Sylvie Sommerfield - Noah's Woman (25 page)

As the days flowed by, Charity felt she might burst with happiness. When Noah had declared that he would wait no longer than a month, both Sofia and Kathy had argued. But he solved that by threatening to carry Charity off and marry her immediately. That put an end to the objections.

Charity was caught up in a whirl of shopping and fittings for her wedding gown, which was being created on short notice. Between the shopping and the fittings, Noah claimed her at every opportunity. They rode, walked in the garden, and stole promising kisses that fed the fire burning within them both.

Before she knew it, the night before the wedding had arrived. Charity was suffering from a severe case of nerves.

Beth had gone to spend the evening with Jason, and Charity felt dreadfully alone. This was the time

she longed for the mother and father she had never known. A mother who would have shared her confidence, and a tall and handsome father whose arm she could cling to as she walked down the aisle. Suddenly her eyes were burning with tears. Doubts assailed her. She would not be a good wife to Noah . . . how could she? She had no training, no culture, no education except for the books Josine had provided. She would shame him, and one day he would look at her with regret.

She was so caught up in her own misery, she did not hear someone rap on the door. A few minutes later an undaunted Kathy opened the door and stepped inside. She'd had an idea, when she'd seen Charity becoming more and more nervous, that this night would be difficult. She remembered the night before her own wedding and her relief and peace at having her mother there. Charity needed a friend, and Kathy's love for her brother made her desire to be that person.

"Charity? Were you resting? Do you mind if I come in and chat for a while?"

Charity sat up abruptly and hastily brushed the tears from her face. Kat might believe she was weeping because she didn't want to marry Noah.

"No, I was not resting. Come in."

Kathy crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed beside her. "Last-minute nerves?" she asked softly.

"I'm sorry. I must look like a dreadful baby." She turned to meet Kathy's gaze. "Oh, Kat, this is a mis-

take. There is so much I can't tell you, but I know I'm the wrong woman to make Noah happy."

"I may tease my brother, Charity, but I've always credited him with good sense."

"But you don't know"

"Whatever it is you think I don't know is beside the point. Charity, for the first time in a long, long while, I've seen my brother truly happy. When he looks at you he wears his heart in his eyes for anyone to see. There is no secret that will change that. He loves you. Are you having second thoughts about loving him?"

"No!" Charity declared hastily.

"Then don't question any further. Love him as long and as hard as you can, and all the rest will take care of itself."

"I . . . I am not what you believe me to be," Charity said softly. It was as if a dam had broken; in a rush of words she told all about her youth at the orphanage, her time at the Round, her relationships with Amiee, Beth, and Jason, and her painful longing for a family she'd never had.

"Does Noah know all this?"

"Yes."

"Then don't be a fool and let it separate you. It would kill him. Charity, let us be the family you never had. I would so love to have a sister. As for someone to give you away, why not your friend Jason? If he can paint your portrait with such sensitivity, and if, as you say, he's in love with Beth, who would be better suited? Mother was thinking Uncle Thaddeus would do, but, believe me, he's the last person you want. He's a rowdy old goat."

"Jason," Charity breathed. "I hadn't . . . how won-

derful that would be. Kat, I must go and ask him right now."

"I don't see why not. I'll go with you."

Jason happily agreed to give Charity away, in fact was enthusiastic. Beth, who had been speechless when Charity arrived with Kathy, was now finally believing that everything was going to be all right. And Kathy was forming a million questions in her mind. She fully intended to corner her elusive brother at the first possible opportunity.

"He's the one who painted the portrait you have of Charity hanging in Father's locked study," Kathy was saying firmly. "And the three are very close. There's a lot you're not telling me, brother dear, and I'd better get some answers pretty quick."

"My God, Kat, is there nothing safe from you? I thought I had the only key to that door. How in God's name did you get in there?"

"I have my own key," she said smugly. "And that's beside the point. Don't dodge the issue."

"Why were you at Jason's?"

