Thanks for the reviews. Please continue to read and respond!
jess – Be-lated thanks for your remarks on Chapters 23-25. I'm glad that they helped make your holidays merry!
Rhonda – Thanks for the tip on Another Way Home. I'll have to be sure and add it to my reading list. Now to answer you question. Asa got hold of Sean's letter in Chapter Twenty-one (Revelations and Proof).
Chapter Twenty-seven
The fire burned fiercely, illuminating the room with it's brilliant flames, as Sean lay in bed, awake, facing his sleeping love, dreading what was to come. There was little time before the day would be arriving, when that magnificent star would make it's ascent above the horizon. It would be then that their time would be up, that he would have to go, catching the first train back to Lexington. Sean continued to gaze across the sheets, entranced by Marita's peaceful face, thinking how hard it was going to be to wake for the next few weeks without her. Though she'd be returning to Lexington after the school adjourned for Winter Break, it would be weeks before they could marry, and again share their lives, awake in the same bed; for the wedding still had to be planned, and there was society and their families to contend with. Sean didn't think that it would take much to gain the support of their families; for his family loved Marita, and though her father was not fond of anything beyond friendship developing between he and his daughter, Sean knew that once he talked with Isaac he could eliminate any misgivings the man had. Their families would be fine he mused. It was everyone else that had him concerned he thought. His mind now wondering to Holmes, the man's last words, " It'll never work," again haunting him. Though Marita had assured him of what he already knew, that Holmes knew nothing about their relationship and was therefore wrong. He still had this fear that there was some truth to the man's assertions, that what he wanted most would somehow be thwarted, never to be fully realized. Sean quietly sighed, forcing the thought from his mind as his stare remained fixed on the woman before him. She was exquisite he thought, his eyes roaming over her, relishing the beauty of her brown skin, glowing from the light of the blaze. His body became heated; aching with longing and love, leading him to reached out his hand and lightly press his thumb to her brow. He then traced it, etching its detail in his mind, before trailing down her cheek, then over to her chin and up to her lips. He wanted so much to kiss them, to experience their sweet taste, but instead he faintly touched them, tenderly caressing them, causing Marita to stir. Sean waited patiently for sleep to release her from its grasp. His hand then drifted from her lips, stroking her chin, as she lightly stretched then languidly opened her eyes.
"How long have you been awake?" she asked drowsily
"A while." Sean answered quietly, his voice smoldering with passion.
"Why didn't you wake me sooner?" she asked lethargically, still struggling with sleep.
"I wanted to...." Sean whispered. "But watching you sleep got the better of me…" he ended, tucking a hair behind her ear.
Marita closed her eyes and gently clasped his hand, which had come to rest below her ear; then brought it to her lips.
"These past few days have been the best…" Sean continued huskily, his desire heightened by her gesture. "Better than anything I've ever experienced in my life."
"For me too…" Marita responded softly, opening her eyes to his blue stare as she returned his hand to lie beneath her ear. "You know before you came up, I never felt completely comfortable in this house… but since you've been here…this house now feels like a home." She finished lovingly, now fully awake.
For a moment Sean held her gaze, the quickening in his heart seizing his breath; then he pulled her to him and took her lips, groaning at the yearning being quenched within. "I don't want to go." he uttered as he reluctantly drew away from her mouth.
"I'll be there in two weeks." Marita breathed, trying to convince not only Sean, but herself that their time of separation would not be long.
"I know." Sean sighed lowering his gaze, now thinking of the past, how things had crumbled while they were apart, and as much as he hated to think it, Holmes words, which were again plaguing him, causing him to question what was to come.
"Sean what is it?" Marita queried, detecting his changed mood.
Sean drew a breath; then lifted his eyes and spoke "It's…It's Holmes." he confessed.
Marita was instantly troubled, remembering how the man's words had affected Sean the night before. At first he'd refused to speak of his encounter with Holmes, only wanting to hold her, to make love, which was wonderful like it always was. But there was a desperation to his touch, that scared her, worried her greatly. So she'd questioned him again, urging him to tell her what they'd discussed. Sean had then reluctantly complied, telling her everything Holmes had said. And though Marita had instantly reassured him, and he'd accepted her comfort and concurred her words, in his eyes she could still that there was more, that Holmes' statements had struck him harder than he wanted her to know. "Are you still …bothered by what Holmes said?" she asked uneasily.
