Read Without Saying a Word Online
Authors: Amanda Ward
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“Mum came up with an idea. Why don’t you work here as a tour guide during the day?” he suggested.
Laura’s face drained of color and she looked down.
“What do you say? You know us and the house,” he urged “there is a good salary you know.” Rhean named an exorbitant sum, but Laura shook her head.
“Not at the moment,” she said hesitantly. Laura looked at her soup, hoping the answer would be in the bowl, which of course it wasn’t.
“I appreciate the offer Rhean. Please let me think about it for a few days.” Looking up, she saw Rhean’s hopeful smile fall. She felt guilty, and torn between keeping herself and her children safe, and not wanting to let Rhean down. Tamping down her emotions, she concentrated on her meal as the subject changed to the latest computer games the boys found.
Later that afternoon, after Rhean and Laura ploughed through the ideas and suggestions for the fayre and ball, Rhean took Laura on a personal tour of the grange. He’d grown up there with his two older sisters and younger brother. It had been his grandparents’ idea to allow visitors entrance to the house and grounds. The money they raised helped with the upkeep of the house and any extra went back into the town. The grange was self-sufficient itself and from the use of local businesses. The grange was not only a formal home, it was also a family home. As children, Rhean and his siblings had the run of the house. Now all was quiet, and their footsteps echoed in the great hall. It was wood lined and portraits of his family’s ancestors hung on the walls. A red woolen rug ran down the middle of it, which gave an ambiance of elegance and warmth.
“Does being the eldest son put more pressure on you to ensure the family line?” Laura asked. She felt drawn to one particular portrait over the large fireplace. It was of a couple in Regency court dress. A simple diamond tiara with pale green stones adorned the woman’s red/gold hair worn swept up at the back. Curls at the front framed her face. Her dress flowed from the empire waist line in pale green, with a slight shimmer to the fabric creating an iridescent effect. A lacework pendant, long drop earrings and a cluster ring with the same green and blue stones completed the set of jewelry. The man was dressed in the red velvet robes of state, a large gold chain of office around his shoulders. Although formal, the portrait was also intimate as the couple gazed at each other and held hands. Rhean walked over and looked up at the painting. He smiled.
“Ah, you found my family secret.” Rhean nudged Laura’s arm in a playful manner.
Laura was confused, yet intrigued at the same time.
“What family secret?”
“That Leightons marry for love and not fortune,” he confided in a stage whisper and chuckled. “Can’t you tell by the way they are looking at each other?” Rhean put his arm around her under her breasts and held her tight. “You have heard the story about how my parents met?”
Laura shook her head.
“My grandparents own a small bed and breakfast in Ireland. Dad was over there on business and, as he always said to us, it was love at first sight. It just so happened to be when Mum served his breakfast. He used all his Cumbrian charm to persuade her to join him and since that day, they’ve always breakfasted together. Of course, the Irish influenced our names too.” He smiled and pulled Laura closer into his embrace, and as he gazed deep into her hazel eyes, his face became all seriousness.
“Laura, there is something I need to say, and for me to tell you this, well, it’s very difficult. But I need to be straight with you.”
Laura shook her body, and stepped away from him with a frown on her face.
“You are going to tell me you are gay,” she blurted out wildly, pre-empting his speech.
“I had a feeling this was coming. How could you do this to me now? Well, this is going to make life incredibly awkward for us.” She wrung her hands in despair and humiliation.
Rhean pulled her back into his arms, holding her tight despite her struggles
“What on earth are you talking about? I’m not gay—far, far from it. Would I kiss you like this if I was interested in men?” His mouth crushed hers, claiming her as his own, branding her.
So what is it you have to tell me then?” she asked, still reeling from the dominance of his kiss.
“That I have never made love to anyone.” His voice was calm, his gaze steady as his cheeks flushed crimson.
“Let me get this straight. You mean you have never had sex? That you are a...?” Laura’s voice trailed off and she was at a loss for words. It was rather a bizarre statement to have made—especially in the gallery with its echoing atmosphere. Anyone could have heard, and especially the staff.
That he trusted her enough to tell her a very intimate secret was flattering, but Laura now regarded Rhean in a whole new light.
“Not at all, and yes, I am a virgin; a 34-year-old virgin.”
Laura opened her mouth, closing it again as she didn’t know what to say. A question popped into her mind, but this really was not the time or place to ask him. Instead, she turned to look at the painting again in an attempt to regain some measure of control.
“There is a very good reason why, and I will tell you when the time is right, but the only person I will ever make love with will be my wife,” Rhean told her sincerely.
He leaned down, brushing her cheek with his lips and whispered in her ear
“So don’t keep me waiting too long then...”
Laura looked incredulously at Rhean as if she couldn’t believe what he just said.
Rhean winked at her as they turned to gaze at the portrait again,
“I think we had better call the troops together and head off home before I scare you off even more.” He pressed a bell near the fireplace. “Did you know that Archie and Clarissa were married for over fifty years, had ten children and died within days of each other?”
