Storm at Marshbay (7 page)

“Ian?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Is that you?” But I knew it couldn’t be.

When I heard rustling by the door, I screamed and sat up in bed. I reached blindly to the table beside the bed, hoping to find a candle or a lamp. Instead I knocked over objects that thudded to the floor.

“Answer me!” I cried. “I know someone is in here.”

“Leave this place. Leave now before it’s too late.” The whisper came from across the room near the hallway door.

“I won’t let you scare me away.” I hoped my voice sounded more confident than I felt. My body trembled and my heart pounded furiously.

Completely forgetting I still wore my wedding dress, I swung my legs over the bed. The train was still wrapped around me and as I tried to stand my legs entangled in the material and I fell to the floor.

Ian’s door opened
and I could see him in the light he carried.

I saw a dim light at my door leading into the hallway. I could also see the person who’d been in my room ease out the hall door. Then I heard
footsteps running down the hall.

“Isabella,” Ian said. “Where are you?”

“Here by the bed,” I said. “I tripped over my skirt.”

He came to me quickly and sat the light on the bedside table. He went down on one knee and reached for me. When his hands drew me to him, I marveled at how strong and reassuring they felt. His hands touched my face and I felt his kiss against my forehead.

“Are you hurt? Can you stand?”

“I’m fine, just a little stunned.”

“Here, let me help you up. What happened? Did you have a bad dream?”

“There was someone in my room,” I said.

Feeling as though my legs might not hold me up, I sat on the edge of the bed, watching him retrieve his candle from the nightstand and begin lighting lamps around the room. He didn’t seem alarmed at what I’d said, as if it was
normal at Marshbay for people to wander around the house at night invading rooms.

“Didn’t you see?” I asked. “When you came in, someone left by the hall door. You must have seen them.”

“No, I didn’t see anyone, but the candle might have blinded me.” He blew out the candle he held. “Perhaps you were dreaming.”

“It wasn’t a dream,” I insisted. “There was someone in my room. He or she spoke to me. Warned me or threatened me; I’m not sure which.”

“Are you sure, Isabella?”

I stood to confront him. “You don’t believe me. Whoever was here said I should leave this place before it was too late. ”

“I didn’t hear a thing. Maybe the wind…” He reached out as if to comfort me again and I
pulled away. “Don’t be angry,” he said. “I don’t think you’re lying or hysterical. I know you really believe you saw someone and heard someone.”

“I did! I’m not crazy or imagining things.”

 “Sweetheart,” he said. “You’re upset. You need to get out of that dress and into a nightgown. No wonder you didn’t sleep well. I’m going to ring for someone to bring you a warm drink.” He moved toward the servant’s bell, pausing when someone knocked at my door.

We looked at each for a moment and I know he saw fear in my eyes, but he opened the door.

Edna stood in the hall, gazing past Ian toward me. If she was surprised to see us awake and me still in my wedding dress, she didn’t show it.

“Is anything wrong?” she asked. “I thought I heard a scream.”

“Isabella had a fright. Could you do us a favor and ask someone to bring up a cup of warm milk or cocoa? ”

“Of course,” she said, backing away from the door. “I’ll do it myself.”

I was a little surprised that he’d sent Edna away instead of asking her to help me undress, but then I realized he had no problem doing that himself.  

The intensity in his gaze made it impossible for me to look away. I stood silently, waiting. He turned me around so he could unfasten the long row of buttons on my dress. His fingers were warm, his touch light, but I shivered just the same. Not from fright or chill, but from an emotion I didn’t recognize. In moments the buttons were undone and he turned me around to face him, reaching down to the buttons that held the lacy sleeves closed.

“You don’t have to. I can do the rest.”

“Be quiet,” he told me, his voice quiet and sensual.

Once the sleeves were unfastened, he turned me around again, pushing the back of my dress open and quickly untying the ribbons on the tight corset.

I gasped at the feel of his hands against my naked skin and at his closeness.  So close I could feel his breath
against my hair. When the corset loosened I felt such relief, I sighed.

“That’s good,” he murmured. “Just breathe. Where’s your nightgown?”

I held my dress against me to keep it from slipping to the floor. “On the chair where the maid left it for me.”

