Seven

 

 

When was she going to get used to it? How he could read minds, or moods, or feelings or whatever. Sheesh, and why was she now more nervous than before? "Yes. A walk in the garden would be nice. Thank you," she nearly stammered.

Luke walked around the table and offered his arm. Taking a deep breath, Casey sucked in some courage from somewhere and slipped her hand under and over his forearm as he led her away from the chairs.

"It's very formal here, isn't it?" she asked, breaking the uneasy silence with conversation as they continued to walk along the stone path.

He smiled. "Yes, it must appear so to you, but even in our age, the Hispanic people exude dignity and respect for one another," he went on to explain. "They are a very proud people, and their culture remains very polite. How one treats another holds great importance, and their hospitality is never questioned. It is a grace that lives on."

"I must remember that," Casey said, watching a small bird hop around in the branches of the cottonwood tree above their heads. "Umm, Luke," she asked, "how much do Doña Isabela and Don Felipe know about you? Do they know you… you time-travel?" She looked around to see if anyone else might have heard.

Luke threw back his head and laughed. "You say that as if it were a curse, instead of a gift. This afternoon did you feel cursed by such wonderful food and entertaining company?"

"No, I had a great time," she answered with a grin. "Surprised the heck out of me, too, but you're not answering my question with another question, caballero." Her inflection implied "buster," though she knew the Spanish word meant "gentleman."

She saw the sly smile come to his lips, as though admitting he'd been caught. "No, Señorita Casey. No one here is aware of my… abilities." He paused. "I have many good friends and have made acquaintances all over the world in my travels. They simply know me as a friend, and perhaps a good Samaritan, who comes and goes as the pattern unfolds."

"Sheesh," she complained aloud. "There you go again with that 'pattern unfolding.' I don't know if I'll ever understand that theory." She shook her head in confusion.

"Actually, you accepted it already, Casey."

"When?" she asked with surprise. She didn't remember saying anything to him.

"When you made your choice at the table to enjoy the afternoon."

She bit her upper lip. He'd done it again… Back at the table. She mentally played the scene again in her head. When he'd smiled, so sweet and knowingly, right after she'd resigned herself to relax and enjoy the afternoon. How had he known that? Had he felt it? "Actually, I think I'm still trying to digest this whole thing," she joked, and patted her hand on her full stomach. "But I don't think I've made a choice about anything yet," she added with a tone of superiority. She wasn't about to let him get away with knowing everything that was going on inside her.

He smiled and shrugged. "I sensed that you made your decision to accept where you are… and that when you decided to put your fears aside and just be, you found it enjoyable. Sounds like a choice to me," he said, and looked away teasingly.

Instinctively her fingers rose from his arm to lightly slap his chest with the backs of them. "Sheesh, Luke, I have to watch what I say all the time," she continued in awe. "Today I almost started a real mess with that Ginger Rogers remark. Thanks for the save." She glanced at him. "It was brilliant, by the way."

He smiled back at her, obviously enjoying the conversation. Shaking his head slightly, he complimented, "You were the one who had the brilliant insight."

"About women being as equally able as men?"

"Absolutely," he agreed.

A comfortable silence fell between them and she felt herself becoming more relaxed as they continued walking. "Anyway, I read that. I didn't make it up, but ya gotta admit that Ginger was some woman. She did it all without looking." Maybe it was the wine she'd had at lunch, but she felt herself leaning more heavily on his escorting arm.

He looked down to her hand on his arm and back into her eyes. "That was trust."

Why was she beginning to think this conversation could be taken another way? Why was it everything this man said seemed to be settling within her with such importance? And how in the heck did he intuitively sense what she was feeling? She thought for another moment and sobered. "Yes, it was, wasn't it? Ginger really had to trust Fred. She was the one that was always dancing backwards. For all she knew, he could have been leading her right into a wall."

"But he never did, did he? She found her equal and trusted his gift." The genuine tone of his voice drew her eyes up to his. "Look, think of me as you will, Casey," he said, holding her gaze. "I am here to help you return to your family when a way is shown. I can be your mentor," he offered, raising his finger to stop her words before adding, "if you wish help in acclimating to this time period." He gave a nod of thanks for allowing him to finish, and continued, "But do not assume that I can teach you anything. You already have all your answers. So you see," Luke said with what she swore sounded like affection as they proceeded down the path together, "you are not always the student, are you?"

