"I"m goin"! I"m goin"!" Cooper a.s.sured him. Chortling to himself, he turned and, tossing the bag of coins in his hand, strolled back across the street from whence he had come.

Raelynn breathed a sigh of relief at his going, but her feeling of contentment was brief, to say the least. Though she was not necessarily averse to the idea of being owned by Mr. Birmingham, she was certainly not blind to the dangers of such a relationship. His unparalleled good looks and easy charm could pose a dire threat to a virtuous maid who had no knowledge of men. Whether they were roues or gallant gentlemen, her experience with them was seriously lacking. For that reason she could not be content with the current situation. Despite what Cooper Frye thought, she was not made of ice.

Stepping beside Jeff, she gazed up at his lean profile as he watched the departing figure of Cooper Frye, and mentally affirmed her admiration of all that she saw. Her heart fluttered unnaturally as the elusive, manly scent of his cologne wafted through her senses, making her realize just how crucial it was for her to establish a code of conduct between them before they were ever alone together. He affected her so strongly that she could not be sure she would be able to stand steadfast and stoically deny him that which he might ask of her.

"Mr. Birmingham"-her voice quavered oddly as she spoke-""tis most urgent that I speak with you in private."

Any satisfaction Jeff derived from seeing the last of Cooper Frye dwindled rapidly as he looked down into the smudged and troubled face of Raelynn Barrett. That was when the full import of his actions. .h.i.t him broadside. Had he taken her to an inn and shared a room with her for all the world to see, he could not have done more to destroy her reputation than what he had just accomplished by buying her. If the thought hadn"t taken root on its own, then Cooper"s taunt had certainly set the seed in fertile soil. Before nightfall, word would spread throughout the area that he had bought himself a young woman, one who was likely destined to become his mistress. How could he have been so blind as not to see what crime he was committing against her? Usually he was far more perceptive than that. What could he possibly do now to restore her honor?

Coming to himself, he realized that Mrs. Brewster was offering the use of her shop. "And perhaps you"d like some tea while you talk."

The milliner hurried back to her shop, scooping up the hatbox and Jeff"s beaver as she went. Ushering them in, she led the way to her small apartment in the back, where she made tea as the couple settled at her small table and faced each other rather apprehensively across its surface. Raelynn waited for the woman to excuse herself, but in her haste to set out her best teapot, cups, and a variety of sweetcakes on porcelain plates, Thelma completely forgot the girl"s request for privacy.

Jeff also felt the need to talk with Raelynn alone and drew Thelma aside to ask a favor of her, having settled his mind on the only option open to him. "As you can see for yourself, Mrs. Brewster, the girl is in desperate need of some clothes to wear. Would it be too much of an imposition if I asked you to go back to Farrell"s and see what he has available in the way of women"s clothing that would fit Raelynn-perhaps some gowns and other essentials that were ordered but never picked up?"

"I"d be delighted to, Mr. Jeffrey, but how shall I know what you want to spend for her? Farrell"s seamstresses are the best in the area, and I know some of their gowns can be quite elaborate and costly."

"If you"re unsure about anything, ask Farrell to help you. He knows me well enough to be able to lend you whatever advice you might need. Otherwise, Mrs. Brewster, I will entrust the decisions to you and your excellent taste."

"Should I bring the clothes back here, then?"

"I rode my stallion into town today, so ask Farrell to have the packages loaded in a hired livery, then send the driver here to await our departure to Oakley."

Jeff escorted the milliner to the front door and watched as she scurried across the street. Then he made his way once more to her private quarters. In his brief absence, Raelynn had washed her face and smoothed her hair, presenting a neater demeanor as she poured him a cup of tea. Watching him from beneath long silky lashes, she daintily sipped from her own cup.

"You"re no doubt curious about what I have in mind," Jeff began forthrightly.

Raelynn inclined her head in a slow nod. "I have no idea whether you are married or single, Mr. Birmingham, so you can perhaps understand that I am completely bemused as to what I should expect. Will your wire be my mistress? Or are you my one and only master?"

"I do not consider myself your master, Raelynn," he said with a smile. "And you"ll have no mistress, either. I am a bachelor."

