Clouded Innocence (4 page)

Chapter 6

Winner Takes All

The kitchen was full of people. The dark wooden floors were scuffed, from the constant wear on them. A large fireplace stood at the far end of the room. It was flickering with a small dying flame. It stood out beautifully against the yellow walls. Three windows provided light to the area, lined up along the right side of the room. In the center was a long rectangular table covered in bowls and baskets containing a variety of items, mostly food. The large cast iron stove was immediately as you entered the room.
 

I searched the swarm of people until I located Mary who was by the fireplace. Her red hair stuck out from the sides of her cap, giving her away. I made it through the chaos to her.
 

“Morning miss, are you here to collect the picnic basket?” Her voice was so calm even with the chaos swarming around her. Her accent had a lilt to it. Irish perhaps? I could not be certain.

“Yes Mary, I am.” I smiled sweetly at her. 

“Absolutely miss.” She made her way through the herd of people and returned to me carrying a large wicker basket, only moments later. “Here you are, miss. Master Steven told me to hold on to it until you came looking for me. I reckon you came along much faster than I had originally presumed.”
 

What?
Steven had told me to wait for her. I had only come looking because I wanted to see why it was not already prepared. I did not want her to realize anything was out of sorts, so I thanked her and headed towards the stables.

* * *

I quieted my steps as I approached. The hushed sound of disjointed voices escaped from the entrance. Curiosity got the better of me, as it had so much recently, that I huddled close to the opening, listening to the voices inside. “What are you doing...?” “It is different...” “Be careful...” “I think I...” The wind picked up so I could no longer hear them. What I heard made no sense nor could I distinguish which voice belonged to whom. I stealthily walked a few paces back before walking as normally as I could into the stable holding the large wicker basket filled with the contents of our picnic. 

I plastered a smile on my face so they would have no idea I had been eavesdropping. Steven's eyes locked on me showing some signs of frustration. Just like with Mary, I had obviously come along earlier than he expected. I glanced over at Conner but he was intently focused on saddling the horse.

“Well, I found Mary and got the basket,” I said. 

Why did I just tell them that? I knew they were both aware of that otherwise I would not be here.
 

“Yes. Well... I’d best be off,” Steven said his gaze still boring through me.
 

He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but as earlier, he seemed to decide not to. He mounted his horse and took off, but not before shooting a menacing glance towards Conner.
 

Conner did not look at me after Steven left. I assumed it had something to do with the conversation he and Steven had just had. Could they have been fighting? I was not sure. He stayed focused on the horse adjusting the straps and buckles of the saddle. After several moments of silence, I decided to break the tension that was mounting between us.
 

“You know,” I approached Conner, his back still to me, “I do believe that part of the bargain was that I got to pick whichever horse I wanted
first
.” I was standing to his left when he finally paused in his task, looking down at me. “And here you have already picked and saddled this one.” I gestured to the horse in front of him.

Conner’s piercing blue eyes made my heart pound against my chest. It was so loud I was almost certain he could hear it. After a few moments, a small smile broke over his face. He bowed his head slightly in a gentleman fashion. “You are absolutely right. My apologies,” he looked at me, studying me. “Which horse would you like?” I smiled as my cheeks blushed.
 

“Well, let me see... Luckily, the one you picked is not the one I wanted.” I giggled, “I just wanted you to know that I had not forgotten the terms.” In that one sentence, I did my best to relay to Conner that I remember everything about the wager, including what was at stake.

“I am glad to hear it,” he stated.

Backing away from him I kept my eyes glued on his expression. He gave me a whole hearted smile, shaking his head at me.
 

“I think this one,” I said pointing to my horse, Sophie. I rode her so often through the area Conner and I would be traveling. She knew the way so well, I trusted that I could have blindfolded her and she would have still made the trip safely.
 

Conner went to her stall to retrieve her. I watched him carefully at work as he fastened her with the saddle of my choosing. When he peeked back up at me, a bead of sweat ran down his defined cheek, sliding its way down to his neck, making my body quiver in response.
 

“Thank you,” I whispered once he finished.

“It was my pleasure.” 

We mounted the horses. If riding sidesaddle was not enough of a disadvantage, I had also agreed to my horse carrying the basket so it sat directly behind me.
 

“Are you ready?” he asked.
 

I nodded my head in reply. He counted us off, and then we raced out. The hot wind whipped against my hair, pushing it from my face. The smell from the stables cleared from my senses as I inhaled the fresh summer air.
 

Conner was in the lead most of the way and I let him stay there, although I was still determined to win. Mostly. I knew it would not matter who won the actual race, but after all his taunting, I was determined to at least try my best. I knew the ground well enough and my chance to take the lead was coming up.
 

There was a fence running across in front of us. My horse enjoyed jumping. In fact she lived for them. Conner's horse however was fast and loved to run but not jump so much. He would have to ride until he found a break in the fence, which was not far but far enough for me to take the win.
 

I gave Sophie a light kick to let her know the jump was coming. My hands tightened around the reins as she took off and leapt high over the fence. It was exhilarating. The wind in my face, the weightless feeling, it was completely wonderful.