She stopped and stared at him. He stood before her and looked into her eyes with an inquisitive expression. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she demanded. "As though you are waiting for me to tell you my thoughts? Why should I? You seem to read them easily enough."

"I cannot tell you how to think, señorita," he said with that charming smile.

She pulled her hand away and placed both her palms on her hips, just as Rosalinda might do. Then, surprised at realizing she hadn't done this in years, she slowly allowed her arms to slide down. "You're maddening, do you know that? If I had all the answers, I'd know what to do to get my life back and find my sister, now wouldn't I? And after what I saw in this town this morning, I have to trust you. And it ain't that easy for me, okay?" She paused, drawing in a deep breath before adding with a huff, "I'm not Ginger Rogers."

A serious look came over his face, as though he'd been offended and didn't know how to respond. She watched as he stepped away from her and looked up to the branches of the cottonwood tree overhead. "So… you think I'm leading you into a wall?" he chuckled, turning back to her.

That damn twinkle was back in his eyes. How he enjoyed playing with her head! She then thought about how he had taken her under his wing, so to speak, and she had to admit that so far she was a heck of a lot better off with him than if she were on her own. "Let's just say, I'm still looking over my shoulder, okay?"

"Fair enough," he said with more than a trace of humor in his voice. "You have made very quick progress, Casey… if I might compliment you without your taking offense."

"Progress?" She allowed her hands to rest at her sides. How she wished she hadn't pulled away from his arm. She really had enjoyed the contact with him.

She almost stopped walking again when the realization struck her that she was more than a little attracted to Luke d'Séraphin, and what was worse… she had to do a lot better job at hiding it from him. How confusing to have this happen with someone who could read you so well. It was… frustrating. She felt like Rosalinda, yet had to admit that the child seemed more practiced at bantering than she was.

"Yes, progress," Luke continued, as though having no idea of the turmoil in her head. "You have accepted where you are and now you can begin to enjoy the adventure."

"Is that what you do? Do you just pop in on friends all throughout time? Where else have you been?"

"You ask many questions, señorita."

"That's because I want many answers. This just doesn't happen in my life and I want to know everything I can about it. Like will it ever happen again? I don't know that I can go through getting hit with another bolt of lightning. I mean, what would have happened to me if you hadn't come along?"

"We will never know that, will we?" he answered. "It is unfolding differently. Do not question where you aren't, Casey. Stay focused on where you are."

"Another of your so-called principles?" She wanted to laugh at how he managed to take everything she said and put a different twist to it.

Hearing the soft strains of the guitar, she actually had to admit the afternoon had been magical. Why mess with it? "Okay, so what's this fandango?" she asked as they walked farther along the path.

"I explained it is a dance of passion. Have you ever seen flamenco dancing?"

Casey nodded. "I saw it on television and"—she got all excited—"and okay, this might be so typically female and you'll probably laugh, but I had second-row-center seats for Lord of the Dance and I was blown away!"

He did laugh. "Yes, there is good flamenco in it."

"You saw it?" She was pleased that a man would be interested, since all the comedians seemed to put the show down as a chick thing.

"I saw it on television," he answered, leading her as the path twisted and turned back to another part of the house. "It doesn't surprise me you enjoyed Spanish dancing, since you are of Celtic heritage."

"It doesn't? Well, it surprised the heck out of me. I can remember sitting there in awe, and then the flamenco dancing… God, chills ran up my spine."

"Hmm," Luke murmured in a pleased voice. "Interesting." As though to change the course of their conversation, he shifted direction again in her head when he stated, "You do know that the Spanish influence in Ireland is profound, don't you?"

"I've never been there. I wouldn't know. I was kind of surprised to see it appear in the middle of all that Irish dancing."

"In 1588 the Spanish Armada was invading England when a great storm came up and many soldiers were shipwrecked upon Ireland's shores. The people and the land enchanted the men and many stayed, thus the Spanish influence and the dark hair and eyes of some Irish. It wouldn't surprise me to find that such a man also contributed to your lineage."

"My father had dark hair and many of my cousins do."

He nodded. "So you were moved by the flamenco dancing?"

Startled by the shift again, she muttered, "Yes, it was…" She struggled for a good word.

