Chapter 43: Chapter Forty-Three

Shivering in the autumn breeze, Arianna hastened through the gardens. She glanced at the brilliant orange harvest moon in the sky, so low it looked like she could walk straight to it. She observed the glowing faces of the carved pumpkins lining the path. She wanted to go to the stables to see Spirit. Jean-Claude stabled him for her. She only made it to the coach house before conceding to her tears, then climbed inside the coach, weeping without restraint.

“Arianna?”

She hadn’t known Darius followed. He opened the door. Sobbing, she turned away.

“I’m sorry, Arianna. I didn’t intend to sound harsh or make you weep. It always broke my heart to see your tears.”

“Our time apart has seen far more tears.” She hiccupped.

He pulled himself into the coach, passing her a handkerchief from his waistcoat. She knew he fought the urge to hold her. She dabbed her eyes, sniffled, and he took her hand.

“You’re killin’ me, Arianna. How did we permit this to happen? What we shared was rare.”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Do you honestly have no notion how much I love and want you still?”

He looked into her eyes. She saw he tried to keep his eyes from falling to her breasts. Her nipples were noticeably peaked, not from the cool night air, but because his firm thigh rested against her leg. He leaned closer. The powerful attraction was increasingly compelling; their lips nearly touched.

“Darius?” a woman called. “I agreed to accompany you, but it was ungentlemanly leaving me with strangers!”

The beautiful woman glanced in. Arianna quickly pulled away.

“You’re here consoling her!”

“You must return to the celebration,” Arianna insisted.

Darius appeared conflicted but stepped out of the coach. The woman took his arm.

“We should retire to the inn,” she said though Darius still looked back at Arianna.

Finally calming her emotions, Arianna went back inside. Jean-Claude had offered her friendship and a ready ear. This was the first celebration he’d hosted in his grand home. She wouldn’t dampen his festivities. She hadn’t drunk in an age but when a server walked by, she took some wine.

Arianna couldn’t stop thinking of Darius. Had their separation been aggravated by an unseen message and their marriage ended because of miscommunication? But she’d believed he’d be safer and better off without her.

Why would Darius tell her he loved her? Clearly the O’Rorke woman was important to him. Arianna finished the wine and took another. A few men asked her to dance but she declined. Now Danhoul came to her.

“Jean-Claude thinks we should dance.”

“You needn’t do so out of pity.”

“I’d like to dance with you,” Danhoul said.

She agreed, for the wine liberated her. They danced two songs when he stunned her, suddenly pulling her close.

“What are you doing?” She gasped at his uncharacteristic forwardness.

“Likely aiming to get my nose broken.”

“What?”

She saw Darius walking toward them.

“I’d like to dance with my wife, if you think you can pry your damn hands off her,” Darius said.

“I’m no longer your wife,” Arianna said. “Where’s your woman?”

“My woman?” Darius asked, appearing confused.

“The beautiful red-haired woman you’re with?”

“Amy?” he asked.

“Amy…your sister Amy?”

“Aye.”

“You called her Amelia-Aileen, said she was an O’Rorke. You always referred to her as Amy. I didn’t know…she was your sister.”

“Clearly your powers of perception are failing, Arianna. Granted, you wouldn’t know she was an O’Rorke. I wasn’t even aware Amy and Daniel were secretly married only weeks before he was killed and she was taken.”

Arianna was dumbfounded.

“Now, will you agree to dance with me or are you entranced by your magical Druid?” Darius jealously said.

Arianna glanced at Danhoul. “Danny-Boy isn’t mine, but he’s capable of many magical feats,” she said, now giddy knowing Darius wasn’t with another woman.

“Do you want to get me killed?” Danhoul asked.

“You haven’t been properly introduced. This is Danhoul, Alainn’s guardian, and this is Darius.”

“Arianna’s guardian and her husband,” Darius firmly avowed.

Arianna shook her head. “You’re not my husband. It’s debatable you’re even my guardian, but I’ll dance with you if it’ll take away the intensity in those blue eyes.”

“I’ll play somethin’ slow and romantic.” Danhoul winked as Darius took her hand.

Arianna’s skin tingled. She tried to ignore how warm she’d become as Darius held her. He finally pulled her so close their bodies touched. She’d wanted to forget that attraction, but now with her cheek against Darius’s warm chest, she longed to get lost in his ever-enticing scent.

His hand on her back made her mad with desire. There’d always been a magnificent physical attraction. The slow Celtic ballad was intoxicating as Darius placed his face in her hair. It seemed so familiarly perfect. It was obvious she wasn’t the only one affected. She felt his firm arousal, tried to pull away but he held tighter.

“Nothing good can come of us being together,” she said looking up beguiled by his blue eyes.

“Nothing good will come of us being apart,” Darius said. “This isn’t physical.”

She looked at him like he’d uttered the most absurd statement, for she was undeniably aroused and his worthy rigidity negated his words.

“Of course, it’s physical,” he corrected. “Christ, I want you so badly, I can’t bear it. You’re so incredibly beautiful and sensuous in that gown I can scarcely think straight with wantin’ you, but it isn’t only physical, Arianna. It never was. You’re my soul’s match…my heart’s desire. I won’t ever be content without you.”

His words mirrored her thoughts. She inhaled his musky scent, trying to make herself remember the difficulties and not the joy when they’d been together.

