The Right Wife
Page 29
In October, they had married quickly in a very private ceremony. Aaron had insisted she wear white. He reminded her that she had come to him a virgin and therefore deserved a maiden bride’s gown. They honeymooned aboard Aaron’s steamboat, the Chattanooga Belle, and spent a week at Chattanooga’s Stanton Hotel where Maggie had been introduced to the mayor and other prominent Tennesseans at a party held in honor of the newlyweds.
When they returned to White Orchard, she helped her husband finish its restoration, soon becoming accustomed to the grandeur of her surroundings. The house she once thought so suitable for Eunice became her own, filled with an elegance worthy of the finest lady, and yet, every corner of every room was touched with Maggie’s sweet magic, turning the mansion into a loving home.
Outside, flowers bloomed everywhere, and dozens of rosebushes sprouted new buds. In a few weeks, their magnificent colors and nectarous aroma would bless the land.
In a way, she had been able to keep her promise to Pa after all. Aaron had made her see how happy Micah was, how readily he’d taken to life on the river, and how his innate intelligence would eventually lead him to a better life. He didn’t write often, but when he did, his letters were filled with censored tales of his many adventures.
And then there was Jude. She was in Tuscumbia attending the Deshler Female Institute with the Mobley twins. Her manner had greatly improved, but her stubbornness and curiosity were still the bane of Maggie’s life. She was doing everything she could to make a lady out of her little sister. Only the good Lord knew if the task was impossible or not.
Maggie checked her appearance in the cheval mirror one more time before going downstairs. She had sent word for her husband to meet her in the pear orchard at noon, and it was almost that time now.
She smiled to herself, remembering that day so long ago when Aaron first brought her to White Orchard. He had held her and kissed her and touched her. They had almost made love. Today they would.
She tried not to rush, but her heart was filled with so much love and her body with so much pent-up longing that, by the time she reached the orchard, she was out of breath from running.
The orchard was like a gossamer fairyland, row after row of towering trees in full bloom surrounding her. When the gentle wind blew, soft, white blossoms cascaded downward, swirling about in the air. As she stood there, her fabulous titian hair piled on top of her head, her beautiful face aglow with health and vitality, pear flowers rained down on her like feathery snowflakes.
That’s how Aaron saw her, standing in the orchard, blossoms dancing in the breeze around her, noontime sunshine turning her hair to flame. He tried not to think about what this life would have been like without this precious woman. He had been a fool to think that anything but love mattered. She was his life, and he spent every day thanking God for their happiness.
“I got your message.” He smiled as he walked toward her.
“So I see.” Loving the feel of his hard, masculine features, she reached out to touch his face.
“I told Phineas I might not be back all afternoon.” He pulled her into his arms, his head bending to hers.
“And what did he say to that?” She snuggled closer, her full, milk-laden breasts nestled against his powerful chest.
“He said to enjoy myself,” Aaron laughed, one big hand sliding down her back to cup her bottom.
“Did he tell you the good news?”
“Oh, yes. He was beaming with pride. Did Daisy tell you she was going to have a baby before she even told her husband?”
“I’ll never tell.”
Aaron covered her tempting mouth with his own, his tongue boldly thrusting into her warmth. After long moments, he raised his head and stared down at the woman he loved. “I need you so,” he whispered into her ear.
“And I need you,” she sighed.
“Here in the orchard?” He held her close, his hands moving caressingly over her body, one big hand stopping in her hair, releasing it to fall in long, lustrous curls down her back.
“Yes, my love. Here. Now. We can go to the house later.”
Maggie slowly unbuttoned her dress, letting it fall to her waist. She was naked beneath it. Aaron couldn’t take his eyes off of her swollen breasts. He reached out and touched one pointed tip. Tiny droplets of sweet mother’s milk moistened his finger.
“My God, how I’ve envied my son,” he groaned as he bent his head to take her breast into his mouth.
Maggie swayed against him, moaning her pleasure. He lowered her gently to the ground and removed the remainder of her clothing. He hovered above her, adoring her with his eyes while she helped him strip away his shirt. Soon his breeches followed.
There in the sunlit flowery grove, man took woman and woman took man, renewing a promise of devotion that would be theirs forever, bonding them into one entity, the fulfillment of their hearts’ desire.
eKENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
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Copyright © 2014 by The Estate of Beverly Inman Beaver
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
eKensington Books and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
First Electronic Edition: June 2014
ISBN: 978-1-6018-3279-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-60183-280-1
ISBN-10: 1-60183-280-X
Published in the United States of America