by Arlene Lam
Eight evening dresses and one ball gown not to mention the countless lace underwear and satin nightgowns. He was greatly pleased with their presentation for he had taken great care in his requirements of those garbs since he would enjoy seeing them on the lady immensely.
He’d had to send for a wagon to cart back the boxes of ladies hats gloves chemises corsets shoes pantaloons and every other accessory the women had convinced him was needed for a woman to be considered a well-established lady and now as Vivian greeted him at the door with questioning eyes and called to Andrew for assistance, he couldn’t even bring himself to give her a sly grin for he only wanted to eat and climb into bed with his Princess and forget about his throbbing head.
“Where shall I put all of this?” Vivian asked.
“Take them to my adjoining room and have Andrew prepare it please.”
Without another word Vivian did as she was told while sending Andrew to get the additional help of the other hired hand.
Peeking into a pretty stripped pink and blue box she’d placed on top of a wide white one Vivian balked as she pulled out a delicate hat with white feathers elegantly arranged.
It was then that her heart sank—she’d made a mistake before, that man was in love with her Amelia, as unbelievable as the thought was, it was true, Lord help them both.
“Vivian.” Startled she laid the hat back in its box and once again began her balancing act of holding the heavy boxes.
“The white box, please.” Walking up to the older woman he took the box from her hands and with heavy feet made his way up the marble stairway.
His room had been quiet as he let his eyes travel to the bed immediately and to his disappointment she was not splayed across it wearing only his shirt as he had fantasized. However even his fantasies couldn’t conjure up this appealing picture before him of her sliding ever so slowly down into the bath through the open door of his waiting room.
Shucking of his shirt quickly and kicking of his boots Jordan made quick work of his pants and socks. After his day a bath was just what he needed. And he would enjoy holding Amelia close to him while he washed.
Last night he had caught himself watching her sleep, several times he had to stop himself from pulling her into his arms and holding her tight against him. She had been so tired he dared not in fear of waking her.
Instead once or twice he would just kiss her swollen lips and brush back her hair with his hand.
It was odd, he thought. All day he couldn’t wait to get home to her, to see her. He had never felt that way, not even about Regina. Every once in a while he had to warn himself. He didn’t want to lose everything, lose his heart and soul. No, not again—not ever. Rubbing his temple he made his way over to the tub and with a cat-like prowess snuck up to the edge of the massive porcelain tub with her being none the wiser.
Amelia closed her eyes tightly as she dipped her head under the steamy water of the bath. Feeling as she went under that her whole body was relaxing under the therapy of the lilac scented water. Her body was protesting against her. Her thighs were beyond. A nice soaking would help to lessen the pain.
Pain that was well worth it. She had thought of him all day. When she woke he had been in his study scribbling on papers, a cigar in one hand and brandy in the other. Ruffled hair curling boyishly about his face giving him an endearing appearance. She would have gone to him but she was so tired sleep soon took her again and when she woke the second time he was gone and there was a yellow dandelion on her pillow along with a note telling of his return later that evening.
Emerging from underneath she gave a sigh of relief that soon turned into a gasp of distress when she felt an unknown object step into her oasis from behind.
Opening her eyes quickly and scurrying to the middle she felt her heart settle upon hearing. “It’s me.”
“Get out Jordan there’s not enough room for us both.”
“Sure there is.” Sinking down into the hot pool Jordan too gave a sigh of relief.
“The water will spill over.”
“It won’t” Stretching his legs in the large tub he pulled her back in between his thighs.
“It will ruin the floor.”
“It’s my floor” Kissing her shoulder Jordan pushed her wet locks over her shoulder. “How was your day sweet?”
Amelia lay back into him already giving in. “Long, it felt like you were gone forever.”
“Missed me terribly.” Jordan chuckled. “You read my mind. I needed a bath.”
“So did I… my body is aching.” Leaning back into him.
The water nearly lulled them both into a stupor but after a few minutes had passed and the water began to cool Amelia felt Jordan stir.
