Time Will Tell (Timeless Series) (25 page)

Talk while they ate centered on the new Louisville Jockey Club. There was much speculation. Libby smiled, knowing exactly what the future held.

She also didn’t miss the speculative glances from several of the women at the table, at the same time wondering who they were. Did they have designs on Colin? They seemed very interested in what he was doing. A streak of jealousy went through her. The women were gorgeous and sophisticated—much like Dave’s colleagues’ wives. A horrible thought struck. Once she went home, Colin would be at these women’s mercy. Pain ripped through Libby at the image of Colin spending time with anyone other than her. Pushing the disturbing notion away, Libby refused to allow anything to spoil her time tonight.

After dinner Giselle danced, and Colin became immersed in a conversation with Malcolm Webster, his solicitor. His wife, Susan, smiled at Libby as the two men
chatted away. “This could last awhile,” she said. “Would you care to walk outside and get some air? These events can sometimes get stuffy.”

Looking over to find Giselle once again being swept off her feet, Libby nodded. Her friend would be
OK for a few minutes.

“How long do you think they’ll be talking
,” she asked as they headed toward the door. Libby liked Susan, in fact had felt immediately comfortable with her upon their introductions earlier that evening.

Susan flashed a wicked smile. “We’ll give them about ten minutes to finish. If they haven’t found us by then, we’ll go looking for them.” Though tall and statuesque with striking features—shining black hair, a fair complexion
, and ice-blue eyes—she was also a warm, friendly woman with a good sense of humor. Even though she appeared older, she didn’t make Libby feel gauche and unsophisticated like the Stepford wives did.

As they reached the outside garden, Susan said, “You’re old family friends?” When Libby nodded, she offered a genuine smile. “
Colin’s one of my favorite people, so it’s nice to see him smiling for a change.”

Libby glanced back at Colin and her smile widened. “He does seem happy, doesn’t he? Did you know his wife?”

“Yes. I knew Abby,” Susan said a little stiffly.

Her unexpected change in demeanor threw Libby and she couldn’t stop from asking, “What was she like? Was she pretty?”

“Abigail Thorpe was a beautiful woman.”

It figures she’d be beautiful, Libby thought as her smile turned into a frown. “I’m still curious about her. I never got the chance to meet her.”

“Colin deserved better. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but she wasn’t a pleasant person to be around,” Susan admitted, her expression becoming more solemn. “Unfortunately, due to our husbands’ relationship, we had to spend a lot of time together.” Susan stopped abruptly, clearly embarrassed, as if she’d said too much. “I hope you don’t repeat that. I should not have spoken out of turn. She was Colin’s wife, and as such she deserves my respect.”

“I wouldn’t dream of saying anything,” Libby replied, squeezing her arm affectionately. “Colin’s lucky to have such good friends in you and your husband.”

“Well, he’s just as lucky to have a friend in you, wouldn’t you say?” Susan said warmly. She place her hand over the one Libby had on her arm and added, “I think the men have had plenty of time to talk. Let’s go find them, shall we?”

Slowly walking toward the back steps, Libby caught part of a conversation that carried from the corner of the house in the opposite direction.

“She’s a friend of the family, so he says. Did you see her hair? It’s as short as a boy’s. What can that man be thinking to be bringing someone so gauche here?” The woman’s voice hesitated. “Besides, he’s still in mourning. His wife’s been dead less than a year.”

Libby stopped short when she realized they were talking about her.

“Oh, Caroline. Mourning never stopped you,” said the second voice. “You’re jealous because he never looked at you like that.”

“She’ll never hold him, that’s for sure, at least not after he sees me again,” the first, more shrewish voice shot back.

Susan also heard the exchange and whispered, “Vile gossip. We shouldn’t continue listening.” Neither moved as the second voice said, “He never looked at you before, what makes you think he’ll do it now?”

“Of course, he never looked at me before. He was married at the time.”

“That didn’t stop you from trying. Problem is, you haven’t figured out that he’s not interested in you. He does seem interested in that Elizabeth Edwards, though. Still, nothing will come of it. He’s married to his horse farm.”

Susan shook her head and flashed a look that said, “Don’t believe it.”

Knowing she shouldn’t eavesdrop, Libby couldn’t seem to summon the will to walk away.

“You just don’t know men, Emily. He tired of you. He’ll tire of his farm. And mark my words. He’ll tire of that chit out there.”