Silence –
"Somewhat..." Sean stated honestly. "There's just this fear that I have… that this is all some… incredible dream, that will end when I go back to Lexington…I fear" he paused, struggling to state the insecurities ignited in part by Holmes. "That I'm going to lose you again." He croaked.
Marita couldn't speak, for she was fighting to hold back the hurt, the tears incited by all he'd said; realizing that her past actions were playing a part in what he felt... "Sean" she began shakily. "This is an incredible dream." She said, touching his cheek. "A dream that is now a reality…which means I'm not going anywhere, not because of David Holmes or anyone else…I'm yours…now and forever." She finished earnestly as she adoringly ran her hand through his hair; then gently kissed his lips.
"God I love you." Sean whispered passionately, as she pulled away, holding her with his gaze. "And I can't wait to make you my wife."
"I already feel like I'm your wife." Marita replied softly.
Rushed with an intense wave of love and desire, Sean took her lips, devouring them with slow tenderness, as he pulled her closer, fluidly shifting her beneath him. Marita instantly enfolded his body with hers. Her hands heatedly caressing his thighs, while she accommodated the hunger in his kiss with her own amorous response. Overcome with need, a longing to cherish every part of her form, Sean deserted her mouth for her fragrant neck, hotly tasting it, while his hand lovingly tended to her breast. Marita moaned his name, coiling her hand in his hair, arching to his touch, when gradually their sensuous foreplay was impeded by the sound of birds, along with the first rays of the clouded sun, piercing the drapes of the room. Their caresses briefly slowed as they contemplated stopping, ending what they knew could go beyond the time they had left. But ultimately they continued on, ignoring the significance of the rising sun, to once more become immersed in the rapture that could only be attained through the union of their bodies and souls.
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"Wilhelmina, I don't know what to do" Vivian whined as the woman stood behind her pining the jeweled combs in her hair. "Father has warned me to stay away from Pete." She continued "But it's been days since that horrid display in town and I want to make sure he's okay."
"Child you need to do as your father say and stay away from this Dixon man." Wilhelmina stated strongly as she prepared another lock for pinning up. "I'm sure your father knows more about him than you, and besides it's very inappropriate for a young woman to be calling on a gentleman who has not once called upon her."
"Oh Wilhelmina." Vivian sighed "There is no way father knows anything about Pete Dixon; otherwise he would've said something when he caught us together. And as far as Pete never calling upon me…well that's just not true." she argued, now staring at Wilhelmina through the reflection of the mirror. "He…"
Suddenly, there was a rap on the door, interrupting Vivian's thoughts and startling them both. After a brief second to steady her heart Vivian indignantly asked who it was.
"It's your father!" the voice uttered heatedly.
Vivian unleashed an irritated breath then directed Wilhelmina to let him in. The woman immediately released the lock of hair she'd been working with and made her way to the bedroom door…
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"Leave us." Asa snapped rudely as soon as the door swung ajar "Vivian and I need to talk." he continued as he walked into the room.
"Father!" Vivian asserted, standing from her chair, put off by his disrespect towards Wilhelmina. She was then about to ask the woman to stay, but before she could speak, Wilhelmina was already out the door.
"Father what's so important?" she asked angrily, now folding her arms across her chest.
"You're leaving Lexington." Asa replied in a rigid tone
"Leaving Lexington?" Vivian echoed with perplexity. " What do you mean?"
"You'll be sailing for Europe as soon as it's arranged." Asa answered firmly
"Europe?" Vivian questioned tartly, forcing a laugh. "You can't be serious?"
"I'm very serious." Her father stated staunchly, now walking up on her, intimidating her with his stare. "You need to spend some time away from Lexington. Get yourself together. Learn how a young lady is supposed to behave."
"I beg your pardon!" Vivian exclaimed, obviously offended.
"And I think being in Europe with your mother will do just that." Asa continued strongly, ignoring Vivian's furious response.
"Father I don't need mother to teach me anything." She retorted, staring him squarely in the eyes. "I know how to 'behave' like a lady, and I can't believe that you would suggest otherwise."
"Have you forgotten the stunt you pulled a few days ago?" Asa countered crossly "Conversing with a man who you knew nothing about, and worst kissing him in the middle of town. That's hardly behavior becoming of a lady!"
