Free Beloved Enemy by Mary Schaller

“Wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?”
    A new, unexpected warmth surged through her, not only by the seductive suggestion in his voice, but also by his sheer boldness. Had he come to ruin her now? A dizzy current of heat raced through her blood. Her body tingled. This Yankee was a romantic lunatic—and perhaps, so was she.
    Raising the window a little higher, Julia leaned out. “You are the most thick-headed person that I ever met,” she whispered louder. “Don’t you know that you could be killed for a prowler if anyone hears you?” She refused to wonder why she wanted to save this Yankee’s life. Men like this one had killed sweet Frank. Yet Julia knew that she would feel very guilty if the major were shot in her garden because of her.
    Rob tilted up his face, the white of his teeth gleamingas he grinned at her. “I have night’s cloak to hide me,” he said, not seeming the least bit worried.
    Carolyn murmured in her dreams. Julia shot another swift glance at her. Even though her sister was a heavy sleeper, this insane conversation would certainly waken her if it continued. Julia knew that she should shut the window and be done with the man, but she couldn’t do it. He enticed her; his boldness tempted her to do something equally rash in return. Should she ask him now to have his wicked way with her?
    He stepped closer to the foot of the back steps. “Wouldst thou withdraw?” he called softly, almost tenderly.
    This night would never happen to her again. There was a war between them. Tossing aside her common sense, Julia acted upon the most daring idea she had ever had in her sheltered life. She leaned out the window again. “Stay under the tree in the shadows. I’ll be down in a minute.”
    Julia didn’t look at him as she shut the window, but she had the distinct impression that he grinned before he retreated under the magnolia, thick with its evergreen, glossy leaves. She didn’t consider what she was about to do. Instead, she imagined his lips upon hers. Hastily, she twirled her hair up in a knot, then tossed a dressing gown over her nightdress. She swept up a knitted afghan from the foot of the daybed and threw it around her shoulders.
    As she slipped her bare feet into her fur-lined slippers, Carolyn stirred from the depths of the four-poster bed.
    â€œWhere are you going?” she asked in a sleep-thickened voice.
    â€œTo get the cat,” Julia replied, lighting a candle. “Go back to sleep.”
    Yawning, Carolyn snuggled down again. As Julia lefttheir room, she hoped that her sister wouldn’t notice that Tybalt was curled in a furry ball next to her pillow.
    A few moments later, Julia stepped onto the back stoop. She lifted her candlestick higher, allowing the light to spill deeper into the silent garden. Its flame flickered in the light breeze. Then she saw him move under the tree. Gathering her courage, she descended the steps carefully in case they were icy. She halted just inside the magnolia’s screening boughs. After all, she didn’t want to get too close to the man, in case his manner turned threatening. He had been a perfect gentleman up until now—but he was a Yankee. Nor did she want to give him the idea that she was a loose woman. Now that she faced him, she was suddenly unsure what to do next.
    The major stepped just inside her candle’s glow. “I am glad that you removed your mask, Miss Julia. Beauty should never remain hidden.”
    His deep voice caressed her, and a spiral of nervous excitement corkscrewed down her spine. She fumbled for a suitable reply. Given the late hour and her shameful state of undress, there was nothing she could think to say. Instead, she fell back on Shakespeare’s words.
    â€œThe mask of night is on my face, else would a maiden blush paint my cheeks.” In fact, her cheeks were on fire.
    â€œThank you for coming down,” he said, though he did not