The Christmas Ball (6 page)
“More wine?”
Raising an eyebrow, he smirked. “Perhaps a tiny bit more.”
He sauntered away. She watched his back as she sank into the chair, catching herself when she felt her satin skirts in danger of sliding off the velvet seat.
A couple approached, the man escorting a middle-aged woman into the chair beside Sara. When the man moved away, she glanced at the woman, who smiled.
“I saw you dancing with Doctor Ellison and Mr. Cunningham. I assume you’re a relative of theirs.”
“No, ma’am. I’m a friend of Doc Ellison’s. I’m staying with the Cunningham’s while I work at the hospital.”
The woman’s lips curled. “You’re a nurse?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Forgive me for being rude, but how do you know the Cunninghams? Or Doctor Ellison?”
“I worked with Doc Ellison in military camp. We were at Fredericksburg when he got the order to report here.”
“Oh.” The woman drew out her hand fan and started to fan herself.
Sara glanced up to see Kirk approaching with a glass in his hand. He nodded at the woman. “Mrs. Farnsworth. I see you’ve met Miss Brewster.”
“Not officially, Doctor.”
He handed Sara the glass. “Mrs. Farnsworth, I’d like to introduce Miss Brewster. She’s staying with my sister for a while. Miss Brewster, may I present Mrs. Farnsworth. She’s a long time friend of my mother.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Brewster.” Mrs. Farnsworth inclined her head.
“And you too, Mrs. Farnsworth.”
The woman gave Kirk a smug smile and stood as her escort led her away.
Sara sighed. “I don’t think she liked me much.”
“Don’t worry about her.” His eyes sparkled as he gazed at the glass he’d handed her. “Take a sip. It’s champagne.”
“Is it from France?” She lifted the glass. Tiny bubbles sent a tickling sensation to her nose. She laughed.
“Go on,” he urged. “Take a sip.”
“All right.” She sipped and delightful, bubbly warmth spread down her throat.
“Do you like it?”
“I like it just fine.”
He sat beside her and gazed into her eyes so long, she had to wonder if anything was wrong. “I have something I need to ask you, Sara.”
Her breath caught. He’d always called her Miss Brewster since he’d learned she was a woman. Why was he calling her Sara now? She swallowed as she awaited his question.
He glanced around. “Not here.” He pointed to a spot in the corner of the cavernous room. “Over there.” He stood and held out his hand.
She stood and handed him the glass. He set it on a table and took her hand, leading her to the spot he’d indicated. “Look up.”
She glanced up to the high ceiling and spotted a sprig of mistletoe overhead. She looked into Kirk’s eyes, smoldering with passion. He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers, gently at first, then more forcefully.
Her jumbled thoughts drifted back to the night in Fredericksburg when they’d been alone in the barn. His heated kisses, his large, warm hands on her body…
She tilted her head back as his strong arms wrapped around her waist and just let go, savoring the moment. His heated mouth on hers sent shivers down her spine. She didn’t want it to end, but he lifted her away and steadied her when she wavered.
“I fear the wine and champagne is going to your head.” He smiled. “Come, I’ll escort you back to your chair.”
“No.” She placed her hand on her flushed cheek. “Isn’t there somewhere I could go to rest for bit? I feel a little woozy.”
He nodded. “I’ll take you to one of the rooms, so you can recover.”
His hands supported her as he led her to a closed door down the hall from the front entrance. He knocked and, getting no answer, pushed the door open. A lounging couch, a few chairs and small tables furnished the tiny room. He guided her to the couch.
“Lie down for a few minutes, until your head clears.”
Lifting her skirts, she settled on the upholstered couch. She glanced up at Kirk, who stood awkwardly by the closed door.
“You said you had something important to tell me,” she said.
His face colored. “Yes, I do.” He approached the couch and knelt, reaching for her gloved hand. The other hand cupped her chin. “In these few weeks since I’ve learned you were a woman, I’ve developed rather strong feelings for you, Sara. In fact, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you.”
