Lynna's Beau (Tropical Paradise Series Book 2) Read online

  Lynna’s Beau

  By

  Kitty Margo

  This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters,

  places, and incidents are either products of the

  author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance

  to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is

  entirely coincidental. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission of

  Kitty Margo.

  Published June 7, 2013

  Buttercup Publishing

  Copyright © 2013 Kitty Margo

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN 10 -0985928042

  ISBN 13 -978-0-9859280-4-9

  Cover art by Viola Estrella

  violaestrella.com

  Chapter 1

  Charleston, SC 1854

  Lynna Jordan nibbled on her full lower lip, concern etching her delicately arched brow. The way she saw it, she had good cause for her disquietude. Hadn’t heartache been a constant companion since leaving her home in France to begin a new life in America almost five years ago? Hadn’t all her dreams and best laid plans over the years somehow gone horribly awry? Now, at long last, she was happy. Truly, ecstatically, over the moon happy. What concerned her was… would it last? Or would the bottom slide out from under her feet like ocean sand, as it always had in the past?

  Her husband’s silky smooth voice snatched her from her reverie. “Not that I have ever been intimate with a lady in your delicate condition prior to now,” Joshua whispered for her ears only, “but I must confess that you are most becoming for someone blossoming with impending motherhood.” He was bending over as Lynna sat ramrod stiff in an overstuffed wing chair unraveling a pillow’s fringe with nervous fingers. Taking the pillow he placed it on a chair safely out of her reach.

  “Mother has a particular fondness for this pillow, especially since her own mother passed it down before her death. Let’s not destroy it,” he teased, reaching to brush a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. “Would you care to discuss what is troubling you, my love?”

  Lynna knew he would chide her for getting so worked up over an unwarranted fear, so deciding to ignore the question she focused on his compliment. “Thank you, my darling.” She marveled that her heart still did somersaults whenever his whispered breath caressed her ear. Forcing herself to relax and quit borrowing trouble she gazed up into gorgeous green eyes that were the color of the sea. “I needed to hear that, since I was just contemplating the fact that I don’t feel very… becoming… as of late. To be honest, I feel more like a ponderous cow.”

  “Should you care to accompany me upstairs, I would be more than happy to make you feel nothing but me.”

  “Joshua,” his sister Malinda interrupted their tete a tete knowing full well if her brother and his wife went upstairs she wouldn’t see them again for hours. “You didn’t forget to accept our invitation to Samuel and Beth’s annual Harvest Ball, did you? Why, all our friends will be there and Lynna and I had the final fittings on simply divine ball gowns just this morning.”

  Hesitating, Joshua stood and moved to the fireplace, taking his own sweet time lighting a cheroot before casting an uneasy glance toward his wife. “I sent our regrets. We won’t be attending the Ball this year. Due to past circumstances, to be honest, I’m rather surprised you would even suggest it.”

  “Nonsense,” Lynna insisted, ignoring her husband’s determined glare. “Of course we will be attending. Why, Samuel and Beth are our dearest friends. I know exactly what you are thinking, Joshua Jordan, and I will not allow Suzanne Fletcher to spoil what is surely to be the most exciting social event of the season. Malinda is right, practically everyone in the entire county will be at Cedar Hill.”

  “Why wouldn’t we attend?” Malinda queried. “Even Suzanne wouldn’t have the audacity to make an appearance this year after... I mean… surely she would not dare.” Malinda’s mother had taught her that every single person had been born with at least a smidgeon of goodwill sometimes you just had to conduct an extensive search to find it. Unfortunately, when dealing with Suzanne it was oftentimes buried so deep you would need mining equipment to locate it. “Surely the odious girl has some small measure of pride.”

