Author's Note: Remember the character's thoughts are in italics. I hope
that the language isn't too bad, but it adds a little realism. Just read
it like it sounds.
Sean has to make a couple of stops and then heads to Marita's. As he enters the yard to Marita's house, he sees Dora Mae and waves "hello" to her. She smiles and waves back. "See, why would he be goin' to 'er house this early in the mawnin' just afta Isaac left if they wadn't nuthin' goin' on 'tween 'dem," Dora Mae says to Charles.
"It ain't like he spent the night. It ain't no matter, Mrita's leaving, mebbe he just cum to say bye," Charles says.
"You just keep on bleiving dat...you'll see soon 'nuf. Speakin' of Mrita leavin', I need to drop this basket over to 'er, so I'll jus' go and see fore myself," Dora Mae says and heads over to Marita's.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK !!! Sean knocks on the door impatiently.
"Good morning," Marita says as she answers the door. "I thought that you were going to stand me up again," Marita says hinting to Sean being late.
"I would never stand you up.well at least not on purpose."
"Well, come on in," Marita says and moves out of the doorway so that Sean can enter. "Sean, why are you smiling ? You look like the cat that ate the canary."
"I'm just excited to see you," Sean replies.
"Sean, tell the truth," Marita insists.
"I have a surprise for you," he admits.
"You do. What is it?" Marita asks smiling
"Is your Pa here?" Sean asks.
"Why?"
"Is your Pa here?" Sean asks now getting a little impatient.
"No he already left," Marita says.
As soon as she got the words out of her mouth Sean swept her up in an all- encompassing kiss.
"Was that my surprise?" She asks.
"Did you like it?" Sean asks back.
"Like, doesn't even describe it," Marita says with a dreamy smile.
"Well, I'm glad you liked or can't describe it, but that wasn't the surprise."
By this time, Dora Mae has made it to Marita's house. She puts her ear to the door. She's disappointed because she doesn't hear anything. "Darn," Dora Mae says to herself, " I wanna know what's goin' on in there."
"So what is it?" Marita asks.
"You'll see soon enough. Where's my breakfast?" Sean asks.
"Aren't we demanding this morning?" Marita says as she turns to go into the kitchen.
"Just when I want something as bad as I want you," Sean says as he grabs her arm, turns her around, and embraces her with a passionate kiss.
At that moment, Dora Mae bursts through the door, "I knew it."
Sean and Marita immediately broke their kiss and looked at Dora Mae.
"Xcuse me, I just wanted to bring you this here basket back 'fore you left," Dora Mae says convincingly.
Marita is so stunned and flushed, "Uh, yeah thanks Dora Mae. Sean was just here to say good-bye."
"Don't worry 'bout it Marita, I didn't see a thang. Well I guess 'dis 'll be the last time that I see you for a while. So good luck and God be wit' you," Dora Mae says as she hugs Marita and takes a glance at Sean who is now sitting quietly at the kitchen table.
"Thanks for coming Dora Mae, and I'll see you when I come back. Take care of yourself and tell Charlie and everyone else goodbye for me," Marita says as she walks Dora Mae out the door.
Marita turns and looks at Sean and both of them breathe a sigh of relief.
"That was too close, do you think that she saw anything," Marita says.
"No, we stopped before she could see," Sean says lying because he knows that if she even suspects that Dora Mae saw anything, that they would not be able to enjoy their time together. "It was a close call, but that's why we're not going to stay here. I'm taking you someplace special."
"What do you mean, where can we go?" Marita asks
"You'll see. You said that your Pa knows that we're spending the day together, right?"
"Yeah, Sean Logan what are you planning?"
"How 'bout us spending a whole day and night together?" Sean asks with a sly smile.
"Sounds good to me, but I don't think that either of our Pa's would like that."
"Well, I've already taken care of my Pa, just leave a note for Isaac and tell him that if he has any questions to talk to my Pa."
"Sean, it's not that easy," Marita says
Sean walks over to Marita and wraps his arms around her. "Look I really want to spend some quality time with you without anyone interrupting us. So just write your Pa a note, and I promise, if he talks to my pa, there will be no problem."
