Chapter 10
The renowned, elegant Black Swan Hotel located in the downtown business district of Jefferson served as a local meeting place for the wealthy and influential citizens of the bustling town while they conveniently dined in her luxurious and austere accommodations. This chilly autumn night, members of the newcomers albeit upstanding Hockley family were gathered around a private table making tentative plans for expanding their thoroughbred farm and discussing Robert’s imminent departure for Washington D.C. Although the talk of buying and breeding horses held Richard’s attention to a small degree, the intermittent conversation pertaining to politics was about to put him to sleep . And he had to smirk as his slightly younger brother held on to every word when it delved into President Grant’s current foreign policies and diplomacy. Richard’s mind kept wondering of its own volition to another more interesting and titillating subject that held an irritating preoccupation for him ever since he had arrived in east Texas…Miss Sarah Dalton.
As if his private musings had magically summoned her to his lair, in the next instant, Captain Jack Dalton, his wife, Rose, along with their two eldest offspring, Sarah and Rafe unexpectedly entered the intimate candle-lit dining area for supper. Consequently, Richard’s glistening eyes lit up like a hot blue flame as they boldly slid from the top of Sarah’s upswept hair to her tiny booted feet in one long drawn out visual caress.
A dainty ivory lace evening gown tailored to fit as snug as a second skin adorned her voluptuous body. Yet, Richard didn’t have to wonder if her waist was indeed that small or if it was purely the cosmetics of a corset. Sarah strutted her stuff like a proud peacock into the room on the arm of her tall, dark handsome brother like a woman that knew what she was about. The various patrons’ attentions were immediately drawn to the family as they stopped first at one table and then another to greet their friends and neighbors. As Richard stared in appreciation, he noticed how the irresistible woman that filled his dreams at the moment, wreaked of vivaciousness and yet boredom with her surroundings at the same time. She carried herself in a seductive stroll that seemed to blatantly tease the male population in the room…and he uncomfortably found himself harboring an emotion he had never felt before...outright jealousy. The expression on her porcelain perfect face held a sort of mystery about it…as if she knew a secret and the slightest of smiles curved her coral-colored full lips as she gaily laughed and chatted with her obvious many fans. A perpetual flirt…Richard unfairly discerned as he clamped his jaw shut in agitation.
At that point, Ben Hockley suddenly exclaimed to his wife, Anne, and their two sons,
“Look whose here…it’s the Daltons.” Before anyone could react one way or another, he wolfishly added with a deep sigh,
“And that Sarah…she’s indeed a sinful-looking treasure. Have you ever noticed, Anne, how she moves with that saucy little priss of hers? Drives a man crazy for the want of her!” As he impulsively said what he was thinking out loud, he sheepishly shot his affronted wife a sober, apologetic grin before slightly shrugging, “Forgive me, darling, I believe I just inadvertently stuck my foot in my mouth. I just can’t help but envy yet pity the man that falls in love with that girl, that’s all.”
“Benjamin Hockley! You old goat, you’re being so unfair! Sarah is just a very special innocent young lady that has no idea how she affects the gentlemen. It’s no fault of hers that she’s what every man wants and what every woman wants to be. The Dalton women are gifted with beauty and sex appeal… just overly blessed in the gene pool…and if a genuine gentleman can’t keep his thoughts pure and chaste while ogling the angel like a lecher, then shame on him!” Anne playfully admonished as her admiring eyes secretly perused the young girl that currently held every man’s attention in the dimly lit dining hall.
“Yeah…right…she has no idea what she does to a man.” Robbie derisively snorted as he shot Richard a conspiring look that spoke volumes. “But Daddy, has Richard here told you that he’s interested in courting Sarah?”
Ben’s eyes widened before he grinned at a slightly taken aback Richard.
