Chapter Two
Nick, in the bedroom, felt the train curve around a bend, and easily let his body move with the railcar. It helped that the motion brought him into even closer contact with Priscilla. Her body was soft, smooth, and close against his, with no night clothes causing a barrier. He'd actually woken up an hour earlier, when the sun peaked, an ingrained habit from years of ranch work.
Priscilla by now was used to his schedule, as well as being an early riser herself, so she had awoken also. He had then remembered that he wasn't on the ranch, and didn't need to go to the morning chores. Nick had told Priscilla that, and she had responded with suggestions of what he could do, since they were both awake. They had been husband and wife for over three months, so Nick had no issues on taking her up on her suggestions.
After their wedding in June they had enjoyed three incredible weeks in a cottage along the coast, just north of Los Angeles. There was a cove with a small sail boat, which he and Priscilla had taken out many times. Nick had shown her how to the work the sails and she turned out to be quite the sailor. They fished off of the boat too, and he was impressed at her casting ability. It didn't surprise him to learn that she'd been fly-fishing in Scotland on a trip with her grandparents.
On more than one occasion, after they'd brought the boat back into the cove, they'd lit a fire and cooked their catch as the setting sun surrounded them with pink and gold rays of light. Nick always made sure a bottle of wine was waiting, and after dinner they would cuddle together under a blanket. The love they made, as the fire burned dim and the waves crashed against the rocks was an experience that he never wanted to forget.
Priscilla was a generous, passionate woman, who met him fully every time they came together. Nick still couldn't believe his luck, and said silent prayers never to do anything to mess his good fortune up. Once the honeymoon was done they'd gone down to San Diego, which was really just a continuation of their wedding trip.
He had procured, through one of his friends, a villa that overlooked the bay in San Diego. Zack Morton was marrying Priscilla's best friend; Phoebe was in fact the only daughter of the man who ran the chandler shop that supplied the US Pacific Fleet. The wedding was a grand celebration, the highlight being the reception at the Officer's Club of the US Navy base, which overlooked the ocean.
Nick and Priscilla had both found it a relief to come home to the ranch after all the festivies; Victoria and Jarrod had organized a huge homecoming for the couple. He had proudly swept Priscilla over the threshold of the house, as the family watched. A barbecue had followed, attended by the ranch hands, their families, and the tenant farmers. However he'd barely had a week to enjoy being at home with Priscilla, before he'd had to leave for the round up. The two weeks he was gone were the longest and most miserable period in his life. Heath had finally had to take him aside and warn him against driving the men and cows too hard, in his hast to get back home.
In late August they'd gone to Sacramento for the state fair, and the Governor's Ball, a highlight of the northern California social season. Nick had won the shooting contest, but his joy at that at been eclipsed by the occasion of escorting Priscilla down the grand staircase of the Governor's Mansion. He had been very touched when Victoria had offered Priscilla a diamond cascading necklace, which went perfectly with the Duchess' earrings.
Nick had seen the appreciation and joy in his wife's eyes, when she'd accepted the offer, and in his opinion she'd been the star of the evening. He also privately was glad that his wife and mother got along so well. Nick's reminiscence was halted, as Priscilla nestled against him, slowly waking up. He knew the ritual well by now, and let her body slowly move against his, while she stirred from her sleep.
"Mmm, I do like waking up with you." Priscilla murmured, as Nick's whiskery face nuzzled against her neck. He heard her comment and grunted happily, as he laid butterfly kisses on her soft, creamy exposed skin. Nick made it a point to be gentle, so as not to leave the marks he sometimes would on her skin. For the duration of the next week, they were in the close quarters of the railcar, with Heath and Sarah.
"Well that is good to hear, since I like waking up with you too, even if it is on the train." Nick adjusted his long legs, making a mental note that the next time the car was redecorated; a longer bed was needed in the main bedroom. "Honestly, I'm still not sure this trip is a good idea." He added, moving so that his face was next to hers. Priscilla's blue eyes were soft and slightly unfocused, the result of their recent lovemaking. She was an amazing lover, beguiling him with fire and passion behind closed doors.
