My Forbidden Mentor (35 page)

Robert sat in a chair across from them. “Have I interrupted something?”

Through frustration John responded before Melissa could. “Yes, you certainly have.”

Robert smiled at John’s misery. It wasn’t as if John hadn’t put him in the same position when he’d wanted to talk about Melissa at all hours of the night. He and Rose would be in the throes of lovemaking when John would be insistently knocking at the door. “So sorry,” he said, looking in John’s direction before switching to Melissa, “but I hear congratulations are in order?”

John and Melissa stared at other in confusion, knowing they hadn’t spoken to anyone yet. “How did you find out?” John asked.

Robert’s grin widened. “You only shouted it so the whole town heard you John.”

That’s right, John remembered. He had shouted it aloud, but not in the manner he would have preferred, and by now Melissa remembered the same thing. “Thank you,” they said in unison. “You can congratulate us again if you’d like. We’re getting married,” John informed him.

“Well it’s about time. Rose and I were devising a matchmaking plan for the two of you,” he told them.

“I’d like to meet Rose,” Melissa remarked.

Robert leaned toward Melissa, handing her his handkerchief for her wet face. “And you shall,” Robert concurred. Eager to get home, he finished the update on Vanessa. “By the way, Vanessa is being evaluated by the local doctors here. There’s no telling where she’ll end up, but as long as she’s out of our lives I don’t care.” Robert stood. He still needed to pack so he could leave.

“Hopefully her evaluation will take a lifetime,” Melissa replied, taking John’s hand in hers and squeezing, and she rose as well as the thought of Vanessa cued her to start packing. The farther away from that woman the better.

As John watched Melissa step over to the dressing area he knew what motivated her actions. His gaze swung back toward Robert.

“Leaving?” Robert inquired.

“Yes immediately,” John said with a smile, and rising, he walked Robert to the door, where they said their goodbyes and made plans to meet in Richmond in a couple of days.

“Has this turned into the battle of wills?” John inquired as he clasped his hands together on top of his lap. His head reclined into the leather seat of his carriage and tipped into a comfortable position so his eager and waiting eyes could watch her.

Melissa brushed the velvet curtain aside, averting her attention away from the handsome, prowling man seated across from her. Since leaving the hotel he’d been tempting her to continue where they’d left off, in the midst of a prelude of lovemaking, blaming Robert for his unreasoned urgency although Robert had unknowingly interrupted.

But Melissa found herself thinking about all the changes that had taken place in the last few days. The shock of Vanessa’s maneuver was finally wearing off, letting her mind explore the future, and unfortunately her present mood didn’t coincide with John’s adventurous one at the moment. Plus it might be sort of fun to put him off for a change and not respond so predictably.

She answered him while her eyes fastened to the passing landscape. “I suppose it has since I need to prove to you that I can control my urges, and it will be you who loses control.” Managing a brief glance toward his languid form she saw exactly what she had expected, a lazy smile with equally lazy eyes. Don’t fall that easily she warned herself.

John laughed. No, it wouldn’t be long. She was as hungry as he was and in a few short hours she’d be melting beneath him, begging him to take her. His manhood stiffened in anticipation. Should he bait her more in the mean time?

Short Corner

John became quite impressed with the stamina Melissa presented. She hadn’t backed down once to all the baiting he had tossed at her.

Once they came to a stop Miss Beckett came flying out of the front door, anxious to greet them. Thunder and Laurel whinnied at their presence. Melissa barely made it out the carriage door when Miss Beckett embraced her. John conversed with his driver, explaining their situation while Melissa and her auntie said their hellos. Miss Beckett was surprised but relieved when she saw Melissa and John together.

Their reunion was pleasant. Miss Beckett had prepared a marvelous array of dishes and she watched the two of them sitting across from her while they all ate and enjoyed their food. Seeing them together gave her the distinct feeling there was something more they had to tell her. “Is there something more you’d care to share?” she asked, watching their matching smiles come to life.

John gave Melissa the honor.

Melissa looked to John for support and he nodded for her to continue. “Yes Auntie, there is more,” she started, clearing her throat to go on. “John and I are to be married.” One hurdle gone, Melissa thought as Miss Beckett’s reaction was what Melissa had expected, ecstatic.

“Oh, that’s absolutely wonderful. I’d always hoped,” she glanced at both, “Congratulations you two.”

