"It's yours, a wedding gift from me. It's a 2017 Ferrari, with the original hybrid alcohol injection and electric engine." Kiernan's expression was expectant.
Ariel didn't know what to say as she surveyed the sleek lines of the sports car.
Kiernan said, "If you don't like it, I can have it exchanged for something else."
"No. It's--beautiful. Thank you."
"Let's go check it out. You can take me for a ride." Ariel heard a flirtatious quality to Kiernan's voice at this last part. They walked down to the car, and Kiernan opened the door for her. "Sit in it, why don't you, and get the feel."
Ariel slipped in the driver's seat, her body fitting comfortably in the plush, black leather bucket seat. She noticed the old-fashioned dashboard with its dials and gauges. This car lacked the safety features of today's cars. Undoubtedly, Kiernan did her homework, discovering when Ariel won her Harley she was required to take a special class to obtain a license permitting her to operate it and other vintage vehicles.
The price of the Ferrari exceeded the amount Ariel could earn working for ten years as a professor. The permits required to operate a vehicle having an exhaust system, no matter how clean the fuel, were expensive and difficult to obtain, taking months and sometimes up to a year. Then again, Kiernan O'Shay wasn't one to be denied anything she wanted, whenever she wanted it. Ariel's stomach lurched at what she thought Kiernan expected as payment, her mind touching on stipulation number nineteen.
Kiernan peered down at her from the open door. "Do you want to take her for a spin? I have all the special permits in case we get stopped by the highway patrol." She whispered conspiratorially, "I have a radar detection device installed, so you can rev her up."
Ariel blinked in surprise. Federal laws in the States prevented private ownership of electronic radar detection devices.
Kiernan must have seen her surprise and concern. "Don't worry, you can easily disable it. Besides, it's a special sensor Stellardyne developed similar to the ones on our ships used to detect transmissions. Of course, this one is the size of a pinhead with limited range. It's almost impossible to find in a search and will allow you plenty of warning to slow down before there is a trooper within a mile. So what say we see what she's got?"
"Some other time. I--I'm tired right now." She added in a stilted voice, "I thank you for the gift--it's very nice."
Kiernan seemed disappointed, which reflected in her voice. "I'll have Michael park it in the garage. Perhaps we can take that ride after we return from St. Thomas."
Ariel said with little enthusiasm, "Yes. I'll drive it then."
"I'll walk you back up to your suite so you can rest. I'll come back at six and take you down to dinner."
Kiernan held out her hand to assist her from the car. Ariel took her hand but stumbled when exiting the driver's seat and fell against Kiernan, who folded her in a tight hug. "Are you all right?"
Warm breath wafted across Ariel's neck. The softness of breasts pressing close sent a delicious shiver rippling down her spine. Confused by her reaction, she pulled away and mumbled, "Yes."
For an instant, she locked eyes with Kiernan's, which seemed to see her every thought. Quickly, she turned away, but not before seeing those eyes widen and brighten with what appeared to be desire. Heat flushed Ariel's face from both embarrassment and something she refused to name. Then a torrent of ice water filled her veins when remembering she had signed the contract and agreed to every stipulation in it--including number nineteen.
"HOW'S THE SALMON?" Kiernan asked.
Ariel's cold and fatigue squelched her appetite, and she replied in a barely audible voice reflecting her weariness, "It's good. I'm not very hungry." She took a bite on her fork, but didn't bring it up to her mouth.
"It's been a long and demanding day for both of us. Don't eat it if you don't feel like it."
They returned to their meal, Ariel picking at hers.
They finished eating and Robert removed the plates and brought in dessert. Ariel stared in puzzlement when she saw what was in the crystal dessert glass placed before her.
Kiernan said, "One of my favorites, vanilla tapioca pudding. If you don't want it, I happen to know there's a fresh cheese cake in the kitchen."
"No. This is all right."
Ariel had never had tapioca pudding and didn't recognize what the tiny opaque spheres in the pudding were. They reminded her of the frog eggs she used to see when she was a kid and rode her bicycle to the pond in her neighborhood to catch tadpoles. Taking a dab on her spoon, she tasted it, finding it pleasant, but couldn't get past the image of frog eggs. Suddenly nauseous, she hastily reached for her glass of water and took a gulp to wash the dessert down.
