Her heart pounded, not with fear of any stranger, but of how close she’d come to charging at Lucas like a crazy woman—accusing him of something so base.
God! He would never have forgiven her. What had possessed her to even think it?
In the kitchen she poured a glass of cool water with a shaky hand and paced up and down.
Hearing the gate clang followed by Star’s whinny, Ella hurried through to the parlor window to peer through the lace curtain. Her heart almost stopped. Lucas was coming along the drive. Her fingers went to her mouth, touching her parted lips. Her breathing sounded loud in the quietness of the room as she watched him, fascinated by his easy gait. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and those long legs in the tight working trousers showed off his muscular, well-developed thighs.
“Oh.” Ella shivered at the delicious jolt tingling in the pit of her stomach. She heard his tread on the wooden steps.
“Anyone home?” he called.
As casually as her wildly beating heart would allow, Ella smoothed down her damp dress, ran hands over her wet hair and stepped from the parlor into the hallway and opened the door.
“Hello, Lucas.”
“Ella.”
She was aware of the water still dripping from her hair, the damp dress clinging in all the right places, and saw Lucas’ quick glance rake over her. She folded her arms over her chest.
“What is it, Lucas?”
“I…er, how are you Ella?”
“Thanks to you and your care, very well.”
“I did enquire after you. Coralee told me the wound had healed and you were back at work.”
Ella slapped her hands on her skirt in frustration. “Lucas, I know you asked, but why couldn’t you just…? Oh, you make me so cross!”
“Ella, I’m sorry. I’ve been busy, not just with the ranch. There was a lot going on in my head too.”
She nodded, biting on her tongue, determined not to provoke a dispute with him. “Right. Come, will you please sit down.” She pulled one of the chairs forward.
Climbing the two steps, Lucas said, “This isn’t a social call, Ella. I think it’s you who needs to sit down. What I have to tell you isn’t very pleasant.”
Wordlessly, Ella sank into the chair, her eyes alert.
Lucas dragged the other closer to her with his foot. “You’ve been bathing, I gather?”
Ella nodded, unsure where the conversation was going. “I didn’t have time to dry off properly.” She smiled. “But that isn’t what’s brought you here, surely?” She followed the direction of the briefest flicker of his gaze and shifted uncomfortably. Her dress, without the protection of the chemise, appeared practically see through, her nipples pressing against the material.
“Actually, yes. That is why I’m here. The fact is, I had an unwelcome visitor just now—a vile fellow, who, I’m sorry to say, made it quite clear he had been watching you bathe.”
Ella looked down to her fingers fiddling with the folds of her dress. She couldn’t meet his eyes. “Yes, I know, I er, did see someone watching me—not a face you understand, just flash of blue shirt in the trees.”
From beneath her lashes she saw Lucas’ hands tense where they rested on his thighs, heard his intake of breath.
“One moment,” he said. “Let me get my thick head around this. You were bathing, saw someone watching, jumped out of the water dripping like a just-hooked snapper and without drying off, threw your clothes on. You must have been in one heck of a hurry or a mighty fine temper. And then what?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m interested to know what you did next.” His voice sounded cold and hard.
“Well—I…” Ella jumped up. “Well, what do you think, Lucas? I’ve never seen anyone else other than you and Jonnie around here. Suddenly I see a blue shirt in the trees? You’re always wearing one when you’re working. You’ve got one on now. What in heaven’s name am I supposed to think?”
“You tell me,” Lucas said quietly.
Ella held her arms out. “What is there to tell? All right, yes. I did think for one very silly moment that it was you. I ran to Glen Ayre to…well, give you a piece of my mind, if you must know. Anyway, on the lane, I saw a man leaving your place.” She shrugged. “He was wearing a blue shirt. Thank goodness I realized in time it was he who had been spying and not….”
“Thank goodness indeed!” Lucas stood, walked to where she leaned against the railings, and placed his hands on either side of her body. A thin film of perspiration broke out on Ella’s upper lip.
