Passionate Pleasures (26 page)

“Ohhh,
French cut
,” Kathryn exclaimed. “Sounds dirty to me.”

He shook his head, laughing, pulling her into his arms to kiss, and Kathryn found herself sighing with absolute pleasure as his lips met hers. She was so happy. Thinking back, she couldn’t remember a time when she had been happier. “I suppose,” he said, looking down into her face, “I’m going to have to keep doing the cooking when we’re married, Kathy, but you are simply going to have to learn how to do prep for me.”

“
What?
” What had he just said? She couldn’t possibly have heard right.

His big hand caressed her face. “I believe in my own clumsy way I have just asked you to marry me,” Tim said.

“Why?” Her heart was pounding so loud she could hear it in her ears. And worse, she couldn’t, didn’t, want to move from the shelter of his arms.

“Because I love you,” he said without hesitation.

“I love you too,” she heard herself answering back.
And she did!
It wasn’t just the incredible sex. It was him. He was funny and kind, generous and compassionate. And second best of all, because the sex did come first, her brother liked him. And while Kathryn St. John was absolutely an independent woman, her family was important to her. After Jonathan Curtis she had never expected to really love again, but she did.

“You aren’t going to make me get down on one knee, are you?” he asked her.

“Yes!” Kathryn said. “Yes, damn it! If you want to marry me, then you have to ask me properly. Remember, I’m a St. John.” She sat up, positioning herself straight on the couch, legs together, ankles crossed, the bottoms of her jeans just touching her low boots. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap. A tendril of her red hair had come loose.

He stood up, and then kneeling down on his right knee, he took one of her hands in his. “Miss St. John,” he said gravely, “will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Why, Mr. Blair, this is quite unexpected,” she trilled at him.

“Yes, or no, Kathy!” he growled.

“Yes,” she answered him simply.

Then to her surprise he dug into his pocket and pulled out a small box. It was a faded green velvet. Opening it, he presented it to her. “This was my mother’s, Kathy. Will you wear it? Not the traditional diamond, but I thought it suited you.”

The ring setting was diamond shaped, a pearl surrounded by sparkling diamonds.

“It’s beautiful,” Kathryn said, holding out her left hand for him. He slid the ring on her third finger of her hand. It fit perfectly. And suddenly she began to cry softly. “Oh God! I didn’t think I was that sentimental,” she sobbed.

He rejoined her on the couch, taking her into his arms. “I think I may cry too,” he said, and the truth was, he did feel misty. But then Tim said, “Now, I’m going to take you home, Kathy. And tomorrow morning I will come to your cottage to pick you up. We will go to church together, and tell your brother.”

“Hallock will like the idea I’m making an honest man of you, Tim,” she teased.

“I don’t want to wait to get married,” he told her candidly. “We’re too old for a big to-do. You don’t want one, do you?”

“No,” Kathryn answered him. “Just family and a few friends. Before or after Christmas?” she inquired.

“Before. I want to wake up Christmas morning with my wife, love. Then we can welcome the family for dinner together.”

“Where are we going to live?” she asked him. “I love my cottage.”

“And I have a two-year lease with an option to buy this house,” he said.

“We can work that out later then,” Kathryn heard herself saying.

He pulled his wallet from his jeans pocket and drew out a tiny calendar. “The Saturday before Christmas is December eighteenth,” Tim told her. “Does that sound like a good day for a wedding, Kathy?”

“It sounds perfect,” she agreed. Her head was spinning with excitement. She was getting married! Kathryn Victoria Lucretia St. John was, at the advanced age of forty-eight, taking a husband who was five years her junior. What were people going to think?

To hell with what people thought! She loved him, and that was all that counted.

“Does the inn have a private dining room?” he asked her.

“A little one, yes,” she responded.

“We’ll speak with them tomorrow when we have dinner about booking it for a private dinner reception,” Tim said.

It was all happening so fast, but she wasn’t afraid. He took her home, and in the morning arrived as promised to pick her up for church. They met Hallock as he arrived with his children. “Anne, Elizabeth, take Samuel and Coralyn down into the Sunday School. Hallock the Sixth, wait for me in our pew,” he told his children.

“Debora still feeling poorly?” Kathryn asked.

