Dakota Dreams (Historical Romance) (15 page)

14

The mounting tension between Breanna and Dakota was becoming unbearable. Each day, she would feel his eyes pulling at her, and she had to fight to keep from falling into his arms, his willing slave. Levi noticed that when Breanna was around, Dakota would follow her with naked yearning reflected in his eyes. He could also see that Breanna was affected by Dakota. Once when Dakota chanced to touch her hand, she took a deep intake of breath. It was clear to Levi that she was an innocent and did not know how to deal with the feelings her young husband awakened in her body. Fate may have thrown them together, but they were obviously drawn to one another.

Although Breanna was alarmed at the thought that her relationship with Dakota might deepen, she waited for him to show some sign that he wanted to consummate their marriage.

When Levi saw that matters were not progressing, he decided to give human nature a helping hand. He found Dakota standing on a bluff, staring down at the churning water below.

Levi seated himself on a boulder, took out his knife, and began whittling. "Is this all you can think of to do with your time, Dakota?" he said offhandedly.

"What should I do?" the young man bit out. "Play chess? That didn't work out too well."

"Why not?"

"Because all I could think about was the color of Breanna's eyes, or the softness of her. . . . Do you have a reason for seeking me out, Levi?" he snarled.

"Yep. I wanted to ask you how long you intend to play the frustrated lover?"

"I cannot see that it is any concern of yours."

Levi was unaffected by Dakota's heated remark. "You are worse off than I thought. Has it ever occurred to you that there are too many people around for you and Breanna to get to know one another?"

"It has occurred to me" Dakota said stiffly.

Levi sighed gustily. "I guess someone has to do your thinking for you in matters of the heart."

Dakota glared at his old friend. "You have never been married, Levi. What makes you such an expert?"

"Common sense. Do you remember that hunting lodge that we saw the other day while out riding? If you were to instruct the servants to have it made ready, I wager it would make an excellent honeymoon retreat."

Dakota was thoughtful while he pondered Levi's words. Suddenly he smiled. "I am ashamed that you had to be the one to point this out to me." Suddenly he looked troubled. "Do you think Breanna would go with me?"

"I know how you can find out. Why don't you ask her and see?"

***

That evening after dinner, Levi and John excused themselves as usual, leaving Breanna and Dakota alone. Dakota was seated beside Breanna on the cream-colored settee. He tried several times to tell her what was on his mind, but he was finding it difficult to express himself. Finally in exasperation, he blurted out:

"I have a proposition to offer you, Breanna. One day while Levi and I were riding over the Weatherford estates we chanced upon a cottage in the woods. I was told by my grandfather's gamekeeper that it is a hunting lodge. How would you like to spend a few days there . . . with me so we can become better acquainted?"

She did not see the eagerness in his green eyes, but he saw the fear and uncertainty in hers. "Do you mean just the two of us alone?"

"Not exactly. We would have someone to clean and serve the food. Of course they wouldn't stay at the lodge at night"

Breanna felt her body tingle with excitement. "I am your wife, my lord. I will go wherever you say."

He turned back to the window, watching pearls of moisture roll down the glass surface. "I only want you to accompany me if this is what you want," he said.

Breanna moved to Dakota's side and glanced out the window. "I want to go . . . but it's just that . . . I . . ."

"We will maintain separate bedchambers, if that is what troubles you. I will not insist that you come to me until it is right for you."

She suddenly became aware of a great sadness and bewilderment in her husband. But certainly she was mistaken. He appeared so sure of himself, so masterful and in command of every situation. Why did she sense this turmoil going on inside him? "I will go with you, my lord."

A slight smile tugged at his lips, and he turned to face her. "I have many things to discover here in England, Breanna, and you are first and foremost."

Thrill after thrill moved through her body as she considered what that might entail. "When will we leave, my lord?"

"Do you think you could manage to call me Dakota, and drop the 'my lord'? And we shall leave tomorrow if this is agreeable with you. In anticipating that your answer might be yes, I have had the hunting lodge made ready."

"I will go up and instruct Etta to pack what I will need, my . . . Dakota."

Turning back to the window, he listened to the soft rustle of her gown and the sound of her footsteps fade away. With her, he felt somewhat like a man who was reaching for a brilliant star. Would he ever hold her warmth in his hand, or would he find her cold and unobtainable? Perhaps her brilliance would be the light he needed to guide him through the baffling times ahead.

Could he possess her, make her his own? If she had been an Indian maiden, he would have taken her to his bed the first night, but she was different from the women he had known. Dakota could not imagine Breanna being acquiescent. He wanted her more than anything he had ever wanted in his life, but she had to come to him freely. He did not know if it was love he felt for her, or if he merely wanted to possess her and burn his brand on her so all would know she was Dakota's woman.

***

While Breanna supervised Etta's packing, her heart fairly sang. She looked forward to becoming better acquainted with her husband. She found him fascinating and intriguing. He was kind and understanding to allow her this time to get to know him. She did not believe there were many men who would demonstrate so much forbearance. In Breanna's eagerness to be with Dakota, she looked forward with great anticipation to the next day.

***

A dispute had arisen between two of the tenants, and Dakota had sent word to Breanna that he would meet her at the lodge as soon as he had made peace between the two men.

The day was bright and sunny as the groomsman, Frazier, accompanied Breanna to the hunting lodge. She felt the sun on her face as Joya galloped down the well-worn path, and she had a feeling of well-being. It was good to be alive.

