Storm on the Horizon Read online

  Chapter 17

  Colton arrived in his family’s carriage. It was a boisterous journey, his two sisters giggling and squabbling all the way, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. His mother was still brimming with happiness at the news of his impending marriage.

  “Such a joyous occasion.” She smiled at him again. “I never knew you favored her.”

  “I kept it hidden for quite some time. I honestly didn’t think her father would favor my courtship.”

  “Of course he would! We may not be nobility, but we are a wealthy respectable family. Why, it makes perfect sense.”

  His father was over the moon with joy, as well. It seemed everyone was supremely happy with a union between him and Olivia. He sighed in relief. He didn’t understand why he had thought it would be so difficult. In retrospect, it seems foolish now.

  “Will we be in the wedding?”

  “No dears, it will be an intimate affair, I’m sure. You are much too young to be bridesmaids and too old for flower girls.”

  “Oh,” the girls said in unison.

  Anna and Emma Darling were perfect replicas of each other and often spoke as one. They favored their mother’s blonde hair and hazel eyes to perfection, and often wore matching dresses as well. Growing up, they were like two perfect dolls, hair curled perfectly, eyes wide and sparkling, and twin dimples in their cheeks. They were the darling Darlings in town and the apple of his father’s eyes. They would be exceptionally lovely when they came of age, and Colton dreaded every year that brought them closer to that milestone. He did not envy his father in that regard. Finding husbands would be easy, it was finding worthy husbands that would be difficult.

  As Colton watched them fondly, he could see that for all their similarities they were very different. Emma was vibrant and bubbly, doing most of the talking and avidly enjoying herself. Anna remained mostly quiet, stared out the window, and Colton could see a book tucked in her hand. She was the more intellectual of the two, always asking questions and hungry for answers. He wondered how she would fare when it was time for her to play the debutante and woo the masses of polite society. He made a mental note to ask Olivia for help. Olivia would help her find her footing when the time came.

  They pulled up before the Brentton family home and debarked. Filing into the drawing room, Olivia hugged both girls and remarked on how lovely they were becoming. Then she turned to him and gave him a sly smile.

  “What is that about?” he whispered so no one else could hear.

  “Nothing,” she said innocently

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “Normally, it’s the gentleman who has trouble behaving oneself leading up to the nuptials, but you’re making me worry.”

  “Worry not, dear fiancé. I am only happy to see you. I’m consoling myself with fond memories.”

  Colton coughed and looked away. He would not make it through the evening if he were thinking about Olivia thinking about them. He decided no response was best and escorted her to the sofa.

  Their mothers were busy discussing wedding plans, and his sisters were listening intently, or so it seemed. Anna had a look that said her mind was other places.

  Colton leaned close to Olivia. “Look at Anna. What do you see?”

  “A girl that wishes she were any place but here.” Olivia shrugged. “My guess is she has a book on her person.”

  Colton snorted. “You would be right. I’m worried about her. In a few years, she will be thrust onto the ton and not know how to acclimate. She could be labeled a blue stocking.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing. We need more intelligent women in this world. She will be infinitely more comfortable if she is allowed to be who she is. Confidence is key when dealing with polite society. I can sponsor her debut, and I will be sure she will land gracefully on her feet.”

  “Thank you,” he said emphatically.

  The intimate group conversed until they were summoned to dinner. Colton allowed himself to relax as their two families joined effortlessly, like two halves making a whole. Six courses later of delicious food, the ladies removed themselves to the drawing room, leaving the three men to enjoy their port and cigars. It was almost perfect, except for the one chair that remained empty for Devon. Lord Lesley wasted no time after the ladies had gone, informing Colton’s father of all that had happened. Mr. Darling took it in stride, his eyes snapping to his son’s when he was told how Olivia had been on his ship the entire time and not home with a cold.

  “Well, that certainly puts a new perspective on things,” he stated.

