Unveiled (17 page)

“You should have said something!” Katie chided, then melted into laughter as he rolled her onto her back, trapping her effectively beneath him.

“Why? You seemed to be having a good time. The last thing I want to do is interfere with your pleasure.”

“You are the most conceited, swellheaded—”

“Unscrupulous,” Christopher supplied helpfully. “Egotistical—”

“Excuse for a husband,” Katie finished, still laughing. She wrapped her arms around him, delighted with the way his body warmed hers, and the sensual way he kissed her. When his face lifted to hers, she shivered at the smoldering desire she saw in his eyes.

“Are you happy?” he asked softly, taking her hand and kissing her fingers.

Katie’s breath caught and she gazed up at him, amazed that so simple an act could make her stomach contract and her legs feel weak. “Very,” she managed, closing her eyes as his mouth caressed her palm, arousing her in a way she’d never dreamed possible.

She must be a wanton. Surely he didn’t mean to take her again, in broad daylight on Sunday morning, and surely she didn’t want him to! No decent woman felt what she was feeling. She’d heard the whispered conversations of other women, about a wife’s duty and a man’s privilege, and she was certain that her first sexual experience with John Sweeney was common. Squirming, she managed to extricate herself from his embrace.

“Fan? What’s wrong?”

Katie blushed, especially when he called her by that name. Good Lord, she couldn’t do this, especially with the church bells ringing! She clutched the sheet more tightly about her naked body and gestured to the window.

“The bells. We have to get ready for services.”

Christopher shrugged, toying with the edge of the sheet “We have time. There is a second service at ten.”

“We have breakfast,” Katie said quickly. “Remember? Your aunt is giving a breakfast in our honor this morning.”

“Brunch,” he corrected her. “And that isn’t until eleven. Fan, what’s wrong?”

Katie shrugged, growing more embarrassed as she remembered the previous night. Fan Pemberton would not have reacted to him with such abandon. Real ladies didn’t derive pleasure from sex, only taproom whores did that. And last night her response had been unmistakable. Surely he must be thinking the worst….

“It’s not decent,” she said shyly.

Christopher frowned, staring down at her in disbelief. “Fan, you’ve lived with another man. A gambler, they say.” His eyes darkened as if this fact troubled him immensely, but he continued in the same tone. “That’s almost the same as being married. Surely in all that time you made love in the morning?”

Katie swallowed hard. He expected her to have much more experience than she did. “Not really,” she murmured. “It was…not the same.”

“In what way?” When she didn’t answer, he continued softly. “Fan, I’ve never asked you about your past. I know about the scandal, have heard the rumors, but would like to hear it from you. What was he like? Did you love him so much to leave everything? Why did you come back?”

Katie gulped. She had unwittingly opened Pandora’s box, but there was no escape now. Christopher waited expectantly, and she knew she owed him an explanation. Yet how could she possibly continue this lie and tell him about a past she knew nothing of?

She couldn’t, Katie decided. She would tell him the truth, but only about her own experience. Taking a deep breath, she answered quietly.

“I thought I did love him.” Her eyes squeezed shut as she thought of John Sweeney, and fresh tears started as the pain began all over again. “I would have done anything for him. Surely you can understand that? He was the first man to make me feel that way, as if I really meant something to him.”

“I see,” Christopher said, his tone dry. “What happened then?”

“I was too young,” Katie said softly, knowing that for the truth. “And I didn’t really understand what love meant. When he, you know…” She couldn’t bring herself to say it, and thankfully Christopher nodded. “I didn’t feel anything. Not like last night. I thought that’s the way it is supposed to be. Then he left me, and I realized he never loved me at all. He couldn’t have. So I came home.” She forced a smile, though there was a glistening of moisture in her eyes. “Fan Pemberton and the scandal.”

Christopher said nothing, but saw the shame in her face. Reverently he picked up her hand and kissed it, then he looked directly at her.

