Chapter 6
The dining room glittered with hundreds of candles set in gold candelabras up and down two long, white tables.
Elizabeth entered the room on the arms of both Jonathan and Jean. The envious looks of the other women made her smile as she and Jonathan neared the table where some dinner guests already sat. A servant dressed in white greeted them and directed each to their respective seats.
Elizabeth was seated on the opposite end of the table from Jonathan.
It was probably just as well, she thought as she looked far down the table at him.
She felt a pang of longing so strong she wanted to cry.
They needed time together, not apart. She dared glance at him again, but he wasn’t looking her way. He’d turned to speak to Jackson.
As the servants poured champagne, Elizabeth half listened to the conversations around her, shrugging her shoulders in halfhearted answers.
Meanwhile, Jonathan seemed to be entertaining the two ladies on either side of him, and Elizabeth couldn’t stop the twinge of jealousy that skittered through her.
One of the ladies smiled at everything Jonathan said; now and then her eyelids dropped a little in a flirtatious manner. Jonathan’s mouth twitched with amusement.
Elizabeth ground her teeth, but managed to keep her temper in check. During all the excitement of actually getting Jonathan out of the house, she’d almost forgotten that she wanted to speak with him. She needed answers. She was tired of this state of limbo.
And she would talk to him tonight.
The servants entered with the food, drawing her attention.
Soon the spicy aroma of the Creole dishes filled the room.
She had learned to love the special Louisiana food that was so different from that of her English homeland.
The first course was gumbo, followed by spicy shrimp in tomato sauce served over fluffy white rice. Some of her favorites.
Elizabeth looked at Jonathan again just in time to see one of the women grab his arm possessively. She stiffened, her eyes flashing with anger. It took all her control not to jump up in the middle of dinner and have a word with Mr. Hird.
She took a deep breath and managed to finish the gumbo, but when the main course was served she found her appetite had left her. She barely touched her food, pushing the rice around her plate, eating only a few bites.
As soon as the meal ended, Elizabeth made her way over to Jonathan. She figured if she had to wait for him to escort her out, she might never leave the table, since the other women were keeping him company.
“Excuse me,” she said quietly, then waited until he looked at her.
When she had his full attention, minus the giggling young lady next to him, she finished her request. “I would like to see you on the terrace,” she stated firmly, daring him to argue.
His dinner companions would have to do without his company.
She didn’t bother to wait to see if Jonathan followed. Elizabeth made her way to the foyer where a servant retrieved her cloak. She wrapped the gray-brown silk taffeta garment around her, pulling up the hood to protect her hair from the wind.
Perhaps he could tear himself away from his dinner companions for a little while. In her present mood, she wouldn’t hesitate to make a scene.
Once she was outside, the crisp night air quickly cooled her body, if not her temper.
The starry heavens peeped through the bare branches.
A breeze blew a loose strand of hair across her nose that tickled and made her want to sneeze.
She tucked it behind her ear as she nervously went over what she wanted to say.
It was now or never!
She wouldn’t let anything stop her now that her mind was made up. Lost in thought, she jumped when Jonathan touched her shoulder.
“I believe you summoned me, my dear.”
Elizabeth whirled, her hood falling about her shoulders. “Summoning you,” she spat out contemptuously. “It seems to be the only way to get your attention these days.”
Jonathan’s face showed no trace of emotion. He looked at her, waiting to see what she wanted. She realized then that he didn’t intend to make any of this easy.
Damn man!
“Before your injury, I was hopeful that we’d have a future together...” Elizabeth said, then paused as Jonathan tensed. His eyes grew hard and his jaw tightened.
Good, at least she had his attention even if he was thinking the wrong thing.
“I thought you loved me.” Her voice cracked as unwanted tears sprang to her eyes; she fought to hold them back, not wanting to cry. She needed to say what had to be said without her emotions getting in the way.
“I did,” Jonathan stated flatly.
Elizabeth stiffened. She noticed he used the word “did” instead of “do.”
“Well, for me, nothing has changed.”
“I am not the man I was then.” His words sounded as cool and clear as ice water. “Why can’t you see that?” he said angrily, his scowl hot. “The battle changed everything.”
“Your injury changed nothing!” Elizabeth shook her head stubbornly. “You are the same man to me.”
