King's Fancy Read online

  “Yea?” he said, from near the door. “Whatcha need, Fancy?”

  She threw down the drying cloth and whirled around. If he hadn’t been on crutches, she would’ve launched herself into his arms, but she didn’t want to hurt him. “I want to hug you. Please?”

  She waited an endless moment before he laid the crutches on a chair and opened his arms. She stepped into them, and he braced himself, leaning against the wall.

  “Thank you, thank you so much.”

  A knot as big as King’s own fist was in his throat. His arms involuntarily tightened around her, and he sighed in absolute relief. Holding her close felt too good. Too right.

  Fancy needed to see his face, if only to convince herself this was really happening. He was cradling her to him, not pushing her away. Oh, God. His mouth was so close. Close enough that their breaths mixed. Fancy felt her heart contract. Their eyes locked and he held her gaze, leaning in. Barely, imperceptibly, his lips brushed hers. So gentle, it was barely any contact at all. Yet, Fancy felt it all the way down to her toes.

  As if shocked, King drew in a sharp breath, but he didn’t stop, he took her lower lip between his and he groaned. His hands came up and threaded into her hair, anchoring her still while he tilted his head to deepen the kiss.

  Fancy wanted time to slow down. To stop. She wanted to halt the world from spinning and let this moment go on forever. For the first time in her existence she felt truly alive. Like she was on earth for something special. She mattered.

  The kiss continued, not hard or frantic, but warm – melting. His tongue teased her mouth until she let him in, their lips melding and parting in an achingly slow rhythm.

  King was lost, his whole being ignited, burning bright with want. Sensation. A long-banked hunger surged through him as he kissed her. Shuddering with hunger. His fingertips feathered along her neck, her cheek, and back down to her mouth to nuzzle and suck on her lips.

  With every second that passed as the kisses continued, her heart clenched just a little bit harder in her chest. She was dizzy with wonder. There was no right or wrong, no up or down, no end or beginning – only King. His taste, his heat, the hard, solid strength of his body. Fancy wanted to sink into him, to submit to his touch. To become one with him. She shivered, moaning in frustration as she pushed against the hardness below his belt buckle.

  Everything within King demanded that he take her. She was a warm, willing woman in his arms. Even in her innocence, she was making her own needs known. All he’d have to do was pick her up, take her to his bed, and lose himself in her eager body.

  “King!”

  Reno’s voice broke the spell and King jerked his head back and stared at Fancy as if he didn’t know who she was – or how he’d gotten there. Clearing his throat, he backed away. “Sorry.”

  Sorry? Fancy wasn’t sorry.

  “Don’t be,” she told him, but her reassurance didn’t seem to penetrate his disquiet. “King, please…”

  Fancy didn’t know what she was asking, she just didn’t want him to leave. She didn’t want him to regret what they’d shared.

  King shook his head, running a hand over his face. “That shouldn’t have happened. I shouldn’t have…”

  “It’s okay, King.” She sought to reassure him. “I just wanted to thank you.”

  “No thanks needed. I’m glad you liked them. You deserved them.” He grabbed his crutches and escaped from the house as fast as he could.

  Fancy watched him go. She was so confused. There was no doubt in her mind that King enjoyed kissing her – and God knows, she’d adored kissing him.

  What did that mean? Did he find her attractive? Did he want her? Did he feel something for her?

  As she moved to the window to watch him walk away, Fancy felt weak just considering the possibilities. She kept her eyes on him as he made it halfway across the yard, then stopped, took off his hat and threw it to the ground.

  Fancy had to smile at his little display. One thing was obvious, he might want her, he might be attracted to her in some way, but he certainly wasn’t happy about it.

  Something was holding him back.

  With one finger, she traced a heart on the condensation she found there, her mind spinning. Was it her? Would he hesitate if she were someone else? Someone more beautiful?

  Or was it all women?

