Time After Time (74 page)

“You look beautiful this evening, Emily,” he said.

“Thank you, Phillip. And you look very handsome.”

The music began and he bowed to her. As they walked to the floor, she caught sight of Jonathon, a deep frown on his face. Phillip took her hand and they began to dance. They talked of inconsequential things as they twirled about the floor. Emily caught sight of Jonathon talking to Deidre, and as it happened, they ended the dance right in front of those two. Innocently, Phillip brought Emily over to Jonathon and presented him her hand.

“Thank you, Emily,” he bowed and kissed her hand then hurried off.

Jonathon gave Emily a puzzled look as Deidre slipped her arm through his and held it tightly against her bosom, pushing her already overflowing breasts dangerously close to tumbling out.

“Jonathon, you did promise me a dance,” Deidre purred.

“I was hoping you would honor me next, Deidre.” Randy appeared out of nowhere, and before she could protest, he was leading her onto the floor.

Having no other alternative, Jonathon bowed to Emily and led her out, too. Emily trembled at the feel of his strong arm about her. They danced silently for a while, Emily staring at his chest.

“What a strange way for a fiancé to treat his beloved,” Jonathon finally said.

“He is not my fiancé.”

“You broke the engagement?” Jonathon’s eyebrows shot up.

“There never was any engagement!” Emily snapped.

Jonathon looked more confused.

“I vowed to myself that we would get this all straightened out this evening. Shall we do it here and now?”

Jonathon danced deftly to the edge of the room. Then he led Emily out into the main hall. He ordered their wraps, and they stepped out onto the grounds. They walked through the gardens a bit before sitting on a marble bench. Emily turned to face him.

“Phillip proposed to me in the carriage the day that you returned. I suspected it was coming; yet still I was unprepared. I was speechless for a moment and when I finally started to speak, he bade me wait and consider for a time. He said he would have to await your return to ask you anyway. He then kissed me.” She looked at him squarely. “
He
then kissed
me
,” she repeated. “He thought it was quite passionate, but then he has never kissed you.”

Jonathon threw his head back and laughed, perhaps too loudly because of the lightness of his heart.

“Finding you had returned, he must have taken my silence as consent. I never intended to marry him, Jonathon.”

“Why did you not tell me so immediately?” he blurted out.

“Because you were too busy flinging accusations that I had to answer immediately. You were like a crazed man, and I was astounded that you could believe those things of me.”

“Em, I was crazed. All the while we sailed, my thoughts were only of you. Every other time I have sailed, the sea was like potent ambrosia. I felt serene and happy, long voyage or short, for she was all I needed. But this time was different. I shook my fist at the heavens and cursed the winds for their feebleness. I lay at night aching for the feel of you in my arms, for your skin against mine. Emily, the sea was not enough anymore. Do you not realize how I felt? My heart was singing as we drove up to the house, for soon you would be in my arms. Then disappointment upon disappointment, you were not there when I arrived. In fact, you were out riding with Phillip. When I saw you return, I was confused. He was so tender, and you did not rebuff him. I did not know your heart and wondered if it was his now. The next day he arrived to announce your engagement and ask my blessing. I was a crazed man, Emily. I realized while I was at sea, and it was brought painfully home to me during Phillip’s visit, that — I love you. More than the sea. More than the land. I love you.”

Emily smiled through the tears that streamed down her face. “Oh, Jonathon, I love you so.”

They were in each other’s arms; their lips met in a long, lingering kiss. Emily pressed Jonathon close to her while he nuzzled into her neck.

“I have longed to hold you like this,” he murmured against her throat.

“I know,” she whispered.

He lifted his head and kissed her again, their tongues searching, probing. His hand slipped beneath her cape and caressed her breast, teasing along the line of her bodice. Emily tingled with delight. They held each other a long time.

“We had better return to the ball,” Emily whispered.

“We could just leave.”

“No, we must return.” Emily laughed, and Jonathon took his handkerchief to wipe the last few tears from her face. Tiny tendrils had escaped her coiffure, and he unsuccessfully attempted to brush them back.

“You look ravishing tonight, Em. I was insane with jealously when you first came down.”

