Jenny Plague-Bringer(51)

“It doesn’t sound like a holiday. They’ll probably cage us up like rats in a laboratory.”

“If they do, I’ll kill them.”

“Europe is a dangerous place.”

Juliana laughed. “We’re not going to Tasmania. Europe’s more civilized than we are.”

“When they’re not slaughtering each other with wars.”

“The last war ended when we were both little children.” Juliana rinsed out her hair. “Nobody wants war anymore. The world is saner now. Everyone agrees peace is important.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Juliana quickly finished her bath. She stood up in the tub, letting herself drip for a moment, just in case he decided to peek. She would, of course, pretend to be angry if he did. He didn’t look, though, so she reluctantly toweled off, stepped out of the bath, and put her dirty clothes back on, since she didn’t have anything else to wear.

“Your turn in the bath,” she said.

“I don’t need one.” He quickly turned to face her, and his face showed a little disappointment at seeing her fully dressed.

Should have been faster, boy, she thought. She said: “I disagree. Who knows when we’ll get another chance to bathe?”

“I’d rather not.”

“I insist.”

He got out of his chair and grinned at her, unbuttoning his shirt to reveal the lean muscles of his chest and stomach. She wanted to reach out and place a hand somewhere low on his belly, but that could make things dangerous fast. He unbuckled his belt, and she turned away to look at the door.

“He really likes you, doesn’t he?” Sebastian asked behind her back. The water sloshed as he entered the tub. “Mr. Barrett.”

“Are you feeling jealous?” she asked him.

“He must be, what, ten years older than us? Twenty? Do you think he’s twenty years older?”

“You are jealous!” She glanced back over her shoulder to see him in the water, and he quickly covered himself with his hands.

“Do you have no modesty?” he asked, though his voice wasn’t exactly angry.

“None.” She turned away again, smiling to herself.

“There’s no reason for me to feel jealous. If he touches you, he dies. Right?” Sebastian asked.

“Yes.” She was glad he couldn’t see her frown. “Of course.”

“So, flirt all you want. I don’t have to worry about anyone else.”

“I don’t belong to you, you understand that?” Juliana asked, still looking at the door. “I’m not your property.”

“Yes, you are,” he said, grabbing her by the waist and lifting her into the air. She squealed, kicking her legs. He must have eased quietly out of the water and tiptoed up behind her.

“Let me go!” she demanded.

“Why would I let you go now?” He turned her and lowered her against him, pressing his lips to hers. He was still wet, naked, and, judging from the hard pressure against her thigh, very aroused.

“Put me down, Sebastian,” she whispered. “You’re making my dress wet.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Don’t you say a thing!” she told him. She kissed him again. “We have to go.”

Reluctantly, he returned her to the floor. He took his time getting dressed again.



* * *



Barrett led them out along a brick path to the stables. Juliana stayed close to Sebastian, holding his arm. It was a hot, sunny day, and she was glad her hair was still wet enough to help keep her cool.

“We don’t mind taking the train to Charleston,” Sebastian told Barrett. “You don’t have to send a wagon all day.”

“You’re in luck,” Barrett told them as he approached a small shed next to the stable. “I have a mountain of work to do in Charleston myself.”

He lifted a loose horizontal board and opened the wooden door it had pinned shut. Inside, where Juliana had expected a wagon or buggy, there was a long, sleek, maroon and black Cadillac convertible, its creme-colored cloth roof laid back to expose the leather interior. It had a gleaming spare tire mounted behind each of the front wheels, just ahead of the running boards. The hood ornament was a silver goddess with wings.

Juliana looked at Sebastian, who was gaping at the polished luxury automobile. It was like something in which a king might travel during a parade, waving to the crowd.

“I may as well drive you there myself,” Barrett said. “It’s the fastest way. Besides, the two of you will be my greatest contribution yet to the Evolution Congress. I want to make sure every moment is as fully pleasurable for you as possible.” He winked as he opened the front passenger-side door. “Ladies ride in front, of course.”