Jordan whispered in her ear. “I have something for you.” Pushing up out of the tub Jordan dripped water on the floor, picking up the jacket he’d carelessly thrown to the ground only minutes ago.
Jordan smiled as he could see her from the corner of his eye twisting about to look at him fiddling in his jacket’s lapel pocket. He’d waited all day to give her the gift, purchased at the most extravagant jeweler in the Crescent city. The high priced piece had caught his eye while he was on the way to the tailor, sparkling in the sunlight from inside the glass confines of its case and store window. The moment he laid eyes on it he knew it was meant for her the bold coloring would complement her honey kissed skin. “Turn around.” He informed her while moving back inside the tub. “Close your eyes.”
“Alright.” Obediently Amelia did as she was bid but almost let curiosity get the best of her. Deciding against peeking Amelia clenched her eyelids tightly closed.
Kissing her neck once Jordan draped the sapphire masterpiece along her collar bone and clasped it at her nape. The contrast was dazzling in the dimly lit. “Do you like it?” He asked like a boy desperately waiting for approval.
Immediately Amelia’s hand flew to her neck on its own accord and her eyes sprung open to look down as well as she could to her neck and chest and soon she found her words. “How could I not, this is beautiful!” She breathed, shocked beyond belief.
Not wanting to leave the comforts of the bath but needing to show her more, Jordan leapt from the tub yet again and walked over to the bed dripping water as he went. Collecting the towel on the bed he fastened it loosely around his waist. “Will you come over here to me?” Jordan asked quietly joy in his heart at her happiness.
Craning her neck around to see him Amelia asked “Is this for me?” “Of course, come here.”
“You’ve the towel I had picked, I can’t.” Amelia said still flabbergasted. Still staring down at the jewels on her neck. How could he give her such a gift? She could not accept it, it was too much. She did not deserve it.
“Forever modest Amelia.”
“I can’t help it.” Amelia croaked.
“I’ve seen all of you before and more than once might I add.” Jordan sighed and gave her a maddened look and whispered just as exasperated. “Princess please come to here.”
Closing her eyes tightly Amelia took a deep breath and let all shyness wash away and with one lithe move was out of the tub, wavy hair clinging to her back and breasts.
Tentatively she opened her eyes with a wry smile on her lips, looking at his face she asked. “What?”
“It’s just…” A satisfied groan escaped Jordan’s throat. “Darling I didn’t think you’d actually do it.” Finding his voice finally Jordan went to the drawer of his boudoir and produced a smaller towel and with sure steps made his way to her where he slowly began to dry her hair.
He could hear her giggling and rubbed all the more loving the sweet sound of her happy voice. Then when her hair no longer dripped but hung in tight ringlets all about her he went to the task of drying her shoulders and lovingly finally her breasts and stomach which bending down he kissed caddishly.
He continued then—to her obvious pleasure and dismay, he concluded from the slight moans and aggravated sighs all at once—to kiss every place he
dried thereafter until he reached her pelvic bone where he abruptly stopped and quickly dried off her thighs and legs.
“Jordan you know I can’t accept this.” Touching the jewels on her neck with her hands Amelia looked up at him sadly.
“You will.” Ignoring her statement he moved for the white box he had taken earlier from Vivian, removing the top he came up behind Amelia and lifted her arms up to slide down her body the smooth white satin.
Turning her around as the material slunk down past her hips and thighs to fall to her toes languorously, Jordan took several moments to admire his work.
Smiling Amelia looked down at the gown and the necklace then back up to Jordan “I cannot accept these things Jordan.”
He ignored her once more and took her by the hand, pulled her behind him and shut the door to his waiting room and came to the edge of his bed where in a swift movement he lifted her into his arms and lay her across the lavishly adorned bed and fell to her moments later.
He wouldn’t hear her tonight, that was apparent. Taking in the scent of him Amelia took him into her arms and lay his head to her chest and massaged his scalp.
