Time Will Tell (Timeless Series) (22 page)

Colin moved to lie next to her on the blanket, pulling her into his embrace and holding her in his arms so that her head rested in the
crook of his arm and shoulder.

He kissed the top of her head. “This was meant to be. You can’t deny you don’t feel it, too. There is nothing in me that will believe otherwise after what just happened. Dave or no Dave, time or no time, we were meant to be together at some point. I’m just glad it happened sooner rather than later.” He stopped talking for a few minutes, stroking her arm. His voice was quiet when he continued. “Now we have no obstacles. I’ll have no more objections. Look at me
, Libby.”

Her closed eyes opened wide and she did as he’d asked.

“You are mine for as long as you are here. Do you understand?”

She grinned.

“What’s so funny,” he asked, a bit offended.

“You!
So autocratic—so sure your word is law.”

“Your point?”
He smiled, knowing her words spoke volumes.

“You’re definitely a dominant male, obviously not used to being thwarted.”

“You’re very observant.” Colin’s smile turned mischievous. “Will you spend the nights in Louisville with me?” He sighed and brought her hand to his lips to kiss. “I’ll have to find you a companion, preferably one that looks the other way.”

“Do I really need one?”

He nodded and moved to begin dressing.

“That’s so weird,” Libby said, stretching. “I can’t believe all the social restrictions for women.”

“Out here on the farm, things are not as restrictive. But in town, there is definitely a social order. Especially for women of my class.” Colin handed Libby the shirt he’d taken off her earlier. “Here, you should get dressed. Someone could come by.”

“What do you do when you attend these social events?” Libby shrugged into the shirt and reached for her pants. “I’m curious.”

“Oh, I don’t know. There are dinner parties—balls with dinner and dancing—and picnics. Someone’s always having one or the other.” He stopped talking for a minute and stood to put on his trousers. Then he smiled and said, “Soon we’ll have thoroughbred racing.”

Libby pulled on her pants too,
then sat back down to tug on her boots. “It sounds so romantic.”

Colin had always looked at the parties and evenings out as a means to an end.
Appeasing his wife. He never enjoyed them, certainly never anticipated them. But he was actually looking forward to taking Libby out in public, dancing with her and showing her another part of his world.

Fully clothed, he turned to Libby, who leaned against the tree. He bowed and held out his hand. “Miss Elizabeth Edwards
, may I have this waltz?”

“I feel like I’m living a dream.” Libby smiled wistfully. “You’re actually asking me to waltz.
How romantic.” Yet, she shook her head and said in a sad voice, “Colin, I can’t waltz. Most of us don’t dance like that in my time.”

“It’s easy, Libby,” he urged, his eyes filling with laughter.

She finally put her hand in his. He gave a little tug, pulling her onto her feet and into his arms. “All you have to do is follow my lead.” Then humming in her ear, he led her around the pasture. After a few moments he glanced down at her. “That’s it, you’re catching on. It’s basically three steps. One, two, three…one, two, three. Feel the music, Libby, feel the love.”

And so they danced, gliding in the balmy July evening, the noisy insects accompanying the music in his mind.
Colin could stay here forever dancing with Libby.

The next morning Libby hurried to catch up to Gus as he headed for the stables, praying he hadn’t noticed her guilty expression during breakfast. Heavens, just remembering the time spent with Colin was enough to have her blushing for a decade.

Thankfully, she grabbed a brush to groom one of the soon-to-be trained stallions while Gus got busy elsewhere. Done with her task, she stored the brushes and looked up to see Colin enter the stables. A thrill went through her when his gaze zeroed in on hers and he treaded her way.

“Good morning
.” His smile turned sexy…almost suggestive. “I trust you slept well?”

“You know I did.” Heat streaked up her face. “I dreamt of you.” Blushing ruined the effect of the flirtatious huskiness in her voice.

Colin halted inches from her, then took her hand and put it up to his lips. “I’d have slept better if you were with me,” he said before kissing her hand, acting as a Southern gentleman. Yet the rogue she’d made love to last night came alive in his gaze when he refocused on her. “I missed you.”

If Libby’s cheeks were red, the hue had to have just deepened, considering the flames shooting out of his intense blue eyes. Her insides melted at that look. “Shush!” she whispered, glancing around. “Someone could hear.”

Still holding her hand, he guided her to the back of the stall and double-checked for prying eyes. “No one is about.” He leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “I’d tell the whole world if I could. I love you, Libby Edwards. You’d best get used to hearing me say it.”

A feeling of dread crept up her spine and she couldn’t shake it off. As much as Libby loved hearing his declaration, she couldn’t help remembering
Gus’s warning. She stiffened and took a step back. Clearing her throat, she pushed a short strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t forget. I can’t stay.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders to stop her from retreating f
arther. “I understand, but know one thing. As long as you’re here, I’ll do anything and everything to show you how much you mean to me. Don’t deny me or put up barriers that I’ll have to break down. Doing so will only waste precious time.”