Kiernan apparently noticed Ariel wasn't enjoying the dessert and, motioning Robert over from his station at the sideboard, said, "Bring Ariel a piece of the cheesecake, and a glass of milk."
"I'm sorry," Ariel said in a weary voice. She couldn't remember a cold ever making her feel this ill and fatigued before.
"Don't be sorry. There is no rule saying you have to eat everything on your plate, or that you like everything that is served."
Robert brought out the milk and cheesecake, placing it in front of Ariel, and removed the tapioca.
After taking a bite, she put her fork down and wearily closed her eyes, wishing she could go up to her suite and lie down.
Kiernan said, "You're tired, and I think it's time for you to retire. I'll take you upstairs."
A jolt of apprehension seized Ariel. She opened her eyes, and the weariness and illness magnified her fear. She closed her eyes again, feeling wretched. She couldn't do this. If Kiernan touched her--
Ariel heard Kiernan say, "Robert, you may go," and then the sound of a chair moving back. She opened her eyes as Kiernan knelt by her chair, inquiring in a gentle and concerned voice, "What is it? What's wrong?"
Ariel didn't know what to say. She couldn't meet Kiernan's eyes and tell her she couldn't have sex. Too much was still at stake. She looked down at her clasped hands, too tired to think and cope--and she was getting a headache as well. The recent events, and her illness, had sapped her spirit and strength. She swallowed hard, feeling her neck muscles move, and said almost in a whisper, "I can't do it."
She took a tremulous breath, suddenly feeling Kiernan's hand under her chin, forcing her head up. Ariel wouldn't meet Kiernan's gaze, hearing her ask in a puzzled voice, "Can't do what?"
Ariel peered at her from lowered lashes, and said in a quavering voice, "I can't be--with you. I--"
"Be with?" Kiernan narrowed her eyes. Ariel saw the confusion in them. Suddenly Kiernan blinked, and surprise, then hurt, flashed across her features. She uttered, "Oh." Then she softly said, "Ariel, that's not going to happen. Rest assured you'll be in your own bed tonight, and I'll be in mine." She stood up, reaching out her hand for Ariel to take. "Now, this day has been wearing for us both. We both need our sleep."
Ariel furtively glanced at the hand, declining to take it, since she didn't want to touch Kiernan. She stood, and Kiernan dropped her hand before saying, "Let's go."
Upstairs, Ariel opened the door to her suite and Kiernan followed her in, shutting the door behind her. She regarded Ariel and said, "If you need anything, push the green button on the intercom pad and Mrs. Belfort will answer. She keeps her pocket com-call with her."
Ariel looked down at the floor. After an awkward silence, Kiernan said, "Good night. I'll see you in the morning. Breakfast is at nine in the garden room." She crossed Ariel's sitting room and exited through the door leading to her suite.
Ariel watched her go, too tired and sick to feel relief, or much of anything at all.
Chapter Sixteen
TAKING HER BREAKFAST at nine the next morning in the garden room, Kiernan stared across the table at the empty place setting across from her. She wondered when Ariel would make an appearance. She planned to show her the estate grounds this morning before they packed and prepared for their St. Thomas trip.
An impatient glance at her wristwatch showed 9:30 and still no sign of Ariel. She informed Mrs. Belfort to tell her when her wife left her suite. In the meantime, she went to her study to read the online wedding announcement her uncle had submitted the night before to all the media agencies. She wryly noticed the news made headlines on the majority of outlets, but was dismayed seeing the major networks camped outside the Thorsen residence, providing live coverage and speculating about her bride. Ariel wasn't going to like that.
At ten o'clock, Kiernan became concerned as to why Ariel hadn't made an appearance. She knew yesterday's event was wearing, but they'd retired to bed early. Perhaps Ariel was avoiding her by delaying leaving her suite.
She remembered Ariel's behavior at dinner the previous night when she thought Kiernan was expecting her to consummate their marriage. It hurt to think Ariel expected her to act the part of some medieval lord making demands of that nature on his unwilling bride.
