Chapter 8

8

H e walked hand in hand with his trembling wife and almost laughed out loud. It was either that or scream. How could he have made such a foolish mistake? He had always considered himself a rather smart man, but today had topped the scale of foolhardy behavior—a day he had envisioned turning out so differently. Most women wanted to jump in his arms. Not this one.

He'd been prepared to take his time to get to know her before suggesting anything physical. But the last thing he wanted was for this jittery butterfly to flit away in search of an annulment because he hadn't consummated the marriage. He had stood at the altar and had only relaxed after she said, I do . He wasn't about to lose her now.

But oh, the blow to his ego. She viewed him as someone old enough to be her father, and the years were not something he could erase. He had never had to beg for any woman's affection, nor take what was not happily returned, but what choice did he have?

"Here we are." He swung open the door at the top of the steps, and with a gentle press to the small of her back, propelled her inside.

An elaborately carved canopied bed covered in a blanket of deep green and burgundy dominated the room. There was no doubt they were in his bedroom. Katie scanned the spacious area. Matching carved mahogany furniture, including two upholstered wingback chairs that sat on either side of the glowing fireplace. His wardrobe door was open, and she saw his clothes hanging within. That personal and intimate view brought heat surging into her cheeks. She cast her eyes to the floor.

"This area rug is beautiful," she said, desperate to still the twist and turn of her stomach. "And look at these curtains. What are they made of?" She stepped forward enough to cause his hand to fall from the curve of her back, then kept on walking toward the window. She lifted the heavy material in her hand and pretended to know her fabrics well enough to surmise the type.

He came up behind her, and the heat of his body radiated as he reached on both sides and drew the curtains shut. A blanket of intimacy enveloped them. His arms lowered slowly around her, and she shivered. He held her for a moment, easing her back against his chest.

"Relax, my dear." He breathed the words in her ear.

I'm not your dear. A flash of the diamond on her finger told her otherwise.

She held her breath as he lifted her long hair to one side and dropped a featherlight kiss on the back of her neck. His whiskers tickled her skin, and a trembling she could not control came over her.

He stepped away. "Come."

She turned as he moved across the room to a side door and swung it wide.

"This is your room. It will afford you some privacy on those days you desire to be alone."

Did he not know that every day, that room would be her choice? But her courage had not found feet, and she stood rigid and unmoving.

"Come, my little Kat. You'll like it." He disappeared into the room, and she forced herself to follow.

The first thing she noticed was her trunk with the few personal items she owned placed at the foot of a beautiful bed. That small familiarity brought a spike of comfort. She lifted her eyes to see a fresh bouquet of roses on the dresser. Someone had taken great care to prepare the room and even hang her sparse selection of clothing in the oversized wardrobe. The soft pink-flowered wallpaper drew her the rest of the way into the room, and she turned in a slow circle to take it in.

A gasp slipped from her lips. "Oh, my."

Shadows flickered from the glowing candle and fire crackling in the hearth. Warmth replaced the bite of anxiety that had been nibbling at her stomach all day. Soft light danced on the walls and reflected off the largest full-length mirror Katie had ever laid eyes on. She ran her hand down the ornately framed stand and caught his reflection smiling back.

She gave him a shaky smile before moving to the bright flowered pitcher and matching bowl, which rested on the washstand. She picked it up and held it next to the wall. "It matches the wallpaper. How pretty." She replaced it with care and ran her fingertips over the stack of fresh linen. "This is all for me?" she asked, turning to look at him.

"All for you." His face beamed.

Tears sprang to her eyes, and she blinked against them. "I've never had my own bed, much less my own room."

"I wanted you to have a place you could call all your own. And you can change anything you like. The colors or fabrics or whatever you women like to fuss about. In other words, whatever your heart desires, you can have."

"Mr. Rich…I mean Josiah, this room is already perfect." She spun around with her hands outstretched. "More than any girl needs."

"You're not just any girl, Katherine, you're Mrs. Richardson, and you will grow to understand that affords you some of life's finer things. But you must be so tired. We've both had an exhausting day. It's time I let you unwind and settle in for the night."

He moved close. His gunmetal gray eyes grew smoky and flashed with something Katie could not understand. His jaw tightened, then relaxed. He lifted both her hands and gently stroked the insides of her wrists with his thumbs. A tingle worked its way up her arms as she bravely held his gaze. He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed the back of each. The air pressed out of her lungs, yet she could not inhale. No one had told her a kiss to the hand could feel so intimate.

His eyes bore into her with intensity. Heat flushed from her toes to her hairline. He bent his head, giving her ample time to protest. She didn't, just squeezed her eyes shut and waited. His warm breath fanned her cheek, then he dropped a light kiss on her forehead.

He released her hands, but she didn't dare open her eyes.

The adjoining door shut with a soft click.

Her eyes popped open. What was she expected to do? Was she to freshen up and go to him? The new clothes her ma had made hung waiting in the open wardrobe across the room. The thought sent her heart kicking. She could barely breathe. Surely, he didn't expect her to know how to proceed. How could she possibly unwind as he suggested?