His confidence was clear in the strong tilt to his jaw and his erect shoulders. It should bug her that he was so sure of himself and her, but it didn’t. His assessment was dead
-on. “You’re incorrigible.” To change the subject, she asked, “What are you doing here? I’ll be out at the track in a few minutes.”

“Evading again
,” he asked, eyeing her.

“Yes.” She fought the grin that broke free. “Now, answer my question.”

Colin chuckled. “That’s my Libby.” He bent his head.

Next thing she knew his mouth caught hers. At first the kiss was gentle, his lips soft. Libby opened herself to the warmth spreading through her.
Of their own volition, her arms wrapped around him. He deepened the kiss and it was all Libby could do to hold on to the desire to drop down in the stables and have her way with him.

She tore her mouth away and stared up at him, unable to keep the look of horror off her face. Every time he touched her, she went up in flames. How could this be happening? Dave had never made her forget where she was.

“God, Libby, what have you done to me?” he whispered. “That was meant to be a demonstration for you, not for me.” He lowered his forehead to hers. “I can’t think clearly for want of you. You’ve flown through time to torment me and make me want things I shouldn’t want.”

Tears threatened
, but Libby blinked them back. “I don’t mean to.” Her tone was equally distressed. “I feel the same way.”

“Don’t cry.” Colin pulled her closer, cradling her head with his hand. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

If only she could stay in his soothing arms forever as he held and stroked her, making her feel like she was the most important thing in the universe.

Finally, he released his hold and said in a teasing voice, “I did have
a purpose for searching you out this morning.”

In an effort to mirror his forced lighter mood, Libby picked up the discarded brush and turned back to the horse that had already been groomed. While stroking, she glanced playfully at Colin. “So, don’t keep me in suspense. Why are you here?
Besides stealing kisses?”

“I wanted privacy.” The grin overtaking his face had her insides quivering. “In order to tell you we’re going into town this afternoon for new clothes. We’ll be leaving after lunch. Now that I’ve delivered my message, I’d better go before I end up doing something that will delay our day.” He turned and said over his shoulder while walking, “I’ll see you out at the track.”

Watching him saunter out, Libby could only marvel at his restraint. Gus’s warning was useless against the attraction that brought them together. She only hoped they both could overcome the heartache when it was time for her to go home.

~

Later that afternoon, Libby and Colin rode into Shelbyville to visit a dressmaker. Along the way she learned he’d already ordered several garments within days of discovering Libby’s secret. Madame Dubois was a talented woman, creating several dresses for Libby based on Colin’s description, using materials that had sat dormant since months before Abby’s death. He’d bought the material to please his wife, only Abby had turned her nose up at them after expressing the opinion that small-time dressmakers had no clue about the latest fashions. This way he could at least give the woman the orders she’d planned on a year ago.

Besides dresses, he’d ordered all the attire a woman in the late nineteenth century should wear, including chemises, corsets
, and other undergarments. Libby’s jaw dropped and she had to fight to keep her eyes from bugging out of her head over all of the paraphernalia scattered around the shop. Saying that clothes were different in the 1870s than from her own time was an understatement. Things had definitely changed for the better, she thought, feeling like a trussed-up turkey.

“
My designs are simple,
oui
?” Madame Dubois had a definite French accent. “But your slimness is becoming, so simple works,
non
?”

“I don’t look the same
, that’s for sure,” Libby replied.

“Oh,
non
,
mademoiselle
, you look wonderful. Here, let’s try the ball gowns. Mr. Thorpe, he has a good eye,
oui
?”

Glancing at the two gowns, Libby could only agree. “Yes, these are beautiful. You’re very talented.” In her own time, Libby hated dressing up. She was more comfortable in a pair of jeans and
an old shirt than she’d ever been in a dress. Even at the department store, she preferred slacks.

Stepping into one, she fell in love with the garment—the material and color. Colin obviously had exquisite taste. The fabrics he’d chosen for all of the gowns were vibrant and bold—midnight blue, emerald
green, and deep mauves—colors that suited Libby, bringing out her features, especially her eyes. Her skin practically glowed against them.

Libby twirled back and forth, feeling gorgeous, like a princess going to a ball. The material followed in a sweeping motion that clung to her legs until momentum fanned it out again. There was something about playing dress-up that made a woman
feel special, she thought, eyeing her reflection in the mirror. The corset did wonders for her figure. It cinched in her waist to add curves to her boyish outline and at the same time pushed up her small breasts. Imagine! She had cleavage for the first time in her life.

