Time After Time (70 page)

• • •

Jonathon looked down at the slumbering girl, her hand tucked beneath her cheek, light breath whispering between her parted lips.

“So beautifully peaceful,” he thought.

He bent and gently brushed her cheek with his lips. Slowly her eyes opened. He saw the happiness there when she awakened and realized he was beside her. A sleepy grin spread across Emily’s face, and he felt a responding one on his.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he teased. “Is this what a lady of leisure does all day and night?”

“Only when she is left to her own resources, sir.”

He sat on the bed beside her. “I had to go into Williamsburg, Em.”

“I know. Joanna told me. When do you sail?”

“In six days. It will be a short voyage to Massachusetts, a fortnight, perhaps a month.” He brushed a curl from her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Confined. The weather has been marvelous they tell me, and I can only glimpse the sunshine.”

“I shall carry you down to the veranda tomorrow. Will that lift your spirits?” he asked.

“Oh, Jonathon, could you?” she exclaimed, impulsively throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss on the cheek. She lay back on the pillow, but kept her arms around his neck. They looked steadily into each other’s eyes for a long moment. Emily’s heart beat wildly. Jonathon reached to her nightgown and slowly pulled the ribbon, untying the bow at the bodice. He gently opened it revealing the deep valley between her breasts. He kissed her softly, and lowering his head, traced a line down her throat to the full curve of her breast. She sighed softly and pressed his head closer with one hand, loosening his shirt with the other. He rose and quickly shed his clothes and Emily saw his handsome figure outlined in the moonlight that streamed in the window. He slipped into bed beside her and Emily felt the hardness of his body against hers. His hands roamed her body, exploring, teasing, caressing, bringing a passion in her that she never expected. And she did the same, delighted at the reaction in Jonathon. Soon they were moving in a frenzied rhythm that signaled the climax of their union before slipping into that peaceful exhaustion that overwhelms lovers and enfolds them in a warm afterglow.

Cradled in Jonathon’s arm, her head resting on his shoulder, Emily caught curls of matted hair on his chest and wound them around her finger.

“I shall miss you, Jonathon,” she said softly.

“I shall miss you too, love.”

Emily thrilled at that name. She traced the line of his jaw with her fingers, then around his chin up to his lips. He kissed them and she turned his head toward her. He leaned down and kissed her and she traced his lips with her tongue. He leaned back on the pillow.

“You are an enchantress, Em.”

“You are a rogue, Captain Brentwood,” she pulled a hair on his chest. He gently tugged her nipple in return and she giggled softly.

“I must leave you now; it will soon be dawn and Dulcie will be shocked out of her senses if she finds me here.” He kissed Emily gently and rose from the bed. Quickly dressing, he bent and pulled the covers up over her.

“Good night, Jonathon.”

“Good night, Love.”

• • •

The next day dawned sunny and mild. Emily’s spirits lifted at the thought of being outside. Dulcie bathed her and dressed her hair; putting in lavender ribbons to match her gown. It was one of her more revealing ones, cut lower in the bodice with demure lace edging that was merely for decoration.

After breakfast, Jonathon arrived to keep his promise. Seeing her he stopped to take a long admiring look.

“Perhaps we should stay up here, Em.”

“I shall die if I stay up here any longer, Jonathon.”

“Oh, I could keep you occupied, but if you must be outside, I thank you for the lovely view with which you have gifted me.”

He lifted her up effortlessly and carried her down to the veranda. A chaise had been set out for her and Jonathon gently lowered her onto it, gazing down from an advantageous angle at her bosom.

“Oh, Em, you tempt me sorely,” he whispered hoarsely.

“Mind your manners, Captain,” she scolded.

He placed a blanket around her lap and drew her shawl about her shoulders.

“Are you comfortable, my lady?” he asked.

“This is wonderful. Thank you, Jonathon.”

Joanna appeared with a tea tray and they shared a lovely morning. At everyone’s insistence, Emily napped in the afternoon but was allowed to join them for supper.

Jonathon came to her room again after the house was quiet. He slipped between the sheets and took Emily into his arms. They made love in the flickering firelight, speaking softly in the shadows. And they lay together quietly, sometimes talking, sometimes not needing to talk, until Jonathon slipped out of bed and left her room.