“Dr. Sam says she has to have bed rest from now on,” Hallock V answered. “There’s a chance she may deliver early. She’s a game girl, my wife.”

“I’ve asked Kathy to marry me,” Tim said softly, so only her brother might hear. “She’s accepted. We’re not going to wait. December eighteenth is the day.”

Hallock St. John V grinned the biggest grin Kathryn had ever seen in all their lives. “Splendid!” he said. He shook Tim’s hand, and kissed his sister. “Debora will be delighted with this news. She can use a little cheering up. The service will be here, of course. It’s customary for St. John women to be married from St. Luke’s.”

“I’ll speak with Father Porter after services,” Tim said.

“We’ll speak with Father Porter,” Kathryn murmured. She was getting married, but she didn’t intend losing her independence. “It is
our
wedding, after all. Hallock, do you like my ring? It was Tim’s mother’s.” She held out her hand.

Hallock St. John did like his sister’s engagement ring, and said so. Then as the bells began to peal, the trio headed into the church for services. Afterward, when St. Luke’s had emptied of parishioners, Tim and Kathryn sought out Father Jim Porter in his office. He had already changed out of his robes.

“Kathy, Tim, come in. That was some Christmas fair yesterday. How did the library make out?” He gestured them into the two chairs in front of his desk.

“Ten thousand dollars,” Kathryn said, smiling.

“Well, praise the Lord!” the Episcopal priest exclaimed. “Marge thought it was going to do well. She said the quality and variety of goods were exceptional, and everyone loved the tea shop. Now, what can I do for you?”

“You can make a little time the Saturday before Christmas to marry us,” Tim said.

“Marry you?” He looked to Kathryn.

She held out her hand. “Marry us,” she replied.

“Well, bless my soul,” the priest said. “This is wonderful! I’ve always thought that a Christmas wedding was an especially blessed event. What time?”

“Two thirty in the afternoon, and we’ll want you and Marge to come to our reception. We’re hoping to get the little private dining room at the inn,” Kathryn said. “I’ll let you know when it’s all set. We’re keeping it small. Just my family, Mavis, and Jeremy. Tim doesn’t have any family left.”

“I’d like Gloria Sullivan and her husband to come as she’s been especially helpful in getting me settled into the school,” Tim said. “And my friend from the city, Ray Pietro d’Angelo and his wife. He was the one who tipped me off to Egret Pointe’s search for a new Middle School principal early last June. We used to play squash a couple of times a week. If he and Rose are willing to come, I’d like it. Actually, I was going to ask him to be my best man. Hallock has to give Kathy away, so he’s already got a task.”

Father Porter looked at his calendar. “The eighteenth is fine. We have the carol service the next afternoon, but I’m free Saturday. I’ll pencil it in for two thirty.”

It was done. The ring was on her finger, the church was booked, and when they went for Sunday dinner at East Harbor Inn, they booked the little private dining room for the afternoon of the eighteenth.

“What’s the occasion?” asked Felicity Clarence, the owner of the inn, as she pulled out her appointment book and a pad.

“We’re having a dinner party for a few friends,” Kathryn quickly said.

Felicity raised a bushy gray eyebrow and looked directly at Kathryn’s ring.

“Engagement party?” she said tartly.

“Wedding, and it’s a secret,” Tim quickly put in. “Kathy wants to keep it quiet until we’ve had time to make an official announcement.”

“Well, I’m not one to gossip,” Felicity Clarence said, sounding offended. “How many? And what kind of a menu are we talking about?”

“I’m not entirely certain yet of the number, a dozen probably,” Kathryn said. “Maybe a nice roast loin of pork?”

“I can do one stuffed with apricots and prunes,” Felicity replied. We’ll serve it with thin slivers of sweet-potato pie, and steamed broccoli. Our house Waldorf salad, and small fresh baked raised rolls. And wedding cake. I’ll bake it myself.”

“A wedding cake?” Kathryn sounded reluctant. A wedding cake made it sound so fussy. She knew it was traditional, but for an older couple?

“I’m not letting a St. John get married without a wedding cake. Your brother would have my hide,” Felicity said. “We do things proper here.”

“Don’t put one of those cutesy brides and grooms on the cake,” Kathryn said.

