Petals on the River (86 page)

to resist."

"Do you want to resist him?"

"Nay, never.
 
I yearn for his touch even when I'm with others."

Gage swept his hands in a leisured caress of her arms.
 
"Will my touch

suffice, madam?"

"Only until we can get back to our bed and I can hold the man of my

dreams in my arms again."

"We can leave now, my love," Gage suggested, intrigued by the idea.

"There's nothing I foresee happening here that would be as enticing as

what you speak of."

"If we were to leave now, your father and Mrs.
 
McGee would still be

up," Shemaine pointed out.
 
"They'd wonder what brought us home so early

and, no doubt, would want to talk.
 
We'd face a delay either here or

there.
 
Besides, Annie will expect us to stay and share in her

happiness."

Gage graciously yielded the decision to his wife.
 
"As you wish, my

lady.
 
Shall we walk to the tavern or should I bring the chaise around?"

"We can walk, I think," Shemaine replied, and tossed a coquettish smile

over her shoulder.
 
" Tis not often I'm able to stroll along the

boardwalk at a leisurely pace and watch all the women stare agog at

you."

"That's because I'm anxious to keep you a secret from all the men in the

hamlet," Gage countered.
 
"They ogle you and make my temper soar." "It

needn't, my love, because my eyes are only for you."

Gallantly Gage presented an arm and led her toward the tavern. They were

intent upon each other and barely noticed Alma Pettycomb approaching

until they were almost upon her and the man who walked along beside her.

For once the matron seemed far more engrossed in her own affairs than in

the affairs of others.
 
She grumbled and twitched in irritation beside

her stoic-faced husband, who seemed oblivious to her muttered ranting.

"I told you, Sidney!
 
I want to go to the docks to see that new ship

that came into port!" Receiving no answer, she jerked testily upon his

coat sleeve.
 
'Did you hear me, Sidney?"

"Who cannot?" he asked curtly.

"Well?" "I want my supper, woman!
 
And that's final!
 
I'm tired of you

gal livanting all over creation, poking your long nose into everybody's

business.
 
I've decided henceforth there'll be some changes made in the

way you conduct yourself, or you will answer to me.
 
Colby Ferris is a

friend of mine, and I was greatly shamed that you took it upon yourself

to exaggerate a pettish argument he had with that toad, Samuel Myers.

Because of you, I could not bring myself to attend his wedding until

I've made some effort to put my own house in order.
 
I'm a Godfearing

man, madam, but I'll tell you truly there'll be some mayhem done if you

don't keep your mouth closed from now on.
 
And if you think I'm fooling,

then I just might decide to take a thin switch to your arse to show you

that I'm serious."

Alma gasped in outrage.
 
"You wouldn't dare!"

Turning his head slightly, Sidney Pettycomb raised a brow sharply as he

stared at her.
 
"I'm a man of my word, madam.
 
You'll pay the

consequences if I hear one more rumor about you viciously defaming

another person."

Nearing the younger couple, Sidney politely tipped his hat as he gave a

nod of greeting first to Gage and then to Shemaine.
 
The younger couple

were totally amazed by what they had just overheard and became even more

hopeful when Sidney spoke to them.
 
"Give my regards to Colby for me,

will you, Gage?
 
I've sent a gift, but my best wedding present is in the

making."

Subduing the urge to grin, Gage inclined his head briefly, committing

himself to carrying the man's message and conveying his own

interpretation of Sidney's other present, which Gage could only guess

would benefit them all.

Musicians had been hired to lend a musical flair to the celebration, and

a broad assortment of loyal patients, friends, and acquaintances came

for the feasting.
 
Gage was rather astonished that so many people were

living in the area, but it was readily apparent by the vast collection

of well-wishers that Colby Ferris was not without his supporters and a

substantial number of friends.
 
Ramsey and Calley Tate, toting their

newborn in a padded basket, had arrived from the church to join in the

festivities.
 
Upon spying the Tates and the Thorntons, Colby beckoned

the two couples to sit with them, allowing Annie the nurturing comfort

of being surrounded by close friends.

The food was plentiful and delicious, but Shemaine found her appetite

decreasing as the stagnant air in the tavern grew heavy with a melange

of odors, the foul stench of sweaty men, horse manure tracked in on the

wooden floor, various aromas from the food laid out on the long tables,

and the overpowering essence of toilet water with which an older matron

had liberally doused herself.
 
