Harnessed Passions (72 page)

"Princess, please listen to me," he began,
his hands wrapping around Julia's slender waist, lifting her gently
yet sternly from the carriage seat to stand before him. "I know how
you feel about this place; I also know how much you always enjoyed
playing here. It would be a shame to destroy it without trying to
build a few good memories to replace the bad ones. Please, give me
a chance to make you forget the horror. If you still feel the same
when we leave, then I will fill it in. Will you give me at least
that?" Daniel wiped the tears from her face with the brush of his
thumb as he lifted her chin and looked into her sorrowful eyes.

"I'm scared," she whispered, locking her
gaze with that of turquoise wonder. He smiled and kissed her
forehead, reaching behind her to retrieve the basket from the
carriage seat.

"Have I ever let you down Princess?" he
asked with a wink. Julia tried to smile, remembering the many times
he had saved her, proving more than a worthy protector.

"What did you have in mind?" Her question
was softly spoken, yet echoed loudly through the stillness of the
morning as she tried to reign in her fears.

"I figured we'd eat our breakfast in
privacy," he said, lifting the basket to reveal its hidden contents
before taking the blanket from the back seat along with her hand
and leading her into the thick brush surrounding the pond.

"Your mum packed your bathing suit, so after
we eat we can go for a swim and perhaps I’ll let you persuade me
into making passionate love to you before we go back and face the
sale and the herd of buyers."

"Daniel Browning!" Julia gasped in
disbelief, stopping suddenly in her tracks. "You can't possibly be
serious? We can't make love in the open like that. What if someone
saw us?"

"Who's going to see us? The swimming hole is
surrounded by trees, and if anyone wanted to spy on us, we'd hear
them approaching. I promise, we're completely secure and like it or
not, you're not getting away from me until I decide to let you
go."

"What if I choose not to persuade you? What
do you plan on doing then Mr. Browning?"

"I plan on making you change your mind and
don't think for a second I won't." Julia smiled, feeling a great
deal calmer, if not more relaxed. Knowing Daniel was there and was
acting as her shield against everything the world threw her way,
gave her the courage to step forward, straight into the arms of her
future.

“
Ready whenever you are,
Sir Daniel,” she smiled as she walked steadily toward the swimming
hole. She pushed her way through the thick, dense trees, slowly
making her way to the water's edge.

The events that had taken place there over
the past five years began to echo in Julia's mind, repeating like a
bad dream. She could hear the sounds of screams, of gun shots, and
angry words floating on the breeze. She could see Sharon as she
pretended to be Heather, standing in the pond and heard her sworn
vow of revenge. The evil and hatred lingered in the branches of the
trees like dead leaves, tangled with the bushes surrounding the
small clearing.

"Princess, are you alright?" Daniel asked
stepping up behind her. She glanced at him and smiled, unable to
verbally answer his question.

"Let's eat," he suggested, nudging her arm
in the direction of the soft grass not far from the water's
edge.

Julia helped spread the thin blanket across
the ground then sat on the hand sewn squares of fabric, feeling
slightly anxious. The contents of the basket were quickly unloaded
and a smile found its way across Julia's lips. Daniel had brought
Mrs. Lester's unbeatable cheese omelets, hot grits and fresh
biscuits along with a bottle of his favorite brandy. Julia lifted
the bottle, her smile growing larger across her delicate lips.

"A little early in the day, don’t you
think?” she asked.

“
Only a suggestion,” he
smiled.

“
Were you planning on
getting me drunk before or after you attack me?"

"I'm crushed," he said as he placed his hand
across his heart as though protecting the vital organ from
breaking. "I'd never stoop so low as to attack an unwilling victim.
I merely thought I could help you relax enough so you wouldn't
object to my plan of seduction."

"Seduction or assault; what's the
difference?" Julia snickered, sitting the bottle among the thick
grasses for support. Daniel growled, lifted a biscuit and pulled a
small piece off then pressed it gently against her lips.

