Kindred (13 page)

“Adeline will love that. She still wants to redeem herself in your eyes.”

“No need.” Cassian laughed. “So it goes smoothly with Malcolm?”

“I am merely waiting to hear a formal engagement announcement any day. Adeline is simply ebullient in her letters.”

Cassian closed the book and lay his quill on the desk. “The same energy permeates Kindred’s missives. Strangely, I can feel her beaming through her letters.” He swallowed the lump which had formed in his throat. “In a few months I shall be back with her and we will make a life in spite of the war. I love her and cannot conceive of a

life without her.”

“Cassian, you are exceptional, I can only imagine Kindred is also.”

“She is. I have always told you that she should be in university here.” He beamed at the thought of her in classes arguing with instructors. “I am so proud of her.”

“The Twain household is rare, indeed. The whole region sounds uncommon. I hope one day to meet all of the people who have molded you and the woman who makes you smile.”

****

London

“We must go back downstairs, Malcolm,” Adeline insisted, pulling from his embrace. “We shall be missed, by your mother, in particular.”

Adeline and Malcom were in his bedroom at Taylor House. She had catapulted her aunt’s advice and caution to the four winds. She had submitted to Malcolm just days after their alcove tryst. For some while now, they had been having sex everywhere and anywhere they could. She knew she had a knack for pleasing and Malcolm loved being pleased. During their torrid encounters, he had proclaimed his affection and had showered her with gifts. Today’s rendezvous in his house showed her, she thought, that he was unafraid of his mother and had become his own man. But she did not want to push protocol too much as she was so close to becoming the next Lady Taylor.

“Malcolm, please hurry.”

“No,” he replied calmly. Nude, cushioned and propped up by many pillows he resembled a potentate. “This house is packed with people for yet another occasion. We could be anywhere. We have plenty of time. Stay.”

“I cannot. Your mother has the instincts of a bloodhound. She will sense something.”

“It is of no import. I said stay!” At his heated words, his penis stiffened.

Adeline jumped at his tone and stood staring at him. A tiny smile curved the corners of her mouth. He craved her!
Her
!

“Malcolm please. We will meet again.” She unleashed her coquettish side. We always do. Do not fret.”

“When? Where?” He poked out his bottom lip and pummeled the covers.

She approached the bed and sat on the edge next to him.

“Sweet, the Millards have invited me to tea tomorrow.” She placed her hand on his chest and let it trail lower as she spoke. “You could come too.” He took her hand and curved her hand around his erection.

“Y-Yes, I could.” He worked his free hand between her thighs.

Adeline worked him expertly, she watched his breathing as a gauge of his pleasure. A small whooshing sound made her freeze. She turned her head toward the door and noticed that the shirt Malcolm had hung on the handle had fallen to the floor. She sighed in relief.

“Why have you stopped?” he asked hoarsely.

“Just a minute, love.” Adeline hopped up, replaced it, then returned to prime him in earnest.

“Again. I want you again.” He tugged at her shift.

Adeline stood up and shucked the garment, but remained clad in her stockings and garters.

“Yes, keep them on. You do know what I like, you doxie.” Chortling, he pulled her down to straddle him.

“Wait. Wait.” She pushed against him. We need another.” She reached past him to a shallow, water filled dish on the bedside table and retrieved a soggy, tubular contraption with a ribbon on one end.

“Secure it. Hurry,” he rasped.

Adeline slipped the sheep’s gut sheath over his erect penis and tied it.

“There.” She leaned over and kissed him. She braced her open palms on his chest as she settled onto him. No, Malcolm was not what she
needed.
But he damn well owned what she
wanted
. She scanned his lavishly appointed room, his possessions echoed his family’s status in society. It all made her tingle. She licked her lips, closed her eyes and groaned with each plunge of her body. Malcolm could not get enough of her. He moaned beneath her.

“You are good. Ah!” He pressed down on her shoulders.

“You like this?” She bounced wildly.

“Faster, sweet.” He pulled and pinched her nipples. “Oh, yes. Perfect.”

She looked down at him. Malcolm’s eyes were slits and his mouth hung open. She had him where she wanted him. The next gift put in her hand would be a ring. The very thought of him on bended knee made her lower body milk him harder. Preoccupied with her reverie, she failed to hear the whoosh or see the shirt fall to the floor again.

