Familiar Strangers

by Standifer, Allie

  She crawled in between the sheets ready to lose herself in dreamless slumber, praying the nightmares wouldn’t come. She wanted to show Damon how much better she was and that she wasn’t the same weak, needy female he’d known.

  ****

  The dreams came again that night. Galen knew it was a dream, but he was trapped within it, drowning in the feelings of those he observed. No sound left his mouth as he attempted to shout and tell them to run. He was cursed to observe and absorb the emotions of those he saw and bleed with the pain every word cut into him.

  Late 1800s Louisiana

  He was nervous. His palms were damp against his sides and he couldn’t seem to catch his breath. It was ridiculous for a man of seven and twenty years to be afraid of anything or anyone much less a female.

  Colin smiled to himself. Then again, she was like no other female he’d ever met. She was outspoken, self-assured, honest, and achingly beautiful. With her dark hair and leaf-green eyes, she could capture a man’s heart within seconds, as she did his. He still couldn’t believe his luck in winning her heart. All that was left to do was to win her hand.

  He heard the snap of a twig behind him and turned in time to catch the object of his musing in his tight clasp. “Norah, my heart, I thought you must have forgotten me,” he teased.

  She shook her unbound hair and laughed. “Forget you, my love, I think not. How could I possibly forget the most handsome man in the land?”

  Colin could feel his heart clench with emotion as he looked into her eyes. She loved him. It was a miracle, and one he intended to thank God for every day of the rest of their lives. “Handsome I may be, though for it I care not, so long as I please you, my heart.” He dropped a kiss on her upturned nose. “But forget not that I am also among the poorest as well.”

  Norah frowned up at him. “Why do you insist upon making such pronouncements to spoil what little time we have together?”

  Colin withdrew his arms from around her waist and paced the length of the garden. It was the most secluded spot on her father’s estate. With the moonlight casting a silver hue upon the pebble- strewn path and lighting the windows within the gazebo, it was also the most romantic.

  At the sound of her tapping foot, he drew his mind back to the woman standing before him. Norah Barrington, only daughter of the richest man in the land, was looking at him with a mixture of anger and desire. Time to soothe her fears, yet allow her one last time to choose.

  “I bring it up, my lady, because you are an heiress while I am nothing but a lowly Cajun with nothing more to my name than a moldy island and my father’s creditors.” He took a deep breath. “I want to make sure you know exactly what you...we...would be facing.” He clasped her small delicate hands within his callused palms. “If I am to go to your father and ask for your hand...” He didn’t get the chance to finish.

  “You want to marry me?” Norah cried out in delight.

  “Of course I do.” He stared at her lovely face. “Did you think I would dishonor you then leave?”

  She rapidly shook her head. “No, Colin. I know you would never do such a thing. We’ve only known each other a short time. I thought it would take you much longer to work up to this. Though I am delighted to be proven wrong,” she confessed.

  He smiled at her. She was so innocent and untouched by the harshness of the world. Her life was filled with every luxury her father’s money could buy. It was those very things that made Colin hesitate to finish his proposal. “I can’t give you the things your father gifts you with.”

  “There is nothing more I want than to live on your moldy old island, in the cottage, have your children, and grow very old with you.”

  “But what of Rupert?” There, he’d said it finally.

  Her brows came together in confusion. “What of the man?”

  “He has made it known to everyone in society and beyond he’s after your hand in marriage.”

  Norah threw her head back and laughed, her dark hair shining in the moonlight. “My love, I wouldn’t marry the man if he was the last one on earth. He cannot give me what I need,” she became still and shivered. “Something about him is not quite right. It’s as if there’s a cloak of darkness surrounding him. I admit, he scares me the way he stares.”

  Colin grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “Has the bastard touched you?” he demanded.

  “No, no” she denied. “It’s nothing like that. I can’t place what it is about him, but whenever he enters the room, I want to leave as quickly as possible.”