Later, after Breanna had unpacked, she walked through the hunting lodge, examining every nook and cranny. There were five bedrooms, a common room, and a kitchen. She almost felt like an intruder because this was definitely a man's domain with its unpolished wooden floors, stiff rugs, and leather furnishings. Guns hung on the wall, and the large windows allowed sunlight to illuminate each room. The lodge had been built on an isolated spot, inaccessible except by boat or horseback. Dense woods were located fifty paces from the back door, while the front of the lodge faced a steep incline that descended to the ocean.

Suddenly she felt a desire to be out in the sunlight. Feeling young and carefree, she grabbed her shawl and moved out the front door and down the rocky path toward the sound of the roaring surf.

Breanna walked along the jagged shoreline, glancing out to sea. She tried to picture the land that had fostered her husband. Was America as wild and unpredictable as Dakota? Would he ever feel that England was his home?

Dakota had come up behind Breanna so silently that she was startled when he touched her shoulder. I would have announced myself, but your thoughts seemed far away, Breanna."

She smiled up at him. "Actually, I was wondering about America. What is it like?"

"I cannot say. I only know about the land which belongs to the Arapaho."

The Arapaho, that is the name of the Indian tribe that raised you?"

He watched as sunbeams played across her hair, making it flame, almost as if it were on fire. "Yes, that is the name of the tribe, but I was raised by the war chief, Two Moons. I was proud to call him father. I would challenge any man to produce a more patient and loving parent."

Her eyes glowed softly. "Tell me about your Indian mother, what was she like?"

"Her name was White Wing. I suppose she was little different from most mothers. She worried about my health, saw that I ate properly, and she kept a pleasant home to which the men in her family were always eager to return."

"I don't remember much about my parents, Dakota. Do you ever wish you had known your real mother and father?"

"You will have to understand that I have some very confused feelings about that just now. I have known from an early age that I was white, but inside I felt like an Indian —I still do." Suddenly he remembered Breanna referring to him as a savage, and he gripped her shoulders, forcing her to look into his green eyes. "You must understand that I do not apologize for who I am. I am just as proud of Two Moons and White Wing as you are of your parents."

Unexpectedly, her eyes softened. "I am glad you feel that way," she said, deeply moved by his devotion to his Indian mother and father. "I would be disappointed in you if you had nothing good to say about two people who loved you and gave you a home."

He released his hold on her, but still held her gaze. "Were you happy growing up in your brother's home?" he wanted to know.

"Most of the time. It was a strange life in a way because we were considered nobility, yet we were very poor. Sophie always told me that one is never poor unless one feels poor, and I found this to be true."

"I think I would like this Sophie. Who is she?"

"She is my brother's wife. I would like to be the kind of wife that Sophie is to Fielding."

She tried to hide her blush, but Dakota saw it and smiled. "Would you, Breanna?"

"Yes. She is patient and understanding. Only once have I heard her voice raised in anger, and that was done in staunch defense of my brother when I pointed out his shortcomings" Her eyes were troubled as she continued. "I fear I am neither patient nor understanding. I have been told I am obstinate, and as you surmised that first day we met, I sometimes have an explosive temper." She shook her head while pain throbbed in her every word. "I have always attempted to be better, but I fear I will never be like Sophie."

His eyes danced across her face, and she reminded him of an endearing child. "It is not Sophie I am married to. I like a woman who stands up for her beliefs. If you are angry with me about something, tell me. I would not want a timid wife who only agreed with me out of loyalty or devotion."

"Truly?" she asked innocently.

"Truly," he answered in a deep voice.

"I am amazed at how quickly you seem to adjust to your new life, Dakota."

"Breanna, this is a confusing time for me. I am no longer a member of the Arapaho tribe, I am not an American, and I do not feel like an Englishman. I cannot decide just what and who I am."

Once more her heart went out to him because she was aware of his vulnerability. "You are English by birth, and will one day be the Marquess of Weatherford. That is your birthright, my lord. No amount of uncertainty and introspection will change that. It is the law, and no one can deny you that heritage."

"What you say is true. But I want to be honest with you from the first. If I decide that I do not fit into the mold of an English gentleman, I may return to what I consider my real home."

She searched his eyes. "Would you ask me to go with you?"

He hesitantly reached out and touched her face. "No, Breanna, you are an English rose that would never bloom anywhere but in England." He was silent for a moment, as if trying to decide how to tell her what was on his mind. "What I want to say is, if you do not wish to be married to me, I will free you. We were never married in a proper ceremony, and I am told that we could petition for a document of annulment because our marriage has not been consummated."

Something akin to pain stabbed at her heart. "Do you wish to have our marriage dissolved?"

"It is not my wish that must be considered, Breanna. I want no wife that comes to me out of duty or fear."

"What are you saying?"

"I am saying that you can walk away right now and I will give you your freedom. I will also endow you with a generous settlement, so you can have your own household and would not be forced to return to your brother's house where you were unhappy."

Dakota hoped his eyes did not betray how desperately he wanted her to choose to remain with him and become his wife in every way. He had given the matter much thought before making Breanna this offer of freedom. In all fairness, Dakota felt he could not consummate their marriage unless he gave her the opportunity to leave if she so desired.

Breanna had an urge to throw herself into his arms and beg him to hold on to her. She wondered how she had ever felt alive before he came into her life. "I still don't know what you expect of me, Dakota."

"You can do one of two things. If you want to leave, I will see that you are transported to the destination of your choice. But if you want to see if we can have a life together, remain here with me until we come to know one another."

"And if you decide to return to America?"