  “Suzanne? Pride? Since when?” Joshua threw his hands up and peered at her askance. “You know better than that, Malinda. I cannot think of a single thing that would be beneath Suzanne’s audacity. And as for pride, as everyone in this room can attest, it is totally nonexistent where she’s concerned.” He gazed into the leaping flames as if contemplating a matter of great importance. Unable to reach a decision that wouldn’t leave both females in the room pouting and giving him the cold shoulder for weeks to come, he absentmindedly reached into his pocket, pulling out a round wooden cylindrical spool with a string attached to the center.

  As Lynna and Malinda watched he inserted a loop knot on the end of the string over his middle finger and tossed the item downward. When the end of the string was reached, the thing magically wound back up toward his hand and he caught it.”

  “What is that?” Lynna wondered aloud

  “Why, I have never seen anything like it in all my life.” Malinda laughed as her brother continued to toss and catch the toy.

  “Oh, this?” Joshua threw the object toward the floor and it wound back up to his hand each time. “This is a bandalore.”

  “A bandalore?” Lynna repeated. “Where on earth did you get it?”

  “A man in England sold it to me one morning on the docks as the Windjammer was being loaded. I had been watching him play with it for some time and he asked if I would care to try it. Actually, he was of Filipino origin and when pressed, informed me that in his country it was called a ‘come come’ or ‘yo yo’.” Joshua continued tossing and grabbing the bandalore as if it were great fun. “I find it to be a remarkable stress reliever.”

  “I may need to borrow it before this day is over,” Malinda mumbled, not even trying to hide her misery. “Joshua, please won’t you reconsider.”

  His decision made, Joshua shook his head. “No, Malinda. Even though it pains me to be the cause of your sadness, I cannot subject Lynna to Suzanne’s caustic remarks, especially in her condition. I’m afraid the matter is settled. We will not be attending this year.” Giving his sister a pointed glance, he added, “There is always next year.”

  Lynna twisted a lacy handkerchief anxiously in her lap. Malinda was fast approaching marriageable age and the Harvest Ball would be her best chance to find a prospective suitor. The dear girl would be devastated if they didn’t attend. Lynna could not allow that to happen. Not because of her obstinate husband being entirely too overprotective. “Joshua, darling, I agree with Malinda. Even if Suzanne insisted on attending the ball, I’m not sure Silas and Mary would agree to it… all things considered. Surely she would not dare make an appearance.”

  “At her own brother’s ball? When the rest of her family will be attending? I see no reason why she wouldn’t join them.” Removing the string from his finger Joshua dropped the bandalore on the mantle and taking his wife’s hands gently pulled her to her feet. “Lynna, as we all know, Silas Fletcher is incapable of denying his precious daughter anything.” He paused to drop a kiss on the end of her pert nose. “You should know this better than anyone. Suzanne has, and always will have, anything she desires just for the asking. If she chooses to attend her brother’s ball, she will be delivered to Charleston posthaste with no questions asked by her parents.”

  “You are wrong on one point, Joshua.” Lynna tugged his head down to hers for a so
ft kiss that left them both yearning for more. “She did not get you.”

  Gathering his exquisite wife in his arms, Joshua inhaled the lilac fragrance of her hair. “True, my love. That is because my heart was already stolen by a blue eyed seductress who will soon give birth to my child, and I will not allow Suzanne or anyone else to cause you undue stress.”

  Malinda released a long suffering sigh and cast a pitiful glance toward Lynna, knowing she was her one and only hope of changing her resolute brother’s mind.

  Standing on tiptoe to peer over her husband’s broad shoulder, Lynna sent her a sly wink and a secretive smile. Seeing this, Malinda relaxed in her chair, the tension seeming to flow from her body. She felt safe in the knowledge that Lynna had Joshua well under her control and was one hundred percent certain that if anyone could change his stubborn mind she could.

  Hours later, moonlight filtered through the lacy curtains casting a golden hue over the occupants of the bed. Lynna’s baby gave one last determined kick before settling down for the night as she snuggled against her husband’s warmth. Again her mind refused to shut down as the nagging worry that her bubble of happiness could shatter at any moment swirled around in her head. But enough of that. She was married to the man of her dreams, or as Jasmine would say, “de bes’ lookin’ thang God done evah strung a gut through,” and she would soon deliver his child. No woman could ask for more.

