Predestined Hearts

Then he slipped his fingers through the opening of my drawers, made for taking care of one’s toilette needs, not her desire, causing me to let out a small whimper. He began to pull his fingers out when I yelled out, “No! Do not stop. Please, do not stop!”

He smiled as he buried his face in my neck and began working his fingers between my wet folds. I squeezed his hand that still had my hand pinned above my head. “Oh God, what’s happening?” I mumbled as I began to feel my body quiver.

“Sophia, I want to make you come undone.”

My body exploded as I began to call out his name. Danny pressed his lips to mine and captured my cries of pleasure. His fingers moved fast and deep, as he brought out something in me I had long desired. I could feel myself pulsing over and over against his fingers.

My legs began to feel weak as Danny pulled his fingers out. He let go of my hand and quickly reached to hold me up. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the cold stone, attempting to breathe properly again. I had never been so brazen in my entire life. I had never felt so happy either. Opening my eyes, I saw Danny looking at me. His blue eyes searched my face. When I smiled, he smiled.

“Has your desire been pleased?” Danny asked, as the light in his eyes sparkled.

My face flushed as I whispered, “Very well pleased. I—”

“Sophia?”

My mother’s voice in the distance caused Danny to step back from me. I quickly adjusted my gown. Danny gave me a smile that utterly melted my heart. He leaned in and kissed my lips quickly. He turned to leave, but not before I reached for his arm. “My hair? Does my hair look okay?”

Placing his hand on the side of my face, Danny whispered, “You look beautiful. I’m completely bewitched by you.”

Before I could respond, my mother called out again. “Sophia Marie Montgomery! Where in heavens are you?”

Danny quickly turned and disappeared behind some bushes. “Over here, Mother,” I called as I attempted to smooth my dress and calm my beating heart.

My mother appeared, looking rather agitated. “Are you trying to embarrass me, Sophia? Why would you wander out here? Dinner is about to be served.”

Smiling, I nodded to my mother. “Thank goodness you came along, Mother. I feared I would never find my way back. These gardens go on forever.”

I looked over my mother’s shoulder to see Danny’s father, Mr. Stowe, standing there. “Tis easy to get lost out here. May I escort you both back?”

My mother closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she put on a fake smile and turned on her heels. “Why, Mr. Stowe, always the gentleman.” Glancing back over her shoulder, my mother beckoned me. “Come along, Sophia.”

I sat at the large, dark-pecan table and ate the last of my beef stew. Mr. and Mrs. Stowe’s dining room was very simple, yet elegant. I enjoyed seeing a family who did not display their wealth for the world to see. Mother commented to father when we had first walked in that the tapestries were outdated and should be replaced. I rather enjoyed them and could see why Mrs. Stowe had not replaced them.

Looking over to Mrs. Stowe, I cleared my throat. Knowing I was about to speak, my mother turned and gave me a look. I gave my mother a knowing smile and turned to Danny’s mother and asked, “Mrs. Stowe, I beseech you to share this recipe. I do not think I have ever had such an amazing beef stew.”

Mrs. Stowe chuckled. “A girl after my own heart. Sophia, this recipe contains a family secret; therefore, I am not entitled to share it.”

Tittering, I replied, “I ask you to reconsider. I must learn to make this.” I could feel Danny’s eyes upon me and my desire was quickly building again.

There was laughter at the table as I picked up my glass of wine and took a sip. I glanced over to find Danny smiling at me. Smiling back, I flushed when he winked at me. One quick look to my mother showed her dissatisfaction in my attention to Danny. Smiling weakly at my mother, I looked at the bread pudding that was placed in front of me. I sat quietly during the rest of dinner and listened to the conversations around the room. Mitchel attempted to make conversation twice with me, but Danny kept intercepting the conversation and turning Mitchel’s attention from me back to him.

My father, Mr. Stowe, and his male guests all stood as Mrs. Stowe and the other women got up from the table and made their way to the drawing room. “Good evening, ladies,” Mr. Stowe said with a smile. It was not lost on me how my mother gazed upon Mr. Stowe a little longer than she ought to.

Danny walked up to me and bowed slightly. “Miss Montgomery, would you do me the honor of allowing me to show you the gardens?” My face flushed at the mere mention of the gardens.

Slowly smiling, I nodded my head. “I would be honored, Mr. Stowe.”

Taking a look over my shoulder, my mother glared at me. “Sophia, do you not thin—”

Smiling, I spoke over her. “I shall be back in no time, Mother.”

Danny and I walked out to the garden and sat on a bench near the back entrance of the house. I wanted him to touch my body in more ways than I could understand, but being so close to the house, this was not going to happen. Mother had also sent a servant out to the garden with us. Danny had dismissed her and she reluctantly retreated back to the house.

“Did you sit us here on purpose, Mr. Stowe?” I asked.

Laughing, he replied, “Yes, Sophia, I did. If I could take your hand in mine, I would show you how your smile, your laugh, and your velvet voice makes me desire you.”

My cheeks heated at his candid conversation. “My behavior earlier was scandalous, I fear you think less of me.” I looked down. Danny placed his finger on my chin and brought my brown eyes up to his blue.