"Okay," Marita hesitates.
Marita sits down at the table and begins writing. Sean is standing over her. She is wearing a plum colored top that is a little low-cut. Sean looks down and can see the crevice between her breasts, and how they rise and fall as she breathes. "She better not take that blouse to Boston." He can feel his 5th limb standing at attention. "Hurry up Marita. We got to go know before I loose it," Sean says to himself.
"Done," Marita says as she places the letter in the center of the table and stands up.
"Let's go." Sean says as he turns Marita around and ushers her through her house and to his horse.
"What's all this stuff?" Marita asks when she sees the stuffed saddlebags on the horse.
"Just some stuff that we'll need." Sean takes Marita by the waist and puts her on his horse, and Sean hops on in front of her.
"Sean, maybe you should tell me where we're going, and I'll meet you there," Marita says.
"Why?"
"Look," Marita notions to Dora Mae and Charlie watching them leave.
"Not a chance. Marita they've seen us ride together for years. This is no different...Well, it is to us, because we've gotten closer, but it shouldn't be different to them."
"Yeah I guess that you're right."
"Hold on," Sean says as they take off.
"Where are we going?" Marita asks while she and Sean are riding though the woods on the immense Logan property.
"I told you somewhere special?" Sean replies.
"How much farther is somewhere special?"
"You really need to take on patience as a virtue." Sean says laughing. "If I remember correctly it shouldn't be much further." Sean slows the horse down to a trot. I haven't been here in a long time, but you're gonna like it." They ride a few more yards. "There it is. It's just like I remember."
"Sean, whose house is this?" Marita asks emphatically.
"You'll see," Sean says as he reaches for Marita. After Sean gets Marita down, he grabs the saddlebag and throws it over his shoulder. Then he grabs the food sack from the saddle in one hand and takes Marita's hand in the other. He walks up to the door and reaches in his pocket and pulls out a key.
"Sean whose house is this?" Marita asks again
"Just a minute." Sean unlocks and opens the door. He walks over to the little coffee table and takes matches out of his saddlebag. He lights the room and looks around. Marita is still wondering whose house she is in. Sean is lighting the other lanterns in the house.
"Come here," Sean says as he gently places his hand in the small of Marita's back to encourage her come. "Do they look familiar?" Sean asks as he holds the lantern close to the picture so that he and Marita can see it.
"Is that your Ma and Pa," Marita answered correctly.
"Yes, this used to be their place. I was born here. Not long after I was born, Pa's business really started picking up, and he started building the big house. It took him about two years because he didn't want to owe anyone for it, but it was finished just before Clay was born."
"I can't believe how good it still looks great after all these years. It's like someone still lives here," Marita says.
"Yeah that's true, I was thinking the same thing. I think that my mother's ghost maintains the property," Sean says softly.
"Really," Marita says.
"No," Sean says laughing at Marita's gullibility. "My Pa has one of the hands to maintain the place. I re-discovered this place when I was about eleven or twelve, and I asked my Pa about it. He said he has never had the courage to come back out here after she died, but he wanted to show it to me. He said that even after they moved into the big house, they still spent every anniversary here. He said that it was their special place because they shared so much there. Then when I was about to marry Vivian, he gave me the keys to it; so that we could live there until our house was built."
"You brought Vivian here too," Marita asks. She's a little offended that she wasn't the first person that he had brought there.
"Well, yes and no. She was bugging me so much about not having enough room to store the furniture that she was ordering. So, I brought her here. In my heart, I didn't feel that she deserved to live in this place, because my marrying Vivian was just a social arrangement to me. I never desired share real moments with her. I had no idea that I could ever feel for Vivian or any other woman even a portion of what I feel for you. But, she started complaining about all the things that she didn't have, and well I had no choice. Then when I did bring her out here to see the place, as soon as she saw it, she fell out laughing. She said that there was no way that she would live in a place like that. She just decided that we would live with her family until we built our own estate. She never even came in the front door. But, I'm glad. She doesn't deserve the honor of such a sacred place," Sean says.
