When the Splendor Falls (96 page)

Leigh would never leave him then, he thought, holding her coupled to him, feeling her breast pounding against his, her lips joined to his, her long, slender legs entwined with his. She would never leave him now, he thought triumphantly, remembering the look of sadness and longing on her face this evening when she’d thought of Travers Hill and the family that would leave her soon, and he vowed in that moment that he would make her forget. Someday he would know her full love, but for now he would keep her with him out of her body’s need for his. He had seduced her, making her erotically aware of her body. And, soon, maybe not tonight, or tomorrow, but soon, she would be with child—his child. She could never leave him then.

He stared down at her face, her lips reddened and full from his kisses, her lashes fluttering against her pale cheeks. He slid his hand through a long strand of silken hair, pressing his lips against her breast, his arm like an iron band around her waist as he held her close against his heart until she slept, his own breathing becoming deep and steady as his eyes closed.

He took her again before dawn, their bodies pale in the darkness, moving together as one, their lips devouring and insatiable as they mated and formed a bond that would be hard to break, for even though unspoken, each knew love in their hearts, and their souls touched.

* * *

“Well, ’bout time you opened those sleepy eyes,” Jolie said, standing with hands on hips as she grinned down at Leigh.

“What time is it?” Leigh asked groggily, stretching lazily; then feeling the cool air against her bare shoulders and breasts as the comforter fell away, she jerked it up, huddling beneath the covers and staring at Jolie in embarrassment as if she’d done something that wasn’t proper.

But Jolie’s grin just widened, because in her opinion, a man’s place was in his wife’s bed, not some narrow daybed.
That
wasn’t proper. “You’ve missed breakfast, honey, though that Mister Neil sure did have himself an appetite this mornin’. Hmmmm, hmmmm, he sure did. Reckon that man’s been mighty hungry,” she chuckled, beginning to pick up the stockings, chemise, pantalettes, corset, petticoats, blue velvet gown, and pair of silk slippers that were piled in the order they’d fallen the night before.

Leigh’s face turned a bright scarlet as she remembered exactly how hungry he’d been.

“This is a mighty fine day we’ve got. I told Steban I thought I heard thunder yesterday afternoon, but that stubborn ol’ man never believes me. ’Course, we’ve got the proof, honey. I’ve never see such a night as when Mister Guy comes walkin’ over to me an’ took that spoon out of my hand an’ dips it into the pot like he can see an’ takes himself a big spoonful of meat an’ pops it in his mouth an’ tells me it’s not salty enough. Then he winked at me, lil’ honey,” she said, sniffing with the remembered pleasure of tears. “An’ that ol’ man says he knew first.”

Leigh stared up at Jolie’s figure as she busied herself with shaking out the wrinkled petticoats and gown and hanging them up, then putting the stockings, chemise, and pantalettes into a pile to be laundered.

“I’ve got your tray right here. Fixed you a nice breakfast, honey. An’ already got the girls bringin’ your tub an’ hot water an’ we’ll have you up an’ dressed in no time,” she said, picking up the tray and placing it over Leigh’s lap, then she walked away, then back, then away, then glanced over her shoulder at Leigh, who’d been watching her nervous pacing curiously, for she’d never seen Jolie so uneasy.

“You haven’t been hearing thunder again, have you?” Leigh asked, smiling up at her, but Jolie’s expression remained serious.

“Miss Leigh,” she addressed her formally, which gave Leigh cause for worry, Jolie’s voice suddenly shaking slightly as she came to sit on the edge of the bed, her coppery hand touching Leigh’s arm affectionately. “Honey, you know Steban an’ me loves you like we were your own mama an’ papa. Couldn’t love anyone more than we do you. You’ll always be my lil’ sweet baby. But, honey, Steban an’ me want to go back to Virginia with Mister Guy an’ Miss Althea. Honey, we belong back there, not out here. We want to go back to Travers Hill. That’s home, lil’ honey. That’s where our Sweet John is. Want to be close to him. Wouldn’t have thought of leavin’, ’ceptin’ now that you an’ Mister Neil are sleepin’ together proper-like, I figure you have a good man, an’ I wouldn’t leave you to no one else but him. He’s meant for you, always has been since that summer you stole his breeches. You stealin’ them, an’ findin’ that leather medicine pouch with them, that was a sign. An’ his magic saved you, lil’ honey. Nothing’s ever goin’ to hurt you. An’ I’ve been watchin’ him like a fox. He couldn’t live without you. He loves you that much. An’ he’s a good man. He won’t ever hurt you none. Wouldn’t leave otherwise, you believe that, honey?” she asked worriedly, seeing the look of shock on Leigh’s face, her wide blue eyes brimming with unshed tears as she nodded, knowing that there was nothing she could do to keep Jolie and Stephen here. They were free people, and could go where they wanted to, but even more, she knew they wanted to go home. If she’d said she wanted them to stay, she suspected they would, but they wouldn’t be happy. She knew that and she loved them too much to keep them here.

