To Want the School Teacher (4 page)

“Mother
has the green thumb. When she remarried she no longer had time for
my garden. When we're married you can restore it if you
wish.”

Her laughter surprised
him.

“You're a
fool if you believe I'd marry you. And as far as your garden goes I
was known by the family as dead thumb, so if you counting on me,
you'll be disappointed, I fear.”

“Victoria,
you can make me happy or angry, but you could never disappoint me.”
His words carried a conviction that he truly believed those words.
At that she stiffened and turned to face him.

Thomas took her hand before
she knew what he was after. He raised it to his lips. His eyes
pinned to hers as he brushed her hand and felt his mustache. The
kiss was gentle. The shock that run up her arm and down to her toes
was not.

“I have
water heating in the bath chamber if you like to take a
bath.”

Victoria never got so
excited about a bath before. Or was it because she was stepping out
of the room. The more freedom she got the more of the layout of the
house she'd learn, then easier it would be to escape him.

He let go of her hand.

With all the graciousness
she could muster she said, “Thank you.”

He lead her down the hall
to a small room.

“The house
was refitted with the latest contraptions two years ago.
Enjoy.”

She entered. Victoria in
less than minute striped and eased herself into the waiting water.
The relaxing scent of roses carried her away. She leaned back
against the tub and closed her eyes. She must of drifted off. As
she gained her senses she knew he was in the room.

“I'd love
to wash your back. If you'd allow me the pleasure.”

He reeked of smugness.

She pulled the wash cloth
over her breasts. What the cloth didn't cover her hands did.
Victoria's vision followed Thomas as he knelt next to the tub.

“I don't
need you to help me bathe. Please go.” There was no way to hide her
stress and nervousness. His hand slid into the water. She fought
the urge to scream. Her eyes followed the trail his hand took. It
never touched her.

“One kiss.
One willing kiss from you and I'll go.”

Victoria felt like a watch
spring wound tight enough to break and free as a bird the next
breath. His wet hand moved to her chin and guided her to face
him.

He lied. He took two before
he vacated the room. Hot salty tears covered her face and stung her
bruised lips. No one ever kissed her as he just did.

Fully clothed she left the
room and moved down the hallway. The door to the room she'd been in
was open. She daringly proceeded down the stairway. The stairs
opened to an entryway and to the right a large parlor. On the left
side of the entry sat a den or library. She couldn't be sure for
the door was half closed.

Thomas stood as she landed
on the bottom step. The movement caught her eye. He met her half
way. He held out his arm so she could take hold and be led into the
next room. Together they moved through a dining room and stopped
once they entered the kitchen.

“I laid
out a small repast for us.” Letting go of her arm he pulled out a
chair for her. She sat.

Thomas began eating and
after a few bites he asked, “Would I be wrong to assume you'd like
to leave the house for a bit? We could go for a stroll. There's a
wonderful park with a pond and willow trees just a few blocks
away.”

Her mind raced. Stay calm,
Victoria commanded herself. This might be the chance she
needed.

As sweet and innocent as
possible she smiled at him.

“Yes, I
would like that. Very much so.”

“Good. Now
understand there are rules. I will be introducing you as my fiancee
and I expect you to be agreeable and cordial to anyone who may
greet us. You will agree also not to do or say anything that might
embarrass or be considered an insult to me.”

She nodded.

“And.” He
went on.” Any and I mean, any attempts to separate yourself from me
or seek aid from anyone else will result in dire consequences for
you on our return.”

The same threat filled his
eyes as the first time she awoke in the upstairs room. There was no
denying he was threatening her with bodily harm. The monster in him
returned. Fear made Victoria want to refuse. Even if it meant she'd
remain inside. Her heart raced. A knot formed deep inside her
belly. The voice she answered him with wasn't her own. Quaking she
assured him she understood and agreed to his terms. What choice did
she have? She needed to know the lay of the town and area if she
intended to make good her escape.

By the time she returned
downstairs with her wrap the monster in him disappeared. They
exited the house and at the front gate Thomas opened it and held
his arm out for her laced her own arm in his. He smiled graciously
and patted her hand. Her body relaxed. She could do this.

The first thing Victoria
noticed was across the dirt road from his home was a center piece
of land a narrow strip maybe a hundred or so feet wide. The length
went on quite a ways. A small stream cut deep into the earth wound
its way through the length of it. Several bridges placed
strategically crossed the watercourse. The numerous trees gave
their shade adding to the charmed scene. There were even a few
benches to sit and enjoy the tranquility.

No one crossed their path
for two blocks. Upon turning the corner however, Mrs. Trumble and
her daughter came into view.

“Good day,
Mrs. Trumble, and Mary.” he said.”

“Yes, a
fine day, Mr. Kincaid.” Her daughter sort of gave a slight
curtsy.

“May I
introduce my beloved fiancee to you and your daughter.”

“How
delightful for you and for the town as well.”

Victoria kept her end of
the bargain as the introductions were made. They moved on. She
thought he's comment about her flawless behavior. Leaving her no
idea why she felt slighted when he didn't.

Sam Weston and his sister
pointedly headed Thomas' way.

“Well,
Thomas, I do say good show.” Sam extended his hand to
Thomas.

“Lidia,
Sam, may I present my future wife, Miss. Victoria
Trent.”

The man shared a few words
then Lidia asked, “Have you set a date yet?”

Thomas said, “Yes.”

Victoria said, “No.”

Lidia said, “Oh, dear.”

Victoria tensed. Definitely
a mistake. She laughed.

“Lidia,
you know how impulsive man are when they want something, and here
we woman want to savor and enjoy. Thomas wants to rush the wedding
and I want to enjoy being just his fiancee for a bit. I will his
wife much longer than his fiancee don't you agree?”