Luke supplied it. "Passionate?"

She took a deep breath as they came closer to the house and she saw up ahead an older man, sitting on a bench under a tree. He was the one playing the guitar. "Okay, passionate," she whispered. "It just moved something inside of me." She wished she had never brought it up. She did not care to be speaking about passion with this man, especially if he could read her so easily.

She smiled at the guitarist, who nodded and continued to strum the strings. Luke said something in Spanish to him and the older man grinned while changing his tune. It started out slowly and then began to pick up pace, becoming very earthy, very primal, very passionate. Luke had asked the man to play flamenco music.

Her senses seemed to come alive with some kind of energy that was better left alone. This was neither the time nor the place to become attracted to someone, especially someone like Luke d'Séraphin. She had better work much harder at keeping her thoughts under control.

"Come, Casey… Don Felipe is correct. You would make a lovely dance partner." He swept her into his arms and held her with a formal invitation to the dance.

Immediately every nerve ending in her body seemed to vibrate with a wild surge of sexual energy. It was unwelcome. Unwarranted. Yet undeniable.

She was so startled that she pulled away, but not before he caught her wrist. "I… I can't do this," she whispered in embarrassment.

"Do what?" he inquired with a soft smile. "I am merely asking you to dance."

"I can't dance flamenco! That takes years of practice!"

The older man seemed to ignore them as he continued to play with such fervor that it all felt surreal to her. How could she be having this conversation? How could her body betray her like this when she so desperately needed to find some control?

"We have ten days to practice."

"You're going to teach me?" she asked, incredulous that he would even suggest it.

'This I can teach you, Casey."

"I didn't even learn the damn Macarena!" she protested.

Laughing, he pulled her back into his arms. When she grabbed his shoulder in desperation, he looked down at her and whispered, "It is not such a bad way to pass the time, is it? Remember, you have a choice. You are allowed to enjoy this, Casey."

"I can't do it. It's too… intricate… too… too…"

"Passionate?" Again he supplied the word.

She almost groaned aloud as another wave of sensuality rushed through her body, betraying and reminding her how long it had been since she was attracted to a man. Any man.

"Well, too passionate for someone who is pretending she's just left a convent, that's for sure."

"Maybe once they see you dancing, everyone will stop wondering why you left the convent."

In spite of everything, Casey couldn't help laughing. "Or they'll think I should have stayed in it!"

He held her more firmly, as though he were about to begin dancing. "Nonsense. I have watched you move, and when you wish… you can be quite graceful. Do not doubt yourself, Casey. I don't."

Sheesh! This guy really knew how to be charming, and she found herself surrendering. "I'm going to look like a fool," she stated between clenched teeth.

"Only you will think so. You are gifted with the ability to laugh at yourself. Use it. Now we begin…" He started to move, and Casey looked down at her feet. "Don't," he whispered. "Did Ginger look at her feet?"

"I told you, I'm not Ginger." Again she tried to pull away from his grasp. It only tightened, and in truth, she really wasn't trying all that hard.

"Can you trust me?" He stared down at her with a patient expression that said he was holding back a smile. "The walls of the house are far behind you, Casey. You won't be hurt."

She felt a thickness in her throat.

"I trust you," she whispered, and realized it was truth. If this man wanted to harm her, he'd certainly had plenty of opportunity. If anything, he was the most respectful man she had ever met.

"Then relax. We have plenty of time to practice the more intricate steps. The first lesson is to become comfortable in my arms. I am not such a poor dancer that I would lead you astray, señorita."

Relax. Right. She took a deep breath to banish and release her wild yearnings for this man. This was about trust. That was all.

She grinned. "Okay, so this is just regular dancing? Nothing fancy?"

He nodded.

"I know what this is!" she proclaimed. "You just want to find out if I'll let you lead."

He laughed and so did she. This time she was right on the mark!

Relaxing even more, Casey said, "Gimme your best shot, señor. Ya ain't dealin' with a complete klutz here."

He took the challenge with a pleased expression, making his face so handsome that Casey almost groaned again.

"I never doubted you," he whispered, his grin widening.

What exactly was she getting into here? A dancing challenge? She was a pretty good dancer. Damn, years of being single might finally pay off if she could meet his invitation. "You are wagering… señor?" she whispered back, adding the last word with a smile of her own. Better to cover her attraction with a little boldness.