  He drew her gently to his chest, savoring the feel of her soft form in his arms once more. They had little time together and each time they met it was getting more difficult to part. He would have to talk with her father on the morrow before he lost her to Rupert.

  “I will speak to your father first thing in the morning,” he assured her. “If you are certain this is what you want.”

  She slid her silk covered arms around his waist. “Never have I been more certain of anything. I love you and want to marry you. For me, there is no other decision.”

  Colin tilted his head looking down into her eyes. “You said Rupert couldn’t give you what you needed. What is it you need, my heart?”

  “You,” she whispered softly. “I need you more than I need air to breathe. I feel as though I’ve loved you all my life without ever actually meeting you till now.”

  He loved her all the more for the generosity of her heart and the unselfish way she was willing to give up the comforts she’d grown up with. Norah didn’t play coy, hiding what she felt about him. She wore her feelings as a badge of honor, proud to show the world the love they shared. His heart clenched tightly in his chest. He couldn’t believe the power of his feelings for her. He had never felt this way with anyone, so open, not hiding beneath layers of cynicism and suspicion as he’d done his whole life.

  “How did I ever become lucky enough to capture your heart?” he wondered out loud. “I do understand your sentiment. You’ve been in my heart forever, and I’ve loved you even longer. I just never knew your name until now.”

  “It is I who am the lucky one, for no other man would want me with my bluestocking ways,” she teased him as tears gathering in her eyes.

  He was aware she knew the rumors circulating through their crowd. They believed his interest in her was only for her father’s wealth, but she knew differently. He loved her just as she loved him, and after tomorrow, no one would dare say otherwise. He released her long enough to reach in the pocket of his coat and pulled out the length of material and a cameo he’d brought for her. The ribbon was perhaps eighteen inches long and two inches wide. The material was of the best quality. He slid the red velvet ribbon around her neck, clasping it behind her neck until the cameo fell to the top of her breastbone. He gently turned her in his arms and placed a soft kiss upon her lips. “Happy birthday, my heart,” he whispered.

  “Colin, it’s beautiful, but where ever did you get such a thing?” She ran her hands along the material, loving the feel of the fabric against her skin and marveling at the beauty of the fine carving on the cameo itself.

  “It was the only thing of my mother’s I managed to hide from my father’s greedy hands. I think she would be pleased to see you wear it. Just as I know she would have been pleased at my choice of a wife.” He didn’t elaborate. There wasn’t a need. Norah already knew of his late father’s addiction to the gaming tables, and the empty family accounts because of it. He was now turning the family fortunes around. He couldn’t wait till the day he built her a home she would be proud of. Before he could make her that promise, a harsh voice broke through the night.

  “What a touching scene,” the voice came from the dark. “Too bad it will be your last.”

  Lord Keith Rupert stepped from the darkness cloaking him to stand in front of the stunned couple. Instinctively Colin pushed Norah behind him, shielding her with his body. “What cause have you to be here, Rupert?” he demanded, while his gut clenched i
n terror of the man’s answer.

  Rupert leaned over, plucked a rose from the bush nearest him and bowed as he handed it to

  Norah, as if Colin wasn’t standing there. “For you, my beauty.”

  She slapped his hand away causing him to drop the delicate flower in the dirt. “There is nothing I want from you, Lord Rupert, save the loss of your presence.”

  Instead of becoming angry as she’d feared, he laughed. “Oh, my beauty, you shall want more from me before the night is through, this I can promise you.”

  Every muscle in Colin’s body tensed at the other man’s words. Norah laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder silently reminding him to hold his temper. He covered her hand with his, letting her know he understood her message. “What possible concern can Miss Norah be of yours, my lord?”

  “Considering she is to become my wife, I would say I have every right to be concerned.” His smile was filled with triumph and became even broader at Norah’s shocked cry.

  “No!” she gasped. “It cannot be true. My father would never make such an agreement without my knowledge.”