"I hope you"ll understand, sir, if I tell you that that fact gives me cause to worry," Raelynn admitted candidly. "I have only just met you, and yet suddenly I find myself your solitary possession. I dare not allow myself to think what your intentions may be. To be sure, sir, though you are neatly attired and handsome beyond a mere girl"s dreams, I am no more disposed toward becoming your plaything than I was willing to accept Gustav Fridrich"s plans for me."

""Tis difficult to tell you what has been on my mind since I first saw you," Jeff replied haltingly. "Perhaps I was too intrigued by your beauty to realize that I was acting irrationally, inadvertently doing you more harm than good. I fear you might think me a fool, Raelynn, but I feel as if I"ve known you the whole of my adult life...."

Raelynn eyed him curiously. "I would never think you a fool, Mr. Birmingham."

"I"m a man in my early thirties, and I"ve come this far through life never having been tempted to ask for a lady"s hand. You may think my proposal completely outrageous, especially since we"ve just met, but I can think of no better solution to disarm the gossips who"ll be wont to talk about this incident for weeks or even months to come."

Though perplexed, Raelynn grew increasingly more attentive as the moments sped by. "I am listening, sir."

"You have need of a protector, Raelynn, and I am in want of a wife to still the wagging tongues that have given me no peace for several years now. They are set to clacking without provocation, even going so far as to spread the sordid rumor that I yearn after my brother"s wife. "Tis a lie I"ve longed to serve quick death to, but not at the cost of squandering my freedom by taking to wife some woman I cannot tolerate. I know you are young..."

"Ten and nine, to be exact, sir," she stated softly.

"Very young," he mumbled pensively behind his cup as he raised it to take a sip.

Raelynn was hanging onto his every word and did not allow his reply to pa.s.s without acknowledgment. "That depends, sir, on what you have in mind. I"m far too old to be considered a child, and if "tis your desire to become my guardian, I would then advise you to consider the gossips and their wagging tongues. In England, I knew several ladies younger than I who had wed doddering ancients, but they were soon widowed and, much to their delight, bequeathed enough wealth to marry whom they would. A pair of them selected young, handsome pups who had to be mothered like children, and my friends soon became exasperated with them. As for me, sir, I would rather wed one who is mature enough to know his own mind and yet young enough to give me a brood of children and be with me "til I am ancient, too."

It was Jeff"s turn to stare at her in awe. "Raelynn, do you truly comprehend what I am suggesting?"

She was reluctant to answer for fear she might be wrong. "And what is that, sir? Tell me outright, so I may not be mistaken."

"I am proposing that we be married posthaste," he said simply.

A smile softly curved her lips. "Then I was not mistaken, sir. And though we"ve only just met, I am willing to accept your offer of marriage...if you might lend some thought that we are, after all, strangers and need some time to come to know each other ere we share a bed together as man and wife."

It was some hours later when Jeff Birmingham and his bride-to-be arrived at Oakley. It seemed he had not long to wait before a carriage came smartly up the lane, and a moment later, Kingston, the butler, showed his brother and sister-in-law into the drawing room where Jeff was awaiting them. Considering all the townspeople who"d witnessed his purchase of Raelynn, he"d known the news would reach Brandon at the lumber mill before traveling on to Harthaven and Heather, and that there would be no need to send a request for their presence, for they"d be concerned enough to come at once. During the long ride home, he had a.s.sured Raelynn of his honorable intentions, but upon seeing Heather"s face, he wondered if he might have to repeat them to her as well.

His housekeeper, Cora, had answered his summons and now stood in the doorway, awaiting his instructions. Her wide grin told him that the black woman was taking everything in and enjoying the whole affair.

Raelynn had retreated several steps to stand near Jeff, as if for protection, and watched the two newcomers hesitantly. It was not hard for Raelynn to discern that this was the sister-in-law whom the gossips had avowed Jeff was in love with, for she was beautiful beyond belief. Still, the fact that Heather was at least six months along with child should have deterred such talk.

Heather"s heart went out to the young woman who, in spite of her shabby garments, held herself with a subdued and natural grace. She seemed wary of them, as if doubtful of being graciously received, which Heather could totally understand, having experienced similar qualms when Brandon brought her home from England to meet his friends and family.