“You deserve better,” he replied in a low voice. “Someone whole.”
“I deserve to be happy.”
“Precisely, my dear.” Jonathan sighed. “And I completely understand that you want to end our relationship.”
“I never said anything about ending our relationship, which is exactly the point. There is nothing to end, Jonathan Hird. You have never made a commitment to me!” She grabbed both his arms and shook him hard. “I love you. Will you marry me?”
“I—I,” Jonathan stammered, and gave her a look as incredulous as if she’d just slapped him.
She couldn’t remember ever seeing such a shocked look on his face before.
“That is not an answer,” Elizabeth pointed out. “It’s simple ... yes or no.”
He regarded her quizzically for a moment, and then answered, “Yes.”
“What do you mean, no?” Elizabeth shouted and stomped her foot in a childish gesture. She had known he would say no. Damned man. “Don’t I mean anything to you? Don’t you lo—” She hesitated, blinking with bafflement. “Did you say yes?”
He nodded with a sly grin. “Just remember, I warned you.”
Elizabeth threw her arms around him and planted kisses all over his face.
“I’m so happy, Jonathan.” Joy bubbled up and shone in her eyes.
“I don’t want to wait because I’ve been waiting for you forever.
I want to be married three weeks from today before Annie and Derek sail back to England.
Annie would never forgive me if I got married without her.
As a matter of fact, she’s probably given up hope. ”
“Whoa. Slow down, my love.” Jonathan pulled back a little. A smile tugged at his mouth. “We’ll have the wedding of your dreams. I promise.” His breath stirred her hair.
She felt a flood of uncontrollable joy.
“You shall spare no expense. But don’t you think we should seal the bargain with a kiss?” he asked with a whisper.
Imprisoned between the porch rail and Jonathan, she looked at him and grinned.
As though his words had released her, she flung herself against him.
He held her close with his good arm and lowered his head to hers.
She wanted to yield to the burning sweetness.
His warm lips pressed gently on her own, sending the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl.
Passion rose in her like the hottest fire, clouding her brain.
To save her soul, she couldn’t stop with a chaste kiss and pull away like a lady should.
Instead, her arms slid up and around his neck as she pressed her body into his and savored the feel of his hard muscles against hers.
Nothing mattered but the taste of him. The brandy he’d had earlier made his lips sweet and produced a delicious sensation.
Suddenly, he deepened the kiss and persuaded her to open her mouth. His tongue explored the recesses of her mouth, teaching her how exquisite a kiss could be. She kissed him with a hunger that matched his own.
However, a little sanity returned and she pulled back slightly. “W-we shouldn’t be doing this.”
“I know,” Jonathan agreed, his mouth grazing her earlobe. She quivered at the sweet tenderness of his kiss. The warm breath on her ear made her go limp. Jonathan had to tighten his grip to keep her from falling.
To hell with what is proper, Elizabeth thought.
She was so happy, she could burst. After all these years, she was finally getting married. And, best of all, to the man of her dreams. Perhaps it would be enough to wipe out all of the bad memories. She looked up at Jonathan and whispered, “Are you happy?”
“So much has happened in such a short time, I think I’m numb,” he answered slowly. Too slowly.
Elizabeth frowned. “That isn’t exactly the response I expected.”
“Of course I’m happy.” He gave her a smile that warmed her to her toes. “How could I not be?”
“I guess you’re going to make me ask this, too.” She frowned and drew in a deep breath. “Do you love me?”
Jonathan’s hand rested casually on Elizabeth’s shoulder for the longest time.
The look in his blue eyes held a warmth that left her breathless.
“I have known you since you were in pigtails and I wore knickers.
Over the years, you grew up and attempted to follow Adam and me around.
I admit back then, I thought you were a royal pain.
Then the strangest thing happened. I started asking Adam where you were and what you had been doing. I had to know everything about you.
“Unfortunately, Adam got a wild idea and decided that both of you should go to America. I almost asked you then...”
She saw heart-rending tenderness in his gaze. “I remember the strange look in your eye that day,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “It was as if you wanted to say something to me.”
“I did,” he said, lifting his hand to her soft cheek.
“I wanted to ask you to stay with me, but I thought you were too young. You had yet to experience life, so I waited and hoped.”
