Clouded Innocence

Clouded Innocence

D.C. Gambel

Copyright © 2013 by D.C. Gambel
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without prior written permission of the author except where permitted by law.
Published by
D.C. Gambel at Smashword
Edited by
Nina Turner

Cover Image
from www.canstockphoto.com/
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
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The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Pride and Prejudice

To my family for believing in me even when I doubted m
yself. To my sister who read my first draft and gave me her honest opinion. To my friends who let me bounce ideas off them even when they were tired of hearing about Conner and Francesca. And to my mom who encouraged me and supported me. Who read the entire book twice, even the love scenes. I love you.

Prologue

You never realize how important one day is, until you are past it, looking back. How one day can change you and your life forever. It could be a death. A life. The meeting of a single person. The winds of change can blow us in any multitude of directions. They are strong enough to change our world or just push us in the right direction. Sometimes we just have to hang on and enjoy the ride. It isn't until the dust settles we realize the damage that has been done or the mess that has been swooped away.

We all have those days and none of us have the foresight to know how utterly critical they are to the game called life that we are all bound to play. Hindsight can be a curse or a gift. It just depends on the roll of the dice. My day happened the beginning of one summer and little did I know at the time, how it would alter my life forever setting off a chain of events that I would be powerless to stop. Now looking back, I realize how one action from any variety of sources could have impacted that day, changing it, but the pieces fell into place like a puzzle. And it was. It was the puzzle of my life.

Chapter
1

Summer 1881

I laid on the ground between lines of laundry that had been hung out to dry. The smell of fresh linen engulfed me as the wind drifted around the bed sheets moving the scent with the gentle sway of the lines. I was trying to find some solace before everything was shattered and chaos consumed my normally peaceful world.

My stepbrother, whom I had only met once, at my father's wedding, was coming to stay with us for the first time. All I had known of Steven Henry was from our brief introduction and from what I had heard from my stepmother, Lilly.

His father had been killed during the war when he was just a child. Steven was attending the university, trying to obtain his degree in business. Lilly and my father seemed very proud of him. To me he seemed arrogant and self-centered but perhaps it was because I had only just met him and he refused to barely utter a word to me.
 

Nevertheless, he was coming to our home and my father, Peter de Bella, would hear of nothing less than my treating him just like family, which I suppose technically speaking, he was.

From what I had heard from Lilly, Steven was not returning home alone. A friend from school, who had no other place to go, what with his father busy working making his mark on the world and no mother, my father and Lilly had taken pity on him and forcefully suggested that Steven bring him home with him.

The house was prepared and we had more than enough room in our two story plantation house to receive more than two unwanted guests, unwanted in my book. Our house was large and white; paint slowly had been chipping away from the years of weather. It received sunlight nearly all day. Four large pillars stood in the front reaching the roof; they almost seemed to be supporting it. There was a wraparound porch that took over the second story, making the perfect shade for the small, front porch below. It was my family home and I loved it. It was filled with memories of my mother, before she passed. Though years had progressed, my memories remained as strong as if they had happened yesterday.

Long before the new edition had been announced to arrive, I had decided that I would not allow Steven's visit to spoil my time.

Sooner than expected, a servant announced their arrival and I was summoned from my tranquility. We all lined up outside to greet them, just like any well-mannered family would. The coach pulled slowly around our circular drive. Two beautiful black stallions pulled the dirt covered carriage. When the carriage was brought to a stop, the driver himself seemed even dusty, as he hopped down to open the door.
 

The first occupant to exit showed no signs of his dirty travels. His blue suit was perfectly neat and tidy, as if he had just put it on fresh from the laundry. His brown hair was short and well kept. Grey eyes sat in a serious expression upon his face. He was a tall, lanky man.
 

I recognized him almost instantly as my stepbrother, Steven. If his looks had not given him away, my stepmother throwing her arms around his neck certainly would have. Surely no well-mannered, married women would greet a stranger, in such a way.
 

“Oh sweetheart, I have missed you terribly,” Lilly proclaimed to her son. My father approached them welcoming the son he never had, but always wanted, home.
 

All the while, no one seemed aware of the man that stepped out of the coach thereafter. I certainly was. The very sight of him made my heart skip a beat as I stared shamelessly. A breeze blew from his direction and a sweet, taunting, masculine smell filled my lungs. It crashed down on me, enticing me closer. It seemed to be a spell that led to symptoms of lust and attraction. My eyes slowly began to take him in to his just cleaned black, leather shoes. Tan colored pants that matched his tan business jacket, which fit properly over his defined torso. Lastly, my eyes rested on his incredibly handsome face. Long lashes framed his brilliant pale blue eyes. They sparkled, luring me in enough that I almost forgot that the others were there. I managed to plant my feet firmly where I stood refusing to budge. I noticed his short blond hair looked like the wind had blown it flawlessly away from his face to show off his amazing features.
 

If I had been asked, in that moment, to pick one word to best describe this stranger, it would have been handsome. Everything about him was handsome, but not just his features. It was also in the way he presented himself.
 

He placed his feet firmly on the ground, blue eyes locked with mine piercing me through to my soul. His perfectly pink lips were pulled into a sensual smirk. At that moment I realized I was gaping with my mouth wide open. I closed it and tried to swallow but my mouth was to dry.
 

