The Baron - The Offer Part 11

aHer ladys.h.i.+p is currently in the protective company of three stable lads, two footmen, two maids, the tweenie, and the pug, Orion. I deemed it proper to see if everything was going as planned here.a aPlanned?a Sabrina said.

Smells began to waft outward. Susannah groaned. aYouare thin, Sabrina. You can afford to stuff yourself, but I suggest you donat do it for longer than a week. You might get in the habit, then I firmly believe youad be lost. Youad become the fattest lady in all of England. Is that a bilberry tart I see, Phillip? Oh, goodness, just smell it. Hand it to me, please.a aYes, Susannah,a he said even while he took a big bite of gooseberry tansy. He closed his eyes as he chewed, groaned, then said, aDo you swear you wonat run away from me again, Sabrina? That youall stay with me and together weall figure out what we want to do?a aBut you donat love me. What is that, Cotter?a aItas a damson tart. Cook is rather consumed by all things fruit this week.a Susannah, her mouth full, actually stopped chewing. This was getting very personal. She looked at her husband, but he just nodded, making no move. He said out of the corner of his mouth, aJust be a piece of furniture, Susannah. Thatas all thatas necessary right now. Phillip will tell us if he needs more or wants us to leave. Sabrina is talking. Weare succeeding.a Phillip said, aWhy donat you think I love you? Donat you think youare worthy of being loved?a aBut your freedom, Phillip. I tried, really, I tried, but you want to have mistresses and I just canat do it.a aThen why did you come here, to Dinwitty Manor? You donat think I could bring mistresses here if I wished to?a She took the blow, then straightened, those thin shoulders back. aNo, if you ever take another mistress, Iall do you in.a Phillip, relieved to his toes at that show of possessiveness, said to Susannah and Rohan, aSee, I wasnat wrong. She hasnat forgotten that she adores me. She wors.h.i.+ps me. Sheas very protective of me. Do you think shead really do me in if I dared bed another woman? Yes, she would, I can see the blood in her eyes. She wants me all to herself. So many ladies want me, but she wonat allow it. Sheas a greedy wench.a Sabrina threw a quince comfit at him.

Susannah gasped, not because she was horrified that it would strike Phillip, but because shead wanted that comfit for herself. Only the Dinwitty cook still made the old-fas.h.i.+oned treat. Phillip, now used to her bombardments, handily caught the comfit and immediately gave it to Susannah. aNo, just one. Remember, Rohan, my vow to never let Cook make me fat? Just two goodies a day, never more. Now, Sabrina, do you love me? Are you willing to say it in front of these two fine upstanding witnesses?a

43.

Sabrina knew she should be embarra.s.sed to the toes of her slippers that two people were watching this very strange confrontation between them, but oddly, she wasnat. But she didnat know what was in Phillipas head. Shead never known. She looked at him helplessly, her hands splayed in front of her. aYou know that I love you. Iall promise that to anyone who wants to listen to me. But Iam not the one who wants mistresses, Phillip.a aA lover for you, Sabrina? No, never. Forget it. Not in this lifetime.a aBut you know that was always only in your own mind. I told you that lovemaking was utterly miserable, that no woman could possible enjoy herself doing that. It was unpleasant, it wasa"a She stopped. Phillip was flushed, two spots of color high on his cheekbones.