"And what might this wager be?"

She thought for a moment. "If I learn, you will tell me everything I want to know about time travel."

He gaze became serious. "I can only tell you what I know."

"Okay, then that," she said, impatient to get something out of this. If she was about to appear the fool, then she wanted some reassurance it wasn't for nothing.

His smile returned and he again assumed his dancing posture, holding her firmly. "Como tú quieres, señorita. Agreed."

She nodded triumphantly and assumed her own posture, ready for what he had to give.

"Of course, you know… I would have told you what you wanted to know without all this," he muttered as he began to move.

She stumbled and slapped his shoulder. "You… you did that on purpose!" she accused. She tried to make her voice sound stern, yet couldn't stop the laughter. It was hopeless for her to have any pride at all around this man!

"Just dance," she said, resuming her former position. She was ready for him now.

"Don't look at your feet," he whispered, trying to match her serious mood. The creeping smile betrayed him.

"I'm not," she retorted, staring straight into his eyes. Little did he know that in college one of her best male friends taught her about following at too many frat parties for her ever to forget. With any luck, Luke d'Séraphin would be the one stumbling soon.

He took a big step forward and she followed easily as she caught the rhythm of his body and matched it. Two shorter steps and she knew she could follow him. He was a very good dancer, she thought, staring into his eyes and trying not to think of anything else, trying to just allow the music and this man to lead her. They danced in a circle, her dress sweeping out like a pink cloud, and she thought surely, for this moment, she had landed in heaven.

"I'm going to swing you out now," he whispered and, grabbing her waist with one hand, flung her toward the house. She twirled twice quite gracefully and then stumbled when her vision caught something dark standing not far away.

"Oh…" Casey stopped and tried to get her head back to normal. Normal? Ever since that lightning struck, nothing was normal. Especially this! And now her head was spinning! "Doña Isabela," she said, catching her breath. "I didn't see you."

"I am sorry I interrupted," the woman answered, and came closer. Smiling, she looked at Luke briefly. "I see I owe my husband an apology. Señorita, you dance beautifully."

"Oh…" Casey was so embarrassed that she had to stop herself from wringing her hands together. "I danced a great deal when I was younger."

"No wonder Rosalinda has bonded with you in such a short time. You have an admirer in my daughter. I'm afraid she will monopolize your time, and you must continue your dancing lessons before the quinceñera. I believe I have some shoes that would be more appropriate."

Luke came forward and placed his hand on her back very gently. "I'm afraid I have worn out this gracious lady."

Casey shot him a look. "You didn't wear me out."

He chuckled as he turned his attention back to Doña Isabela. "Perhaps you might escort the señorita back to her room. There is something I must attend to while there is daylight."

"Of course, Luke," the woman answered, and held out her hand to Casey. "We don't want to tax your strength, señorita, since you just arrived last night and need to be gentle with yourself. A siesta would be most helpful now."

"I will return before the evening meal, damas."

He bowed to both ladies, and Casey was stunned as he walked away. Luke was just leaving her? Like this? Pulling herself together, she turned to her hostess.

"Come, señorita," Doña Isabela urged. "Rest. It has been a very busy day for you."

Yeah, you could say that!

As she walked with Doña Isabela into the house, Casey remembered that, according to Luke, the d'Montoyas knew nothing about this time-travel adventure. She was simply a welcomed guest, traveling with a friend of theirs. How she would love to grab the woman's shoulders and ask her what the hell was happening. Someone wiser than she must have some answers, cause Casey was certainly shaken by this whole encounter, especially this last one with Luke. She remembered Juana telling her that she thought Luke might be interested in her. She wanted to burst into nervous laughter at the crazy thought.

Nah… someone like him must have plenty of women around him whenever he wanted. He wouldn't be interested in her as anything more than a diversion to pass the time until he could return her to her sister.

"I will send the shoes to you," the woman murmured, as they began to climb the stairs.

Casey smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

Maybe that was why he had to leave so suddenly. Maybe he had a woman in this time. Now, who could she ask about that? And why did she even care?

She did.

That thought created an uncomfortable feeling in her belly. Well, she would just have to cleverly ask Luke when she talked to him again at the next dance lesson. Or maybe Rosalinda knew.

She wondered how long choir practice lasted…