Desperate (Harris Trilogy Book One) (16 page)

“
Well, I guess no harm was done. As I recall, you did a fine job of nursing the wounded soldiers. You are safe now. That is what is important.”

“Tha
nk you so much, Doctor Greene.” Kate rewarded Jacob with a dazzling smile.

“I would like a dance in return for my si
lence,”

She tipped her head at an angle and replied,
“I would be honored, Doctor Greene.”

“I’ll return and you can come in late
r to keep tongues from wagging. We don’t want the gossipmongers to ruin your reputation. I’ll see you inside.” Jacob glanced at Kate once more before stepping out of the secluded garden. 

She almost laughed out loud.
If people only knew about her love making with David, her reputation would be in tatters. People would consider her a fallen dove.

Both
waited in silence until Jacob disappeared inside. “That was a close call. I thought I was going to faint when I saw him walking toward me. I knew by his expression he had recognized me.”

“Yes, it was close.
Thank goodness he will keep our secret. He is a fine man and doctor. We can trust him.” He peered into her eyes. 

The moonlight filtering through the trees
cast just enough light for Kate to make out his chiseled features. She rubbed her hands together to keep from touching him. Now that she had him alone, she didn’t know how to go about pleading with him to break his engagement to Abigail and marry her instead. She kept waiting for him to make the first move, but he just stood there staring at her.

“I’d better get back before someone gets cu
rious and comes looking for me. Good night, David.” In her mind she kept screaming for him to stop her. If she was going to declare her love, now was the time. With slow, deliberate steps she moved toward the path back to the house. His hand wrapped around her arm. She halted, stood staring at his hand. Then after a brief hesitation, she lifted her eyes and met his. All it took was that one gentle touch and both lost control.

He pulled her
tight into his embrace. He bent his head, touched his lips to hers in a passionate kiss Kate felt all the way to her toes. He found her tongue, capturing it, causing heat to spread throughout her body. She never wanted it to end. Their tongues melded together as they were locked in passion that engulfed them both.

Tiny shivers covered her
body when David whispered in her ear, “Oh, Kate, I try so hard to stay away from you. No matter how hard I try, I can’t keep my hands off you. I want to make love to you.”

She
felt herself being laid on the marble bench in the garden. The moonlight bathed them in a soft glow. He massaged her breasts through her dress causing her nipples to instantly pucker under each thumb. Her eyes fluttered closed as she basked in the delicious pleasure.

Neither thought about the consequences if some
one were to stumble upon them. They were oblivious to everything but the delirious sensations of being entwined in each other’s arms. A groan of pleasure escaped her lips as he raised her skirts and pressed his still clothed manhood against the junction between her thighs through her petticoat.   

“Hurry David, I need to feel you inside me.”

She
could sense his need. He wanted her desperately and she soared with the realization. His finger slipped inside her petticoat and she pressed against his hand. When his mouth came back to hers, she sighed and gave into the kiss. He leaned back and looked into her eyes. He pressed his finger deeper, and she arched her back.

“You are mine. No one shall ever have you but me.” His whisper against her ear caused her to shiver.

“Make love to me, David.” He undid his pants and was just about to remove her petticoat when he froze. Someone stood on the terrace calling his name. 

“David, are you out he
re?” When Abigail did not find him on the terrace, she moved toward the garden. David and Kate held their breaths as they heard the tap of her shoes on the stones as she came closer. A few more feet and she would find them together in the throes of making love.

Kate
whispered, “David.” Placing his hand over her mouth, he nodded his head for her be quiet.   

“Abigail, I can’t believe David left some
one as beautiful as you alone! He should be worried some other man like me might steal you away from him.” 

Kate realized Mike knew they were in the garden because he was talking extremely loud
.  He was trying to keep her from finding them in a scandalous situation. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad guy after all.  

“I was looking for David.
He left me thirty minutes ago to get some refreshments and never returned,” Abigail whined.

“I saw him go into the library with some other officers to dis
cuss strategies to end the war. I’m sure he will be free soon. How about a dance while you wait for his return?”  

Kate peeked through the branches of an ornamental bush and watched Mike tuck his arm into Abigail’s and escort her back up the terrace steps. 

Thank goodness Mike showed up when he did. If Abigail had caught her in such a compromising position with David, she would have made a huge scene ruining her reputation.

David adjusted his clothes then pulled Kate’s skirts
down and helped her to stand. He locked her trembling body into his strong arms. “You feel so perfect in my embrace. I feel like I can take on the world when I am in your arms.”

She was livid.
“How can you marry Abigail when you know I love you? You keep making love to me, but yet you are still planning on marrying her. It just doesn’t make sense.” Lifting her hands to his face, she begged, “Marry me. Spend your life with me. Love me.” 

He placed his hands over hers and pulled them away
from his face. He twined his fingers with hers. “Please understand, Kate. I asked her to marry me. I gave her my word and I can’t embarrass my family or her.”

His words shattered her. Teeth gritted in anger, she
hissed, “You are a scoundrel!”

She tried to pull away, but he placed his hands on her shoulders to hold her in place
. “I do love you. Be my mistress.”

“
No you don’t. If you did you would marry me.” She slapped at his hands and stepped back. A finger in his chest, she snapped, “Stay away from me, David. If you don’t plan to marry me, leave me alone.” 