“What are you doing?” she said breathlessly. He pressed his body against hers, their faces inches apart. “Lucas, I’m sorry, truly sorry. I should never have…”
He leaned closer. Ella moved her head to the side, but his lips touched the corner of her mouth. Her lips parted. She faced him. “Stop it!”
He shook his head. “I don’t want,” Lucas said thickly, “for you to apologize verbally. I want you to show me how sorry you are for assuming I would act so low.”
“And if I won’t?”
He looked into her eyes. “You will,” he said.
“Lucas …No!”
But one hand had already snaked around her waist, the other moving to hold her wet head. She was tight against him, felt his instant arousal. “How does that feel?” His eyes bored into hers. “Tell me, Ella.”
“I …” Ella swallowed.
But she could fight him no longer. She sagged, winding her arms around his neck, and lost herself as their lips met in a deep passionate kiss—could not get close enough to him as his tongue probed her mouth. Ella moaned softly and he raised his head to look at her. Flushed with longing, she could only whimper, her eyes closed with rapture.
He released his hold, startling her. He’d stepped back and Ella gazed at him, wide-eyed.
“Ella,” he said softly. “Whatever you think of my phrasing, remember when I said you gave off signs? I may not have had the wording quite right, but doll, you sure did give something off!”
Ella stared at him, recalling Dorothy’s advice. She had to ask the question.
“Tell me what you want from me, Lucas.”
He smiled slowly. “What I want is this.” And he took her in his arms again, lowered his head, and placing his mouth on hers, worked her lips farther apart. Ella heard a moan and realized it came from her, but no longer cared. They stumbled against the railing. She could hardly breathe, he held her so tightly against him that she could feel his heart pounding, the heat from his body as his hands roved up and down her back through the damp dress, coming to the front to cup her breast. He pulled at the taut nipple gently, and Ella shivered uncontrollably.
He finally raised his head to look into her eyes. “You are,” he said huskily, “adorable. I’ve wanted to do that since I first set eyes on you.”
Ella kissed his throat where the pulse beat. “And I’ve wanted the same.”
He took her hand. “Come then.”
Ella held back. The feeling of a cold hand clutching her heart stopped her. Lucas had said no woman was worth his freedom. Was she to fall into a liaison with him having no idea where it would lead? With women falling over him, perhaps all he wanted was another quick, short affair.
Whatever her feelings for him, that was not what she wanted.
“I can’t, Lucas.”
“Don’t play games, Ella. You run hot and cold with me. I don’t know where the heck I am with you!”
Ella walked along the veranda, stopping to gaze out across the orchard to the hills. “You know something of my background, the marriage, which although I wasn’t madly happy in it, it gave me respectability. Things are different here, freer, but it doesn’t mean people have to change. I enjoy being greeted by people with regard. It’s a good feeling, but in a town like this where gossip abounds, I can imagine that esteem would soon disappear if I was to make a wrong decision.”
“Whoa, Ella. What are you suggesting? That I’d blab about a relationshi
p with you around town? I would never do that!” He snatched his hat and thrust it down hard on his head.
“No wait, please, Lucas. You once said no woman was worth your freedom, and I suppose in a way, I feel the same about men. I’ve worked hard to build this business up. I’m financially secure and my own woman, something I could never have been in England, and certainly not if I was still married.”
Lucas looked at her. “Tell me what all this has to do with the attraction between us.”
“What I’m trying to say is I can’t enter into a relationship when I don’t fully understand the reasons behind it.”
Lucas sighed. “Spit it out, Ella. I can see something is festering away at you.”
Ella’s eyes blazed. She stepped nearer to him and said, close to his face, “The thought of any man wanting to bed me for any other reason than desire for me…and me alone, is obnoxious in the extreme. All of this,” she said as she waved her hand, “my land, the lake, must be a very pleasant prospect for any man.”
“Aw, Ella, you’re letting your imagination run away with you. Do you recall some time ago saying Dorothy had her wools in a twist over me? Well, you’ve done exactly the same!”
