A Gentle Fragrance Read online

  Searching for something to say to quell the rise of tears, she took the seat Charleigh had vacated and looked up at her. “This place, Lyons’ Refuge, is such a place of song. Always I hear humming or singing from you or Darcy or even Stewart. And the boys shared a song with me and Bill today, as well.”

  She told her of it, and Charleigh laughed. “Not much of a surprise. That tune was a favorite years ago. We often play the phonograph of a Sunday or after the boys are bedded for the night.”

  “I come from an island of song,” Sarah said wistfully as she began slowly rocking. “We are taught to dance with the song, to show its meaning. The boys’ song reminded me of that, though at the same time it was nothing like it.”

  A sympathetic look crossed Charleigh’s face. “Do you miss home very much, Sarah?”

  “I do miss it; I miss my father most. But since I’ve come here, I feel a bond also to you at the refuge. The continual song, the Bible readings you hold every night, the openness and acceptance you have toward one another as family, all are so much of how my life was like on the island.”

  “I hope you know that we consider you family, too, Sarah. You’re a part of us.”

  The words, soft and sincere, caressed Sarah. They gave her comfort that helped to heal the breach caused by her husband’s frequent distance.

  “How do I cause my husband to care for me?” Sarah stopped rocking, shocked that her deepest concern had come tumbling from her mouth.

  Charleigh regarded her with some surprise. “I wouldn’t think that was a problem where you and Bill are concerned.”

  Sarah shrugged one shoulder and started rocking again. “He is often distant. I fear it is because of my wea—because of something I may have done.” She had almost spoken of her weakness. Remembering Darcy’s reaction, she didn’t want to invite further censure regarding her aunt. Sarah now understood that much of what Aunt Lefu taught had been wrong, but she did not wish to speak of it. The subject still distressed her.

  Charleigh’s smile was sad. “You two have been through a great deal these past months. Bill’s escape from death, your marriage, and then leaving your home and father to come to a new land that holds bad memories for Bill. Hmm. . .I think what you two need is a little good old-fashioned romance. Take some time alone together, which is difficult to find at this place—how well I know! Perhaps tonight is a good time to bring out the phonograph. The moon seen from the porch is very conducive to romance. Stewart and I take advantage of it whenever we can find the opportunity.” Charleigh grinned. “And tonight’s moon should be full, which is even more romantic.”

  The thought of being in Bill’s arms again sent Sarah’s heart beating a little faster. She made an effort to slow her rocking, so as not to disturb Clementine, whose small head now rested against her shoulder, her eyes closed.

  ❧

  Once the table had been cleared, the dishes washed, and the boys and other children had been sent to or tucked into their beds, Charleigh pulled a record from its sleeve and glanced toward Sarah and Bill. “I hear there’s a gorgeous full moon outside this evening. Huge and bright.”

  Bill hadn’t missed the loving smile Darcy and his brother had shared earlier, nor their quiet exit from the room. And now he didn’t miss the way Stewart came up behind Charleigh and lowered his head to whisper something in her ear. She giggled like a schoolgirl, but her gaze remained fixed on Sarah and Bill.

  “Air is nice and warm, too. A perfect night to take in the stars.”

  Bill looked at Sarah, his pulse going a bit unsteady both at the idea of having her to himself and the fear that she might refuse. “Would you like to step outside and take a look?”

  “Yes, Bill.”

  His heart lurched at the shy, soft glow in her dark eyes, the hint of a smile on her upturned face. He swallowed, hardly daring to believe what he was seeing, feeling almost like a schoolboy again and not like a man courting his wife. “Okay.” He grinned.

  “That moon isn’t getting any brighter,” Stewart teased, and Charleigh playfully slapped his arm, which had snaked around her waist, though she was smiling.

  Bill needed no further encouragement. He slipped his hand inside Sarah’s and walked with her outside to the porch, then closed the door behind them.