  Lynna smiled to herself remembering the head housekeeper from Magnolia House where she had spent a good portion of her youth. Jasmine could always lift her spirits, even during the lowest of times. And there had been many during the years she had lived under her abusive uncle’s roof. Scooting her swollen body deeper against her husband’s, she pleaded, “Joshua, darling, would you consider changing your mind about the Ball?”

  “No, Lynna.”

  “But Joshua, you are being completely unreasonable. What harm could it do? For crying out loud, Suzanne is not going to attack me. Even if she tried,” she squeezed his arm to soften her words, “you are never more than an arms length away at any given moment.”

  Are you saying that I smother you?” He chuckled, caressing the mound he hoped contained a daughter who was the spitting image of her exquisite mother. “If you are, then all I can say is get used to it, my love.”

  “Not at all. In fact, I love having you ever by my side. I was just saying that Suzanne is not going to cause any trouble, and if she did…well… I have complete confidence in your ability to protect me.”

  Struggling to roll her rounded body over to face him, she rested with her lips less than an inch from his as their breath mingled and she inhaled the heady fragrances of tobacco and wine. Slipping her hand across his finely chiseled jaw and around his neck, she ran her fingers through the silky smooth texture of his hair, pulling him toward her. Barely touching her moist, parted lips to his, she heard him moan deep in his throat as he slanted his head and sought her tongue. She would never get her fill of this man.

  Their tongues did an intricate dance of love for several minutes, as curls of need shivered through Lynna’s limbs leaving her almost breathless with the passion she felt for him. Neither could pull away, reveling in the taste, the feel, the softness and wetness until they were both throbbing with a desire that only the other could quench. When they finally broke apart, Lynna snuggled against him as closely as her growing belly would allow and reached out her tongue to lick his lips, not wanting to break the sensual contact with him. “You do that so well, my darling.”

  Joshua’s body tingled as she flicked her tongue across his lips in a stunningly erotic move. “It would seem that you have become quite the expert at kissing, love.” Sucking her bottom lip into his mouth, he caressed it with his tongue, causing a fiery heat to travel from her lips to her lower anatomy with lightening speed. “Your kisses light a raging fire in my blood, Lynna. Come extinguish it for me, my love.”

  God, she wanted him. Lynna felt a tight knot of desire burning between her thighs as Joshua helped her roll back over and tugged her naked body back against his hard, lean chest. He lifted her leg to place it on his hip and with his tongue lavishing her shoulder, guided himself gently toward her opening.

  Lynna didn’t want gentle. Feeling an urgency that was not to be denied she reached a hand behind her to hold onto his neck as she arched and pressed back against him, causing him to enter her fully, groaning with pleasure.

  She was so slick, so moist, so tight, like a lubricated glove. Breathing heavily, Joshua had to hold perfectly still for a moment to get his bearings. But Lynna was having none of that either. Pushing back on him a low moan of ecstasy escaped her parted lips.

  Joshua knew her pleasure was about to peak as he caressed her breast, kneading her nipple and bemoaning the fact that he wasn’t in a position to caress it with his tongue. Instead, he ran his tongue along her ear, wanting his mouth on her body, anywhere. It didn’t matter where. He just needed to taste her.

  Lifting her leg, he was able to go deeper, causing her to cry out his name on a shattered breath. Lowering her leg he moved his hand to the sensitive spot between her thighs and made swirling circles as she stiffened beneath his hands. With a sharp intake of breath, Lynna was unable to quiet the low moans that slipped from her lips. She pressed back against him harder and harder, burying his shaft deep inside her until her movements slowed and Joshua felt her deep contractions pulsing around him, threatening to pull every last ounce of strength from his body. She cried out with her release and continued moving slower and slower still until the last spasm had relaxed and left her limp against him, depleted. Joshua penetrated her fully one last time then clutched her hip to hold her tightly to him as a tremor of pure ecstasy rushed through him.