"Well I'm proud to have the honor, let me show you around." Sean takes Marita by the hand through the small sitting room, to the living room, the small guest room, the wash room, and up the narrow stairs. Upstairs there is a loft-style bedroom. We can hear the hardwood floors creek as they walk across the floor.
"This is the bedroom," Sean says as he lights two lanterns. The room is large and has two windows which have been covered with lace curtains. As Marita is walking, she nearly trips over the spread of bear skin rugs.
"Be careful," Sean says.
"This is beautiful," Marita says as she touches the lace curtains. Then she notices that the bed spread and dresser and night tables have the same delicate lace on them. "Did your mother make these?"
"I don't know, but probably."
Marita looks over to the bureau and asks, "May I?"
"Sure," Sean says as he sits on the bed and watches Marita.
Marita opens the bureau and to her dismay there are none of Mrs. Logan's clothes in them, but there are some blankets and a couple of boxes in them. Marita was curious as to the contents of the boxes, but she didn't want to be too nosey; so, she decided to close the door.
"Wait, what's in those boxes?" Sean asks.
"I was wondering the same thing," Marita says as she takes one of the boxes down and hands it to Sean. Sean takes the box and opens it.
"Letters," Sean says as he reads the envelopes from several letters. "It's addressed to Miss Elizabeth Long from PVT Ned Logan."
"Your Ma and Pa must have written them to each other before they were married," Marita says as Sean is opening one of the letters. "Sean I don't think that we should read them."
"Why not?" Sean asks
"Because they're personal and private."
"Okay, but I'll only read one," Sean opens the letter and begins reading:
Dearest Libby,
This letter will have to be extremely short because we are just about to go into the trenches. They said that we'll probably be there for a couple of weeks. I didn't think that it was possible to miss someone as much as I miss you. You are the only thing that keeps me going. I ache for you. The only reason that I'm still breathing is because I know that I'm going to see you soon. As soon as I get there we're going straight to the church, and you're going to become Mrs. Ned Logan. I love you.
Ned
"That was beautiful," Marita says as she looks at Sean.
Sean looks at Marita and takes her hand and kisses it, "Marita..." is all Sean has to say. Their eyes never loose connection as Sean leaves a trail of kisses up Marita's arm. When he reaches her neck, he kisses and nibbles all around her neck. "I love you Marita... I love you so much," Sean says as he moves his kisses up to her mouth. Sean takes the box of letter and slides them over to the side as places a little of his weight on Marita to get her to recline onto the bed. Their kisses are so deep and heated as Sean begins to fumble to get his hands under Marita's long skirt. Finally he reaches her flesh.
"Ohhhh, she's so warm," Sean thinks
"Oh God, what is he doing to me," Marita thinks.
Sean caresses Marita's thigh gently as he works his way up toward the curve of her bottom. He begins pressing his swollen groin into her, so that she can feel how much he wants her. Marita is a little more shy than Sean, but she begins to explore his back and chest by touching his through his shirt. Marita can feel Sean's desperate need for her, and Sean can feel Marita's desperate need for him.
"Are you really ready for this?" Marita asks herself. All of a sudden severe wave of nervousness overtakes Marita.
"I...I..." Marita tries to speak.
"I love you too," Sean says as he thinks that he is reading Marita's mind. He continues kissing, touching, and pressing against her .
"Sean, I...I can't," Marita says.
"What! No don't stop now" Sean thinks as he tries to keep going.
"Sean, I can't," Marita says again.
"Hmmmmmmmm," Sean takes a long breath. Sean is still on top of Marita, he looks at her and says, "Woman, do you know how hard it is for me to stop?"
"Probably just as hard as it is for me to tell you to stop," Marita says.
"Trust me, it's HARDER for me," Sean says as he lightly presses his still swollen member into Marita causing her to laugh.
"Hungry?" Marita asks
"Definitely. I'll have a long, beautiful brown leg," Sean says as he caresses Marita's leg, "with two plump, sweet..."
"Sean," Marita laughs as she pushes Sean over and stands up. "I'm hungry, so I think that we should eat." Marita walks towards the stairs, and Sean has no choice but to follow her.
"Marita, you don't know it yet, but I'm gonna get you tonight," Sean thinks
When Sean makes it downstairs, he sees Marita bending over looking in the foodsack that they brought.
