Authors: Kitty Margo
Politely covering a yawn, Suzanne replied, “Not unless you intend to ride on Sea Grove acreage.”
“Sorry, Sis, but we plan to ride on Samuel's property today.”
“Then certainly not.” Suzanne cast a meaningful glance toward Lynna. “I
did not
get very much sleep at all last night.”
“Suit yourself.” Lynna heard Daniel’s relieved reply as she continued up the stairs.
The land surrounding Cedar Hill was lush green dotted with morning glories and purple heather. “The low-country of South Carolina is beautiful. I see why Samuel never returned to Georgia. Well that, and Beth.”
“It dims in comparison to your beauty.” Daniel brought up the topic
she had
desperately hoped
to avoid today. “Do you
have an answer to my marriage proposal, Lynna?”
Slipping from her horse
,
she bent to pluck a handful of heather. “I must confess
I have
been so busy lately, I found little time to think...” she blundered.
“Well, whenever you can squeeze it into your busy agenda
,
slip in a thought of me now and then.”
He attempted to laugh it off, but she saw the effect of her reckless words and rushed to take him into her arms. “Daniel, you know that
is
not what I meant. I think about you quite often.
It’s
just that when I get
married... and I just do not…
”
“You just
do not
love me,” he finished the sentence for her. The pain was evident in his eyes as his finally admitted the truth to himself. “I could change your mind if you
would
let me. I could make you happy, Lynna. Please, give me the chance to prove it.” Pulling her roughly against him
,
he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss
. B
ut it was useless. “Lynna, what must I do to make you love me?” he cried, when his most heartfelt kiss failed to a
rouse even the smallest response
from her.
The sound of pounding
hooves was a welcome interruption. Lynna turned in his arms to see Joshua sitting rigidly in his saddle and watching her intently with an angry countenance. “Pardon the intrusion. Please accept my apology and resume what you were doing.
”
He jerked the reins and left in a cloud of dust in an effort to keep from strangling the younger, innocent man.
“I wonder what got into him?” Daniel said. “
I have
never seen him behave so rudely. But here comes Suzanne. If anyone can cheer him up
,
she can.”
“So, you decided to join us after all?” Lynna smiled tumultuously, thankful
that
she
would not
be alone with Daniel.
Evidently, he had other plans. “Suzanne, if you hurry
, you can catch up with Joshua.”
“Joshua was here?” She brightened as her eyes darted around, scanning the landscape for any sign of him. “Where? Which way did he go?”
Daniel pointed to where the dust was just settling from Joshua’s abrupt departure. “Toward the pond, but be warned
,
he was in a huff about something.”
“
You have
no cause to concern yourself, Daniel Fletcher.” Lynna knew Suzanne’s bright smile was entirely for her benefit. “I can handle Captain Jordan.”
As Suzanne rode off in search of Joshua,
and with Daniel’s back turned,
Lynna quickly mounted her own steed. “I would like to return home now, Daniel.”
“If you insist. But I was hoping we could find a cool spot under a shade tree and have a few moments alone.”
Unfortunately, that was
the last thing she would even consider doing
today. “
I am
sorry, Daniel, but it
has
become awfully hot and
I have
developed a simply dreadful headache. Perhaps
we could have a picnic another day
.”
Chapter Eleven
L
ynna was in the parlor a few hours later arranging flowers in a vase when Beth came traipsing down the stairs. “Lynna, those flowers are lovely. How very considerate of you to pick them. I
tend to
agree with Mary. You really are the sweetest thing.”
“
It is
but a small token of my gratitude for your gracious hospitality.”
Samuel chose that moment to come bustling through the door. “What have you prepared for the noon day meal, wench? Your husband is ravenous!”
“Samuel Fletcher! What will Lynna think?” Beth giggled merrily as he grabbed her in a passionate embrace and twirled her around.
“
She will
think the truth, of course, which is that we
’
re deliriously happy and
cannot
tolerate being apart.”
He gave her a sly wink before
adding, “Besides, Joshua observed
her and Daniel doing the same thing just this morning.”
The glass flower vase
Lynna
had
been holding crashed to the floor with a loud shattering and water covered the front of her dress. “What did you say?”
“
Damn, I did it again,” Samuel whispered to his wife
before quickly jumping to Joshua's defense. “
Don’t
go into conniptions, Lynna. He wasn’t being gossipy or anything,” he assured her, hastening to pick up the flowers and the broken vase before anyone
could get
cut
on one of the shards
.