Rohan choked on his apple Charlotte. Susannah thumped him on his back. He sucked in enough breath to blurt out, aPhillip, I donat believe this. You? You left your wife unsatisfied? You were so rotten that she doesnat want anything more to do with you? Good G.o.d, you never told me this! This may be insurmountable. I donat know if I should encourage her to take you back if you canat do things right. Itas a repellent thought. Itas unacceptable.a aNow, just calm yourself and think back for a moment. I believed the same thing she did, Rohan,a Susannah said with alarming candor. aIt was Charlottea"no, not the apple Charlottea"who kept talking about her precious Rohan, how he could make a toad sing with pleasure if he but put his mind to it, his mind and all the skills his dear papa saw to it he learned from his own mistresses beginning when Rohan was only fourteen years old.a aThatas quite enough, Susannah. The fact is that you were quickly disabused of your silly beliefs. All I needed was a very short time in our bed to change your mind, donat you remember? Not more than two minutes or so, very little so.a Sabrina said, aAnd then it was all right? You truly enjoyed this, Susannah?a aYes, I truly did. I truly do.a aBut Phillip did this to me three times, all in one night, one after the other. It wasnat very nice at all, but because I loved him, I endured. What else can a woman do when she loves a man but endure?a aExactly right,a Phillip said.

aPhillip, what the h.e.l.l happened?a He looked at his boyhood friend and said simply, aI was a blockhead. She wouldnat accept my expertise, but I should have known that it would take more than simple expertise. But I wonat ever be a blockhead again.a He was no longer flushed. He took two steps toward his wife. aNo, donat retreat from me, Sabrina. Do you swear before these witnesses that you love me?a aI swear.a aGood. Now I swear that I love you as well. Actually I probably love you more. My love for you has been simmering, like a d.a.m.ned stew, for a very long time. Itas grown stronger and stronger, it just took me longer to realize what it was and to admit it. Itas still boiling over a steady flame. I daresay that flame wonat ever go out.a aThat makes no sense at all. Youall just keep boiling? You wonat boil away?a aNever. I also swear to you that tonight, just after we can politely leave our guests, you and I are going to enjoy ourselves, immensely. Will you trust me on this?a She didnat say a word, just stared at him.

aTrust him,a Susannah said. aYes, you should trust him. A man and a woman together, it can be glorious, Sabrina. Life is so very uncertain, so unwieldy sometimes, that coming together with a man you truly love can make sense of everything, make everything very clear to you. It can make problems disappear. It can make annoyances, burdens, much lighter.a Rohan said, aIf you agree to trust him, Sabrina, to give him another chance, then Iall give him the gift Susannah and I brought him from Mountvale Hall. Your trust would turn the tide, I should say. I would believe him worthy of the gift then. It would prove that commitment wasnat abhorrent to him. It would prove that heas become a steady man.a aDo you know,a Sabrina said slowly, looking at each of them in turn, athis is quite the oddest thing that has ever happened to me. Phillip, you invited them here because you were afraid I wouldnat listen to you?a aI felt I needed character witnesses.a aWill you tell him you trust him, Sabrina?a Susannah said, sitting forward.

Sabrina said slowly, aI believe that now Iam going to go find Charlotte beneath the Moorish arches. I want her to give me some lessons in how to make the best use of my eyes.a Phillip groaned. aI will be undone by your mother, Rohan.a aThink of my mother as another character witness, Phillip,a Rohan said, grabbed a delicate mulberry cream cake in the shape of a cat, gave his wife a beatific smile, and rolled his eyes.

His mouth was on her belly, nibbling as he would on one of Cookas lemon spice cakes, then smoothing where head nipped with his tongue. It tickled and she giggled. Much of her nervousness fell away when he looked up at her, and smiled widely. aThatas a wonderful sound. It warms me to my, er, never mind what. Just relax, Sabrina. Remember now, you trust me.a aYes,a she said when his mouth was on hers. Since head kissed her until she was nearly out of her mind, it didnat take long for her to scream, arch off the bed, and fling her hair into her eyes. aPhillip!a He pushed her and pushed her, then drew back, calming her, slowing down his rhythm, until she was drawing heaving breaths, and again, he smiled. Her pleasure was beautiful to him. It warmed him to his toes. aNow,a he said and came over her, and very gently, very slowly, he came into her. She raised her hips, her hands stroking down his back. aOh yes, I like that,a she said and bit his shoulder. aIam glad Charlotte told me to trust you. Oh, goodness, Phillip, this is very strange. It feels like nothing any person could possibly imagine. Can we do it again after we finish it this time?a He groaned, threw back his head, and let himself take his release. It was rending and powerful and he was nearly dead with the pleasure of it.

