Chapter Fourteen 14/15
Elize got up and finished her wine. She went down the hall to check on her grands. They were sleeping soundly. She sat down and pulled the lace curtains away to look at the ranch. The rose gardens, the mansion, Victoria's cottage, and the corrals. It comforted her to think of the Valley as the only home she ever felt safe in. She began to think back on their first week of marriage.
They traveled to Berlin and resumed their game of English and French words. He had bought her a new fur-collared cape and two more dresses for the trip. They walked through town and ate at a cafe. They stopped at a bookstore, and he bought some books for the train. He walked over as she was looking at a French fairy tale book.
"Would you like that too, my dear?"
"Oh Jarrod, I know it's silly, but I feel like I am living in one of the stories. I love fairy tales, and the lady who watched me while Father shepherded would tell me versions of these."
"You shall have your book, my dear, and everything I can give you for the future."
It was still one of her most trusted possessions, and she read to each of their six children from it. It stayed on her nightstand.
She fell asleep soundly on the train, and her head drifted to Jarrod's shoulder. He looked over and enjoyed the sensation and the rose water scent of her hair. He convinced himself he felt paternal and allowed her to stay there until the train stopped.
Jarrod signed the necessary papers for the wolfram mining contracts for the Pennsylvania steel mills. Shipments would start next spring, and his finder's fees would set him up for life. He was on his way to his second million very easily—-and yet Elize was his greatest satisfaction. Her English grew daily, and they worked on multiplication and division, which she took to easily. They took in all the museums and galleries in town. She just absorbed all the facts and beauty with her childlike fervor. He was, in turn, filled with the pleasure of showing Elize the world.
They went to the Royal Museum of the Decorative Arts on the last day. Louis Sussmann-Hellborn, the famous German sculptor, was in attendance and was one of the owners. Jarrod introduced himself, and the men visited. Louis was married to a world-renowned beauty, Bertha Hellborn. She came up to the men, and Jarrod was awed by her beauty.
He looked over for Elize, and she was entranced by a statue, Sleeping Beauty.
His heart dropped watching Elize. She was completely mesmerized by the sculpture. Bertha's beauty paled in comparison to his new wife's. He was reminded of her love for fairy tales and her sleeping on his shoulder on the train. She was his sleeping beauty.
The artist went over and introduced himself and his wife. Elize answered in perfect French and had impeccable manners. They had drinks with the couple, and Jarrod was so proud of how she handled herself. The sculptor and his wife assumed she was of the aristocracy. She carefully evaded any questions that would betray her.
Jarrod complimented her, "Well done, my fair lady."
She still beamed with pride at his words. Jarrod's approval was her source of strength in those early days and every day for the past thirty years.
—&—
They settled in easily to the Barkley home. Victoria was welcoming. She immediately sensed Jarrod's deep grief and brooding were gone thanks to this young lady; there was something very special about Elize. She and the others could feel it immediately.
He evaded all questions and introduced her as a ballerina he met in Paris, and it was meant to be. He described their travels to Berlin, then Portugal, then several weeks in New York City, then Pennsylvania, then home to California. They had been married for six months. Victoria hid her annoyance at Jarrod's lack of communication as he told the family he had wanted to surprise them. Victoria forced herself to let the matter go—-and be content with Jarrod home again and seemingly happy. His brothers just assumed he was attracted to the beautiful woman and wanted to marry again. Their wives took to her as a family member, and Elize flourished with familial bonds.
Silas was the only one to suspect a marriage of convenience. Jarrod moved a trundle from the attic while everyone was at church. He had feigned a headache and allowed Elize to go to church with the family without him. The first three nights had been unbearable, sleeping in the same bed with Elize. She would roll over and touch him during the night. His body would respond, and it was quite difficult to rest. He was adamant not to think of her in such a way—-
But as the months passed, they would travel to San Francisco and Sacramento together. He took her on all his business trips to see the sights of his state. "Furthering her education," he would call it. But he was getting very used to her companionship. And her touch—
The first tutor he hired was a twenty-year-old man working for the summer from the university. The young man became enamored with Elize; she gave him no encouragement. Jarrod walked in as she was asking him not to rub her shoulders as they did their lessons.
"It is not appropriée. I am happily married," she spoke.
The young man commented, "Oh please—-To the old man? He will never know. I can make you see the stars."
"But I would, and I love him." she retorted, thinking that Jarrod made her see the stars and the whole universe.
Jarrod was startled by her admission and found himself pleased. Then he announced himself.
"Get your hands off my wife and leave this house immediately."
The boy smirked with the cockiness of youth—- and soon found himself at the other end of a fist. Laid out on the floor.
"Are you hurt, my dear ?" as he walked over to her.
"No, but thankful you have yet rescued me again."
He held her tightly in an embrace. He could feel his body responding to hers. He pulled away and wiped her tears away, and kissed the top of her head. Her words raced through both of their minds. She had not meant to say it aloud, even though she had felt it for months. She couldn't decide if he heard them or not—but she was too afraid to ask. She was terrified of losing him.
He replayed them repeatedly in his head, "Had he heard them right?"
The next few months, they would cautiously touch and linger unnecessarily longer with each other; Jarrod sometimes slept at his office to avoid acting on his feelings. A second tutor, a woman, was hired, and Elize passed all her secondary exams with commendation within three months.