"Oh my God this is about Pete?!" Vivian shrieked, now understanding her father's motives. "Father this is completely absurd. I'm not a twelve year old, and I'm not going to allow you to send me off to Europe to be with mother and William because you don't approve of my friends…"
"Pete Dixon is no friend of yours!" Asa roared, not wanting to hear his daughter again state that Pete was someone she could trust. "He is beneath you, and I will not allow you to sit here and pine after him, or worse defy me by continuing to see him behind my back! You will do as I say and visit your mother in Europe! Even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming."
"You wouldn't dare." Vivian replied shakily, tears now brimming in her eyes as she remembered an incident in the past when her father had humiliated her by doing what he'd just threatened.
"I don't want to. But I will." Asa warned sharply, his voice a bit more subdued than before. "I will not stand by and let you ruin your character on a gentleman that's unworthy of you…now you will do as I've instructed and began preparing for your trip!" he commanded strongly.
"I can't believe you're doing this!" Vivian yelled defeatedly, turning away from her father, knowing that she had no choice but to do what he'd ordered. "This is not right!"
"It's for your own good." Asa stated sternly, indifferent to the hurt that his daughter was feeling and the tears she was shedding. It was better that she be angry with him and safely in Europe, than again destroyed and humiliated by Sean Logan. She could never know of Sean's Negro lover Asa thought angrily, or what he planned to do to take him down.
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Marita and Sean stood on the porch of the home, holding each other, unaffected by the wind, and the cold. They were submerged in each other's warmth and their mood, which had changed from the deep sadness of before. Though they still felt disheartened at having to end their time together, they were content, remembering the joy of the past few days, and thankful for the future they were planning… Sean strengthened his arms around her, his mind again drifting to the days that were to come in which she would be hundreds of miles away. Though he knew that their time apart would be brief, he felt as if it would be a lifetime until they'd again be reunited.
"Two weeks." Marita uttered quietly, instantly deciphering Sean's tightened hold.
Sean smiled to himself, closing his eyes in comfort, moved by how she could always read his gestures, his thoughts. He then opened his eyes, intending to pull back so that he could see her face, but nearly choked at the vision before him. "Maybe not two weeks..." he whispered.
"What do you mean?" Marita questioned, opening her eyes in alarm; then gasped at what she saw. It was snow lightly falling from the sky. She immediately thought of his comment from the previous day. When he'd stated that he could stay if it snowed, but knew that it held little weight, considering the flurries had just started to flow. "It's beautiful" she sighed as she pulled away from the hug, but still remained in his arms, watching the snowflakes fall.
"You're beautiful." Sean uttered, causing her to turn her eyes from the weather and onto him, who was staring at her affectionately. For an instant she held his gaze, smiling at his words; then she kissed his lips. "I love you" she sighed, embracing him again, needing to feel his arms around her, as he responded with his own words of adoration and love...
"I should go." Sean whispered against her neck; then graced it with a kiss.
"I know." Marita breathed, now stroking her fingers at the nape of his neck.
They remained in each other's arms for what seemed like eternity, then slowly they let go, instantly feeling the cold as their bodies moved apart.
"I'll see you soon." Sean said shakily, passionately holding her stare.
Marita closed her eyes and took a deep breath "Soon." she murmured. Sean gently touched her cheek, prompting her to open her eyes. Their gazes locked, smoldering with emotion, again conveying what they felt without words; Sean then pulled his hand away, and turned and retreated down the steps to his horse. Once he'd mounted his steed, he again turned his eyes to Marita, binding her with his stare before finally directing the animal to go. Marita watched sorrowfully as Sean rode away, the cold upon her and the pain surging through her heart. She would see him soon she reason. Forcing herself to think positive, as he gradually moved down the path, when out of nowhere came a chill, separate from the cold air around her, cutting her to the bone. Her heart felt strange, heavy, as if it were sinking in an ocean of doom. She gasped, clutching the railing before her, steadying herself against the fear that was threatening to overwhelm her; when suddenly the feeling vanished; leaving as quickly as it had come, confusing her more. Marita's mind raced fiercely, her heart shaken as she now watched Sean disappeared out of view. All would be fine she thought weakly, attempting to reject the anxiety stirring within. She then turned her view from the empty path and moved to re-enter the house, when her 'hopeful' thoughts crumbled, causing her to break down in tears, knowing that no matter what she did there was no way to foil the shadow that had obscured her soul.