Creighton Manor (6 page)

“Where did you learn about disinfecting wounds?
 
I’m sure I remember Jerry telling me it wasn’t common practice before the twentieth century
.”

“At one time, I thought I wanted to be a doctor. I learned a few tricks that could save one's life. It comes in handy at times.”
 
He glanced up before he asked, “Who’s Jerry?” 

“Uh… Jerry… He’s just a…
you know, a friend.”
 
She quickly threw another question at him as if he’d forget she mentioned another man’s name. “What changed your mind about becoming a doctor?”

He wanted to know who Jerry was, but he bit his tongue. They were on good terms and not arguing, he could wait awhile longer. “I was a better gambler than a doctor.”
 
He shrugged.

“In that case, I hope I don’t lose my feet.”
 
She had a genuine smile, making her incredible green eyes sparkle.

His mouth twitched amused by her gentle teasing. “I kind of like your feet. So, I’ll do my best to save them.”
 
Her face flushed from his bold statement. He needed to watch his tongue. Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, he dropped his gaze. He diligently returned to his task of wrapping each foot with thin strips of gauze. When he finished, he put his supplies away. “I think that should suffice.”
 
On impulse, he leaned down, stopping just short of kissing her lips. He recovered quickly and gave her a fatherly peck on the forehead. “There, all better,” he said feeling a little unsettled. He’d known her hours and yet he felt this immediate connection. Perhaps attraction would be the better word. He’d have to be blind not to notice how her hair held six different shades of gold and red, or miss the luscious curves that were now hidden beneath the hideous dress she wore. He desperately wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her like
...
well, like a husband should kiss his w
ife. He cleared his throat. “So
…
hmm.
” He search
ed for something to say. “A
re you hungry?” 

“You read my mind. I’m so starved, I probably could eat a horse.”

Zachary chuckled. “Sorry, I believe we’re fresh out of horse, ma’am but I’ll see what I can do.”
 
He stood with his medical supplies in his hand. At the door, he turned to look at her. “Don’t move from that spot
.”

Her well-defined kissable lips curved into a smile. “I’ll wait right here.”

This was going to be a long night.

Zachary headed for the kitchen. While he prepared the meal, he thought about Gillian’s comment and the reference to the man she called Jerry. He didn’t believe for one moment, the man was merely a friend. She had hesitated to answer him, and had been far too quick to change the subject. Something else puzzled him, too: What did she mean before the twentieth century they didn’t disinfect wounds? 

***

Gillian yawned. “Time traveling wears a person out.” She plumped up the pillows and stretched out on the sofa. The book she had been reading was soon forgotten. She closed her eyes. Oddly enough, she felt safe here.

She easily entered the world of dreams, where
he
waited. His touch sent a tingle racing to the tips of her toes. The musky smell of him filled her senses in vivid longing.
 

“Grá mo chroi,” he whispered as he kissed the tender area behind her ear.
 
She wanted to open her eyes, and for once view the man who held her heart, but her eyelids wouldn’t obey. She felt the moist heat of his mouth against hers and she parted her lips in acceptance. She had to tell him how she felt. She had to let him know she wanted him. “I have waited so long.”
 
Her dream man halted his caresses. He pulled back, taking all the warmth with him. Her eyes fluttered open. She didn’t see her dream man at all. Zachary sat inches from her and with his hands on her.

Her face flushed with humiliation and anger. She lashed out, wanti
ng to get away. She swung at Zachary’s head, but he
grabbed her arms and pinned
her against the back of the sofa
.

“Hell and damnation! Why are you hitting me?”

“Why? I’ll tell you why. You were kissing me!” she accused, as if it were a grave sin. She wanted so much for the man to be the one she sought, but it was only Zachary Creighton. The disappointment left a sour ache in the pit of her stomach. “Let go of me,” she sneered.

He rolled his eyes with a groan, but he released her. He stood and took a step back. He watched her with a hungry predator glare, but
she stared back without remorse for her actions
. He had started this, not her.

Gillian wasn’t naive
. She realized he had every right to expect something from her. They were legally married, and married people usually shared everything. Zachary obviously wanted to enjoy the marriage’s fringe benefits. Well, she didn’t. She couldn’t. It didn’t matter in the least that her heart
skipped and started to race
when he looked at her. The relationship had been doomed from the st
art. She didn’t belong here and
would have to return to her time.

She didn’t want to hurt him, give him false hopes they would have a future. She frowned as a disturbing thought flitted across her mind. She didn’t want to be hurt either.

Zachary knew she had every right to be angry with him. He took advantage of her. Truly, he hadn’t planned on kissing her, but when he leaned down to wake her, she parted her lips in invitation. How could he refuse? She’d kissed him back, by God. “What’s this all about?
 
I can kiss you. You are my wife or have you forgotten?” 

Lifting her chin in a defiant gesture, she glared up at him. “Well now, how can I possibly forget when you remind me every chance you get?”

For a moment, silence prevailed while they both glared at each other.
 

Zachary wondered why she kept getting under his skin, like an old wound that ached on a rainy day. He didn’t need this frustration.
An
annulment
crossed his mind
.
Then all his troubles would be solved. Would Gillian agree to one? Is that what he truly wanted?

Gillian’s sigh
drew
his attention. “Listen, I am aware I owe you, and I am completely grateful, but we can’t do this. It’s wrong. You know it is. What kind of marriage could we possibly hope for, when we said the words of commitment under duress?” 