aYes,a he said five minutes later when he was finally able to speak again. aYes, in a few more minutes, weall do it again.a Between kisses, she said, aThe candlelight is too dim for me to practice my eye lessons on you.a aTrust me again, Sabrina. You donat need any lessons.a Her hand stroked down his back, over his flanks. aAll right,a he said, and brought her over on top of him. He grinned up at her. aWhat do you say, wife? Do you want to be the one in control?a aI donat understand.a When she did, she very much enjoyed herself. As did Phillip. When she was sprawled atop him, her face against his neck, breathing hard, she said, aDid I ride you well?a aOh yes, you did. I also like the way you bite me. Itas almost like my sweet old mare, she bites my shoulder, then smiles at me.a aThatas ridiculous, a mare smile?a aYes, I found her moldering in a stable in Scotland last summer when Rohan and Susannah and I were there. She nipped me and smiled at me. I sent for her, as I promised her I would do. Sheas been with me since last October. She neighs whenever I come near.a aI met her. She didnat seem to like me at all. She didnat try to bite me.a aI will try to talk her into accepting you.a aPhillip, Iam glad I trusted you. That is really very nice, all those things you do.a aWould you like to learn things to do to me?a She came up on her elbows, her hair tumbling down on either side of her face, forming a curtain around their faces. Her eyes were sparkling. aYes, oh, please. What?a aTomorrow. Tonight, now that Iave pleasured you twice, I feel free to tell you that if you ever run away from me again, Iall strangle you and throw your body into the River Ledlow. Itas an ugly muddy excuse for a river, but youall deserve it. Do you swear youall not run out on me again?a aI swear. Shall I also swear not to throw things at you?a He thought about that for a moment. aNo, Iam learning how to move quickly. Itall keep me on my toes, else Iall get a plate or a lemon tart in my face.a He became suddenly serious again. He eased her onto her back, and came up on his elbow to look down at her. aYouare beautiful, Sabrina. You must accustom yourself to hearing that from me. But you want to know something else? Youare the woman G.o.d fas.h.i.+oned just for me. Youare precious. You mean more to me than the crenelated tower you and I will build together. I love you and I will love you until I c.o.c.k up my toes. Will you accept my word? Will you accept me?a She raised her hand to lightly stroke her fingers over his cheek. aI will thank G.o.d each night for bringing Trevor into the world.a aTrevor? Whatas this about?a aIf it werenat for Trevor, I wouldnat have met you. Well, if I had eventually met you in London, I doubt you would have given me a second glance.a Phillip didnat agree with her at all, but he smiled down at her, kissed her yet again, and said, aWe will drink to Trevor on the morrow then. Can I pound the b.a.s.t.a.r.d into the ground again?a aPerhaps, in the future. But weall do it together.a Together, he thought. Head never been part of a together before. It felt quite nice. He fell asleep with Sabrina pressed against him, the memory of her featherlight kisses on his chest deep in his dreams.

He jerked bolt upright in bed. He was wide awake. It was the middle of the night.

aPhillip? Whatas the matter? Are you all right? Do you want me to trust you some more? Iad like that.a aYes, I would too, but now I want my gift that Rohan promised me. Do you know what it is? I forgot all about it. He said head give it to me if I pleased you.a aIall tell him you pleased me. Youall get your gift.a aI want a silly grin on your face when you tell him,a he said, getting out of bed. aThe sillier the grin the more likely it is heall believe you.a aItas the middle of the night.a aYes, so it is, but Rohan deserves to be awakened. He should have given me my gift on speculation. He should have given me my gift because he knew I wouldnat let you down again.a The floor was icy beneath his bare feet. He grabbed his dressing gown and pulled it on. He fastened the belt tightly. aI want my gift now. What room are he and Susannah in?a aThe Blue Damson Room. Phillip, wait for me!a Three minutes later, after a sharp knock on the door of the Blue Damson Room, Rohan awoke to see a candle s.h.i.+ning toward him and Susannah. Something was wrong. Oh, G.o.d, what had happened? Wait, it was Phillip. What was going on? Sabrina was standing right behind him.

