Authors: Patricia Hagan
He shifted his body so that he was on top of her, and suddenly there was a new sensation. Something hot and hard and pulsating was touching her, about to enter. She waited, but he moved no farther. She whispered hoarsely, “Damn you, please! Please take me!”
He chuckled and bent to kiss her, slowly and lingeringly. Then, grasping her hips firmly, he moved back and then forward. She felt a sudden pain, but it was far overshadowed by the ecstasy that followed.
He held her tightly against him but did not move again. Her eyes flashed open and she saw that he was staring down at her once more, and this time all the arrogance was gone. His gaze was puzzled, probing.
“Rance?” she asked.
“You were a virgin.”
He said it almost accusingly, and she continued to cling to him, trembling with desire. “Did you think I wasn’t?”
He began to move, as though he could no longer hold back. Faster and faster he plunged in and out of her, and she felt the explosion coming from deep within. She wrapped her legs around his back to hold him tight and bit her lip to hold back a scream, but it pierced the stillness of the night all the same.
With one final thrust that threatened to impale her to the bed, Rance took his release. He held her for a moment, then rolled to the side and onto his back, to stare silently up at the ceiling.
April was in tears. She was shaken by the wonder of it all. But suddenly she could stand the silence no longer. “Well, have you nothing to say? Now that you’ve got what you wanted from me, am I free to go?”
“You aren’t going anywhere, April.”
“But what do you want from me?” She exploded into tears of rage. “Why do you want to hurt me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?”
“What makes you think I would be otherwise? Did you think because you made love to my sister that both of us were easily seduced?” She started to get up, but his hand snaked out to hold her down.
“I never made love to your sister. And certainly not the way we just did. I was merely kissing her, touching her.”
“The two of you set it up to hurt my father and humiliate me and ruin the party. You can admit it now, Rance. It’s all over. There’s no need to lie.”
“That’s why I’m not lying. I didn’t know Vanessa set the whole thing up. She asked me to her room and said it was important. I knew she was upset about your father giving the colt to you. I felt sorry for her.”
“Is that why you were in bed with my sister? Because you felt sorry for her?” April lashed out, glaring at him.
He shrugged. “Once I got there, she let me know she was willing. I’ve never turned a beautiful woman down. But you and your father arrived before we had time to do anything.”
April chewed her lower lip nervously. “It doesn’t matter. I just want to go home.”
“You aren’t going anywhere, April. You belong to me now. I wish I’d known you were a virgin. I never would’ve had you as the wager on a race. But it’s too late now. You enjoyed making love, and I suppose someone had to be the first.”
“You bastard!” She raised her hand to slap him, but he caught her wrist and flung her back on the bed.
“I told you once, blue eyes, never to do that again. I don’t allow a woman to make but one mistake.” His brown eyes smoldered. “I think it’s time you learned your place around here.”
He ignored her screams and thrashing arms and legs as he jerked her roughly over his knees. She screamed even louder as his
broad hand began to smack soundly across her bare buttocks.
“I’ll kill you, Rance Taggart,” she shrieked. “So help me, I’ll find a way to kill you!” She twisted and rolled from side to side, but she could not escape the hard, stinging blows.
Abruptly, he stopped. “Have you had enough?” he asked gruffly. “I’ll beat you black and blue if I have to, April—”
“Yes, yes, stop!” she pleaded, slumping across his lap in defeat. “Just let me go, please,” and she dissolved into tears once again.
“I’m getting a little tired of that bawling, too,” he snapped, rolling her over on her back and cradling her in his arms. “You’re a fine-looking woman, April Jennings, and it makes me mad to see you whimpering like a spoiled brat. I’d rather see you whimper with desire.”
His hand shot between her legs once again, and he lowered his lips to her breast and began to suck gently. At first, she remained rigid, determined that this time he would not arouse her, but, as before, she was betrayed by her own body. Soon, she was wrapping her arms about his neck, pulling him closer, and her legs were spreading beneath him to offer herself wholly and completely.
He was gentle this time, knowing her bottom smarted. But the lovemaking was good and warm, and April felt a deep sense of contentment as she allowed herself to be carried away once again on the sweeping, raging tide of fulfillment.
She felt him reach his pleasure and was surprised that he continued to move within her until she had touched that peak of ecstasy herself. Then he held her for a long time without speaking. She found this surprising but said nothing.
“All right,” he said finally, moving from the bed and jerking on his trousers. “I think it’s time we ate. That stew is going to be cold, and I imagine you’re starving.”
He slipped on his shirt, buttoning it quickly as he stared down at her. “Your bags are in the corner. There’s water for bathing in the pitcher on the dresser. When you get dressed, come on out in front of the fire and warm yourself.”
She called to him as he walked from the room, but he did not answer. He closed the door soundly behind him.
Surely, she reasoned as she hurried to bathe and dress in the cold room, he did not intend to keep her imprisoned. He only wanted her for his pleasure and would let her go when he’d had enough. The thought made her feel somewhat better.
She chose a high-necked dress of blue wool, then found her silver brush and began to smooth her long, golden hair. It was difficult, for there were brambles and leaves and pine needles from her journey through the woods. Finally, her tresses hung smoothly about her face, and though she was tired, she felt more confident because she was clean and fresh.
She opened the door and stepped into the big room. Rance stood before the fireplace, ladling stew from the big black pot over the flames into bowls. He glanced up and saw her, then gestured to the round wooden table. “I had to heat it up, but the delay was worth it,” he smiled.
Suddenly, she felt terribly embarrassed. Moments before, he had ravished her, making her scream. Now he stood there calmly serving her supper.