"I can't believe that my hands were on that. They fit her so perfectly," Sean thinks.
"Sean will you light the fireplace, it's getting a little cool."
"Uh, yeah, sure," Sean says as he is snapped out of his reverie. Sean goes outside and gets some wood and starts the fire. By the time he finishes Marita has the food ready. They is so much tension between them that they eat in silence.
Back at the Main House
"What a pleasant surprise Vivian, what can I do for you?" Ned asks Vivian.
"Well I just needed to talk with Sean for a minute."
"Is everything okay?" Ned asks
"Yes everything is fine. Is Sean here?" Vivian asks while she is peeping into Ned's office to see that Marita is not there either.
"I'm afraid not, but when he comes in, I'll let him know that you came by."
"Well, actually, maybe I can wait a little for him. I'm sure that you have something that I can do until he comes home, Vivian says.
"Excuse me. You want to do something here?" Ned asks unbelievingly.
"Well, I assume that with Marita leaving tomorrow things are getting a little stacked up. I am very good a writing and bookkeeping," Vivian says trying to sell herself.
"Well, I do have some letters that need to go out," Ned admits.
"Great. Just show me the way," Vivian says excitedly.
Back at the Hideaway
Sean watches Marita as she picks at her food. "She wasn't even hungry. Why did she stop? She's leaving tomorrow and doesn't want to be "with" me. Marita please talk to me."
Marita watches Sean as he slowly eats, "Doesn't he know how hard this is. I want to be with him, but I'm so scared."
"We need to talk," they both say in unison.
"You first," Marita says.
"Okay...here it is. Marita I love you, and I've never wanted to be with anyone more than I want to be with you, but if you don't want to be "with" me, I understand. I'll wait until you're ready, even if it is another eight months," Sean says pathetically.
"He'll say anything just to get what he wants. Sean, it has nothing to do with my desire to be with you. I'm just scared," Marita says.
"Come here," Sean says as he takes Marita's hand and pulls her until she sits on his lap. "Look, I'm a little nervous too, and we don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. I think that knowing that we're gonna be apart for so long has got me searching out the best way to spend this night," Sean says.
"Sean why don't we just see where the night takes us," Marita says with a smile as she kisses Sean gently.
"Wait...I have something for you, Sean says as he lifts Marita off his lap.
"What?" Marita asks.
Sean reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out a thick flannel shirt. "This is mine, but I want you to have it, take it with you, and wear it, that way you won't forget me," Sean says with a smile.
"Sean that is so sweet. I'll wear it every night. I have something for you also," Marita says as she gets up and reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out her lace shawl. "This is my favorite shawl, and I want you to take it, and wear it, that way you won't forget me," Marita says repeating Sean's instructions.
"Marita that is so sweet. I'll wear it every night," Sean says repeating Marita's words as they both laugh.
Back at the Main House
"It's getting late. Where is Sean?" Vivian wonders.
You can hear Lexy's voice coming near the office, "Pa, is Sean coming home tonight or is he going to stay the night wi..." Lexy's words are hushed as she sees Vivian sitting at Marita's desk.
"I'm sorry Lexy. I didn't hear you. Where's Sean?" Vivian asks nicely.
"He...uh..." Lexy tries to think of an answer without lying.
"Come on Lexy, spit it out," Vivian thinks.
"He said that he had some things to take care of. Vivian I really do appreciate you're help. Sean may be running a little later than normal, are you sure that you want to wait for him?" Ned asks
"I guess you're right. I'll talk to him tomorrow." Ned walks Vivian walks out of the house.
"Where are your footmen?" Ned asks.
"I gave them the night off. I figure that if I occasionally give them incentives that I'll get a better quality of work from them." Vivian says with a smile.
"That was really considerate and intuitive of you. Be careful," Ned says.
Ned goes back inside and Vivian rides away. "Where is Sean. I know that he's with Marita, but where? Maybe they're in the stables." Vivian rides over to the stables and to her disappointment no one is there. "Hmm where in Lexington can Sean and Marita be? The place would have to be secluded because if they were caught...I got it. That old little house that Sean actually thought that I'd live in. Let's see if I can remember where it is."
