Wolfe's Lady Read Online Free Page B

They have so much more style than the later homes, the ones all built so much the same.”
    “I am honored that you like my humble house. It was built in 1906 and you are correct, my dear historian, it is indeed Craftsman although until now, I had no idea just what that meant. It boasts two fireplaces, a book-lined library, a carved walnut grand staircase, a full dining room, front and rear parlors, five bedrooms, a narrow back servant’s stair, full basement, large attic, three full bathrooms and two half baths. It’s far more space than I require but it was a bargain and besides, I like the setting.”
    For the first time, Stella realized that the house sat in the midst of thick woods, aged trees with broad trunks that isolated it from the road. Not one neighboring house was visible through the thickets and in addition, the lawn ran wild with forsythia bushes, rose of Sharon trees, evergreens, and even dogwoods. Flowers bloomed everywhere, some in neat, tended beds but others rampant across the lawn. Most were old-fashioned flowers, storybook blossoms like hollyhocks, roses, lilies, and more. The sheer wild beauty of the scene caught her breath for a few moments, and then she turned to Darien with honest enthusiasm.
    “This is absolutely lovely, Darien. It is like something out of a storybook or fairy tale. It reminds me of Sleeping Beauty’s castle when the prince found it, a jewel tucked away in a verdant wood.”
    Darien offered her his hand, chuckling with pleasure as they mounted the broad stone steps to the wide covered porch that ran the front of the house. There, too, clematis and moonflower vines climbed trellises, adding to the air of privacy.
    “You approve; that’s very good,” he said. “Let’s see what you think of the interior.”
    He threw open the heavy carved door and let her walk ahead into a huge room with many windows. To her right, a carved staircase ascended, as graceful as an Edwardian lady waltzing would.
    A chandelier with multiple prisms sparkled from the very center of the ceiling. Each doorway that led from the room – into a dining room, a hallway, and the library – each had dark walnut trim. Even the furnishings, crushed velvet crimson sofas and chairs, added to the air of mystique and yesteryear.
    “Darien, this is amazing. This room is stunning.”

    “No. You, my dear, are stunning,” he said. Darien stood beside her and then turned her to face him. Stella’s heart pounded faster as he bent and kissed her, unhurried, his lips burning against hers, warm and soft as melted candle wax. Her body kindled at his caress and she leaned against him, letting the fever that spread over her body consume her. Stella felt his powerful body surge against hers, masculine and vital. His passion, his desire was a living thing between them. When he released her, she almost fell, her legs weak but he caught her.
    “Stella, dear heart, you are a delight. Come have a drink with me in the library before I lose my head. Will champagne do?”
    Her mouth refused to work so she nodded, trailing in his wake into the library, tucked behind the foot of the stairs. This too was a marvelous room, cozy with a granite fireplace, each block carved with intricate designs, and the walls lined with books. Most appeared to be antique volumes but among them Stella recognized a few more modern works. A small bar stood opposite the hearth and after he pointed her to the black leather loveseat, he brought out two fragile flutes and filled them with Dom Perignon. Darien handed her a flute and raised his glass to touch hers with a soft, ringing sound.
    “To what the future and the stars may hold,” he intoned in a voice as serious as a prayer, soft as a blessing.
    “To the future,” Stella repeated and sipped.
    The sweet, crisp wine was a good vintage and her surprise was evident as the smooth taste burst into her mouth.
    “This is 1975 v Dom Perignon,” Darien said. “It is one of the best modern vintages