Authors: Phoebe Conn
'This is our wedding night. Will you not even pretend to be an innocent bride?" he asked with an amused chuckle, for what she'd been about to do was not something the innocent girl Clayton thought her would not even know was possible, let alone perform so expertly.
"Would that please you more?" Gabrielle replied in a husky voice which sounded as sweet as music to his ears.
"No," Jason responded truthfully, "I can't complain since all you know you have learned from me." And you have taught me far more, he thought suddenly. But he hadn't time to admit that when his need for her was so very great. He moved his hand slowly down the velvet smoothness of her hip, his fingertips playful as they reached her thigh and then strayed toward his real goal. His caress now grew teasing, arousing her desire until her breath came in hoarse gasps as she moaned his name and he knew his pleasure would be shared in full measure. He gave up the effort to exercise restraint then and eagerly sought the ecstasy she was so willing to share. As he shifted his position, her body welcomed him with a rush of warmth which seared his very soul and he lost himself in the beauty of her loving, not caring in the least that she had not come to adore him as she had Beau. He had a liftime to win her love. If he had to devote each night to filling her body with pleasure before he touched her heart, he would consider his time well spent. He surrendered that thought to his own needs,
passionate desire flooding his powerful body. His sudden intense pleasure was close to pain, so powerful it was stunning. Again he was shaken to the very marrow by the depth of the joy she had given him. With Gabrielle, making love had always been perfection, each experience uniquely rapturous. But he knew no words to express how greatly she had pleased him. A part of Jason even feared it had been a fantasy of Gabrielle's making, that to her he was Beau in her waking dreams.
Late the next morning, when the enticing aroma of crisply fried bacon and steaming cocoa teased her senses with a fragrance too delicious to ignore, Gabrielle opened her long-lashed eyes slowly and began to smile, delighted with the surprise. "Why, Jason, you've brought my breakfast to me? How very considerate of you." She raised the pretty blue and white quilt for modesty's sake as she sat up, and he placed the white wicker tray he'd brought from the hotel's dining room across her lap. In addition to slices of bacon and hot cocoa, the tray held a plate of freshly baked muffins drenched in butter and a small crystal vase containing a single pink rose.
"I've already eaten and this will take less time than eating downstairs," he explained logically, but his engaging grin let her know he appreciated her compliment.
"Oh, of course," Gabrielle responded happily, knowing even if he refused to admit it, he'd brought her breakfast solely to please her. "Nevertheless, this is a rare treat and I appreciate your thoughtfulness." She took a sip of cocoa and then began to eat one of the feather-light muffins. She'd eaten so Httle for supper she was ravenously hungry, but she tried to take dainty bites so as not to appear lacking in manners. "Everything is delicious, but if you continue to pamper me like this I shall become dreadfully spoiled," she teased, giving him an impish smile between bites.
"You're already so damn spoiled this small gesture won't harm you!" Jason replied with a hearty chuckle.
"I am not spoiled!" Gabrielle argued, but she, too, broke into laughter. When Jason drew a chair up next to the bed and
produced a handful of gold rings, she was so astonished she nearly upset her tray and had to grab the cup of hot cocoa to keep it from spilling all over the attractive quilt. ''Where did you get those?"
'Trom the jeweler/' Jason took her left hand and slipped one of the gleaming wedding bands upon her third finger. "I wasn't certain of the size but ifone of these doesn't fit properly ril go and get some more."
Gabrielle thought the plain band very tasteful, but it was a bit too large. "Is there one slightly smaller?"
Jason sorted through the rings to select another. "Give this one a try," he suggested agreeably, seemingly in no hurry.
The second ring was more delicate than the first, its design a spray of ivy leaves entwined to form a graceful circle. Gabrielle loved it instantly and was delighted when the ring fit perfectly. "This is the one I want. I've never seen another ring as lovely as this. May I keep it please?"
Jason could scarcely respond, he was so touched by the sweetness of her question. She seemed so young that morning, and her pretty blue eyes were filled with such an enthusiastic sparkle it was difficult for him to believe she was the same exotic beauty with whom he'd spent the most erotic of nights. He took her hand tenderly in his and brought it to his lips.
