Nan Ryan (13 page)

“Father, aren’t you going to introduce me?” She was smiling at the tall, blond youth standing across the table.

“Certainly, darling,” Louis rose at last, smiling and confused. He put an arm around his daughter’s slim waist and said, “Kathleen, you know Doctor Pitt.”

“So nice to see you, Doctor Pitt,” she said graciously.

“This is Dr. Pitt’s nephew, Doctor Hunter Alexander. He’s come to Natchez to join his uncle in his medical practice.”

Kathleen slipped from her father’s arm and walked around the table to where Hunter stood. She reached out her hand to him and smiled warmly into his eyes. “I knew Doctor Pitt had a nephew, he’s so proud of you, he’s talked about you often. But I shall have to scold him, he never told me you were handsome as well as brilliant. Sit back down. I’ll just sit right here beside you, if you are agreeable.”

“I’m very pleased to meet you, Kathleen,” Hunter pulled up a chair for her and she took her place beside him. With the snap of Louis’s fingers, a place setting was quickly added for Kathleen and a steaming bowl of soup was placed in front of her. She daintily dipped her spoon in the soup and her eyes continued looking at Hunter. The young man found his appetite had mysteriously disappeared and he had difficulty eating enough to avoid being rude. The beautiful girl sitting on his right had completely unnerved him and the way she kept watching him and smiling whenever he looked up made him pleasantly uncomfortable.

“Kathleen, I’m so glad to see you’re feeling better,” her father said, then turned to Hunter. “Our daughter has been under the weather for a few weeks, Doctor Alexander. However, she seems much better today.”

“I feel fine, Father, please don’t bore Doctor Alexander with my unimportant ailments. I’m full, aren’t you, Doctor Alexander? Why don’t we go into the library to have our coffee.” She took his hand and he rose to his feet, looking at the others. “I know you’ll excuse us,” Kathleen smiled and led him from the room.

Hunter was more than willing to be led into the library by the beautiful young girl whose likeness hung over the fireplace in the drawing room. The artist should have thrown away his paints and brushes. The smiling young girl holding to his hand was much lovelier than her portrait and the eyes looking up at him were so blue they took his breath away.

“Sit here, Doctor Alexander,” Kathleen invited and extended her hand to the couch by the window. She sat down and Hunter joined her.

When he was settled, Kathleen moved closer to him as he turned to look at her. “Miss Beauregard, I hate to sound like a doctor all the time, but you do look a little pale and your father said you haven’t been feeling well. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I have been feeling rather poorly, Doctor Alexander. Perhaps you should feel my brow to see if I’ve a fever.” She leaned closer to the young physician.

“Please call me Hunter and, if I may, I’ll call you Kathleen.” He raised slender fingers up to her forehead and laid his palm against her cool skin.

“I insist on you calling me Kathleen. Do I have a fever, Hunter?” She looked up at him wide-eyed.

Slowly, Hunter removed his hand from her forehead, but she took the hand before he could move it away. “You have no temperature, Kathleen,” Hunter said and cleared his throat nervously.

“You have the most interesting hands, Hunter.” she took the hand in both of hers and spread it out on her knee. “Your fingers are so long and delicate, you must be a very skillful surgeon.” She traced each of his fingers with her own while Hunter sat stiffly, embarrassed and not quite sure how to get his hand away from her. It lay precariously on her skirt, neither resting there nor moving away.

“I don’t know about that, Miss Beauregard, I haven’t had a whole lot of practice yet.”

“You’re too modest, Hunter, and please, you promised to call me Kathleen,” She released his hand at last and he quickly moved it to his own knee.

“That’s a lovely piano,” Hunter tried to make small talk. “Do you play?”

“Heavens no, but I’ll bet you do. Why with those hands you must be a pianist, too.”

“Not really, I play a little but I …”

“Come now, I insist you play something for me.” Kathleen was on her feet, begging him to come to the instrument.

“Kathleen, I really don’t think …”

“Please, Hunter, I want you to. I’ll sit beside you.” She smiled down at him with the dazzling blue eyes.

Slowly, Hunter rose to his feet and followed her to the piano. As soon as he was seated on the bench, she was beside him, her body pressed close enough to him so that he could feel the softness of her breast against his arm. Her nearness was intoxicating to the young doctor and he found her an inspiration. He had never played better and when she told him how talented he was, he was flattered and offered to play anything she wanted to hear.