“Is this true, son? Well, let’s invite them over as our guests…extend a little helping hand in that direction, shall we? But beware, Richard, and be careful what you wish for…because you just might be lucky enough to get it!” Ben slapped his son on the back as Richard stubbornly held his tongue while simultaneously wanting to throttle his twin. And before he could object or deny the notion, Ben stood up to get Jack’s attention, then invited the family to join them.
Richard’s body was already tingling from the tip of his head to the toes of his feet. And as the Dalton clan made their way across the room to the Hockley table, the air locked tight in his chest. No matter how hard he tried to avert his hungry eyes elsewhere, they seemed to be magnetically drawn to the woman and he remarkably noticed he was not alone in that endeavor…For Sarah’s dancing eyes were glued to him with an impish gleam that impaled him, holding him as a virtual prisoner. And Richard had to deeply sigh to catch his breath at the captivating beauty that was becoming paranormally suffocating.
As cordial salutations were extended around the table, Sarah played the role of a proper genteel southern belle to perfection. But she wasn’t fooling Richard…nor Robert for that matter. A curt nod was all that was afforded either Hockley gent by the girl whose own heart was sighing at the impromptu occasion to socialize with the man that had stolen her innocence and… her soul.
Light-hearted banter rumbled around the table as Sarah somehow managed to keep her composure and hide the trembling in her hands as she drank white wine from an etched crystal goblet. Somewhat pleased with herself for not spilling even a drop, she found herself existing in a dream or something…mesmerized by the close contact of the man sitting directly across the table from her…surreptitiously affording her a special glimpse at every stolen opportunity. Although direct remarks had not been directed at one another…both could feel the sexual tension that gripped the other…the secret language of clandestine lovers.
“Richard, when can you start that art project we discussed a few weeks back?” Jack suddenly hinted during a lull in conversation.
“Anytime, Sir.” Richard replied, praying inwardly that the sooner he slacked his carnal desires for Sarah, the better off he’d be…both physically and emotionally. He had to get her out of his system and the only way he knew how to do that…was to get the show on the road so to speak. It was past time…he hated sitting around moping and yearning for a mere girl like a lovesick pup. He needed to tire of her as soon as possible and then he could move on…to what he wasn’t quite sure. But nevertheless, that golden opportunity was being placed right in his lap at the prospect of capturing his obsession on canvas…time to seize the day and make the most of it. As Richard lifted his wineglass and drank, the amber liquid swirled around his tongue…and he could taste her. His senses were heightened to such a sharp degree, every breath she took, he felt it. Her womanly scent flooded and teased his nostrils, and he flushed slightly at the primal instinctive comparison he made to himself. Like a stud in rut sniffing out a mare in heat.
“But Pappa, I don’t have a thing to wear.” Sarah purred in that southern accent that tripped Richard’s trigger, at the mention of sitting for the portrait that she obviously was being forced to endure in order to pay off her gambling debts. Of course, she knew Richard’s true intention was to paint her in the nude, and her comment was aimed solely as a private taunt towards him.
“Sarah,” Jack rolled his glittering blue eyes, “I’m sure you can scrounge you something appropriate; you always seem to manage it.” Jack then laughed at the ridiculous comment knowing full well that his daughter never wore the same thing twice in her abundant and fashionable wardrobe.
“Wear anything you like, Miss Dalton. It doesn’t matter in the least. Clothes are irrelevant for they’re not what makes the subject intriguing…it’s all in the…eyes.” Richard misleadingly breathed as he looked directly into Sarah’s masked visage. Of course, she caught his undistorted meaning and a flush suffused her cheeks before she hastily glanced askance at her brother who thankfully spoke up at that particular moment.
“Richard, the next time you come to Rosedale, Will and I would enjoy taking you fishing on the bayou…we catch some real whoppers down there and maybe we can snag an alligator or two.” Rafe amicably invited.
“Thank you, Rafe, you can bet on it, and soon…and perhaps Captain Dalton can join us, too.” Richard eagerly accepted.
“Well if you want to catch fish, you’d better take Sarah along.” Jack bragged, “For she’s the one that always manages to bring home the longest stringer.”