The expression of curiosity that Brandon bestowed upon his brother motivated Jeff to lend his immediate attention to Raelynn, giving the elder no opportunity to take sweet revenge for all the needling Jeff had once done. When he had learned that Brandon had been forced to marry Heather after mistaking her for a woman of the streets, Jeff had been unrelenting in his efforts to get his sibling to realize what a great treasure he had unwittingly stumbled onto in Heather. The greatest obstacle had been Brandon"s pride, but since he had already fallen head over heels in love with his wife, it had only been a matter of time before Brandon came around to conceding that she was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Jeff hurried on with the introductions. "Raelynn, this is my brother, Brandon, and his wife, Heather. Brandon...Heather...this is Raelynn Barrett."

"Your pardon," Raelynn murmured demurely, sensing the other woman"s discomfiture. "My presence here must confound you. I would have stayed in Charleston, but Mr. Birmingham insisted that I come with him and meet his family. No doubt you have much to discuss and need some privacy."

"I think we do," Heather responded gently, greatly heartened by the softly spoken and refined eloquence of the young woman. At least Jeff had not been taken in by some unschooled hoyden, though that possibility had seemed remote.

Jeff gestured to Cora. "Show our guest to the blue room upstairs and help her bathe and dress for dinner. Kingston has already taken several packages upstairs, and you"ll find everything she"ll need in them. Another guest will be arriving shortly, and he"ll want to meet her as soon as possible."

The black woman gave him a toothy grin. "Yo" means yo" want her back here lickety-split, Mr. Jeff?"

"Faster than that, Cora," he urged with more truth than humor, drawing a gleeful cackle from the servant.

Beckoning for Raelynn to follow, Cora hurried into the hall, chattering all the while as she led the Englishwoman upstairs. "Mr. Jeff"s done turned this big ol" house into a showplace. Jes" wait "til yo" see this here bedroom I"m takin" yo" to."

In the absence of Raelynn, the three family members faced one another in indecision. Feeling a need to mentally organize his planned announcement before airing it, Jeff crossed the room and, taking a decanter and a crystal snifter from an imported cabinet, poured a small draught of brandy into the gla.s.s. Joining the couple again, he handed the snifter to Brandon.

"News of my purchase traveled fast," Jeff commented. "I was sure I"d have to wait at least another half hour before I saw your face."

Brandon savored a tiny sip of the brew as he returned his brother"s grin. "I was at the lumber mill when I heard about the incident in town. I thought it best to return to Harthaven before someone took a notion to ride out and tell Heather."

Heather was, in fact, near tears as she settled onto the settee. "Jeff, how could you take advantage of that poor girl"s dilemma and buy her like a slave off a block? Raelynn will not be able to hold up her head for all the slander that is bound to be said about her. Despite your good intentions in saving her from her uncle"s greedy plans, you"ve become as much a culprit by bringing her into your house without a proper chaperon."

Jeff came and squatted down in front of her. Gathering her slender hands in his, he spoke as gently as he could. "My dearest Tory," he murmured, using his pet name for her, "will you trust me enough to believe that I would not knowingly bring shame to any lady or any member of my family?"

"Jeff, you"ve always been so sensible," she a.s.sured him through the threat of new tears, "but I"m afraid in this case you"ve not thought of the consequences your gallantry may have invited."

"Actually, I"ve considered a great number of things since my confrontation with Raelynn"s uncle," Jeff stated slowly, as if allowing her time to digest his words, "and I"ve also come to some conclusions. The only way I can be certain that Cooper Frye can never interfere... "

Hoofbeats sounded in the lane outside the house, drawing Jeff"s immediate attention. In a rush now, he quickly gave his excuses, disappeared into the hallway, and after a muted exchange with Kingston, leaped up the stairs two at a time, leaving the servant to answer the door. A moment later Kingston led Reverend Parsons into the drawing room.

Heather exchanged a quick, worried glance with her husband, who responded with an almost imperceptible shrug before he strode quickly forward to clasp the other man"s hand in greeting.

"So good to see you, Reverend," he said affably. "We missed you while you were away."

"" Tis good to be back with my flock and rea.s.sure myself of their good health. You and Heather are certainly looking well." He paused as he glanced around in search of his host. "But where is Jeffrey?"

