| Once Moire got over the initial misgivings about spending time at the Littrell farm, those next couple of weeks were the happiest that she had spent in a long time. Fall slowly crept across the valley and as the colors turned vivid shades of red and orange a friendship of sorts developed between Moire and Brian. He even backed off with his subtle manner of sexual persuasiveness. In a way Moire missed it but by doing so it gave them an opportunity to really get to know each other. She loosened the ties around her heart and relaxed around him. Without the fear of having to thwart any romantic advances she was able to look beyond his good looks and charm and see the man underneath. The daily activities on the Littrell property seemed more in tune with a park or dude ranch than a horse breeding and training facility. That was the big difference between home and Brian�s place. Claddagh was run like a fine machine with the only goal being the breeding and training of the finest horseflesh in the state. There was no room for devoting time and space to providing an outlet for children to learn about these beautiful animals and how to care for them. Yet within those first few days she spent at Brian�s, Moire noticed a constant stream of cars as adults and children arrived to either take a lesson or come and ride the horses being boarded there. Moire began to recognize some of the children that came for lessons and like her work at the hospital watching them brought such joy to her heart. And Brian was wonderful with them. They seemed to idolize him and hung on his every word. He gave them good counsel and protected them from getting hurt, but never refused them the opportunity to try something new or more difficult. With all that Brian had going on, and the limited staff he employed, it was any wonder how he found the time to volunteer at the hospital and spend time with her. But somehow he managed it all. And the last few nights it was nearly midnight by the time Moire got home. And tonight would probably be even later. She decided that a nap just might be in order this afternoon as she pushed the book cart into the volunteer room. She straightened up the books on the shelves and hung her smock on the hook. As she turned to shut off the light and close the door Brian stood in the doorway. One look at his eyes, and Moire could feel that all too familiar fluttering in her stomach. He was dressed casually, but not work clothes and Moire wondered what would bring him into town. �Hi,� she said as he stepped aside and she locked the door. �I�ve come to take you to lunch and then I thought we could go for a drive in the country.� He gave her that cheeky smile she loved. �Brian, I can�t.� He pouted at her decline. �I have some last minute errands to run and then I thought I would try and squeeze in a nap this afternoon before the gala tonight.� �Gala?� �Don�t be smart with me. You know darn well what I�m talking about.� They walked down the hall and Moire waved to Kathy as they passed the front desk. Kathy noted Moire�s escort and grinned wondering if this could be the mystery man. �Oh you mean that fancy dress shindig tonight where everyone gets all gussied up so they can work the room and find out how to beat the opponent on the track.� Moire stopped outside the front entrance of the hospital and glared at Brian. �What? What did I say that isn�t true?� She just shook her head at him. �You have to admit I�m right.� Moire started towards the parking lot when Brian took her arm. �Come on, Moire I�m trying to be funny.� �Really?� �But face it, wouldn�t it be a whole lot cheaper to just get all the owners and trainers into a barn with a keg of beer and some barbecue and let them get all their information instead of spending God knows what for this fancy party.� She tried to free herself from his grasp but he held on. Seeing her disapproval, he released her and she continued into the parking lot towards her car. �Okay, you are right,� she said a bit angrily and he smiled pleased at his argument, �but that�s not the only reason for tonight�s festivities.� She softened her tone. �It�s a tradition Brian you know that. It may not be on the scale of the pre-Derby festivities, but people look forward to it.� �Like you?� They had reached her car and Brian pinned her against it. �Yes.� She wouldn�t look at him. For two weeks he had kept his distance with her and now he was too close and it was very disconcerting. �All right, since you insist you will need your beauty rest, we�ll just go to lunch and then I�ll reluctantly let you go home so you can dazzle everyone tonight.� He touched her cheek. �Although I don�t know how you can improve on perfection.� He deposited her at her car an hour later. He backed off at lunch and resumed his friendly, yet reserved manner. He had her continually second-guessing his every move all the way back to her car. �You have a good time at your party tonight,� Brian said as they approached her car. �I�m sure you will be the bell of the ball.� He was goading her again. �You will be there won�t you?� Moire never gave it a thought that he wouldn�t be going. �Why? Are you going to save me a dance?� He touched her cheek completely throwing her off balance yet again. �I�m sure your dance card will be full with all your father�s hand picked choices eager to show you a good time.� His words, once again, irritated her but the lingering effects of his fingers on her cheek prevented her from responding. �But,� his lips touched her cheek. �I�ll see you soon.� He turned and walked back to his car and before Moire had a chance to reply he was gone. ~*~*~*~*~*~ "You are the prettiest one here, Princess," Colin said softly against her hair as he guided Moire around the dance floor. One thing was certain her father could dance. Moire remembered as a child watching her parents in the evening as they danced on the back terrace. They would glide across the floor with such ease and grace like now. He held her loosely as they worked the outer edge of the dance floor. Moire always enjoyed dancing with him especially when most of the young men couldn�t put one foot in front of the other. She felt like she was six again, as he would place her feet on top of his and dance around the room. Back then he was her knight in shining armor and she knew that no one would ever be as wonderful as her daddy. But she grew up and somehow her vision wasn�t tinted rose colored any more. She saw things now as they really were and her father had fallen off the pedestal she had placed him on all those years ago. But as much as she disapproved of his business tactics, she loved him. "Daddy, you say that every year." "Well, it�s true. No one can hold a candle to you, just like your mother." Moire looked up at him and he smiled at her. She was so precious to him and he truly regretted his suggestion that she help him. Over the last couple of days she had warmed to him again. They ate their meals together without an arctic chill filling the room. And tonight she proudly