"If I didn't find you so damned
irresistible, I'd leave you and return to my wife."

"Are you saying your wife isn't worth making
love to?" Julia asked, eating the bread. She wasn't certain if she
should feel flattered or insulted over his comment, yet anxious not
to break the relaxed mood he was creating for them.

"She's alright I suppose," he assured her
with a wink, slipping another piece of biscuit between her kissable
lips. "About as desirable as your husband."

"I happen to be very much in love with my
husband sir, and if you aren't careful I'll have to tell him
everything you've said."

"Is he a dangerous man?"

"He's my knight in shining armor. He's
earned his title proudly and victoriously."

"Then perhaps I should have my way with you
now, before this knight of yours learns how deeply I've fallen in
love with his Princess." Julia laughed with delight as he eased her
down to the blanket's protection, capturing her lips beneath the
pressure of his own.

“
Since we are going
swimming, I suppose it’s only logical to rid you of these layers
before we get them wet.”

“
I highly doubt I’ll fit
into that suit. I haven’t worn it since I was sixteen and I have a
growing bulge to worry about.”

“
Then we’ll swim in the
nude; I won’t object to watching your wet, slinky body.”

“
You are a very strange
man, Mr. Browning,” she teased as he began working the buttons that
hid her breasts from his sight. “Are you ever
satisfied?”

“
Never; you’re like that
rare and delicious wine. One taste and I need more.” Seconds seemed
like hours, as Daniel slowly rid Julia of her dress and petticoat,
leaving her naked and warm beneath his lustful
investigation.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have
ever known," he whispered, gently massaging the slight bulge of her
abdomen. Julia smiled reaching up to unbutton his satin dress
shirt.

"I'm getting fat you know? My tailor in
Boston says I'll lose you if I gain too much weight."

"Nonsense; if you should become fat I'd
still love you, perhaps a bit slower and more thoroughly, since
there will be more of you for me to have my way with."

"You're a troll," Julia assured him with a
gasp as he quickly disposed himself of his clothing, revealing to
her eager examination exactly how anxious he really was to have his
way with her.

"I told you once Princess, I'm not a troll;
just a love sick mutt." Julia giggled softly accepting Daniel's
warmth as he lay carefully on top of her.

He kissed her gently, caressing her lips
with the tip of his tongue before nipping his way down her neck to
the round globs of her breasts. He sucked hard on one tender
nipple, smiling when she gasped in pain then moaned with pleasure
as his tongue began to bathe her with heat.

Julia’s breath began to escape her throat in
shallow pants as his lips moved down her sternum, to her tummy;
kissing and caressing her swollen tummy before traveling his lips
further down. He smiled when she gasped, opening her labia with his
fingers as he explored the hidden recesses with his tongue.

Daniel slipped one finger into her wet
vagina as he suckled the swollen bud of her clitoris into his
mouth. Two fingers and his teeth clamped down gently, causing her
to moan deeply as her fingers twined in his long hair. He began a
slow thrust of his long fingers, feeling the muscles around them
tighten. Julia’s moaning grew louder and he knew she was nearly
spent and as much as he wanted her to explore her release, he
needed her just as desperately. He rose above her, spreading her
legs with his as he positioned the tip of his engorged penis
against her opening and smiled.

“
I want you to join me,” he
whispered as he pressed into her, closing his eyes as the feel of
her tight vagina embraced him, surrounding him with the heat of
passion. Julia closed her eyes as he began a slow thrusting, her
legs bending to take him deeper. The fullness was unbearable and
she felt the familiar sensation of release coursing through her
veins. Two deep thrusts later and the dam broke free, taking her
through the tunnel of orgasm as she clung to his shoulders, calling
out his name.

Daniel growled as her muscles clamped down
across him, spinning him through the tunnel after her. He spilled
his seed into her with a primal sensation that left him throbbing
and panting as he lay across her gently. The heat of the day aided
in making them moist with sweat as they lay embraced across the
patchwork blanket.