Whiffs of smoke from the hearth, where

another suckling pig was roasting, made it difficult for Shemaine to

breathe.
 
Feeling nauseous, she dabbed a freshly scented handkerchief to

her clammy cheeks, then pressed it beneath her nose.
 
The delicate

barrier sufficed for a few moments until her chair and her arm were

haphazardly jostled by a backwoodsman, making her drop the filtering

handkerchief in her lap. One whiff of the man as he leaned over her to

apologize almost saw her undone, for he reeked of nearly everything she

had been trying to avoid smelling.
 
The man stepped away, and in

something of a panic, Shemaine leaned forward to beg leave of her

companions.

"If you'll excuse me, I need some air," she gasped out.
 
Carefully

averting her gaze from their plates, she rose to her feet, but when she

turned stiltedly to Gage, he was already standing.
 
She laid a trembling

hand upon his chest and pleaded softly, "Stay and finish your meal.
 
I

won't be long."

He took her hand in his.
 
"Madam, I would hate for the newly arrived

sailors and passengers to mistake you for one of the harlots who

frequent this place."

Seeing the wisdom in his concern, Shemaine acquiesced and allowed him to

draw her back to the boardwalk.
 
Inhaling several deep breaths of the

late afternoon air, she promptly obtained some relief and actually

started feeling better as she strolled along beside her husband.
 
As he

wandered casually toward the end of town, she looked into the windows of

the shops they passed, now and then drawing his attention to something

she espied.
 
She enjoyed their leisurely walk together and felt a great

measure of pride to be on his arm.

Passengers from the newly docked ship were already beginning to make

their way from the wharf.
 
A few of them seemed in a great hurry to

reach the main part of the hamlet.
 
A tall, dark-haired, well-garbed

gentleman strode far ahead of them all.
 
His long legs had served him

well in that respect.
 
Indeed, the silver-tipped cane he carried was

obviously more of a swagger stick than an aid for walking.
 
His strides

were long and sure, and with his head held at a lofty angle, he glanced

about, as if searching for something or someone.
 
When he espied the

Thorntons from a distance, he paused suddenly and cocked his head at a

contemplative angle, staring intently toward Shemaine.
 
Seeming somewhat

confused, he resumed walking, but his pace was slower, a bit more

hesitant.

Gage came to the end of the boardwalk and turned, drawing Shemaine's

hand within the bend of his arm.
 
"Are you feeling better, my sweet?"

"Aye."

I "Need more air?"

"If you don't mind."

"Anything for you, love," he replied, slanting a grin toward her.

Gage caught the sound of running feet behind him and peered over his

shoulder to see the richly garbed gentleman approaching them in haste.

There was no mistaking it.
 
The man's eyes were riveted on Shemaine.

A low growl issued from Gage's throat at the man's audacity. "What's

this?
 
A recent arrival already taken with you?"

Her husband's muttered question drew Shemaine's gaze back along the

boardwalk, allowing the advancing swam to see her profile.

"Shemaine!
 
Shemaine!
 
By heavens, it is you!"

''Maurice?" Recognizing the voice, she turned in confusion, and suddenly

her former betrothed was there, throwing aside his cane and sweeping her

up in his embrace.
 
Whirling her around in an ecstatic circle, he swung

her completely off her feet.

"Shemaine, we thought we'd never find you!" he cried, continuing his

whirling dance.
 
"'Twas only by chance your mother spied a woman wearing

your boots and bribed her to tell her where she had gotten them!"

"Do you mind?" Gage barked.
 
He had recognized the name and, upon

espying the man's handsome and aristocratic features, considered himself

in serious jeopardy of losing his wife's heart back to her former

fiance.

"Maurice, put me down!
 
For heaven's sakes, put me down now!" Shemaine

gasped, clasping the handkerchief over her mouth as her world reeled

crazily awry.

The Marquess complied and stood in some befuddlement as Shemaine

stumbled away to the edge of the boardwalk.
 
Taking in large gulps of

air, she struggled valiantly to subdue her rising gorge, but the town

still seemed to tilt at a sharp slant around her.
 
Her stomach heaved in

rebellion, and feebly she extended a hand behind her, bringing Gage

swiftly to her side.

Maurice watched in helpless, resentful confusion as the stranger slipped