Twenty-One

“DO STAND STILL, Portia. I can’t hook this corset with you fidgeting about.”

Fiona gave a sharp tug to the back of the steel-boned garment that Portia was rapidly beginning to regard as a torture chamber.

“I don’t understand why I have to wear this thing. If Daniel is determined that we marry, I don’t know why he didn’t just let Brother Bartholomew say the words in the chapel.”

“Portia, what do you mean, if Daniel is determined? He loves you. This wedding is going to get top billing. You’ve drawn a full house. Even Jay Gould and his daughter Helen are stopping by on their way back to New York,” Fiona chattered happily.

“Oh my, yes,” Bessie agreed. “They say there hasn’t been so much excitement since the elephant parade that opened that Piedmont Exposition in Atlanta.”

“You like this three-ringed circus, Fiona? I’ll change places with you. At least you’ve seen Edward. Daniel has been too busy for days to see me.”

“Portia Macintosh, Edward is mine and I won’t have you say such a thing, even as a joke.”

Fiona sounded angry, but Portia could see that there wasn’t an ounce of concern in her manner. She’d become positively serene since it was decided that she and Edward would marry in the chapel on the family estate in England following the Delecort family tradition.

Portia caught her sister’s hand and squeezed it lightly. “I meant that you and Edward could have all this pomp and circumstance. I wish,” her voice turned wistful for a moment, “I wish Daniel and I could just be together, without getting married. Then when he finds out that I’ll never make a proper wife, he could send me home. I could come back and look after Papa and the troupe and... everything could be normal again.”

Bessie came to stand behind Portia, holding more white lace-adorned garments in her hands. “Be together? Without getting married? Hush! I’ll not listen to such talk.”

“Mr. Logan intends to make this wedding the most important social event of the season and you’re a lucky young woman. Turn around and hold out your arms.”

“Now what?” Portia let go Fiona’s hand and grumbled crossly. She knew that she was just out of sorts and unable to voice her real concern. Where was Daniel? It had been two days since she’d even seen him. There’d been no more chance meetings on the grounds, no more rehearsals under his close scrutiny, no more stolen kisses. In short, he’d been so busy planning this blasted three ring circus for over a week that he hadn’t had any time for her.

“Arms,” Bessie reminded. “Hold them out. This is your corset cover. Over that goes the chemise and then we add the petticoats.” Bessie threaded the garment over Portia’s extended arms and moved around to fasten the tiny buttons in the back.

“Corset cover. No! By the time I get to the dress I’ll be wearing so many clothes that if I don’t die of asphyxiation, I’ll die of heat prostration. I won’t do it.” Portia ripped off the offending corset cover and began to unfasten the white silk stockings she was wearing.

“Portia Macintosh, you behave yourself!” Fiona threatened. “Daniel sent all the way to Atlanta for this wedding dress. It was being made for someone else. Daniel agreed to pay for the dressmaker to alter it for you, and to hire extra help to finish another dress in time for the other bride’s wedding.”

“No! No! No! I won’t do it. I may have to get married, but I refuse to be something I’m not. If he wants to marry me, he’ll take me like I am, or find someone else.” Portia pulled on her familiar faded Chinese kimono and flung herself across her cot, covering her eyes with her arm. “Go away, all of you!”

Bessie and Fiona stared at Portia in shocked silence. Nobody had ever cajoled, bribed, or threatened Portia into doing anything. As they looked at each other in distress, there was a knock on the door.

“Excuse me, ladies.” Horatio opened the door and stuck his head cautiously inside. He took one look at the situation and nodded. “I’ve come to speak with the bride for a moment, if I may.” He indicated with a silent motion of his head that the room should be vacated and then sat down on the cot next to Portia’s.

Portia tried to still her sniffles. She never cried. At least she never had, until she met Daniel. Fiona had turned into the Rock of Gibraltar and she’d turned into Niagara Falls.

“What’s wrong, daughter?”

“Nothing, Papa. No, everything. No, I don’t know. Am I doing the right thing? Why is it so hard to get married?”

“I don’t know. I asked myself that question when your mother and I were married. One minute I wanted to run away and go back to the time when I was just a carefree young actor. And the next minute I thought about being without Kathryn and I was afraid that she would change her mind. The worst thing was that she wouldn’t let me see her for two days before the wedding.”

Portia sat up. “She wouldn’t?”

“No, some silly superstition that I’d think she was more beautiful if I’d been away from her. That was utter foolishness. No woman was ever more beautiful than your mother on our wedding day, just as you will be for the man you love.”

“Oh, Papa, you’re the man I love.” Portia flung her arms around Horatio’s neck in a rare display of affection. “I don’t want to leave you. Couldn’t you come to Alaska with us?” Horatio laughed. “No, Portia. You don’t need me. I want you to know how very proud of you I am. Catching Simon Fordham was a very brave thing to do. You know that he and an accomplice have been responsible for a number of hotel robberies in the last two years. You could have been hurt.”

