“Up until now,” she continued, “I thought that the reason I’d been unable to complete any work, outside of my study, was because of my family. First my father refused to allow me to entertain thoughts of being a scientist. Once he died, I was finally able convince my mother, but she’d have a fit of the vapors if I went anywhere near caves or spoke of traveling to far-off lands for more exploration. She wanted me to be content with merely reading books.”
Graeme certainly knew what it was like to have your parents not understand aspects of your life. His own father had never understood, nor accepted, his desire to embrace his Scottish heritage.
“I merely need to know that I can do this, actually search and locate fossils.”
“Did you not already collect one?” he asked. She’d already shown him the small fern fossil that she’d removed from a rock.
“I did, and that was wonderful, but it is only the beginning. And I still need to locate that cave where Mr. McElroy found that bone.” She sighed heavily. “I do realize that as your wife, it is a required activity some of the time, and I will do what is necessary”—she held a finger up—“for procreation, but recreationally, I find it far too distracting.” She released a heavy breath. “So if it is all the same to you, I would prefer if you kept from touching me in any fashion.”
Graeme fought a smile. There was no need to embarrass her. “I see. And you’ve been thinking about this for a while?”
She nodded. “Ever since that first time.” Her forehead looked pinched as she frowned. “This afternoon confirmed my feelings on the matter. I admit that relations are far more pleasurable and entertaining than I would have guessed.” Her head tilted. “I suppose I fully understand poor Jeremy’s infatuation with my sister.”
Graeme’s stomach muscles tightened. “Are you saying that you’re infatuated with me?”
“Heavens no.” She brought a hand to her chest in relief. “But I believe I was on my way to being precisely that. Had I not had the mind to put a stop to the foolishness.”
“You believe coitus to be foolish.” Now he couldn’t help himself; he smiled. She found their lovemaking distracting because she enjoyed it. Regardless, Graeme determined there was more research to be done in the area.
“I suppose it has the potential to become a vice. Just as gambling does if one isn’t careful, especially for people who have great passion.” She frowned and looked up at him. “That is how it is between us, intense passion. Correct?”
Graeme swallowed, thankful that the guests hadn’t yet started to approach them, but he could hear voices coming from the pathway. He nodded. “Yes.”
“But it is not always so explosive,” she said.
“No, it isn’t.”
She nodded. “As I suspected. I merely need to focus on my research, and we have this puzzle to figure out about your cousin. And we mustn’t forget your own search.” She exhaled slowly. “We have much to accomplish.”
Her logic was faulty, but her belief solid. It would take considerable persuading to sway her position. “And to do all of that means we cannot have relations?” he asked.
“Precisely. We’ll be so busy we probably won’t even notice.”
But Graeme was not so certain of that fact. Even now, he remembered how it had felt to plunge into her on that desk, to feel her shudder with release. Desire stirred through his groin.
“Come and enjoy,” his mother called out as she walked toward them. “Guests have been arriving for a while now.” She clasped Vanessa’s hands. “This isn’t as grand a party as you would find in London. We’re simple people. But hopefully it will suffice.”
“It’s perfect. Better than any party I’ve been to,” Vanessa said, and though he didn’t know for certain, he would guess she was being completely sincere.
Moira glowed. “Thank you, dear.” She pulled Vanessa forward. “I have some people I’d like you to meet.” And then his mother took his bride away from his side.
He watched the two women walk through the crowd, stopping to greet people. Vanessa never faltered in shaking someone’s hand or offering them a warm smile. She seemed to shine beneath all the candlelight. Her skin was ivory and flawless. And the stars above seemed to agree, shining down upon her as if she were one of them, misplaced and walking the earth tonight.
Graeme spied his brother standing off to the side, leaning against a tree. He made his way over to him.
“Why the deep scowl, Dougal?” he asked. He playfully punched him in the arm.
Dougal’s frown only seemed to deepen. He shrugged. “Why are you not out there asking the pretty girls to dance?” Graeme would have thought this was the perfect place for a seventeen-year-old boy. It seemed the entire village had turned out, and the barn was practically crawling with girls Dougal’s age.
“Not interested,” he said with a shrug. “We could go inside, though, and talk the way we used to. About all of your research and the men in your club.”
“Well, you know I can’t leave the party, boy. Mother hosted this for me and Vanessa. But we can talk later if you’d like.” He knew he’d been the only father Dougal had ever known, and he’d tried to do right by the boy, but his duties in London kept him away from Scotland longer than they used to. “Besides, you know how Mother can be when you do something that annoys her.”
Dougal eyed him, then nodded. He was quiet for a few moments before he spoke again. “Do you love her?”
“Of course I do; she’s our mother,” Graeme said.
“No, your wife.” Dougal never took his eyes off of Vanessa, who currently was shaking hands with the neighbors.