“You’re wrong, Caroline. He didn’t tire of me. He chose the farm over me. For you, it’s not even a matter of choice.”

The voices trailed off.

Libby cleared her throat and glanced at Susan, who shrugged and said with an apologetic smile, “It seems the widows Caroline Hillier and Emily Jones are having a chat about your Colin.”

Remaining silent, she nodded.

“I hope you don’t take anything they say to heart,” Susan said. “Caroline is a viper, who’s not happy unless she’s sinking her fangs into someone, usually someone else’s husband. And I’d heard Colin and Emily were seeing each other until about a month ago. I’m not sure if he broke off things, or if they ended of their own volition. What I do know about Colin—he would not be with you if Emily was his main interest.”

Struggling to smile, Libby tried not to worry about something she had no control over. Unfortunately, one question ate at her. What would happen when she left? Colin would definitely find solace somewhere. Somehow, the thought of him spending time with either woman didn’t sit right with her. Neither woman seemed to have Colin’s best interest at heart. If she couldn’t be here, the next best thing would be someone who made him happy, no matter that the idea pierced her heart.

Susan must have seen the sadness creep into her smile, because she grasped Libby’s hand and squeezed. “Let’s forget their conversation and go and find our men,” she said with forced cheerfulness. “I have a hankering for some dancing.”

Still gripping Libby’s hand, Susan tugged to get her moving in the direction of the house.

The men were in the same spot, apparently waiting for their return.

“Time’s up
, dear,” Susan said, laughing. She released Libby’s hand and grabbed her husband’s. “Let Libby and Colin enjoy the evening. You can always talk later, but one can only dance at balls.”

Colin watched Susan and her husband take to the dance floor before turning to Libby with an outstretched hand. “Come, my sweet. Susan’s right. The music beckons. I don’t know what came over me. Imagine me forfeiting an opportunity to have you in my arms. It simply isn’t done.”

As he spun her around the room, his gaze zeroed in on hers, Libby felt as if they were the only two in the room. It was romantic and magical. She could dance with him like this forever, she thought, staring dreamily into his eyes.

If she wasn’t dancing, he was introducing her to people. Giselle came and went, staying only until some other young buck came to offer his hand for another dance. Libby couldn’t remember a time when she’d had so much fun. The night never lost its magic until Libby noticed a beautiful woman with a calculating stare bearing down on them.

“Why, Colin, darling,” she said, ignoring Libby as if she didn’t exist. “I didn’t know you were out of mourning?” Her smile matched the calculation in her eyes. “So sorry to hear about your wife. I’m sure her death came as a shock to you.”

Colin
nodded, his smile identical to hers. “Thank you for your concern.” He turned to Libby and pulled her closer, his stance protective. “May I present Elizabeth Edwards, a good friend of the family. Elizabeth, this is Caroline Hillier.”

Minding her manners, Libby offered a polite smile, but was frozen on the spot with an icy glare. This woman was the consummate
Stepford wife, and Libby had no intention of allowing the woman’s tactics to scare her. “How do you do?” Her phony smile amped up ten degrees. “So nice to meet you.” She’d said the same words all night, but this time no one could miss the insincerity in them as she held out her hand.

Caroline extended limp fingers. “Likewise,” she said
, her voice dripping with contempt.

Libby risked glancing at Colin and was surprised to see him straining to contain his anger. He truly didn’t like her, thank God, but Libby had to admit, Caroline Hillier was beautiful.

The vein on Colin’s forehead became more prominent and Libby realized he wasn’t merely angry. He was livid. He bowed. “If you will excuse us?” While leading Libby to the dance floor, he added, “I believe this is our dance.”

Once on the floor, Colin relaxed slightly. Shaking his head, with an apologetic smile on his face, he said, “I’m sorry about that. She’s a menace. Don’t mind anything she says. Caroline has always had this mistaken impression that I’m interested in her. I want you to know here and now, so there will be no misunderstandings. I am not interested in her now, was never in the past
, and will never be in the future. Is that clear?”

Libby smiled. “Crystal.”

“Good.” He chuckled.

While they danced, Libby reflected on the conversation she’d overheard, but unwilling to spoil what was left of the
evening, she refused to dwell on what it meant.

Giselle walked up as the event was clearly winding down. “I’m so sorry, Libby. I was not the best companion. But it looks like you are having a good time,
non
?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“It looks like we all had fun,” Colin said. “But we should call it a night.” Offering his elbows, he added with a smile, “Shall we?”