Sean has to make a couple of stops and then heads to Marita's. As he enters the yard to Marita's house, he sees Dora Mae and waves "hello" to her. She smiles and waves back. "See, why would he be goin' to 'er house this early in the mawnin' just afta Isaac left if they wadn't nuthin' goin' on 'tween 'dem," Dora Mae says to Charles.
"It ain't like he spent the night. It ain't no matter, Mrita's leaving, mebbe he just cum to say bye," Charles says.
"You just keep on bleiving dat...you'll see soon 'nuf. Speakin' of Mrita leavin', I need to drop this basket over to 'er, so I'll jus' go and see fore myself," Dora Mae says and heads over to Marita's.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK !!! Sean knocks on the door impatiently.
"Good morning," Marita says as she answers the door. "I thought that you were going to stand me up again," Marita says hinting to Sean being late.
"I would never stand you up.well at least not on purpose."
"Well, come on in," Marita says and moves out of the doorway so that Sean can enter. "Sean, why are you smiling ? You look like the cat that ate the canary."
"I'm just excited to see you," Sean replies.
"Sean, tell the truth," Marita insists.
"I have a surprise for you," he admits.
"You do. What is it?" Marita asks smiling
"Is your Pa here?" Sean asks.
"Why?"
"Is your Pa here?" Sean asks now getting a little impatient.
"No he already left," Marita says.
As soon as she got the words out of her mouth Sean swept her up in an all- encompassing kiss.
"Was that my surprise?" She asks.
"Did you like it?" Sean asks back.
"Like, doesn't even describe it," Marita says with a dreamy smile.
"Well, I'm glad you liked or can't describe it, but that wasn't the surprise."
By this time, Dora Mae has made it to Marita's house. She puts her ear to the door. She's disappointed because she doesn't hear anything. "Darn," Dora Mae says to herself, " I wanna know what's goin' on in there."
"So what is it?" Marita asks.
"You'll see soon enough. Where's my breakfast?" Sean asks.
"Aren't we demanding this morning?" Marita says as she turns to go into the kitchen.
"Just when I want something as bad as I want you," Sean says as he grabs her arm, turns her around, and embraces her with a passionate kiss.
At that moment, Dora Mae bursts through the door, "I knew it."
Sean and Marita immediately broke their kiss and looked at Dora Mae.
"Xcuse me, I just wanted to bring you this here basket back 'fore you left," Dora Mae says convincingly.
Marita is so stunned and flushed, "Uh, yeah thanks Dora Mae. Sean was just here to say good-bye."
"Don't worry 'bout it Marita, I didn't see a thang. Well I guess 'dis 'll be the last time that I see you for a while. So good luck and God be wit' you," Dora Mae says as she hugs Marita and takes a glance at Sean who is now sitting quietly at the kitchen table.
"Thanks for coming Dora Mae, and I'll see you when I come back. Take care of yourself and tell Charlie and everyone else goodbye for me," Marita says as she walks Dora Mae out the door.
Marita turns and looks at Sean and both of them breathe a sigh of relief.
"That was too close, do you think that she saw anything," Marita says.
"No, we stopped before she could see," Sean says lying because he knows that if she even suspects that Dora Mae saw anything, that they would not be able to enjoy their time together. "It was a close call, but that's why we're not going to stay here. I'm taking you someplace special."
"What do you mean, where can we go?" Marita asks
"You'll see. You said that your Pa knows that we're spending the day together, right?"
"Yeah, Sean Logan what are you planning?"
"How 'bout us spending a whole day and night together?" Sean asks with a sly smile.
"Sounds good to me, but I don't think that either of our Pa's would like that."
"Well, I've already taken care of my Pa, just leave a note for Isaac and tell him that if he has any questions to talk to my Pa."
"Sean, it's not that easy," Marita says
Sean walks over to Marita and wraps his arms around her. "Look I really want to spend some quality time with you without anyone interrupting us. So just write your Pa a note, and I promise, if he talks to my pa, there will be no problem."
"Okay," Marita hesitates.