Oh! Oh! Oh!” she cried, reaching climax. Malcolm tensed and squeezed her waist as he grinded upward, climaxing. Adeline slumped over him, sweaty and triumphant. Malcolm lay under her gasping like a fish out of water.

“Are you quite done now, Malcolm?” His mother’s voice intruded on the afterglow. “We have other guests to entertain.”

Adeline jumped up and off Malcolm, diving for the carpet on the other side of the bed. “Lady Taylor, I am so ashamed,” she intoned, hastily donning her small clothes.

On her knees, she peered over the edge of the bed. “But you see, Malcolm and I are in love, we could not wait.”

“Could not wait for what, my dear? A wedding?” Lady Taylor held her middle while she laughed. “A trollop such as you would never be welcomed into this family.”

“Mother!” Malcolm propped himself up on his elbows. “There is no need to be so harsh. You said that you would not be.”

“Shut up Malcolm and get dressed. You were five years old last time I saw your privates. And even then, there was not a ribbon tied around them.” She balled up his shirt and tossed it at him. “Miss Penvenen, I will assist you. I want you out of my house as soon as possible. Get a move on.” Adeline stood up and Lady Taylor strode over with the rest of her clothing.

“But we do love each other,” Adeline proclaimed over her shoulder as the woman worked laces and ties.

“Hush! Do not embarrass yourself further.”

Malcolm dressed and left the room without saying a word.

Adeline heard the door click shut. “Malcolm? Malcolm?”

“Adeline,” Lady Taylor turned her around and looked directly into her eyes. “It is over. Keep the trinkets. Go graciously.” In silence, the older woman steered the stunned girl out the bedroom door and down the stairs into the throng. A servant placed her cloak around her. Adeline glanced to her left and saw Daniel and Malcolm in a huddle. Tears rolled down her face. Lady Taylor walked her into the vestibule. She took one of Adeline’s hands and placed in it a sizable, coin filled bag.

“You have a talent, girl. The wives of the aristocracy would thank you for it, their husbands would pay you for it. Perhaps you should use it.”

Sobbing, Adeline folded her fingers around the bag and descended the steps to the waiting carriage.

Chapter Nineteen

Twainhaven

Streaks of morning light coolly lit the bustling tableau in Kindred’s bedroom. It was April and still a little chilly, but hers was the warmest chamber in the house this morning. Her bedroom was lit with as many lamps as was safely possible. Jugs of hot water, squares of fresh linen and cakes of soap stood ready, as did the whole household, as Kindred exerted all her strength to bring Lelaheo’s child into the world.

“Damn him!” Kindred yelled, between pants. The baby was taking its own slow time in being born. Eleven hours and counting and her strength was waning. Drenched in perspiration, sheet fisted in her hands, she whispered, “So tired, Gramma. When?”

“When it come, chil’. Not b’fo,” Rozina assured. She wiped her granddaughter’s forehead with a cool rag.

Douglass rolled up his sleeves and washed and dried his hands. He was elated and apprehensive. He put on a good face, but was as on edge as Joshua, who paced in the outer hall. He had moved the trunk that usually sat at the end of the bed. He had Kindred scoot to the foot to help bring the babe down into the birth canal. He stood ready to catch the baby. “Kindred, listen, girl. Next time push as hard as you can. Our new family member is almost here.”

“Yes,” Kindred grunted through clenched teeth.

Lelaheo’s mother entered the room and put more linen next to the pile.

“Aliquipiso, Rozina, get behind her on the bed. Get that gown off her,” ordered Douglas. The women propped Kindred up, slid in behind and cradled her.

“Oh! Oh my God!” she cried as pain seized her.

“Now ladies,” Douglas commanded. Aliquipiso and Rozina pushed Kindred forward and pulled her knees back.

“Good, good. Push, Kindred, push! The head is coming.”

Kindred bore down as hard as she could. She swore her insides were being squeezed out. “Lelaheo!” she screamed as a blessed release of pressure and a warm wriggling mass slid from her. She heard ohs and ahs, then short impatient wails. She looked down at the creature in Douglas’ hands. A girl. She and Lelaheo’s slippery, bawling daughter.

“Hello, little one.”

She smiled then lost consciousness.