“Hunter, it’s time to go.” The two young people were interrupted by Doctor Pitt. Hunter stopped playing at once and rose, offering his hand to Kathleen. She took it and together they walked to the doorway where Rembert was standing with Kathleen’s father.

“Doctor Pitt, I’m sorry you have to be going, but Hunter has agreed to stay and visit and have dinner with me tonight, haven’t you, Hunter?” Kathleen smiled up at him and he could hardly refuse.

“If you don’t think you’ll be needing me this afternoon, Uncle Rembert.”

“No, Hunter, stay if you like,” Doctor Pitt said, looking puzzled.

“We want you to stay, Doctor Alexander. You and Kathleen can become better acquainted.” Louis was beaming, happy his distraught daughter had forgotten Dawson Blakely and was obviously taken with the tall, blond doctor. “You stay, too, if you’d like, Rembert.”

“No, thanks, Louis. Well, Hunter, I’ll see you later this evening,” Rembert said, but Hunter and Kathleen were already walking back into the library looking only at each other.

By the end of the evening, Hunter was infatuated with the beautiful, talkative Kathleen Beauregard. “Kathleen, I must be going, it’s after nine o’clock. I’ve probably overstayed my welcome with your parents.” He rose from the couch and helped her to her feet.

“They are happy to have you here, Hunter, you’re being silly. But if you must go, I’ll only let you if you promise to come back tomorrow.” She smiled and slipped her hand into his.

They were to the front doors and Hunter said, “I’d be honored to call on you tomorrow, Kathleen. Goodnight, it’s been a lovely day.” She stepped outside behind him and closed the door. “Kathleen, you shouldn’t be out here in the cold. You haven’t been feeling well. Please go back inside and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Kathleen stepped closer to him and put her hands on his brown lapels, “I’ll go back in on one condition, Hunter Alexander,” she said softly.

Slowly Hunter raised his hands to her shoulders. “Name it,” he said smiling, his eyes dreamy.

“Kiss me goodnight,” she whispered and stood on tiptoe.

He grinned at her and bent and kissed her cheek, but before he could move away, she maneuvered her mouth to his. Surprised but pleased, Hunter’s arms went around her small waist and pulled her closer. “You’re the most frightening girl I’ve ever met,” he laughed, then turned serious, “and also the most irresistible,” and he kissed her lips tenderly. “I can’t wait until tomorrow,” he whispered and quickly went down the steps.

Doctor Hunter Alexander’s new practice suffered the following week. Every spare minute of his time was spent at Sans Souci with Kathleen. Completely enchanted by her, he thought of little else, rushed to meet her as soon as the last patient left his office. After six of the most glorious nights Hunter had ever experienced in his young life, a carriage ride through the cold January night was the best of all. When he got to Sans Souci to pick her up, his heart leapt in his chest when she came running down the stairs to meet him, her bell-like dress tipping up to show her dainty feet. “Don’t take your coat off, Hunter,” she came to meet him, “Let’s leave right away.”

He smiled happily and agreed, “I’ve got a blanket in the buggy. Here, I’ll help you with your coat.”

It was snowing lightly outside and Louis came into the foyer, saying, “Don’t you think you two young people should stay in on a night like this? Where could you possibly be going?”

“We’re going for a buggy ride, Father,” Kathleen laughed while Hunter looked nervous and said, “I hope you don’t mind, Mister Beauregard.”

“He doesn’t mind. Let’s go, Hunter.” Kathleen kissed her father’s cheek and he smiled approvingly.

Hunter and Kathleen laughed as they went down the walk together and Hunter helped her up into the one horse carriage. They set out, Hunter driving the buggy himself. Kathleen spread the blanket over their knees and scooted close to her escort.

When Hunter stopped the carriage on the deserted bluffs of the river, Kathleen willingly came into his arms. Hunter’s eager mouth covered hers and he pulled her closer. “Kathleen,” he murmured between kisses, “I know it’s too soon to tell you, but I’m falling in love with you.”

“Oh, Hunter, it’s not too soon. I love you, too.”

Hunter pulled back a little and looked at her, “Do you mean it? You really love me?” His soft brown eyes studied her face.

“Hunter, Hunter,” she sighed and pulled his mouth down to hers again. His lips trembled as he kissed her and whispered, “Darling, I love you, I love you.”

“Then let’s get married, Hunter, darling,” Kathleen whispered in his ear.

“Yes, yes,” he agreed.

“Soon, Hunter, I don’t want to wait. Let’s get married next week.”