"This ring was my favorite too," he finally admitted.
"Why didn't you say so?" Gabrielle asked curiously.
Embarrassed by her question Jason released her hand with a gentle squeeze and rose to his feet. "Because I wanted the choice to be yours, not mine. Now, finish your breakfast. The maid will draw a bath when you're ready. I'll just return these other rings to my friend, and then I'll borrow Clayton's wagon so we can go shopping."
"I'll be ready when you get back," Gabrielle promised sincerely. She wanted to please him, and if time were of the essence then she'd not keep him waiting.
Jason was glad he'd thought to borrow the wagon as it was soon filled with the useful items he and Gabrielle had spent the previous afternoon discussing. He'd not even been out to his home yet, but he was certain their needs were many. He knew no matter how thorough they'd attempted to be, they'd surely overlooked something. ''Why don't you buy some fabric for gowns? You know how to sew, don't you?"
"I'd rather buy material to make curtains as I imagine we'll need new ones. Perhaps I should wait until we can take the measurements though; I want to be certain I purchase enough."
Gabrielle looked over the bolts of fabric stacked upon the shelves behind the counter in the dry goods store. "They have several bright prints, but I'd like to see the house first before I make my decision."
"You don't want to make any new dresses?" Jason asked skeptically. "All your clothes are lovely, but surely you must want some new ones."
Gabrielle shook her head. She'd need new dresses all right, with each passing day she was more certain of it, but she'd not begin fashioning loose-fitting gowns until she absolutely had to. "First let me sort out my wardrobe. I'll buy some yardage later if I find there's something I need."
Jason lifted a well-shaped brow quizzically. "There is a fine seamstress here in town. You needn't make your own clothes if you don't know how."
"I do know how!" Gabrielle responded heatedly. Then she forced herself to be calm. "Please let's not argue about so foolish a question as the extent of my wardrobe. I'm anxious to see your house, can't we go out there now and worry about new dresses for me later?"
Jason leaned close to whisper. "Money is no problem, perhaps you did not realize that, but you needn't be so damn thrifty when there is no reason to be."
Gabrielle blushed deeply for she'd not given the extent of Jason's resources the slightest thought. "I am certain you will
be able to provide for my welfare, but from what you say there will be so much to do Til scarcely have time to sit down and sew for several weeks. Fabric is the last thing I need to buy today. Now, may we please go?**
"As you wish." Jason shrugged, uncertain why Gabrielle had suddenly grown so contrary.
He paid for the last of their purchases and then drove the heavily laden wagon over to Clayton's so they could pick up her belongings. He had not even considered the reception they'd receive, but all the young women seemed to be at home that morning and each glance which met his was an openly curious one. Why women were taught so little by their mothers he did not know, but he decided to act as though he and Gabrielle had lived their entire lives together. After all, the fact that they'd spent the night in the same bed was not at all remarkable.
"Run on up to your room and pack; then call me when you want everything brought downstairs. Til talk with Clay while Vm waiting," he said.
"I won't be a minute," Gabrielle called over her shoulder, but she'd misjudged her roommates' fascination with her marriage. They soon huddled closely about her, their curiosity undisguised.
"It seems Jason Royal was interested in more than that stallion of yours after all," Iris remarked caustically.
"Apparently he was," Gabrielle responded pleasantly for she did not intend to allow Iris' spitefulness to irritate her.
"Personally, I think such haste to wed is unseemly. I plan to announce my engagement at least a week before I marry." The haughty brunette continued to make the insulting comments she considered conversation with women she thought her rivals.
Folding her clothing neatly to stack it in her bag, Gabrielle asked, "Have you already accepted a proposal then. Iris?"
"No, of course not. I plan to wait until I'm certain I've found a man who suits me. I'll not marry the first one to propose." She tossed her dark curls as if she'd received so
many offers of marriage she'd lost count.
'Tm sure that's wise of you," Erica agreed. "Have you noticed how interested in Christina John Randolph has become? You were wise not to give him all of your attention when he's proven to be so fickle."
Iris' dark eyes narrowed to vicious slits. "You don't think I care about how he spends his time do you? Why he means nothing to me, he can marry Christine for all I care!"
