Enchanted Ecstasy (31 page)

Maleaha's anger intensified as Kane criticized her before Lucinda and his father. "I have had a long day, Kane, and I am going to my room," she said, sailing out of the room without a backward glance.

"See what I mean," Lucinda spoke up, giving Kane her most helpless little-girl look.

"You should not take it personally, Lucinda. I believe Maleaha is angry with me, and it does not concern you. If the two of you will excuse me, I will also wish you a good night."

Lucinda put a restraining hand on his arm. "Do not go. I wanted to talk to you."

"Let him alone," Eli spoke up. "He said he wanted to retire."

Lucinda looked at Eli and then back to Kane. Eli had never spoken so harshly to her before. She hoped to gain Kane's sympathy, but he was already halfway across the room.

Maleaha stood looking out the bedroom window. Tears of anger and hurt flowed freely down her face. What was the matter with her lately? She seemed to cry so easily. Deep inside of her the Indian part of her was ashamed of this weakness.

She heard Kane enter the room and slam the door behind him. She quickly dried her eyes and stood ready to face him.

"I didn't expect you to be able to tear yourself away from Lucinda. To what do I owe this great honor?" she asked angrily.

"Maleaha, I have had about enough of your childishness. Just because you are angry with me doesn't give you any right to take it out on Lucinda."

"Did she tell you that I was taking my anger out on her?"

"She said something about your getting angry when she broke some silly Indian vase.''

"Is that what she said?"

' T insist that you apologize to her. It would be only decent of you to treat her with a little kindness. She has been through a very difficult time. Coming all this way from Boston was not easy for one as delicate as Lucinda is."

Once more Maleaha felt the prickle of tears. Kane was concerned for Lucinda, thinking she had been through a difficult time. He didn't for one moment consider her feelings. He didn't even believe that she had gone to be with her aunt because she was ill. It had never occurred to him to ask how her aunt was, and she was not about to tell him that she had died. He probably wouldn't believe her anyway. Lucinda was very clever. She had made her appear a spiteful, jealous person.

"I will apologize to her tomorrow, if that is your wish," she said dully. Maleaha wondered when she had become such a coward. Perhaps she was not accustomed to anyone's not believing her. She was an honest person and didn't know how to defend herself against dishonesty.

"I am glad you are being sensible about this. Your apology should clear the air.''

Maleaha bit her lip against her angry retort. She could almost see the smug look on Lucinda's face when she apologized.

She moved away from the window and removed her robe. Pulling the covers down she climbed into bed and turned her back to Kane. She felt him sit down on the bed and hoped he would leave her alone. At the moment she wasn't sure what she felt toward him. It was possible that he was killing her love for him, degree by degree. After Lucinda's telling her about Kane's making love to her, she didn't want him to touch her. Go to Lucinda, she wanted to shout at him. See if I care, she thought angrily.

She felt his hand gently brush her hair and she closed her eyes. She was not being honest with herself. If Kane were to go to Lucinda, it would break her heart.

"Maleaha, I don't want to quarrel with you." His hand drifted down her silky hair and across her shoulder.

"I don't want to quarrel with you either, Kane. In fact, I don't want anything to do with you."

He turned her over to face him. She could easily see his handsome face in the moonlit room. "I can't stand it when you are angry with me."

"You think I should not be angry with you?" she questioned.

"If anything, I should be unhappy with you. You left me under the pretense of visiting your sick aunt."

"This is not the first time you have accused me of telling a lie, Kane."

His hand strayed to the ribbon at the front of her nightgown. "I do not think you set out to deceive me. I suppose a man should expect a woman to weave fabrications."

"I am surprised you married me, thinking so little of my honesty."

His hand brushed against her breast. "Let's not quarrel tonight. All I really want to do is hold you in my arms and make love to you," he whispered in her ear.

Maleaha resisted the urge to push his hand away as it slid down to her stomach. All she could think about was Lucinda lying in his arms, while he made love to her. She tried to deny her body the thrill of his touch, but as his lips covered hers, her body ached for total fulfillment.

"Perhaps you should seek out Lucinda," she said and wished she could recall the words as soon as they had been spoken.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't want to be with you, Kane," she said, trying to push him away.

"It's been so long, Maleaha. Don't punish me any longer," he said, pulling her nightgown over her head.