  “But it doesn’t change how I’ve always felt. It was just the catalyst that made things impossible to ignore. I can’t say I regret it now, but there has certainly been a lot of time wasted.”

  “You could have saved me a fortune in evening dresses, boy.” Lord Lesley laughed.

  “Send me the bill,” Colton joined in.

  “Let us not waste any more and return to our ladies, shall we?” Mr. Darling suggested.

  “Capital idea.” Lord Lesley rose.

  They returned to the ladies, who were sitting around Olivia and holding up swatches of fabric to her face. They turned in surprise as the men entered and quickly hid the fabric from sight.

  “What’s going on?” Lord Lesley asked jovially.

  “You’re back so soon? We were comparing swatches against Olivia’s skin for her dress. Colton cannot see.”

  “I didn’t see a thing,” he assured them.

  “Nonetheless, we don’t want to ruin the surprise.” Lady Lesley shoved the swatches into a satchel and tucked it behind the sofa.

  Colton joined Olivia on the sofa, and the fathers took the wing chairs by the fireplace. The mothers sat together on the other sofa, and Colton’s sisters found the chess board in the corner to occupy them.

  “Should we play cards?” Olivia offered. If she could not be alone with Colton, she didn’t see the point in not doing something that engaged all of them.

  “What would you like to play?” Colton asked.

  “I don’t know, something we can all play together.”

  “Let’s dance!” Emma said excitedly. “Anna and I will play the pianoforte while you dance. It will be oh, so romantic since we are celebrating your betrothal, Jeffrey.”

  Colton winced. He never liked his first name, but his sisters insisted on using it.

  Olivia snickered. “Jeffrey.”

  “Mind your tongue, Olivia Louise.”

  “I don’t mind my middle name at all.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

  “Olivia, please,” her mother reprimanded her.

  Olivia laughed, not the least bit chastised. “Are you going to ask me to dance, Captain?”

  “Aye.” He smiled and stood, and then offered his hand.

  Olivia took it. Neither of them was wearing gloves, and the shock of his warm skin felt daringly intimate when their parents were watching them so closely.

  She was beginning to feel warm all over as he led her to the clearer area in front of the pianoforte. All eyes were on them as Emma and Anna took their seat at the piano and began to play a waltz.

  Olivia couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She had only waltzed with Colton a handful of times, and each time had felt like a dream. She couldn’t tell if the floating dizziness in her head was from the wine she had at dinner, or the happiness exploding inside her. He took her in his arms and even though their parents watched them, it felt as if they are all alone. There was nothing beyond the intent in his eyes, the crooked half smile of his lips, and the cage of his arms. He twirled her around, and she tossed her head back and laughed. They made one rotation around the small area, and then to Olivia’s surprise, her parents and Colton’s parents joined them. She had been so engrossed that she hadn’t noticed that the two fathers had moved one sofa to the side. She smiled as she spun again and met her mother’s smiling eyes. Olivia looked over her shoulder and was stunned to see how close her father was holding her mother. She looked back at Colton, her
eyes wide.

  He chuckled. “Did you think a stork presented you to your parents?”

  “I think my impetuousness was inherited,” she replied.

  “I heard that young lady,” her mother called out.

  All too quickly, the waltz finished with a flourish. They came to a halt and applauded the girls for their talented play.

  “I wish to dance with my beautiful daughter,” Lord Lesley demanded. “All too soon my little bird is leaving the nest.”

  Colton and his father bowed before the twins. With dimpled smiles, they both accepted as they were led to the floor. Lady Lesley and Mrs. Darling took to the piano and played another waltz, this one more joyous and sprightly.

  Colton spun his sister until her cheeks were pink, and she was breathless with laughter. His father did the same.

  “We’re being shown up, my dear, let’s up the stakes.” Lord Lesley spun Olivia first this way, and then that way while keeping his step. It was rather impressive and highly entertaining to watch.

