OLIVIA
Chapter Thirty-Three

Cal!

Olivia grabbed Patrick’s arms as panic ricocheted through her. "Oh, God! He can’t see us!"

Patrick pulled her close to him and held her trembling body tightly. "He won’t. I promise. I won’t let him hurt you anymore," he said firmly.

"You don’t know him like I do. He’ll kill you." She shook her head in fear. "We have to get out of here!" she exclaimed.

"Olivia, listen to me. You have to stay calm. You have to go out there." He grabbed her face and forced her to look at him. "You have to go out there to him. Do you hear me?"

"No," she answered, her eyes wide with fright. "I can’t. He’ll suspect something. He’ll know."

"If you don’t go out there, he will be suspicious. He’ll come looking for you and he’ll find us. You’ve got to, Olivia. You’ve got to, for your own safety."

"But I don’t want to leave you." She gripped his shirtfront.

"I know. I feel the same way, but you have to. We’ll find a way to make this work. I don’t know how, but we will."

"Olivia!" Cal’s voice carried to them again, only this time, it was closer.

Patrick lifted his finger to his mouth and stilled her. He stared at her for a moment, and then he pointed toward the entrance. "Go," he whispered. "It will be fine. I’ll come to you later."

Never had Olivia been more frightened or uncertain in her life, but she knew she had to be strong. With a jagged breath, she nodded her head. Before she started backing away from him, he pulled her close for one more firm kiss. "I love you," he whispered.

She hugged him tightly once more before she turned away from him. She had to leave now, before she lost her nerve. She gave him one final look before she stepped out onto the ledge. She looked down onto the expanse of the beach and saw Cal. His hair was mussed, his jacket hanging loose, and his shirt was un-tucked from his pants as he came half-running, half-walking toward the rock formation.

"Olivia!" he called again as he looked around frantically for her. She stepped out further onto the ledge, holding onto the protruding rocks as she did. She slid once and let out a scream, immediately alerting Cal to her presence.

He saw her and came running toward her, throwing off his jacket in the process. "Olivia! Dear God!" he yelled as he hurriedly climbed up to meet her. As soon as he reached her, he grabbed her and pulled her against him. "Oh, God, you’re all right," he groaned in her ear.

Olivia closed her eyes as he continued to hold her. She hesitantly put her arms around his neck. "I’m fine," she told him. "I was stranded when the tide came in."

"You could have been hurt or worse, and it’s all my fault. I should never have lost my temper with you." He pulled back and cupped her face. "I’m sorry, Olivia. Can you forgive me?"

Olivia tensed beneath his concentrated perusal of her. She felt horrible, sick almost. She wanted to run back to Patrick, but she knew the impossibility of that. If Cal suspected at any time that anything was going on, she had no doubt that he would indeed kill Patrick. She really had no choice in what she did next. She did what she had to do to protect him.

"Yes, I forgive you." She nodded. "I shouldn’t have pushed."

Cal laughed in relief then and pulled her tightly against him again. "I was so worried about you. If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I would do."

Olivia closed her eyes as she listened to him. Oh, but he was so smooth, always saying the right things. But this time her heart could not forgive him. Regardless of how she presented herself to him from now on, her heart was with Patrick.

"I think we should return to the bungalow now," she spoke up, and slightly withdrew from him. "I’m wet and very tired."

"Yes, yes, of course," he acknowledged. He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it firmly. "I’m so glad you’re all right, Olivia."

She smiled slightly as he held onto her hand and they began the descent down the rock face. He continued holding onto her as they walked back to the bungalow. Once inside their room, he shut the door and came over to her, rubbing her arms in the process.

"I won’t bother Marietta. I’ll help you undress," he stated as she slid his arms around her waist.

"I don’t want to keep you from changing," she said, hoping to keep him at bay. But he only smiled and told her she was being silly. He wanted to help her get out of those wet clothes. He turned her around and began unbuttoning the long row of buttons down her back, stopping every little bit to kiss the exposed skin as he did.

"I shouldn’t have lost my temper, Olivia," he whispered silkily. "I need you more than you know. I should have never taken it out on you."

Olivia bit her lip as tears of frustration formed in her eyes. She could do nothing nor say anything to stop him. This had happened too many times before. He always became aroused after his anger abated, but this time was different. She didn’t want him to touch her, and yet she had no choice. He was her husband.

Later, after it was over and they lay in their bed, Olivia wept silent tears. She wanted to go home. She wanted to remove herself from this place and never return. She wanted to see her children and she wanted Patrick. He was the only person who truly cared for her, who had not tried to hurt her. She didn’t know how or when, but one day they would be together. She was sure of it.

The days passed quickly, and soon it was time to head home. It was early October now, and they saw the changing landscape as the train rolled by. By the time they reached Philadelphia, they were more than happy to be there.

Once they were met at the station by Cal’s driver and were on their way, Olivia’s excitement over seeing her babies grew with each mile. Patrick and Marietta sat across from them, his eyes turning to her every now and then. They had maintained their aloofness around each other for appearance’ sake, but when their eyes met, it spoke volumes of their true feelings for one another.

She knew he could see her anticipation at going home, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile. It warmed her heart that he knew her so well, that he could see so clearly who she was and what was important to her.

The Daimler pulled up the neatly manicured driveway as their home came into view. It was a glorious sight, and one she was so glad to see. In the few minutes it took for the automobile to motor up the drive, the staff had come outside to greet them. Olivia saw Mrs. Ryan with the twins and her heart jumped into her throat.

"Oh, look! There they are!" she cried.

"I see them. They’ve grown a bit, I do believe."