“I certainly
cannot
think of a better word to describe it. He had no business repeating something that was absolutely none of his concern to begin with! The man should attend to his own affairs and leave mine be!”
“Now, Lynna, just calm down.
There is
no call to get so riled up. Joshua
was simply curious as to … well…
what the situation is between you and Daniel.”
“Were you kind enough to inform him
it is
none of his business?”
“No, but I was kind enough to tell him the truth, which is that Daniel desires you for his wife. But he knew that already. He was actually inquiring about
your
feelings toward my brother.”
“And
what did you tell him
?”
“That I honestly
could not
say.” Samuel laid the chunks of broken glass on the sideboard and moved to stand before her. He placed his hands on Lynna's trembling shoulders and gazed into her deep, blue eyes. “If
I am
not mistaken, my little brother has some stiff competition for your affections, Lynna.”
Lynna was still far
from forgiving Joshua for meddling in
her affairs. “Let me assure you
,
Samuel, Daniel has no cause for alarm where Joshua Jordan is concerned.”
The front door slammed and
all eyes turned to see a glowing
Suzanne. Lynna's ire died immediately in her throat as she witnessed her
satisfied
smile. “Evidently, you found Joshua?”
Suzanne bestowed upon her an expression of pure bliss. “Actually, we found each other.” Shaking her head she put a finger to her lips and whispered, “Come upstairs.”
Lynna climbed the stairs with mounting dread. Why did the thought of Suzanne and Joshua together rip at her heart so?
When Lynna entered her bedchamber
,
Suzanne rushed to close the door, then flung herself on the bed. As if in a trance
,
she fabricated a detai
led lie for Lynna’s benefit reveling
in the immense pain it caused her. And Lynna never guessed th
at each and every word was false
.
“I was cantering down the road, the one that Daniel had indicated. I had
no
t gone far when I noticed Joshua stan
ding beside his horse, deep
in thought. Quietly, I slipped from my horse and went to join him. He seemed terribly out of sorts about something
,
as Daniel had alluded. I was about to ask what was nettling him.” She stopped and a dazzling smile curv
ed her lips
.
“But almost before I knew what was happening
,
he was pulling me into his arms and kissing me lik
e a man absolutely starved
.”
“Suzanne, what you and Joshua do holds no interest for me.” Lynna used her most convincing tone, but they both knew she was lying through her teeth.
“Oh, Lynna, I do love the man so! He makes me feel so…alive.” She grabbed a feather pillow
,
clutching it to her breast. “And
I am
sure he loves me as well. He could never make love to me with such passion if he
did not
return my love.”
“Oh, believe
me! Yes, he could!” The words were out before she even realized she had spoken them
.
“
You are
just jealous!” Suzanne stormed
, leaping from the bed to stand in front of Lynna with eyes blazing. “You want him for yourself. A blind person could see that. But
you will
never take him! Never, Lynna! Do you hear me?”
Lynna opened the door to leave, but glancing over her shoulder
,
she
felt nothin
g but loathing for the girl
. “To be perfect
ly honest, I would imagine
the field hands heard your little display of temper. Be advised
,
Suzanne, I
do not
want your Captain Jordan.” Lynna had taken so much abuse and insult from Suzanne over the past three years
;
now she had the perfect opportunity for a little p
ayback and she was angry
enough to mete it out. “However, be forewarned on this one point, Suzanne. We both know
that
if I wanted Joshua J
ordan, I could easily
have him.”
She casually strolled from
the room
,
having finally succeeded in
delivering to Suzanne her comeuppance and, for once, leaving
her
at a loss for words. Now her eyes flew open as her aunt shook her from
her afternoon nap. “Lynna, honey
, wake up. Captain Jordan was here with an invitation for dinner.”
“What! But I...we cannot possible go!”
The mere thought of spending an evening wit
h the man caused her entire being
to quake. How could her betraying body react
to him
in such a way when she knew him to be nothing more than a heartless philanderer who used wom
e
n without a care? She had no intention of becoming his next conquest, again. “You go ahead without me, please. I
don’t
feel up to visiting today. I
would
rather remain here and keep Bethany
Breanne
entertained.”
“Nonsense!” Judith's hands on her face forced Lynna to meet her eyes. “You have just as much chance as Suzanne does, actually a better one.”