Heart's Delight Read online

  Quinn drew in a deep breath. “The most important thing for me is to be with you. I don’t care where I live or what I do. I must say I would have liked to learn more about this world, but the thought of letting my father know I succeeded would be very sweet.”

  “We’ll go visit him in Devonshire,” she said. “We’ll show him what you’ve done in the Colonies.”

  “Hey, we haven’t traveled back yet.”

  “Oh, we will. I know we will. It’s the reason all this happened.”

  * * * * *

  Three days later her house was clean, all the garbage hauled away. Elaine had avoided Jim for the last few days, merely exchanging pleasantries. They still stood guard in the stable every night and she longed to sleep with Quinn again, to feel his body beside her during the darkness, to breathe in his warm scent, to caress him. They snatched an embrace and a kiss whenever they could, but both were on edge as they watched for any danger to themselves or the horses. The boarded gelding was removed to another stable, leaving just Star and her foal. Elaine hesitated to borrow Jim’s horse trailer again to move them, but decided it was better to act as if they had no suspicions.

  She used the trailer and even thanked him profusely for his hospitality.

  She breathed a huge sigh of relief as they pulled away. The horses would use the three-sided shelters in the paddock until the sales were complete. She already had received calls from prospective buyers.

  There was some furniture left in the house, but the bed had been beyond repair. She bought a blow-up mattress and sleeping bags, which they laid on the floor. Quinn 129

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  seemed to accept everything as a matter of course and busied himself around the property.

  The agreement with Denman was signed and they fixed a closing date two weeks ahead. The vacating date was the last day of the next full moon.

  That evening she stood in the kitchen to mark the dates on the calendar tacked to the wall. It was now full summer and both she and Quinn wore shorts. Her skin tingled from the exposure to the sun and moisture beaded on her lip. Her hair clung damply to her neck. She reached into the refrigerator for iced water and put the bottle to her lips.

  Quinn’s footsteps sounded on the porch steps and then he was behind her, so close the heat of his body added to hers. Without turning, she swayed back a few inches, nestling against his naked chest. He put his arms around her, pulling her against him, then bent his head to shower tiny kisses down the column of her neck. She shivered.

  “Cold?”

  “No. At the risk of repeating myself, you do it to me every time.”

  She leaned back against him, reveling in the feel of his thighs against the back of her legs.

  She pointed to the date she had just entered in red pencil. “The last day of the full moon,” she said. “But we can start trying to go through as soon as it’s full. That way we’ll have three or four shots at it.”

  His hands found the gap between her shorts and the skimpy tank top and inched up to her breasts. Since they had moved back to her property she had dispensed with wearing a bra. She enjoyed the friction of the cotton on her naked flesh, loved the way Quinn’s eyes followed the swell of her breasts under the thin fabric, loved letting him see the outline of her nipples.

  Under her shorts she wore a scanty thong. As she’d suspected, there had been one in the package Maggie had given her and she’d bought more.

  Quinn left one hand cupping her breast and slid his hand down inside her shorts, giving a grunt of satisfaction when his fingers met the damp piece of cloth that barely covered her mound.

  “Do you remember the first time in this kitchen?” he murmured in her ear.

  More cream oozed from between her thighs. “I’ll never forget.”

  He squeezed her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, then released her breast.

  He took the water bottle from her, lifted it to his lips and drank. Holding the bottle, still tipped, he let the icy drops fall on the cotton covering her breasts.

  The cold made her gasp and her nipples pucker. He put down the water bottle and tugged her shirt up over her head. Then, seizing the bottle again, he dribbled more drops onto her naked breast.

  A drop of water hung on the end of her nipple and he bent lower to catch it on the tip of his tongue, brushing her flesh with a feather touch. His other hand moved between her legs, caressing the tiny spot that sent shock waves through her.

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  She could stand it no longer. “This is going to be a repeat performance,” she groaned and thrust her shorts down her legs. They fell in a heap on the floor and she kicked them away. Quinn knelt and turned her to face him, easing the thong from her hips, letting it join the other discarded clothing.

  “I want you to take that with you,” he murmured. “You’ll wear it for me under the skirts you’ll have to adopt. Only I will know.”

  He kissed her where her thighs joined her belly and slid his hands up her legs until his thumbs rested on the patch of curls. “Take the toys too.”

  As he spoke he wriggled his thumbs between her legs to grasp her clit. He began a slow, rhythmic massage of the tiny nub, making her cry out.

  “That’s what I like to hear.” His voice was low and deep, rough with desire.

  “Where do you want it?”

  “Do me right here, right now,” she gasped. “I can’t wait.”

  He stood in a swift movement and caught her up in his arms and sat her on the kitchen counter.

  “Wait ten seconds.” He ripped off his shorts and flung them on the other discarded clothing. The work outdoors had deepened his tan and honed his muscles. Elaine feasted her eyes on his biceps as they rippled with each movement. His chest muscles moved smoothly under his skin. She put out a hand to touch him and stroked down to his jutting cock, sheathing it between her curved fingers.