T
ell her she’s right. She’s giving you a way out.
“I see. Is this the only reason?” His gaze hardened and even to him his voice sounded guarded. “There’s someone else, isn’t there?
 
The man you mentioned—
Jerry
, is it him
?”

Her gaze riveted to him. “No,” she answered. “It isn’t Jerry, but there is someone else.”

“Where is this man?” Something akin to jealousy seeped into his pores, catching him off guard. He blinked trying to shake the emotion away. Yes, he married her, but he had no claim on her heart. “Did he abandon you?”

“Not exactly.”

“Either he has or he hasn’t.”
 
He couldn’t stop himself from wanting the answers, needing to know who held her affections. “Who is he?” he demanded.

He watched as different emotions flitted across her face. “Does it matter?
 
I don’t know where he is
.”

“Would you tell me if you did know?”
 
Zachary’s eyes narrowed.

“No.”

He remained quiet for a moment, studying her. He realized his unorthodox marriage was becoming more complicated with every turn. If she were in love with another man, he wouldn’t force himself upon her. After all
, he wasn’t a complete cad. “So…” he continued, “…
we are at a quandary. If you cannot willingly be my wife in the conventional way, then an annulment is in order. Don’t you agree?” He wanted her to say no.

She nodded slowly.
“It would be for the best. Don’t you think?”

“I suppose it would.” He should be rejoicing. She wanted to set him free. So why did he feel cornered, with no other choice but to concede to her wishes?
 
“What am I to do with you until other arrangements can be made?”

“Maybe, I can work for you. Is there anything that I could offer for services?”
 

Zachary’s mouth curved in a devilish grin, his eyebrows lifting.

“Besides that,” she answered before he could comment. “Do you need a cook? I’m pretty handy in the kitchen.”

“No, I have Dora, my housekeeper. She usually stays here and helps. Can you sew?
 
I always seem to have things that need mending, and Dora would appreciate the help.”

“No. Unfortunately, I never mastered the patience to learn.”

They both were silent for a moment, trying to come up with something. Zachary didn’t want to think up an imaginary job. He didn’t want her to be his employee. He wanted her to be
…
He didn’t finish the thought because it disturbed him. Certainly, he couldn’t be thinking he really wanted to have a wife. He had important matters to take care of before he contemplated marriage. For one he needed to come up with a better plan to win Creighton Manor back. This would take his full and undivided attention. He didn’t have time for a wife. “What did you do before you ended up in my room aboard the Ida Belle?”

“I’m a school teacher.”

“You’re a school teacher?" Somehow, he found this unbelievable, for his image of a schoolteacher was someone
…
well, someone a little more matronly. "Where did you teach?”

“Huntington Beach, California
.”

“I’ve never heard of—
”
he started, but she interrupted.

“I taught fourth graders. I love kids. They have a way of looking at the world that grownups have forgotten.” She chuckled and looked away.

“Hmm.” Why did she act nervous all of a sudden and why wouldn’t she meet his gaze? What was she hiding? He realized he wanted to find out. He claimed he didn’t want to be saddled with a wife, but he had to admit she intrigued him. He never met anyone like her. Her mannerisms, her dress, her ability to stand up to him—not to mention her beauty warmed him
,
making him ache to touch her. He cleared his throat. “Then I guess I have something for you to do.”

“There’s a schoolteacher position opening up?”

“Well, in a way. My nephew, who is six years old, is in desperate need of a tutor. He has a difficult time in school. I had hired someone to help him with his studies, but his tutor left us a month ago, due to a family emergency. I just received word that he isn’t going to return. You could be my nephew’s tutor.”

“Won’t you have to consult his parent’s first?”

He shook his head. “I have full custody of Tyler. A few years ago, my sister and her husband were in an accident. They were both killed.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry
.”

Zachary just shrugged. “Yes, it was most unfortunate for all concerned.” He ignored the way she stared at him with her brows furrowed.

“Where is Tyler?” Gillian inquired. “I thought we were alone.”

“We are. Tyler is with my grandmother. I was supposed to collect him today, but things did not go as I planned. I’ll pick him up tomorrow
.”

Zachary looked down at her. His gaze traveled over her face and searched her eyes. He wished she weren’t so breathtakingly beautiful. How in the world was he to keep himself in check when she had struck such a vibrate chord in him? He shook his head regretfully. “Don’t lash out at me. I’m going to pick you up. I promise you as a gentleman, I will not ravish you. I have a meal prepared in the kitchen, and I don’t want you walking on your blistered feet
.”

“You want to carry me?”  She acted surprised.

“Didn’t I say as much?”

“Yes, but—”

“This is not up for negotiation.”

“Fine. It’s your back.”

He leaned down and scooped her up and she linked her arms around his neck. For a moment t
heir gazes locked. Damn, why
did
he
promise not to ravish her? 

“You know a girl could definitely get used to this.”

He chuckled. He had to admit she felt good in his arms, too.

Zachary had been good to his word. He remained the perfect gentleman all evening. When he didn’t annoy her, she actually found him good company. He told her about Tyler. She could tell Zachary loved his nephew
by
t
he way his eyes lit up when he told her stories about him. Maybe Josephine Locke had been right after all: He was nice. Not to mention the sexual undercurrent she felt around him. His piercing blue eyes did her in. The way he looked at her caused a quick beat of awareness in her blood. She didn’t understand the immediate attraction, but it was there. Not a bad thing to lust after one’s own husband, but complicated when she knew she didn’t belong with him. The one meant for her was still out there and probably in her century. She just had to find a way back.