“But I was afraid. I was afraid that... I mean I couldn’t let you... or... Daniel be blamed.”

“I know. You’re always willing to protect the people you love. That’s what love is, Portia. But, here, I almost forgot. Daniel sent you a wedding gift.”

“A wedding present, from Daniel?” Portia took the small white box with the silver ribbon and laid it against her cheek. Daniel. How could she have been such a ninny? Of course she loved Daniel. And Daniel loved her. He’d loved her even when he thought that she might be the thief. He wanted her, a stage actress, when he could have picked anybody. And he wasn’t avoiding her because he was having second thoughts. He was just observing some silly superstition in staying away from her. Of course she wanted to marry him. It was just all this marriage ceremony business that was so frustrating.

“Thank you, Papa. I’m going to miss you. Promise me that if you need me, you’ll send a telegram right away.”

“Oh, I won’t have to do that, daughter. Daniel tells me that it won’t be anytime before they’ll have those telephone lines strung up between here and Alaska. I’ll just ring you up. As a matter of fact, Evie and I are thinking about investing in the project.”

“Oh, Papa, Alaska is so far away.”

“Not from Daniel, my dear. He’s your responsibility now, just as you are his.”

“You’re right.” Portia sprang to her feet. “I’m going to be Mrs. Daniel Logan. I’ll have to learn to shoot a gun, Papa. Oh, Papa, we’ll live in the wilderness and look for gold. Once we get there, Daniel says I won’t have to wear all these petticoats. I can wear men’s pants, or . . Portia blushed and turned away, remembering the rest of Daniel’s statement... absolutely nothing at all.

Portia kissed the Captain once more and walked him to the door. “Tell Fiona and the others I’d like to be alone for a while before they come back to help me dress. Will you, Papa?”

Her father nodded, kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

Portia looked down at the box, her gift from Daniel. She held it close to her heart for a long time before opening it. The two days away from Daniel had been the most miserable time of her life. She had known nothing about love, until Daniel had kissed her. Then he’d shown her the joy that could come from loving a man. Now she’d learned the despair of being separated. How had her father endured losing his Kathryn? He’d had his children and he’d loved them, but that wasn’t the same. Now Papa had Lady Evelyna, Fiona had Edward, and she had Daniel.

Eagerly she ripped the wrappings away revealing an intricately crafted silver and black inlaid box. Inside the box was a long gold chain with a hook on one end and a key on the other. Beneath the chain was a sheet of folded paper. With trembling fingers, Portia opened the note.

My darling, Portia. This is a key chain meant to be worn by the chatelain of a castle, around her waist. She was entrusted with the nourishment and the care of all those who dwelt inside. I give you this key as a symbol of my love. Everything I have is yours, including my heart.

DANIEL ASKED FOR the third time, “You’ve had the Pavilion strung with lights?”

“Yes, Daniel.” Ian watched his old friend pace anxiously about the hotel parlor. “An arbor, just as you ordered, covered with green smilax, white gardenias and pink roses, has been built in the middle of the floor directly over the glass dome that covers the springs bubbling up through the rocks to the surface.”

“Good. I want Portia to see the springs. The night we went dancing in the Pavilion the floor was so crowded she couldn’t have seen through the glass, even if the cavern had been lit.”

“You were very generous, Daniel. Having incandescent lights installed among the rocks is a generous gift to the park. You’ve turned the Pavilion into a fairyland.”

“Will she like it?”

“She’ll like it, Daniel.”

Ian bit back a smile. He’d never seen Daniel so wrought up. For the past two weeks Ian had had his work cut out for him to prevent Daniel from moving Portia into his suite and locking the door. Even then, there’d been secret midnight meetings that lasted until sunrise. There’d been picnics and scandalous private drives along Sweetwater Creek, which Ian had hidden from the other guests by saying that he and Vicki were joining the couple for the day. Of course, Ian admitted guiltily, he and Vicki hadn’t been entirely unappreciative of the opportunity to be alone.

Finally, it had taken a serious talking to by Lady Evelyna before Daniel realized that he should restrain his desire for the woman he loved. He admitted that he had no patience, if he saw Portia he wanted to be with her, alone. Out of respect for Portia’s reputation, he forced himself to take Ian’s advice and stay away completely for the last two days bending all his efforts toward planning the wedding and finding local employment for the acting troupe.

Now, at last, his self-imposed absence was coming to an end.

By eight o’clock the Pavilion and Chautauqua grounds were overflowing with visitors and hotel guests. Daniel was resplendent in a formal black frock coat and close-cut black trousers with braided side seams. He wore a white ascot, white silk embroidered waistcoat and black patent leather button boots.