Although a bit shame-faced, Rafe had to agree; however, Rose interjected at this point.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for a young lady to be traipsing across the countryside indulging in masculine sports, darling.”
“Since when, Mamma?” Rafe surprisingly rebuked. “Sarah has always been the instigator of our fishing trips and it’s never been a problem before… and you know it.”
“Now, Rafe, your Mamma didn’t mean it like that. You and Will are Sarah’s brothers, but I’m sure allowances can be made in this instance. Can’t they, mia?” Jack was slightly puzzled at his wife’s hesitation but then, he knew that their daughter was now growing up and perhaps social conventions had to intervene at some time…and he supposed it was well past that time. Still, Rose had been so quick to point that out…well, it just wasn’t like her.
As dinner progressed, a date was set for the next week for the beginnings of Sarah’s sittings for Richard. Shortly however, she made her excuse to powder her nose and coincidentally, it wasn’t long before Richard did the same. Standing in front of the lady’s vanity patting her hair into place, suddenly the door swung open and Richard audaciously swaggered inside.
“You have your nerve, sir…to enter a lady’s powder room unannounced,” Sarah scathingly scolded.
Not one word was uttered as Richard pointedly turned the lock and moved within a few inches from the object of his desire before reaching up and clutching her chin to tilt it back so that her wide fathomless eyes were forced to meet his.
“Yes, I have plenty of nerve, Sarah…as do you. So don’t act so affronted…you wanted this…that’s why you excused yourself in the first place.” Richard rasped in a throaty murmur.
“This is crazy!” Sarah exclaimed as she trembled in nervousness.
“You bet it is…that’s what makes it so damn exciting!” Richard huskily breathed before he suddenly jerked her to his chest and plundered her lips in a deep savage kiss…a kiss that stole both their breaths away…a kiss that promised more…a kiss that instantly became passionate…desirous…one that caused faintness…lightheadedness…and a blood rush through bodies that couldn’t be controlled.
“The last two weeks have been sheer torture, Sarah. I can’t and won’t wait that long again to have you.” Richard heatedly warned, as his hot breath whispered across her lips.
“Richard, I’m not a whore you can command to your bed whenever you get the urge! There are social customs here in the South that a gentleman must adhere to in order to court a lady.” Sarah admonished as she stared at the lips that promised to be her undoing.
“As I said before, Sarah. You’re no lady and I’m certainly no gentleman. We’re two of a kind and are well aware of what we want…so we take it…whenever we require it…however much we need it.”
“So you think you really know me, Richard Hockley? The real me?” Sarah exasperatedly scoffed as her heart throbbed in pain.
“The only part that really matters…the part that I want to repeatedly indulge in…and I intend to thoroughly get to know that side of you again, yet much better…and soon.” He roguishly threatened then ferociously kissed her again until her hands helplessly came up around his neck to pull him closer. Tearing her mouth from the kiss while gasping for a normal breath, Sarah’s fingers came up to cover her throbbing lips.
“And what of affection or respect, Richard?” Sarah pointedly asked as her heart swelled nigh to bursting at his close proximity, innocently dreading the answer to her question.
“I have plenty of affection for what you do to me, Sarah, As for respect, you will be treated with the utmost regard for your safety….and peace of mind. No accidents, no slip-ups, for I’ll never make you do anything you don’t want to. So you see…no problem.”
Before she could decipher his disappointing explanation, he abruptly plundered her lips once again, but this time, his strong hands feverishly groped at her female anatomy until she melted into him…grabbing her about the waist he lifted her till she was seated on the marble-top vanity while never breaking the kiss. His fingers ran through her honey blonde tresses at her neck as the other hand reached under her dress and slid up her silken legs to adamantly part them. Skillfully, his fingers tried to gain access into her moist crevice, but the satin briefs stubbornly thwarted his efforts. Impatient, Richard unconcernedly tore them asunder, sighing in triumph as he was rewarded to the feminine entrance he desperately desired. Groaning in her ear, he huskily panted,
“God, you feel so hot and wet, baby…you’re so fucking ready for me, aren’t you?”