I assumed the others finally realized that he had stepped out because Steven began to introduce him. I
assumed
because my eyes never left him. They were glued to him in an obvious way that would be humiliating if anyone were to notice. Luckily, their attention was focused on the handsome strange.

“Everyone, this is my classmate, Conner Edwards.”
 

Oh my
. Even the sound of his name, which suited him precisely, made my breath catch in my throat. Steven continued to make the introduction. I did not quite register what was going on until they both stood in front of me. Steven held a questioning look on his face while Conner beamed with amusement. I became aware that I had just been spoken to and rudely had not replied.

In a hasty fashion, I threw my hand out to shake Conner's. When his skin touched mine, my mind went blank. All I could think of was how the heat tingled where his skin touched mine. It was like an electric current starting in my hand, making its way up my arm, and going straight though my heart. I knew I was supposed to say something, but for the life of me my mind would not form a single coherent thought, despite my best efforts. I guess Steven became aware of that so, rolling his eyes, he finished the introduction himself.
 

“This is my stepsister, Francesca.”
 

Of course! My name.
I felt my cheeks redden with embarrassment. Never in my short life of seventeen years had another person rendered me completely speechless. 

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Francesca,” Conner said as he raised my knuckles to his lips.

Realizing I was still holding his hand, I finally released it. My skin felt warm where his lips had touched sending thrills of excitement coursing through my system. 

My father came up behind the boys, placing a hand on each of their shoulders ushering them into the house. Peter de Bella was a large man with a pleasantly round face. As he passed me he gave me a look that I had seen many times. It spoke volumes. The look asked,
“What is wrong with you?”
Lilly followed shortly behind them, giving me a quick smile and a wink as if she knew that Conner had completely overwhelmed me.

Riddled with embarrassment, I did not follow them. I made a straight line upstairs to the bedroom. I did my best not to run. I knew it would only cause me more humiliation if anyone were to see me. Closing the door immediately behind me, I sagged against it allowing the heavy door to support my weight. “What just happened?” I asked myself, completely alone in my thoughts.

Later that evening, I walked into the dining room for dinner. It would be the first time I had seen Conner since that morning. Even now, the thought of being in the same vicinity as him made my stomach leap into my throat. Luckily, I was the first to arrive. I entered the dim lit room with the only light coming from the candles spread throughout the area casting a soft glow through the room. The long, rectangular, dining table set in the center of the room. From what you could see of it, the wood was a dark cherry wood. The stark white table cloth was draped over the table making the legs the only thing visible. It was large enough to seat ten people comfortably. My mother had always hoped for a large family, I think. The table was littered with a variety of foods. A large roasted chicken rested in the middle of the table surrounded by carrots, corn, and a loaf of freshly baked bread. The aroma filled the room making my stomach grumble in hunger.

I sat in my regular spot, at the far end of the table away from the entryway. My father always sat at the head, Lilly to his right and I to his left. Dishes were set to show where all five of us would be eating dinner this evening. I became aware immediately, after taking my seat that someone would be sitting next to me. There were only two options. No matter whichever scenario played out, I knew I was going to be miserable the entire evening. Within minutes, my father and Lilly made their entrance to the grand room taking their regular seats, followed shortly after by Steven and Conner.
 

“Darling,” Lilly said, “come sit by me.”
 

Oh no,
that only left one option. My heart began to flutter in panic and also in excitement. My gaze glued to Conner as he made his approach to the chair to my left. 

“Miss de Bella?” A small thrill went through me at the knowledge that he remembered my name. I loved how his velvety voice wrapped around it, making it sound better than when anyone else said it.
 

“Mr. Edwards,” I nodded as he took his seat.
 

“Conner, how are you enjoying your stay?” My father asked, his thick accent coating his words. It was difficult to pinpoint. His family had moved around so much when he was a child that his accent was blended of several.
 

“Very well. Thank you,” he paused for a second before continuing. “You have such a grand home, sir. I actually became lost trying to find my way to dinner this evening.”
 

“Oh yes. I do apologize for not giving you a better tour of the house and the grounds.” My father waved his hands nonchalantly. “I suppose I have been a very poor host. Perhaps I can remedy that tomorrow, once I finish with the work I need to do?” My father said.
 

“Darling, by the time you finish, it would be quite late and not much to show once there is no light left to see it,” Lilly interjected. She turned her green eyes to me. “Francesca, perhaps you could give the boys a tour of the grounds? I know Steven has not seen everything. I would, but I have my quilting group tomorrow. Plus I am sure you know the land better than I do, what with you growing up here. I have only called this home for a mere few months.” I knew she was doing her best to sweeten me up to the idea, playing on my love for my family home. Of course I did know it better than her and perhaps even better than my father. He did not spend the amount of time exploring the land the way I have.

My father looked at me awaiting my answer, but before I could open my mouth to respond he gave his assent. “Of course, that is a wonderful idea, darling. Francesca, tomorrow after breakfast you will take the boys and show them the grounds.” 

“Of course, father.” I stuck a fake smile on my face, before turning my attention to my carrots, which I hated, but I would rather focus on them than the idea of spending the entire day with Steven and his arrogance or worse Conner and his ability to overwhelm me with a glimpse. Well, so much for their being here not affecting my time.