A Bought Bride Read online

  When he glanced down at the top of Jillian’s head, he smiled to himself. The fleeting thought crossed his mind that maybe his dad had been right after all. Marriage to the right partner could be pleasant.

  Jillian interrupted his thoughts when she whispered, “Quinton, may I ask you something?”

  “Of course.” He tightened his arms around her as she snuggled on his shoulder.

  “Was that…” She hesitated.

  He reached down and cupped her chin. He pulled her face toward him. The lights coming through the window cast a glow about her soft features. “Don’t be shy, Jillian. After what we’ve shared, I don’t think we should hesitate to say anything to each other.”

  She bit her lip and mumbled something he didn’t understand. He frowned. “What was that?”

  “I said,” her voice hesitated then she blurted, “I think I had my first orgasm tonight.”

  “What?” The surprise showed in his voice. “Jillian, you were married for a long time. Surely this wasn’t the first time...”

  “I never had anything like this happen to me before.”

  He could hardly believe his ears. “You’ve got to be kidding.” She shook her head and he asked, “What kind of sex life did you and your husband have?”

  “I never thought it was a very good one, but after tonight, I realize how bad it was.”

  He held her a little tighter. “Didn’t you husband…I mean, didn’t he try to give you pleasure?”

  “No. He did what he wanted to do then he turned over and went to sleep. My mother told me to lay there and endure it as he had his way and it wouldn’t last too long. It never did.”

  “My Lord, Jillian. Sex is a beautiful part of life. It was given to both men and women to enjoy. It’s not only for men and it’s definitely not something you have to lay there and endure. A woman should enjoy it as much as a man.”

  Quinton couldn’t help feeling proud of himself, when she whispered, “I realize that now, because it was something I never expected to happen to me.”

  He kissed the end of her nose then her eyes. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “I did, Quinton.” She covered her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that, should I?”

  “Why not?”

  “Mother said only loose women enjoyed sex.” Her face took on a stricken look. “Does that mean I’m a…”

  “Of course not. Your mother sounds like a woman from two centuries ago. You’re a lady. Don’t you remember I checked you out thoroughly?”

  There was a slight pause. Then she mumbled something again.

  “I didn’t understand you, Jillian.”

  “I know you said we only had to do it one time to satisfy the will, but do you think…I mean…would it be okay with you …” Her voice trailed off.

  “What are you trying to say?”

  She whispered, “Could we do it again sometime?” By the time she got it all out, she was trembling. “I’m sorry if I sound like a bad woman.”

  “Jillian, Jillian.” He chuckled and pulled her closer. Leaning down, he kissed her eyes, her nose, and landed on her mouth. He felt her respond. “How about if we do it again tonight?”

  She pulled back from him and her eyes grew big. “Really?’

  “Yes, Jillian. Really.” He began kissing her and exploring her body with his hand. Though he knew of her marriage, for some reason Quinton had a feeling he’d taken this woman’s virginity from her. If not that, at least her purity. Now he was her protector. He decided nothing or nobody could ever take that away from him, no matter what happened in the future.

  Chapter 9

  For the next two weeks Jillian felt she was living a Cinderella story with her handsome prince. They docked his yacht at a marina in St. Thomas and spent most days exploring it as well as the islands of St. Croix and St. John. They had exotic meals and danced to the rhythm of the bands and strolled in the moonlight on the beach. They visited shops and tourist attractions. They even went snorkeling. When they returned to the yacht in the evenings, they relaxed on the deck and drank champagne and fruity drinks and talked of unimportant things.

  Quinton was attentive and made love to her almost every night. It seemed to get better and better. He told her it was because she was becoming more relaxed and uninhibited. She didn’t know about that, because she still blushed when he teased her or when he made sexual remarks during the day. He told her that her daytime shyness was endearing. She began to feel glad she had married this man. Even if it was a business deal.

  When they returned to Ft. Lauderdale, the company plane whisked them away to Ashville. Gilda, the same brunette attendant, looked at Jillian as if she couldn’t believe Quinton would settle for a middle-aged and a little bit overweight woman to be his wife. Though Quinton didn’t take her to the bedroom on this trip, he did hold her in his arms on the small sofa in a private section of the plane. It gave Jillian some comfort when the attendant bit her lip as she served them drinks.

  Jillian smiled sweetly and the attendant smiled back, though there was no friendliness in it. There was no doubt that it was forced.

  The limo and the same driver were waiting for them when they landed. Quinton took her arm as they walked to the car. The driver opened the door. “It’s good to have you home, sir. You too, Mrs. Kincade.”

  “Thank you, Calvin,” Quinton said.

  Jillian smiled and climbed into the car. Quinton followed her, and immediately put his arm around her when they were seated. It was only a few minutes until the luggage was put in the trunk and Calvin pulled out of the parking area.

  “I’m nervous, Quinton.” Jillian reached for his hand.

  “You don’t have to be. The staff knows you’re the lady of the house. No matter what you want or need, ask for it and it’ll be fetched for you. I pay them well and they’re eager to keep their jobs.”

