The Gentling (12 page)

He framed her face between his hands and looked into her eyes, his gaze probing the very depths of her being. "And believe me, Katy, my very soul cries out for you. You're what has been missing from my life, all my life, and I need you very much." The deep, dark velvet voice stroked over her, soothing and caressing, wrapping her in its warmth. "But love isn't altogether selfish. It also means caring more for the happiness and well-being of the loved one than you care for your own. And that's how I feel about you, sweetheart. I could never be happy unless you were."

Katy stared at him, her throat tight with emotion. She felt helplessly drawn by the desperate yearning in his voice, the deep need, the exquisite tenderness. In that moment she knew she was totally, irrevocably committed to this man. Katy knew with a deep certainty that she felt something for him, and that she needed him just as surely as he needed her. She didn't want it. She wasn't ready for it. But it was there all the same. It was that irresistible, magnetic pull she had feared from the beginning. She also knew that if she entered into a marriage with Trace, no matter how platonic, she could never endure the kind of sordid arrangement she had envisioned earlier.

Watching the play of emotions cross her expressive face, Trace smiled gently. He bent and brushed a feathery kiss over her lips. It was possessive and loving, and heart-stoppingly tender. Light as it was, Katy felt it ail the way to her toes.

When he raised his head his eyes caressed her face in a way that made her bones melt. "I love you, Katy," he whispered. "Don't ever doubt it."

"If you don't hold still, Dad, I'll never get this thing tied," Katy admonished, while her father shifted restlessly from one foot to the other. She thought he looked very handsome and distinguished in his formal evening attire, with his shock of white hair neatly brushed and his deeply tanned skin glowing against the crisp white shirt. But Tom was obviously uncomfortable.

"Humph! I still don't see why I have to get rigged up in this monkey suit," he grumbled, his face like a thunder cloud.

"You have to wear it because this is a formal engagement party. And you may as well get used to wearing it because in the future you'll probably be attending quite a few affairs like this."

Tom's scowl deepened. "The devil you say! I'll be doing no such thing!" he denied vehemently.

"Oh, yes, you will." Katy's voice was calm and placid, as though she were soothing a fractious child. She straightened the loops on the black bow tie and patted it into place, then looked up at her father and smiled. "You were the one who was so anxious for me to marry Trace. Didn't you realize that as his father-in-law you will be expected to attend any social functions we may have in the future?" Eyes twinkling, she reached up and patted his cheek. "Anyway, I know you'll want to come, if for no other reason than to give me moral support—which I shall probably need in large quantity."

Tom's expression altered quickly, concern darkening the gray eyes that searched her face. His hands came up to grasp her shoulders as his brows drew together in an anxious frown. "Katy darlin', you're not marrying Trace for my sake, are you? Because if that's all it is, I won't have it. You're not a sacrificial lamb, my girl. You're my daughter and I want your happiness above all things. I won't deny that I think this marriage is the best thing that could happen to you. But if it isn't going to make you happy, I'll admit to being an interfering old fool and go see Trace right now and call the whole thing off."

The smile faded from Katy's face and her eyes grew distant as she chewed worriedly on her bottom lip. It was a temptation. Her father could go to him and put a stop to the arrangement immediately. Then she could return to the safe, calm life she had led before his return. Couldn't she?

But even as she asked herself the question Katy knew deep down inside that it simply wasn't that easy. She was bound to Trace now in some strange, indefinable way that had nothing to do with concern for her father or even a longing for security. Her mind shied away from examining her feelings too closely, but she knew that her future lay with Trace. It was as though on that day at the graveside, almost two months ago, when she had looked up and met his eyes, the thread of her life had become inextricably woven with his.

"Answer me, Katy. Why did you agree to this marriage?"

Her father's concerned voice brought her out of her

thoughts. She shook her head and gave him a wan smile. "I—I honestly don't know. At first I told myself I was doing it for you, so that your future would be secure, and because it would make you happy. But now, I'm not sure. I'm just . . . not sure."

Tom lifted one hand and cupped her cheek. A gentle smile replaced the tense anxiety in his face. "Don't worry about it, darlin'. Just follow your instincts. You won't go wrong."

He kissed her on the forehead, then turned her around and gave her a little push. "Now then, go get your things, girl, and let's be going. Trace wanted us there half an hour ago. He's going to think you got cold feet at the last minute."

In her room Katy deliberately took her time, unnecessarily recombing her hair and checking her appearance for perhaps the tenth time. She had no intention of arriving at the big house any earlier than she absolutely had to. The less she had to endure of Saundra's company the better.