Melissa put off the inevitable by commenting, “Yes, I’m very happy, auntie. I believe it was meant to be.” She smiled, blushing at the awkwardness, her eyes downcast until John gently nudged her arm with his. Her focus swung to his, perturbed that he was pushing her. It had been exceedingly difficult to get enough courage to announce that she was pregnant. She held the utmost respect for her aunt and to reveal such news before being married would not only be humiliating but meant disapproval from her aunt as it would reveal her promiscuous actions while she’d been away.

“What is it, love?” her auntie implored.

Melissa couldn’t tell her now, perhaps she could wait until after they were married. They could marry soon enough to hide the obvious, which wasn’t so obvious yet, so she chose to wait, unable to face the disappointment that would be guaranteed from her aunt. “I wanted to ask if you would stand by me?” Melissa waited with the promise that she would accept. Her auntie became so delighted that tears sprang to her eyes.

“Yes, oh, yes love, I’m honored,” she happily accepted.

Melissa and her auntie embraced across the large oak table. Melissa didn’t dare look toward John, although she had a pretty good idea of the expression on his face right about now.

John sat there astounded as he watched their joyful embrace. What was she thinking? Why didn’t she tell her? By now he was fuming. Was she embarrassed about the situation? They loved each other so it shouldn’t matter. She may have bypassed her aunt’s chastising but it wouldn’t slip by with him. He started thinking of a good reason to excuse them both from the table when Melissa spoke first, fabricating a yawn.

“If you two don’t mind, I’m going to retire early tonight.” Her chair slid back across the hardwood floor, and as she rose her aunt rose as well.

“Of course, love. I’ll clean up, then head off to bed myself,” and with that, Miss Beckett gathered the empty plates and carried them into the kitchen.

Still avoiding John’s knowing glare, Melissa stole more chocolate pudding while her aunt was gone. She turned toward the stairway when a strong hand grabbed her arm before reaching the first step. His tall form stood behind her, his breath warm on her ear. “I thought you ate sufficiently enough for two, why more pudding?” he pointed out, pressing the fact that she hadn’t mentioned a word to her aunt about the babe.

Her head half turned to answer him. “I’ve got a craving for it. Dr. Marlow said I could have cravings.”

His pale eyes stared into her profile, so close it burned her, then his mouth came even closer to her ear, whispering his intentions. “Don’t pretend to be asleep when I come up. We need to talk. I’m going to assist your aunt right now.” He let go of her arm and in a half spin strode toward the kitchen.

Melissa sat on top of her lavender coverlet on the bed wearing only a white linen robe and nothing underneath. Her head rested against the wooden headboard and her legs stretched out with ankles crossed. She thought about the lecture she would have to endure from her future husband while eagerly dipping her fingers into a pile of chocolate pudding. She savored the flavor of the sweet dessert, licking each deliciously coated finger, praying he would be easy on her. She would have to make him understand while at the same time carrying on her “containment” charade. It would not be that easy as she had angered him, and if the only way to calm him was to give in and make love to him, she might have to forfeit this time.

It had been a good half hour since she’d come to her room. Finished with the pudding, she put the plate on the oak nightstand and waited. She jumped when the bedroom door finally opened. John’s tall, dark form filled the doorway as he entered. He locked the door behind him and stepped over to a chair, sat down and proceeded to take off his boots.

He was about to unbutton his shirt when Melissa asked, “Do you think it’s a good idea for you to sleep here?” Innocence washed over her beautiful face when he looked directly at her.

“I’m not about to sleep on the couch if that’s what you’re asking.” He sounded sure of himself.

He went back to undressing when she replied, “I was only thinking of what impression we would give my aunt.”

John stood, beyond caring what excuses Melissa had as he slung his shirt across the back of the chair. “You’ve already given her a false impression, Melissa. You couldn’t tell her about our child.” His voice raised in volume to emphasize his point as he continued undressing by expelling his trousers. There was an idle pause between them as he stood naked before her. He was sure of where he was sleeping tonight. Without an ounce of modesty he stepped over to her like a sleek panther, his black mane hanging free and wild, his gray eyes darkening as they narrowed on her. “Why didn’t you tell her about the babe?” he inquired, interested to hear her reason.

Melissa slid over to the opposite side of the bed against the wall. The panther had caged her in where he wanted her. Lifting the covers, John climbed in and covered himself. He was propping up his pillow when she responded, “Because it’s not the order of things. We should be married first, then I should be pregnant.”

His head sank into the feathered pillow, his hands intertwined on top of his mid-section. “Well, we can’t undo what is already done. In our case it shouldn’t matter,” he told her, his expression grim as he turned in her direction.

