is true. You’ve cast your spell, Hyde. I couldn’t possibly want another man.’
His smile sent little streaks of joy through me. After we caught our breath, he helped me up from the carriage floor and we straightened our clothing, sharing playful kisses. It felt so wonderful to engage in these things without being spied upon, and without the morbidity of Mount Calvary pressing upon me.
When we returned to the seat, however, reality set in. Beau’s back was now laced with snow and the sky churned with whiteness. The horse instinctively kept close to the mountain, shaking his massive head to clear his vision. Hyde took the reins again. Although his face remained calm as he surveyed the landscape — or lack of it — I sensed he’d require his total concentration to guide us safely through this impending blizzard.
I sat silently beside him. My panic flared again, yet I knew better than to distract him with nervous chatter. I tried not to think about what disasters might lie ahead; tried not to see phantasms and eerie, shifting faces as the snow hissed and swirled against the windows. Pulling my cloak closer around my shoulders, I shut my eyes. Hyde had assured me the weather at Heaven’s Gate remained balmy enough for the vineyards to thrive, so I told myself that once we passed through this atmospheric layer, we’d ascend into sunshine again. After all, he had no reason to lie to me. Did he?
How many desperate young women had he escorted up this mountain? How many had been so flattered by his attention — easy prey for such a handsome man of means — that they gave themselves to him as eagerly as I had? For all I knew, I’d arrive at the abbey to find Hyde’s previous conquests awaiting his return. Each believing herself Mr Fortune’s favourite, these women would snub me and do their best to intimidate me.
I must have shuddered, because his arm slipped around me. ‘You can open your eyes now, Mary Grace,’ he said softly. ‘We’ve passed through the worst of it, and we’ll arrive within the hour.’
How much time had gone by since our lovemaking? I’d lost all track, so it was a great relief to hazard a glance through one eye and see only dull grey rain hitting the window. I relaxed against him. He pressed his lips to my temple, and I decided I was foolish to fret over his other women. My stay at Heaven’s Gate would allow me time to consider my feelings for Hyde, and a chance at an income, as well. I would simply have to have faith in the future, and in my ability to make the most of it.
Poor Beau struggled along a stretch of the road where rocks and mud had washed down the mountain. The carriage lurched precariously, but we made it around the obstacles without sliding over the canyon’s edge. Had I not been so preoccupied with whether solid ground remained under our wheels, the view would’ve been breathtaking. Higher we climbed, until we left the stately stands of lodgepole pine and spruce behind us. The sky remained heavy and dark, and the rain pelted us like a barrage of gunfire.
But then we rounded another bend, and there it was. Even from a distance, Heaven’s Gate exuded the quaint charm drawn into the labels on its products. On a brighter day, I could imagine it resembled a fine cathedral, up here close to God, so I held that image in my mind while we plodded along. Beau’s breath encircled his head and his muscles bunched with the exertion of hauling such a heavy load. The man beside me had relaxed, so I fantasised about the fine quilts I would soon design. No sense in dwelling on the ominous shadows behind those towers, or in the sense of foreboding that loomed around the abbey when the clouds covered the sun.
I must have dozed again. It was a dreamlike kiss that awakened me, to discover that the inner tinglings I felt came from the warm hand covering my breast. I allowed myself to remain in that state between wakefulness and sleep while Hyde unbuttoned my bodice to caress my bare
His smile sent little streaks of joy through me. After we caught our breath, he helped me up from the carriage floor and we straightened our clothing, sharing playful kisses. It felt so wonderful to engage in these things without being spied upon, and without the morbidity of Mount Calvary pressing upon me.
When we returned to the seat, however, reality set in. Beau’s back was now laced with snow and the sky churned with whiteness. The horse instinctively kept close to the mountain, shaking his massive head to clear his vision. Hyde took the reins again. Although his face remained calm as he surveyed the landscape — or lack of it — I sensed he’d require his total concentration to guide us safely through this impending blizzard.
I sat silently beside him. My panic flared again, yet I knew better than to distract him with nervous chatter. I tried not to think about what disasters might lie ahead; tried not to see phantasms and eerie, shifting faces as the snow hissed and swirled against the windows. Pulling my cloak closer around my shoulders, I shut my eyes. Hyde had assured me the weather at Heaven’s Gate remained balmy enough for the vineyards to thrive, so I told myself that once we passed through this atmospheric layer, we’d ascend into sunshine again. After all, he had no reason to lie to me. Did he?
How many desperate young women had he escorted up this mountain? How many had been so flattered by his attention — easy prey for such a handsome man of means — that they gave themselves to him as eagerly as I had? For all I knew, I’d arrive at the abbey to find Hyde’s previous conquests awaiting his return. Each believing herself Mr Fortune’s favourite, these women would snub me and do their best to intimidate me.
I must have shuddered, because his arm slipped around me. ‘You can open your eyes now, Mary Grace,’ he said softly. ‘We’ve passed through the worst of it, and we’ll arrive within the hour.’
How much time had gone by since our lovemaking? I’d lost all track, so it was a great relief to hazard a glance through one eye and see only dull grey rain hitting the window. I relaxed against him. He pressed his lips to my temple, and I decided I was foolish to fret over his other women. My stay at Heaven’s Gate would allow me time to consider my feelings for Hyde, and a chance at an income, as well. I would simply have to have faith in the future, and in my ability to make the most of it.
Poor Beau struggled along a stretch of the road where rocks and mud had washed down the mountain. The carriage lurched precariously, but we made it around the obstacles without sliding over the canyon’s edge. Had I not been so preoccupied with whether solid ground remained under our wheels, the view would’ve been breathtaking. Higher we climbed, until we left the stately stands of lodgepole pine and spruce behind us. The sky remained heavy and dark, and the rain pelted us like a barrage of gunfire.
But then we rounded another bend, and there it was. Even from a distance, Heaven’s Gate exuded the quaint charm drawn into the labels on its products. On a brighter day, I could imagine it resembled a fine cathedral, up here close to God, so I held that image in my mind while we plodded along. Beau’s breath encircled his head and his muscles bunched with the exertion of hauling such a heavy load. The man beside me had relaxed, so I fantasised about the fine quilts I would soon design. No sense in dwelling on the ominous shadows behind those towers, or in the sense of foreboding that loomed around the abbey when the clouds covered the sun.
I must have dozed again. It was a dreamlike kiss that awakened me, to discover that the inner tinglings I felt came from the warm hand covering my breast. I allowed myself to remain in that state between wakefulness and sleep while Hyde unbuttoned my bodice to caress my bare
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