John Philip Sousa’s band played splendid patriotic music, followed by the Chautauqua School Church Choir singing special wedding songs. Lady Evelyna, Edward, the Trevillions, Dr. Garret, Winston, the boy Daniel and Portia had befriended, and other special invited guests and members of the acting troupe circled the walls of the Pavilion, waiting eagerly for the arrival of the wedding party.

The first to arrive was Daniel’s carriage, a handsome pair of white plumed dappled grays pulling a smart black open carriage. Daniel and Ian dismounted, nodded to Reverend Bartholomew and guests. Daniel took his place to the left of the arbor while Ian returned to the drive to assist the approaching bridal party.

Drawn by two white horses, Portia’s white carriage was festooned with brightly colored ribbons, flowers and plumes. Announcing the bride’s arrival, the band began a soft rendition of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Fiona, resplendent in blue watered silk, trimmed with grosgrain ribbons and satin, carried a nosegay of roses and bachelor buttons. With her hand clasping Ian’s arm, they moved inside and took their places on either side of the arbor.

Portia was hidden from Daniel’s view as she climbed the steps. There was a collective gasp and the crowd fell back. Later, Daniel would swear that the springs halted their churning motion and the hall went silent at the moment when their eyes met.

Like an angel, Portia stood in her wedding gown of satin and pearls. In her hand she held a white lace fan garlanded with gardenias and satin ribbons. Her golden hair was woven with pearls and a lace train cascaded behind her and across the marble floor like a waterfall. With the lights twinkling over her head and the late afternoon sunlight wrapping her with spun gold and silver, Daniel knew that Portia was the illumination he’d been reaching for, the treasure for which he’d searched all his life.

From the moment that Portia saw Daniel, all doubt disappeared. As she walked toward him, across the glass inset beneath her feet, she suddenly felt a calming presence wash over her and she wondered if the tale of the great healing spirit of the Springs could be true. Her heart began to sing.

She scarcely noticed the words being spoken until Reverend Bartholomew said, “Will you take this man, now and forever?”

“Oh, yes. I mean, of course I will.” Of course she would. Why had there ever been doubt?

Daniel heard her answer and he knew that the empty space inside him had been filled, and forever wouldn’t be long enough to show all the love he felt.

“...love honor and obey.” He grinned at the last one. Portia Macintosh obey? Not in a hundred lifetimes. But her voice was strong, without faltering, not for the world to hear, but for him. At last Reverend Bartholomew pronounced them man and wife. When Daniel raised her chin and sealed their promises with a kiss, Portia knew that all she wanted was Daniel for all her life.

Afterwards, the well wishers threatened to crush the couple with their greetings and their joyous celebration. Suddenly Daniel swept Portia into his arms and charged through the crowd to the carriage. “Drive, man!” he yelled, settling into the back seat, with Portia firmly in his grasp. “Get us away from here.”

“But, Daniel,” Portia said hesitantly, “what about the reception, and the champagne and the cake?”

“Let Ian and Vicki cut the cake. I want to be alone with my wife. To the rail station, driver!”

This time Daniel’s kiss was anything but gentle. This time Portia’s response was anything but chaste.

Daniel directed the driver to his private rail car and dismissed him. Carrying Portia in his arms he left the carriage and climbed the narrow steps to the platform, into his private car.

“Oh, Daniel.” Portia sighed, and burrowed her face into his neck. “Are we really married?”

“We’re married. We have a paper signed by the very Reverend Willard Bartholomew that says so.”

“I’m glad. I really did want our child to have a father.” Daniel stopped, kicked the door shut, and allowed Portia’s feet to drop to the floor as he slid his arms beneath her back and held her. “Are you... I mean... are we going to have a baby?”

“I’m not sure, Daniel. There are so many things I don’t know, so many things that I have to learn. But I truly want to have your children, darling.” She slid her hands inside his coat and pushed it from his shoulders to the floor. Next she unfastened his vest and the shirt beneath, allowing them to fall together.

“Portia!” Daniel’s voice was thick with desire. Quickly his hands sought the buttons on her wedding gown, swiftly removing the satin garment. As he slid the silk petticoat down her body his hand touched bare skin, warm, soft bare skin, encircled by a single gold chain. “You’re not wearing anything underneath?”

“Absolutely not, Daniel, only my key. There are times when I choose to follow directions. No drawers, remember?” And then he kissed her. His lips were warm and sweet. He explored her mouth as if he were kissing her for the first time. He threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her gently, tenderly, afraid that he’d frighten her with the depth of his feelings. And then all their clothes were gone and his fingertips were kneading the soft curves of her bottom as he lifted her against the throbbing part of him trembling between them.

A deep growl of happiness began somewhere in Daniel’s throat. His breathing became erratic and his hands trembled with each thrust of Portia’s body against him. He took a deep ragged breath and pulled away.