Melissa looked toward the wooden ceiling, counting the beams as she came up with a plan. Her gaze fell back to John’s waiting glare. “I have a resolution that will work. I’m sure you would agree and it would save us the embarrassment of our situation.” She spoke with enthusiasm while his features remained unchanged. She wasn’t prepared for his brief interruption.

“I am not embarrassed by our situation, and I wasn’t aware that you were either,” he announced calmly.

Melissa sighed at his misinterpretation. “John, all I meant was that if we were married soon, while I’m not showing, no one except Robert, Rose, you, and I will know that the baby was conceived before we were married.”

After she explained, it didn’t sound so bad, but it would anger him if she were embarrassed or ashamed of their creation. “So you’re not ashamed of the babe?” he asked, disturbed at why she would put off the inevitable.

How could he think she’d be ashamed of their child? It was the standard of society, the forever scorning they would have to endure because of their promiscuous situation. She worried about John’s reputation as his prominence in horse racing could label him.

Rising to lean on a bent elbow she pleaded with him. “Please don’t ever think I’m ashamed of our babe. That simply isn’t true. I’m worried about our reputations with your colleagues and sorts.”

He had never cared what society thought before. If people didn’t like him, they didn’t like him, although that had never been the case since people knew John to be a straightforward, honest person and he’d been accepted as such. “Melissa, I don’t care what society thinks, you should know that. I’m surprised you do,” he said, taking in her eyes that reflected concern. “If you’re concerned about it, you shouldn’t be. Other people do things that you probably wouldn’t approve of, and do they care what you think? I highly doubt it.” His features had softened. He stared another moment into the beautiful face of his fiancé. Observing a dab of chocolate pudding on her chin, he wiped the pudding from her chin and slipped his thumb into his mouth. “What about your aunt? I can’t believe you won’t tell her. Of anyone you should care about her thoughts.” He truly couldn’t understand her reasoning regarding her aunt as he believed them to be remarkably close.

“John, I do, of course, I do, but she will be critical of me. She will lecture me and . . . why can’t we announce our news after we marry? Auntie will be the first person I tell.” She begged for his understanding.

A heavy sigh unleashed from him before responding. “If you prefer waiting to tell everyone else I’m agreeable, but I think you should at least tell your aunt.”

In her gut she knew he was right, as usual, but since they had some time before the wedding there wasn’t any rush to hear her aunt’s preaching words.

She had tired of his somber mood and needed to change the atmosphere. Her whole demeanor changed as she rose from her reclining position to straddle his lavender-covered hips. “You’re absolutely right. I’ll tell her soon,” she agreed, her hands reaching to grasp his shoulders.

His strong hands caught hers mid-motion. She gave in too easily. She wanted to move on, obviously having another agenda on her mind, and once they had cleared up the present issue he’d be more than happy to oblige. His fingers slipped through hers, their clasped hands falling to the sides of his hips. “You have one week Melissa Howard, soon to be Melissa Blackburn. You will endure her lecture that you’re so obstinately trying to avoid and then everything will be splendid.” His words were softly spoken but stern. Trying to be reasonable with her sometimes wasn’t easy. She had a stubborn streak he was all too aware of.

“John, you’ve never had to experience my aunt when she’s flustered. It’s not a joy.”

Her tone, sounding almost childlike, didn’t affect him one bit. “Melissa you’ve had to endure more harsh circumstances than your aunt’s chastising. Tell her and get it over with. You can’t change your condition, sweetheart. You have a babe growing inside of you. Our babe. I’m sure once the shock wears off your aunt will be delighted.” He watched and waited.

She sensed twin silver flares melting into her even though her own eyes stared absently into his broad chest that lay uncovered. Her focus slowly traveled along the strong muscles of his chest, extending up the length of his tightly corded neck. His pronounced chin came into view and then soft full lips, where her focus lingered. She studied his features before forcing her eyes to meet with his, and she smiled thinking about their future as a family. “She will know within one week. I promise.

He knew with careful deliberation she would agree with him. In his eyes, the matter seemed simple to resolve, but it didn’t seem to be for her. If she could be patient and endure her aunt’s biting words, the sooner it would be over with and the sooner she could move on. He’d had plenty of practice thanks to his overbearing, drunk of a father. It hadn’t mattered what the issue was, his father’s anger toward his mother was taken out on him on almost a daily basis after his mother’s death. When John could stand no more he’d left and went to stay with Robert and his father. “I’ll hold you to that promise, and if you don’t tell her, I will tell her myself,” he told her.