"I think he took flight when he heard you coming," Brandon quipped, then tried to curb his grin as his young wife looked around, seeming completely disconcerted by his statement.

"Aye," the reverend answered wryly. "I heard about the commotion in Charleston. It makes me wonder if some of my flock have taken on different coats in my absence, although I can"t imagine Jeffrey being a wolf in sheep"s clothing."

Brandon smiled with droll humor. "Whatever the precise cut of his coat, Jeff certainly has a way of calling attention to himself."

Heather rolled her eyes heavenward in disbelief, wondering how her husband could make light of this dreadful situation with Reverend Parsons present.

"Jeff was just being chivalrous, Reverend Parsons," she a.s.sured him, ready to defend her brother-in-law with unswerving loyalty.

Reverend Parsons chortled as he accepted a gla.s.s of lemonade from Kingston. "Now, Heather, don"t get your pretty feathers ruffled. Jeff and I are old friends. Why, I"ve known him about as long as anybody has, excepting Brandon here. His gallantry is unquestionable...uh...for the most part, that is."

While the two men exchanged amused glances, Heather took up a lacy handkerchief and began to fan her flushed face. She wished fervently that she would suddenly awake and find that this whole incident had been nothing more than a bad dream.

Eyeing his agitated wife closely, Brandon acquiesced and came to sit beside her on the settee. A fleeting moment of cherished intimacy pa.s.sed between them as he lifted her slender fingers to his lips and looked at her with warmly glowing green eyes, winning a soft and loving smile from her lips in response.

Reverend Parson settled into a chair across from them. "What does your son think about his parents acquiring a new baby? Is he hoping for a sister or perhaps a brother to play with?"

"Our black housekeeper swears we"ll be having a little girl this time." Heather smiled as Brandon threaded his fingers through hers. "Hatti deciphers the signs so well, we"ve considered telling Beau that he"ll be getting a new sister named Suzanne Elizabeth in the next couple of months."

"And if it turns out to be a boy?" the reverend inquired.

Brandon chuckled. "We"ll just have to tell him Hatti made a mistake and let her explain it away."

Manly footsteps were heard accompanying those of a more delicate tread, and all eyes became riveted on the parlor entrance as the footfalls approached the drawing room. Then Jeff slid back the panel doors and, holding Raelynn"s hand, led her into view, prompting the two gentleman guests to rise in appreciation of her stirring beauty. Her rich auburn hair had been swept high on her head and intricately woven with a corded ribbon that matched her gown of silver blue satin. Elegantly coifed and regally gowned, Raelynn Barrett was lovelier than any cherished dream.

An aura of warmth swept Heather as she stared at the couple, and it came to her that she had never seen Jeff looking quite so proud or handsome. His shirt and stock of flawless white seemed to gleam beneath his meticulously cut black silk frockcoat. Narrow breeches, waistcoat, silk stockings and low shoes, all of the same hue, completed the sleek, manly costume.

"Gentlemen." Jeff dipped his head forward slightly as he gave verbal recognition to the men. Then he clicked his heels in a crisp, shallow bow as he faced Heather. "My lady." He swept a hand to acknowledge the splendid beauty who stood beside him. "I would like to present Raelynn Barrett, the woman who is to become my bride."

For a moment the occupants of the room could only stare in amazement. Heather felt her heart swell with unbelievable gladness. Confident now that all was well in the family, she slipped her hand into Brandon"s, which clasped and held it lovingly. Together they turned as Reverend Parsons beckoned the couple into the center of the room. Raelynn accepted Jeff"s proffered arm and seemed to glide effortlessly beside him.

"Is the lady consenting?" Reverend Parsons queried with careful concern.

Raelynn lifted her gaze to Jeff and smiled as she gazed into his shining green eyes. "I could not have hoped for a more chivalrous champion had I spent the last ten years of my life searching for him. In the short time I"ve known him, I"ve come to realize that he"s incredibly kind and tender, and I am honored that he has asked me to become his wife."