Emily had never been so happy in her life.

The days continued thus until the night before Jonathon left. Their lovemaking was especially passionate that night, each knowing it would be a long time before they could be together again. Emily held Jonathon close as he kissed her good night.

“I shall miss you, Jonathon,” she said softly.

“I shall miss you, love,” he whispered against her lips.

• • •

Jonathon carried Emily to the veranda the next morning as Andrew carried the last of his own belongings to the carriage. Emily tried to swallow the lump in her throat and to blink back the tears that stung her eyes.

“You will not let Andrew do anything foolish, will you Jonathon?” she asked as he stepped onto the veranda.

“No, Emily. I shall watch out for him.” He set her down on the chaise. “And you will take good care of that leg, will you not? We shall be out riding again in no time.” He leaned close and whispered, “Perhaps we can ride back to our cabin.”

Joanna and David came out to say good-bye. Joanna kissed her brother on the cheek, and David shook his hand and slapped him on the back.

“Have a good voyage, Jonathon,” he said, “and be careful.” David gave him a long look. Jonathon nodded.

“Ah, well, Andrew, are you ready?” he asked.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” he shouted, then bent and kissed Emily’s cheek, then Joanna’s and shook David’s hand. “Take good care of my sister.”

“We will, Andrew,” Joanna said. She glanced past him at Jonathon who was looking into Emily’s eyes. The look held everything he wanted to do at that moment — sweep her into his arms and kiss her long and hard. Instead he bent and kissed her forehead. Joanna let out the breath she had been holding. Jonathon caught her eye.

“Remember what we discussed, Jonathon,” she said quietly walking arm in arm with him to the carriage. The two sailors climbed inside and waved until the carriage was down the drive. David kissed Joanna and turned toward the overseer’s cabin to attend to the business of the day.

Joanna returned to the veranda and sat down beside Emily, appearing not to notice the young girl’s red-rimmed eyes. Joanna turned to a tray and instead of tea, poured a light amber wine into two cups.

“I thought we’d enjoy a change of pace for today. No one need ever know,” she said lightly. “Of course we should not make a habit of this,” and reaching over she patted Emily’s hand affectionately.

Emily looked at her in wonder, and then smiled in gratitude.

“How did you ever know?” she asked.

“Because I know my brother well, and I love David very much,” she smiled.

Chapter 6

Phillip Beaumont had been a frequent visitor since Emily’s birthday celebration. He often came for tea and stayed for supper as well, playing cards late into the evening. He was an amicable young man with a wry sense of humor, and his exaggerated descriptions of life in law school had everyone holding their sides with laughter. He was quite taken with Emily and enjoyed quiet walks through the gardens with her more than any other activity at Brentwood Manor.

Since Emily’s accident, Phillip came almost every day to keep her company. Emily liked Phillip and welcomed his companionship during her convalescence, but she was becoming aware of an underlying tension in these visits. She watched carefully one day trying to ascertain what the change was.

One day when Phillip arrived, he bent to kiss her hand as usual, but he lingered over it, if only for a few seconds. When he looked at Emily, his eyes seemed to bore into her, and he was more intense than usual. Though he still bantered and made her laugh, beneath his smile he seemed always to be studying her.

Emily began to feel uncomfortable around Phillip, sensing a seriousness developing on his part alone. She tried to keep Joanna with them as much as possible and encouraged Phillip to bring others along with him, which he seldom did. Emily knew what was happening and felt panic rise within her at the thought. She wished Jonathon were here.

• • •

Emily noticed another change at Brentwood Manor. David was acting quite uncharacteristically. At breakfast one morning he appeared with his vest buttoned crookedly. A small smile playing at her lips, Joanna straightened it for him. He then proceeded to pour coffee into an already full cup. Joanna laughed.

“David let me serve you before you do yourself some great bodily harm.”

“No!” he almost shouted. Glancing at a surprised Emily, he coughed and said more quietly, “No, I am well, Joanna. Please just sit and relax.”