Jordan murmured softly and relaxed in her arms as her fingers smoothed away any pain or irritations of the day. He could lay right here like this for the rest of his life he thought.
It was then when he was in his most relaxed state that he could hear the familiar voice of Margaret from down the hall and his headache crept back into the back of his skull violently. He could hear Georgia’s voice too and she sang out. “I bet you he’s sleeping cousin Margaret and cousin Jasper.”
Ah yes Jasper, of course he would be here too. He could tell Amelia had not heard, too wrapped up in giving him pleasure, or she’d have been up like a bolt of lightning, panicking like a scared rabbit. Flipping over he took her into his arms and pulled the heavy blanket over her.
“What are you doing?” Amelia asked confused and even more so when he just shook his head and said, “You’ll be grateful in a moment.”
Slowly he heard and saw the door creak open and the joyful voice of his sister soon filled the room with laughter as she yelped. “You’re still here.” And began bounding towards the bed. She had made the space in seconds and was climbing all over the bed just as quickly and looking to Amelia she too at the moment seemed just as thrilled to be with his sister as she was to be with her.
Then however the voice came and the shriek, then the loud resounding shrill of his named being hollered soon followed by Jasper’s name being called desperately.
It really was quite the whirlwind with three people too many in his room. “I should have made a bet with you about this.” Jasper laughed much to his wife’s horror.
Amelia for her part continued to scoot her way down beneath the sheets quietly retreating into the darkness. Her skin was aflame and even as she departed from sight she needed to cling to Jordan to still her frantic nerves.
“I’m so happy that you decided to stay Amelia. We can go to the park can’t we? Oh please say yes.” Georgia cried happily while jumping up and down joyously.
“You little minx stop bouncing.” Jordan commanded his sister, but as he suspected she would, she continued on.
Margaret took a moment to recover and close her mouth. How could he be so careless? How could he bring this type of trouble into his home? The home where a young girl lived. “Jordan, I can’t believe you could be so irresponsible. And I thought you had more sense Amelia, don’t you know that he is just using you. This is a game, he doesn’t care for you at all.”
“That’s enough Margaret.” Jasper intervened, after all they were the offending party here. “Let’s go.”
“No, not until this cad hears a piece of my mind.”
“What’s wrong cousin Margaret?” Georgia managed between jumps and laughs to inquire.
“Go to your room for a while darling.” Margaret reached out to the young girl and caught her in her arms and walked over to the door where she set her down and shut the door leaving no room for argument.
“You can leave too Margaret.” Jordan knew his voice sounded cold but he didn’t care the woman could overstep her bounds sometimes.
“What are you thinking?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Slipping out of bed while wrapping a sheet about his waist he stalked over to his cousin. Snatching the door open Jordan had to control his anger. “Get out Margaret!”
“Don’t you holler at me, you’re the one in the wrong.” Margaret’s own voice held the same tone as her cousin’s. He was being ridiculous. How many times had she asked him to leave Amelia alone? How many times had she warned him but the man never listened.
It boggled her mind how downright hardheaded he could be. Pacing back and forth she turned to him again and repeated her first question. “What are you thinking?”
Jordan gawked at her incredulously. Was she daft? Here she stood questioning his frame of mind when she had just rudely walked into his home and into his bedroom where he was conducting his own private business. “You’ve married a crazy woman Jasper— deep down inside I always suspected, but now I know it’s true. Take your wife now please or I will remove her myself and I don’t think she’d like it my way.”
“Don’t threaten Margaret, you know she’s my weakness.” Jasper piped up finally from the corner where he’d been mischievously having a tug of war with the blanket Amelia hid under. He had to give it to the girl she tried hard to hold onto the precious article but lost when he finally decided to stop toying with her and pull it away quickly.
He didn’t know why he’d done it. Then again maybe he did know. Jordan would be furious. He’d noticed that jealous trait the day he’d described seeing her on the country road.