  He kept his eyes on her hand as she moved it up and down. He parted her legs.

  “Put it in when you’re ready,” he whispered. “It’s yours.” His lips came down hard on hers and she felt the electricity snake from her mouth to her belly to join the fire between her legs.

  Still holding his cock, she pulled him tight against her and spread her thighs. His tongue flickered into her mouth and she opened it wider as he stroked the sensitive skin inside her cheek.

  She guided him into her and his arms went around her back, imprisoning her against his hard body. She twined her legs around his waist. He thrust once, twice, and with a cry they climaxed together.

  The days sped by, moving to the first night of the full moon.

  They both worked from dawn to dusk, Elaine driving often into town to complete all the paperwork and Quinn caring for the animals and preparing the place for buyers.

  Elaine let it be known that she was moving away and that everything was for sale.

  Everything except an antique mirror.

  At night they fell into bed exhausted. Their lovemaking took on a new aspect. The frenzy of the first days gave way to a slow, burning desire that they welcomed every night. Quinn’s kisses were deep and sweet, his hands on her tired body soothing and inflaming at the same time. Her weariness could never win over the need she felt for 131

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  him and she spread her arms and legs wide, then locked him tight against her chest and belly as he slid his hard cock into her. She held him tight to her, feeling the rhythm of his breathing deepen and quicken as he drove her to climax.

  Afterward, they lay in each other’s arms and slept until first light.

  Every morning when she woke, the first sight that met her eyes was Quinn’s face next to her, the first sensation that of his leg, warm and heavy over hers, the first sounds his deep breathing.

  From time to time she went into the bare living room and gazed into the mirror, its cracked glass a mute reminder of the miracle that had happened.

  The check came through from the insurance c
ompany and the next day Denman presented her with the final payment for the whole property.

  “Where will you go?” he asked.

  Elaine shrugged. “We’re not sure yet. We’ll find something that will suit us both.”

  “What will you do with your horses?”

  “The gelding left before we came back. I’m looking for a home for Star and Diamond.”

  “I understand the foal had a good stud.”

  “Yes, my grandfather was able to negotiate an excellent deal. He should be a first-class jumper.”

  “Have you set a price?”

  “I have something in mind.”

  Denman reached for paper and a pen in a metal stand on his desk. “I have a daughter who loves to ride,” he said, writing something. “She wants her own horse.

  Tell me if this is in your ballpark.”

  He pushed the paper over to her and she read the scrawled figures. It was more than she had thought possible. “Mr. Denman—”

  “We’ll take excellent care of them,” he said. “And you could even come to visit if you’re ever this way again.”

  “You’re very generous…” she began.

  He interrupted her, leaning back in his leather chair. “I have to say I admire you, Ms. Christie. Once you make up your mind you pursue what you want without flinching. You fought for your property and then you weighed all the pros and cons and made a different decision. It benefited me, but I know you’ll succeed wherever you decide to go. And that young man of yours—” He paused, searching for words. “You just seem to be a good fit, that’s all.”

  Elaine rose to her feet. “Thank you, Mr. Denman,” she said, putting out her hand. “I had nothing good to say about you at first, but I think I was wrong. I’m glad you feel as I do about safeguarding the beauty of the property. I know it will do well.”

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  Denman took her hand. “Thank you. Let me know when you’re ready to send me the horses. I’ll send someone over.”

  It only remained to complete the purchase of the gold and have Maggie meet Quinn as she’d promised.

  * * * * *

  The day Star and Diamond left symbolized the end of Elaine’s life in the modern world. She laid her cheek on the mare’s neck and let her tears flow. “Be happy, Star,”

  she whispered. “I’ll never forget you.”

  Quinn put an arm across her shoulders as Denman and his daughter led the mare and the foal into the horse trailer. Elaine wiped her eyes with the tail of her shirt and waved goodbye.

  Just as tough was saying goodbye to her friend, Maggie. They arranged to meet for dinner in town. As usual, Maggie was late.

  Quinn touched the back of Elaine’s fingers. “This will be hard for you.”

  She nodded. “But I have to do it. We owe her a lot. She brought all the toys, remember.”

  The door to the restaurant flew open and she steeled her nerves for the inevitable.

  Maggie arrived like a whirlwind and the first thing she did was wave her hand under Elaine’s nose. “Me too,” she said. A diamond ring flashed on her third finger.

  Elaine sprang to her feet and hugged her friend. “I’m so happy for you.” Quinn rose to his feet and gave Maggie his hand and a little bow. “Quinn Lockyer,” he murmured.

  Maggie’s eyes grew round and a faint flush stained her cheeks. “Oh my!” she said and sank into the chair Quinn held for her.

  During dinner Quinn displayed all his elegant manners and captivating smile to charm Maggie into an unquestioning admirer. Maggie’s own happiness made her a little less intent on asking probing questions about what they planned to do and where they would live that would have been hard to answer.

  After the meal the two women embraced on the pavement outside. “Stay in touch,”

  Maggie said.