Elize got along beautifully with his family, and no one but Silas suspected their arrangement. Victoria taught her to cook and keep house. Melly and Miranda enjoyed her company and help with their young children. Elize loved spending time with them and giving their mothers a break. Jarrod would watch her longingly from the window and think what a good mother she would be one day—-when the day came for him to free her. He struggled with his feelings and the inevitability of what he had done. His family, too, would feel betrayed when she left them and deceived by his actions.
Jarrod took Elize to the Cattleman's to celebrate her passing of the tests and to broach the subject of her future.
"Congratulations Elize! You have done it. All your exams are behind you. The world awaits. What would you like to do next? I know you hate sewing, so dressmaking is out." He smiled at his jest.
"Jarrod, I can never thank you enough. You are an amazing man. My fairy tale prince." she said quietly.
He reached out and held her hand. The candlelight gave the table a dreamy glow.
"Do I have to decide now?"
He squeezed her hand, very relieved, "No, take all the time you want. I honestly don't want you to leave our home yet. Yes I said our home. It will always be yours to come home to."
"I do have one request."
"Anything! Voice? Piano? Another language? Violin? The university, of course?"
"Will you teach me to ride? I know you are very busy, and it is selfish to ask—-, but I am scared of horses and embarrassed because all of the ladies ride so well. I would not be afraid with you."
He breathed a sigh of relief; he was afraid she was leaving.
"Of course, my love. We will start tomorrow."
Her heart fluttered at his accidental endearment.
They danced several times before they went back to the ranch. Both of them lost in their feelings and fear of the future.
—&—-
Jarrod was good for his word; he dressed in his slate blue shirt and brown suede vest. Elize wore rust colored gauchos and a green shirt.
"It brings out your eyes. Is it new?"
"Yes. I got some riding clothes made a few weeks ago in case this worked out."
She got up on the horse, and he got up behind her. The closeness was almost too much for them to handle. He would give her instructions with the reins, and Jingo would respond. The horse had already made friends with Elize as did the rest of the ranch.
They stopped at the meadow and creek for the horse to rest.
"Jarrod? I would like to talk. I was too frightened last night, and you did not come to our room at all." She stammered.
"I fell asleep in the study. I am sorry." not admitting to the real reason.
"Jarrod, I do know what I want to do with my life."
His heart sank.
"That's good news, Elize. Tell me so we can plan together," hoping she wanted his help in the next stage.
"I—-" and she swallowed hard.
He waited for her to continue with dread.
"I know I am sixteen and young but—"
"Yes?"
"I want to be your wife. Really." she barely whispered.
He was startled. She was mortified by the look on his face.
"I am sorry, Jarrod. Forget I said anything. I can tell by your face it is not your wish. I am sorry. Let's go back." She felt like she wanted to throw up. Surely he saw her as a child still despite all her efforts.
"Oh, Elize—-no. Ummmm, Are you sure?" with a sharp intake of air, he was afraid to release.
"Jarrod, we have lived together for almost a year. I think we know each other very well and are compatible. " she barely whispered.
"More than compatible, Elize. I am so much older. You may not always feel the same as you do now." Trying to keep his reserve and hopes tamped down.
"I know my heart. Do you know yours?"
He nodded, unable to find the words. He pulled her close and kissed her for the first time intimately. She responded in kind, and soon their bodies were melded into each other, fully clothed.
"Not here, Elize. Let's take a real honeymoon. Away? Monterey? " he pulled away breathlessly, pulling his hands from her breast with regret. His body ached with desire. He had not been with a woman since France.
She smiled and bit her lip.
"Yes, Jarrod." but she didn't move from his arms. She thought of all the intimacies she had witnessed at the Palais Royale. Only this year, she found herself imagining them with her husband. She couldn't get them out of her mind with Jarrod at this moment.
She reached up to him and ran her finger across his cheek and down his neck. She stopped at the last opened button. He shivered. Her green eyes were unreadable to him for the first time. His best intentions were being dashed by her simple gestures.
"May I?" as she unbuttoned his shirt a few more inches. He didn't speak. She took that as agreement. She drew circles with her fingers on his bare chest. She put her palms on his heart and felt his strong heartbeat. It seemed to empower her even more,
"Elize, if you keep this up, I may have to go against my word."
She then ran her finger down his shirt, firm abs, and hip. He increased his embrace and then pulled his hand to her face. He mimicked every movement she had made. She began to make soft sounds and closed her eyes. His palms passed over her shirt with a gentle force. He laid her back down on the mossy bank.
"I'll not change my mind, young lady. But I shall give you a taste of what is to come in Monterey."
"Will you be my teacher? I want to learn what pleases you?"
He moaned, "You please me, Elize."
She opened her eyes and stared into his hooded ones. His breathing was deep, and he quickly covered her mouth with his—-and true to his word, she learned his intention of initiating her to pleasure, and she reciprocated.
They lay afterward in the afternoon shade with tousled clothing. Their first excursion into marriage left them anxious for more and eventually completing their union in Monterey.
—&—
She yawned and smiled at the meadow memory—and the thirty years hence. She closed the curtain and got back under the velvet duvet. She put her hand on his heart and softly patted. Just to make sure he was still with her.
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