“Sad and yet romantic at the same time,” Laura agreed with a hint of wistfulness. “Fifty years was a long time in those days, as I recall,” she mused.
“Indeed it was. Turns out us Leightons are blessed with long lives—especially when we have the person we love to spend it with.”
Rhean’s speech was romantic and sincere. He seemed so much younger than her. Laura wondered if they could begin a relationship or if they were destined to be just friends.
Yet again, Laura was taken aback by the intensity of his words.
“Please don’t look so scared,” he pleaded. “I will try and take things slow so that you can get used to this, but I can’t help how I feel, Laura.” He hugged her, kissing the top of her head.”Please don’t be scared Laura,” he begged her again.
Laura’s mind swirled with desires long since repressed and they flowed through her body making it sensitive to Rhean’s touch. She was aflame with desire for this man, yet it shamed her and confused her. Part of her was desperate to return their relationship back to the way it was, before their kiss.
Well. Damn the man
. Laura thought, gritting her teeth in frustration.
Why did he have to be such a nice guy? Why oh why did things have to change
?
Lost in her own thoughts, as Rhean appeared to be lost in his, she turned when she heard the sound of someone clearing his throat. Graham stood at the door.
“You rang, sir?” he inquired politely.
“Yes I did. Graham, could you round up the children please? It’s getting late and I think we’d better get them home.”
Graham inclined his head. “Of course, sir,” he replied and left, his shoes clicking on the wooden floor.
As Rhean and Laura came into the large entrance hall, Mrs. Stevens hurried in, carrying a large insulated bag.
“Here you go Master Rhean,” she said in a broad Cumbrian dialect.
“I thought you might like to take dinner back with you. There’s lasagna, garlic bread and a salad.”
“How thoughtful,” Laura said, and impulsively bent and kissed Mrs. Stevens cheek.
The housekeeper blushed.
“Bless you, I don’t like seeing good food go to waste,” Mrs. Stevens smiled at Laura and then bustled back to the kitchen.
Laura thought for a minute. “Do you ever wonder if, when there is no one around, Graham slides around here in his socks, underpants, open shirt and sunglasses?”
Rhean stared at Laura in amazement.
“You mean like Tom Cruise in ‘Risky Business’?” His deep voice rumbled with laughter
Laura nodded, and they burst out laughing.
“Sir?” A cold wind encompassed the couple making them shiver, as Graham strode in through the front door.
“The troops have been rallied and are in the car.”
“Thank you Graham. I’ll ring next week and let you know when we are back.” They walked out to the car.
“Oh Master Rhean,” Graham called as they walked past him.
“I wear slippers as well,” he said with a deadpan expression on his face. “The floors are dreadfully cold on the feet during the winter.”
Laura looked at Rhean, and saw him burst into laughter at the same time she did.
Chapter Three
Laura’s nerves were at the breaking point. The telephone calls came more frequently and while her children were at school, Laura screened them. Her stomach in knots, and her appetite all over the place, she would immerse herself in mundane chores while her mind played vicious scenarios over and over again. Eventually reaching the point where she desperately needed to talk to someone about the calls, she picked up the telephone to ring her parents or Rhean, but had second thoughts, not wanting to burden them with her problems. Instead, she kept herself busy with preparations for the fayre and ball. She felt like a clown most days. Smiling on the outside, when inside her heart tore apart with worry.
“Rhean, does it bother you about the rumors flying around?” Laura asked Tuesday evening. The children had gone to their bedrooms, leaving the couple alone. Rhean had his head buried in his laptop, and his fingers flew on the keyboard.
“And?” He sounded totally unconcerned and more than a little distracted.
“What about your reputation?” At that comment, he looked up and laughed a deep booming sound.
Laura really couldn’t figure out why he found it funny.
“My reputation? What reputation?” he asked. “You aren’t worried about everyone thinking that you are seducing a younger man, are you? Pillar of society, heir to a considerable fortune?” His eyebrows waggled at her mischievously.
He’s teasing me
,
the rat,
Laura thought to herself.
“You aren’t that much younger than me. It’s not as though you are still in nappies Rhean, or is there something you aren’t telling me? But you really don’t care, or do you?” Laura asked, and chuckled at her own joke, while she rolled her eyes at his pathetic dramatics.
“Not at all, they’ll have to get used to us being together. The same as you will,” he stated, and then before she had a chance to respond, he kissed her thoroughly into silence. After Laura got her breath back, she asked him what had been on her mind for a while.
“Why now Rhean? Why start something with me that may not work out?” As usual her brain decided not to engage before she opened her mouth. Laura looked at Rhean, totally at home in her cottage. He put his arms to the back of his head and leaned back.
“Why not?” Rhean countered smoothly. “And who’s to say it may not work out?” He closed his eyes.
“You’ve not answered the question at all. You’ve just turned it ʼround.”