  He turned to look at her, but suddenly didn’t know what to say. From inside, the scratchy sound of a record being played on the phonograph caught his attention. He watched Sarah as she glanced toward the sheer curtains. He cast a glance that way too. Stewart and Charleigh were dancing cheek to cheek.

  Sarah turned her wide eyes upon him. He swallowed hard. “Would you care to dance, Sarah?”

  “Yes, Bill.” She held her hands out toward him, and he clasped one in his, slipping his other arm around her tiny waist. Slowly he danced with his wife, the porch too small for anything other than making tight circles. All the while they looked into one another’s eyes.

  “By the light of the silvery moon, I want to spoon, to my honey I’ll croon love’s tune. . . .” The music played on.

  “Bill?”

  “Yes, Sarah.” His voice came soft.

  “What is spoon? Is it slang, too?”

  Her innocent question caused his heart to race, contrary to the slow movements they made as they danced. “Allow me to show you.”

  Bending down, he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that revealed his heart. Sweet and passionate, tender and warm, the kiss continued until the end of the song. When Bill lifted his head, Sarah’s eyes shone brightly.

  “I like this word spoon.”

  He chuckled. “So do I.”

  When the record restarted, the two danced on. Bill pressed his cheek against her temple and her sleek hair, closing his eyes, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her.

  “Sarah?”

  “Yes, Bill?”

  “I love you.”

  The words slipped out, begging for release. When only silence answered, Bill pushed down his disappointment, squeezing his eyes shut.

  “I love you, too.”

  The words were as gentle as a whisper, but they triumphantly sounded a herald inside his mind. Clasping her upper arms, he pulled away to look at her.

  “You love me?”

  Her look was slightly puzzled. “Of course. I have loved you since we were on the island. Since I chose you for my husband.”

  Since I chose you. Bill blinked, astounded by the revelation. He had not taken Sarah from her island. . .she had chosen to come with him. She had chosen him.

  “You never said it before, never told me.” Emotion made his voice rough. “That night on the ship, I told you I loved you then, but you didn’t answer.”

  Her lips parted in amazement. “I never heard you.” Her lashes swept down as though to conceal embarrassment, before looking up at him again. “But I was taught I should not express my feelings, that it was considered weak for a woman to do so. My aunt Lefu told me this.”

  “Well, your aunt was wrong.” Bill could hardly believe what he was hearing. She loved him! All this time she had loved him. “Never think that you can’t express your feelings to me, Sarah. Never. I want to know what you think and feel every moment. When you hurt, I want to know so I can share your pain; when you’re happy, I want to know so I can share your joy. When you shut me out, it makes me feel as if I’m not important to you.”

  Her eyes widened at this, and he could tell such a thing had never occurred to her.

  The irony of the moment—that all this time they’d each loved the other and neither had known it—struck him in the midst of the awe, and he gave a chuckle of disbelief. “It seems we’ve both been foolish. Maybe I was the real sap for not saying anything. You only did what you were taught; I should have known better. I’ve also loved you, maybe as far back as the day you made that deal with me to listen to the Bible, then told me about your island.”

  Such joy shone in her eyes, it took Bill’s breath away. “Sarah. . .” Unable to hold back any longer, he kissed her agai
n with tender passion.

  “Your silvery beams will bring love dreams, we’ll be cuddling soon, by the silvery moon. . .”

  And as the song played on, they did just that.

  ❧

  Sarah hummed as she went about her task. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows. As she made the bed, she looked at the two pillows close together and smiled. Since the night of the silvery moon, three evenings ago, life had changed. If she had ever doubted Bill’s love for her, Sarah could do so no longer. Every action, every word, he gave from his heart, and Sarah blossomed. Even when he just looked at her from across the room, Sarah felt wrapped up in his embrace. And Sarah abandoned her aunt Lefu’s teachings, instead showing her love for Bill. Yet for all their newfound delight in one another, a tremor of fear still plagued Sarah.