Still, another bigger question lurked. How long would
it take before all the extra clothing would get to her? Refusing to dwell on the answer, she shook the thought. Without wearing the clothing, she couldn’t enter Colin’s world. Louisville in 1874 was something she wanted to see and she couldn’t do it as a boy.

As she pulled on the ugly homespun shirt and tucked it into the faded dungarees, to Madame
Dubois’s dismay, another thought crossed her mind. How had Colin explained her presence?

“I’ll have someone come out to collect all of this tomorrow,” he said as they prepared to leave.

“
Mais oui
, Mr. Thorpe. Oh, and by the way, my sister Giselle will be happy to play lady’s companion for the
mademoiselle
. She would love a trip to Louisville.” Winking, she said, “Giselle will be discreet.”

Colin smiled. “Thank you
, Marguerite. Tell her someone will fetch her early on the morning of our departure.”

“
She’ll be ready.”

Libby caught their exchange on the way out the door and couldn’t help asking, “She doesn’t think I’m a lady of the evening, does she?”

“Are you?” The disarming grin spreading across his face did not amuse her.

“I’m serious.” Libby swatted at his shoulder. “She probably thinks I’m some hussy. Or…oh my God, she probably believes I’m your mistress.”

Colin laughed. “If you’re that worried about your reputation, maybe you should marry me.”

“It’s not funny,” she shot back, squaring her shoulders.

“Libby, she’s French. They think differently about things like that.”

“But that’s what she thinks, isn’t it?” She glanced at his face for substantiation. At his silence, she wanted to stomp her foot or shake him. “I’m no man’s mistress. I won’t be bought and paid for.” She wagged a finger in front of his nose. “You got that, Mr. Thorpe? I am not for sale. You take the money for those dresses out of my pay. You hear me?”

“OK, only if you promise to stay until you pay your debt,” he countered, still grinning. “But you should know that I spent a small fortune on all those doodads. Considering your wages, it’ll take a year or so to pay it all back.”

“Men!” she huffed before turning and storming off in the direction of her horse. “You’re all the same.”

“Wait.” He reached out his hand to catch her by the elbow just as she grasped her horse’s reins.

Eyes blazing, she spun around, holding on tightly to her temper.

“Whoa there, feisty lady.” He put up his hands in mock surrender. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say we were having our first disagreement.” He broke off a moment as if searching for the right words. “Libby…no, not Libby.” He hesitated, then looked directly into her eyes, and said, “Elizabeth Edwards, you know damn well I’d never consider you a mistress. You are more a wife to me than my own wife was, even though no vows have been spoken. So, I’ll hear no more about the subject.”

She stood staring at him until he moved to help her mount. The minute he was seated in his own saddle, he turned his horse in the direction of the farm. Libby had no choice but to calmly follow. Her outward appearance may have appeared tranquil, but everything on the inside was tossed upside down.

The two rode in silence for almost a mile. Every now and then she glanced over at him, noticing his subdued manner, yet not knowing how to deal with it. Finally she asked, “You really mean that? What you said back there?”

“What do you think?” He sighed.

Libby shrugged. “I don’t know what to think.”

Colin stopped his horse. Libby did the same.

Their gazes reconnected and held for what seemed like forever.

“You have my heart
, Libby.” They were so close, he was able to reach out and touch her face. Caressing it with the back of his hand, he said, “No matter that I’ve only known you a short while.” His voice was whisper soft, earnest, and the intensity of it sent her mood soaring. “You think I give that lightly? I’d give you my name if I could. I’d love nothing more than to share the rest of my life with you, share all my worldly goods with you, grow old with you. Unfortunately, having what I crave would not make you happy, so I’ve not voiced my wants. Still, make no mistake, my intentions are purely honorable.”

He flicked his reins and started riding again.

Dumbfounded, Libby stared after him. The man had a way of saying the right thing at the right time to turn her insides to mush.

She urged her horse forward and easily caught up. “I’m honored you feel that way.” Looking at the lush green scenery, she said, “I’m sorry.”

“Let’s not spoil our time together,” Colin eventually said, ending the uncomfortable silence that sprang up between them. “I regret my words. I should have kept my thoughts to myself.”

Libby swallowed the lump in her throat. “Please don’t say that. Your words were beautiful. You have my heart, too. When I go home, I don’t know how I’ll bear it without you.” Though she didn’t feel like smiling, she forced her lips to form one. “I don’t want to spoil our time together either.”

“Let’s enjoy Louisville.” Unfortunately, too much sadness welled in his eyes as he added, “We’ll deal with the rest later.”

Libby remained silent. Eventually her thoughts turned to another matter that was pressing on her mind. “How are you going to explain me
,” she asked, voicing her concern.

“Explain you?”

“Yeah. In Louisville.” She snorted when it was obvious he had no clue what she was talking about.

“Why would I have to explain you?” Colin glanced at her
, his eyebrows raised.