For several days David continued to act in an absentminded way. Emily watched in bewilderment and would have been alarmed but for Joanna’s reaction — Joanna seemed to look on in good-natured amusement. If anything she seemed more serene than ever. Finally, Emily could stand it no longer.

“Joanna,” she said over their afternoon ritual of tea, “I am worried about David. He does not seem to be himself lately. Perhaps it is not my place to say anything, but you two have become so dear to me, like my own family, that I can keep silent no longer.”

“Emily, David is healthy and fit. I realize his actions have been bizarre of late, but that is only because… well… David is worried about me.”

“You? Why you look lovelier than ever! Joanna, is something wrong?”

“No, Emily, something is right. Very right. David and I are expecting a child,” she answered, tears of happiness springing to her eyes.

Emily sat up and started to rise, forgetting about her injured leg in the excitement. Joanna came over to her and they embraced happily, laughing and crying at once.

“How wonderful for you, Joanna! I am so happy for you both. No wonder David has been preoccupied lately.”

“Well, with good reason, Em. You see, we had a child, but he died in infancy. Since then I have had two miscarriages. We just pray that the Lord will bless us with a healthy baby. Oh, we are so excited, Emily,” she smiled. “Our son was beautiful. We believe he was conceived on our wedding night, our very first time together…” Joanna continued talking gaily, but Emily did not hear her. The words “our very first time together” rang through her head. Could she, too, be with child? She was astonished that the thought had never crossed her mind before. She and Jonathon had been together several times; the chances were high. Her mind raced. What would he do if she were carrying his child? They had neither spoken of marriage — nor of love — although many times Emily yearned to tell Jonathon of her love for him. But she never did. Emily remembered Mrs. Dennings’s dire warning,
He has a reputation with women
. Emily knew that Jonathon was well experienced, but none of these women were his ward, lived under the same roof or, as far as Emily knew, bore his child.

Yes, this was quite a predicament George Wentworth had created. Neither of them had planned their passion in the cabin, and yet it seemed as natural as a stream flowing to the sea. But what now? When Jonathon returned, and that would be soon, would they continue as before?

Emily knew that if she were pregnant, she would not want to trap Jonathon into a marriage he did not want. She was wise enough to know that it would ruin any affection he had for her. If she were not pregnant, it would be wise to discontinue their intimacy and be grateful.

But the thought of never lying in Jonathon’s arms again was agony; the thought of carrying his child made her heart leap with joy. Emily wished that Jonathon were there with her at that moment, for if she could look into his eyes, she would know his heart.

Noticing the silence, Emily looked up. Joanna had been studying her for a few minutes. She saw the confusion on Emily’s face, and her heart went out to her.

“Do you suspect that you, too, could be with child?” she asked softly.

“I do not know yet,” Emily’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Oh, Emily,” Joanna cried and wrapped her arms around the girl’s trembling shoulders.

“I love him so, Joanna, but I know he loves his freedom. He loves the sea and his land; I do not think he has room for a wife.”

“Emily, he has said as much. But surely if you carry his child… He should never have trifled with you,” she said angrily.

“Please, Joanna, it was not only Jonathon’s fault. I wanted him, too, and it was quite…well, spontaneous. And mutual. But to have him marry me because I carry his child would only lead to resentment. Perhaps he would allow me to return to London with a fabricated husband who left me a widow,” she paused a moment. “There is another twist to all of this. I suspect that Phillip is going to propose to me.”

Joanna laughed. “That is as obvious as the nose on your pretty little face, Em. Wait!” she cried, her eyes getting large. “Do you love him — or at least find him attractive? Maybe Phillip is the solution to this whole problem.”

“Joanna!” Emily gasped. “You cannot think that I would marry Phillip when I carry Jonathon’s child…if I carry Jonathon’s child.”

“Well, I thought it might work. Oh, Em, I could throttle my brother right now. I do not know what he thinks and feels. Perhaps he does love you…”

“Joanna, please,” Emily interrupted. “I cannot bear to think that, for it is what I hope and pray with all my heart. And if I begin to believe it and find it is not so, I fear I would go insane. I will keep the memories of our times together as a precious treasure, but I will allow it no more.”