  “Ohhh,” the twins said with awe, their heads snapping back and forth to watch as they circled.

  Olivia laughed and begged to stop as her head was spinning dangerously. “I can’t spin like I used to, my stomach will revolt.”

  The mothers finished with a flourish, and the twins begged Lord Lesley to spin them. Colton went to Olivia’s side. She was fanning her cheeks and sipping wine when he approached.

  “Quite an invigorating waltz, if I do say so myself.”

  “My father always helped with my dance lessons. We made those spins up when Devon claimed I could never dance better than him. He is quite elegant on the floor, but he could never match my father,” Olivia said with pride.

  “I don’t think I am quite as accomplished.”

  She smiled. “I’ll teach you.”

  “Olivia dear, you’re quite flushed. Perhaps you should take a walk in the garden.” Her mother pressed a glass of water into her hand.

  “Would you escort me?”

  “It would be my honor.” Colton smiled charmingly.

  They left the drawing room and went out the front door. Outside the air was cool, hinting at the coming fall. They walked around the side of the house to the orchard, where the fountain trickled and the little boy sat at its center with his fishing rod. It was here that their journey began. So much had changed between them, but the trees looked exactly the same.

  The moon was bright, the trees dappling them with shadows as they sat on the bench. Colton held her hand, and they both looked up at the stars that winked above them.

  “We shouldn’t be out here long,” Colton said.

  “Are you afraid they will think you are taking advantage of me?”

  “I’m afraid you will take advantage of me. Well, I’m hoping for it.”

  Olivia gasped. “You devil. I would oblige you if I were not so offended.”

  “Offended?”

  “It is my understanding that it is the man who does the seducing. What can it mean if you won’t try to seduce me when given the opportunity?”

  “I don’t consider this an opportunity. It’s growing rather cold, and this bench is quite hard.”

  Olivia smiled teasingly. “Can you think of no way to seduce me here?”

  “I can think of a dozen ways, but I’m not going to use any of them. You mean too much for me to tup on a cold hard bench or up against the bark of a tree.”

  “Oh.” Olivia looked around in renewed interest.

  Colton grabbed her chin and turned her face to his. “I want you in my bed on silk sheets, the glow of a hundred candles on your skin.”

  “Oh,” she said, but it sounded more like a moan to her ears.

  “I won’t seduce you here, but I will kiss you witless.” He followed his words by taking her mouth in a searing kiss. She opened immediately to him, allowing him to conquer her senses and command her attention.

  Olivia gave herself over to the kiss, forgetting the cold and the stars and the hard bench beneath her. All her focus was on him. The hot caress of his lips against hers and the feel of his tongue against hers, twisting and stroking. She felt like she was melting inside, getting hotter and softer, aching for his hardness to fill her.

  Colton pulled away suddenly. “That’s enough of that,” he rasped.

  “What?” she said in acute disappointment.

  “We have to go inside right now.” He stood and pulled her up.

  “But why?” She hated the desperate whine in her voice, but drat it, her body was clamoring for more.

  “I was enjoying that kiss too much, Olivia. The bench and the tree started to sound like excellent ideas.”

  She was silent for a moment. He sounded just as frustrated. “I thought so too. I’m glad one of us was able to stop.”

  Colton groaned and walked faster. They reached the front door just as it opened, and his father stepped out.

  “Excellent timing, I thought you got lost.” His gaze skittered over their clothing. “Well then, we’re having a merry time inside, and Mrs. Belle brought in some of her biscuits.”

  Colton nodded his thanks and pulled Olivia inside. He could only imagine what state his father would have found them in if he had lost his head and not stopped.

  Chapter 18

  It was after midnight when Colton returned. Bronson met him in the hall and updated him on Devon’s evening.

  “Lord Wilhelm drank broth but would not take anything else. He was sleeping when I last checked on him.”

  “Thank you, Bronson, you may retire.”