"You are my husband, and you can take whatever you want from me. But you will find me unwilling to give myself freely to you," she told him, already willing to give him anything he wanted. His hands seemed to burn into her delicate skin as they moved across her stomach to rest against her leg.

"Your body denies what your lips say, Maleaha. I can tell you want me as much as I want you." And to prove his point he bend his dark head and nuzzled her creamy breast until the points became hard in his mouth. His hand slid up her throat and he looked deeply into her eyes.

"Have you judged me guilty without a trial, Maleaha?"

What was it she saw in his eyes? Pain? "It is you who have found me guilty, Kane."

Maleaha had no chance to say anything further. Kane's lips settled on hers and her body began to tremble. Don't think about anything tonight, she told herself. Let him have your body. Give him what he asks for and take what he gives you.

She felt his naked body pressed against hers, and she sighed as he pulled her on top of him. She could feel the hair on his chest tickle her bare breast. His lips were hungry and demanding, and her lips opened invitingly to his kiss. All of her instincts awakened.

Kane might love Lucinda, she thought, but at the moment it was she he wanted. She could feel his warm male hardness pressed against her, and she gasped as he entered her body.

Her hands laced through his hair as he turned her over onto her back. She had been apart from him for too long, she thought. Her body had too long been denied the pleasure that only Kane could give her.

Maleaha responded to his lovemaking wildly, and when they had both been satisfied she curled up in his arms, sighing contentedly. She knew that she should still be angry with him, but for the moment she was too sleepy, and his body felt so good beside her.

Some time later she heard Kane get out of bed and get dressed. He seemed to be gone for a long time, and when he did return, Maleaha pretended to be asleep. She could smell the brandy on his breath as he pulled her into his arms and rested his face against hers. She wondered where he had been, and she hoped he had not been with Lucinda.

24

The next morning at breakfast Maleaha and Eli were talking, when Kane swept into the room. Maleaha could tell by the scowl on his handsome face that he was in a foul mood.

Eli raised his eyebrow, but said nothing when Kane sat down and reached for his coffee cup without wishing anyone good morning.

Mrs. Higgens served breakfast with her usual cheerfulness, but only Eli seemed to notice. Kane glared at Maleaha over his coffee cup. He noticed her eyes light up as she stood up quickly and raced out of the room, calling her father.

Her damned Indian hearing, he thought sourly. She always heard everything before any normal human being could have.

When she returned a short time later, Jonas was with her. He greeted Kane and then shook hands with Eli.

"It's a small world, isn't it, Eli? Who would have thought that you and I would one day share the same granddaughter?"

Eli laughed. "I would never have believed it had you told me a year or even a few days ago. I only found out yesterday that my lovely daughter-in-law was your daughter."

Kane looked at his father, watching for some hint of sarcasm, and he was surprised that his father seemed to be speaking sincerely.

After Jonas was seated beside Maleaha and she had poured him a cup of coffee, he took her hand and squeezed it.

' 'Honey, I was sorely grieved to hear about your aunt's death. I know how much you loved her, and I was sorry I wasn't with you when she died to help you in your grief. I came home as soon as I heard. Lamas rode to Albuquerque and brought me the news."

Kane felt as if a knife had been twisted inside his chest. Good Lord, what she must have suffered over losing her aunt! He had accused her of lying about her aunt's illness, and Maleaha had been telling the truth all the while. When would he ever learn to trust her? She had not even tried to defend herself to him, nor had she told him that her aunt had died. He saw tears sparkle in her beautiful green eyes as she laid her head on her father's shoulder.

' 'I was glad I could be with her at the end, Father. She seemed to need me."

"I know, honey." Jonas kissed her cheek. "She was your last living link with the Jojoba tribe."

"I don't think I will ever want to return to the camp again."

"You feel that way now, honey, but the day will come when you will want to take Cimeron to visit the Jojoba, so she will feel pride in your mother's people, just as you do."

"I suppose you are right. I do want her to get to know them, and to know their worth." Maleaha glanced at Kane to find he was watching her. She saw the muscle in his jaw twitch and wondered what he could be thinking. She felt no joy in the fact that he now knew she had told him the truth. She had wanted him to believe in her.

"Speaking of my granddaughter, Eli. Let's go up and invade the nursery," Jonas said, draining his coffee cup.

"I think she is still sleeping, Father."