The next two hours passed by quickly as they
ate their breakfast, completely naked. They fed each other bites of
the food Mrs. Lester had prepared until they were full, then
abandoned the heat for the cool water. They splashed and laughed
until the sun was high overhead, making them aware of the late
hour.

With a great deal of reluctance, Julia
pulled the dress up across her swollen breasts as Daniel slipped
back into his dress pants and shirt. Julia smiled; the memory of
this morning would echo in her mind long after the nightmares of
death faded away. He had accomplished what he set out to; her fears
surrounding the private swimming hole and the horrors she had
associated with the small pond were a part of her past. The future
that lay ahead of them was filled with hope and dreams of
passion.

The sales went extremely
well, with more than a hundred new buyers purchasing thoroughbreds
from Browning Estates. Roustabout had sired four fine foals; three
males and a female. Biscuit had given birth to the cream of the
crop; a male who looked exactly like his father. Daniel was
determined to raise him to be a racer, like his father, who took
first place in two of the Triple Crown races, leaving him the
contender in the next Kentucky Derby. With the cups on their side,
the horses from
Browning
proved to be the best in the region and well worth
the price they asked.

Jeremy had graduated college and returned to
Mayfield where he purchased the old Farnsworth land and quickly
went about setting up home with his new wife. The house had been
torn down and a new one constructed in its place; a home worthy of
rivaling Browning Estates. They were expecting their first baby in
September after the annual sale. Jeremy opted out of raising horses
and chose instead to remain Daniel and Julia’s business partner;
investing and managing the stable’s finances and making a hefty
profit with the last harvest.

Louise decided not to leave Kentucky; she
had a life here and wanted to see her grandchildren grow up. Margie
and Harold were expecting their third baby next month and Bridget
had married one of the stable hands and moved to Wyoming to raise
cattle; hopefully in an area sparse enough to avoid her talent of
spreading gossip.

Rally Overton had been tried in a quick one
day ordeal, since he admitted to the crime of killing his own son.
He was sentenced to life in prison, but passed away two days before
beginning his stretch. He suffered a massive heart attack and died
in his sleep. There were no hard feelings toward the man, from
anyone in the town or at the stables. Julia and Daniel gave him a
respectable service and buried him next to his wife, Edith. He had
lived a hard life, but an honest one, with only a couple of minor
blemishes to scar his epitaph.

Everything was looking up
for the Turner/Browning families. The old mansion had been updated
with indoor plumbing and electricity, and Daniel had sold his flat
and moved his belongings – including his
medical device
into the house. He
worked most days at the office in Mayfield, and the rest of his
time he spent playing daddy with their baby and working on a
sibling with Julia.

Still, the past had a few unfinished pieced
that needed to be set into place. Julia stood next to her husband,
who held their sleeping six month old son, Levi Daniel. She looked
down at the headstone and smiled. The crisp clean letters had been
carved with an expert hand, into the limestone that replaced the
original. She laid the bundle of flowers next to the double marker
and sighed.

“
I think she would have
liked it,” she said softly, reading the inscription of the one
side.

Here lies Heather Farnsworth-Overton and
unborn child; Beloved wife, daughter and friend.

In God’s hands they are given.

The second side read simply;

Michael Dourn Overton: Husband and son.

United forever with his beloved Heather and
baby.

“
Simple, but to the point,”
Daniel said softly, so he wouldn’t awaken Levi.

“
Just like Heather herself;
simple, honest and straight forward.” Julia looked at the man and
smiled. “Thank you for helping me with this,” she said. “She needed
to be joined with her husband and baby. Maybe she can finally rest
at peace.”

“
It puts the past behind us
once and for all.”

They turned and headed down the aisle,
passing the marker grave of Sharon Farnsworth, with no more than a
casual glance. They stopped at Victor’s grave, where Julia laid a
second bunch of flowers next to his marker.