Jeff faced the man and lent further insight behind their motivation. "We"ve discussed the matter at some length," Jeff avouched. "Raelynn is in desperate need of a protector, and marriage is the only way we can strip Cooper Frye of his claims as her only kin. I sent for you tonight, Reverend, so you could perform the ceremony for us here in the privacy of my home. Are you consenting?"

The man looked to Brandon as the elder Birmingham. "You know your brother better than anyone. Can you name a reason why I should delay the nuptials?"

Brandon spoke with unswerving confidence. "Jeff has always been clear about what he wants out of life, Reverend. He"s acted with a great deal more certainty than I"ve been able to lay claim to at certain times. If he says this marriage should take place, then I am one to believe him."

Reverend Parsons nodded as he accepted Brandon"s vote of approval; then he peered questioningly at Heather. "Have you anything to say, my dear?"

"Only to lend my heartfelt endors.e.m.e.nt," she murmured with a radiant smile.

The reverend slid a small black book from inside his coat and began to leaf through the pages. "When I was summoned here by Jeffrey"s servant, the man advised me to come prepared to perform a wedding ceremony. Little did I know then that it would be for my host." He smiled at the couple. "Now if you will stand before me, Raelynn and Jeffrey, I will speak the words to unite you in marriage."

The moments sped past as the muted voices melded in a ritual nearly as old as time itself. Jeff drew a simple gold band from his pocket and slipped it on Raelynn"s finger as he repeated the words: "With this ring I thee wed...."

His voice was strong and steady, attesting to his unwavering confidence in the decision he had made. When Reverend Parsons spoke the final words of the ceremony unifying the couple, Jeff faced Raelynn and was amazed to see her translucent eyes awash in mistiness.

"You may kiss the bride," the reverend invited.

Raelynn blushed as she lifted her face to accommodate the tall stranger whom she had just married, feeling rather forward doing so. A peck on the cheek was certainly all that she was expecting since Jeff had agreed to give her time to get acquainted with him before pressing her to become his wife in actuality. When she felt the first light brush of his mouth on hers, she was startled by the warm, sweetly moist contact and was hardly aware of her own lips opening in surprise. Her breath stilled in waiting suspense of her first kiss. Then, as lightly as thistledown being borne along on a gentle breeze, his lips moved upon hers, parting ever so slightly to conform to the suppleness of hers.

When Jeff finally drew back, Raelynn swayed weakly against him, realizing with some astonishment that his kiss had sapped the strength from her limbs and been far more potent than she had ever imagined anything could be. Considering that mere minutes ago she had asked for separate rooms, how could she now tell him that she yearned for more of that blissfully sweet nectar?

Jeff laid his arm across the small of her back and drew her closer still, lending her needed support as he whispered, "Are you all right?"

Raelynn nodded slowly as she sought to calm the frantic pounding of her heart and dull her senses to the breathtaking reality that she was in the arms of this tall, handsome man and he was her husband. She was entranced by his nearness and vividly aware of the casual pressure of his manly form. Had she been able to command her wishes into existence, she entertained no doubt that Jeff Birmingham would have been exactly where he was at that precise moment in her life.

Gathering some remnant of her scattered poise, Raelynn managed face the other occupants of the room. "I beg your forgiveness for my faintness. "Tis been some time since I last took food."

Heather was there immediately to give her an affectionate hug. "I"m so happy for you both. I"m sure that if Jeff had searched the wide world over, he could not have made a better choice for a bride. And whether you know it or not, my dear, your husband ranks among the best."

Reverend Parsons took his leave shortly after bestowing his blessings and good wishes on the couple. Having other visits to make before retiring to home and to bed, he declined their invitation to stay and partake of the wedding supper. Instead, waving farewell, he rode away, leaving the small clan of Birminghams to gather in the main dining room.

The elegant table was long enough to sit twelve or more easily, but no rigid formality was on display tonight. Jeff had long ago pooh-poohed the idea of the master and mistress of the house sitting at opposite ends of a long table unless they were entertaining a large crowd. Tonight the settings were cozily arranged near one end. A place had been provided on Jeff"s right for his young bride and, close on his left, one for Heather, leaving Brandon to take the chair beside his wife.

"All I can say, brother," Brandon commented with puckish humor as he considered the table setting, "is that you"re true to your mold. You haven"t changed a whit since I first brought Heather home to Harthaven."