“I love you, Jolie, and I’ll miss you,” Leigh said softly as Jolie’s comforting arms went around her, holding her close.

Jolie sat back, dabbing at her yellow eyes, a smile crossing her coppery face. “Well, I’ll tell you this, honey, that little Miss Lys Helene, she’s goin’ to need someone to help her clean that house. It’s not goin’ to be easy. We have a mess of work to do. An’ she’s goin’ to need someone to help her with all the folks who start showin’ up lookin’ for work now that there’s no war, an’ there aren’t that many houses left standin’ to be hiring, ’specially no riffraff. No one’s goin’ to push Jolie ’round. I want to get back in my own kitchens again, honey. I sure have missed cookin’ and gettin’ my linens done proper-like. An’ I just couldn’t stand the thought of some other housekeeper running loose in my house.

“Mister Guy an’ Miss Lys Helene, they asked Steban an’ me to come with them, said they’d be honored if we wanted to go home to Travers Hill. Should have seen how tall and straight Steban was standin’ with tears in his eyes. He’s always been so stubborn and stiff-necked with pride. Stephen Stubborn, I called him when we met. Never could budge him from his dignity. That’s why I call him Steban—Stephen Stubborn,” Jolie confided, full of pride for her beloved Steban. “Goin’ to look forward to raising those lil’ redheaded babies Mister Guy an’ Miss Lys Helene’s goin’ to have comin’ real soon.”

Leigh wiped her eyes, nodding again. “Would you do something for me, Jolie?”

“Sure, honey.”

“Get the key from my desk, and open that bottom drawer, please,” she told her, waiting patiently while Jolie found the key then unlocked the bottom drawer. “Please take out that sewing kit. You know the one. It was Mama’s.”

Carefully, with great reverence, Jolie lifted the box covered in fine needlepoint from the drawer and carried it over to the bed. “I always loved this box,” Jolie murmured, her thin hands holding it close.

“I know, and that is why I want you to have it.”

Jolie glanced up in surprise, her yellow eyes wide. “Me? You want me to have it?”

“Mama would have.”

“Oh, honey, I couldn’t,” she said, but her hand was touching it lovingly.

“Her favorite porcelain thimble and pin cushion, and the pair of silver scissors are inside, and even more importantly, the keys to the linen closets, the pantry, the cellar, and the front door of the house. You and Lys Helene should have them now. I won’t need them any longer,” Leigh said, staring down at her wedding ring. “They couldn’t be in better hands.”

“Oh, lil’ honey,” she cried, hugging Leigh again and nearly knocking over the tray. “I gotta go put this where it’ll be safe. You finish yer breakfast now, an’ I don’t want to see anything but the plate left,” Jolie said, hurrying from the room.

Leaning back against the pillows, Leigh sighed with both happiness and sadness. She would miss Jolie and Stephen, but they belonged in Virginia, at Travers Hill, the same as Guy and Althea. Leigh heard the chattering of the maids outside her door and threw back the covers. She bit her lip, trying to stop its trembling as she walked to the wardrobe and found her wrapper, and she was surprised at how tender her lips were, then she remembered Neil’s kisses. As she pulled on her wrapper, she felt the soreness in her breasts, and glancing down she could see the pale bluish bruises on her hips, where his hands had held her against him when they had made love.

Leigh walked over to the cradle, where Lucinda was playing contentedly with her rattle. Leigh stared down at her, touching the sweet curve of head, then tickling her tummy as Lucinda laughed up into her face, her hand grabbing hold of Leigh’s finger and tugging on it. Leigh placed her other hand against her own belly, wondering if she had conceived, and she prayed she had. She wanted more than anything else in this world to know the feel of Neil’s child within her.

Leigh closed her eyes with the memory of their lovemaking, shivering delicately with the sensations it brought with it, her cheeks flushed with heat. The blue of Leigh’s eyes was darkened with shadow when she opened them, for there was only one thing missing from her happiness and contentment—Neil had never said he loved her.