Marita sits down at the table and begins writing. Sean is standing over her. She is wearing a plum colored top that is a little low-cut. Sean looks down and can see the crevice between her breasts, and how they rise and fall as she breathes. "She better not take that blouse to Boston." He can feel his 5th limb standing at attention. "Hurry up Marita. We got to go know before I loose it," Sean says to himself.
"Done," Marita says as she places the letter in the center of the table and stands up.
"Let's go." Sean says as he turns Marita around and ushers her through her house and to his horse.
"What's all this stuff?" Marita asks when she sees the stuffed saddlebags on the horse.
"Just some stuff that we'll need." Sean takes Marita by the waist and puts her on his horse, and Sean hops on in front of her.
"Sean, maybe you should tell me where we're going, and I'll meet you there," Marita says.
"Why?"
"Look," Marita notions to Dora Mae and Charlie watching them leave.
"Not a chance. Marita they've seen us ride together for years. This is no different...Well, it is to us, because we've gotten closer, but it shouldn't be different to them."
"Yeah I guess that you're right."
"Hold on," Sean says as they take off.
"Where are we going?" Marita asks while she and Sean are riding though the woods on the immense Logan property.
"I told you somewhere special?" Sean replies.
"How much farther is somewhere special?"
"You really need to take on patience as a virtue." Sean says laughing. "If I remember correctly it shouldn't be much further." Sean slows the horse down to a trot. I haven't been here in a long time, but you're gonna like it." They ride a few more yards. "There it is. It's just like I remember."
"Sean, whose house is this?" Marita asks emphatically.
"You'll see," Sean says as he reaches for Marita. After Sean gets Marita down, he grabs the saddlebag and throws it over his shoulder. Then he grabs the food sack from the saddle in one hand and takes Marita's hand in the other. He walks up to the door and reaches in his pocket and pulls out a key.
"Sean whose house is this?" Marita asks again
"Just a minute." Sean unlocks and opens the door. He walks over to the little coffee table and takes matches out of his saddlebag. He lights the room and looks around. Marita is still wondering whose house she is in. Sean is lighting the other lanterns in the house.
"Come here," Sean says as he gently places his hand in the small of Marita's back to encourage her come. "Do they look familiar?" Sean asks as he holds the lantern close to the picture so that he and Marita can see it.
"Is that your Ma and Pa," Marita answered correctly.
"Yes, this used to be their place. I was born here. Not long after I was born, Pa's business really started picking up, and he started building the big house. It took him about two years because he didn't want to owe anyone for it, but it was finished just before Clay was born."
"I can't believe how good it still looks great after all these years. It's like someone still lives here," Marita says.
"Yeah that's true, I was thinking the same thing. I think that my mother's ghost maintains the property," Sean says softly.
"Really," Marita says.
"No," Sean says laughing at Marita's gullibility. "My Pa has one of the hands to maintain the place. I re-discovered this place when I was about eleven or twelve, and I asked my Pa about it. He said he has never had the courage to come back out here after she died, but he wanted to show it to me. He said that even after they moved into the big house, they still spent every anniversary here. He said that it was their special place because they shared so much there. Then when I was about to marry Vivian, he gave me the keys to it; so that we could live there until our house was built."
"You brought Vivian here too," Marita asks. She's a little offended that she wasn't the first person that he had brought there.
"Well, yes and no. She was bugging me so much about not having enough room to store the furniture that she was ordering. So, I brought her here. In my heart, I didn't feel that she deserved to live in this place, because my marrying Vivian was just a social arrangement to me. I never desired share real moments with her. I had no idea that I could ever feel for Vivian or any other woman even a portion of what I feel for you. But, she started complaining about all the things that she didn't have, and well I had no choice. Then when I did bring her out here to see the place, as soon as she saw it, she fell out laughing. She said that there was no way that she would live in a place like that. She just decided that we would live with her family until we built our own estate. She never even came in the front door. But, I'm glad. She doesn't deserve the honor of such a sacred place," Sean says.
"Well I'm proud to have the honor, let me show you around." Sean takes Marita by the hand through the small sitting room, to the living room, the small guest room, the wash room, and up the narrow stairs. Upstairs there is a loft-style bedroom. We can hear the hardwood floors creek as they walk across the floor.