aPhillip, whatas going on? What are you and Sabrina doing in our bedchamber in the middle of the night? Susannah, no, love, itas all right. Itas just Phillip and Sabrina. Doubtless theyall tell us why theyare here at this particular moment in time.a aI want my gift, Rohan. You said you brought me a gift.a aOh, that,a Rohan said and yawned. He straightened in the bed and scratched his belly. aSusannah, Phillip wakes us up in the middle of the night to get his gift. Should we give it to him?a Susannah looked at him, then at Sabrina. aHe pleased you?a aOh yes, please give him his gift now.a aIf I havenat squashed her,a Rohan said. aWhere is she?a aItas true,a Phillip nearly shouted, running to the bed. aYou brought me a racing kitten! Iave wanted a racing cat since I was a little boy, but the Harker brothers never deemed me worthy of one. They always said I wasnat responsible enough, that a true racer always needed commitment, just what they always said about you, Rohan, and they finally gave you Gillyas son. Now Iave got my own racing kitten to train and to teach.a He quickly set the candle down on the night stand, turned and hauled Sabrina up against him. He picked her up and whirled her around. aA racing kitten, Sabrina. Finally!a aLet me find her, Phillip. Ah, here she is.a Susannah pulled a boneless kitten, still asleep, from beneath the covers. aSheas just nine weeks old. The Harker brothers say sheas ready to begin training. Theyave sent instructions. I wrote them down for you. Youare to swear to keep them confidential. You know how the Harker brothers are. Now, here she is.a Phillip reverently took the tiny kitten from Susannahas hands. It was black and white, soft as Sabrinaas skin just behind her knees. It opened its eyes and looked up at him, gold eyes unblinking. Phillip gently rubbed his finger beneath the kittenas chin. aSheas wonderful. What shall we name her, Sabrina?a Sabrina took the kitten and cuddled her against her breast. aNothing sentimental. A racing cat doesnat want to sound sentimental, no one would take her seriously. Letas give her a grand name, one that calls forth great feats. Letas name her Olympia.a aOh yes,a Phillip said, taking the kitten back. He kissed the small face, smoothed back the whiskers. aOlympia. That has a ring to it, doesnat it? Iam already thinking of great feats. When we visit your grandfather in a couple of weeks, weall take Olympia with us. Your grandfather has an interest in racing cats. He knew all about the Mountvale trainers, about the cat races at the McCaultry Racetrack.a Phillip, his wife, and his new racing kitten left the Blue Damson Room, Phillip whistling softly to the kitten.

Sabrina turned in the doorway. Both Rohan and Susannah were smiling toward her. aThank you both. Youave made him very happy.a aItas not even close, Sabrina,a Rohan said. aYouare at his center now. No, not even close.a aDo you think, then, that he might carry me around and whistle to me?a Sabrina left them laughing. Life was wonderful. Just wonderful.

Phillip said as he and Sabrina settled back into their bed, aI have both a wife and a racing kitten to train to become one of the top racing cats in all of England. I doubt building a dozen crenelated towers can get better than this.a Sabrina rubbed her palm over his belly. aI wonder,a she said between nipping bits, awhich you prefer, me or Olympia?a aThereas no contest. Er, how fast do you think you can run, Sabrina?a She fell asleep with laughter still in her heart, her head on Phillipas shoulder, her nose nearly touching Olympiaas small outstretched paw, the kitten sprawled on his chest.

Epilogue.

McCaultry Racetrack.

N ear Eastbourne, two and a half years later.