She went up to Ariel's suite, knocked lightly on the door, and, receiving no answer, opened the door and entered into stillness. No signs or sounds indicated Ariel was up, so she quietly walked through the open bedroom door into semi-darkness. The window was darkened to almost maximum, shutting out the morning light. On tiptoe, she went up to the bed. Ariel lay on her side breathing erratically, as if disturbed by an unpleasant dream. Kiernan noticed a folded washcloth on the pillow by Ariel's head. Her first thought was that Ariel must have had a headache or fever during the night and wet the washcloth to put on her brow for relief. She became concerned, and pushed Ariel's hair back from her forehead to place her palm there to discover Ariel indeed had a fever, a high one.
She hurried to the bathroom, searched the medicine cabinet and found a digital thermometer tab. She took it back to Ariel, ordering the computer to turn the bedside lamp on low. She placed the digital tab on Ariel's forehead, waiting until she heard the beep, and took it off to read. She reached over to the bedside table and pressed the green call button on the intercom system to summon Mrs. Belfort.
A few seconds later, Mrs. Belfort said over the intercom, "Mrs. Belfort here. Do you need anything?"
"Please Call Dr. Carla Mendelson immediately. Tell her Ariel has a temperature of one hundred and four degrees, and if she can't get here right away to send another doctor. After you do that, bring me a pitcher of water and a glass."
"Right away, ma'am."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kiernan gently placed her hand on Ariel's arm, giving it a light shake. "Ariel." When she didn't respond, Kiernan raised her voice. "Ariel, wake up." Hearing a faint whimper, Kiernan tried again to rouse her. "Ariel, can you hear me?"
Wetting dry lips with her tongue, Ariel tried to speak, managing only a croak. "Water." A racking cough seized her.
Kiernan helped her up into a sitting position, lightly patting her back. "It's on the way. Are you in pain?" Kiernan watched as Ariel noisily swallowed before barely rasping out, "Head--"
Kiernan picked up the washcloth, which was only slightly damp and took it to the bathroom to rinse under cold water. After wringing most of the water out, she folded it over twice and returned to Ariel. Seeing her closed eyes, she touched her arm to get her attention, and Ariel sat up shakily.
"I've called the doctor to come out as soon as possible. Why don't you lie back down?" Ariel slid back down onto the pillow, and Kiernan placed the wet washcloth on her forehead. After a few minutes, she removed the washcloth, and replaced it with her palm. She still felt the heat. Kiernan was apprehensive, wondering whether Ariel had a virus or the flu. There were so many flu viruses going around it was hard to keep up with the vaccines. Despite all the advances in medical technology, there was no way to eliminate viruses that continued to mutate into new strains. Fortunately, science was now able to develop a vaccine and contain any new outbreaks of flu, but was that what Ariel was sick from? Kiernan had no way of knowing.
Mrs. Belfort entered with a tray carrying a pitcher of water and a glass. She set the tray on the bedside table and said, "Dr. Mendelson is on her way."
Kiernan assisted Ariel into sitting up, and took the glass of water Mrs. Belfort handed her, holding it to Ariel's lips as she took a sip.
Mrs. Belfort said, "I'm going downstairs to wait for Dr. Mendelson. If there's anything else you need, call me."
"Yes, I will." Kiernan sat on the edge of the bed. She took Ariel's hand in hers in an effort to convey her concern and care.
THE VOICES WERE soft and low. One Ariel knew, the other she did not. Someone lightly touched her arm, and the voice she did not know said softly, "Ariel, I'm Dr. Mendelson. I'm going to listen to your heart and lungs, take a sample of your blood, and find out why you're ill." Ariel opened her eyes and focused on the woman whose voice was kind. A kindly face fit the voice. Her dark hair was shot through with silver, and she possessed gentle, soft brown eyes. She noticed a strange instrument split at one end, each end placed in the Doctor's ears with a tail ending in a flat disc. Her mind struggled to name it, fuzzily remembering it was an instrument used many years ago by the medical profession to listen to a person's heart and lungs. It hurt to think, and she shut her eyes against the pain in her head. The covers gently slid from her chest. Ariel felt movement at the top of her nightshirt and a point of pressure above her left breast. "Take in a slow, deep breath, and let it out slowly."