Arm in arm, Colin escorted them out of the mansion. While they waited for their carriage, another beautiful woman walked up to them.

“Colin, I was hoping I might see you tonight.”

He smiled. “Hello, Emily.” He turned to Libby and Giselle, and made introductions.

Recognizing the name, Libby stiffened and offered another polite smile. Emily Jones seemed friendly enough, not the cold, calculating woman that defined Caroline Hillier. Still, her interest in Colin was more than apparent. Libby couldn’t release the rigid line of her shoulders. “It truly is nice to meet a friend of Colin’s,” she said with more cheerfulness than she felt. “I’ve met so many wonderful people tonight.”

They made small talk until their carriage rolled up and Colin said, “Can I drop you home, Emily?”

“No. I have an escort, but I appreciate the offer,” she said as a man walked up to the small group. “Oh, there you are, Thatcher.” Emily placed her hand on his arm. “Let me introduce you to Colin Thorpe.”

Libby caught the look that passed between Colin and Emily, wondering what it all meant as they shook hands and made the appropriate comments before climbing inside the awaiting carriage.

On the trip back to the hotel, Libby’s curiosity grew. Susan had said that Colin had been seeing the woman. Was he interested in her? “Emily seems nice,” she commented a few minutes later. “Tell me about her.”

“I’ve never given you any reason to doubt my love, have I?”
He searched her face, his gaze too intense.

Libby cleared her throat, feeling a little foolish for the jealousy that seemed to have planted itself in her stomach and was now growing thorns.

“Emily’s in my past and will stay there. Even though you won’t be part of my future, you have nothing to fear from the widow.” He patted her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I am not a monk, Libby. We had a pleasant relationship for several months. I care about her as a friend, yes. But that is as far as it goes. We ended our liaison well before you and I became intimate. No one has captured my heart like you have, and I doubt anyone else ever will.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “You have nothing to worry about from Emily. Trust me, my love.”

Colin waited patiently while Libby played maid to Giselle after arriving back at the hotel from the ball. Then Libby gathered up the necessary items and he ushered her into his suite. Now that he had her to himself, he intended to take his time and fully savor their night together. Slowly he undressed her. As her garments fell to the floor one by one, he kissed and caressed each exposed area.

Once Libby was naked, Colin quickly dispensed of his own clothing. He began gently rubbing her foot, following the action with kisses. The sensation caused her to giggle. He did it again and drew the same response.

“I love the sound of your laughter,” he said, adding another kiss.

She stroked his sides with a soft caress, an area that the minx knew was sensitive. Colin flinched and glanced at her. Both erupted into gales of laughter and fell back on the pillows laughing.

Their laughter died down and
all teasing ceased.

Colin caught Libby’s head in his hands. He lost himself in her light green eyes and said in a fervent voice, “I love you, Elizabeth.” He kissed her once. Twice. Three times, before adding, “Your love has given me so much happiness in the short time I’ve known you. I never knew I could feel so alive.”

Their lips reconnected for a soul-searching kiss that went on forever. Colin wondered if he would crave her kisses if he had ten years to spend with her or a lifetime, rather than the short while they were given?

Her hands slid up and down his body. Her tender touch made him yearn to hold her and never let go.

“Oh, Libby, you’re my light,” he whispered. “My world will darken when you leave.”

Pain swept into her eyes before she closed them. When she opened them again, they were rimmed with moisture.

“It unmans me to see your tears. I’m sorry, Libby. I don’t mean to make you cry.” He kissed her face, tasting the salty drops. The action, meant to comfort, soon changed to need—the need to be closer together, to be joined as one. Colin smiled as his erection grew. “See what you do to me. If I had a lifetime with you, I’d never have my fill,” he murmured before pressing into her and feeling like he’d come home.

Afterward, Libby fell asleep while he held her close, unwilling to relinquish his hold. He stared into the dark room with a heavy heart.

As dawn crept into the horizon, Colin hugged her closer. The movement was enough to wake her. She opened her eyes and the affection lurking there drew him like manna draws a starving man. He shouldn’t want her after last night, but that didn’t seem to matter. Coherent thought vanished the second he entered her warmth and didn’t return until long after they’d both skyrocketed into pleasure.

She stretched, giving him a sultry look that only added to his desire to keep her close. “I’m feeling very replete and boneless,” she purred. “I relished being in your arms the entire night. I could stay this way forever.”