****

“Foolish, foolish girl! I have a mind to toss you out on the streets. Once is bad enough, but twice? You are the talk again. Why would any one propose marriage to you? Tell me why? Not a one now that it is common knowledge that any man may obtain his purpose with you.” The older woman held her head with both hands. “I shall need twice the amount of sleeping draught I usually have in order to sleep tonight.” Felicity clutched her throat. “Are you carrying Taylor’s bastard?”

“No, Aunt Felicity. Please. I feel bad enough. I do not need ....”

“Be quiet! You need to listen and cease this dreaming. In your quest for all, you have lost all. You have wasted the grace of a second chance. Fortune will not smile on you a third time.”

The heart warming, family scene played itself out in the serene Hepplewhite furnished library. Adeline, head down, sat rigidly on a chair while Felicity circled her.

“I have nothing. I must have my own.”

“There is always your mother’s house.”

“I-I could not live there,” Adeline sputtered. “I-I would never go there. It is a bawdy house.”

Her aunt turned sharply on her heels. “Well ….”

Adeline broke into a loud wail.

“Then be prepared for a future as my maid.” She stooped and put her arm around the girl. “The most you can hope for is Paul’s kindness,” she whispered.

“I am so sorry, Aunt Felicity.” Adeline’s chest hitched as she sobbed. “But you must ....”

“Not now.” Felicity straightened and adjusted her bodice. “Your brother arrives soon with Cassian. One last visit from him. Thank goodness. I’ll be happy to see the back of that curiosity. I have to make sure all is in order.” She withdrew from Adeline. “Now, get out of my sight and go repair yourself.”

****

Paul and Cassian arrived on the afternoon coach. They barely had time to shake the road from their clothes before Felicity served tea. Nothing delayed her tea time. Not wanting to be rushed, Cassian declined. Tea was served in the library as scheduled.

“Doctors Harkness and Penvenen! I see you both excelled in your studies. So you will be seeking positions?” Felicity asked, pouring.

“Cassian is returning to the colonies to help his people and to assist Doctor Twain. He has even asked me to consider coming.”

“Really!?” She handed him a steaming cup. “A war is on, boy. Do you not read the daily sheets? Then again, that would be an adventure. Do you not think so, Adeline?” she asked, placing a cup in the girl’s hand. “Your brother in all that untamed wilderness with all those savages.”

“Please, Aunt Felicity, do not speak like that.”

She laughed, ignored her nephew and spoke louder. “Yes, amongst the savages, striking out on his own. Making his way. His own man.”

Paul sipped his tea. “Yes, Adeline, what do you think? You are unusually quiet.”

Adeline looked at her brother, then her tea. “I cannot go on like this.” She broke into tears and fled the room.

“Adeline?” Paul rose to go after her.

“Stay.” Felicity tugged on his sleeve to make him sit down. “It is over between her and young Taylor.”

“What? I thought an engagement announcement was in the making.” Paul shook his head, then pondered his tea cup. “They seemed content. What happened? Was there a misunderstanding?”

“Of sorts.” Felicity paused and looked at him over the rim of her tea cup.

“Aunt, were her affections not returned?”

“Let us just say the returning of affections was all with which Malcolm was concerned.”

“No. Not again.” Paul shook. “I should thrash him!”

“Paul, calm yourself.” She patted his hand. “Your sister’s predicament is very sad. But it is of her own making. And things have a strange way of resolving themselves. Your sister is very resourceful. Besides, your tea is getting cold.”

Chapter Twenty

The silence at the dinner table was unbearable, but Paul forged ahead.

“The beef is quite good, is it not, Cassian?”

“It is.” He coughed having nearly choked at being called on to contribute to the trite proceedings which had been passing for dinner conversation. “Do you not think so, Adeline?”

He actually felt pity for Adeline. Paul had revealed her history and predicament to him. Sad thing. This society to which she so desperately hungered to belong had shunned her. Again. But the young men with whom she had dallied remained secure in their

positions. Doubly sad. He was glad to be departing this land. He noted Adeline finally raised her head. She stared at him and blinked her eyes as if seeing him for the first time. She did not answer him. Instead after a long minute her mouth curved into a crooked

smile.

“Enough of this mindless chatter about the repast,” Felicity cut in. “The beef is the same as it is every time it is served.” She motioned for a servant standing off to the side to come forward. “Tough and totally without merit. I have convinced myself that I keep requesting cook to prepare it because she may possibly surprise me one day and render it edible. Take it away!”