But one day—one day he would, Leigh vowed. An hour later, dressed in her riding habit, Leigh was walking along the corridor, her spirits high.

“Leigh!” Guy called out to her, seeing her from where he was sitting in the courtyard admiring the colorful blooms. “I always knew Lys Helene loved to garden, but I had no idea how beautiful her garden was until now. I can see the tradition of Travers Hill will continue once Lys Helene gets her hands into Travers earth. Mother will always be with us now, never forgotten,” he said, thinking of the gardens that would once again bloom with fragrant life at Travers Hill, and he was suddenly anxious to see the pastures of bluegrass with the curve of river in the distance. He stared up at the brilliant blue sky overhead never having known such happiness to open his eyes after a night’s rest and see the sky through the window, for he had not drawn the hangings last night, not wanting to be enclosed in darkness. “I cannot seem to get enough of this color,” he said, laughing as Leigh sat down next to him on the bench. “Nathaniel has given me his permission to marry Lys Helene,” Guy confided, his joy knowing no bounds this day.

“I’m so pleased, but I’m not surprised,” Leigh told him, touching his hand. “I always knew you and Lys Helene should be together. I couldn’t be any happier for you than I am. Lys Helene belongs at Travers Hill. Even though she has never seen Travers Hill, she loves it as if she’d been born there.”

Guy grinned, grasping her hand tightly, then his smile faded. “Leigh,” he began uncertainly, “have you, ah…have you spoken with Jolie?” he asked hesitantly.

Leigh knew what he was trying to say, and nodded. “Jolie told me she and Stephen will be returning to Virginia with you,” Leigh said huskily.

Guy sighed, placing his hand on her slender shoulder comfortingly. “Leigh, I’m sorry. I wish it didn’t have to be this way. It’s going to be hard on you. I know you love them as much as I. It must seem with Althea and me leaving, and now Jolie and Stephen, that we are abandoning you. But it means so much to me, Leigh, to have Stephen and Jolie coming home with us. Travers Hill wouldn’t be Travers Hill without them. And they come there of their own free will this time,” he added softly.

Leigh nodded. “I know, Guy. And I also knew when I married Neil that my life would be here, not at Travers Hill. I have accepted it, as you advised me to do,” she told him, smiling, but her smile was slightly wobbly, because even if she’d accepted what must be, she would still miss them.

“I would not leave you here, Leigh, be assured of that,” Guy told her, tipping her chin so he could see into her face, “
if
I thought you would be unhappy with Neil. Tell me now, Leigh, that you want to return to Virginia with us, and you will. No one can keep you here against your will. I am your brother, and now that I’ve regained my sight, I can care for you, and for Lucinda. I will fight Braedon in the courts for custody of her,
if
you tell me that is what you wish,” Guy told her without hesitation, staring deeply into her eyes as he searched for the truth.

Leigh took his hand in hers and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. That means a great deal to me, and I know you would never abandon me. But I know that I belong here, the same as you and Lys Helene, and Althea and her children belong in Virginia. This has been my destiny all along,” Leigh said, suddenly believing Jolie’s words.

“You do love Neil, don’t you?”

“Yes, with all my heart,” Leigh replied, getting up. “Well, I’m going riding. We’ll have to find a horse for you now, Guy. Hope you haven’t forgotten how to ride,” she told him, eyeing him speculatively.

Guy laughed, then suddenly sobered, calling her back as she started to walk away. “Oh, Leigh, I almost forgot. I know who your mysterious reb is.”

Leigh came hurrying back. “Who he is? What do you mean? His name is Michael Sebastian, isn’t it?”

“To you, maybe, but the man I saw last night is none other than Michael Sebastian Stanfield. You were right about him. He is a Virginian, and he was in my regiment. I would have had a word with him then, but he disappeared. I saw him dancing, but that was when I crossed the floor to you, and after all the excitement, he was gone.”

“Michael
Stanfield
? Why lie about his name?” Leigh asked, a thoughtful expression on her face as she tapped her riding gloves against her skirt.

“I’m not certain, although I have an idea. You won’t like it. I meant to tell you last night about Stanfield, but in all the excitement I forgot, then I couldn’t find you,” he said. “But I hadn’t remembered everything about the man then anyway, just that his last name wasn’t Sebastian. I couldn’t sleep last night, too much to think about, and as I lay awake, I remembered what it was about Stanfield that had bothered me.”