Page 29 of Beyond Montana's Sky
She wanted to stay under the covers until the room warmed. But the urge to use the pot in privacy with Cai outside propelled her out of bed and over to the corner. Quickly, she did her ablutions, the chill seeping up through the floor and through her thick stockings. She used some of the water—barely warm—to wash up. Afterwards, she refilled the coffee pot and set it back on the fire grill to heat.
Once Edith pulled on her undergarments, she ran into the problem she’d foreseen the night before. Although she hooked up the front, she couldn’t tightly lace the back of her corset. Without a snug corset, she couldn’t don the rest of her clothing.
With an annoyed shake of her head, she put her robe back on, moved to the table, and sat to do up her hair. She’d just finished stabbing in the last hairpin, when Cai entered, accompanied by a gust of snow-scented air.
He eyed her robe.
Her face heated. “I’ll need some help with my corset.” She tried to sound matter of fact. “You’ll need to tighten the laces so I can finish getting dressed.” For the first time, she saw him look uncomfortable.
“Uh, well.”
Surprisingly, his discomfort made her feel somewhat more at ease.
He cocked one eyebrow. “Can I do this with my eyes closed?”
Edith laughed. “I don’t know.” Then, embarrassed, she bit her lip and turned her back on him, sliding off her robe.My chemise covers me adequately…as much as some of my evening gowns.But there was a big difference between a gown, no matter how low cut the bodice or short the puffed sleeves, and the thin undergarment, which was only to be seen by a maid or a husband.
“Can’t say I’ve ever done this before.” Cai’s voice sounded thick. He pulled on the laces.
“You’ll need to yank harder than that,” she chided.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“It’s uncomfortable, not painful.”
“I didn’t allow Aurie to wear a corset. She had enough problems with breathing as it was. Dr. Cameron agreed with me. She never grew old enough to get to the courting stage, when she might have balked and done so anyway.”
“Any man who was more interested in your sister’s waistline instead of her health wouldn’t be a worthy husband.” As the words left her mouth, Edith realized she’d just parroted Mama’s response to Aunt Agatha. A surge of gratitude made her feel connected with her mother.
He patted her waist. “Is this enough?”
She bent forward slightly. “On my exhale, pull tight.” One last breath and yank did the trick.
Cai slid his hands to her waist and gently held her. “Edith,” he said softly and pressed a lingering kiss to her shoulder near her neck.
Goosebumps feathered over her skin, and she shivered.
Abruptly, Cai released her. “I’ll, uh…be outside so you can finish dressing.” He practically fled out the door.
Edith laughed. “Oh, my.” She ran a hand over her neck and shoulder and down her arm, to smooth out the goose bumps. “Oh, my.”
* * *
Throughout breakfast, they remained silent, although a sensual tension vibrated between them. Then they straightened the cabin and packed their belongings, which Cai loaded on Rascal and into the surrey.
Finally, Edith was bundled up and ready to leave. She sent one last look around the cabin, this time not seeing the primitive aspects that had so dismayed her yesterday but instead a place of tender memories—ones she suspected she’d carry with her for a long time.
She stepped from the cabin, closing the door behind her, and into a glorious Montana morning. The golden sun sparkled on the remaining patches of snow. The air smelled crisp. A few puffy clouds drifted across the deep blue sky. More autumn leaves had blown from the trees, leaving patches bare. But enough color still remained on the branches, contrasting with the forest green of the pines.
Cai waited near the surrey, Rascal already tied to the back.
Feeling the weight of his gaze, she walked over and extended a hand, thinking he was about to help her up to the seat. But, instead, he drew her toward him, a devilish light dancing in his eyes.
Sliding his other arm around her waist, he paused a few seconds, as if asking for permission, and then kissed her. For the first time since Nathaniel’s illness, Edith gave herself to a man, to the touch of his mouth, the strength of his arms.
Cascading sensations radiated through her.Oh, my, he’s a good kisser.She let her lips part slightly, and his kiss deepened.No, more than good.Tongues of heat curled in her stomach, and every nerve in her body tingled. She clenched her hands around his arms, trembling, eager for more.
They kissed for several minutes before Cai pulled back a bit and smiled joyously down at her, without a trace of his usual teasing.