  Closing her eyes, Fancy leaned her head against the window and sighed. She wanted his happiness as much or more than she wanted her own. After experiencing his kiss, the thought of him never sharing that passion with anyone was intolerable. Like Fancy, King had so much love to give to the right person. If only he could allow himself to feel again.

  With a sad smile, she watched him carefully lean over, pick up his hat and dust it off on his pants. Usually, he was so self-controlled, so stoic. She’d been so shocked when he changed her hug into an amazing, life-altering kiss.

  And she wanted more. She craved more. All she had to do was convince King he wanted her too. After learning of his past, she understood he expected the worst from women. Knowing she had nothing to lose, Fancy was determined to show him he was wrong.

  She might fail. He would probably push her away for good.

  But…if he didn’t, this could be everything she’d ever dreamed, ever wanted. No man she’d ever met came even close to Kingston Ramsay, if she could have him, Fancy would never ask for anything more for as long as she lived.

  Yes, this could backfire. She might very well find herself homeless again. Pushed away. Unwanted.

  She might also find herself someone to love.

  Fancy decided the risk was definitely worth taking.

  * * *

  “When does your cast come off?” Ace asked as he walked along next to King.

  He’d managed to stay out of the house for the rest of the day. At least avoiding Fancy had given him incentive to take some exercise. He’d even ridden in the back of the buckboard to where Boone and Jericho were working to dam up one small tributary of the river to make a new stock pond.

  “Dom will be home tomorrow or the next day, I’ll let him have a look at my leg. I’m ready for it to come off, that’s for sure.”

  “I bet Fancy knows as much as Dom does.” Ace bent to pick up a long blade of grass, then attempted to blow on it to make it whistle.

  “She knows a lot.”

  “Are you gonna marry her?”

  King almost tripped over a pine knot. “Who said anything about marriage?”

  “Well, somebody ought to marry her, King,” Boone said with a grin as he and Jericho brought up the rear. “The little woman can work wonders in the kitchen.”

  King just grunted, thinking the kitchen might not be the only place she could work her magic – if given the chance.

  “I agree,” Jericho muttered. “And she looks completely different than when she first came. She’s pretty as a picture now.”

  King grunted again, moving a little faster on his crutches, as if he were trying to outrun the idea of marriage.

  Gentry, having seen them all heading in for supper, joined them from where he’d been putting up a fence around Fancy’s garden spot. “Something sure smells good.”

  “Smells like fried catfish to me. Do you think Fancy’s been to the river?” Boone rubbed his belly.

  “I wouldn’t doubt it, she’s taken to living on the ranch like a duck to water.” Jericho raised his nose to take another whiff. “I hope she made some hush puppies.”

  King still didn’t say anything. He didn’t have much of an appetite – for food. All he could think about was how sweet her lips had tasted and how his palms itched to find out how hard her nipples could be if he sucked on them.

  As he stepped up on the porch, one of his crutches slipped, and he almost fell. “Dammit!”

  “Hey, King, watch where you’re going,” Clay said as he opened the door and stepped out to steady their Cap on his feet. “Come on in, Fancy’s got a feast prepared for us. Catfish, potatoes, a cabbage salad,
and hush puppy cornbread fritters.”

  “Sounds amazing.” Gentry licked his lips. “I’d sure hate to go back to your cooking, Jericho.”

  Jericho snorted. “Me too. I was just telling King that one of us ought to marry this woman.”

  As they paraded through the house, following the enticing aromas, their banter continued. “Fancy! Is the grub ready? I’m starving!” Boone followed his nose, finding the kitchen table laden with golden fried fish and all the trimmings. “This looks fantastic.”

  “Reno caught and cleaned the fish for us, so be sure and thank him,” Fancy said as she poured water for all of them. “Do you have everything ready for the new bull?”

  “We do,” Jericho told her as he took his place at the table. “Fancy, we’ve decided one of us ought to marry you.”

  King’s jaw dropped. He’d heard them carrying on, but he had no idea anyone would actually bring it up to her face. He was about to say something when Jericho continued saying his piece.