“I should say not,” Felicity responded. “I’ve got an idea for an entirely different kind of topper for your cake. You’ll like it, I promise you. Now what’s your color scheme, and who’s doing the flowers?”

Kathryn St. John looked positively panic-stricken. “Color scheme? Flowers?” she managed to gasp. “I’m trying to keep everything simple, Felicity.”

“Mavis going to stand up for you?” Felicity asked.

“Yes.”

“Have Mavis call me. We’ll take care of everything, dear, and it will be simple and lovely, just the way you want it,” Felicity responded.

Tim struggled not to chuckle as he helped Kathryn into the car. The very together and organized Miss St. John was entirely flummoxed by the idea of preparing her wedding. “I think we should go to Mavis’s and tell her our news,” he said.

“Yes, yes, good idea,” Kathryn replied.

Mavis whooped and hugged her best friend upon learning of the impending marriage. Jeremy Peabody shook Tim’s hand, grinning.

“We’re doing a little dinner at the inn after the ceremony,” Kathryn said. “Felicity says to call her. Something about color scheme and flowers. I don’t know what she’s talking about. It sounds like such a big deal.” Her voice was edged with panic. “I don’t want a big deal, Mavis. I just want us to get married. We’re too old for a big deal.”

“I’ll take care of everything,” Mavis said soothingly. “All you have to do is show up. We’ll have to go dress shopping immediately.”

“No dress!” Kathryn said firmly.

“Kathy! It’s your wedding day. You have to have a dress,” Mavis said.

“No dress!” Kathryn repeated. “I have that beautiful winter white pantsuit I bought two years ago and have only worn once. I’m wearing that. It’s perfect for an older bride. I don’t want something chiffony and beige, or worse, mauve pink. Especially with my red hair. And you know that’s what I’m going to find. Mother-of-the bride dresses, but I’m the bride. Now my question is, What are you going to wear? Nothing frou-frou, Mavis. I’m warning you.”

“Okay, let’s make it a Christmas wedding theme,” Mavis said calmly. “I just bought a very simple forest green wrap dress. It will look perfect with your winter white. It’s elegant enough for a wedding without being too
recherché.
That all right with you?”

“Terrific!” Kathryn said, looking less stressed now.

“And I’ll take care of the flowers for you,” Mavis offered.

“What do we need flowers for, damn it?”

“The altar at St. Luke’s,” Mavis answered calmly. “The table in the dining room. Boutonnieres for Tim, Hallock, and Tim’s best man. Nosegays for us. Now tell me what color you want our nosegays to be. I’ll do Christmas colors for the church and the inn, and white for the men’s boutonnieres.”

“Yellow?” Kathryn ventured. You know I love yellow.”

“Okay,” Mavis responded. “Yellow it is. You have to tell the staff at the library.”

“Oh God! I should invite them to the wedding, but I just don’t want a big deal, Mavis. I’m nervous enough as it is. I’m not certain I’m doing the right thing. Am I?”

“Do you love him?” Mavis queried.

“Yes! Yes, I do love him!” Kathryn said without hesitation. “I don’t know how it happened, but when he asked me I knew it was the right thing.”

“Love can be funny,” Mavis told her longtime best friend. “Sometimes you know the second you meet your perfect match. Other times it just grows. Love is unexpected. Love happens. Don’t question it, Kathy.”

“No, I don’t think I will, but I want to get this wedding stuff over and done with before I panic entirely,” Kathryn said.

The next morning the staff of the library learned their boss was getting married in less than two weeks. They bubbled with excitement until Mavis told them to calm down.

But Kathryn found she was suddenly enjoying her staff’s delight in her happiness. She and Tim went the next morning to the town hall to get their license. They then left it with Father Porter at the church. On Thursday half of the front page of the
Egret Pointe Gazette
was devoted to her upcoming marriage.

The article then went on to detail the St. John heritage as founders of the town, and their connection with the library. To Tim’s surprise his history was printed for all to read as well. As Doris Kirk, the real estate agent, had told him, gossip was an important part of life in a small American town. And he found he couldn’t go anywhere for the next few days without being congratulated and told what a fine woman Miss Kathy was, and what a lucky fellow he was. He bore it all with good humor. It was his Kathy who was suddenly nervous again.