"Nicky, it will be all right!" Priscilla declared, reaching up to kiss his lips. Nick though wasn't going to be put off by the gesture, even as he enjoyed the kiss. She had told him just barely a week ago that she was not quite two months along, which had made him want to shout the news from the housetop. Priscilla had cautioned him though that it was safer to wait until after three months, just to make sure everything was all right. "I still wished you would have agreed to seeing Doc Merar." Instead she had fobbed off that suggestion, saying there was no reason until the third or fourth month.
"We have been down this road before, Nicholas. Women have borne children for generations, and as of now all the symptoms I have are perfectly normal." Priscilla let her hands caress his chest, and Nick felt his ardor stirring. "Now this is a simple trip, and I will get lots of rest. A few parties and dealing with the trust and Hester's house – which I will have help with – will not be taxing in the least." Her soft fingers moved lower, to where his manhood was rising with excitement.
"I guess I have to take your word for all this, but just be aware that no party or meeting is worth you overtiring yourself; do you understand?" Nick growled, as he moved so that she was underneath him, as his hips moved against hers. "Sissi I love you so much, and will protect you and our child no matter what!" Her reply was lost, as she moved so that he could settle against her femaleness, making love to her.
It was almost an hour later that he left the bedroom, giving Soo instructions not to disturb his wife until she was ready. In reality he knew that Soo Lin would look after Priscilla; the man's dark eyes missed nothing. Nick privately chuckled that Soo was undoubtedly already planning the birth gift, something in accordance with his beliefs. Soo Lin held Priscilla in great regard, and Granny Elspeth – who knew the customs of the Far East – in even higher esteem. Whatever Soo presented to Priscilla, Nick knew his wife would receive it with great pleasure, understanding the symbolism the gift came with.
Nick walked down the narrow hallway, into the common area where the dining and sitting areas were, and saw Heath and Sarah sitting close at the table. They looked happy and relaxed, and Nick didn't want to interrupt the couple's private time together. Instead he moved into the small kitchen, out of sight of the table.
He had many qualms about his brother's marriage, even before the incident at the rehearsal dinner of his wedding. He'd shared a family anecdote, but Sarah had overreacted; later Nick was to see that she did that routinely, making him feel sorry for Heath. On more than one occasion he'd beat himself up for the part he'd played in Heath's courtship of Sarah.
Sarah had been resistant to Heath's overtures, even as Nick had noted how his brother was attracted to her. Heath had been miserable ever since Sharon Callahan had turned him down, not wanting to go against her family and church.
Nick had seen Sarah as a kind, gentle person, in need of the care and rescuing that Heath could provide so well. The story of her father had been splayed over all the papers, and Victoria had in fact gone out of her way to befriend Penny. The woman was setting up a dressmaking shop, having been left with almost nothing after the financial debacle that Wilton Rose had orchestrated. Even as he thought about his mother, Nick remembered how cautious she'd been about Heath and Sarah's courtship. At one point she'd taken him aside and told him to step back, as Sarah and Heath needed to find their own way.
Thinking about the incident at the rehearsal dinner, and remembering Sarah's refusal to participate in Audra's or his wedding; well it made him wonder what his mother had seen that he hadn't. Realizing that focusing on the past wouldn't change anything; he forced himself to recall Priscilla's words of caution. He had not listened to his mother, but with all the water under the bridge he would listen to his wife.
She had caught on, during the celebration at the end of the round-up, and that weekend's Sunday dinner coolness on his part toward Sarah. For Nick those two events had been the first time he'd been around Sarah since the wedding, and seeing her had reminded him of their last encounter. Nick couldn't keep anything from Priscilla, and had told her the whole story, which caused her eyes to widen with shock and pain.
Priscilla had collected herself, and told Nick that they – he had liked how she'd put herself with him – needed to rise above the comment. She reminded Nick of the publicity around Sarah's father's death, and how it had changed her circumstances forever. Nick had replied that other people found themselves in reduced circumstances but kept their character. His kind hearted Sissi had replied yes that was true, but Sarah was Heath's wife and if he was cold to her his brother would pick up on Nick's attitude. Did he really want to alienate his brother, who loved Sarah? No, Priscilla had stated it wasn't their idea of marriage, but clearly Heath was happy and that was what mattered.
Nick reminded himself of Sissi's words, as he turned to go to the rear of the car; breakfast could wait he decided. Just as he was about to walk out Soo Lin saw him and smiled. Soo's gesture caused Heath and Sarah look in his direction, and Nick smiled as he put on a social face and went to join the table.