  “I’ll try.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. And if they didn’t go through the glass she would be only too happy to keep up with such a dear friend. “Love to Jake.”

  With a lump in her throat she watched Maggie start her car and drive away.

  Quinn put his arm around her waist. “It’s just the two of us now.”

  From that point on she considered herself Quinn’s wife and committed to returning more than a hundred years in the past. She borrowed books from the library and searched on the Internet for as much information as she could. She knew what clothes 133

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  she would be expected to wear—with the exception of certain undergarments, of course—and what food she would eat. She checked on the current events of the time in the British Columbia Archives and knew what political issues preoccupied the citizens of Victoria. She also made a list of companies that did well as the nineteenth century turned into the twentieth. She and Quinn, and any children they might have, would be secure.

  Every evening before she and Quinn went to bed, they stood outside in the gathering dusk and watched the moon. Every evening it rose a little fuller, the dark bite from its face growing smaller.

  On the last day she set out a long robe and packed a small hold-all with things she wanted to take with her. She placed the bag in front of the mirror like a sacrificial offering.

  When the moon had risen, sending rays of silver into the room, they stood hand in hand in front of the mirror. The broken glass glinted in the moonlight. Elaine wore her old robe, the one Quinn had first seen her in, hoping that it would not be too unlike the housedresses of the time. Quinn had put on his own clothes. She slung the handles of her bag over one arm and clutched one of the candlesticks in the same hand. Quinn held the other. She felt a faint tingle against her palm.

  “Do you feel anything?” she asked.

  “The candlestick is warm. I felt that when I went through before.”

  “A good omen.”

  She turned her head to give a last look around the empty room, then turned to smile at Quinn. Her heart thudded in her throat and she felt slightly out of breath.

  “Don’t let go of me,” she said.

  His fingers tightened on hers. “I’ll never let you go. Are you ready?”

  “Ready.”

  “Once we’re up, keep moving.”

  They climbed the folding steps they had placed in front of the fireplace and from there stepped onto the mantelpiece. Quinn continued the movement, drawing her with him through the frame and the shards of glass.

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  Epilogue

  In November, the new Lockyer livery stables were the talk of the town, built with all the modern ideas for caring for horses, although some in Victoria predicted disaster by spring because of the high costs of the construction and fittings. But the prime minister had decided to stable some of his horses there and that was the seal of approval. The Colonist newspaper had run an article.

  Just before the official opening Quinn burst into their bedroom after she had taken her bath. He enfolded her in his arms and buried his face in her neck.

  “God, you smell good,” he said, his voice muffled. “I’ve got something to show you. Come with me.”

  “I’m not dressed.”

  He gathered a dress from a heap on the floor. “Put this on. Don’t bother with anything underneath.” He waggled his eyebrows at her in a way that always made her laugh.

  She scrambled into her clothes, still longing for jeans and T-shirts, and thrust her feet into her shoes.

  “Come on, come on.” Quinn grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door. She picked up a shawl in passing and clattered down the stairs after him.

  A carriage stood at the door and Quinn bundled her inside.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Not far.”

  They took the familiar road to the livery stable and pulled up in front of the wide doorway.

  Without a word Quinn led her to one of the stalls in the nearly finished building.

  With a gasp of delight, Elaine saw a pretty mare with a white blaz
e on her forehead.

  She clapped her hands over her mouth and looked at Quinn.

  “She’s yours,” he said. “The nearest I could find to Star. Do you like her?”

  In answer she flung her arms around his neck and hid her tears against his shoulder.

  “How can I ever thank you?”

  He kissed her forehead. “Well, since you ask…” he whispered in her ear.

  The next day Margaret and Walter held a reception for Quinn and his new wife on the occasion of the opening of their livery stable. Elaine wore a new dress of brocaded 135

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  silk in a deep russet color that Quinn said reminded him of horse chestnuts. Her hair had grown longer and her maid had braided it high over her brow.

  She wore no jewelry save a plain gold wedding band and gold studs in her ears.

  Under her wide skirts she had put on the expected petticoats but not the usual bloomers. She was slim enough not to need a corset, although Margaret thought it scandalous that she did not wear one anyway.

  She sat across the table from Quinn and admired him in his new coat and white stock. His diamond pin gleamed at his throat. The gold she had brought with her had been more than enough to set them up in the new business and to buy a small house near the harbor. She still had to get used to letting servants look after her home, but in compensation that allowed her to spend her days with Quinn.

  Margaret and the other women found it hard to understand that she would even want to run the business side of the operation, let alone be capable of doing it, but accepted the strange ways of a young woman who had come out of nowhere to captivate Quinn Lockyer. And who had set the black sheep on a new path of responsibility.

  It was eight o’clock and they had finished the soup course. Victorians tended to retire early and the dinner party should finish by ten. She did a quick calculation in her head…fifteen minutes to say goodnight to the family and return to their own house…

  She saw Quinn’s hand go to his pocket as he smiled and nodded with his neighbor.

  Seconds later a fizzing jolt hit her clit and she shifted in her seat.