She wanted out of the wedding gown, yet the thought that he might catch her half-dressed mortified her. She allowed her tired body to sink into the paisley chair. The longer she waited, the angrier she became. He should know she wouldn't have a clue what to do.

She popped up from the chair. She would change and slip into bed. If he wanted her to fulfill her wifely duties, he could come to her.

Tears filled her eyes as her arms reached to the back. There was no way for her to get out of the dress without tearing it off. Her ma had spent at least fifteen minutes doing up the row of tiny pearl buttons that ran up the back. In an exhausted heap, she fell across the bed and stifled a cry. She bunched the soft downy quilt into her hands and around her face and wept until she had no strength left.

Her eyes grew heavy, and she drifted into that wonderful place of nothingness.

Josiah took in the sight of her, sound asleep in her beautiful gown. "Kat, you must get into bed. The fire has died down, and your room is chilly." Josiah lifted her into his arms and pulled back the covers. "Why didn't you get ready for bed? You don't love the dress that much that you want to sleep in it." He put a little laughter into his voice, trying to gentle his concern. Why had she not readied herself for bed?

She jolted awake and turned in his arms. "Set me down." She pounded at his chest.

He gathered her fists in one hand so as to not get clobbered and lowered her to the floor. "Whoa, my little wild Kat. I'm just trying to help."

Tears pooled in her eyes and clotted her thick black lashes. His chest constricted at the sight of her red-rimmed eyes. An urge to kiss the drops away flooded through. He clasped his hands together behind his back to stifle the urge to pull her close.

She brushed at her tears with an angry swipe.

"What is it?"

"I…can't undo the buttons, and you left without saying anything and didn't come back."

His hand went to his forehead. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think. It's been way too many years since Georgina, and we had a whole lot more help back then. She had her personal maid to help her with all this finery."

What an idiot. He should have known. That must have been what Delilah meant when she asked if she should stay to help his new bride. "I'm truly sorry."

She turned her back to him. "Just get this thing off me already, and whatever else you're going to do to me, get it done."

He let out a deep breath as his large fingers fumbled with the tiny buttons. He wanted to tear the dress off, but that would scare her half to death. "Done."

The dress slipped from her shoulders. A deep shudder ran down her small frame as she caught the front from sliding any further. "The corset stays, could you…?"

Her body shivered each time his fingers brushed the softness of her creamy flesh. His heart kicked up to an all-out gallop, and blood thrummed through his veins like a wild stallion racing across the range. Goodness, he was not prepared for being this close to her and not acting upon the very thing he desired the most.

But, no matter what his body demanded, for all the best reasons in the world, he could not force his way into her bed any more than he could force his way into her heart. His wild Kat bride would have to be tamed and wooed. If she fled, then he would accept that she was never meant to be.

"Do you need any more help? I mean with these other layers."

"No." Her answer was swift and curt.

"I'm heading to my room, if you're sure you're all right."

Nodding, she turned toward him, clutching the dress to her chest with far too much of her creamy white flesh exposed. He almost lost all good reason, but he forced his gaze upward, only to find her iridescent eyes and ripe lips no easier to resist.

He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. "I want you to know that this room is your own space. I peeked in tonight hoping to find you comfortable and fast asleep. Do you understand what I'm trying to say? This is your room and yours alone."

Her eyes widened and lifted to his. She was a vision of trembling lips, rosy cheeks, and skin so soft one could get lost, ever so lost. Unable to help himself, he brushed a knuckle down her cheek. The sharp intake of her breath and the stiffening of her spine did not escape his notice. If not for the fear radiating from her being, he would have weakened and thrown all restraint to the wind.

"Ma said you would know what to do. What I mean is… What about…you know?"

He smiled. "You mean your end of the bargain?"

She nodded, casting her eyes to the floor. A bright red flush covered her face.

His aching need screamed, but his love screamed louder. He just couldn't—no, wouldn't. Not yet.

"We have a whole lifetime for that. Let's get to know each other first." He bent his head, daring to touch his lips to hers in a quick kiss.

Her eyes rounded.

"Good night, Kat. Sweet dreams. You can lock your doors if it will help you sleep."

He shut the door between their rooms and waited. Silence. The click of the lock never came. He had won the trust of his young bride—a small but good start.

A walk to the creek and a very cold swim would be next.

Katie stretched languorously. Why did her straw mattress, pillows, and quilts feel so glorious? She reached over to give her sister a morning hug like they had done for years and touched only air. Her eyes shot open. Where was her sister? Where was she? What time was it?

Like the rush of the Shenandoah River in the spring, reality flooded in. She was married. In a stranger's house, in a bed that was anything but straw, and, by the look of the light streaming through the gap in the heavy drapes, the day was well underway. She jumped from the bed and stepped to the window. The sun was high in the sky.

"My goodness, what have I done? How did I sleep this long?" She poured tepid water from the pitcher to the bowl to wash in haste. The door to the wardrobe swung wide as she grabbed a plain shirtwaist and skirt and hurried to dress. She braided her hair and coiled it into a tight knot, stabbing in the pins in a harried rush.