"This is the bedroom," Sean says as he lights two lanterns. The room is large and has two windows which have been covered with lace curtains. As Marita is walking, she nearly trips over the spread of bear skin rugs.
"Be careful," Sean says.
"This is beautiful," Marita says as she touches the lace curtains. Then she notices that the bed spread and dresser and night tables have the same delicate lace on them. "Did your mother make these?"
"I don't know, but probably."
Marita looks over to the bureau and asks, "May I?"
"Sure," Sean says as he sits on the bed and watches Marita.
Marita opens the bureau and to her dismay there are none of Mrs. Logan's clothes in them, but there are some blankets and a couple of boxes in them. Marita was curious as to the contents of the boxes, but she didn't want to be too nosey; so, she decided to close the door.
"Wait, what's in those boxes?" Sean asks.
"I was wondering the same thing," Marita says as she takes one of the boxes down and hands it to Sean. Sean takes the box and opens it.
"Letters," Sean says as he reads the envelopes from several letters. "It's addressed to Miss Elizabeth Long from PVT Ned Logan."
"Your Ma and Pa must have written them to each other before they were married," Marita says as Sean is opening one of the letters. "Sean I don't think that we should read them."
"Why not?" Sean asks
"Because they're personal and private."
"Okay, but I'll only read one," Sean opens the letter and begins reading:
Dearest Libby,
This letter will have to be extremely short because we are just about to go into the trenches. They said that we'll probably be there for a couple of weeks. I didn't think that it was possible to miss someone as much as I miss you. You are the only thing that keeps me going. I ache for you. The only reason that I'm still breathing is because I know that I'm going to see you soon. As soon as I get there we're going straight to the church, and you're going to become Mrs. Ned Logan. I love you.
Ned
"That was beautiful," Marita says as she looks at Sean.
Sean looks at Marita and takes her hand and kisses it, "Marita..." is all Sean has to say. Their eyes never loose connection as Sean leaves a trail of kisses up Marita's arm. When he reaches her neck, he kisses and nibbles all around her neck. "I love you Marita... I love you so much," Sean says as he moves his kisses up to her mouth. Sean takes the box of letter and slides them over to the side as places a little of his weight on Marita to get her to recline onto the bed. Their kisses are so deep and heated as Sean begins to fumble to get his hands under Marita's long skirt. Finally he reaches her flesh.
"Ohhhh, she's so warm," Sean thinks
"Oh God, what is he doing to me," Marita thinks.
Sean caresses Marita's thigh gently as he works his way up toward the curve of her bottom. He begins pressing his swollen groin into her, so that she can feel how much he wants her. Marita is a little more shy than Sean, but she begins to explore his back and chest by touching his through his shirt. Marita can feel Sean's desperate need for her, and Sean can feel Marita's desperate need for him.
"Are you really ready for this?" Marita asks herself. All of a sudden severe wave of nervousness overtakes Marita.
"I...I..." Marita tries to speak.
"I love you too," Sean says as he thinks that he is reading Marita's mind. He continues kissing, touching, and pressing against her .
"Sean, I...I can't," Marita says.
"What! No don't stop now" Sean thinks as he tries to keep going.
"Sean, I can't," Marita says again.
"Hmmmmmmmm," Sean takes a long breath. Sean is still on top of Marita, he looks at her and says, "Woman, do you know how hard it is for me to stop?"
"Probably just as hard as it is for me to tell you to stop," Marita says.
"Trust me, it's HARDER for me," Sean says as he lightly presses his still swollen member into Marita causing her to laugh.
"Hungry?" Marita asks
"Definitely. I'll have a long, beautiful brown leg," Sean says as he caresses Marita's leg, "with two plump, sweet..."
"Sean," Marita laughs as she pushes Sean over and stands up. "I'm hungry, so I think that we should eat." Marita walks towards the stairs, and Sean has no choice but to follow her.
"Marita, you don't know it yet, but I'm gonna get you tonight," Sean thinks
When Sean makes it downstairs, he sees Marita bending over looking in the foodsack that they brought.