"They’re beautiful!" She covered her mouth. "Oh, stop this car so I can get out." In a few moments, the car did come to a stop, and Cal didn’t wait for the driver to come around, but stepped out and helped her out instead. Immediately, she ran over to them and quickly gathered them into her arms. "My babies!" She hugged them and sporadically kissed them back and forth on their sweet cherub faces. At first, they looked at her as if they didn’t know her, but soon enough they had smiles on their faces and clapped their hands at her excitement.

"Let me see this young man." Cal walked up and lifted Nathaniel from her. He tweaked his nose and laughed at his reaction. "You know, I do believe he’s going to be quite the strapping man one day."

Olivia stood with Catherine in her arms and reached over to kiss Nathaniel’s face again. "Oh, I can’t get over it. They’ve grown so much. We must never leave them this long again, Cal. Promise me we won’t."

"We won’t leave them again," he said to her. He took Catherine’s hand and held it, smiling down at his daughter. "Let’s go inside, shall we?"

"Yes. I want to hold them until my arms fall off." She laughed and followed his lead. As they walked toward the opened door, the staff greeted them, bowing slightly to them and expressing their happiness at their return. Angelina was waiting at the door when they entered.

"Hello, ma’am, sir, it’s so good to see you home." She curtsied to them.

"Hello, Angelina," Olivia stopped and addressed her. "It’s good to be home, too. I’ve missed everyone."

Henderson was also standing nearby, and took Cal’s hat and coat from him. "Sir." He nodded. "Welcome home."

"Thank you, Henderson," Cal said, shifting Nathaniel in his arms.

"Your parents are awaiting you in the drawing room, sir. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hockley and Mr. and Mrs. Barlow. Should I tell them of your arrival?"

Olivia looked over at Cal. She saw him physically tense at Henderson’s announcement, and she knew it was because of his father. Whatever hold Nathan had on Cal, it was a strong one.

"Well, I suppose if we must," he answered with a frown. He turned to Olivia and shook his head. "I had hoped not to have to see them as of yet."

"Maybe they won’t stay long," she answered, feeling his tenseness increase.

"I might as well face him now and get it over with," he muttered, and handed Nathaniel over to Angelina.

"I’ll see to the babies. I want to take them upstairs for a bit, and then I’ll be back down," she said to him. He drew himself up and gave a slight nod.

"Very well. I’ll tell our parents. Don’t be too long," he ordered as he stepped away from her. She watched him until he disappeared behind the drawing room doors. Then she bid Angelina to follow her upstairs with Nathaniel.

Some of their things were already being brought up as they entered the nursery. She had bought several gifts for the twins, as well as more outfits for them. She couldn’t get over how they had grown and how sweet they were. Nathaniel was already trying to pull himself to standing, while Catherine still crawled. Her honey blonde hair fell into little curls around her neck, while Nathaniel’s grew darker. They had changed so much in the month they had been gone. She meant what she had told Cal. She never wanted to leave them that long again.

Mrs. Ryan bustled in at that moment and gave Olivia a slight nod of her head. "Mrs. Hockley, I hope your trip was pleasant."

"Yes, Mrs. Ryan, it was wonderful. But I’m very happy to be home."

The usually rigid woman gave Olivia a small smile. "As are your children. They did miss their mother. I was but a substitute for you."

Olivia was at a loss for words. This was the first time Mrs. Ryan had offered any kind of friendliness toward her. "Thank you. I appreciate your saying so."

Seemingly awkward about Olivia’s appreciation, she simply nodded again, walked over to the dresser, and began putting things away.

Olivia stayed with the twins a while longer, playing with them, holding them until she decided that it was time to go down into the lion’s den. She blew them kisses as she pulled the door of the nursery closed and started across the landing to the staircase when she heard her name being called out in a whisper.

She turned and saw Patrick standing near the door that led to her sitting room. Her heart sped up as she glanced around to see if anyone was around. Seeing no one, she ran over to him, where he immediately pulled her in and shut the door behind them.

"Patrick," she breathed excitedly. This was the first time they had been alone since that day on the beach. He placed a finger on her lips and smiled down at her.

"We don’t have much time," he said as he lifted her face up to his. "God, how I’ve missed being alone with you."

"Me, too." She slid her hands up his arms, positioning herself closer to him. "It’s been torture."

"Olivia," he whispered. "If I don’t kiss you…"

"What are you waiting for?" She lifted herself up on her toes and offered herself to him. With a groan, he lowered his mouth on hers, and soon they were both swept up in a whirlwind of passion. Patrick cupped the back of her head as he sweetly plundered her eager lips. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair.

The kiss went on and on, neither of them wanting it to stop. It was like nothing either of them had ever experienced before, and it was intoxicating and wild. Olivia’s whole being belonged to him. She had no doubt of it. She loved him and he loved her…she felt it all the way to her soul.

Finally, Patrick pulled back, his breathing labored and heavy. "We have to stop, Olivia. Anyone could come along at any time."

"I know." She breathed just as heavily. "It’s too dangerous."

He smiled then and ran the pad of his thumb across her swollen lips. "That makes it all the more exciting, doesn’t it?"

"Yes," she breathed as she ran her hands across the expanse of his chest. "You excite me. I won’t deny it."

Patrick eyes lowered her at admission. "What are you doing to me?" he nearly groaned. "You have vexed me until I can’t think of anything else but you."

"Good." She gave a throaty laugh. "Because you’ve done the same to me."

He shook his head and gritted his teeth. "You have to go now, before I forget where we are. We can’t take the chance of being seen."

She nodded. "You’re right. I told him I would be down shortly."

"Later…" He brought her hand to his lips. "I promise."

"I’ll be waiting," she said as she backed away. She kept her eyes on him until she opened the door and then slowly closed it behind her. Taking a deep breath, she headed for the stairs and down to her waiting family.

Chapter Thirty-Four
Stories