He retrieved the gown and returned, I wasn’t sure what he intended to do, but I clung tightly to my dress. Laying the gown on the bed, he reached behind my neck and removed my necklace, smiling as he looked down into my eyes. Then to my mixed relief and disappointment, he eased the nightgown over my head and shoulders, letting it fall over my wedding dress.

“Shall I leave while you step out of your dress?” he asked

He was teasing me.

 “Just turn around,” I said.

He turned slowly, crossing his arms over his chest, his head tilted to the side. I decided I could see amusement in the set of his shoulders.

I wiggled out of the voluminous dress and then the corset, quickly put my arms in the nightgown and stepped out of the puddle of silk and lace on the floor.

“You can turn around now.” I gathered up the dress in my arms and he came, took the garments from me and deposited them on a chair.

He then turned down the covers of the bed, waving his arm in a motion for me to sit.

“What time is it?” I asked as I sat on the edge of the bed.

He glanced out the window. “Nearing sunrise I think. Can’t tell for the fog. Don’t you have a clock in here somewhere? Ah, yes.” He reached down and gathered the items I’d accidentally raked off the bed stand. He held a small ornate clock to his ear before looking at its face and setting it back on the nightstand. “A bit after five.”

Someone knocked at the door. Without waiting for an answer, Edna pushed it open and entered with a small tray that held cups and a white carafe.

“I brought enough for you too, Ian,” she said.

“Thank you for doing this.”

“Is everything all right?” she asked. I saw her eyes wander over my nightgown and then glance at the chair that held my wedding dress.

“I’m fine, really. Thank you so much.”

“Sorry we woke you,” Ian told her.  “Go back to bed. It’s still early.”

“But, the chocolate…” she began.

“I’ll take care of it.” He put his arm around her shoulders, guiding her to the door. “You go. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

She seemed reluctant. But frankly I was glad Ian rushed her out because I didn’t want to talk or answer any questions. I needed to think about what had happened. Could I have dreamed it after all? In retrospect it did seem quite unbelievable.

Ian poured the steaming chocolate into two cups and set the tray aside. He handed me a cup, then sat on the bed beside me.

I took a sip. “Oh, this is so good.”

“It will relax you.” He lifted his cup toward me and smiled.

“You too,” I said. “I’m sorry I woke you. Sorry for all the drama and— ”

“You don’t have to apologize. You certainly did nothing wrong.  And I promise you tomorrow I will look into this and we’ll find out who was here and why. I don’t want you to be frightened in your own home.”

“Then you— you believe me?”

He smiled. “Of course, I believe you. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if you dreamed it. You’ve been thrust into an odd situation, in a strange house, a rather intimidating house, with people you don’t know. I’m sorry if it seemed I didn’t understand. I only meant to reassure you— I didn’t want you to be afraid.”

After touching my cup to his, I finished the chocolate and set my cup on the tray, feeling both relaxed and sleepy and I yawned. He finished his, too, and stood up.

“See? It’s working already. I’ll leave you now to sleep in peace.”

“Wait…please. Will you stay…till I fall asleep?”

“Of course I’ll stay.”

I eased back down and he pulled the covers over me, then sat in a chair near the bed. I saw him yawn and I felt guilty that he had to sit in the uncomfortable chair.

“Why don’t you lie down, too?” I asked.

He smiled, his eyes narrowing. “Here?”

“Yes,” I said, laying my hand on the bed beside me, which had not been turned down.

He eased himself alongside me, but not touching, on top of the covers. He sighed and reached over to brush my cheek with his fingers, murmuring, “Go to sleep. When I go back to my room, I’ll lock your door.”

“All right,” I whispered and dropped off to sleep.

When I next opened my eyes it was full daylight and I quickly became aware of warmth against my back and the feel of something heavy around my waist.

I turned my head and saw Ian was still in bed beside me. His arm held me tightly against him, my back to his chest. He looked young and vulnerable as he slept, with no frown marks on his brow.

I held my breath, not wanting to wake him as I gazed at his handsome face with those dark lashes against his skin. I found I quite enjoyed the feel of his arm firmly around me and the comfort of his warm body against mine.

