Rebellious Bride (31 page)

“I’m fine,” she argued, then sidestepped Doc and walked straight into her husband. She looked up at him. He wasn’t smiling.

He brushed her hands away from the buttons, preventing her from securing the last one. “Get up on that table.”

“It’s not necessary. I’m—”

“I don’t recall asking your opinion,” he snapped, forcing Lil to step back as he advanced on her.

“My opinion—”

“Is not important at the moment,” Rolfe finished. “Doc will determine your present condition.”

Lil’s backside bumped into the examination table, and she stood braced against it. “Lord Sherborn,” she began.

Sam winced, well aware that his daughter was riled.

Holly smiled and slipped her arm around Sam’s.

Lil continued, her voice sweet with sarcasm. “My condition is obvious. I’m pregnant.”

Rolfe grabbed Lillian around the waist, no easy task with her thick belly, lifted her up, and planted her backside on the examining table. “And foolhardy. You will listen to the doctor and do as he says.” Lil sighed, her head drooping and her fingers reaching out to toy with the buttons on Rolfe’s white shirt. “I do so want to meet your brother, Evan.”

Rolfe raised her chin. “Don’t play coy with me, Lillian.”

Her green eyes sparkled with challenge, her playful deception having failed. “Then listen to me when I tell you I’m fine, and let me go out with you to greet your brother.”

His answer was a curt, “No.”

Doc finally interrupted the battling couple. “Let me give you a quick once-over, Lil, and then you can do as you like.”

Lil looked at her husband. His expression appeared etched in stone as—she was certain—was his decision. “I suppose I have no choice.”

“Very perceptive of you, Lillian,” Rolfe said, a glint of humor sparkling in his blue eyes.

She poked at his hard chest in retaliation. “I’ll be out to meet your brother in no time.”

Rolfe placed a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll advise Evan to be prepared.”

Lil felt a sudden emptiness as Rolfe turned to walk away. She reached out and grabbed his arm. He turned and was surprised to see alarm in her wide eyes and a quiver in her lower lip. He moved closer to her and took her face in his hands. His mouth descended to her lips, so intent was he on capturing that nervous tremor. And he did. He nibbled gently, easing her worries away until she opened her mouth to him and he slipped inside.

She tasted of smoke, its pungent flavor reminding him of how close he had come to losing her. His kiss turned fierce; he needed to rid her of the strong taste and the fear it represented.

She clung to him, the realization of the consequences she could have suffered finally dawning on her. Her body trembled, her eyes brimmed with tears, and still she returned his kiss, feeding on him as though he were her lifeline.

Rolfe felt her body shiver against him, felt the moisture of her first tear upon his cheek. The frightening incident had finally taken its toll. He tempered his kisses and eased away from her. She buried her face against his chest and cried.

He held her close, his words gentle and coaxing as she spent her tears.

Sam had signaled silently to Rolfe that he, Holly, and Doc would be waiting in the outer room, giving the couple time alone. Rolfe had expressed his appreciation with a short nod.

“I wasn’t frightened at first,” she said between sobs, “but when the smoke grew thick...” she shuddered, and Rolfe held her more tightly.

“It’s over now, Lillian. You’re safe and will remain so,” Rolfe said so forcefully that she actually believed him.

“I feel safe when you’re near me, like now,” she admitted, looking up at him.

Rolfe leaned down and kissed the tip of her soot-covered nose. “Then the solution to the problem is simple.”

Lil stared at him, bewildered.

“You’ll never be out of my presence.”

Lil smiled, then sobbed softly for a moment before she spoke. “That idea has merit.”

Rolfe contained his surprise at her acceptance of his suggestion. He had imagined she would protest such an inconceivable thought. “You won’t mind spending all your time with me?”

An honest response slipped from Lil’s lips. “I want to be near you more often than not.”

Rolfe heard puzzlement in her confession, but he chose not to mention it. There would be time enough to discuss and understand it later. ‘‘Then I shall endeavor to provide you with my presence more often.”

“I’d like that,” Lil said and stretched up to brush his lips with hers. The raised, excited voices from out front made her realize his presence was required. “You must greet your brother while Doc and I see to the welfare of the baby.”