stood with him as they walked into the ballroom. The music ended and as Colin escorted her back to their table Clayton Kingsley approached and asked Moire to dance. She nodded and Colin watched as again she twirled around the floor. Clayton was a good match. His family had been raising horses for over a hundred years. He was well liked and Colin had encouraged him to pursue Moire. "You really look beautiful tonight, Moire," Clayton said as they moved across the floor. "Everyone�s eyes are on you." He grinned as they passed his friends. Colin had given his approval and Clayton was eager to get close to Moire. She was a beauty, a bit feisty at times but that could prove to his advantage. "Thank you, Clay." Moire stiffened her back a bit as she felt his hand move a bit below her waist. Clay had been one of a constant stream of potential suitors all night, although he seemed to be the most persistent. Moire knew exactly what her father was doing but she wasn�t game. She would not be the prize for any of them. They were all nice in their own way, but she wasn�t stupid. They all wanted a sample before they would commit to anything and Moire wasn�t interested. None of them moved her to spend the night. So she played the game just to satisfy her father. He, of all people, should know that she wanted love in her marriage, just like he had with Fiona. Clay didn�t relinquish Moire for the better part of an hour. She begged for them to sit out a couple of dances at which point he got them both some champagne but then he had her back on the dance floor. He was better than most of her partners for the evening but her toes had suffered more than once at his eagerness to show her off around the floor. She felt like she was ready to collapse when she saw him in the doorway. As Clay continued to whirl her around Moire turned her head to make sure her eyes weren�t deceiving her. He slowly made his way towards them and Moire took a misstep. �You okay, honey,� Clay dripped, his accent stronger as his arms tightened around her. �What?� �You look like you�ve seen a ghost or something.� �Uh, no, I�m,� he was getting closer and Clay pulled her against his body and there was no doubt in Moire�s mind that he was hoping for more than just a few dances. His hand moved down and rested on the small of her back and applied some pressure as his hip ground against her. More went to disengaged from his grasp when a hand tapped Clay�s shoulder. �Excuse me, I do believe the lady promised me this dance.� Clay ignored him as he continued to hold Moire flush to his body and dance with her. Again he was tapped on the shoulder. �I don�t think you heard me, this is my dance.� Clay stopped and turned. He looked down at the man. �I don�t think so buddy. Get lost!� He went to pick up the dance again when he was stopped for a third time. �Maybe you should check with the young lady. She told me this was my dance.� Moire tried to hold back a grin as she saw the twinkle in the man�s eyes. �Go on, ask her,� he urged. Clay looked from the man to Moire. She shrugged. �What�s this all about Moire? You don�t have a dance card, so what is he talking about?� Moire looked from one to the other and noticed that the couples around them had stopped dancing and were looking on. �You have monopolized me for a while Clay,� she finally looked directly at Brian, �and I did promise him this dance.� Clay dropped his arms and stepped back. Brian took her around the waist. �You are very kind, sir, thank you.� Brian oozed graciousness and whisked Moire away. Clay slowly walked back to the table. When Colin saw him alone he turned and his jaw dropped. What the hell was Littrell doing with his daughter? They worked their way around the other dancers and from the look on Moire�s face she was none too displeased with the turn of events. The music slowed and Brian�s grip on Moire relaxed. �What are you doing here?� She said as they moved in beat with the music. �It�s tradition, remember?� He grinned at her. �But you said,� she stopped when she saw his smirk and just shook her head. �What did I say? That it was expensive. Do you know how much this monkey suit set me back?� She bit her bottom lip and let out a chuckle. �I just assumed you weren�t coming. I mean you,� the music stopped and Moire for the first time actually felt his arms around her and realized he hadn�t stepped on her toes or spun her too fast. �You know what they say when you assume, Ms. Fitzgerald?� Moire nodded. �I never said I wasn�t coming and then again I never said I was either. But do you honestly think I would miss an opportunity to see you turned out, making every other woman in the room pale in comparison?� Moire blushed. He took her hand and led her to the bar. Taking two glasses of champagne he escorted her out onto the terrace. The air was cool and Brian removed his jacket and draped it around Moire�s shoulders. �You created quite a stir back in there you know,� they walked slowly to the railing and Moire turned and leaned back. Even if the tux was a rental, he took her breath away. �No more than you. I was watching you for a while. Every man in that room had their eyes on you.� She lowered her eyes but he tilted her chin up to look at him. �You are a very beautiful woman, Moire. Don�t be embarrassed.� �I guess I�ve never really thought about it. I mean I don�t go to any great lengths to ensure I look �beautiful.�� Her fingers made the little quote marks. �I don�t think of it as being that important. Let�s face it looks can fade and then what do you have?� �Ahh a woman who looks beneath the surface.� "You find that odd? Why, are you only interested in what you can see?� "Definitely not. I want to strip the layers off and get to the heart of you." Suddenly Moire wasn�t so sure she was any safer with him or Clay or any other man here. Yet she knew she could hold off the advances of the others. She wasn�t so sure about Brian. "Are you making fun of me again? You shouldn�t you know, because you turn heads too." "Moi?" He touched his chest. "Yes. You have quite a reputation." Moire took a sip of the champagne. "I never denied that I�ve dated my fair share of women." "Fair share?" She teased. "I would say more like the majority of the female population of Lexington." He raised his eyebrows at her statement and put his glass down on the terrace wall and moved towards her. "Well they obviously must enjoy my company." Now she raised her eyebrows. His eyes held hers as he came to stand right in front of her. Moire began to squirm. "What�s the matter Moire? Afraid I might start peeling those layers away right here, right now?" She could feel his breath on her face and her heart began to thump in her chest. "I�m not�" "No you aren�t. I don�t want just one day, or one night with you, Moire, I plan on taking my time. So for starters, let�s go back and dance some more. I liked the feel of you in my arms and I got the distinct impression you did too." He held out his arm. She gave him back his jacket and they returned to the ballroom. |