"Nary a mite," Jeff agreed. ""Tis certain I"m still the friendlier of us two and have no penchant for isolating myself, as you have been known to do."

Brandon sought to shrug away his brother"s waggish gibe with a chuckle, but for a moment his humor was poorly contrived. Because of his own stubborn arrogance, he had once endured the torturous separation of not only a long, formal table between himself and his young wife but different bedrooms as well. In retrospect, he mentally likened the pain of his lengthy abstinence to that which a roue might have suffered had he been imprisoned in a cell right across from a woman whose beauty and form he could see but not touch. Though Heather had come into his house as his wife and been close under his hand, he had found himself beset in much the same way. Even now, the memory of his own foolishness made Brandon squirm uncomfortably in his chair.

"No one"s infallible where pride is concerned, Jeff," he replied, having learned that truth the hard way. "In fact, you might be surprised to realize where you are susceptible."

Laughter twinkled in Jeffs green eyes. "I"ve tried to learn from your example, brother, and refrain from making any rash vows that I"ll later regret."

Heather sensed Jeff"s pointed glance as the two men made subtle reference to the torment Brandon had suffered while trying to hold her at arm"s length. Reaching out, she squeezed her husband"s hand rea.s.suringly and conveyed her loving devotion with a warm, gentle smile. "We should all be willing to learn from other"s mistakes, Jeff," she responded gaily, glancing toward her brother-in-law, "but sometimes when we make them ourselves, we"re better able to grasp the full import of the lesson."

Jeff leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine. He thought of his own recent pledge to wait before claiming his conjugal rights with Raelynn and hoped he could be as strong-willed as his brother had been in controlling his manly desires, yet perhaps not quite as stubborn so that he could quickly discern a warming in his wife. ""Tis strange how similar circ.u.mstances seem to follow in a family," Jeff said. "I may find the pigeons coming home to roost after all."

Brandon elevated a brow in curious question, then glanced at Raelynn as he began to understand Jeff"s quandary. In view of the fact that they had wed in haste, he could imagine his brother being gallant enough to agree to a gentlemanly wait before reaping the pleasures of a marriage bed.

Raelynn seemed confused by the brothers" repartee. "Is something amiss?"

Heather dispelled the very idea. "Oh, you needn"t fret that it"s anything serious, Raelynn. The Birmingham men take great pleasure in sharpening their wit on each other"s hide. They"re about as tough-skinned as a pair of ol" mules, and it"s always a challenge for them to see which one gets the last word in. Still, I"ve never known two who are closer friends."

It was some time later when Raelynn and Jeff stood on the portico of Oakley and bade farewell to the other couple. The night was still and warm with the faint scent of jasmine in the air. The kind of evening made for lovers, Jeff mused as his young wife strolled along the porch and looked out on the moonlit grounds and huge trees that raised their lofty canopied heads into the belly of the starlit sky.

"There were recent times in England when I yearned to look out and see something besides the squalor of London," Raelynn reminisced in a soft, murmuring tone. "You see, my father, who was once a wealthy lord, was falsely accused of treason against the crown. Everything was taken from him except for a wee bit of money he managed to hide for us. Later, he died in prison, though he claimed his innocence with his last breath. When my uncle found my mother a few months ago, he said we could start a new life here in the Carolinas where no one would lay the t.i.tle of traitor to our name. During the voyage, my mother discovered that my uncle had spent the last of our money. She died during the crossing, and upon landing my uncle set about providing for himself. He brought Gustav Fridrich to look me over, and the man promised him a purse once Cooper Frye delivered me to his house, but on the way I managed to escape. Now all that seems an eternity ago and a whole continent away. Little did I dream when I woke this morning that I would be married before the evening was over and living amid such splendor. It seems, Jeffrey, that I owe you much more than my life. Indeed, I cannot imagine how I can ever repay you for saving me from a miserable existence and bringing me to this safe, beautiful haven."

"No payment is required beyond the vows we exchanged, Raelynn." Jeff"s gaze was nourished by his wife"s fluid grace as she came across the porch toward him. When she stood close, he gazed down into her shadowed face and lifted his lean knuckles to lightly brush a loose tendril from her cheek. "And I am patient."