Colin sighed and kissed her forehead before making himself comfortable beside her. The love he felt for her was near to bursting in his heart. Libby might not be considered a classic beauty, but she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. Her beauty came from within, from her soul. Her presence shed light on all of those around her, especially on him. All night he’d lain awake with an ache in his heart thinking about how dark his life would be without her. No longer content to let her leave without giving her his name, he needed her vows. He brought up the only subject he could think of that would get her to agree to such a thing.

“Libby, I’ve been thinking.” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “What if you’re with child?”

“I doubt that I am,” she said, dismissing his concerns with a warm smile.

“But what if you are?” he whispered urgently.

“I don’t know how to answer that.” She sat up, clearly flustered. “What are you getting at?”

“There are ways to prevent conception, but we’ve done none of them. So, it is possible that you could be carrying my babe right now, correct,” he asked, meeting her gaze.

“It’s a very slight possibility and if that happened, I’d cherish your child more than life itself. You have to know that.”

“Maybe so, but if you’ve conceived, what about the child? What are you going to say when he or she asks about me?” He couldn’t stem the intensity of his feelings from showing in his expression.

Libby inhaled sharply, eyeing him thoughtfully. “Colin, exactly what are you saying?”

“Marry me, Libby. Stay with me for as long as we have left as my wife. I want no bastards hanging over my head in the future. When you go back, there is no way I’ll know whether my seed took or not. If you marry me, I’ll at least be assured that I have honored my responsibilities. I want my child to know that I cared enough to give you both my name, even though I’m back in the past.”

~

Libby stared at Colin, open-jawed. The man just kept surprising her. Never in her life had she expected him to offer marriage. She closed her eyes, wishing she wasn’t using birth
control and thinking about what he wanted. God help her, but more than anything, she wanted it too.

“Can we do that here, so quickly?”

“Yes, we only need a judge. I’ve a friend who can do it without delay. It won’t be a church ceremony. That would require several weeks’ wait for the banns to be announced. I don’t think we have that long.” Libby was still speechless, and after a long delay, Colin said, “We can keep it secret, except for Gus and Berta—and a few others. But we can be together without shame. I dislike sneaking around.”

She eyed him warily. “What happens when I go home? I mean, if we marry?”

“You go home, and I stay here, but you’ll have my name. That’s what will happen.”

“Will you consider yourself married?”

“Of course I’ll consider myself married,” Colin said indignantly.

“I don’t know about this.” Libby shook her head, knowing she was
adding fuel to a fire that could easily grow out of control. “I love you enough to want you to be happy and that means finding someone to love after I’m gone.” It broke her heart to say it and it hurt too much to think of it happening, but she had to set him free. “Will you do that?”

“Without a crystal ball, I don’t know how I’ll feel,” he said. “Just know that if it’s possible for me to find someone else, I will, but don’t make it a requirement.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I should ask the same of you, but to be quite honest, the thought of you in some other man’s arms while I can’t have you leaves me hollow. Still, I do want you to be happy. In your time I’ll be dead, so you’ll in fact be a widow,” he admitted tersely. “And free to remarry.”

Libby put a hand to his lips. “Don’t say that. I don’t want to think that kind of thoughts.”

“Then marry me. Make me the happiest man in the world.”

Blinking back tears, she swallowed hard. “But it won’t be forever.”

“None of us knows how long we have. Please
, Libby. It will rest my fears. I can’t live with myself—with the thought of you going into the world without knowing that I cared enough to give you my name.”

Tears streamed down her face and a foreboding feeling crept into her heart. “Oh, Colin,” she whispered, nodding. “This keeps getting deeper. We should never have made love that night under the trees. All we’re doing is prolonging our agony. Yet, I can’t fight you. As long as I’m here, more than anything, I want to be your wife. How could I not? You’re the love of my life.”

“Thank you, Libby,” Colin whispered, kissing her tears as he’d done the night before. The gentle action only brought on more tears.

“Shush,” he said, then smiled. “I seem to have a knack for making you cry.” His smile turned wistful. “Maybe we shouldn’t have consummated things, but we can’t go back, only forward. At least I’ll rest easy, knowing that you’ll have my name. Thank you for that.”

Libby nodded, wondering how things had spiraled so far out of control. Still, she had no power to stop from falling deeper into love with him. After a while, she quit fighting the draw and could only accept the feelings as something that was meant to be.