  “Oh, but he did, my flower.” Rupert was quick to assure her. “He was more than happy to make the match when he found out I was still willing to marry you despite your ruined reputation.”

  Colin had said nothing till now. He was trying to absorb the shock of words spewing from the other man’s mouth.

  How had he managed to outwit him every time?

  Why would Barrington agree to marry his daughter to a man he knew she despised? “What lies have you told to gain your way this time?”

  Rupert shook his head as if trying to impart information to a slow-witted child. “No trickery involved, I assure you. It was simply a matter of pointing out the truth to Barrington.” At this Colin sneered, “Your version of the truth.” “Oh, not this time, my boy. You see it has become something of a scandal among society the way you’ve shamelessly chased poor Miss Norah here for her fortune. Then, to ensure her money, you ruined her.”

  “I did no such thing, and anyone who believes otherwise is as big a fool as you are,” he harshly declared, tightening his arm around his beloved’s waist.

  “Well one can ever know the truth from all the lies which float about. In this case, I believe your behavior was proof enough for her father. So he will make the announcement tonight of our marriage.” Rupert held his hand toward her. “Come my dear, we must hurry to join your father. It wouldn’t do for us to show ourselves late.”

  Norah shook her head, cringing further behind Colin’s broad back. He knew she would refuse to believe what she heard. Her father had promised he would never accept a proposal without first talking with her. It was a promise made on her mother’s deathbed and one Barrington would never willingly break. Something must have happened to bring this about. He knew her feelings toward each of the men standing in the rose gardens with her just as he knew where her heart lay.

  “No,” she said. “I will not go with you. You’ve lied to my father or you are lying now. There is no way he would agree to this match without discussing it with me first. He knows the degree of contempt I hold for you. No, he would never approve such a match. Come,” she grasped Colin’s hand and intertwined their fingers. “We shall both see my father and find the truth.”

  Norah picked up the side of her voluminous skirts and walked toward the path leading out of the garden, Colin by her side giving her strength through his presence. They had almost reached the end of the path when once more Rupert’s voice broke the stillness of the night. “Wait, Miss Norah, I have a birthday present for you.”

  She turned, still holding Colin’s hand. “There is nothing I want or would accept from you, Lord Rupert, except the removal of your presence from my father’s home. Besides,” she fingered the velvet circling her neck, “I have the only present I want from the only man I shall accept in marriage.”

  Rupert quickly covered the distance separating them. “Maybe there is something I can do to change your mind.” With that, he pulled a lavish jewelry box from his pocket and handed it to her with a flourish. “Open it my dear. I am anxious to see your reaction to my humble gift.”

  She stared from him to the box as if not knowing which one disgusted her most—the gaudy red box decorated with gold emblems or the man standing in front of her. There was an aura about him that was dark and sinister. Unfortunately, nothing she’d ever been able to place a finger on.

  With as much grace as she could muster, Norah pushed the box back into Rupert’s hand and took great care to avoid touching his flesh.

  “As I’ve said before, my lord, there is nothing I want from you.” Norah clasped harder to her lover’s hand, drawing strength from his heat and courage from his silence. He trusted her and loved her enough to allow her the pleasure of setting this horrible man straight. Her heart swelled with love and gratitude. Colin was her perfect match in every way. “Hurry, my love, we must speak to my father. I shall want our marriage to be announced this very evening and without delay.”

  They left the garden hurrying toward the manor house, which was filled with light, music, and dozens of people walking and dancing within its walls. She was quickly able to find her father amongst a group of friends.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen, I wish for only a moment to steal my father away.” She curtsied and gave them no chance to respond before grabbing her father’s arm and hauling him into his study where Colin awaited them.

  “My girl, what is this?” he blustered when Norah finally released his arm to stand beside the man she’d chosen as her future husband. “What the hell is he doing here?”

  Colin quickly stepped forward. “Sir, I am here to ask for the honor of your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

  Barrington’s face became pale and he lowered himself unsteadily into the nearest chair. “What nonsense is this, Norah?”