“No need, Captain. I am yours.”

He kissed her softly, sending shivers through her whole body. Then they rose and returned to the palace. The glittering lights were too bright for their eyes so, before returning to the ballroom, they stopped for refreshments. A few people mingled about in the Supper Room, and Jonathon nodded greetings but never left Emily’s side. Then, setting down their glasses, they returned to the crowd.

The music began and Jonathon took Emily into his arms. They glided and swirled gracefully, speaking softly, laughing gently, and looking into each other’s eyes.

Nearby, Joanna commented to David as they danced, “I think things are rapidly improving.”

David glanced over at them. “I believe you are right, Joanna.” They grinned at each other and David winked.

They were not the only ones to notice the handsome couple gliding effortlessly, almost as one, across the floor. Voices murmured throughout the ballroom for, in all these years, no one had seen Jonathon look so smitten. Deidre was fuming, and Phillip began to understand.

Jonathon reluctantly handed Emily over to other gentlemen who requested dances, confining his requests to grey-haired matrons who tittered with delight at his attention. Until Deidre approached him.

“Well, you look positively besotted over your
ward
, this evening Jonathon,” she snarled as she was upon him. She slipped her arm through his and pressed into it, gazing askance at him. Her scolding tone changed to a purr. “From the look you gave me at the theater, I was anticipating a long and interesting evening.”

“The look I gave you was simply a cordial smile, Deidre,” he replied, his eyes never leaving Emily.

“That is not how it looked to me.”

Pulling his eyes from the dance floor, he looked down at the woman next to him. “Interpretation was never your strong suit.”

She rubbed against him. “And just what is my strong suit, Jonathon? Perhaps over a drink we could find out?” she smiled up at him.

“I think not, Deidre,” he said removing his arm. “We explored that avenue once before, and that pathway is finished.” He turned looking for Emily. Her partner was just escorting her to him.

Jonathon took her hand when she approached.

“Good evening, Deidre. You look lovely this evening,” Emily greeted her.

“You look all grown up tonight, Emily my dear,” Deidre said wickedly.

“I know I shall never mature as gracefully as you have, Deidre, but one can hope,” Emily smiled sweetly.

Deidre glared from one to the other then turned on her heel, grabbed a surprised man behind her, and stalked toward the dance floor.

Jonathon laughed. “I believe she has met her match. You can be quite impish, Emily.”

“Why thank you, Captain,” she curtsied when she said it. “Do you suppose we could sit somewhere? My leg has held up quite admirably, but I fear it needs some rest.”

They sat near the wall and Emily was introduced to many new people, some of whom raised an eyebrow slightly when Jonathon introduced her as his ‘ward’ with a devilish grin on his face.

As Jonathon helped Emily with her cape, he again stood close behind her and whispered in her ear, “I have a most perfect view of your soft and tempting bosom, Madame. I fear I wrinkle your cape with my clutching hands in an effort to keep from reaching around and grasping you in a most ungentlemanly manner.” His breath was soft against her hair; Emily felt a blush creep all the way up from the spot he was perusing. She felt his hands drape her cloak around her and linger briefly at her shoulders. She turned to look at him and caught a devilish twinkle in his eye.

“I could have stood there forever.”

“Jonathon!” she said, trying to still the familiar excitement his words brought.

He offered his arm and led her to the carriage. The others were seated, and he and Emily climbed in beside Andrew. Emily folded her hands in her lap; Jonathon took one of them and, tucking it through his arm, smiled down at her.

• • •

They all chatted gaily on the way back to the Cosgroves’. Andrew was quite tipsy since he and Calvin had been sneaking champagne all night. He grinned crookedly at Emily when she scolded him, but did not look properly ashamed. The others laughed.

The Cosgroves had already returned and were waiting for them with a nightcap for a traditional exchange of stories from the exciting evening. Gossip, jokes, and funny incidents were recalled merrily until yawning became more and more frequent, and all headed to their rooms. Jonathon paused by his door and waited for everyone else to disappear from the hall. Then he stepped down to Emily’s door and opening it gently; he slipped inside.