Ella’s heart began to thud with hope. “You don’t…” she gulped. “You don’t want my lake, my land?”
His eyes were unreadable. “No.”
Ella looked away. “I still don’t want to be a mistress, to you or anyone.”
Lucas shrugged. “Fine. Look, we’re getting nowhere here. What say,” he said, putting his hands in his pockets, “that you and me start off afresh. No more bickering and falling out, no more pretenses about feelings, real or otherwise, and see how we go from there? For starters,” he added, “you could agree to join me at the Railway on the ninth like I asked you to?”
“Well,” Ella mused as she pulled a lock of hair forward and ran it across her lips, “I could, if I hadn’t already promised that date to someone else. I still have my refusal note in the cart. I forgot to leave it for you.”
Lucas’ eyes widened. “Someone else!”
“Hey Lucas Helm, don’t think you’re the only man who has designs on me.”
Lucas laughed and rubbed his chin. “Designs, eh? Then I’ll just have to out-design him. Who is he?”
“Well now, I’d say that’s none of your business. But he is a man of standing.”
Lucas pulled her roughly into his arms. “But does he kiss you like this?” And he lowered his head, taking her top lip gently between his teeth.
Ella groaned as his tongue worked into her mouth, felt his hands caress her back, and longed for more. Lucas raised his head. “Well, did he?”
She was shaking. “No.”
“That’s all I wanted to know.” He began backing off the porch. “Tell him you’ve changed your mind, Ella. And we will start again.”
“You’ve got a nerve!” She called, laughter not far away.
Lucas turned and blew her a kiss.
Chapter Fifteen
Lucas studied his boots as he walked home, his heart still beating rapidly from her nearness. He recalled her words when she’d asked what he wanted, and thought, yes, Ella, you hit the nail right on the head. Your land and lake are irresistible.
He had to admire not just her honesty but her ability to see through him, because she had been right, he had at first wanted her land. But not anymore. His hopes and wishes had since changed dramatically. The strength of emotions he’d been experiencing of late scared him in the most pleasurable way. He finally felt that perhaps he was ready for a commitment…a lifelong one.
For what had he expected today?
That she’d follow him like an obedient puppy to her bed?
He snorted aloud at such a ridiculous idea.
Ella was a passionate woman. She may even crave the love of a man, but she wasn’t about to give in so easily to anyone, especially himself, if she still suspected he had ulterior motives.
But how to win her? It seemed an impossible task, and one more suited to a man less clumsy in his ways than himself. Lucas thought of Ella’s promised dinner and his gut churned with jealousy. What had she called him—a man of standing?
He needed to talk to another woman, get another slant on this. He thought of Dorothy, close enough to Ella, and thought maybe she could help.
He ran the rest of the way to the farm, startling Jonnie. “Is my horse saddled?” he called
“No, but he will be in two minutes. Anything wrong, Boss?” Jonnie said over his shoulder. “Ella’s all right, isn’t she?”
“Ella’s fine. I’m going to call in at Dorothy Kettler’s.”
“You know where she lives?” Jonnie shouted from the stable.
“Yeah. Tom Walton told me.”
»»•««
The rain had started in earnest as Lucas rode through town. Great spattering drops whipped at his face as he rode the back streets until at last he reached Dorothy’s.
It must be the only house in Adelaide, he mused, with a motorcycle on the veranda.
He tethered the horse beneath a tree, ran to the steps, and pounded onto her porch. Dorothy’s door flung open.
“Lucas! I wondered who on earth it was.”
He laughed. “You look shocked. Don’t worry I’ve not come asking to buy the place!”
“Then you must come inside. You’re wet through.” She looked at him, clearly intrigued. “To say I’m surprised to see you is an understatement! May I ask what brings you here?”
“In a word, Ella.” He wiped his face with his neckerchief.
“Ah. I see.”
“Do you?” Lucas looked surprised.
“Sit down,” Dorothy ordered. “I’m pretty sure I do see, but why don’t you enlighten me.”