  She still had not told him about the baby. Their shared love was too new, too fragile. If she told him and he retreated from her again, unhappy or upset about the news, she would wither like a rose without the nurturing water to keep it alive. She knew she must tell him soon, but each day that passed, she put it off. Her mind went to last night, as they had sat on the porch alone and looked at the stars. They’d sat on a porch glider, and he had held her within the circle of his arms.

  “Sarah?” he’d asked. “Do you really want to go to Manhattan?”

  Her heart jumped at the thought. “I would like to see more of it, to see a Broadway show, and to shop with Charleigh and Darcy, yes. I enjoy their company.” She hesitated. “But I wish also that you would come.”

  He released a heavy sigh. “You know why I can’t.”

  “I know.” Sarah nestled her head against his shoulder. Last night, he had told her all about Vittorio and his former association with the mobster.

  He let out another long, weighty breath. “If I allow you to go with them tomorrow, promise me you’ll be very careful? That you’ll stay close to Stewart or Michael at all times?”

  She had looked up at him with surprise and reassurance. “I will do what you ask.”

  As Sarah stood by the bed and remembered, she felt Bill’s presence behind her. His arm slid around her waist, gently drawing her back to him. She sighed in love’s sweet contentment. She didn’t want to be separated from her husband, even though she would soon be with him again. Yet as the baby grew within her, she would need new clothes. For that reason alone, she must go, if for no other.

  “What are you thinking about, pretty Sarah, to look so sad?”

  She moved her hand to cover his. “That I do not look forward to being apart from you. Even for one night.”

  “Believe me. I don’t relish the thought, either. But I’ve heard reunions can be wonderful.” He nibbled at her ear.

  She giggled, pleasure trickling through her at his touch.

  He held her more tightly for a long moment, then let out a sigh and broke away. “I imagine they’re waiting for you. I know Stewart wanted to get an early start to the station. Is your valise packed?”

  She looked at the borrowed reticule that contained only a few items. “Yes.”

  “Sarah.” When she didn’t answer, he put his fingers to her chin and directed her gaze to his face. “I want you to have a good time. I want you to enjoy yourself. This is something your father wanted, for you to see how this culture lives, to take in the sights. He told me so.”

  Smiling, she nodded, yet she couldn’t help but feel the distance even though they weren’t parted yet. A premonition of fear took her by such force that the sudden desire to throw herself into his arms, crush him tightly to her, keep him with her forever washed over her. She swallowed hard and looked into his eyes.

  Bill bent to kiss her, and the oddest feeling that it was a kiss of farewell—and not just for this moment—hit her. Sarah pushed aside her fears, refusing to give in to the weakness, but she did give in to the desire to embrace him more tightly, to kiss him with all the fervor she felt for him. His arms tightened around her, drawing her closer. After a while, he broke away from her lips and brought her head to rest against his chest and his wildly beating heart.

  “If you keep that up, pretty Sarah, I might change my mind about letting you go.” His voice was hoarse, half teasing. “Tomorrow evening, we’ll be together again. You’ll be back before you know it.”

  However, for all his best intentions, his words did nothing to reassure.

  Seventeen

  “Please, sit down.” Brent’s voice was calm. “You make me uneasy just to watch you. You put me in mind of a prowling wildcat.”

  “Maybe it was a mistake letting her go.” Bill plowed a hand through his hair and held the nape of his neck. “She’s new to this kind of world, this kind of life. And Manhattan is so crowded.”

  “Sarah seems to be a woman of remarkable strength of character and high intelligence. I’m certain she’ll do well.”

  “That city can be a zoo. I know. I lived there.” Bill paced to the other end of the porch, then spun to face his brother. “The sharks she’s accustomed to from her island are tame in comparison to the ones I ran into in that city. Though, granted, with the kind of company I kept, that was to be expected.” He gave a mock-amused shake of his head.

  “If you’re so concerned, why did you change your mind and allow her to go?”

  Bill expelled a long breath. “Just because I’m on a chain doesn’t mean I want to keep her on a leash. I knew she wanted to go, and I knew she’d be safe in the men’s care.”