  Colton proceeded up the stairs to his room. He had grown used to his new residence, although he had only lived here for less than a year, and the included time he was at sea. It was a comfortable home, charmingly aged by time and sea air, with a rich history of family. He had bought it from a young lord who was downsizing his estate after his late father’s less than profitable investments. It had been a summer home for them years ago and kept up nicely. Devon didn’t remember the family from his boyhood, but then again, he had only ventured from his own family home to Devon’s.

  He entered his room and it was dark. “What the devil?” He cursed. Bronson usually left a candle burning for his return. Perhaps he had forgotten, due to caring for Devon? Shrugging, he walked to his dresser and lit the lamp. Weak light filled the room and when he turned, he was surprised to see a curvaceous form on the bed, and a vixen smiling invitingly.

  “Olivia,” he said, sternly. He was already aching for her, but he couldn’t believe that she was here. It meant she had left her house after midnight, most assuredly alone. “Are you out of your mind?”

  Her face fell. “I thought that you would be happy to see me.”

  “I am always happy to see you. It’s how you got here in the dead of night that infuriates me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Oh?” He prowled closer. She wore nothing but her shift and stockings, a bold enticing offering of her body. He stopped and looked around his room. There on the chair by the hearth were her cloak and what looked to be a riding costume. “You rode here?” he said incredulously.

  She shrunk a little on the bed and bit her lip. “Do you really require an answer?”

  “Get up.” He growled.

  Olivia hurried off the bed and Colton handed her clothing to her. “Colton,” she pleaded. “I needed to see you.”

  “And I need you to stop risking your life. We are days away from being married, Olivia, you couldn’t wait? We saw each other only hours ago.”

  “It’s not the same with our families around.”

  “Believe me, I know,” he said in exasperation, “but that doesn’t mean you can ride over here in the middle of the night.”

  She stood there holding her clothes in her hands and looking hurt. He wrapped his arms around. “I love you too much for you to risk your life like this.”

  “I—”

  “No. It is never safe for a woman to ride at night. I’m going to summon my car
riage and take you home. Promise me you will not do such a foolish thing again.”

  Olivia sighed. “I promise.”

  He helped her dress and then went down stairs to call for the carriage. Her horse was tied to the back and Colton assisted her inside.

  Colton put his arm around her as the carriage rolled down the drive, and she looked up at him. “I am sorry, you know,” she said.

  “Are you?”

  “Rather humiliated too.”

  “Good.” He kissed her nose.

  “Good?”

  “There is a lesson to be learned here.”

  Olivia harrumphed and folded her arms.

  “Is this more of the Brentton temper showing?” he teased.

  “If you keep speaking to me like that, you will find out,” she warned.

  Colton chuckled. He couldn’t see her face in the darkness of the carriage, but he could feel her anger. Serves her right after what she has put him through. He recalled their time in the garden, how eager she was to make love in the garden despite the cold or the threat of family coming upon them. Now they were in an enclosed carriage, with at least half an hour before reaching her home.

  “Olivia,” he said, his voice deepening with his desire.

  “I don’t wish to converse with you right now, if you don’t mind,” she replied.

  Colton smiled in the darkness as he cupped her breast with the hand hanging over her shoulder.

  “Colton!” she gasped.

  “Sit on my lap Olivia, pull up your skirt, and straddle me.”

  He could hear her breathing but she said nothing, and then she moved. He held her by the waist as she stooped in the carriage, pulled up her skirts, and straddled his lap. She wasn’t wearing undergarments.

  He slid his hand between her legs, into her folds, and she inhaled deeply. “Is this becoming a habit of yours?”

  “Only around you.” She let out a breathy sigh as he entered her with one finger.

  “I like it.” He reached for the buttons on his breeches and undid them. His erection sprang to life, eager to sink inside her slick haven. He positioned himself at her opening and urged her down by her hips. He went slow, letting her stretch and adjust as she needed. He let out his own sigh when he was fully seated and grabbed her hips.