“It’s Virtus’s colt, April. Don’t you remember? Your father gave him to you. When Vanessa left, she took him with her. Some months ago, she got word to me that she was interested in selling him because she needed money. So I bought him. His name is Virtus, like his sire’s.”
“I…I don’t understand any of this. How did you come to be here, and why did those men stop searching for me? Did Vanessa have a change of heart and send you to bring me home?”
He mounted the horse, then reached down easily to bring her up behind him. Reluctantly, she wound her arms around his narrow waist.
They began to move toward the mountain in the gathering dusk. They had not gone far when April cried out in exasperation, “Why won’t you answer my questions? I can’t believe Zeke Hartley isn’t out there looking for me.”
“Zeke won’t be after you. I imagine he’s gone back to Sylacauga to pick up his partner and head back to Vanessa.” He laughed to himself and murmured, “I just wonder what kind of lie he’s going to tell her about all this.”
She tensed. “Why do you know all this? And why were you in the woods looking for me if Vanessa didn’t send you?”
He was silent for a few moments, then said, “April, I was the one riding against Zeke in the dash race. I was riding Virtus. I won. Zeke lost. It’s that simple.”
“So? You won!” she cried, flinging her arms out, then quickly grabbing him as she felt herself sliding from the horse’s rump. “What difference does that make?”
“In the race I won you.”
“You what?”
He laughed. “Zeke wasn’t about to bet that horse of his that he takes so much pride in. He made a deal—if he lost, I’d win you. And I did.”
She began to beat on his back with her fists, screaming in protest. This time, she did slip from the horse, falling to the ground, but the soft pine needles cushioned her fall. Rance dropped from the horse and fell to his knees beside her, chuckling in amusement.
His face only inches away, she could feel his warm breath as he whispered, “April, you’re going to enjoy being with me. Believe me, you’ll have more fun as my woman than you ever would stashed away in the monastery they were taking you to.”
“Damn you, Rance Taggart, I don’t want to be your woman,” she cried. “You’ve caused enough trouble in my life. I should’ve let my father kill you when he had the chance.”
He silenced her with a kiss. She was shocked to find that it tasted of warm, sweet wine. He released her quickly and got to his feet, jerking her along with him.
“Will you listen to me?” she pleaded, struggling. “My father is very sick. Vanessa is going to take advantage of that. That’s why she wanted me out of the way.”
Suddenly his face became a thundercloud of fury, and he reached out and shook her.
“Now you listen to me,” he ordered. “I can see why Vanessa would want you out of the way, to give her a chance to make peace with your father. You’ve always been the apple of his eye. Let Vanessa have him to herself now.
“You belong to me, and you’re going to obey my every command, just like a well-trained animal. Disobey, and you’ll be punished. It’s up to you, sweet.”
He lifted her and placed her in the saddle, then began walking through the woods, leading Virtus. April wrapped her trembling hands around the saddle horn, staring at Rance’s broad back, too stunned to speak.
Chapter Nine
The house was nestled at the base of the mountain. It was neatly constructed of logs and provided a homey setting in the rugged terrain. Beyond, there were stables and corrals, where horses pawed and stamped the ground. Rance Taggart had good stock and plenty of it.
Edward Clark bounded out the front door to greet his boss. “How’d you find her? I gave up. Figured she’d fallen in the river or something.”
Rance swung down from the horse’s back, then set April on her feet before replying. “I know every inch of these woods, Clark. I also know how to track. Learned it from the Indians.”
Edward shrugged and said, “Well, I guess all that makes a difference.”
Rance withered him with a look. “I also don’t give up, Clark. That’s what makes the difference.”
Edward nodded. He started for the bunkhouse, calling over his shoulder. “Cook brought your supper up a while ago. Smells like chicken and drap dumplings. See you for breakfast.”
April shivered as his eyes flicked over her knowingly. She was now his boss’s woman—or so he and his boss thought.
