.
Texas, 1857
Chapter Eleven
.
"Be careful Doc," Jasper cautioned his friend. Last time the men played football, Carlisle had gotten a nasty bruise on his chin.
"We'll be easy on you old man," Jacob teased the Lieutenant. The men bantered among themselves as they begun to set up for a new game. The pleasantly warm weather had drawn everyone outside. The ground around the house had dried enough over the last day and a half to make for a mud free football game possible.
"I'll show you how a real man plays," Carlisle snickered.
"Will he get hurt?" Isabella asked Jasper who was sitting in the chair next to her.
"No," answered Jasper. "He's actually the best player in the platoon." Isabella gave him a slight nod in understanding. She watched the soldiers begin their new game. Their feet moved quickly as they kicked the ball between their teammates. Just then a little figure drew Isabella's attention away from the game.
It was Eleazar, Stefan's youngest brother. He was a few years younger than Alice. With a wide happy grin on his face, he came up to the porch.
"Patrona," he smiled revealing two missing front teeth. The little boy had a cowlick on the back of his head. It gave his hair the appearance of feathers fanning out.
"¡Hola mijo!" Isabella enthusiastically greeted the little boy. She stood up drawing him into a warm hug. "¿Cómo esta tu mamá?" Asking after his mother, Isabella playfully ran her fingers through his dark hair. Like his brother, Eleazar had the loveliest pale green eyes. At seven he was already blessed with striking features. Isabella was sure he would grow into a dashing young man.
"Está bien," he grinned. "Acabamos de comer."
Little Alice came up and stood next to Eleazar. "Eli," she greeted her playmate.
"¿Su familia tiene suficiente alimentos?" Isabella asked wanting to make sure Stefan's family had plenty of food.
"Si." Little Eleazer whose family called him Eli nodded. His bright eyes and missing two front teeth melted Isabella's heart.
The little boy's attention was riveted on his playmate.
"Can we go play?" eagerly asked Alice.
"Yes," said Isabella. "Be careful and don't go beyond the woods near the house."
"We won't," Alice took Eli's hand. "Promise," she called over her shoulder. The little duo skirted off the porch.
With a smile on her face, Isabella sighed. She was thinking about how much she would have loved to have a child. But it didn't seem to be in the stars for her. Edward's late wife was never able to bare him children. And it seemed after nine years, neither could she.
"If you'll excuse me," Isabella turned to Jasper. "I need to check on Edward."
"Yes," Jasper nodded, "Of course." His gaze followed Isabella's form as she walked back into the house. Though he stayed put and watched the game, his thoughts were on Isabella. He allowed his mind to indulge in the details of his memory of her.
He shifted in his seat.
When he had heard her voice that morning, it was nearly enough to tip him over the edge. A few times, his need to have her was so strong, that he was sure he would pull her away to have his way with her. Instead he counted the hours until nightfall; until she would come to his bed again.
With the men's football game score at two to one, Jasper rose from his seat and casually entered the house. Chancing that Isabella was still upstairs he quietly made his way up, stopping outside the doorway into Edward's room. Jasper's eyes found Isabella sitting and talking with Laurent. He stood silently, willing her to look up at him.
"I just can't seem to get him to eat anything." Laurent was obviously grieved.
"Keep trying," said Isabella. She felt an unnerving sensation. Glancing up, she caught Jasper's gaze. The hunger she saw in his eyes made her quiver. "Offer him food often," she told Laurent.
"I will."
"I'm going to lay down for a nap," Isabella stood from her chair. Jasper smiled. Stepping away from the doorway, he moved to lean against the wall next to the door. "I'll check in on him afterwards," Isabella told Laurent.
"Yes ma'am."
Though her body was telling her to run, Isabella slowly took her leave. Stepping into the hallway, Jasper grabbed her by the arm, flinging her around and toward his larger frame.
A rush of air escaped her.