She took one quick glance into the full-length mirror and stopped. She was not used to seeing her reflection, having never had the luxury of a mirror at her disposal. Wide troubled eyes stared back at her. Compared to the finery she'd worn the day before, her everyday clothes looked like rags. Most likely the maids had better clothes than she did.

With a jut to her chin and a flick of her head, she turned from the mirror. The day was half wasted. The least she could do was make herself useful. She had always been a hard worker. Maybe it would appease some of the guilt from not fulfilling her duty the night before. She had talked so big, but then… Heat flooded her face at the thought of how she had trembled like a leaf in the wind at the mere touch of his hands on her skin.

She swung her bedroom door open and froze. A look to the left then to the right did not set her bearings straight. The night before, when Josiah had led her to the bedroom, she had not been paying attention.

"Good morning, Missus Richardson." An older woman with a deep chocolate brown face and a cheery smile entered the hall from the adjoining room. "You're up. Mistuh Josiah said you'd be needing some extra sleep, so I kept real quiet."

She motioned to Katie. "Come, child. You must be starving. Let's get you fed. Why, when Mistuh Josiah told me you were a pretty one, he's not telling the half. You are just lovely. Just lovely indeed." Her dark brown eyes sparkled with merriment. "Just too skinny is all. Yes'um as skinny as a blade of grass." She chuckled. Her fleshy arms jiggled as her hands pointed to her generous girth. "Fatten you up to have babies nice and easy." She laughed as Katie raised her eyebrows.

"Come." She waved her hand and ambled down the hall. "Too soon for that baby talk, I reckon, but sure be right nice to have new life in this old house."

Katie followed, listening to her constant chatter. A warmth grew from the pit of her stomach. This kind lady made her feel welcome in the most unassuming way, and all the sleep she had received put a brighter light on her circumstances.

The woman gasped and wheeled around. Katie had to catch herself from colliding straight into her.

"Why, I do declare. I purt' nigh forgot to introduce myself. Just 'cause I know who you are, don't mean you know me." She gave a wide toothy grin. "I'm Delilah. Me and my Abe been with the Richardson family for years. His pa bought and freed us on the same day. We been working and living life as one big family ever since. Why, I helped bring that boy Josiah into this world."

Her face radiated both pride and joy. "Welcome to the family, Katherine." Huge fleshy arms engulfed Katie in the warmest of hugs. Delilah hung on much longer than Katie liked.

With a shake of her finger and a look of amusement, Delilah backed away. "I am going to teach you a thing or two about hugging girl, I truly am. But all in sweet Jesus' time. All in His time."

The fresh aroma of baked bread wafted through the air as they approached the kitchen. Katie's stomach growled in anticipation.

"Sit," Delilah said with a wave of her hand.

Katie slid up to the kitchen table and shifted in her seat. She was not used to being waited on. "Delilah?"

"Yes'um." She cracked an egg in the hot pan.

"What can I do to help? I'm not one of those fancy ladies who needs to be served. I'm not much good in the kitchen yet, but I aim to learn. And give me any work outside, and I shine."

Delilah moved about. "Mmmm." She sliced a few thick pieces of bread.

Katie waited, clasping and unclasping her hands.

Delilah slid a plate of eggs, ham, and fresh hot bread under her nose. "You show me you know how to eat, then I'll round up Mistuh Josiah for you. I be thinking you need to take that up with him."

"Good morning, Delilah. Did I hear you taking my name in vain?" Josiah walked into the room and planted a kiss on her chubby cheek.

She batted him with the wooden spoon and shooed him away.

"You keep them smooches for your missus now and let me fix your lunch."

Katie quite enjoyed their banter and marveled at the friendship between them. With the war just over, many Southerners would not take kindly to such familiarity.

"Good idea, Delilah, I do believe you have a point."

With measured steps, he walked to Katie's side and slowly bent his head. Just inches from her cheek, he asked with a tease in his voice. "Who's supposed to kiss whom good morning?"

She had no idea how to answer, so maybe silence would be her best defense.

"I think we can start our own little tradition, don't you? In fact, I'll start one here and now. The sleepyhead in the family, whoever wakes up last, gets the honors." He leaned close with his cheek turned toward her and waited.

Determined not to run scared, Katie bent forward to peck the side of his cheek. At the last second, he moved so her lips found his. She jolted back. Heat spread from her neck to her hairline.

Delilah laughed. "Don't you embarrass your new bride, boy, ‘cause you know full well I can still take a spoon to that behind of yours, if'n that sweet one says so."

Katie's smile split wide. She loved there was someone in the world who could put him in his place.

"Don't worry about her, Katherine," Josiah teased. "Her bark is most definitely worse than her bite."

"I'm not worried. I quite like the bark when it's directed at you."

Delilah let out a hoot and scurried over for a quick hug. "I do like the spunk in this one. We're going be the best of friends."

Katie lifted her head to Josiah with a defiant jut to her chin. "Friends indeed." A warmth filled her being.

His laughter bounced off the walls. "Come, my little Kat. It's time to show you around. Delilah, can you please pack up a lunch to go?"

"My pleasure."

He held out his hand.

Katie placed her hand in his as she rose, then quickly pulled it free. Why did everything have to be so big—his hands, his house, his land? She would never fit in.