“Kathleen Beauregard,” he was shocked, “you know we can’t do that. I haven’t been calling on you long enough. Maybe next June.”

“Hunter,” she whispered and slowly covered his face with kisses, “don’t you want me? I want you, why should we wait?” Her mouth came to his and kissed him in a way that made him weak with longing. “Aren’t you as anxious as I?” she breathed against his mouth.

“Oh, Kathleen, darling, next week, tomorrow, tonight!”

Ten

Becky Stewart Jackson put a hand to her back. Six months pregnant, she felt tired and listless, but refused to miss the wedding of her best friend. She whispered to Ben, then made her way through the crowd to the back of the church. She knocked softly at the door and Abigail Beauregard let her in.

“Oh, Becky dear, do come in, but let me find you a chair. You look tired.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Beauregard, I’m all right. I just had to come back and see Kathleen before the wedding begins.”

“Certainly. She’s dressing now, but she should be ready any minute.”

Becky had hardly settled herself into a chair before Kathleen came out of the other room where Hannah and Julie Home had helped her into her antique satin wedding gown.

“Kathleen,” Becky rose, “you look absolutely beautiful!”

“Becky, I’m so happy you came back for a few minutes,” Kathleen smiled to her friend and came to her. “Please, sit back down,” she took Becky’s slim hand and eased her back into her chair.

“Hi, Becky,” Julie Horne said from behind Kathleen, fussing with the long train on her friend’s gown. Julie, small and pretty in her bridesmaid dress of rose satin, was as nervous as the bride. “Kathleen,” she scolded, “you are going to muss your dress if you don’t be still.”

“Dear,” Abigail interrupted, “it’s almost time, we’re all going out now and take our places.” She put her arms around her daughter, “Darling, I love you and I hope you’ll be as happy as your father and I have always been.” She kissed Kathleen’s cheek, her eyes swimming with tears.

“Thanks, Mother, I’m sure I will be. I love you, now go on,” Kathleen smiled at her mother. Abigail dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief and left the room along with several other ladies.

“Well, here we are,” Kathleen looked at her two best friends, now alone in the room, except for Hannah.

“Kathleen, I have to get back out there and take my place beside Ben. I just had to come and say I hope you’ll be happy. I’m sorry I couldn’t be in the wedding, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t look proper,” she smiled and patted her large stomach. “Kathleen, marriage is so wonderful. The nine months Ben and I have been married have been the best of my life. I hope it’s like that for you.” She rose and hugged Kathleen.

“Thanks, Becky. It will be. See you in a while.” Becky slipped out of the room and made her way back to her husband.

“Gosh, Kathleen, I envy you. I love Caleb so much, but you were right. His father insists he finish college before we get married and that will be years and years.” Julie looked forlorn.

“I’m sorry, Julie,” Kathleen touched her shoulder. “Maybe he’ll change his mind.”

“Kathleen,” Julie said in a voice hardly above a whisper, “I think Doctor Alexander is so handsome and nice and you are really fortunate, but … now please, don’t get mad at me for asking, but …” Julie looked away from Kathleen’s face.

“What, Julie?” Kathleen said in a steady voice.

Julie looked up shyly and whispered, “What about Dawson Blakely? I’ve never understood what happened, I thought you were so much in love with him. After he left, I came to see you, but they always told me you were not feeling well, so I never got to talk to you about it. Then when you told me you were marrying Hunter Alexander, I was so … shocked, I thought …” Julie hung her head and didn’t finish.

“Julie, I never loved that man; I love Hunter Alexander. Please don’t ever mention it again.”

“I’m sorry, Kathleen, I shouldn’t have said … I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be, you’re my best friend. I know you’ve both wondered. But, Julie, there is really nothing to tell. Dawson and I decided not to get married, that we weren’t in love. And then he went away. It’s that simple. Then I met Hunter and we fell in love.”

“I’m glad you’re happy, Kathleen,” Julie leaned over and kissed Kathleen’s cheek. “I hear the music starting, I’d better step outside and be ready. I love you.” She hurried out the door.

Kathleen stood alone in front of the free standing mirror and studied her reflection. Hannah came up behind her and put her hands to Kathleen’s slim shoulders. “Honey, you sho does look pretty,” she smiled at Kathleen in the mirror. The touch of her mammy’s hands broke the dam of tears behind Kathleen’s sad eyes and she turned and flung herself into the woman’s arms.