“Are you sure about the Klondike, Portia? Will you be happy in the wilderness without your family?”

“Daniel I love you. I understand now why my mother ran away with my father, and Lady Evelyna ran away with Lord Delecort. I must go with you, be with you. Together we are complete.”

“I’ve already taken care of your father, and the troupe. If anything ever happens, you’ll all be taken care of too.”

“There you go again, taking charge. I don’t care about being secure,” Portia said. “If ever you decide to ask me, I’ll say that all I want is you. And I don’t think that I can wait much longer, Daniel. My body is practically screaming now.”

Crooking a slanted eyebrow, Daniel lifted Portia and carried her to the bed, laying her across the pillows. “Your wish is my command, my little wench.”

There might be a time for quiet discussion in the years to come. There might be a time when their lovemaking would be tender and leisurely, but not yet.

For a long time he just looked at her. Then he kissed her eyes, her nose. Her skin was smooth and sweet tasting as he kissed her face, her throat. When he took her breasts inside his mouth, she gasped and arched against him, filling him with joy. Rolling to his back, he brought her with him, lifting her, sliding her lower so that his erection filled the vee between her breasts.

She loved the feel of the soft hair of his chest against her face. Eagerly she pressed herself closer, holding her breasts together to form a cave of heat to hold his maleness.

They were both damp with perspiration, every nerve ending stimulated to the breaking point. Daniel’s hands suddenly cupped her buttocks and lifted her, sliding her forward against his fullness, slowly up, and back down again. Over and over the tip of his male part teased her until Portia thought she would die of wanting him.

“Daniel, please, Daniel. I feel as if I shall explode.”

“No, my darling, not yet. I want you to burn with desire, ride the crest of the fire, reach for the stars.”

“Only if you ride with me,” she panted, throbbing with the need to have him inside her.

All reason, all control were cast aside as he rolled over and lifted himself above. Never had such power been channeled into one entity as when Daniel moved inside her and felt her body fasten itself to him with white hot waves of desire. All of their senses were focused on each other. Their eyes met. Their lips parted in wonder.

And then the scalding fire inside her began to ignite setting off such a blinding heat that when the explosion came it tore them into a million fragments of pleasure, then put them back together again in a long, shuddering flood of joy.

For a long time he stayed inside her, waiting until the last vibration died away before sighing in contentment and collapsing beside her. He drew her into his arms, holding her with gentle pleasure.

“Portia, I never, ever, dreamed that a man could feel so much love for a woman. I never thought to marry. I saw my mother die, my sister, Belle, the woman who took me in. I was afraid to let myself love anyone. I was the actor on a stage, only half alive before you came and I never knew it.”

“Will it always be like this?”

“I don’t know, my darling. I don’t know how long always will be. But for as long as I can see and touch and feel, I want to be with you.”

“And I with you. I shall probably be a shrew to live with, Daniel. I’m so accustomed to being in charge that I don’t know how to share. I’ll probably fight you every step of the way and make you the most miserable man in Alaska.”

“So long as you and I have this at night.”

“Yes, oh yes. When I’m being very bossy, all you have to do is kiss me, Daniel, and you know what happens.”

“Oh, yes, I know what happens when we kiss.” He chuckled and kissed her behind her ear, down her neck and to her breast. “I think I know how to make peace with your wicked stubbornness. If not I’ll throw you to the bears.”

“Bears? You’re teasing me aren’t you? We won’t really have bears to worry about, will we?” Her voice was muffled and uneven as she gave in to the pleasure of his touch.

“No bears, Portia, I’ll keep a legion of Eskimo guards on bear alert.”

“Eskimos? You mean we won’t be alone?” Portia allowed a hint of regret to tinge her voice.

“Not in the daytime, Princess, but always at night.”

“Good.” Her fingertips released the shoulder she was clasping and moved lightly down his body until she found the part of him that was already beginning to swell. She encircled him with her small hand, exploring, touching, fanning a different kind of explosion.

“Ahhhh! Portia, go slow. I think that there is something I should tell you, darling.”

“Oh? Am I doing it wrong? I want it to be good for you, Daniel. I intend to practice until I get it right, if it takes all night long.”

“No, you’re doing it very right. But I ought to tell you that the nights in the Klondike are sometimes six months long!”

“I know,” Portia said with a wicked thrust. “And there’s one thing I think you should know. I’m a perfectionist about everything I do. Do you think you can be patient while I learn?”

“I think so,” Daniel said and thought with pleasure of all the nights to come. “But we’ll have to see.”

Daniel’s blood stirred and he gave himself over to Portia’s touch. She was so beautiful, so wild and untamable and she was everything he wanted for all the days and nights of his life and perhaps beyond.

(Please continue reading for more information)