  “You know I’ve never had maids or such.”

  “I know. Think of them as paid employees because that’s what they really are. They come and go just like on any other job. Melba and Bertram have been with me the longest. They met here about thirty years ago and fell in love. After they married they stayed with the family, and we’re lucky to have them.”

  “I think that’s sweet.”

  He took a deep breath. “Willard Blessing, the gardener, has been with me about twenty-five years, but most of the others have changed fairly frequently.”

  “How many people are on your staff?”

  “Besides Melba and Bertram Nelson, who have an apartment off the kitchen, there are two or three more live-in staff. There’s Calvin Hines the driver. He has a helper who comes in occasionally, but mostly he drives for me. He has an apartment over the garage. Gloria Redwine is a maid. She’s Melba’s niece, and has rooms in the lower section of the house. The gardener is full time, but he lives in a house on the back of the grounds. There are other day-maids and garden helpers who come in to work when needed. I’m sorry to say I don’t know all of them. I leave it to Melba and Bertram to do most of the hiring and I trust their judgment.”

  “You’re a very rich man aren’t you, Quinton?”

  “Yes I am, Jillian. Now you’re a very rich woman because you’re my wife.”

  “I’m going to try to get used to that. It may take me a while.”

  “That’s fine with me.” He hugged her close. “In the next six months or so I expect Gordon to pop in to see who I married. Don’t be surprised at anything he does or says. My brother may be a little surly. He didn’t expect my father to leave complete control of the stores to me.”

  “Oh, my. Does he know about the will making you get married?”

  “Only three people know about the will. You, John Von Cannon and me. Even the man who drafted the will died a few weeks ago. All anyone else knows is that you and I met a couple of months ago, fell in love at first sight, and now we’re married.”

  “Good. That’s what I’ll tell Fran when I talk to her. I don’t know anyone else who would care
.”

  He squeezed her shoulders. “My daughter lives in Europe, but she may come over to meet you, before too long. I think you’ll like her. I love her, but she and I have never been very close. I’m sure she’ll like you because she was afraid I’d end up marrying someone her age. Someone after my money.”

  “I don’t think you ever told me your daughter’s name.”

  “Pamela.” He grinned. “She’s in charge of one of the fashion houses in Rome. She thinks my stores are not up to par with her taste.”

  Jillian looked at him and wondered what kind of relationship he had with his daughter. She knew if she’d had a daughter their relationship would be a good one.

  The limo pulled up to a huge ornate iron gate. The driver punched in a code and the gate swung open. They wound around a long paved drive and then the house came into view. Jillian gasped. She’d visited Biltmore House and Estate in Asheville, North Carolina once before, and she thought this place was just as impressive, if not as big. It was three stories and made of rock. It twisted into a misshapen “L” shape and it seemed to go on forever. There were turrets, and gables, and steeples. The limo turned from a paved road to a cobblestone drive which circled around an ornate cultivated formal garden flanking the front of the home. The driver stopped at the steps that led to the front door.

  Jumping out, Calvin opened the car door and stood back as Quinton followed Jillian out of the car. “Welcome home,” Quinton whispered in her ear as he took her hand and led her up the steps to the huge wooden door. Jillian had a sudden thought. Did this castle have a dungeon?

  Chapter 10

  “Oh, Quinton, I can’t get over the opulence.” Jillian sat in one of the velvet chairs near the window in the massive master suite. “How am I ever going to live here?”

  “You’ll get used to it.”

  She looked out on the sprawling back lawn. There was a gazebo the size of her former apartment with cobblestone paths leading to different flower gardens. Below it she could see a large swimming pool and what she guessed was a pool house. The view of the mountains framed the estate and surrounding area like a famous painting.

  “It’s spectacular.” She sighed and whispered, “How can you take it all so casually?”

  “I grew up here, Jillian. It’s home to me.” He smiled at her and moved to the chair on the other side of the Chippendale table. “My great-grandfather built it back in the early twenties. Of course, it has been updated and redone many times. In fact, if you want to change anything, feel free to discuss it with me. The family decided long ago the place would remain true to its original structure, but we don’t intend to live in the twenties.”

  She nodded and he went on. “Once a year, we allow the place to be toured for charity. This usually happens around Christmas when it’s decorated. Of course, some of the rooms are off limits. I never let them in my room or my office. There are enough other places for the public to look over. They don’t need to gawk at our private sections.”

  “How many rooms are there, Quinton?”

  “I’m not really sure. Somewhere around fifty or sixty, I think.” He smiled at her. “It changes. A few years ago I had the two bedrooms across the hall combined to make a large office for myself.”

  “Where does your brother live?”

  “When he’s in Ashville, he stays here, but his home is in England. I inherited this place and the stores. He got the castle in England.” He smiled at her surprised look. “I’ll take you there sometime. I always stay with him when I go abroad.”

  “I didn’t think you got along with your brother.” She frowned.

  “Oh, we get along fine. In fact, we’re pretty close. I’m just the better businessman. Gordon is more into the arts and I’m the facts and figures man.”