Eli stood up and smiled warmly at Jonas. "If she is sleeping, we will just have to awaken her. We have that right as her grandfathers, don't you think, Jonas? Did you know her nose resembles Kane's when he was a baby?"

"No, her nose is like Maleaha's," Jonas said emphatically.

"You are mistaken. She has Kane's nose."

"No,
you
are the one who is mistaken, but I will concede that she has Kane's eyes."

Kane watched as the two men left the dining room. He could not believe his father was acting the doting grandfather. He was not even aware that his father had paid the slightest attention to Cimeron. He frowned as he turned to face his wife. He was quiet for a moment, wondering how to speak to Maleaha. There were so many things that he wanted to tell her, and so little he dared say.

"Maleaha, about your aunt. I am sorr…"

Maleaha stood up and began stacking dishes on a tray. "I don't want to hear anything you have to say, Kane. You said it all last night."

Kane stood up and took the tray out of her hand and placed it on the table. "You are going to make it hard for me, aren't you?"

Maleaha placed her hands on her hips. "Which time do you wish to apologize for?"

"Damned if I know. It seems that I am always saying or doing the wrong thing where you are concerned."

"Save it, Kane. If you are wanting to make pretty speeches, say them for Lucinda."

"Did I hear my name mentioned?" Lucinda said, advancing into the room in a flurry of aqua-colored silk.

Maleaha turned to her and smiled sweetly. "Miss Blake, I am glad I have this chance to speak to you. My husband seems to think I have wronged you in some way."

Lucinda pouted prettily. "Kane is so kind. Which offense are you referring to? There have been so many since I arrived."

"Take your choice. Perhaps you and my husband could make a list and I will apologize one by one." She turned to Kane. "There. I have apologized, are you satisfied?" She picked up the tray of dirty dishes and hurried from the room.

Kane could not help smiling. Was there ever a woman to rival his wife? She was as headstrong as she was beautiful.

"Lord, your life must be in constant upheaval living with a woman like that," Lucinda said.

"You cannot guess." Yes, his life had been in chaos since he had first met Maleaha. He had never known a dull day since she had become his wife. His love for her seemed to grow with each passing day. Kane wondered how much longer he would be able to keep his love for Maleaha hidden. He chuckled, feeling pride in his wife. She had in no way humbled herself when she had apologized a moment ago. She was miles above Lucinda in every way. From her he was learning patience, loyalty, and honesty. She had been raised to live with dignity and honor, and she expected everyone else to be the same. She was learning a cruel lesson. She was finding out that others did not always behave as she expected them to. Kane found himself wanting to be a man she would look up to and respect. He wanted that almost as much as he wanted her love.

"I was hoping you would show me about the ranch today, Kane." He had forgotten that Lucinda was in the room with him. He looked at her absentmindedly.

"Please say you will show me around. I have never seen how a ranch operates."

Kane saw the pout on her face and was repulsed by it. Maleaha never played games as she did. "I am very busy, Lucinda."

"Oh please, Kane. I want you to take me riding, if only for a few hours," she said with tears glinting in her blue eyes.

He looked at her irritated. "You will have to find something more appropriate to wear. This isn't Boston, you know."

"I have the perfect outfit to wear. It is a crimson riding habit. Wait until you see me in it."

Jonas and Eli had ridden into town. Maleaha was kept busy for most of the morning changing the linens in the upstairs bedrooms. She rapped lightly on the door of the room Lucinda's aunt occupied but received no answer. She thought the lady must be sleeping and decided not to disturb her. She had yet to meet the woman. Poor lady, she thought, she must be very ill. She thought she would ask Eli if they should have the doctor ride out to take a look at her.

She found time later in the morning to play with Cimeron. After she had fed her lunch she tucked her into bed for a nap.

Going into the kitchen, she made two apple pies and put them into the oven to bake. She knew that Kane had taken Lucinda for a ride and that they had packed a lunch. She tried not to think what they might be doing. Jealousy was a new emotion for Maleaha, and she found that she had a hard time dealing with it. She wondered how Kane could love any one as frivolous and false as Lucinda was. He was such a special man, so strong and loving. She envied the love he gave to Lucinda. At times Kane had been kind to her. She knew that he often desired her as a woman, but desire was not love. Can I give him up, she wondered. You never really had him, she told herself.

She passed through the sitting room, straightening the whatnots on the bookshelves. She needed to get out of the house. She couldn't just wait here for Kane and Lucinda to return, she thought.