She frowned in exasperation. “Until I was a ripe old age and no one wanted me.”
Jonathan chuckled and tapped her under the chin. “Remember, wine is not at its best until it is aged.”
Her brow rose a fraction, and she felt her cheek twitch. “Are you avoiding the question?”
“Only leading up to it. When I arrived at Four Oaks this last time and saw you, I knew then that I had loved you for a very long time. Perhaps, forever.”
She watched the play of emotions on his face and felt a few of her own. “So, why didn’t you tell me?”
‘‘Because I didn’t know how you felt. It had been such a long time. But do know, Elizabeth, that I love you as no other.”
Her heart melted at the words she’d longed to hear. She had loved only one man in her life, and he stood before her.
Her arms went around his neck at the same moment his lips found hers. The kiss was so tender and poignant that she never wanted this moment to end. Suddenly, everything was so right in her life.
Before she knew what was happening, she was parting her lips to let Jonathan deepen his kiss, and she felt his automatic response.
She began to tremble. Her conscience again reminded her that it was very unacceptable behavior to be out on the terrace unchaperoned, much less having her body pressed against a man and her arms wrapped around his neck.
If any of the society matrons were to walk through the door and discover them, they would swoon immediately.
However, it wasn’t a mother who came through the French doors.
“Unhand my sister, Jonathan Hird,” Adam’s deep voice growled behind them.
“Mon Dieu, I shall run him through with my sword for taking such liberties with your sister,” Jean shouted.
Adam’s head snapped around to look at Jean. “Haven’t you learned that I can fight my own battles?”
“Oui, but we are kin, are we not?” Jean winked at Adam. “So, my friend, your battles become my battles.”
Jonathan had jerked up at the intrusion, but he didn’t bother to let Elizabeth go. Slowly, he turned so they both could see the two gentleman arguing with each other and ignoring them.
“That may be true,” Adam said and folded his arms across his chest. “But I’ll ask for your help when I need it.”
Jean folded his arms in a stubborn stance also. “There are times, my friend, when you’ll not know that you need help,” he said with a grin. “Or should I remind you of Pierre’s right to the jaw?”
“Remember it!” Adam’s voice rose as he flung his hand in the air. “I still have the bloody bruise as a reminder.”
Jonathan had had enough. “Do you mind taking your conversation elsewhere, ol’ boy? Your sister and I were having a very serious conversation before we were so rudely intruded upon.”
Adam turned back to Jonathan. “I could see which way the so-called conversation was headed,” Adam said dryly. “You should know better than to compromise my sister.”
“I could still run him through for you,” Jean suggested amiably.
“Some friend you are,” Jonathan said as he glared at Jean.
Jean merely shrugged. “Blood is thicker than water, my friend.”
Elizabeth thought the whole thing quite comical. She was surprised at Jean’s easy wit. “Perhaps I was compromising Jonathan,” she suggested. “It was my idea to come out here, after all.”
“No one could compromise a rake,” Adam stated firmly.
“I take offense to that, ol’ boy.”
“Well?” Adam stared hard. “Is it not true?”
Jonathan shrugged. “In the past, perhaps. But I still take offense, especially since I’ll be marrying your sister in a fortnight.”
“Bloody hell,” Adam roared. But an easy smile played at the corners of his mouth, indicating that he was pleased.
“I’m truly offended that I was not invited,” Jean protested.
Adam cut his eyes at Jean. “I can’t invite you to something I know nothing about myself!”
“Are you not excited, Adam?” Elizabeth asked softly, gaining her brother’s attention.
“Then it’s true?”
She nodded.
Slowly, a grin spread across Adam’s lips before he reached over and clasped Jonathan’s arm. “It’s about time you came to your senses.” Then he turned and hugged his sister. “Of course I’m happy for you. See? I told you things would work out.”
“See?” Jean said with a laugh. “You were getting excited over nothing, my friend,” he said, slapping Jonathan on the back.
“Congratulations,” Adam said.
“Thank you, Adam,” she said, then kissed her brother’s cheek. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must tell Jewel. We have a wedding to plan, and there is much to do in the next two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” Adam shouted, but Elizabeth ignored him as she hurried through the French doors.
At the moment, life was wonderful.