“Join me as soon as Doc is finished,” he said, squeezing her hand gently in reassurance before stepping back to take his leave. “I am most anxious for my brother to meet you.”

“We’ll hurry,” she promised and watched Rolfe slip from the room as Doc entered.

“Let’s get this over so you can join in the excitement,” Doc said, his steps spry as he hurried over to her. “I want to meet another fancy lord myself.”

Lil patted Doc’s shoulder. “Believe me, Doc, one fancy lord in Little is enough to handle.”

Fifteen minutes later Lil stood in the open doorway, smiling at the chaotic scene in front of her. It resembled Rolfe’s arrival in town, though his brother Evan hadn’t made his entrance in a fancy coach. A simple covered wagon had delivered him to Little.

The brothers stood a head taller than the townsfolk who surrounded them. Their features were basically the same, yet bore marked differences. They were almost the same height, though Evan was a bit shorter than Rolfe. Evan’s hair was a shade lighter, and he was slimmer than Rolfe, though his build was similar. The differences were most pronounced in their facial features. Rolfe was exceedingly handsome while Evan was merely attractive. But the gentle gleam in the older brother’s brown eyes caught one’s attention, and his half smile was mesmerizing. The brothers without a doubt made quite a charismatic pair.

Rolfe spotted Lil and motioned her to them. She brushed at her blouse again; she had attempted to wipe the soot from it, but had managed only to make the grayish areas look worse. Doc had ordered her to leave the button at her throat open, giving her a disheveled appearance. Her hair hung loose over her shoulders, her pale yellow ribbon ruined beyond use, and added to her unkempt state. Her face was the only portion of her that was presentable; she had scrubbed it clean with lilac soap after Doc examined her.

The sweet scent helped, if only a little, to erase the strong odor of smoke that surrounded her.

She had so wanted Rolfe to be proud of her, but in her present condition she doubted that was possible. Nevertheless, with her head held high and her smile wide and pleasant, she walked into the crowd to meet Lord Evan Sherborn.

The townspeople parted to let Lil pass, and Rolfe held his hand out to her as she approached. His look was not at all reproachful; pride actually shone in his eyes. She reached out to him, and he squeezed her hand firmly as if offering his support as he drew her to his side.

“Evan,” Rolfe said, calling his brother’s attention away from Sam, “may I present my wife, Lillian.”

Evan’s lopsided smile intrigued Lil, and his gentle eyes held her spellbound as he reached for her hand and placed a gentle kiss upon it. “My brother is lucky to have found a young woman so beautiful. I am very pleased to meet you, madam.”

Lil’s face sparkled with warmth and friendliness when she said, “You are a charmer, Evan, and I have been so looking forward to meeting you. You must call me Lil. I couldn’t abide being called madam by my brother-in-law.”

Rolfe groaned, and Evan’s mouth dropped open.

“Lillian’s manners are clearly American and take getting accustomed to, Evan,” Rolfe explained.

“Oh, nonsense,” Lil said with a shake of her head. “Evan doesn’t appear anywhere near as stuffy as you suggested.”

Evan shot Rolfe an accusing look, but he directed his question to Lil. “He told you I was stuffy?”

Lil stepped out of her husband’s grasp and moved closer to Evan, placing her hand on his arm. “Actually ‘proper’ was the word he used. He loves to use it when informing me of the behavior he expects of me as his wife.”

Evan covered her hand with his and leaned toward her. “I always felt he was a bit
too
proper for his own good.”

Lil’s smile was laced with satisfaction. “I just knew we’d get along famously. You’re exactly how I expected you’d be. I am delighted to have you as a brother.” Lil continued without taking a breath, “You must tell me all about Rolfe when he was a child. As you can see, you are soon to be an uncle. I must know what to expect if I have a son who’s the image of Rolfe.”

“Problems, my dear sister, problems,” Evan said with a laugh.

Lil laughed as well until a familiar face moved out from behind her father and into her view. Her laughter died slowly as the man strode toward her. He was about five feet ten and thin. His features were much too pretty, and his hair was a golden blond. Lil hadn’t cared for him when she first met him, and she still didn’t. He was not to be trusted.

“Rolfe, don’t tell me you captured the beauty I had my eye on when I was last in Little?” the man asked.

