Rapture in His Arms by Lynette Vinet Read Free Book Online Page A

black. What is the man’s name, ma’am?”
    Jillian knew his name very well, but hated repeating it. She took her time before responding, “Donovan, I think.”
    “Ah, ’tis an Irishman he be. I think I heard tales about some Irish who were made into slaves years back. This Donovan fellow must be one of them. More’s the pity for he’s a handsome and well-formed man.”
    Jillian didn’t say anything else to Lizzie, placing all of her attention on unpacking. When the gowns were hung in their proper place in the wardrobe, Jillian dismissed Lizzie, who gratefully curtsied and scooted quickly out of the room. Jillian wondered where the young woman was going in such haste. Jillian’s silent question was answered some moments later when she walked to the window and dared a peek. The slaves still waited in the yard. All of them now sat upon the ground while Edwin spoke softly to them. Then another person appeared—Lizzie.
    Lizzie kindly offered each of the men a cup of water, but her interest was clearly centered on Donovan. When he thanked her and shot her a grin, Lizzie giggled and waited much longer than necessary before she departed for the kitchen. “Why that little flirt!” Jillian groused under her breath. At that very instant, Donovan looked up and saw her. He lifted his eyebrows, and a knowing smirk turned up the edges of his mouth as if he’d expected to find her watching him. With cheeks flushing a vivid shade of red, Jillian hurriedly left the window. She couldn’t help wondering if the lusty Lizzie was now going to replace Priscilla in Donovan’s bed.
    For the remainder of the day, Jillian snapped at everyone, but especially Lizzie, and disliked herself for doing so.
    ~ ~ ~
    Jillian easily returned to the routine of running her household. During her absence, a slave had delivered a fine, healthy son and an indentured servant had died. Otherwise, things progressed smoothly. As the days turned into weeks, Jillian sensed a strange contentment in Edwin. No longer did he seem upset by Jacob’s death; he smiled and laughed more, even willingly accompanied her to visit Dorcas and her son. “Children are wonderful, and Benjamin is utterly delightful,” Edwin exclaimed, after their visit to Dorcas’s home, a visit in which Edwin had held four-year-old Benjamin on his lap and fed him a sweetmeat.
    “Aye, he is a splendid child,” Jillian agreed, suspicious of Edwin’s ebullient attitude as they sat down to supper in the oak-paneled dining room.
    “’Tis a pity that the child’s father is Tyler Addison. I’ve never had much use for the man,” voiced Edwin.
    Jillian knew that Edwin didn’t care very much for Tyler, perhaps because Tyler had courted her before her marriage to Edwin. However, Jillian had never considered Tyler seriously as a husband, for her friend Dorcas was in love with him. “Perhaps you judge Mister Addison too harshly. He does seem to care for Dorcas and his son very much,” she remarked and poured a cup of tea for Edwin.
    “Aye, perhaps.” Edwin grew strangely silent then he gazed at her in what Jillian could only describe as a penetrating fashion. “What would you do if I died? Have you considered remarrying?”
    His question caught her unawares and she spilled some of the tea onto the tablecloth. Never before had he asked her such a blunt question. “Nay, Edwin, I have not. Please—stop this talk of—death. ‘tis unnerving.”
    “I won’t live forever, I don’t want to live forever. My time here is shortly coming to an end, Jillian. I want you to be prepared.”
    “Stop! I don’t want to hear about it.” Jillian made a move to get up, but Edwin grabbed her hand.
    “I’m going to make certain that before I die, you get your wish, I aim to see you happy.”
    “Wish? What are you talking about?” she asked blankly, not understanding him at all. “I wish only that you cease this constant talk about your dying. That would make me happy.”
    “All right, my dear. I