Emily gasped in surprise. She was bent forward removing her dress. The view made Jonathon gulp.

“Oh, Emily, you are beautiful.”

“Jonathon, you must leave at once!” she demanded. “We are guests here.”

“I do not intend to stay, Em. I just wanted to kiss you good night.” He stepped toward her and lifted her dress off the floor and flung it across a chair. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, kissing her hungrily. He ran one hand up and down her silken arm, down her side and hips. Emily moaned soft and low as he cupped her breast and lowered his lips to it.

“Jonathon, please …not here,” she whispered.

He gently kissed her again and turned to leave.

“I cannot wait to get home,” he grinned.

• • •

Emily and Joanna were again tucked into lap furs as they jostled along the road. The air was crisp and cold and there had been a scattering of snowflakes early that morning. Both women were tired from the previous night’s festivities so they rode in silence for a while.

“You and Jonathon seem to have worked things out,” Joanna finally said.

Emily smiled. “He noticed a definite lack of passion on both Phillip’s and my part.”

“Emily, you have some decisions to make now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Will your relationship … uh, continue as before?”

“I fear I would be unable, no perhaps unwilling to stop it.”

“Has Jonathon discussed marriage?”

“No,” Emily whispered.

“Are you willing to be his mistress then?”

“I love him, Joanna.”

“He is my brother, Emily. I love him, too. But sometimes I fear he wears blinders. He will never even think of marriage unless you make him do so. And the way to do that is to … well is to not …”

“I understand what you are saying, Joanna. But I do not want to bribe him into marriage. Yes, I want to be married, but not if I am the only one who wants it,” she said. “In my mind I vow I shall tell him ‘no.’ But when he is near I lose all my reserve and melt. He has only to say my name softly, to reach out and touch me, and my defenses are useless.”

“Emily, you must consider the consequences. You were lucky in the past. But do not tempt fate.”

“I know you are right, Joanna,” Emily sighed.

• • •

The weary group arrived at Brentwood Manor for supper. Andrew was still feeling the effects of his first hangover, so he ate little and retired early. David insisted that Joanna get her rest, so they did the same. Jonathon and Emily were in the parlor. With a devilish grin, Jonathon extinguished all the lamps until the room was bathed in the soft glow of the firelight. Pouring them each some wine, he sat beside Emily on the settee and placed an arm behind her. Emily’s heart pounded and she was sure he could hear it. She smiled up at him.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Can you hear my heart?” she asked.

“No, mine is beating too wildly.” He laughed softly and reached up to brush a wisp of hair off her face. Then his fingers lightly ran down along her neck. She shivered.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

“Not a bit.”

He pulled her close, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. His hand ran up and down her arm.

“Emily.”

“Yes, Jonathon.”

“Please forgive me for doubting you. When I thought I had lost you to Phillip, I could not think rationally.”

Emily looked up at him. “I was afraid that I was just another … conquest.” Tears filled her eyes at the memory of that pain.

He held her close and kissed the top of her head. “Why do I hurt you so?” They sat together in silence for a long while, sipping wine, enjoying their nearness. Then Jonathon reached down and tilted her face up to his. He kissed her gently at first, brushing her lips, her cheek, her forehead. Then his mouth sought hers and moved over it, demanding, searching almost fiercely. Emily’s arm went up around his neck and they clasped each other tightly. Jonathon’s hand roamed her back, over her hips and breasts, savoring the softness of her. Slipping one arm beneath her knees, he lifted her and stood heading for the stairs.

“Jonathon, what are you doing?” she whispered as he took the steps two at a time.

“Bringing you where you belong.”

“
Shhh!
You will wake the whole house.”

“I do not care. It is my house.”

Emily gasped when, instead of turning towards her room, he turned towards his own.

“Jonathon …”

He opened the door, strode across the room, and plopped her on the bed. In one movement he kicked the door closed and undid his shirt, a wicked gleam in his eye.

Emily began to protest, but he covered her mouth with his and did not let up until her complaints turned to compliance. She responded with the passion he remembered so vividly. He slowly unfastened her dress while still kissing her, and slipped it off her shoulders. He kissed their creamy whiteness while he unlaced her stays.