When Maleaha rode away from the ranch house, she heard a rider coming up behind her. She slowed her mount, allowing Lamas to catch up with her.

"I have not seen much of you lately, my friend," she told him, looking at the wrinkled face that was so dear to her.

"I went to Albuquerque to tell your father about your aunt's death," he said, glancing over his head at the fleeting clouds that had passed over the sun.

"Cimeron misses you."

"I have stayed away from the big house." His face eased into a grin. "I seem to scare your guest."

"I would like to frighten one of them myself," Maleaha mumbled under her breath.

Maleaha's problems seem to lessen as she urged her horse into a full gallop. The wind was cold, and it brought a rosy tint to her cheeks. For the moment she wished she could ride forever and never return to the house, where so many troubles seemed to be piling up for her.

She thought about the apology she had given Lucinda that morning. Perhaps Kane would think twice before asking her to apologize again.

After riding for half an hour, Maleaha halted her horse at the edge of a deep mesa. She dismounted and drank in all the beauty of this land she loved so much. She seemed to draw her strength from this wild, untamed land. It was in her blood, and it was her birthright. She remembered her grandfather's telling her what a difficult life she would have with one foot in the Indian world and the other in the white world. He had been right. It was very difficult when one was born a half-breed.

Lamas stood beside her and glanced into her lovely face. She looked so much like her mother at the moment. Her long black hair was blowing freely in the wind, and her lovely face was creased into a worried frown. She wore the doeskin dress with the ease that any Indian maiden would have. She was troubled about something, something that he could not help her with.

Maleaha saw the dark clouds that were gathering in the east. "Winter comes early this year, Lamas."

He nodded. "It will snow before two days pass."

"Cimeron will be delighted with the snow."

Lamas spotted the two riders who came out of the pine forest. He recognized Kane and the white woman as they dismounted beside the stream. Looking at Maleaha, he saw that she had also seen them.

Maleaha stiffened as she saw Lucinda throw her arms around Kane's neck and then kiss him firmly on the mouth. She wanted to look away, but she couldn't. Her eyes were drawn to her husband and the woman he loved. She felt the prickle of tears in her eyes. Oh, she hurt so badly. Her heart was shattered into a thousand pieces. She watched as the two of them moved apart, and covered her face with her hands.

"What in the hell do you think you are up to, Lucinda? I don't have time for your little games," Kane said angrily.

"I love you, Kane. I have always loved you. Say that you care for me just a little," Lucinda said, tears sparkling in her eyes.

"Lucinda, I do not mean to be cruel, but I am married, and I love Maleaha."

"But you could not love her, Kane. She is so different from you and me."

Kane's thoughts had been on Maleaha all day. He had loved her for a long time, but he had not truly understood her worth until this morning. He had twice accused Maleaha of lying to him, and twice he had found out she had told the truth. Dear Lord, what kind of woman was she? What strength of character she possessed. When he had accused her of lying about Clay, and then again about her aunt, she had not even tried to defend herself to him. For so long Kane had looked for the worst in people, and more often than not, he had found it. That was before Maleaha had come into his life. She was teaching him that there were decent and honorable people in the world, and she, his wife, was one shining example of that fact.

"No, Lucinda, Maleaha is not like you and me, but if I am damned lucky, perhaps some of her goodness will rub off on me."

"I don't understand you, Kane. She is nothing but a half-breed!"

Kane grabbed her by the arm, and she cried out in pain. "You and I are not worthy to stay under the same roof with Maleaha. I know she doesn't love me, but I cannot give her up."

"But, Kane, I always thought you and I would be perfect for one another. Your father thinks so, too."

He smiled not unkindly at her. "You and I would never be right for each other, Lucinda. We are both too selfish, or at least I once was. Lately I believe I have changed a great deal. My wife has taught me many worthwhile things, not the least of which is humility."

"Are you saying that you don't love me at all?"

"Lucinda, I don't even like you. I never did."

Kane's eyes were drawn beyond the stream to the distant mesa. He saw two people, and he recognized Maleaha's horse. His heart contracted as he watched her mount and ride away with the ever-faithful Lamas riding beside her.

Kane shoved Lucinda away from him, knowing how the scene that had taken place between them might be misinterpreted from a distance.

"Isn't the English translation of the name of your ranch paradise?" Lucinda asked with a spiteful gleam in her eyes.