“Well, let’s eat.” He gave her a lopsided grin and sat down at the table.
He was, she admitted reluctantly, quite attractive. His face was strong and handsome, his black hair full and as dark as Virtus’s. And his brown eyes held a depth she had not noticed until today.
She sat down across from him and began to spoon the thick golden broth into her mouth, delighting in the taste. The chicken was plentiful, the dumplings crisp on the outside and soft and juicy inside. There were also generous portions of hot spoon bread, and delicious coffee.
They ate in silence, and then Rance got up and walked over to the mantle where he got a long cheroot from a wooden box and lit it with a straw ignited in the fireplace. He turned to stare at her thoughtfully. She decided to let him carry the conversation. So far, every attempt she had made to talk with him had turned out disastrously. She moved to the sofa and waited for him to speak.
“You’re awfully quiet,” he said finally. “Still pouting over the thrashing you so richly deserved?”
She bristled but was determined not to let him rile her. “How long have you been living here?” she asked quietly, hoping to change the subject.
“Since shortly after your father ran me off,” he answered, smiling. “I wanted a place to raise horses, and this was a likely spot. I rounded up some good men, men I could depend on, and we built this place. I suppose you could say your father did me a favor. I’m doing quite well. We’re breeding the best horses in the state right here.”
“Why aren’t you in the Confederate Army fighting Yankees?” she asked suddenly. “After all, the
good, brave
men of the South are volunteering.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” he challenged. “The war is probably not going to last all that long. If it does, I will be performing a much better service to the Southland right here, rather than marching off gloriously to catch a Yankee ball in my heart.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Cavalry horses, sweet. We’re raising horses for the Confederate Cavalry. Someone has to do it.”
Suddenly April was tired of skirting the issue. Quite abruptly, she leaned forward, extending her hands in pleading gesture. “Rance, I must leave. I have to return to Montgomery.”
The pleasant atmosphere disappeared. An angry furrow appeared between his eyes and he gazed at her grimly while drawing on his cheroot. “You’d better remember that you belong to me now.”
She leaped to her feet, waving her arms wildly. Was there no reaching this man? “I am not an animal, Rance. I cannot be bought and sold like a horse. I cannot be won and lost like a horse. You have to let me go!”
His laughter infuriated her almost as much as his taunting words. “Now wouldn’t your father be happy to hear that little speech, April? What about all those slaves he owns? Do you suppose they just might feel as you do about being bought and sold like animals?”
“You are a traitor to the South, sir!” she retorted hotly. “Why don’t you go fight for the Yankees?”
“And you’re just a stupid female who doesn’t know beans about the war and why it’s being fought, or you’d know the war isn’t all a matter of slavery.” He held his cheroot between his teeth, talking around it as he leaned over and began pulling off his boots.
“You’ll like it here, April, once you calm down and accept things the way they are. Cheaha Mountain is the closest thing there is to heaven. There’s peace here. You’ll be happy if you let yourself. I’ll even let you ride Virtus. After all, I guess by rights he’s yours. I knew Vanessa had stolen him when I bought him. But he’s such a prize, I won’t do the noble thing and give him to you.”
“I don’t imagine you’ve ever done a noble deed in your entire life, Rance Taggart.”
He chose to let the tart remark pass and continued, “It does get lonesome around here at times. I let the boys bring some women in from town once in a while when they get randy. As for myself, I like to have one around when
I
want her. I don’t want to be bothered with having to go out and find one. That’s why I was willing to take you on the wager today.”
“And, of course, knowing it was me and wanting revenge on my father had nothing to do with it,” she snapped. “Well, my father won’t know, Rance. You won’t get satisfaction from that. I’m afraid he’s too ill, and—”
“I didn’t know the woman was you.”
“You didn’t?” She blinked, surprised that she felt a wave of disappointment. “Then how could you be sure you would like your prize?” she goaded him. “Or do you get so
randy
that you’re willing to take
any
woman?”
He grinned insolently. “I had you checked out, sweet. I was told you were quite lovely. When I found out it
was
you, that made it all so much better. I only regret that you were a virgin. I don’t like to take virginity.”
“I’m surprised you have any scruples at all, however shallow they might be.” She shook her head from side to side. “Rance, it will not work out. You cannot keep me here.”
“I am keeping you here, blue eyes, and it’s been a long day. I suggest we get to bed. The day begins early around here, even before the sun wakes up.” He began banking the fire. “You will be expected to help the cook, and there are plenty of other chores to be done. Washing. Cleaning. In the spring, we plant a garden.”
“I won’t be here in the spring!” She clenched her fists, her body rigid with fury. “I won’t be here tomorrow if I can help it. I’d rather challenge the bobcats than spend a night under your roof.”
He silenced her with a kiss and held her against him for a moment before stepping back to smile down at her. “You aren’t going anywhere, April. I have guards posted all night, every night. You wouldn’t make it to the woods before you were spotted. Now don’t make me tie you to your bed to keep from giving everyone a rough night. Why can’t you admit you’re defeated?”
She did not trust herself to speak, for she was afraid that if she became any angrier than she already was, she would lose control and slap him again, and there was no doubt where that would lead.
He led her to the bedroom, then brushed her cheek with his lips and said, “I’ll be right next door if you need me, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He turned and walked away, leaving her staring after him in wonder. He was leaving her to go to his own bed, alone. While she was relieved not to have to sleep with him, she was still surprised.
As though reading her thoughts, Rance turned at his bedroom door and said, “Come to me when you feel the need, April. In some ways, you are still very much a virgin.”
Exasperated, she cried, “Well, what is that supposed to mean?”