  Brent sat back and took a drink of the lemonade beside him. “I must admit, the first time Darcy left with Charleigh to visit the city, I wasn’t in complete favor of her going. Due to the fact that someone must remain behind with the boys, I haven’t been able to partake of this particular event on any of the occasions they’ve visited the city, which amounts to three. Yet we’ve both found that the short absence from each other worked well for our marriage. It’s helped us to appreciate each other that much more.”

  Bill couldn’t even begin to relate. Six hours had elapsed since Sarah had left. They felt more like six weeks.

  “However, you being so newly married, I imagine that what I said makes no sense to you at this moment.”

  Bill gave an amused snort. “You’ve got that right.”

  “Then neither do I need to ask if you’ve worked out your difficulties.” Brent settled back in his chair. “Never mind. I’ve heard you whistling while you’ve been finishing work on the storehouse this past week, exactly as you did when we were boys. You only did that when everything was going well for you.”

  Needing to get his mind off of missing his wife, Bill looked out over the wooded horizon then back to his brother. “I noticed a chess set in the study. Would you be interested in a game after dinner? I imagine it’s going to be awfully lonely around here without everyone.” Without Sarah.

  Brent laughed. “With fifteen boys for company? That’s not likely.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right about that.”

  “A game does sound like a fine idea though.” Brent stood. “But at this moment, I need to see about grading papers. And then I suppose I should check into what Darcy left us to eat. I know she made three roasts and four pies. Hopefully it will be enough to feed our army and provide sandwiches for lunch tomorrow.”

  Bill nodded, his appetite not that sharp. Once his brother retreated indoors, Bill took a seat on the top step of the porch. He’d worked harder than usual all day, trying to get his mind off the fact that his wife wasn’t on the premises. The storehouse on which he, Samuel, and a few of the older boys were working was nearing completion.

  Noticing that Sasi lay nearby, head on his paws in a dejected manner, his brown eyes sad, Bill reached over to scratch the pup between his ears.

  “I know, little fella. I miss her, too.”

  ❧

  Sarah’s eyes went wide as she surveyed the island of Manhattan. When she had first arrived with Bill to New York, she had been exhausted, and the explosion of sight and sound
had been too much to comprehend. Fully rested, it was still much to bear.

  Building after building lined both sides of the street on which they stood, all of them tall, almost seeming to soar to the clouds. Horses and carriages intermingled with noisy automobiles. Hordes of people were everywhere—standing, walking, hurrying to catch a train.

  Michael must have sensed her hesitation, for he patted her hand that she’d linked through his arm upon entering Pennsylvania Station. “There now, lass. ’Tis a sight to behold, to be sure. But there’s no reason to fear. Stewart and I will be takin’ good care of you, and that’s the truth.”

  Sarah gave the old Irishman a grateful smile. Since they’d boarded the train hours ago and departed it, he had taken her under his wing, acting as a father toward her.

  “Well, now that we’re here, what shall we do first?” Ever the boisterous one, Darcy looked to and fro along the street, her eyes bright with excitement. The flower on her hat swung with the motions.

  “Shall we get something to eat?” Charleigh asked Stewart.

  “Now if you don’t be mindin’ it, I found a grand restaurant near the Italian district, serves the finest food in all the city.” Michael’s blue eyes twinkled. “That is, if ye don’t mind the wait. I’d like to treat you.”

  “That sounds fine. But I need to speak with the judge before we do too much,” Stewart said.

  Darcy gave an affirmative nod. “After the apples I ate on the train, I can stand the wait.”

  “Don’t forget the plums and peaches,” Charleigh said with a wink.

  “Can I help it if me appetite’s increased now that I’m carryin’ another wee babe?”

  Charleigh grinned, though Sarah noticed the men looked uncomfortable with Darcy’s reply. She assumed Darcy had spoken out of turn and said something she shouldn’t, but then, “that was Darcy” as everyone was wont to say.

  “I only hope the twins will be all right while I’m gone.” Darcy looked pensive.