"I can't believe that my hands were on that. They fit her so perfectly," Sean thinks.
"Sean will you light the fireplace, it's getting a little cool."
"Uh, yeah, sure," Sean says as he is snapped out of his reverie. Sean goes outside and gets some wood and starts the fire. By the time he finishes Marita has the food ready. They is so much tension between them that they eat in silence.
Back at the Main House
"What a pleasant surprise Vivian, what can I do for you?" Ned asks Vivian.
"Well I just needed to talk with Sean for a minute."
"Is everything okay?" Ned asks
"Yes everything is fine. Is Sean here?" Vivian asks while she is peeping into Ned's office to see that Marita is not there either.
"I'm afraid not, but when he comes in, I'll let him know that you came by."
"Well, actually, maybe I can wait a little for him. I'm sure that you have something that I can do until he comes home, Vivian says.
"Excuse me. You want to do something here?" Ned asks unbelievingly.
"Well, I assume that with Marita leaving tomorrow things are getting a little stacked up. I am very good a writing and bookkeeping," Vivian says trying to sell herself.
"Well, I do have some letters that need to go out," Ned admits.
"Great. Just show me the way," Vivian says excitedly.
Back at the Hideaway
Sean watches Marita as she picks at her food. "She wasn't even hungry. Why did she stop? She's leaving tomorrow and doesn't want to be "with" me. Marita please talk to me."
Marita watches Sean as he slowly eats, "Doesn't he know how hard this is. I want to be with him, but I'm so scared."
"We need to talk," they both say in unison.
"You first," Marita says.
"Okay...here it is. Marita I love you, and I've never wanted to be with anyone more than I want to be with you, but if you don't want to be "with" me, I understand. I'll wait until you're ready, even if it is another eight months," Sean says pathetically.
"He'll say anything just to get what he wants. Sean, it has nothing to do with my desire to be with you. I'm just scared," Marita says.
"Come here," Sean says as he takes Marita's hand and pulls her until she sits on his lap. "Look, I'm a little nervous too, and we don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. I think that knowing that we're gonna be apart for so long has got me searching out the best way to spend this night," Sean says.
"Sean why don't we just see where the night takes us," Marita says with a smile as she kisses Sean gently.
"Wait...I have something for you, Sean says as he lifts Marita off his lap.
"What?" Marita asks.
Sean reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out a thick flannel shirt. "This is mine, but I want you to have it, take it with you, and wear it, that way you won't forget me," Sean says with a smile.
"Sean that is so sweet. I'll wear it every night. I have something for you also," Marita says as she gets up and reaches into her coat pocket and pulls out her lace shawl. "This is my favorite shawl, and I want you to take it, and wear it, that way you won't forget me," Marita says repeating Sean's instructions.
"Marita that is so sweet. I'll wear it every night," Sean says repeating Marita's words as they both laugh.
Back at the Main House
"It's getting late. Where is Sean?" Vivian wonders.
You can hear Lexy's voice coming near the office, "Pa, is Sean coming home tonight or is he going to stay the night wi..." Lexy's words are hushed as she sees Vivian sitting at Marita's desk.
"I'm sorry Lexy. I didn't hear you. Where's Sean?" Vivian asks nicely.
"He...uh..." Lexy tries to think of an answer without lying.
"Come on Lexy, spit it out," Vivian thinks.
"He said that he had some things to take care of. Vivian I really do appreciate you're help. Sean may be running a little later than normal, are you sure that you want to wait for him?" Ned asks
"I guess you're right. I'll talk to him tomorrow." Ned walks Vivian walks out of the house.
"Where are your footmen?" Ned asks.
"I gave them the night off. I figure that if I occasionally give them incentives that I'll get a better quality of work from them." Vivian says with a smile.
"That was really considerate and intuitive of you. Be careful," Ned says.
Ned goes back inside and Vivian rides away. "Where is Sean. I know that he's with Marita, but where? Maybe they're in the stables." Vivian rides over to the stables and to her disappointment no one is there. "Hmm where in Lexington can Sean and Marita be? The place would have to be secluded because if they were caught...I got it. That old little house that Sean actually thought that I'd live in. Let's see if I can remember where it is."