  Norah walked to his side determined to have everything out in the open once and for all. “Father, I love Colin and he loves me. We wish to marry and ask only for your blessing on the match.” She placed her hands upon his and squeezed tightly.

  “You wish to marry this...this...” he stuttered.

  “Father, Colin is a wonderful man who loves me very much. I cannot ask for anything more in a man than that.” She turned her head and met his steel-eyed gaze so filled with love it made her catch her breath.

  Her father glanced up catching the look between the two. “What rubbish. He can give you nothing. He is poor as a church mouse and doesn’t even have a decent home to provide a roof over your head.” He stopped suddenly and lumbered to his feet. “I know what this is about. You think with her dowry you’ll be able to provide the necessary repairs to that heap of stones and inject new monies into your pockets.” He huffed out a breath. “Well, I won’t have it. No daughter of mine is going to be used for my money. Norah will marry someone who can provide the lifestyle she deserves and is accustomed to, or she’ll marry no one.”

  Colin stepped forward. “Sir, I want nothing to do with your money or your land. I want one thing from you, and that is your daughter. I respect her and would never do anything to dishonor her. I promise to give her everything in my power and see to her every happiness which, she assures me, is guaranteed by marriage to me. We ask nothing but your blessing and goodwill. If you cannot give them, then we will do so without either!” He turned, taking Norah’s arm and walked out of the room.

  “Do not worry yourself, my heart,” Colin soothed. “I will convince your father of our marriage. He will give us his blessing, I promise you.” He looked down into her eyes.

  Norah couldn’t keep the anger she felt from creeping into her expression.

  “My love, I’m sorry if I’ve—” he began, but she cut him off.

  “Not you, Colin. Never you,” she swore, her voice sounding cold and resolute, even to her own ears. “It’s the rest of these ignorant fools I’d like to drown in the swamp, my father included. How dare he think to refuse us his
blessing?” She paced the length of the sunroom in which they had come seeking privacy. “We must think of a plan quickly before my father has too much time to come up with one of his own.”

  The scene then changed as dreams often do, and Colin found himself outside in the midst of pouring rain looking down at the body of the only woman he would ever love. Even in death, her face was a perfect mask of beauty and grace. He fell to his knees, his arms encircling her neck. A cry of anguish burst from his lips. The gift given so sweetly only hours before now seemed vulgar and obscene as it stretched across her neck. He screamed in anguish toward the heavens as he clutched her lifeless body in his desperate grasp. Pain ripped through him as he swore vengeance against the monster responsible for this terrible atrocity.

  Chapter Seven

  Galen woke, shivering, drenched in his own sweat. The woman. Who was she? But nothing came. His mind was blank. She was a nameless woman he couldn’t place. Only strong emotions were left. He felt the wrenching pain of separation. His conscience was weighted down by a guilt he couldn’t understand.

  “Damn.” He raked his hands in his sweat- damped hair. A glance at the bedside clock showed it to be close to five. He wouldn’t sleep anymore. He shoved the damp sheets off his naked body and muttered as he headed down the stairs. He had to do something before he lost something more important than sleep, like his mind.

  The woman in his dream and the woman now living next door were driving him nuts. They both were a complication he didn’t need. His life was exactly the way he wanted. He had an extremely profitable business he enjoyed, a black book full of women he could have at a moment’s notice, and no one who demanded his time, attention, or affection.

  “Damn it, my life is perfect,” he swore. He reached the dock and dove off, hoping the water would cool his heated body. As the water closed over his head, a little voice whispered, “If it was so perfect, why do you feel something is always missing?”

  He ignored the voice and dove back under the chilly water, determined to put everything to do with Regin Neff out of his mind once and for all. He didn’t have feelings for her. It was ridiculous to think he had, though at least she was a live person instead of one in his dreams. And his feelings about Regin came up too suddenly for them to be real. Love was an illusion not worth the pain.