The woman was impossible! On the surface, at least in front of Trace, she had been the soul of politeness and congeniality, seeming to accept the engagement with good grace, if not enthusiasm. But whenever Trace was not around Saundra's tongue dripped pure poison. She needled Katy constantly with malicious little remarks about her lack of sophistication and her modest family background, hinting that she was only kidding herself if she actually believed the marriage would take place. Saundra seemed confident that Trace would call the whole thing off before the wedding day arrived. Since that was only three weeks away, it seemed unlikely, but still, the malicious little innuendos were getting under Katy's skin.

Katy had not mentioned the matter to Trace. She had wanted to, several times, but whenever she worked up the courage to discuss the situation she was suddenly besieged with tormenting doubts and questions. What if they really were having an affair, as Saundra had implied on several occasions? What if he had no intention of cutting his stepmother out of his life after they were married? As far as she knew, during the three weeks since they had become engaged, he had done nothing toward persuading Saundra to move out of the house. And the woman certainly acted as though she were a permanent fixture.

It was a situation that could not be allowed to continue. Sometime between now and the wedding Katy knew she was going to have to talk to Trace and settle the matter, once and for all. She could not . . . she would not share either a husband or a house with Saundra Barnett!

When they pulled up in front of the big house Trace was waiting for them, nervously pacing the front veranda like a caged lion. Before Katy could locate the handle and open the door, he was beside the truck.

"What took you so long, darling?" he asked anxiously, as he helped her out. "I was beginning to get concerned."

Katy opened her mouth to answer but the words stuck in her throat when she saw the uncertainty in Trace's eyes. He looked terribly worried. Frightened almost. For the first time she realized that he was very vulnerable where she was concerned, and the knowledge made her heart contract with a strangely pleasurable pain. Did he really love her? Until now she hadn't put much stock in his avowal, but his attitude seemed to confirm it. It was a heady thought, and for a moment she could only stare at him, her pulse throbbing wildly in her throat.

The lines of strain slowly eased from Trace's face as he drank in the sight of her. A small flame leaped in the hazel depths when his eyes met hers and clung.

"Well, my boy, I'm sorry we're so late," Tom said, breaking into the strange spell that locked them together. "But you know how it is when women get to primping. I hope none of the guests have arrived yet."

"No, not yet. But they should start arriving any time now." Holding both of Katy's hands, Trace stepped back and let his warm gaze roam over her from head to toe, then back again. "And I must say, your daughter is well worth waiting for."

A warm blush flooded Katy's cheeks when she met that intent, possessive stare. Blatant, male appreciation written in every line of his ruggedly handsome face, Trace repeated his inspection, slower this time.

Her chiffon dress was a pale powder blue at the top, where the simple draped bodice, supported by two thin straps, lovingly clung to her breasts and waist. From there the flared, floating skirt gradually deepened in color, reaching a dark midnight blue where it swirled like a delicate cloud around her ankles. It was an utterly simple, devastatingly feminine dress that gave her skin a pearly cast and brought out the color of her eyes.

It was part of the new wardrobe Trace had insisted upon buying for her. It seemed to Katy that she had bought more clothes in the past three weeks than she had in her entire adult life. With Jane's help, she had scoured all of the Tyler dress shops and a good many in Dallas as well. She had been hesitant about accepting his offer, but now, seeing the look in his eyes, Katy was glad she had. In any case, she knew that, as mistress of Green Meadows, she would need presentable clothes, and her father certainly couldn't afford to pay for such an elegant trousseau,

Smiling, Trace placed his hand lightly on the back of her waist and urged her toward the house. "Come inside. If we hurry, I'll just have time to give you your engagement present before our guests start arriving."

"Another present? Trace, you shouldn't have done that. You've given me so much already."

Her protests fell on deaf ears. Inside the house, Trace ushered her into his study and closed the door behind them. While she stood uncertainly in the middle of the floor he went to his desk, unlocked it and removed a square, flat box from the top drawer.

"I hope you like it," he said softly, as he placed it in her trembling hands. "When I saw it, I thought of you."

Katy lifted the lid and gasped. "Oh, Trace. It's beautiful."

In the velvet-lined box lay a necklace of brilliant sapphires and diamonds. In the finely wrought setting they resembled a chain of exquisite flowers, each vivid blue stone surrounded by a circle of diamonds and nestled in a bed of platinum leaves. The clusters were connected by an entwined strand that resembled a delicate, trailing vine.

"Here, let me put it on for you," he offered, as she continued to gape at the sparkling necklace.

Katy obediently turned around, and as the cool stones settled against her skin, she tilted her head forward and pulled the long fall of hair over her shoulder, exposing the nape of her neck. The feel of his warm fingers brushing against her flesh made Katy shiver.

