6 September 1854
I’ve avoided her for three weeks. It was all I could take of not talking to her. Her feelings were hurt. She will not let me kiss her. I’m certain she believes I’m one of those ne’er-do-wells who takes what he wants and disappears. I’ve assured her I am not, but her nose has returned to the air. ’Tis the most adorable thing.
7 September 1854
I told her. I told her of the curse. She laughed, but I could sense her nervousness.
Alistar made another note:Sabina knew of the curse. Nervous.
10 September 1854
My visions grow stronger. I believe Sabina has given up on me. Great Grandmother is insisting on my spending time with others. The Christmas season also draws near. Lord and Lady Brockway wish me to spend the holidays with them. I will gladly go, if only to escape the trees. Even in the winter, their evil chants haunt me.
Victims of the violent winds
Winds, they want to kill me
Winds, they are but none so strident
Just the words they spill
Words that chant from trees up high
Leaves that never silence
Save me from this horrid world
Take me with your violence
The next few passages were tedious to look through with all the pages of poetry. Alistar considered the last one he’d read. It was near the end of the journal. Forrest and Sabina were indeed not destined for one another. His great grandmother had succeeded in forcing him to marry another. A woman by the name of Lady Caroline. They had one son, Rube, who would become the eighth earl.
Alistar set the journal atop the table with his list and scooted down until he was nose to nose with Peyton. He traced her bare shoulder with the tip of his finger, then leaned forward and touched his lips there. She turned in her slumber, the soft heat of her breath sighing against his chin. In a tick of hesitation, or lunacy, or honor, he considered not brushing his lips to hers. Not pulsing within her body so selfishly. Not groaning into her shoulder with his release.
The lunacy prevailed. He dipped his lips and tasted heaven. He lowered the sheet from her breasts, her nipples raking his chest. It was the most erotic sensation he could imagine drowning in. Her tongue tangled with his, her arms snaked behind his neck, her fingers tugged his hair. Her legs parted, and he didn’t hesitate. Not this time. He eased into her heat and moved in a slow and tortuous dance. Her legs locked at the back of his thighs, bringing him deeper. He pulled his mouth from hers, and her eyes fluttered open, the manganese hue so intense that his erection grew stiffer. “I love you,” he said, forcing his moves to remain slow. “I love you, and I cannot bear the thought of leaving you. My only solace is that I’ll lose my mind and not have to remember this fierce ache within me.”
Tears gathered and fell from the corner of her eyes. “I love you. My only solace is that Iwillhave this memory for the rest ofmylife.”
His control snapped along with his fears. He thrust faster, harder, deeper. Her motions beneath him were frenzied, and her climax hit with her scream and quick pulsating beats against him. He soon followed her over the cliff, freefalling, blinded by sparks of light and energy and joy.
He turned on his side panting, pulling her with him.
“I fell asleep.”
“Yes.” His lips moved against her forehead. “I suspect you could use another couple of hours.”
She laughed, sweet, delicate, and tinged with dolefulness. “I suspect you are right.”
He kissed her forehead. “Lie back. I shall read.”
31 October 1862
My daily rides to the old elm border have become neurotic, I fear. The caravans are long gone. I rarely see the Romani, but then I rarely leave my own property. ’Tis become a contention between Caroline and me. I refuse to allow her to leave Griston Hall with Rube. I cannot bear him from my sight. She, of course, is free to leave.
3 November 1862
I rode the path along Chad Brook. The creek is full this time of year. We’ve already endured a couple of early snows. The path leads to Mullenger.
“Mullenger. Have you heard of Mullenger?” Silence. “Peyton?” Alistar glanced down. She was out. Solidly sleeping. He doubted he could revive her with even a kiss. And as tempting as that was…