  Rising from his seat, Jericho made a muscle. “I’m strong as an ox. I could carry you around if you ever break any bones. I’m not real smart, but I’m honest and trustworthy. Do I have a chance?”

  King looked from Jericho to Fancy, thoroughly shocked. He didn’t think Jericho was serious and Fancy wasn’t the kind of girl that you picked at, she’d been heckled enough in her time. What if she thought he was serious?

  To his shock, Fancy curtsied. “What a sweet offer, kind sir. I’ll have to take it under proper consideration. I have so many suitors, you know.”

  “You have one in me,” Boone waltzed up and took her hand. “I’d like to throw my hat in the ring. I’m a fine horseman and a great dancer.” He spun her in a circle.

  “My, oh my,” Fancy fanned herself, thoroughly enjoying the attention. “How’s a girl to choose?”

  “Don’t go making any decision, yet, my lady.” Gentry came forward and gave her a courtly bow. “I’m a much better choice. Royal blood flows through my veins, you would be my Queen.”

  Fancy took his hand and bowed right back, while Ace laughed up a storm at their antics. “Thank you, sweet prince, what an honor that would be.”

  “Don’t let these rapscallion’s turn your head, Miss Fancy,” Clay brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss. “I am the man for you. I can hunt, fish, and quote scriptures till the cows come home.”

  “All admirable qualities. Any woman would be proud to have someone so talented and good.” Fancy gave him a beatific smile, even as she trembled a little. She could feel King’s disapproving gaze on her. She could only hope he was jealous, but thought it was more likely that he felt protective of his friends.

  Not to be left out, Reno spoke up too. “Well, I’m prime husband material. My mama taught me to be a gentleman and how to darn my own socks.”

  Fancy was touched by the kind teasing. She wasn’t sure what was behind it, but she knew, in their own way, they were being kind. “You’ve bolstered my confidence by a thousand percent. Someday, you’ll each find the perfect woman for you. Now, please, come and enjoy the food.” She gestured toward the meal she’d prepared.

  “Yes, let’s eat before everything gets cold.” King found his chair and began filling his plate before everyone else could get seated.

  Fancy joined them at her normal place between Reno and Boone, at the far end of the table from King. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and the discussion ranged over a wide variety of topics – from Domino’s return, to the water level in the river. Frankly, Fancy was relieved their attention had moved on from her. When she happened to glance down at the far end of the table, she was surprised to find King’s eyes squarely on her. She felt her cheeks grow warm, remembering the way he kissed her. Why was he staring at her now? Was he thinking about the same thing? Or was he upset about how the men teased her? She held his gaze for a few brief seconds before dropping her head and eating a few bites of the fish. When she dared check again, looking at him through her downcast lashes, he was still gazing her way with an unreadable expression on his face.

  When the meal was over, she made herself scarce, equally afraid he’d talk to her and also afraid he wouldn’t. To ease the suspense, she pleaded a headache and managed a quick exit. Once she was in her room, she took off her new clothes and carefully hung them up. Tonight, there’d be no rushing to wash the garment, so she could wear the same dress on the morrow. Once she was in the bed, she pulled the covers up under her chin. She laid there looking up at the ceiling. Moonlight was filtering through the window, so she could see where the logs were joined together with pitch. Sleep would not come easy tonight; her mind was too full of the day’s happenings. She smiled remembering how the men bolstered her feelings by mock proposing to her. Were they kidding? She was sure of it. Still, they’d made her laugh. Of course, if King had proposed, she would’ve jumped at the chance to marry him. Fancy’s smile faded. “That’s probably the reason he didn’t say anything.”

  After worrying herself with those thoughts for a while, her mind drifted to the kisses they’d shared. If she’d relived it once today, she’d relived it a dozen times. King’s kiss was the most precious gift she’d ever received. She struggled with why he’d done it. Was it because she was the only woman around and he hadn’t kissed one in so long? Very likely. “Stop it,” she chided. “Quit torturing yourself.”