"When did you purchase Charity's painting, and why don't you tell her you have it?" she countered.

"I can't . . . yet."

"Why not?"

"For God's sake"

"God has nothing to do with it. Charity loves you, Noah, and if you're playing some game with her"

"You like her a lot, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. Enough to protect her . . . even from you."

"She doesn't need to be protected from me, and believe me, this wedding is no game. I want Charity for my wife more than I've ever wanted anything in the world. Would it change anything if I told you Charity and Gregory Hamilton are very closely acquainted?"

Slowly Kathy lowered herself into a chair as if her legs had suddenly gone weak. "Gregory Hamilton? How would someone like Charity know him?"

"You and Charity have become friendly. Has she told you anything about herself?"

"Yes, we had a long discussion tonight about why she couldn't marry you."

"What!"

"Don't worry, the wedding is not off. She just tried to confess to me how unworthy she was to marry you. But . . . she said nothing about Gregory Hamilton."

"Hamilton met Charity at Jason Desmond's studio. He hired her to find the papers that our agent discovered. We haven't deciphered them, but we do know there's a plot to assassinate Charles Brandywine sometime within the next few weeks."

"How long have you known this?"

"For some time now."

"Noah"

"She won't betray me."

"You trust her completely? She has told us about her past, but never mentioned any of this. Maybe she still means to find the papers."

"She won't betray me," he repeated, "and she has already found them."

"I don't understand this," Kathy said in exasperation.

''I have a special hiding place in father's study. I went in to get some papers, and within minutes I knew Charity was in the room. The scent of her perfume is quite distinctive. I knew why she was there, but"

"But you still put your trust in her."

"And it paid off. She has the papers, but obviously has had a change of heart. She hasn't given them to Hamilton."

"You're sure?"

"Every move she and Hamilton have made has been closely monitored. She went to a friend, and I think that's where the papers are now."

"You do believe in playing with fire, don't you?"

"Charity will be my wife. When she is, she will trust me enough to tell me everything. Until then, that packet of papers is as safe as if I had it myself. I truly believe in her and I know she'll bring them back herself."

"And if she doesn't?"

Noah didn't answer for so long that Kathy began to believe he didn't intend to answer at all.

"Kat," he began quietly, "can you understand? Charity is as important to me as life itself. I never believed I could feel this way about anyone. I've given her all that I am, and I want her to be close to my heart always. But . . . she has to trust me as completely as I trust her. I could go to her and tell her what I know, but that's not the same, is it? I want her to lay her faith and hope in my hands as I've laid mine in hers."

"Oh, Noah," Kathy whispered. She could say noth-

ing more. She knew that Noah had never taken a woman seriously until he'd met Charity, and that she could break his heart so easily. Quietly she rose and left the room.

Chapter Thirteen

Charity stood before her mirror in her chemise. She felt almost stunned by the activity going on about her. Within an hour or so she would be standing beside Noah and listening to the vows that would make them husband and wife.

Beth had done Charity's hair carefully, parting it in the center and drawing it back to a cluster of curls at the nape of her neck. The single strand of perfectly matched pearls that Noah had sent her that morning would be the only jewelry she wore.

Her gown was exquisite. It had been designed by Mr. Worth, and Charity had gasped when she heard the price Noah had most willingly paid for it. Noah's generosity and tenderness toward her brought tears to her eyes, and a heaviness to her heart when she realized she had not told him all the truth.

"Charity," Kathy said, interrupting her thoughts, "bend a little so we can get this creation on."

Obediently Charity cooperated and in seconds she was transformed by the breathtaking gown.

The gown was made of white silk, overlaid with Brussels lace trimmed with satin ribbon and silk flowers. Her veil, fixed to her hair with a circlet of white silk roses and orange blossoms, hung down her back.

The gown was cut so that it draped over her shoulders, revealing their creamy smoothness and the slight curve of her breasts. Her wedding bouquet consisted of orange blossoms, white roses, calla lilies, and baby's breath.