Rance clamped a possessive hand on her shoulder and steered her toward the front door. He called to Edward to see that Virtus was rubbed down and put in his stall. They stepped up onto the porch, and April froze.
“I told you not to give me any trouble, sweet,” he said. “I own you now. Maybe you’d rather sleep in the barn like a horse. I’m offering you a nice hot meal and a warm bed.”
“A bed with you in it, I imagine,” she snapped. “No thanks, Rance. You’ll have to kill me. I’m going home!”
He picked her up easily and kicked the door open with his booted foot. The room was large, with a fireplace, sofa, and chairs. In one corner was a desk littered with papers. He walked across the floor and kicked another door open. This one led to a bedroom, and he dropped her roughly on the bed covered with a bright patchwork quilt.
“Hell, yes, I’m in the bed, too,” he cried, jerking off his vest and ripping off his shirt. “So let’s just go ahead and find out who’s boss around here, April. Your daddy pampered you all your life, and you think everybody is going to scrape and bow to you. You’ve got a jolt coming.”
“Don’t you touch me!” She scrambled to the far side of the bed, huddling against the wall. Tears sprang to her eyes. “Rance, please. I don’t know what lies Vanessa told you, but you’ve got to believe me. She’s going to hurt Poppa.”
She was talking quickly. “I hated the way Poppa treated Vanessa, but now he’s so sick—”
Rance sighed. “Whatever is wrong with your father, I’m sure Vanessa can get him a doctor as well as you can. And it’s important that they have some time alone together, to work things out, without you being there. You always did stand between your father and Vanessa.”
When she began to protest, he said evenly, “You’re going to love being with me, April. We’ll talk about your home another time. Right now, this is your home—for as long as I want you. You’re mine, and you’re going to be happy being mine.”
He sat on the bed and drew her into his arms. His lips were only inches away as she stared up at him. “You want me, and you know you do. You just think you should pretend you don’t. But I’m going to make it so goddamned good you’ll forget all about pretending. I’m going to make you beg me. You’ll be glad I won that race.”
His lips closed on hers, his tongue moving inside her mouth as she struggled in vain. His hand moved from her breasts to her stomach, a teasing demon. Moving to one side, he slid his knee between her thighs to force them apart. Skillfully, he removed her clothes, one piece at a time. His fingers touched where no man had ever touched before. April could not control the spasms of pleasure that shot through her body, making her arch her back beneath his caress.
Never had she wanted a man to possess her, never had she felt this way. What was happening to her?
He raised his lips, and she looked into his taunting eyes. “Tell me you want me,” he commanded.
“Yes,” she whispered, hating herself. She wanted him. Dear God, she wanted him. She had never dreamed of such desire. “Yes, yes, Rance. I want you.”
She gasped as she felt his finger slip inside her, moving to tantalize. She clutched at his smooth, hard back, feeling her nails digging into him as she fought to pull him even closer to her. But he held back, staring down at her so arrogantly. “Beg for it,” he commanded.
Fury mingled with her desire. He was trying to humiliate her, and she could not let him do that. “No, damn you,” she hissed, her body on fire. “I want you, but
I won’t beg.”
He shifted his body so that he was on top of her, and suddenly there was a new sensation. Something hot and hard and pulsating was touching her, about to enter. She waited, but he moved no farther. She whispered hoarsely, “Damn you, please! Please take me!”
He chuckled and bent to kiss her, slowly and lingeringly. Then, grasping her hips firmly, he moved back and then forward. She felt a sudden pain, but it was far overshadowed by the ecstasy that followed.
He held her tightly against him but did not move again. Her eyes flashed open and she saw that he was staring down at her once more, and this time all the arrogance was gone. His gaze was puzzled, probing.
“Rance?” she asked.
“You were a virgin.”
He said it almost accusingly, and she continued to cling to him, trembling with desire. “Did you think I wasn’t?”
