Page 39 of Irish Thoroughbred
Later, she slept in the warm circle of his arms, the deep, peaceful sleep of one who had been lost and searching and finally found home.…
Sunlight streamed warm and loving on Adelia’s face, and she opened her eyes. Travis’s face lay close to hers, and she studied it thoroughly and sighed, her love nearly bursting her heart. His breathing was slow and even, the deep blue of his eyes hidden by lowered lids and lashes which seemed incredibly long and thick against the strongly masculine face. Her hand lifted and stroked the dark curls away from his forehead, and she snuggled closer, murmuring his name.
His eyes opened at her movements and smiled into hers. “Hello,” he said simply as his arm tightened aroundher waist. “Do you always look this beautiful first thing in the morning?”
“I don’t know,” she answered. “It’s the first time I’ve ever woken with a man on my pillow.” She rolled on top of him and peered down at his face critically. “You’re not a hard sight on the eyes either.” Grinning, she rubbed a hand over his chin. “Though it’s a fact you’re needing a shave.”
He tugged the hair that fell streaming from her head to his shoulders and brought her face down, claiming her lips. After a moment she lay her head in the curve of his shoulder, sighing with absolute contentment as he caressed her back with slow, idle movements. “Travis,” she said curiously, “that clock says it’s after ten.”
He twisted to see for himself and groaned. “That’s what it says.”
“But it can’t be,” Adelia objected, raising herself up in indignation. “Why, never in my life have I slept as late as that!”
“Well, you did this time.” He grinned. “Even you can’t argue the day back.”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t see it,” she decided and snuggled against his warmth.
“As much as I’d like to do the same, I have an appointment, and I’m already going to be late.” He kissed her again, rolling her over, and she clung to him, moving her hands over the rippling muscles of his back. “I’ve got to go.” His lips tarried a moment at the curve of her neckbefore he disentangled himself. He rose and slipped on his robe, turning back to gaze at her slim form, scantily covered by rumpled sheets. “If you stay there for a couple of hours, I’ll be back.”
“You could stay now and be a bit later for your appointment,” she suggested with a smile as she sat up, clutching the sheet to her breast.
“Don’t tempt me.” Moving over, he kissed her brow. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
When the door closed behind him, she lay back with a blissful sigh and stretched.I’m truly his wife now,she thought, closing her eyes as memories of the previous night ran through her mind.I’m a married woman, and Travis is my husband. But he never said he loved me.She sighed and shook her head.He said he needed me, and that’s enough for now. I’ll make him love me in time. I’ll make our marriage work, and he’ll not be thinking of ending it. I’ll make him so happy he’ll think he’s found heaven.
She jumped from the bed, full of confidence, and danced into the adjoining bathroom to shower.
Later, she paused halfway down the stairs, her face lighting with pleasure as she heard Travis’s voice coming from the living room. Before she could begin the rapid descent she had intended, another voice floated to her, and she stopped, the smile fading as she recognized Margot Winters’s voice raised in exasperation.
“Travis, you know very well I never meant those thingsI said before I left. I only went away so that you’d miss me and come after me.”
“Did you expect me to drop everything and run off to Europe chasing you, Margot?” Adelia heard the slight amusement in his tone and bit her lip.
“Oh, darling, I know it was foolish.” The voice became low and seductive. “I never meant to hurt you. I’m so terribly sorry. I know you married that little groom to make me jealous.”
“Is that so?” The answer was calm, and Adelia’s hand tightened on the banister at his cool, dispassionate discussion of her.
“Of course, darling, and it worked beautifully. Now all you have to do is arrange for a quick divorce and give her a nice little settlement, and we’ll get things back to normal.”
“That may be difficult, Margot. Adelia’s Catholic; she’d never divorce me.” Her stomach lurched at the easy remark, and she wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the sharp, piercing stab of pain.
“Well, then, darling, you’ll just have to divorce her.”
“On what grounds?” Travis’s voice sounded reasonable.
“For heaven’s sake, Travis.” The feminine voice rose in annoyance. “You can arrange something. Give her some money. She’ll do what you want.”
Adelia could stand no more. Covering her ears withher hands, she ran up the carpeted stairs and into her room.
Oh, ’tis a fool you are, Adelia Cunnane,she berated herself, leaning against her door.He doesn’t love you and he never will. Your marriage was just make-believe all along.She dashed away the tears and straightened her shoulders. Now’s the time to end it, she decided firmly. Uncle Paddy’s strong enough, and I can’t go on this way any longer.
She packed only her old clothes and those bought with her own earnings in the well-battered case she had carried from Ireland, then sat at the writing desk and penned notes to her uncle and husband.
Please understand, Uncle Paddy,she pleaded, placing the two envelopes on the smooth surface of the desk.I can’t be going on with this anymore. I can’t stay here so close to Travis, not now, not after all that’s happened.
She slipped downstairs and, taking a deep breath, walked outside to await her taxi.
The airport was as busy as it had been on her arrival, throngs of people rushing around her and shaking her confidence. For a moment she felt achingly lost and alone. Sighting the ticket counter, she drew herself up and headed toward it. A hand gripped her arm and spun her around. She dropped her case to the tiled floor with a thud.