  “Is Gordon married?”

  “Not now. His wife and two sons were killed in a train accident. They were on their way from New York to meet him in Washington. It happened ten years ago, but he blames himself. I think she wanted to stay in England and he insisted she join him here.” He smiled at her. “Now, that’s enough about my family. Shall we go down to dinner? I told Melba to set it up in the small intimate dining room instead of the large one. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I’m sure I’ll feel better there.” She stood and followed him to the door.

  He opened it then followed her into the hall. They descended the long winding staircase together.

  * * * *

  Though the meal was delicious, Jillian ate very little. She was nervous, and felt completely out of her element. Other than her one visit to Biltmore Estates, she’d only been in two other houses she considered mansions. She once visited a distant cousin in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to see if she’d help support Aunt Louise. The cousin said she couldn’t afford to help, but she wanted to make Jillian’s visit enjoyable. She took Jillian to Reynolda House, which was an art museum and had been the home of the founder of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The other was Graylyn, now a conference center, but had originally been home to another Winston-Salem business tycoon. It was amazing how much Quinton’s home reminded her of Graylyn.

  It felt strange to toss her napkin down as Quinton did then get up and walk away, leaving the table for someone else to clean. Jillian thought of her tiny apartment as they walked across one of the many sitting areas on this main level. Her former place would fit in any of these rooms and leave enough for parking places all around.

  “Would you like to go for a walk?” He looked down at her.

  “That would be nice.”

  They went through some French doors and came out on a large slate terrace. There were chairs and tables informally set around the expansive area and to the side was a swing. “What a lovely place to have breakfast or lunch,” she mumbled.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He took her hand. “Shall we stroll down to the pond? The Canadian geese are usually there this time of day.”

  “Of course.”

  He led her across the manicured lawn toward a small stone bridge which crossed the pond. “I hope you don’t mind me holding your hand. I’m sure the staff is watching to see how we act together.”

  Jillian felt a stab in her stomach. Again she reminded herself, this was all for show. He didn’t really want to hold her hand or anything else. They were back in the real world, his world anyway. The honeymoon was over. She was going to have to forget all those wonderful nights in his arms. He’d probably be too busy for her now, and she was sure their love making would come to an end. She would miss it.

  They walked on the arced-bridge and he dropped her hand. Leaning over the side, he said, “Gordon and I used to get bread from cook and come down here to feed the geese.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  “Not really.” He chuckled. “We were trying to catch one of the suckers. For some reason we wanted to tie it in the yard like a dog. We were never allowed to have pets.”

  Jillian looked at him with surprised eyes. So there was something he’d wanted that his money didn’t buy. “Did you ever catch one of the geese?”

  “Caught a couple, but Mother always made us let them go. She said we were being ridiculous because you couldn’t tame a goose.”

  “Why didn’t she let you have a dog?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Probably didn’t want dog poop in the yard. She was a fanatic about it. All the mistresses here have been fastidious about the lawn. Just ask Willard.”

  “I can see that. Everything here looks like a brochure layout.”

  “I wanted to get a dog when Alice and I were first married, but she was like mother. She wanted it to always be perfect. She was raised on a cotton farm in the Eastern part of Texas. I think the lush grass and flowers made her feel important or something. She and Willard worked together to build some of the gardens.”

  Jillian didn’t want to talk about Quinton’s first wife, Alice. She changed the subject back to pets. “I had a dog when I was little. She was a small white
mixed breed and her name was Candy. I wasn’t allowed to keep her in the house. She had to stay out in the yard with Grandpa’s hunting dogs.”

  “At least you had one.”

  “Not for long. After a couple of weeks the hounds killed her.” It was the first time Jillian thought of Candy in a long time. She wished now she hadn’t, because it always made her sad.

  “Did you get another one?”

  “No. Grandpa said I could, but I didn’t want his mean old dogs to kill another one. I asked if I could get a cat.”

  “And?”

  “It didn’t take the dogs as long to kill Fluffy as it did Candy. I never had a pet after that.”

  Quinton slipped his arm around her shoulder. He didn’t say anything, but she felt his sympathy.

  Chapter 11

  The following morning Quinton came out of the dressing room buttoning his shirt and saw Jillian reaching for the nightgown he’d thrown on the floor the night before. She was slipping it over her head when he said, “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “You didn’t. What time is it?”

  “It’s only eight. Why don’t you snuggle back and sleep some more?”

  “I’m wide awake. Where are you going?” She must have realized how sharp her words were and she added, “Not that it’s any of my business, but I was surprised to see you dressed.”

  “I don’t mind you asking. I’m going to work.” He grinned at her. “A man has to do more than make love to his wife, you know.”

  She blushed and he grinned wider. “No kidding,” he said. “There’s no need for you to get up.”

  “I want to. We can have breakfast together.”

  “I have a breakfast meeting at the office, but you’re welcome to get up and eat if you want to.” He tucked in his shirt and threw a red-stripped silk tie around his neck. As he leaned toward the mirror to tie it, he caught a glimpse of the disappointment in her face.