“Well
said.” As Lidia shook her head in agreement.

“For the
good of the town, I hope, Thomas, you prevail.” Sam
added.

They moved down the lane.
Victoria still dwelling on what Sam said about, the good of the
town.

“Thomas,
what did Sam mean...”

“Shall we
go across the bridge?”

She didn't need to answer.
He lead. She followed.

The park was beautiful a
pond covered maybe an acre. Surrounded by well trimmed fields of
grass leading all the way down to the waters banks. Pathways
crisscrossed the fields and one circled the entire lake. Two
bridges allowed those strolling to cross the pond at different
ends. Majestic Weeping Willow trees grew long the waters edge gave
shade and a tranquil feel to the park. Waterfowl of various kinds
seem to skim across the placid water without a care.

The white ducks gave a
grand showing as they glided in the water. Six ventured right under
the bridge they were standing on. Victoria let go of Thomas' arm
and rushed to the other side and watched as the flock paddled in
formation from beneath the bridge.

She turned and smiled
freely at him. Her enthusiasm caught Thomas by surprise. He savored
the rush her pleasure gave him. At that moment he understood the
good of the town became secondary. Making her his wife now became
his number one goal.

She turned to view the
birds as they sailed away. Thomas moved toward her and put his arms
on the rails entrapping her.

“You're a
beautiful woman, Victoria. I look forward to the day we are
wed.”

She drew in a breathe,
“Thomas..”

“Shhh...”

He nuzzled her neck. He
scent filled her. He placed trace kisses along her neck. Part of
her wanted to slap his face away. The part that wanted him to stay
and let him continue scared her the most. She remained still and
accepted his advances telling herself she had promised not to
create a scene. Besides the sensations weren't as unpleasant as she
had hoped. What's a few kisses between an engaged man and woman
even if it was pretend..

“Er..Ah
hem.”

Victoria felt Thomas
stiffen for a change.

“Victoria,
may I present one of the town's councilman Frederick
Calhoun.”

“
How do
you do?” Sugar might as well be dripping from her lips. “It's
wonderful to met you. I know how much the town means to Thomas, so
as a councilman you must be a very important friend of his.” Dare
she add. Yes, she did. “I understand how concerned you both
are...
for the good of the
town
.”

She saw Frederick reaction
it took aback for a moment, then he decided to charge ahead in
spite of it.

“Yes. Yes.
There must be sacrifices made for the good of the town. Of course,
not everyone gets to be sacrificed on the alter of...”

A crying child stopped
Frederick's words in mid sentence.

“Daddy,
Daddy, I fall down. Miss. Henshaw will be mad with me. Please don't
let her take away my pudding tonight.” The small boy's hands were
encased with mud and his left leg showed splotches of the same
brown dirt.

Embarrassed, and yet being
a kind father Frederick excused himself. “Now now, dear boy, I will
fix it with Miss. Henshaw. Don't you fear. Come along.”

Thomas chuckled. “Ah, the
joys of parenthood. Do you like children, Victoria?”

Victoria froze. Her heart
blood pumped pure ice water. The color drained from her face. She
couldn't draw a breathe. She swayed.

“Are you
all right, Victoria?” On getting a better look at her Thomas
paled.

“Come,
let's sit.” He settled her on the closest bench.

Panic wasn't getting her
anyway. She forced her racing heart to calm down. The dizziness
alleviated somewhat. Eyes full of foreboding and angst stared at
the man sitting next to her. Is this why he kidnapped her? To be
some kind of sacrificial lamb. Bile rose in her throat. If Victoria
didn't get hold of herself soon the contents of her stomach would
be up soon.

“You look
faint.” He pushed her head down in a very unladylike position. Her
head was between her knees, also making her lose her balance. His
hand on her back steadied her. “Breathe through your nose slowly.
That's it one, two, in and out.”

“Please,
don't hurt me.” Victoria rose to a sitting position repeating and
pleaded with him. “Please, please don't hurt me.”

“What
the...why...how could I even think of hurting someone as special as
you?” Thomas took her in to his arms and held her head close to his
chest.

His heart
echoed in her ear. Suspicion and apprehension filled her. She
needed to reach-out to someone and he was all she had. How could
she trust him? He put her in the position as she was reminded
herself...
for the good of the
town

What kind of monsters where
these people? What evil hid itself here? She read the historical
accounts of cultures that believed in the idea. But, this was the
nineteenth century people don't go around do THAT or do they?

“I'll do
anything don't hurt me. Don't let them hurt me.” Victoria fingers
clawed at his clothing.

“You're
really frightened aren't you? Shhh, now I promise no harm will come
to you.” He went to stand up.

“I'll
marry you. I will. Just like you said.” her word were soft and yet
strained.

Thomas pulled her up. “Oh,
you'll agree to marry me, but not like this. No, I'll not have you
agreeing while something has you this upset. Let me take you
home.”

He'd made sure they weren't
put in the position to greet anyone as he steered her home. The
route he took brought them to the road he lived on except on the
opposite side of the creek and park-like area. Thomas wasn't going
to present this part of the town's plan for her today. His mind
changed when they found themselves in front of the building.

He planned on introducing
Victoria to the schoolhouse tomorrow, but after seeing her distress
Thomas decided a diversion might help.

Instead of heading to the
small bridge and crossing over to the other side of the park where
his home sat he directed them up the wooden pathway to the
schoolhouse. The door was unlocked.

The room showed signs of
neglect. It wasn't anything a good scrubbing wouldn't fix.

“Remember
our conversation in the restaurant when I asked if you ever
considered being a school teacher and you crinkled your nose. Yes,
just like you are now.” Thomas was still moving, but hesitated when
he chortled at her response.

“Your a
smart woman, so what do you have against teachers?”