God, the man could be frustrating at times.
She moved to get up, but Rhean pulled her down on his lap and into his arms. He kissed her softly, sipping at her lips, before delving deeper with his tongue. Laura’s mind went blank, and she reveled in the feel of his strong lips on hers.
“That’s better. I know how to stop you from worrying now,” he said with satisfaction. He settled back against the sofa and turned his attention back to his laptop.
Laura managed to get up off Rhean’s lap and strolled around the room straightening up magazines, picking up remote controls and poking the fire.
“Don’t you ever.... you know?” Laura asked him off the top of her head. She’d thought about what he told her that weekend. Rhean looked over his laptop screen at her with an infectious grin.
“What? You mean do I feel that I’ve missed out on a big part of life by not having had sex yet? Interesting question, Laura. What brought that up?”
“Well, yes. It’s just that from what I know, men have needs. You must either not have a sex drive or just have very strong willpower. And when you said you were a virgin, does that mean you don’t…?” Laura was embarrassed at the path her questioning had taken. How on earth was she to ask if he was relieving himself in an intimate manner?
“Try morals,ʼ” Rhean said in a dry tone. “Having a brother like Percy made me realize that being intimate with a woman is not meant for a casual relationship,” he stated in a flat voice. “He’s put it about so much and caught goodness knows how many infections through being careless. It’s the women he’s used that I feel sorry for.” Rhean stood and started pacing the room.
“I see how my mum and dad are together. They are so much in love with each other, even after forty years—Dad’s eyes light up when she comes into the room, and the romantic gestures he makes toward her. He teases her, which is great, and can make her blush with a whisper in her ear. I could go on and on. That is what true intimacy is and why I am saving myself for that.” He stopped and looked at Laura, honesty exposed on his face.
“Being naked and sharing each others secrets is true intimacy and should only be shared with the person you love and want to be with. That’s how I feel. It’s always been that way for me, but that’s not the real reason. I will tell you when the time is right. Oh, I know what you are having trouble asking me. I have no hang-ups about that. A relationship is only going to work if you are honest with each other, as well as best friends. Which we are already,” Rhean told her in a kind tone, trying to put Laura’s fears at bay.
“Look at me Laura, look at me really. Can you honestly not see my feelings for you?” He was intent on making her realize just how much he loved her and how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
“You can’t care for me, I’m damaged goods,” she replied sadly. “I’ve had one failed marriage and I’ve three children. You can’t possibly want a woman like me.”
Rhean put the laptop on the sofa. He stood up walked over and knelt next to Laura in front of the fire, putting his hands on her shoulders in a possessive gesture.
“Where the hell did that come from? For heaven’s sake Laura, I’ve been in love with you since you were here on that holiday. I love the kids too. You aren’t damaged goods to me. You are everything I have ever wanted in a woman. Feel what you do to me. I get the feeling that there are parts of your marriage that you find hard to talk about. I am not going anywhere Laura. I will never hurt you. Please, give us a chance.”
He took her hand and pressed it against his wide chest. His heart beat fast. Then he pulled her closer so she could feel his arousal. “Only you do that to me,” he whispered. “You are the only woman I will ever love and want.” Then he kissed her as he had longed to do for so long.
As his mouth covered hers hungrily, Laura was overwhelmed by the passion that flowed through him, their tongues entwined, dancing and stroking each other. She relished the feel of him taking command of her, taking her to new heights of pleasure she had never experienced, and for a novice, he was an Olympic athlete. His kisses really were gold medal material. As Laura pressed closer into his body, her fingernails instinctively raked over his chest and she squeezed one of Rhean’s hard nipples gently.
Rhean gasped out loud. He pulled away from her, leaving her momentarily disorientated and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. His warm smile, as intimate as the kiss they had just shared filled Laura with desire. It was all she could do not to pull him back into her arms again.
“I think I’d better go before I forget I’m a gentleman and drag you upstairs,” he said in a rueful manner, as he gathered up his things in a rush and walked to the door.
“I know it’s all a bit soon for you Laura, but I hope that you will come to love me as much as I do you.” Rhean’s voice was tender, almost a murmur as he left, walking outside into the cold night air.
Laura knelt down next to the fire, her hands absorbing its heat, trying desperately to warm her chilled body. To Laura’s disappointment, this was nothing compared to the raging fire that had Rhean lit inside her.
****
In his cottage, frustrated and most definitely aroused, Rhean poured himself a drink and flopped down on his sumptuously soft leather couch. The fiery liquid burned the back of his throat with an intensity that he welcomed. He thought about what Theo told him earlier; about the increase in phone calls, how jumpy Laura had been recently and that she made every excuse not to leave the house. Rhean’s thought about how he could help Laura through it. He was disappointed that Laura hadn’t confided in him about the calls. He’d thought that after their conversation on Saturday, she would have been able to tell him anything. An idea came to his mind, and after glancing at his watch, he reached for his mobile phone.