“I’m wet. Your chair…”
“Just sit down. A bit of damp won’t harm the furniture.”
Lucas settled in the chair. He looked across at Dorothy and sighed. “I just left her. We had a little difference of opinion. She thinks I’m after Woomba and told me…” Lucas stopped, his face under the tan reddening. He blurted out, “She told me she could never be close to anyone who didn’t want her for herself.”
Dorothy frowned. “Oh dear. I saw this from the beginning. But don’t think you can come the ‘butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-your-mouth’ nonsense with me, Lucas. Hasn’t Woomba always been your ultimate goal? A pretty woman along with it…well, I imagine the two together must be like showing a donkey carrots and sugar. Irresistible!”
“Aw, Dorothy. You make me sound a cold-hearted cur!”
Dorothy snorted. “Lucas Helm! For the first time in your life you’ve met a woman you can’t twist around your little finger and it’s driving you crazy. And yes, I do think you’ve acted in a cold calculating way, fortunately Ella has seen through you. So tell me, how do you expect her to respond?”
Lucas shrugged on a laugh. “I was hoping for some sympathetic female words of wisdom!”
Dorothy smiled. “I’m not sure I’m the one to offer those, but I can tell you this. I’d only met Ella a couple of times when she said something which struck me as quite profound. She said she’d never known the love of a man, nor did she think she ever would. I thought it very sad for a young woman to feel like that. And so,” she added pointedly, “I think she’s had enough disappointment where men are concerned.”
Lucas’ heart did a strange leap.
Recalling Ella’s beautiful amber eyes alight with passion, followed by anger when she’d told him she’d be no man’s mistress, fueled an idea so crazy he wanted to laugh.
“Well,” Dorothy said. “What are you thinking?”
Lucas smiled. He was thinking he would be the one to show her what love was. He’d ask her to marry him. And next time he was alone with her he’d take it slowly and not make a darn mess of it, but he couldn’t tell Dorothy that.
“Lucas?” Dorothy was watching him. “I feel you and Ella are both sensitive people under your veneer of stubbornness
. But if you want to win Ella’s affection, you’ll have to tread carefully. And by that I mean, assure her, it is her alone you want. Ah,” she said, glancing at the window, “the storm has abated.”
Lucas rose. “Thank you for your time, and words.” He walked to the door. Outside the sticky air had cleared and the smell of wet earth assailed his nostrils. “Ah,” he breathed.
Dorothy surprised him by reaching up to kiss his cheek.
“That’s better than having my backside threatened with a gun,” Lucas said with a grin.
“Dorothy hooted with laughter. “Good luck,” she said as he walked to his horse, “but hurt Ella and I may just have to get the old Winchester out!”
Lucas mounted. “I won’t, don’t worry.” He waved, and nudging his steed into a canter, rode into town.
With a few essential groceries bought and bagged, he rode along to the wharf, dismounted, and walked along the quiet quay. The sky had partly cleared, the sun turning the remaining clouds a shade of purple, and he stayed awhile enjoying the peace, sitting on a stanchion to watch the fishing boats set sail into the darkening night. His thoughts were centered on Ella.
What a complete fool I was, he thought, to ever think I could win a woman like her with my brash talk. He shook his head in disbelief at his own stupidity. Elbows on his knees, chin in his hands, he sat quietly contemplating.
Dorothy had been right. The lake and Woomba had been an obsession for years, and his sole aim after hearing Ella owned it had been to secure the place by whatever means necessary. But things had changed. Feelings had shifted.
Meeting Ella, the desire for the land and lake gradually waned as his longing for her increased.
“I love her!” Lucas said.
A fisherman loaded with gear wandered past, heard, and smiled. “Good on yer, mate,” he said.
Lucas laughed. He felt light-headed with happiness.
Chapter Sixteen
When Coralee and Jack arrived for work, Ella was already working the press. Her night had been restless and she’d wakened repeatedly, twisted and hot in the sheets, her dreams full of Lucas.
Australian Odyssey Page 13
