be. He placed a warm kiss on her bare shoulder and she stirred, snuggling closer. Then her sooty lashes fluttered open to reveal sleep-misted sea-green eyes. She smiled languidly and stretched like a cat.
“Good morning, kitten.” His voice rumbled through his chest, tickling her ear.
“Good morning, Reed. How long have you been watching me sleep?”
“Just long enough to know you snore like a lumberjack.” He smiled lazily.
Fire and Ice Page 40