I did not turn around to see what had happened to Conner but I did notice he was no longer in the lead. I giggled to myself as I brought my horse to a stop, turning her around to wait for him. Seconds later he approached from my right. I laughed at the look on his smug face. He raised his eyebrow at me and my laughter grew louder. I closed my eyes as the amusement overtook me. 

I did not notice when Conner had dismounted his horse until he was standing right beside me. Grabbing my waist, he pulled me from the horse. I squealed with delight as he guided me to rest my feet firmly on the ground. I settled my hands on his shoulders to steady myself. My laughter stopped but my smile remained. We stood in the middle of the field. The grass was yellow and high there. Tall pine trees were lined at our back.

“I believe you owe me a secret, sir,” I said coyly, not able to hide my amusement. A crooked smile appeared on his face as he rolled his eyes. 

“I do.” His icy blue eye sparkled as they stared straight into my brown ones. The silence grew between us with neither of us looking away.
 

Finally I spoke, “Well?”
 

He gave a slight chuckle then let out a long breath. “What do you want to know, Francesca?”
 

“Nope, that is not how this works. I want to know a secret no one else knows. How can I ask a question if I do not know what I need to be asking?” I was not entirely sure if that made sense.
 

“Well, it is difficult to pick something out on the spot.”
 

“On the spot?”
 
Was he serious? 
“You had all last night to think of something to share.” I paused for a second, thinking then realization set in. “You did not think you were going to lose, did you?” 

He laughed showing his brilliant smile in the process. His face was only inches away from mine, our bodies still pressed against each other. I had not realized how close we were. I felt my chest rise and fall faster at the realization.

“No, I did not.” I giggled at his response. He ran his hand behind my ear moving a piece of hair in the gesture. My heart started racing, pounding hard in my chest. 

“How about this,” he said as his hand cupped my face, stopping my breathing. “What if I give you five questions? You can ask me anything you want and I promise to answer honestly.”
 

I thought about it for a second then I broke away from his hold. I made my way to my horse, detached the basket then walked back to where he was standing a few feet away. His brows knitted together as I set the basket down removing the blanket Mary had tucked inside. I spread it out across the grass and took a seat on the far side, placing my back to the sun.
 

“I am going to need a moment to think of some questions. We might as well be comfortable,” I said gesturing for him to sit.
 

He smiled, easing himself down on the blanket before turning his head facing me. Embarrassed by the first question that came to mind, I laid flat on my back and used my arm to cover my face. The bright summer sun pressed down over my body. Hopefully it looked like I was hiding from the sun and not hiding my embarrassment.
 

“Have you ever been in love?” I blurted out.
 I did not know how to subtly ask it.

Conner was quiet, so I risked a glance at him. He had a small knowing smile on his face with his eyes fixed on me.
 

“No,” he said shaking his head slightly, still smiling. “I thought I was once.”

“Really?” I sat up abruptly. I imagined that Conner had been in love many times. He was handsome enough. And from what I knew of him, he was a good man. I could not be the only person he affected into a humiliating infatuation or the only one who could see how wonderful he was. His only response was a single nod. “Who was she?” He raised an inquisitive eyebrow at my question. I did not understand why, until it occurred that I had just wasted one of my questions. Oh well. I wanted to know. 

“She was a girl I knew from home. My father did not approve of her, which made me want her that much more. Anything to anger my father...”
 

His words knotted in my chest. “You wanted her?” I asked shyly.
 He nodded his head in silent acknowledgement. “Did you have her?” I whispered, not sure I really wanted to know the answer. Conner sighed and looked away from me. He was silent for a few moments. I thought he would not answer me. 

“Once,” Conner finally spoke. It felt like someone drenched ice water on me. My entire body tingled in a sickening response. He had been with her. I had never even kissed a boy and here he had already known what it was like to be with someone so intimately. I brought my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them.
 

“You have one more question, Francesca,” he mumbled softly. “Do not waste it.”

Hmm...
I was almost positive that I still had two. I thought about it, afraid to ask for he might count it as my final question. I had asked all my questions based on Conner’s past. Curiosity had gotten the better of me, but what I truly wanted to know was what was going on with us. With only the one question remaining I thought I should ask what I truly wanted an answer to. 

“Why did you wager a kiss?” I whispered past the lump I had developed in my throat. I could not make eye contact with him. I was too worried my embarrassment at asking the question would show.

He sat quietly for a few moments before answering. I could feel his intense pale blue eyes focused on me. He sighed heavily. “Because I would hate to leave here, and…and to always have this lingering desire...of wondering what it would be like to kiss you. I do not want to wonder. I would rather know,” he stammered.

My eyes shot to his face. I was sure confusion and shock were noticeable in my expression. I felt my cheeks flush, my heart race, and my breathing became ragged all at once. I looked away taking a deep breath to cleanse myself of the yearning he made me feel, but that did little good. I cleared my throat, still not looking at him.
 

“Then I guess it is only fair that I tell you something important.” I turned my eyes to him gazing back at him with the same intensity. “I cheated.”
 

His brows creased together before a grin appeared on his face, shaking his head in disbelief. “How?”
 

I sighed softly. “Well, I knew how your horse felt about jumps so that is why I suggested this direction.”
 

“Francesca that is not really cheating, that was using your knowledge to the best of your abilities.” Well he had me there.
 

“Also, the property line is actually right through those trees.” I said pointing to the woods to my right.