  Much later, when their breathing had returned to normal, Joshua held her close. “Now, to finish what we were discussing before I was so pleasantly interrupted.”

  “Refresh my memory, darling. It seems my mind has turned to mush, for I cannot remember a single thing we were talking about just prior to our lovemaking.”

  Joshua smiled, placing a kiss on the back of her neck. “We were discussing Suzanne, and my ability to protect you from her. Rest assured, my love, that I am not in the least concerned with Suzanne physically attacking you. She values her worthless life and even she is not that dimwitted. It’s her verbal abuse that cuts to the heart. The girl has a tongue like a viper and she knows your weaknesses well. You and I both know she would find a way to sink her claws into you before the night was over.”

  Joshua rested his hand on the bottom of her belly waiting for his daughter to begin her nightly calisthenics. “She is a useless blight on the face of humanity and you should never be within striking distance of her, at least not while you carry my child and cannot fend for yourself. Now please, darling, can we let the matter rest?”

  “Yes, Joshua.” Lynna sighed forlornly, knowing full well how her sighs affected him. Wiggling on the feather mattress, she tried to find a comfortable position, one that hopefully would prevent the baby from nestling against her bladder. “It’s just that I know Jasmine will be there,” here she daintily grunted for a little extra persuasion, “and I so wanted to talk to her about childbirth… and breastfeeding… and teething… and this awful heartburn… and diaper rash …and so many other things. I have missed her so. More than anyone else at Magnolia House, and she is so knowledgeable about such things.”

  Giving one last sigh for added effect, Lynna continued with her sorrowful speech, “Since Aunt Judith and my father are visiting Aunt Gypsie and Crystal in town and I don’t have her to discuss these things with… I just wish I could talk to Jasmine.”

  Although Lynna felt a twinge of guilt for taking such unfair advantage of her devoted husband, she comforted herself with the knowledge that every word she had spoken was the absolute truth.

  Joshua silently shook his head and stifled a laugh, then lifted his mouth to nuzzle his wife’s hair. The lass could play him like a fiddle. “You d
o not fight fair, my love.” Exhaling a defeated groan, he mumbled, “You win. But at the first whiff of trouble we return home. That is my one condition. Do you agree to it?”

  “Yes, my darling,” she murmured innocently. “Of course, I agree. But whatever changed your mind?”

  “I don’t know how you managed it,” Malinda gushed, barely able to control her excitement as she stepped down from the carriage in front of Cedar Hill. She was wearing an off the shoulder gown of pink chiffon with embroidered roses and leaves entwined throughout the skirt. It was a true work of art thanks to Judith. “But I am forever in your debt. I just know Will Billingsley is going to ask me to dance! And I just might expire on the very spot when he does!” Happiness danced in her eyes as she reached over to give Lynna a quick hug. “Thank you for convincing my stubborn brother to allow us to attend the Harvest Ball.”

  Overhearing her comments, Joshua took his wife’s arm and gazed lovingly into her azure gaze as he ushered her up the steps and onto the verandah. “The wench knows I can deny her nothing, and she was slathering ‘woe is me’ like butter on bread last night. I am of the opinion the two of you should be woefully ashamed for taking such unfair advantage of an innocent man.”

  “Since when have you ever been considered innocent, darling?” Lynna giggled.

  Malinda laughed gaily, peering through the windows into the brightly lit ballroom. “Oh, don’t be such an old stick in the mud, Joshua. Listen to the music and laughter. This will be the most fun we’ve had in ages!”

  Lynna suddenly had a pained flashback and suppressed a delicate shudder remembering the last ball she had attended at Cedar Hill. It was the night Joshua and Suzanne’s impending marriage, based on lies, had been announced and sent her fleeing to Jamaica. She shook her head to rid her mind of the horrible episode in her life. It was all behind her now. That marriage had been annulled and Suzanne was, hopefully, a hundred miles away in Georgia. Joshua was hers forever and ever.