He began to move, as though he could no longer hold back. Faster and faster he plunged in and out of her, and she felt the explosion coming from deep within. She wrapped her legs around his back to hold him tight and bit her lip to hold back a scream, but it pierced the stillness of the night all the same.
With one final thrust that threatened to impale her to the bed, Rance took his release. He held her for a moment, then rolled to the side and onto his back, to stare silently up at the ceiling.
April was in tears. She was shaken by the wonder of it all. But suddenly she could stand the silence no longer. “Well, have you nothing to say? Now that you’ve got what you wanted from me, am I free to go?”
“You aren’t going anywhere, April.”
“But what do you want from me?” She exploded into tears of rage. “Why do you want to hurt me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?”
“What makes you think I would be otherwise? Did you think because you made love to my sister that both of us were easily seduced?” She started to get up, but his hand snaked out to hold her down.
“I never made love to your sister. And certainly not the way we just did. I was merely kissing her, touching her.”
“The two of you set it up to hurt my father and humiliate me and ruin the party. You can admit it now, Rance. It’s all over. There’s no need to lie.”
“That’s why I’m not lying. I didn’t know Vanessa set the whole thing up. She asked me to her room and said it was important. I knew she was upset about your father giving the colt to you. I felt sorry for her.”
“Is that why you were in bed with my sister? Because you felt sorry for her?” April lashed out, glaring at him.
He shrugged. “Once I got there, she let me know she was willing. I’ve never turned a beautiful woman down. But you and your father arrived before we had time to do anything.”
April chewed her lower lip nervously. “It doesn’t matter. I just want to go home.”
“You aren’t going anywhere, April. You belong to me now. I wish I’d known you were a virgin. I never would’ve had you as the wager on a race. But it’s too late now. You enjoyed making love, and I suppose someone had to be the first.”
“You bastard!” She raised her hand to slap him, but he caught her wrist and flung her back on the bed.
“I told you once, blue eyes, never to do that again. I don’t allow a woman to make but one mistake.” His brown eyes smoldered. “I think it’s time you learned your place around here.”
He ignored her screams and thrashing arms and legs as he jerked her roughly over his knees. She screamed even louder as his broad hand began to smack soundly across her bare buttocks.
“I’ll kill you, Rance Taggart,” she shrieked. “So help me, I’ll find a way to kill you!” She twisted and rolled from side to side, but she could not escape the hard, stinging blows.
Abruptly, he stopped. “Have you had enough?” he asked gruffly. “I’ll beat you black and blue if I have to, April—”
“Yes, yes, stop!” she pleaded, slumping across his lap in defeat. “Just let me go, please,” and she dissolved into tears once again.
“I’m getting a little tired of that bawling, too,” he snapped, rolling her over on her back and cradling her in his arms. “You’re a fine-looking woman, April Jennings, and it makes me mad to see you whimpering like a spoiled brat. I’d rather see you whimper with desire.”
His hand shot between her legs once again, and he lowered his lips to her breast and began to suck gently. At first, she remained rigid, determined that this time he would not arouse her, but, as before, she was betrayed by her own body. Soon, she was wrapping her arms about his neck, pulling him closer, and her legs were spreading beneath him to offer herself wholly and completely.
He was gentle this time, knowing her bottom smarted. But the lovemaking was good and warm, and April felt a deep sense of contentment as she allowed herself to be carried away once again on the sweeping, raging tide of fulfillment.
She felt him reach his pleasure and was surprised that he continued to move within her until she had touched that peak of ecstasy herself. Then he held her for a long time without speaking. She found this surprising but said nothing.
“All right,” he said finally, moving from the bed and jerking on his trousers. “I think it’s time we ate. That stew is going to be cold, and I imagine you’re starving.”
He slipped on his shirt, buttoning it quickly as he stared down at her. “Your bags are in the corner. There’s water for bathing in the pitcher on the dresser. When you get dressed, come on out in front of the fire and warm yourself.”
She called to him as he walked from the room, but he did not answer. He closed the door soundly behind him.
