Sutcliffe, Katherine by Dream Fever

Author:Dream Fever
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-11-20T22:30:20+00:00

Summer felt intoxicated! She felt like a princess. No doubt about it, she would remember this day for the rest of her life.

Sighing, Dora regarded Summer's gown with great admiration. "It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. You look radiant, Summer. Truly happy."

Nan Sharkey looked up from her cushioned seat beneath a tree, where she lovingly cradled her newest offspring. "What I'd give to own a dress as lovely as that."

Laughing, Summer skipped over to her and squatted beside her friend in a pool of lavender silk. Her eyes were on the babe, barely more than a week old. "I'd happily trade y' this dress for her, Nan."

Nan and Dora exchanged glances, then Nan carefully held out the bundle to Summer. She shook her head and fluttered her hands. "I couldn't. I've never held a wee babe before—"

"There's nothing to it. Just keep her head supported in the crook of your arm." Nan slid the swaddled child into her arms. "Keep her close to your breast. Your heartbeat will soothe her. There! That's it. Why, Dora, don't you think Summer makes a lovely little mother?"

"Stunning!" Dora laughed.

The child turned its head and nuzzled Summer's breast. Summer's heart turned over. A slow glowing heat radiated through her; it centered in her chest and pulsated into a yearning so intense that she suddenly felt dizzy. "She's beautiful," she whispered, aware that her eyes had grown misty with emotion. "And look at her wee hands. Aren't they perfect? And her tiny eyelashes and precious mouth. Why, it looks like a pale-pink rosebud."

Looking up, Summer searched the group of men and women gathered in the meadow. Couples promenaded along a well-beaten path near the trees, holding hands and smiling into one another's eyes. Others lounged about the grassy plain, sipping wine from tulip-shaped glasses that winked in the sun- light. Then she found Nick, standing alone on the cusp of a cliff overlooking the next valley, his back to the party, his hands in his pockets.

"Why don't you take Phoebe over and show her to Mr. Sabre?" Nan said.

"Oh, I couldn't."

"Certainly you could," said Dora.

"I might drop her."

"Balderdash." Nan scowled. "Just take your time. I'm sure Mr. Sabre could use the company. And there's nothing better to start a conversation than a baby. Everyone has an opinion on babies."

"Well..." Taking a deep breath and gripping her precious bundle firmly, Summer moved off down the path, her gaze riveted on the ground, only occasionally straying toward Sabre's dark figure silhouetted against the sapphire sky. "Nicholas?" she called as she neared him.

He glanced over his shoulder.

"I have someone who'd like t' meet y'."

No response.

She stared at his broad shoulders and black hair, which fluttered now and again in the wind. "Phoebe Sharkey, meet Mr. Nicholas Winston Sabre, Esquire. Nicholas, don't be rude."

His shoulders rose and fell with apparent agitation, then he turned to her, his stony countenance crumbling when he saw the child.

"Isn't she lovely?"

His eyebrows lowered over his nose. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.

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