Suddenly, without warning, a loud knock pounded on the ladies room’s door.
“Sarah, are you in there?” Rose anxiously called out.
Jerking back from the mind-searing kiss and the shameful reality of what she had almost allowed him to do in a public place of all things, Sarah cleared her throat before nervously stammering,
“Yes, Mamma…I’m coming.”
Whispering a hot breath in her ear, Richard sexily teased,
“And I promise you will, baby…every time we’re together…at least once, if not more.” In the next instant, Richard slipped behind a stall in case the intruder decided to come in. Reluctantly, Sarah hastily rearranged her dress, then unlocked the door, while trying to calm her jumbled nerves before rejoining the others in the dining hall.
The rest of the evening was strained on Sarah’s part…confusion intertwined with the anticipation of being with Richard again…but alarmingly disheartened by his bold bewitching mannerisms, for where was the flattery; the flowery words of a sincere man in pursuit of love? And she had to scoff at her foolish romantic dreams…for Richard was obviously just a lecherous scoundrel on the prowl whose libido was stuck on overdrive…and she ashamedly found herself weak when it came to the rake-hell…unable and unwilling to reject his heated advances…she wanted him although she warned herself that she mustn’t ever need him…unfortunately though, she wholeheartedly desired him while hopelessly falling in love with a man whose lust was most likely the only thing he felt for her. And for that reason, her heart wanted to cry.
Richard bit the inside of his mouth, as he uncannily sensed that Sarah was upset for some reason he could not begin to fathom. For he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her. But dammit to hell, why did most women always have to read more into the act of making love than what it was? Regrettably, for a minute second, he wished he had never taken her…had never tasted the forbidden fruit. But then…no, he was being ridiculous…he’d never regret having that body…experiencing that little bit of heaven on earth as long as it lasted! Yet, perplexity blended with exasperation…for Sarah was no innocent in the bedroom no matter how hard she pretended to be. Why was she making more out of this attraction that they had for each other than what it should be…physical love was nothing to be ashamed of and she of all people, damn well knew it! Making it count in one’s free-willed youth before settling down with that special soul-mate that destiny ordained for a lifetime…there was no wrong it that! Besides, sex before marriage was an unwritten fact of life in all civilizations since the beginning of time! Oh, he begrudgingly admitted that he wasn’t completely adamant about staying a bachelor for the remainder of this life. It was just that he was in the prime of his manhood and he wanted to experience all the adventures that life had to offer before he had a wife and family. As he glanced askance at Sarah once more, Richard suddenly blanched as pale as cotton.
Choking back the tears that burned her eyelids, Sarah stubbornly refused to look at him. As she answered questions directed her way, it was obvious her answers were forced as a pasted on smile marred her forlorn face. She looked like a woman that had just been viciously raped against her will or something! And he shockingly realized with a lump in his throat, that he desperately wanted to sooth the hurt away that he had somehow caused her right then and there, regardless of any scandals it might cause…for truthfully, the beseeching Sarah Dalton was getting under his skin no matter how hard he tried to deny it to himself…despite the warnings of his brother and father. In his next ragged breath, miraculously, Richard’s heart dropped to his feet in one great crashing crescendo. Damn, women and their silly girlish wiles…and damn him for letting Sarah get to him! Why did great sex with this beautiful girl have to be so damn complicated? Why not just find another attractive female to tumble when the urge struck? Was Sarah even worth the thought and trouble for the sake of a good time? Before his warring mind even asked the question…his conscience knew the answer. Picking up a fresh glass of wine, Richard lifted it up in a silent toast before chug-a-lugging every drop…”What the fuck…I’m going for it and making it count while we have the chance! So bring it on, Sarah…infatuation, lust…I promise you the best of both while it lasts…and to hell with the consequences!”