  Still, when she shut her eyes, she dreamed of King. As long as she was at King’s Ransom, she had a chance to make him want her. How, she didn’t know, but she intended to give it her best shot.

  …Later, in his room, King sat on the edge of the bed, running a peach tree switch down into his cast. The damn thing was itching like mad. In fact, he was itchy all over. Nerves, probably. Once dinner was over, he’d followed the men out and questioned them about their odd display of presenting themselves as marriage material to a woman who’d put an ad in the newspaper for a husband. Were they serious? What if she’d said yes? Were they prepared to follow through? Their answers had surprised him.

  Boone had been the first to respond. “I never thought I’d say this, but any man would be lucky to marry Fancy. But we knew there was no chance she’d say ‘yes’ or take us seriously.”

  “Why not?” King asked, swinging one crutch while he leaned against the porch railing.

  Reno looked at him like he was nuts. “She’s crazy about you, that’s why.”

  Jericho spoke up. “That’s right, King. We were doing all of this to make you jealous. Did it work?”

  “Hell no,” he’d lied, and they’d known it. He could tell by the looks in their eyes that they didn’t believe a word he was saying.

  Laying the switch on his bedside table, he pulled back the covers and lifted his legs onto the bed, scooting down into a comfortable position. His eyes moved to the wall that separated his room from Fancy’s. Even now, he knew, she was asleep in her bed. The temptation to go to her, to claim what she offered, was growing by the day. Yet, he couldn’t get past the icy wall of distrust that had arisen in his soul, the inability to make himself vulnerable by tying his life to another person’s. Would she accept less? Gladys Hewitt’s words came back to haunt him. He knew there was talk from the scattered settlers that lived in the territory around them. As founder of the territory, anything he did was subject to speculation. Despite the distance and the sparseness of the population, gossip tended to spread like wildfire. So far, the talk was that Kingston Ramsay was doing a good deed, giving the homely Miss Grace a home and a job.

  But after some time and nourishment, the homely Miss Grace wasn’t so homely anymore.

  And who would know what went on in the privacy of his own home?

  His men might, but their loyalty was unquestioned.

  King rubbed his eyes. He was considering doing something that would’ve been totally unacceptable in proper society back home. Such relationships had existed between some masters and slaves, but not between a gentleman and a lady. And he could not deny that Fancy Grace was
a lady in every way that counted. If he were to propose such an arrangement between them, something nonbinding, something temporary – would she accept him or be rightly offended?

  King didn’t know, and he wasn’t certain he had the courage to find out.

  His indecision did nothing to quell the desire that made his body burn. As he lay there alone, longing for relief, his hand slid down his belly to find his cock.

  * * *

  The next day brought enough activity for King to push his nocturnal reveries aside for the time being. The fires of his desire were banked, but by no means extinguished.

  They’d just finished breakfast and Fancy had left out the bank door to do some planting. Between her work in the garden and the time she spent with an orphaned little bull the men had rescued, she was outside as much as she was in. He’d been drinking coffee, standing at the door off the kitchen, keeping it open just wide enough for him to observe Fancy as she knelt to plant the seeds in the rich soil. He hadn’t heard Gentry come up behind him.

  “She’s a whirlwind, isn’t she? Always busy. Always doing her best to please.”

  King glanced over his shoulder. “Yea, I’m amazed at what she’s been able to accomplish. She’s made herself at home.”

  “She deserves a home, King. If you don’t want her, you need to start hunting a place for her to go. You might suggest she put an ad back in that Heart and Hands column, with a picture. I bet she gets a response this time.”

  He thought Gentry was playing devil’s advocate, suggesting something that he knew would set King’s teeth on edge. “I refuse to let her deal with Jubal Pierce again.”

  “Absolutely not,” Gentry agreed. “I hate to think he knows where we are. I don’t trust that ass as far as I can throw him.”

  He stepped into the kitchen to pour his own coffee and King eased the door shut after taking one last look at Fancy as she used a hoe to cover up the seeds she’d planted.