“Follow your heart, Arianna.”

“I’ll always love you, Darius. You once told me, if it were only how much you loved me, you’d see me happy always. I feel the same, but it isn’t only about love. Nothing’s changed. I’m a witch with powerful magic. Dark entities will always pursue me.

“Plus, apparently I’ll need to travel through time to be with Alainn and two other witches of our line to face an evil of such an unimaginable degree, I don’t like to think about it.”

“Shouldn’t that be all the more reason to be together while we can?” Darius asked.

“I need further training with Danhoul and Tristan, learning about and readying me for the future, helping me consistently control my magic. What of your family and friends, your life at the settlement?”

“I couldn’t stay there without you. I’ve been here in Boston for weeks. I’m surprised you didn’t notice King in the stables.”

“I did wonder why the groom insisted on bringing Spirit to me when I wanted to ride, but what have you been doing in Boston?”

“Building ships,” he said.

“That’s why you’re tanned and even more muscular than usual.” She squeezed his powerful arm.

“I thought you avoided looking at me.”

“It would be easier…if I didn’t see your smile, that bloody dimple, your eyes, your lips.”

“Do you know much I long to kiss you? You have the loveliest. Full. Enticing. Lips.” He moved closer with each word.

“Kiss me then.”

“I wanted to kiss you in that coach. Jesus, I wanted to bed you there.”

“That would’ve been awkward if your sister found us in the throes of passion.”

“At least she’s not a vicar,” he said, his lips grazing her ear as they danced. She tingled from head to toe, the sexual tension so powerful she ached with desire. He slid his hands slowly down her back. She caressed the lacings of his shirt. He brushed his lips against hers but then moaned, clearly in equal torment.

“I’m spending tonight in the turret tower bedchamber. The stairs are just beyond those doors,” she said.

“Christ, I need you, Arianna! I’ll take Amy back to the inn, but I’ll be with you soon.”

Arianna looked up into his passion-filled eyes. “I’ll meet you in the tower. Don’t tarry.”

Arianna’s heart beat fast. It seemed to take an eternity to get through the crowd. Startled when someone called her name, she turned to see Amy.

“I must apologize, Amy. I didn’t know you were Darius’s sister.”

“Who did you think I was?” Amy asked.

“His sweetheart, I suppose.”

“I wish he had a sweetheart,” Amy said.

Arianna looked at her, uncertain.

“He has several women wanting to be his wife or sweetheart, more wanting him in their beds. He’s not the slightest bit interested in anyone since you broke his heart.”

“I only wanted to protect him.”

“I don’t know precisely what happened between you. My oldest brother’s a strong man, but I’ve never seen him as lost as he’s been since I returned.”

“I’m glad you were there with him.”

“I suppose I should thank you for that. I heard it was your premonitions that led my brothers to me. It took them nearly four months to find me and my son, but with the information you provided, they did it. I was deep in Iroquois territory.”

“I’m happy your brothers found you.”

“It hasn’t been easy returning to the settlement. I’d become accustomed to an entirely different way of life while living with natives.”

“I’m sure it must be a very difficult adjustment.”

“Don’t be kind and understanding! I certainly don’t want to like you,” Amy said, “though Kathleen and Bessie and even my beau, Kevin Murphy, and his brothers, constantly sing your praises.”

Arianna only shrugged.

“What are your intentions with Darius?” Amy brusquely asked. “If you only want him in your life or your bed till you discard him again, stay away.”

“I love Darius, very much.”

“Can you promise you won’t hurt him again?”

“I don’t make promises,” Arianna whispered.

“Then permit him to move on. You ended the marriage; leave it at that!”

“Did you see to it Darius didn’t get the letter from me?” Arianna needed to know.

Amy’s face clearly revealed her guilt.

“Your friend Jean-Claude and I discussed it. We thought it best you didn’t reunite. But one unseen letter wouldn’t have kept you apart if you truly wanted him. Unless you’ll stay with Darius forever, don’t get his hopes up. I tried to convince him to keep away from you tonight, but he had to say his piece.

“When he left the settlement, I urged him to go somewhere other than Boston, the one damn city where you were, but when his mind’s made up he’s bloody stubborn. He loves with all his heart and if you really love him, don’t toy with his affections.”

“Aye, Darius does love with all his heart. He never quit missing you either, Amy. Were you held captive all that time?”

“No, I escaped a while back. The past couple of years I stayed with other women who’d been taken. We didn’t feel we fit in with our kind any longer; we formed a little community.”

“Clearly Darius and your other brothers’ hearts weren’t such a huge concern during that time when you left them wondering if you were dead or being raped and tortured daily!”

Amy was obviously taken back by her harsh words and stared at her.

“I suppose that’s true. I presumed they’d think I died. The thought of returning grieved me…knowing my Daniel was killed the day I was taken.”

Arianna saw the pain on her face.

“Forgive me. I’m sorry for your unimaginable loss. That was unkind and not my place. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go now,” Arianna said.

Just then, Darius found them and noticed their serious expressions.

“Arianna? Amy? What’s goin’ on?”

“I’m feelin’ under the weather and leaving now, but you and Amy enjoy the food and music.”

She didn’t look at him. Instead of going to the tower, she fled to her cottage.