“The man was a fool, Fan, a damned fool. What happened between us last night was wonderful, and nothing for you to be embarrassed about. We have the rest of our lives together, and I intend to spend it making you happy. I can only do that if you let me. Do you trust me enough?”

Katie looked at him through her tears, past the charming facade that most people saw, to the urgent and compelling man beneath. She nodded, her fears evaporating. For some reason she did trust him. His smile returned and he pulled her into his arms. Katie sighed. It felt so good, so natural to be there that, wanton or not, she could no longer deny him.

“Come then. Show me that you mean it.” His voice was warm and compelling.

Katie did.

T
WELVE

^“
O
h God, Christopher! Isn’t it beautiful!”

Christopher smiled indulgently as Fan stood in awe at the sight of the brunch. It was true, the hotel was pretty, with the view of the ocean sparkling through the windows and dozens of white candles illuminating the soft linen tablecloths and crystal. And the food, fresh sea trout, eggs prepared with several interesting sauces, tea cakes and rolled sandwiches, coffee and sugared almonds, was well done and exceptionally served. Fan had attended dozens of brunches just like this one. Yet she brought a freshness to everything she did, as if it was the first time, and he thought it delightful.

Christopher grinned as he recalled Fan on her knees that morning in church, her hands quietly folded in prayer, a far cry from the woman she’d been in his arms. Her response had delighted him, for he knew it was real and honest, and his blood quickened as he realized that he could make her feel that way. And when she’d reciprocated, making love to him in the most intimate way possible for a woman to love a man, he thought he’d go out of his mind. Yes, he’d done exactly the right thing when he married Fan Pemberton. She was funny and witty, charming and mischievous, but best of all she was real, one of the few women in his acquaintance that he could truly say that about.

“There you are. Everyone is waiting. You looked beautiful yesterday, dear, and even prettier today.” Aunt Eunice pressed a kiss on Katie’s cheek, then gave her nephew a wink. “Well done, my boy. Seems we finally have made you respectable.”

Christopher gave her a dry smile. “There was never any question in the matter. Now, if you don’t mind, Aunt, my bride and I are starving.”

Katie grinned as Christopher led the way, nodding to the Pembertons and the Scotts. She nearly giggled when they reached the table and he groaned in frustration.

“If it was up to them, we’d never eat. You’d think they’d have some pity—we’ve only been married a few hours. Don’t look now, but here comes Margaret and the other girls.”

Katie grimaced as Margaret approached. Bertrice saw her expression and with a subtlety that would have been unheard of a few months ago managed to distract her by indicating a torn hem. Katie melted into laughter as Margaret was forced to follow Bertrice into the outer room, where, apparently, the hem could be repaired.

“I can’t believe the change in Bertrice,” Katie commented happily at Christopher’s quizzical glance. “Charles has been a grand influence on her. She’s really come out of her shell.”

“I’m glad, too. They seem to make a nice couple, and Charles really likes her. I think we may hear of another Cape May wedding soon.”

Katie smiled. Nothing could have made her happier. Bertrice deserved a man like Charles. She was still beaming when she noticed Ella rise unsteadily, then pause as if unable to go on. The older woman stared about her in confusion, then took several deep breaths while clinging to the back of the chair. Her smile fading, Katie put down her napkin and immediately got up.

“I’ll be right back,” she whispered to Christopher, then walked across the room. She took Ella’s hand and helped her to the door. “Are you all right?” Katie whispered softly.

Ella nodded, but Katie could see the strain in her eyes and a bluish tinge around her mouth. Her hands were cold, and when she glanced up at Kate, she looked afraid.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, but her voice quavered. “It’s just the excitement. I think I need to rest for a while.”

Katie nodded. “You overdid it yesterday. I wanted you to take it easy—”

“And not dance at your wedding?” Ella managed a smile, then grasped the chair once more. “You’re right, I did too much. I have an odd pain in my arm. I just need to lie down.”