She gaped, her heart fluttering. This was what he’d wanted to tell her. She’d had feelings for the handsome doctor for months while serving as a hospital steward under him. To know he felt the same way—although until recently he’d thought her to be male—was incredible. He lowered his head and she tilted hers to receive his kiss. This kiss was more intense than the one under the mistletoe. She sighed and leaned into him, opening her mouth to receive his thrusting tongue. Delightful tingles shot through her body. This was what she’d longed for all those months in camp as she watched him from afar.
When they broke from the kiss, his gaze traveled over her bosom, resting on the cleft between her breasts.
Her face grew hot. She liked him looking at her like that. She reached up to smooth an errant lock of his hair.
He took both her hands in his and gazed long and hard into her eyes. “What I really need to know is, do you feel the same about me?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve been in love with you for months, but I couldn’t do a thing about it.”
He chuckled. “I understand. But now I have to ask you this. Would you consent to be my wife?”
Her head swirled. Was it the champagne or...how could a simple country girl like her be married to a Washington City doctor? Recalling the reaction of Mrs. Farnsworth, she realized she’d never fit in. She could never be a great hostess like Mary, or know how to act in society settings. She was nothing but a fake, a fraud.
Chapter Seven
Kirk brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I love you, Sara. What’s your answer?”
She shook her head. “I can’t.” She glanced around the room. “I can’t be what you want.” Rising, she loosed her hand from his and spun toward the door.
“Wait.” He rose, but she was out the door in a flash. He strode to the doorway and glanced down the hall. A man and woman stared behind them. Had she gone that way? He apologized as he maneuvered past the startled couple.
Where the devil is she?
He moved toward the ballroom. Perhaps she’d thought to lose herself among the other guests. He sauntered along the wall past chairs and tables, eyes scanning the guests.
“Kirk.” Mary approached, a frown on her face. “Whatever’s wrong?”
“Why do you think anything’s wrong?”
“Because of that fierce scowl you’re wearing. And where is Miss Brewster?”
“
You
don’t know?”
She raised her hands, palms out. “How should
I
know?”
He drew a deep breath. “I proposed to her and she raced out of the room as if the devil was on her tail.”
Mary lifted her gloved hands to her mouth, then dropped them to her waist, her lips curved into a smile. “You proposed? What was her answer?”
“Her answer was no. Then she ran from the room.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Now, I’ve no idea where she’s gone.”
“Well, she must be here somewhere.” Mary spread her arms and scanned the room. “She surely wouldn’t have run out into the cold.”
“Wouldn’t she?” He turned and strode from the ballroom into the entry hall, Mary on his heels. Spotting the doorman, he asked, “My man, have you seen a young woman racing down the hall?”
“Why yes, sir. A young woman ran out the door just a minute ago. I was going to see if she was all right.”
Kirk pushed past him and yanked on the door handle. Emerging onto the stoop, he glanced down the steps. His pulse thundered at the sight of Miss Brewster sprawled at the foot of the steps in a heap of satin and petticoats.
****
Sara raised her head. Her arm and neck hurt. Gazing at the borrowed gown, she gasped. What had she done? When she raced down the stairs, her heel had caught in the hem, tearing it. Her cheeks heated and her eyes stung.
A man stood on the stoop, adding to her humiliation. She raised her gaze to find Kirk staring down at her, his mouth agape.
He hopped down and knelt beside her. “Are you all right?” He lightly ran his hands over her body.
“I’m so sorry,” she rasped. “I’ve ruined Mary’s gown.”
“The devil take the gown,” he said. “I need to know you’re not hurt.”
“Well...” She sat up and rubbed her shoulder. “I think I may have hurt my arm.”
He gingerly touched her shoulder, and ran his hand down her arm. “It doesn’t appear you’ve any broken bones.” He slid his arms beneath her and hefted her up. “Let’s get you back inside.”
Sara wished she could bury her shame in the snow. “I can walk.”
“Not until I’m sure you’re not hurt.” Ted and Mary stepped aside, allowing him to pass, then followed.
He strode down the hall, as she held tightly to him, hiding her face against his coat. Humiliation flushed her cheeks and turned her stomach. How could she face anyone after this?