The crowd was shrieking. There were six racers, but only Gilly from Mountvale Mews and Olympia from Dinwitty stables were now in contention. Gilly was running his paws off to reach Jamie, who stood at the finish line, singing Gillyas favorite limerick. Just behind Gilly, on the inside, ran Olympia, her long legs eating up the ground, her eyes focused on the Dinwitty strategy, namely, Cook from Dinwitty Manor, who was just standing at the finish line, beside the singing Jamie, her arms crossed over her ma.s.sive bosom, calling out in a piercing voice that nearly drowned out Jamie, aHere, my sweetie. Here, my little kitty. Hereas your favoritea"steak and smoked oyster pie. Just think of all those kidneys, diced up real nice and small, and the steak, in long thin strips, just as you like it, and the smoked oysters, that will have your tongue singing. Come to Cook, Olympia. Thatas my darling, come to Cook.a Then Cook pulled a packet out of her bosom, unwrapped it, and held up a long strip of steak. The odor wafted down the track. Olympia jumped a foot in the air, kicked dirt in Gillyas face, and within seconds was across the finish line, the clear winner, bounding toward Cook and that strip of steak.

Phillip Mercerault was holding his small son, Alexander, in his arms when Olympia came flying over the finish line, tail fluffed, fluting a high meow of victory. Alexander screamed with laughter when Olympia jumped into Cookas arms and ripped the strip of steak from her hand.

There was wild applause intermingled with grumbling for those who had bet on one of the other racers. As for the champion, Gilly, he left the track, his head held high, allowing Jamie to carry him to where Susannah and Rohan stood.

Susannah Carrington was yelling congratulations to Olympia, even as she leaned down and picked up Gilly, holding him close and kissing his dusty neck. Then she let her daughter, Violette, give him a consoling pat. Marianne, now nearly seven, was saying to Rohan, aI could smell that steak. Are you certain thatas fair, Papa? I started drooling when I smelled that wonderful smell.a aA new racing technique, pumpkin,a Rohan said, and kissed his daughter. aThe Harker brothers will just invent something else for us, something more powerful that will have your aunt Sabrina and uncle Phillip gnas.h.i.+ng their teeth when next we win. Youall see.a Later that evening, back at Mountvale, Julien and Katherine St. Clair, the Earl and Countess of March, joined the Carringtons and the Merceraults at the dining table. Theyad just produced a son, Damien, the previous year, who was now sleeping in the nursery with all the other offspring. They spoke of marriage contracts among the children, but then Phillip, sighing, said, aAll of you know as well as I do that the chance of any of our children doing anything that we wish them to do will be equal to the number of races Gilly will win with Olympia in the race.a Rohan threw a m.u.f.fin at his friend. aWe will see. I have infinite faith in the Harker brothers. Now, back to our children. There arenat yet enough to have a really good mix. We must get to it, Susannah,a he said to his wife, aand provide more choices for all the offspring.a aWe must help in this also,a Phillip said, patting his wifeas shoulder, a lovely shoulder that was very white and not as thin as it was when theyad first married.

aPerhaps,a Sabrina said, ajust perhaps we shall.a aAnd you, my lord?a the Countess of March said to her husband. aWill we also do our share?a aI believe we will, Kate. Yes, I do believe we will.a Talk turned to Richard Clarendon, the Marquess of Arysdale, whose beloved father had recently died, making Richard the Duke of Portsmouth. aI wonder,a Phillip said over a gla.s.s of tart white wine, aif Richard will ever find a woman who will make him realize what heas all about.a aYes, a woman who will claim him right and tight,a said Sabrina. aJust as I did you, Phillip.a aWho knows?a said Rohan Carrington, and raised his gla.s.s to all his friends.

Susannah said, aTo well-fought cat races and good friends.a aAmen to that,a Phillip said. He sipped his wine, then leaned over to lightly kiss his wife on her mouth.

September 10, 1974a"May 2, 1997

Gilly, my old warrior, died quickly and easily on Friday, May 2nd.

He leaves many people who loved him dearly.