I glanced at the little clock beside the bed and bit back a gasp. Almost noon!  I couldn’t believe we’d both slept so long and I wondered why he hadn’t gone back to his room. I must have made a noise because I felt him stir beside me and murmur something softly.

He sat up quickly and looked around as if he wasn’t sure where he was. I turned over on my back and saw him staring down at me. He lifted his hand to his head and frowned.

“What happened?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not a heavy sleeper. I hope you don’t think I stayed here purposely.”

“Would that be so terrible?” I asked. “You make me feel safe.”

“Do I?” He leaned over me, looking into my eyes. His gaze was sweet and serious.

“Yes,” I whispered.  I put my hand on his face and lifted my face to his.

His kiss was sweet and warm, soft at first before growing deeper, and more compelling.

“Ian,” I moaned.

“Isabella, my sweet wife. I want you— I’ve never wanted anything or anyone the way I want you.”

I moved closer to him. I couldn’t get enough of his kisses, the touch of his body against mine. This was something I’d never experienced and I was intoxicated by the excitement and passion and the touch of him.

I wanted him to make love to me and I felt exhilarated knowing we were married and nothing could stop us from doing what we both wanted.

It was then we heard the rustling sound outside the door. I gasped, feeling afraid again.

Ian quickly got out of bed and went to the door. He opened it and looked down the hallway both ways.

“There’s no one here,” he said. He seemed confused, shaking his head as he walked back toward me.

“I have a pounding headache. I never get headaches,” he said.

“Now that you mention it,” I said. “So do I.”

He glanced around the room again.

“The cups and tray. Where are they?”

They were nowhere in sight.

 “Someone must have come in and removed them.” I swung my legs around and stood up. Feeling a little dizzy I sat back down on the bed.

“Someone is playing with us,” he announced. “And I will find out who.”

“Maybe it’s some of the guests, trying to be funny, playing a trick on the newlyweds,” I offered.  I took a deep breath, realizing I began to feel sick.

He stood in the middle of the room, fists on his hips.
He was a formidable figure and I didn’t envy any person who angered him.

“I don’t find drugging someone amusing.” He grated out the words.

“You think someone deliberately drugged us? Why would anyone do that?”

“I’m almost certain of it. Nothing else could account for the way we both feel.”

“But who? And why would anyone do something like that?” I asked. “Edna brought the chocolate. Surely you don’t think she would — ”

“I don’t know what to think, but I intend to get to the bottom of this. He came to the bed and sat beside me. “Worst of all whoever was at the door spoiled a perfectly enticing moment.”

I smiled in agreement.

 “Look, the bath is just down the hallway if you’d like to refresh yourself,” he said. “I’ll get dressed and when you come back, lock your door and then wait for me. I’ll come get you and we’ll go down for breakfast together. Or lunch.”

“All right.”

 Later, when both of us were dressed and ready to leave my room, Ian said, “Stay with me as much as possible today.”

As we left my room, one of the maids was in the hallway and she nodded toward me. “Good morning, ma’am…sir,” she said. “I’ll clean your rooms while you’re gone if that’s convenient.”

“That’s fine, Amy,” Ian said. “I’m afraid we overslept.”

Amy smiled broadly and ducked her head. “Yes sir,” she said. “That’s no problem, sir.”

We walked down the hall until we were out of her hearing, then Ian laughed. “I don’t know why I felt it necessary to tell her we’d overslept.”

We both laughed but I blushed. Ian definitely had a way about him, an undeniable charm. I could see Amy and the rest of the household staff were completely taken with him. 

James and Edna were seated at the long dining room table. She seemed happy to see us. After greetings were exchanged, we learned the guests had left shortly after breakfast, the weather having cleared.

“You know where Mother is?” Ian asked.

“I believe she’s still sleeping,” Edna said. “She had a restless night last night. So did I. Perhaps it was the storm that made everyone so restless,” she continued, looking pointedly at me.

“Edna,” Ian said “Speaking of that, did you come back to Isabella’s room this morning for any reason? Maybe to pick up the tray and dishes?”

James turned and looked oddly at his wife. It was obvious she hadn’t told him anything. And he definitely wasn’t pleased about it.