Rolfe immediately detected his wife’s discomfort with Cedric. “Lillian, you know Cedric Morrehaven, Bea’s stepbrother?”

“We’ve met, though I didn’t recall his name,” Lil said and moved closer to Rolfe’s side.

Rolfe’s arm protectively slipped around Lillian, and she snuggled close to him. “Cedric introduced me to this area and suggested Little as the place for me to settle.”

“I’m glad Little made such a memorable impression on you,” Lil said.

Cedric turned a charming smile on her and bowed gallantly. “It was not the town, my dear, but your beauty that made me recall Little with such fondness.”

“Then I am most grateful.” Lil turned a heartwarming smile on her husband. “For without you I would never have met Rolfe.”

Her sincere words stung Rolfe’s heart. She had not delivered them in jest or for show. She had spoken from the depths of her heart, and she’d meant to touch his heart. Her arrow of words had easily found its mark. He reeled from the effects of it.

“How wonderful!” Cedric cheered with a clap of his hands. “I am responsible for both your marriages. I must surely know your taste in women, Rolfe.”

“Perhaps,” Rolfe said and changed the subject, not wishing to have his past or present discussed in public. “You both have had a tiresome journey. There will be time later today to acquaint yourselves with everyone. For now let us retire to my ranch so you may rest before supper.”

“An excellent suggestion,” Cedric said, inching his way closer to Lil until his arm was a mere whisper from hers. “I find myself weary and in dire need of a bath. This uncivilized country can dirty a man’s attire much too rapidly.”

“Proper attire for the American West holds up nicely to this rugged land’s demands. One should learn of the conditions one will face before one travels and then wear the appropriate clothing,” Lil informed him with an overly pleasant smile and shifted away from his offensive closeness.

“Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have some work to do before I return home.”

Rolfe halted her with a gentle tug on her arm. “Wait in Doc’s office. I will take you home in the buggy.”

“Don’t you want to ride with your brother? My father can escort me home.”

“No,” Rolfe said with a decisive shake of his head. “I will take you home, though your father is welcome to join us on the ride and to stay for supper so he may become acquainted with my brother.”

“It really isn’t—”

Rolfe stood close to her, his voice low and intended for her ears alone. “I am endeavoring to provide you with more of my presence.”

Lil grinned and held in check not only her laughter but also her pleasure and relief that he planned to abide by his word. “In that case, I really do think it is necessary that you take me home. I’ll be waiting for you.”

She stepped away from him, but his hand did not release her arm. She turned back to look at him.

“You and the baby?” His blue eyes bespoke his concern as did the softness with which he had asked his question.

“We’re as healthy as can be,” she assured him.

He released her. “I’ll be only five minutes.”

Lil experienced the all too familiar momentary panic and emptiness when he turned away from her. She fought the urge to reach out and grab hold of him and never let go. She had to learn to combat this strange reaction. She walked back into Doc’s office, assuring herself that it was her pregnancy that caused such irrational behavior. When the baby was delivered, she would also be delivered of this annoying problem.

~~~

Supper was a pleasant affair even though Cedric Morrehaven was an insufferable braggart. She did her best to ignore him, concentrating on conversing with Evan, who sat at the head of the table. Lil sat to his right with her father next to her. Rolfe sat at the opposite end with Holly to his right and Cedric next to her, placing Cedric directly across from Lil.

Cedric chose to focus his attention on Lil, barely noticing Holly. The pleasant expression on Holly’s face and the delight she took in speaking with Rolfe and Sam told Lil that Cedric’s bad manners had not disturbed her in the least.

“I am impressed, Rolfe,” Evan said, his strong voice carrying across the table. “You have made a fine home for yourself and your lovely wife.”

“I am glad to hear you finally approve of my move,” Rolfe said. “When I left England you had your reservations about my
rash
actions.”

“Older brothers tend to worry about their younger siblings. I tend to forget that the little brother whose fishhook I once baited and whose fights I once settled has grown into a man more than capable of taking care of himself.” Evan raised his wineglass. “To you, brother. May you always be fortunate and prosperous.”

The others raised their glasses and joined in the toast.

“Your thoughts are much appreciated,” Rolfe said.

“Evan and I plan to look over some land to purchase ourselves,” Cedric said.