One of the maids escorted Ella to the hotel sitting room while Katie watched, concerned. When she rejoined Christopher, she couldn’t hide the way she was feeling.

“Is she all right?”

“I don’t know,” Katie said, suddenly very glad to have someone to share this with. “She doesn’t look well.”

“I’m sure it’s just the excitement.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “If she continues to do poorly, I’ll send for our personal physician in the city. He’s very good.”

Katie smiled gratefully. Christopher seemed to know exactly what to say to make her feel better. She turned to say good-bye to Bertrice and the other guests. When only the families remained, Eunice stood up.

“I’d like to make a toast to the bride and groom. May you have many days as happy as this one. Long life, long love to you both!”

Everyone clapped, then sipped champagne and orange juice. Katie blushed, embarrassed by the attention, but her eyes met Christopher’s. She felt a surge of emotion rush through her. He smiled, his eyes soft and full, as if sharing the feeling with her. Katie didn’t think it was possible to be this happy. She broke away from his stare, aware of the sound of an altercation from the front part of the dining room.

“I’ll not listen to anything! Take your hands off me When they hear what I have to say—”

“Madam, you can’t go in there. It is a private party!”

“Really! Well, this is my party, and I’ll go where I damn please!”

“Madam!” The waiter rushed up and glanced apologetically at Christopher. “I’m sorry, but I tried to stop this woman. She insisted upon coming in.”

“That’s right!” The woman barged in, her face a mask of hatred. “Don’t you understand, you fools! You’ve been duped! I’m Fan Pemberton!”

The only sound that followed was the clatter of Katie’s fork as it fell to her plate. Time stood still as she stared in astonishment at the woman before her.

It was like looking at a mirror image. Fan Pemberton had the same glossy black hair, the same blue eyes, the same nose, the same freckles…even the same dimples. Katie swallowed hard, blinking, sure the apparition would vanish, but it did not. An eerie fear crept over her, a feeling that was reflected in the angry face that stared back at her. It was as if she were no longer an individual, no longer the only Katie. Good God, a perfect replica stood right before her.

Katie wanted to run, to hide, to get away from this woman who seemed as incredulous as she. But there was no escape. Already she could hear the buzz from the wedding guests as they, too, recovered, and the reality began to sink in. She couldn’t even look at Christopher, but her heart pounded as she sensed his confusion.

“What the hell’s going on here?” he asked, glancing from one woman to the other in disbelief.

Grace Pemberton spoke first, corning forth from her table to examine the woman who had barged in. The two women eyed each other with an obvious lack of affection. In one cursory glance, Grace was satisfied and she turned to the others with a sarcastic tone.

“This
is Fan.” She spoke in a smug voice. “I told you
she
wasn’t my daughter. This is the real Fan.”

Bedlam broke out. The Pembertons’ voices rose in an uproar as they demanded explanations and reprisals while the Scotts stared in dignified disbelief. Eunice stepped forward, still glaring at Fan as if she couldn’t believe her eyes, then she turned toward Katie.

“Who are you?”

Some of the noise quieted as Katie struggled to answer. “I’m Kate. O’Connor. Katie O’Connor.” She could hardly talk, her emotions were so intense.

Eunice glared at her. “Where did you come from? Have we ever seen—”

“No,” Katie said quickly. “I live in the poor section of Philadelphia. I am a ladies’ companion.”

“My God.” Eunice fanned herself with her napkin, looking as if she would faint. She glanced accusingly at Christopher. “Then that means you’ve married a pauper? She has no dowry, no money? That all our plans were for nothing?”

“Unfortunately, Miss O’Connor, or should I say, Mrs. Scott, is not from our circle,” George Pemberton interrupted, wisely stepping between Eunice and the young couple. “But that should make little difference to you, Eunice, monetarily, at least. I think our biggest problem right now is what to do with two Fan Pembertons.”