Trace guided her to the wall mirror and stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. His eyes met hers in the mirror. "Do you like it, Katy?"

"Oh, Trace. How could anyone not like it? It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"Does it deserve a kiss?"

She stared at his reflection, her heart pounding against her chest. During the past three weeks he had made no attempt to kiss her, other than brushing his lips across her forehead when he told her good night. He had touched her often, his hand cupping her elbow, or lightly pressing against the small of her back when they walked together, or sometimes just holding hers, but never in any way that frightened her or made her unduly nervous. But now he wanted to kiss her. Though she didn't find the idea totally repugnant, Katy wasn't sure she wanted their current, easy relationship to change.

Seeing the indecision in her eyes, Trace took it for refusal. "Forget it, Katy," he said with soft regret. "I didn't mean to press you."

Strangely, his quick retraction made up her mind for her, and, turning around, she placed her hand on his arm. "No, Trace, I—I didn't ... I mean ... if you want to kiss me, you may," she offered hesitantly.

"Are you sure?"

She wasn't. She wasn't sure at all. But it was too late to back out now. Swallowing her fear, she nodded.

Very gently, very cautiously, Trace slipped an arm around her waist and drew her close. His other hand came up under her chin and cupped her jaw, tilting her head up. An incredibly tender light glittered in the deep-set hazel eyes as they roamed over her face, touching on each delicate feature like a caress.

Trembling within that gentle, possessive embrace, Katy was acutely aware of the warmth of his body against hers, that clean, masculine scent she had come to associate with Trace alone, and the heavy throb of his heart beneath her hand. Her own heart was racing so fast she thought for a moment she was going to faint. But then, as his head began a slow, purposeful descent. Trace whispered, "I love you, Katy," and her eyes fluttered shut.

The kiss was soft, and infinitely gentle. His lips caressed hers with a tender passion that was rigidly controlled, tasting and exploring their trembling softness almost reverently. Katy was shaking, but she knew it was not altogether from fear. An almost unbearable excitement tingled through her like an electric current.

Trace made no effort to deepen the kiss and, after a moment, drew slowly away and smiled down into her face.

"Did you find that too unbearable?" he asked huskily.

"No." The surprise in her voice was plain, even to her own ears, and Trace's smile widened.

"Good. That's an encouraging sign."

Frowning, Katy opened her mouth to speak, but at that moment there was a sharp rap on the door, then it was thrust open and Saundra stepped inside.

Her expression grew hard when she spied the embracing couple. It grew even harder when her eyes lit on the necklace encircling Katy's throat. "For heaven's sake, Trace! This is hardly the time for kiss and cuddle," she snapped, and Katy felt her face crimson. "The first carload of guests has just driven up. I hope you don't expect me to entertain them alone."

The next half hour was spent greeting the steady stream of guests. Katy stood at Trace's side, a stiff, polite smile pasted on her face as she was introduced to one stranger after another. It wasn't long until the house was overflowing.

It seemed that all of Trace's relatives, no matter how distant, had come to take a look at the woman he had chosen. Katy squirmed under their intent scrutiny. Her stomach was fluttering with nerves. In addition to his family, he had also invited all his friends and business acquaintances. The only people Katy knew were Jane and Frank, and the other farm workers and their families.

Saundra had been livid over the inclusion of the workers, but Katy had very quietly and firmly insisted that they be invited, and in the end she had won. She and her father had no relatives in the United States. Except for the Cawleys, the other workers and their families were her only friends, and she was determined that they should attend the party. All Saundra's protests had fallen on deaf ears, and her appeal to Trace had met with equal failure. He had backed Katy to the hilt.

During the entire evening Trace remained close to Katy's side, his arm curved possessively around her waist, or draped over her shoulders as they circulated among the guests. Katy met so many new people that she was positive she would never keep the names straight and after a while even stopped trying. She was acutely aware of the many covert glances they received and could not help but wonder if they looked like a happily engaged couple. Trace certainly appeared happy, but Katy was very much afraid her own apprehension was plain for everyone to see.

The formal announcement of their engagement was made around ten o'clock. Katy suffered deep embarrassment at being the cynosure of every pair of eyes in the room, but at least when it was over she felt that the worst was behind her, and her nervous tension began to ease somewhat.

After the toasts were made and the good wishes were received, Trace maneuvered them through the crowd to join the Cawleys and Katy's father, standing a little to one side by the open French doors that led onto the patio.

"Katy, dearest, you look absolutely gorgeous tonight," Jane said, smiling up at her when they joined the group. "And I must say, you've handled this whole affair quite well. Before you know it, parties like this will be old hat to you."