She gazed at her reflection and could not believe how delicate and beautiful the gown made her feel . . . and how deceitful.

Today Noah would give her a whole new life. One of peace, love, and trust, and she had not returned his trust. As she gazed at herself she promised she would hold no secrets from him any longer.
Let me have these few days to cherish
, she pleaded,
and I will tell him of Gregory and the papers, I promise. . . . I will tell him. If my happiness must be taken away, at least let me have a little time, and perhaps a child, a part of Noah to love forever
.

Everyone had left the room but Beth. Kathy had gone to see that Elizabeth didn't disrupt the entire occasion, and the two maids who had helped her dress had been dismissed. Charity wanted a few moments alone with Beth to explain to her why she could not hold secrets from Noah any longer.

"How happy you must be," Beth said, embracing her, "and how happy I am for you."

"Dear, sweet Beth. You have always been my friend."

"We only have a few moments," Beth laughed. "Kathy has already told me that Noah's patience is wearing pretty thin. I wonder how he is going to get through the ceremony and the reception."

"I'm glad he didn't let this become the affair his mother wanted it to be. That little church and the reception for intimate family and friends is quite enough for me."

"Charity, do you think Gregory will be there?"

"He won't be at the church, but I had little control over keeping him away from the reception. Noah had him listed, and I didn't want"

"I know. Surely, he's forgiven you. After all, you've done what was right for him. He should be grateful that you've done that much. No man would expect you to marry him if you loved another. In time this will all pass and maybe you can be friends."

"I hope so. Beth, at the first opportunity, I'm going to tell Noah everything. I love him so much, I don't want to start our lives together with lies or secrets."

"Give yourselves some time together first," Beth advised. "Give him a chance to understand you and for you to understand him. It will be so easy to forgive each other when you're safe in each other's arms."

"You feel that way because you and Jason are so happy together. Even though it was just the three of us, I was proud to stand up with you when you married him. I don't know why he still wants to keep it a

secret from Noah and his family, but that is for you two to decide."

"Jason felt it might have caused you problems. Neither of us would do anything to harm you."

"When Noah and I are settled, the first thing I intend to do is have a party for you."

"No, Charity, it is sweet of you to suggest it, but you cannot call attention to Jason and me. It will only lead to questions about you."

"Once Noah knows everything, there will be no need to worry about questions."

"I see no doubts in your eyes, only happiness. Where will you and Noah live, here in the townhouse with his mother or on the country estate?"

Charity laughed softly. "Can you believe that I've never asked? We could live in a hovel, for all I care. I'll be with Noah."

The door opened and Kathy came in with Elizabeth in tow. She looked like a little angel in a green silk gown that matched her mother's. Elizabeth went straight to Charity.

"Mother says if I am very good I can ride in the carriage with you. Can I, Charity, please?"

"
Aunt
Charity," Kathy admonished quickly.

"Aunt Charity," Elizabeth repeated.

"Of course you can. You're a very special girl today. You must walk down the aisle and sprinkle the rose petals like you practiced. Remember?"

"Yes, I remember." She came close to Charity. "You're so pretty, Aunt Charity. Can I go with you and Uncle Noah after the wedding?"

"No, you cannot," Kathy laughed, "but I'd like to

see how Noah would get out of that if she asked him.

Beth responded with a giggle. "He would find a way. Noah is in no mood for any kind of delay."

They all laughed at Charity's blushing cheeks and Elizabeth's look of puzzlement.

"I think we'd best be going. Most everyone has left," Kathy said.

Charity nervously caught Beth's hand and the four went down to the waiting carriage.

Noah stood in the small room beside the main altar of the church and realized, with surprise, that his hands were shaking.

Giles St. John, one of his closest friends, stood nearby, enjoying a last-minute chuckle at Noah's expense.

"It's not too late, Noah, old boy. You can still run for the hills."

Noah grinned. "Obviously you haven't gotten a close look at my bride. Just keep a good hold on that ring. I don't want any problems."