"He just might," Erica predicted with exaggerated sweetness. "You are fortunate to have so many other suitors the loss of one will not matter."
Too outraged by that taunt to reply. Iris stormed out of the room, slamming the door with a loud bang. There were still plenty of men who were interested in her. She didn't intend to take such teasing from Erica, and she vowed not to speak to the young woman for the rest of the day.
Erica broke into a high-pitched giggle, delighted that she'd upset Iris so greatly. "Well, it's true. Iris does seem to attract a lot of attention, but I noticed last night that the crowd around her has grown smaller. Even those who still seem to admire her are spending more of their time with others. John Randolph is only the first to stray, but I'll wager the rest will follow his lead."
"I only hope Iris marries a man who deserves her," Gabrielle commented agreeably, and that remark sent her companions into peals of gleeful laughter. "You shall have to keep us informed as Jason and I want to attend your weddings," Gabrielle continued when at last her friends again grew still.
Erica sat down on the edge of the bed they'd shared to relate her own happiness. "Michael Jenkins is quite the nicest man I've ever met. It was lucky for me he was waiting outside just when I needed a ride to your wedding." Her sly smile let everyone know she'd taken every advantage of that coincidence. "He seemed to like me too, but I'll not get my hopes up until he comes to call."
Gabrielle made it a point to ask about Marlene's friend, hoping to make up for the rudeness she'd shown her. "How are things going between you and Charles?" she inquired, hoping the young woman had forgotten her worries about her age.
"Very well," Marlene revealed proudly. "It seems the matter I mentioned to you was of no importance to him, he likes me exactly the way I am."
"Really?" Gabrielle was amazed that the shy girl had had the courage to confide in the young man when she'd been so unsure of the outcome. "I told you it would not matter, but I see you believe Charles more than you did me." She took the time to ask Barbara and Margaret about their beaus too, and then turned to Johanna. "How are things going for you?"
"Not so well, I'm afraid. It seems Frank only pretended an interest in religion to impress me. When we went to church on Sunday, the preacher did not even know him."
Johanna had continued to wear her pretty curls loose, and while her manner was serious, her appearance was so cute she seemed unconcerned over the man's ruse.
"Perhaps he has been too busy to attend services, but that does not necessarily mean he has no interest in religion," Gabrielle suggested sympathetically.
"That was exactly what he said," Johanna explained. "But I do not believe him."
"Well, do not be so hasty in your judgment," Erica cautioned. "I know from bitter experience how much trouble that can get you into."
Johanna shook her head. "I plan to allow enough time for him to show me whether his beliefs are sincere or not, but I'll not marry him if he is only trying to please me now and will prove to be a poor husband once we are wed."
"A wise decision," Gabrielle assured her. She gave Johanna a warm hug and then quickly escaped before anyone had an opportunity to inquire as to what sort of husband Jason had proved to be. Hurrying downstairs, she called Jason. He came quickly to carry her one bag and her books which were still
wrapped in the oilcloth he*d given her. It took a moment for him to find space for her belongings; then he drove the sturdy wagon around to the barn to get Duke and Sunny. He'd not even considered hitching them to the wooden vehicle as they were far too suspicious of each other to function as a compatible team. He merely tied their reins to the tailgate, then tossed the saddles upon their heap of goods. He waved goodbye to Clayton and the young women who stood at the windows of the man's well-built house before climbing up into his seat and turning to give Gabrielle a sly wink. She took his arm and moved close, clearly as delighted as he to be on their way. He whistled a happy tune as he started the wagon rolling down the road toward their home, hoping with all his heart fortune would smile upon them and he could make the future a happy one for the woman he loved.
Jona^ile^ Ju^\X/
As they rode along arm in arm, Jason could not help but chuckle. **Clay was remarkably discreet this morning. Were your friends able to contain their curiosity too?"
Gabrielle smiled prettily as she described the scene in the girls' bedroom. "Their reactions were easily predictable. Iris was spiteful as always, but Erica amused us by teasing her. Then I asked the others to tell me about the men in whom they are interested, and none remembered to ask me about you.'*