She
straightened her disheveled dress and walked out of the garden with her head held high and ascended the stairs to the terrace. So much for her plans of a life with David Harris. She thought she could change his mind, but now she knew better. All he offered her was a life of sin instead of a respectable life of marriage.  

David watched the sway of her hips as she stomped up the
steps. He regretted not getting to finish what they had started. She was the most passionate, desirable woman he had ever bedded. Still optimistic, he hoped she would relent and become his mistress. He regretted that was all he could offer her.

****

Still livid, Kate sat on the terrace peering at the star speckled sky. She took a deep breath trying to calm her temper. At the moment she would love to hit somebody. In fact David Harris would be a good start. A tear slipped over her cheek and she wiped it away. She had to pull herself together before she saw Edward and Myra. She couldn’t very well explain to them why she was upset.

“There you are, Miss Monroe.
I was wondering if you forgot about that dance you promised me.”

Fighting her anger at David, Kate
pasted a smile on her face. She replied sweetly, “How could I forget you after you so graciously forgave me for my deception?”

He offered his hand. Without hesitation, she stu
ck her hand in his and he pulled her to her feet. Doctor Greene tucked his arm into hers and led her inside. The last thing she wanted was to dance and act as if she were having a good time. He threaded her through the dancers to the middle of the dance floor. 

“Where is your home, Miss Monroe?”

Because of his extreme height, she had to tip her head back to see into his face. “My home is a small farm near Durham, North Carolina. My parents built it with their own hands. They farmed the land and made a good living. They were killed in a barn fire a year ago. My twin brother, Jake had been injured in the war and later died at home. My grandmother died just a few months ago of influenza. I had no one left. I was destitute, so I came up with the idea to dress as a man and join the infantry.”

Curious he asked,
“Why not join closer to home?”

“I was afraid someone would recogni
ze me or might have known Jake. I thought I would not be recognized if I joined in Virginia.”

“I adm
ire your courage, Miss Monroe. I knew something did not add up about you. You were much too pretty to be a boy.”

Kate smiled. She admired him.
He was a great doctor and seemed to be a decent man. “Thank you, Doctor Greene.”

“Please, call me Jacob.”

“Only if you will call me Kate.” Nice face thought, Kate. Sharp planes, sharp angles.

“Are you still residing at Harris Plantation?” 

“Yes, just until I find employment. To be honest I had not planned to stay this long.”

“Maybe I can be of some help.
We are in great need of nurses at the hospital if you are interested. May I call on you Monday morning?”

“Myra and I have a
ritual of riding every morning. Why don’t you join us Monday morning at eight o’clock?”

“
I’ll be counting the minutes.” Kate laughed again. Jacob was extremely charming and she admired him. She hoped they could become great friends. She needed a friend.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mike making his way toward them
. “May I have the next dance, Miss Monroe?” By his tone he was angry.

Disappointment on his face, Jacob relinquished his hold on her, bowed, and replied, “I’ll see you Monday morning.”

Kate blushed when Mike escorted her to the dance floor with a bit too much force. His eyes were hard and cold revealing his black mood. She could feel his strong hands gripping her waist and shoulder and knew he wanted to strangle her.               

He
leaned in close and whispered, “Have you lost your mind, Kate? David is engaged to Abigail. He is only using you. I know he compromised you. What do you think is going to happen? You need to show a semblance of decency. You are going to get hurt, maybe even pregnant. How do you think polite society will treat you when you are carrying David Harris’ bastard?”

Kate paled. His harsh words cut her deep.
Stubbornly, she jutted out her chin. “I know David loves me. I can tell when he looks at me. I can tell when he makes love to me. He can’t marry Abigail. He loves me.”

N
arrowed eyes caused her to tremble. “You are so naive. I can promise you this will not end well. I don’t want to see you ruined.” 

The penetrating stares of the party guests w
ere making Kate uncomfortable. “Please Mike, lower your voice. People are staring at us. Hide your anger.”

He
never uttered another word. They finished their dance in silence. After the dance ended, he bowed at the waist and in a sad tone replied, “It has been a pleasure, Miss Monroe. Think about your life. You need a man that can love you as you deserve.” He kissed her hand, turned, and walked away. 

Kate spent the rest of the ball thin
king about Mike’s angry tirade. He was probably right. She really needed to try to forget David. It would ruin her reputation if anyone found out about their relationship. He admitted he had no plans to marry her. If he loved her as she did him, he would break his engagement with Abigail.

****

Kate was having the most perfect dream. David held her in his arms, kissing her with his eager mouth. He removed her nightgown then rolled her onto her stomach. He left a trail of wet kisses down her back to the curve of her bottom.

Kate awoke.
At first she was frightened and began to buck wildly trying to get away from the strong arms holding her down. She opened her mouth ready to scream when a soft, sexy, voice whispered seductively into her ear. “Don’t be scared. It’s me. I have to finish what we started earlier tonight. I can’t get you out of my mind.” 

K
ate cooed and arched her back. Powerless to stop or resist the waves of pleasure his lips were evoking she gave in to the sensations. He continued his kisses as if they had all the time in the world. Her flesh burned where his mouth touched her damp, hot, body. She squirmed with pleasure. When he kissed the back of her neck, her whole body jerked with pure pleasure. She could feel his arousal pressed against her buttocks and melted. 

He flipped her
onto her back, and turned his attention to her rosy nipples that stood stiffly at his touch. He suckled each one enjoying her supple breasts. “David, that feels amazing.” With frantic hands she clutched his head to her bosoms.