She was gently deposited on the settee where she’d been when he’d proposed. She hid her face in her hands.
“I’m going to check your legs to be sure there’s no swelling or bruising.”
She nodded, unable to look at him. His hands roved over her feet, ankles and calves, then up her thighs. She bit her tongue to stifle a gasp. His hands on her felt delicious.
Dropping her hands from her face, she focused on his earnest expression as he completed the examination. “Everything appears all right. Do you have any pain in your legs or pelvis?”
“No.” She gazed into his eyes, then flushed again.
He traced his fingers delicately along her shoulder. “This will need looking after. I’m sure it pains you.”
She nodded.
He rotated the shoulder and she winced. Sensing movement in the doorway, she looked up to see Mary and Ted watching.
Kirk glanced toward them. “We’ll need to get her home.”
“Of course,” Ted said. “I’ll retrieve everyone’s wraps.”
“I’ll find Mother,” Mary volunteered.
After they’d left, he stroked her cheek. “I must apologize. I presumed too much when I asked you to marry me.”
She shook her head. “Oh, no. It’s all my fault. I’ve loved you for so long, but I was afraid.”
“Afraid of marriage? Of me?”
She sighed. “I’m just a simple country girl and you’re an important Washington physician. How can you have someone like me for your wife? I wouldn’t know how to act. I’d just embarrass you and your family.”
His earnest expression relaxed and he chuckled. “Sara... Sara, I didn’t propose because I think you’d make a perfect society wife, I asked because I love you. I haven’t felt this way about a woman for the longest time.”
Her breath caught. “But what about entertaining—society things I haven’t a clue about.”
“I don’t care one whit about those things. I want a wife who’ll love me and bear and raise my children.”
“Children?” Her skin tingled at the idea of having his children. “We’ll live in Washington?”
“No, once the war ends, I plan to move back to Philadelphia. My mother will come too and she’ll be a great help to you. I think she’s as taken with you as I.”
She swallowed hard, her mind racing. Was it possible her dreams of the past months of being with Kirk would finally come true?
“Before the others come back,” he said, “I must ask again. Will you marry me?”
Raising her good arm to cup his nape, she stroked his hair. “Yes, I’d love to marry you.”
“My love, you’ve just made me the happiest man on earth and given me a beautiful Christmas present.” He bent his head to take her lips.
Her body tingled as she melted into his embrace. Outside the sound of bells chiming registered on her overloaded senses. She lifted her head. “Is it Christmas?”
He glanced around, tilting his head. “I do believe it is. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Mary, Ted and Mrs. Ellison crowded into the door.
Kirk rose and waved his arm. “I have excellent news. Sara has accepted my proposal of marriage.”
“Oh, dear brother.” Mary raced forward and wrapped her arms around her brother, then turned to Sara to kiss her cheek. “Welcome to the family.”
Ted shook Kirk’s hand and kissed Sara’s. “I’m delighted my brother-in-law’s chosen you.”
Mrs. Ellison slowly approached her son and kissed his cheek. “I’m proud that you’ve followed your heart. I’ve had many wonderful years with your father because we loved each other right from the start.”
Turning to Sara, she whispered, “I’m honored you’ve chosen my son as well. Welcome to the family.”
Sara was near tears when Kirk escorted her to the carriage.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m just so happy. It’s Christmas and all of my dreams have come true.”
He handed her up into the carriage and took his seat beside her. She leaned into his shoulder, ready for the new adventure that awaited her as Doc Ellison’s wife.
Susan Macatee sets her stories of romance during and just after the American Civil War. Her passion for this period in American history also extends to the paranormal. You’ll find time travelers, ghosts, and vampires in the mix.
Her interest in the period stems from her years spent as a civilian Civil War reenactor, alongside her husband, who did the military side, with the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment for about ten years.
She lives with her husband and sons, and the family dog, a boxer-mix named Chase. She spends her free time cheering on her local baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies, spending time with Chase and her husband, watching favorite old movies, and inhaling books.
Visit her website at
www.susanmacatee.com
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