Before she could speak, Jasper overwhelmed her, seizing her tender mouth. His kiss was demanding. Turning her, he pressed her against the wall, leaning his athletic built against her. His hands were rough; insatiable. He did everything to coax Isabella's passion to the surface. Jasper knew he'd gotten what he wanted when he felt her delicate fingers pulling up at his shirt, searching for entrance.
Breaking their ravenous kiss, he took her by the arm and hurried her to his room. Unknown to the young couple, Margaret had caught Jasper leading Isabella into his room. A devilish smile pulled up at the corners of the older woman's mouth. Acting as if she'd seen nothing, she entered Edward's room to shuffle away the mid-day dishes, which she'd brought up earlier for Edward and Laurent.
Behind closed doors, Jasper claimed Isabella with such a passion he was certain the house would have ignited in to flames. With his hand over her sweet mouth, muffling her cries of rapture, Jasper wished for a way to capture all the sounds she made when he made love to her. He would have guarded and cherished that music box.
The euphoria of their union dissipated, leaving them both completely relaxed. Laying on his back, Jasper draped his arm around Isabella.
"Come with me; you and Alice." His voice was soft and gentle.
"I can't just leave," Isabella sat up, pulling the sheet up and across her chest. As fanciful and as wonderful as the prospect of being with Jasper was, it was also unrealistic. Divorce was too expensive. Even if Edward granted her one, which he never would, her name would be smeared.
Isabella lowered her head, resting her forehead on her knees.
"I would leave my post." Jasper stroked her back. "We could start a life together in Mexico."
"Jasper." Isabella raised her head. With her open hand, she touched the side of his handsome face. "There are too many souls here that depend on me staying. As much as I would want this other life with you, I can't abandon my responsibilities." She gazed at him longingly. "You're a good man. You've worked so hard to achieve what you have."
Jasper drew back from Isabella's touch. Leaning against the headboard he rubbed the palms of his hand against his face. "What good is it, if you're here and I'm there?"
"You're here now with me," Isabella turned allowing the sheet to fall to her waist. Jasper sat still, admiring her feminine design. Carefully, she moved herself, positioning her body in front of Jasper's. His hands reached up, caressing her hips. "We're together now," she leaned forward and kissed him.
Pushing the inescapable truth away, Jasper kissed her back.
"Mistress." There was a soft rasping at the bedroom door.
With her heart in her throat, Isabella drew the sheets around herself. Quickly Jasper jumped out of bed and pulled his trousers over his thighs and hips. He reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head. He gestured for Isabella to stay behind him, hidden from the eyes of whoever was knocking on his door.
Isabella's heart raced frantically with alarm.
Cracking the door slightly, Jasper cautiously asked, "What is it?" His eyes immediately met Margaret's.
"The Master is asking for her," Margaret whispered. "I've delayed as much as I can."
Jasper nodded to the older woman. "Thank you." Margaret turned and disappeared down the hallway.
Hearing Margaret's words to Jasper, Isabella gathered her clothes and hurriedly began dressing herself.
"Easy now," Jasper stood behind her, securing the clasps at the back of her long skirt.
"My hairpins?" Isabella strained her voice.
"Shh," Jasper breathed, wrapping his strong arms around her. He held her securely against his chest. He refused to allow Edward to yank her away from him. "You don't have to rush out. Be calm."
"I will," whispered Isabella. Jasper placed small kisses along the curve of her neck. His touch was soothing. Satisfied that she wouldn't run out of his room, Jasper released her.
Isabella sat on the edge of the bed and began to braid her long dark hair.
"Here you go," Jasper handed her, her hairpins.
"Thank you," she mumbled, holding a few hairpins between her lips, as her hands worked at pinning her braids into a bun. When she finished, she stood and pressed the fabric of her blouse and skirt with the palms of her hands. "I have to go," she said. A gentle smile lit her face as she walked toward the door.
As her hand reached for the doorknob, Jasper turned her and pressed her against the door. He leaned in and kissed her. He needed to know that she belonged to him. When she moaned into his kiss, he was satisfied.
With rosy cheeks and beautifully swollen lips, Jasper watched her slip out into the hallway.
.
.