Drawing breath through her mouth caused her to cough. Ariel struggled to sit up as the sensation of drowning seized her. A pair of arms encircled her shoulders assisting her up. After the coughing spasm subsided, the same arms assisted her back against the pillow and hands extended her right arm before a sharp point of cold pressed into the bend. She was conscious of the brief pain, but she couldn't respond to it.
Tired, she was so tired. It hurt when she breathed, when she swallowed, and her head throbbed with pain. Tiredness closed around her like a gray fog, and she floated in the realm between awareness and oblivion where time no longer existed.
DR. MENDELSON REMOVED the vial of blood from the tubular hemo-extractor, inserting it in the compact rectangular analyzer she held in her left hand. After a few seconds, the device beeped, and she read the results on the display screen before saying to Kiernan, "She has viral pneumonia."
"What! How could she have pneumonia and not show some symptoms yesterday?" Apprehension clutched her heart for a few beats.
"Analyses also show the common cold virus and an excessive amount of Bendyltrisuptyril in her system, which is a common ingredient in cold remedies. It would mask the pneumonia symptoms, but has side affects if you ingest over the required dosage. She shouldn't have contracted pneumonia unless she wasn't taking care of herself, eating right, sleeping, resting--"
"She did appear overly tired yesterday. I thought it was due to the stress of the wedding."
"Stress could well be a factor in compromising her immune system. Take it from me--I remember how stressful a wedding can be. Right after I said 'I do,' I dropped from exhaustion."
"You said side effects from the medication?"
"Too much can result in headache, nausea, diarrhea, tinnitus, or hives. Other side effects are euphoria, agitation, apprehension, and in some case studies paranoia. Side effects promptly disappear when ceasing the medication."
Kiernan thought about Ariel's behavior last night at dinner and her fear that Kiernan would make demands. She said nothing though, not wanting to share that with the doctor.
Dr. Mendelson reached into her bag and brought out a dermal infuser and a box of medication. She took a silver vial from the box and inserted it into the infuser. "I'm going to give her medication to prevent any bacterial infection and help with the viral infection. I'll also give her something to ease her fever and pain." She administered the dosages into Ariel's arm. "The analysis also shows she has some dehydration as well as low electrolytes and blood sugar. I'll order an IV drip and arrange right away for a nurse to come out and tend to that. It might be a good idea to have the nurse stay
a few days and monitor her, also to assist in her care, and I'll leave instructions with the nurse as to diet and medications."
"Why use an IV drip? Can't you give her an infusion?"
"She needs a slow, but steady supply of medications and nutrients. An IV is the best method."
"How long will it take her to recover from this?" Kiernan asked with concern.
"She'll need plenty of bed rest for the next three or four days, and after that, she needs to take it easy for the next two weeks and not do anything taxing or strenuous. I'll call the nurse. She should be out within the next three hours."
Kiernan stroked Ariel's forehead still feeling the heat. She noticed the dryness of her skin.
Standing beside Kiernan, Dr. Mendelson gazed down at Ariel, and said in a quiet voice, "You know, despite her illness I can see how lovely she is. Her pictures are all over the news media today."
"Yes, I know," Kiernan said dryly.
"I hear all sorts of gossip from my patients, but not a word of this. One day you're supposedly involved with--someone--and all of a sudden, you're married to someone else. I must say, this took me totally by surprise."
"It took me by surprise, too." Kiernan realized that Ariel had taken her by surprise.
"I'm sure there is more to the story. But I have the feeling you're not going to tell me. I'll come by tomorrow to check on her."
"I'll call Mrs. Belfort to come up to escort you out."
"No need. I know my way. Kiernan, best wishes to you both and a bright future."
"Thanks, Carla." Resting her gaze on Ariel, Kiernan wondered what their future would be like if their marriage were not a business arrangement. Would it be bright and happy?
THE SOUND OF muffled footsteps alerted Kiernan that someone was entering the bedroom. She peered up from the chair at the head of the bed where she was watching over her sleeping wife. In a hushed voice, Mrs. Belfort said, "Ma'am, Ms. Robinson, the nurse Dr. Mendelson called, is here."
The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars Page 14