Surely, she reasoned as she hurried to bathe and dress in the cold room, he did not intend to keep her imprisoned. He only wanted her for his pleasure and would let her go when he’d had enough. The thought made her feel somewhat better.
She chose a high-necked dress of blue wool, then found her silver brush and began to smooth her long, golden hair. It was difficult, for there were brambles and leaves and pine needles from her journey through the woods. Finally, her tresses hung smoothly about her face, and though she was tired, she felt more confident because she was clean and fresh.
She opened the door and stepped into the big room. Rance stood before the fireplace, ladling stew from the big black pot over the flames into bowls. He glanced up and saw her, then gestured to the round wooden table. “I had to heat it up, but the delay was worth it,” he smiled.
Suddenly, she felt terribly embarrassed. Moments before, he had ravished her, making her scream. Now he stood there calmly serving her supper.
“Well, let’s eat.” He gave her a lopsided grin and sat down at the table.
He was, she admitted reluctantly, quite attractive. His face was strong and handsome, his black hair full and as dark as Virtus’s. And his brown eyes held a depth she had not noticed until today.
She sat down across from him and began to spoon the thick golden broth into her mouth, delighting in the taste. The chicken was plentiful, the dumplings crisp on the outside and soft and juicy inside. There were also generous portions of hot spoon bread, and delicious coffee.
They ate in silence, and then Rance got up and walked over to the mantle where he got a long cheroot from a wooden box and lit it with a straw ignited in the fireplace. He turned to stare at her thoughtfully. She decided to let him carry the conversation. So far, every attempt she had made to talk with him had turned out disastrously. She moved to the sofa and waited for him to speak.
“You’re awfully quiet,” he said finally. “Still pouting over the thrashing you so richly deserved?”
She bristled but was determined not to let him rile her. “How long have you been living here?” she asked quietly, hoping to change the subject.
“Since shortly after your father ran me off,” he answered, smiling. “I wanted a place to raise horses, and this was
a likely spot. I rounded up some good men, men I could depend on, and we built this place. I suppose you could say your father did me a favor. I’m doing quite well. We’re breeding the best horses in the state right here.”
“Why aren’t you in the Confederate Army fighting Yankees?” she asked suddenly. “After all, the good, brave men of the South are volunteering.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” he challenged. “The war is probably not going to last all that long. If it does, I will be performing a much better service to the Southland right here, rather than marching off gloriously to catch a Yankee ball in my heart.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Cavalry horses, sweet. We’re raising horses for the Confederate Cavalry. Someone has to do it.”
Suddenly April was tired of skirting the issue. Quite abruptly, she leaned forward, extending her hands in pleading gesture. “Rance, I must leave. I have to return to Montgomery.”
The pleasant atmosphere disappeared. An angry furrow appeared between his eyes and he gazed at her grimly while drawing on his cheroot. “You’d better remember that you belong to me now.”
She leaped to her feet, waving her arms wildly. Was there no reaching this man? “I am not an animal, Rance. I cannot be bought and sold like a horse. I cannot be won and lost like a horse. You have to let me go!”
His laughter infuriated her almost as much as his taunting words. “Now wouldn’t your father be happy to hear that little speech, April? What about all those slaves he owns? Do you suppose they just might feel as you do about being bought and sold like animals?”
“You are a traitor to the South, sir!” she retorted hotly. “Why don’t you go fight for the Yankees?”
“And you’re just a stupid female who doesn’t know beans about the war and why it’s being fought, or you’d know the war isn’t all a matter of slavery.” He held his cheroot between his teeth, talking around it as he leaned over and began pulling off his boots.
“You’ll like it here, April, once you calm down and accept things the way they are. Cheaha Mountain is the closest thing there is to heaven. There’s peace here. You’ll be happy if you let yourself. I’ll even let you ride Virtus. After all, I guess by rights he’s yours. I knew Vanessa had stolen him when I bought him. But he’s such a prize, I won’t do the noble thing and give him to you.”
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