He couldn’t blame him though if any man had seen Margaret in her skivvies he’d be ready to draw blood. At the thought he damn near regretted teasing her.
Amelia grabbed the pillows behind her and held them in front as if a shield. This couldn’t be happening. She felt her world crumbling before her for the thousandth time. Closing her eyes tightly she prayed silently for the horrific scene before her to vanish.
“Amelia darling.” Margaret started deciding that her cousin was a lost cause. “Put some clothes on dear I will take you home this instant.”
Hearing this Jordan had really had enough. “Go downstairs Margaret!”
Margaret turned to her cousin. His voice had held no patience but she had to try to force some sense into him didn’t she? “Jordan I…”
“This is my home!” Jordan boomed. “Go downstairs.”
Jasper went to his wife who now stood before Jordan like a scolded child. “Downstairs Margaret.” Jasper commanded his wife. He’d had his fun for the moment and he could tell when Jordan would stand for no more. Margaret could too and filed out the door quietly behind him, shutting the door.
Running a hand through his scalp Jordan let out a heavy sigh. “Please don’t look so pale Princess.” It came out almost as a plea Jordan noted, but then it was a plea, he did not enjoy seeing her afraid or ashamed and now she was both and because of this she sat there pale and damn near shaking like a leaf.
Going to her, he knelt down before her and lay his head down in her lap. “Don’t be ashamed of me Amelia.”
She knew he meant it to sound like a demand. Yet she knew he was asking her. Cupping his face in her hands she pushed his head up and thought he looked so much like a little boy, his eyes darting nervously away from her own.
Sliding off the side of the bed she straddled his waist finding no more room to completely kneel before him. Kissing his forehead and cheek she laid her head on his shoulder. “I could never be ashamed of you. I love you.”
Wrapping his arms around her Jordan lifted her and himself from the floor and relished in the tight hug she gave him. Turning his face into her hair he whispered in her ear. “You don’t know what you do to me Princess.”
*
Jasper stared at his wife
from across the large reading room, her actions reminding him very much of a wet hen. “Sit down or you’ll wear a hole in the carpet.”
“Damn the carpet and damn you.” Was her response and she stalked all the more. “You knew about this didn’t you?”
“I did, however not to the extent you might think.” Sipping his port he handed his wife a glass in turn. “Drink it and don’t fuss”
“He doesn’t realize what he’s done.”
“What has he done?” Jasper wanted to know. In truth the two hadn’t hurt anyone and the world would not end in the next hour. “Margaret let this one go.”
“I cannot. You have to realize what this could mean if anyone found out.”
“Who is going to tell?”
“That’s not the point.” Margaret balked. “What he’s doing, is not accepted. What Jordan’s doing could ruin him. I mean my God what he is doing is against the law.” She finished in a huff.
“Sleeping with that woman is not a crime.” Jasper knew that wouldn’t be the end of her rant but a momentary break. What his dear wife failed to understand was one very important truth that made every fact based point she had just made matter nothing at all.. “Besides it’s not what he’s doing my dear, it is what he’s done.”
“And what is that Jasper?”
“Fallen in love.”
“Oh dear Lord!” Margaret cried—dear Lord help them all if that were even remotely true. “That’s just the stupidest thing.” Margaret began waiting for her husband to laugh confirming his jest, yet it didn’t come. “Well isn’t it?” She decided to ask again just in case he’d missed her last question.
“It’s not, that man is in love with Amelia and she’s in love with him and we are in store for a big mess.”
“Lord.” Was all Margaret could think to say. “Are you sure? I mean absolutely sure.” The brunette was truly shell-shocked.
“Do you realize he’s spent the day buying her jewelry and clothes for every occasion?” Jasper chuckled.
“That could mean anything; he might just wish to keep her.” Margaret was trying hard to rationalize. She had been missing in Jordan’s life of late having started her own, but even as they now tended to fight over simple things, they were still close. If he was in love with Amelia she would see. She would know.