Colin held her close for long minutes before kissing her forehead and untangling himself from her embrace. After rising, he started to dress and then stepped over to the side of the bed. “I have lots to do today. Get some more sleep while I’m gone. I’ll keep anyone from coming in to clean until later. I’ll also make arrangements for our wedding.” He bent over and kissed
her. “I love you, Libby. I’ll be back before lunch.”

After watching him leave, she lay back against the pillow thinking about what the day would yield. The foreboding she felt earlier was gone, replaced by the thought of being Colin’s wife, which now left her completely relaxed. Somehow it felt right. The idea brought a big smile to her face. Libby closed her eyes. In moments, she drifted off to sleep.

When Colin let himself back into the room hours later, he spied Libby still sleeping peacefully. He moved over to the bed and watched her for a few minutes. Discarding his boots, trousers, and shirt, he lay down next to her, pulling her into his embrace. In minutes he, too, was sound asleep.

Two hours later he slowly woke. He glanced at his timepiece on the nightstand and noticed that it was getting late. He bent to kiss Libby’s neck, nuzzling her awake.

She smiled and stretched. Colin felt her grin as he continued nuzzling her. She eventually met his lips with an urgent mouth.

Colin allowed the kiss to continue. Just before he lost all logic, as he had a way of doing when kissing her, he lifted his head. His grin turned into satisfaction personified. “I love waking up with you, but we have no time to dally. I’ve made arrangements for Judge Henry to do the honors. The
Websters will be meeting us at two o’clock.”

He arose from the bed and grabbed his trousers. When he noticed that Libby was still lying there with her hands under her chin, watching him, he planted a hand on her bottom, hidden beneath the sheet. Giving it a squeeze, he said, “Come, my love, time’s a
-wasting.”

He moved to pick up his shirt.

Libby sighed. “I’d be perfectly happy to spend the day in bed.” She sat up.

Chuckling, Colin stopped dressing and watched her stretch. She reached for the sheet and tucked it under both arms. He laughed as an embarrassed flush rose from her tempting breasts and traveled all the way to her forehead.

She quickly pulled the sheet over her head.

His chuckle receded to a wide grin. “No need to cover yourself. I’ve seen it all before.” He bent over, pulled the sheet down
, and kissed the top of her breast. “And I’ve tasted it all before. You’re lovely. I could watch you forever.”

Libby
blushed a deeper shade of pink. “I know I’m not well endowed. My boyish shape is hardly one that elicits men’s passion.”

Colin brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Want to bet? You’ll always bring out my passion. I’m ready and willing even now to taste you. Besides, your breasts are beautifully shaped and plenty big for my purposes.” Then he stood and pulled his shirt over his head
and said, “Now quit stalling and get dressed.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Thorpe.” She jumped up and saluted him.

When done dressing, they went to collect Giselle.

“So, what is on the agenda for today? More sight-seeing
,” she asked, answering Colin’s rap at the door.

Libby grinned. “How about attending a wedding?”

“Really?” Giselle shrieked, practically jumping up and down.

Colin winced and said with a snort, “What is it about women and weddings that always
prompts such excitement?”

Libby’s grin stayed in place. “I don’t have the slightest clue why. We also love babies and have to dance around when anyone turns up pregnant. It’s a chick flick kind of thing.”

Holding out both elbows, Colin drew his brow together. “What is a chick flick?”

Libby only laughed and waved a hand.
“Never mind. Suffice it to say, we women love marriage and babies.”

“A fact I’m well aware of. It’s a chick flick that I’m having trouble grasping.”

They strolled through the hallway, down the stairs, and into the lobby, laughing and bantering back and forth as they entered the restaurant for an early lunch.

After a hearty meal, Colin looked at his timepiece. “We have barely enough time to make it to Judge Henry’s chambers.” He arose. “Shall we?”

Susan and Malcolm Webster were already there waiting for them.

Judge Henry gathered everyone together and began the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved. We are gathered here…”

The intensity of Colin’s gaze pierced Libby’s heart and stole her breath as the judge asked, “Do you, Colin Thorpe, take this woman, Elizabeth Edwards, for your wife from this day forward, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

Colin nodded, his demeanor sober. “I do.”

She kept her gaze
fastened on his as the judge turned her way and asked her the same question.

With all the enthusiasm she could muster, Libby said, “I do.” She had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming when she heard the words,
“I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride,” and Colin captured her lips with his. As Colin slipped a gold ring on her finger, the judge said. “It pleases me to present Mr. and Mrs. Colin Thorpe.”