Chapter 4

Harold Hill couldn’t believe his good fortune. Not only was it Marian that answered the door, but she did so wearing the most enchanting ensemble he’d ever seen. It was at this moment he fully realized how completely in love he truly was with her and how much he had missed his lovely librarian.

As Harold gazed at Marian, he couldn’t stop his eyes from wandering up and down her silhouetted form. He had witnessed many variations in her wardrobe during the last three months, and he even had a few favorites. He was particularly fond of the pink dress she had worn to the Ice Cream sociable and would forever associate it with their first kiss. His heart quickened each time she favored him with the blue ensemble she had first worn that day when they had taken their first real steps toward friendship over phosphates at the Candy Kitchen. But, he had never seen Marian Paroo in anything so innocently revealing as what she was wearing at that moment.

The sheer white cotton dress was a simple design, with a rounded neckline and lace … everything, he realized. There was a lace yoke, sleeves adorned with lace cuffs that stopped just above her elbows, lace trim along the waistline of the gown and lace ruffles that cascaded over her shoulders. The skirt that fell to the floor was covered in lace from thigh to ankle. Adding to the vision in white was the realization that he had obviously caught her only moments before she retired for the evening. Her silken tresses were slightly disheveled; her complexion neatly scrubbed and fresh.

Although Harold had seen her hair down before, it had never been in an unguarded moment such as this. Usually coifed in a neat chignon, it was now unpinned allowing the loose curls to softly fall around her shoulders in a rather intimate fashion. He could still smell the subtle traces of lilac. And although quite faint, he could discern the slightest outline of her chemise through the sheer fabric. The lack of any accoutrements, coupled with the fact that she was no longer in the bustling layers that society required, caught him off guard, and he couldn’t help but stare, the sight having rendered him speechless. Without thought, he visibly swallowed and unconsciously reached up to tug on his collar in response to the unusual warmth he was suddenly experiencing.

Marian, for her part, was torn between desire and displeasure. On one hand, there stood Harold, whom she had been missing fiercely during the last two weeks. His suit was rumpled, hair slightly disheveled with one lock falling over his forehead in a way that always made her heart beat faster, and she could see the faint outline of stubble that graced his lower face. The picture he presented was roguish and handsome – precisely what she had been dreaming of the last few nights.

On the other hand, there stood Harold, on her porch, late in the evening, with her only a few footsteps away from him in her lingerie dress. Although the garment was well within propriety, she somehow doubted that any of the women on the Ladies Committee, were they to pass by, would be so kind as to give her the benefit of the doubt. Of course, during the past few months, her friendships with the women had grown, and she’d become fond of them and they of her. They had come to realize the sordid gossip that had once concerned Marian Paroo was simply that – gossip. It was one thing for them to put those old beliefs aside in favor of seeing Marian conform to society’s social mores. But, it was another thing entirely to ask them to do that as she entertained her sweetheart on her front porch in what was virtually nothing more than an evening frock. She belatedly realized it happened to be the sheerest of the lingerie garments she possessed and had to suppress a sigh at the irony that tonight would be the evening Harold chose to return.

Her internal conflict played out in a matter of mere seconds as Harold continued to gape at her. An insistent voice at the back of her mind was urging her to have Harold wait a moment while she slipped into something a little more appropriate, but before she could even open her mouth to greet him, he had dropped his suitcase on the porch with a soft thud and pulled her into his arms. Her startled exclamation faded into silence as his lips descended upon hers and communicated hello in a far better way than mere words could ever hope to express.

As her lips met his, Marian’s anxiety faded away, and she realized she was no longer concerned about maintaining an air of propriety. Harold was home, and she was in his arms. That’s all that mattered. She knew she’d most likely harbor feelings of embarrassment tomorrow morning when she could fully reflect upon the situation, but she let those thoughts float away on the tide of delightful sensations Harold was creating within her. But an instant later, when she felt his hand slip from her waist to rest softly on the curve of her hip, she stiffened and pulled back from his kiss.

Harold, aware that he had crossed an unspoken line, immediately removed his hand and was instantly apologetic as he scrambled to find the words necessary to communicate his remorse. “Marian, I’m sorry. I got caught up in the moment, and that was inexcusable. I –”

But, his request for pardon was silenced by the feel of her finger gently coming to rest upon his lips. Reminded of a similar incident early on in their courtship, he raised his eyes to hers and was greeted by the reflection of his own desire mirrored within her gaze. The sound of her slightly-arduous breathing floated by his ears, and he was immensely gratified to know he wasn’t the only one who had been so deeply affected by their amorous embrace. But, a small feeling of regret nagged at him as he observed how visibly shaken Marian was from the encounter.

She took another step away from him, using the opportunity to collect her thoughts. After a brief pause, she leveled her gaze at him, and Harold was relieved to see a small smile lift the corners of her mouth. “If I ever hear you apologizing again for expressing your love and affection, Mister Hill, I will find a bucket of tar and personally pluck the chicken myself.”

Harold’s eyes widened at her words and then danced with laughter as he comprehended that she was forgiving him and his momentary lapse of judgment. He chuckled softly and raised two fingers to his forehead in salute.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Marian rolled her eyes at his display, but then grew serious. “However, I do think you and I need to have a conversation regarding what is and isn’t proper, Professor,” she informed him with a pointed look. Her meaning and tone weren’t lost on Harold, and he nodded in agreement.

“Indeed we do, Madam Librarian. In fact, there are a couple of things I’d like to discuss.”

Upon this enigmatic answer, it was Marian’s turn to look puzzled. “Oh?”

But, Harold wasn’t ready to disclose anything just yet. Reaching down, he retrieved his suitcase in one hand. “Now isn’t the time for such a discussion, Miss Paroo,” he admonished and winked at her. “But, may I call upon you tomorrow evening for a visit to the Candy Kitchen and perhaps a stroll to the footbridge?”

Marian could only shake her head in amusement. Leave it to Harold to turn the tables on her and then leave her wanting.

“I think that can be arranged,” she allowed with a smile and was pleased to note Harold’s beaming grin at her permission.

“Then, I shall take my leave of you, Miss Marian. I’ve imposed long enough already, and I don’t want any harm to come to your sterling reputation.”

He jumped back a step to avoid the playful swat Marian sent his way and chuckled softly as he caught her hand. His expression grew gentle as he gazed at it. A moment later, he slowly traced her ring finger with his thumb and exhaled softly before lifting his eyes to hers. He could see that he had taken her by surprise with the sudden change in his demeanor and could only offer a lopsided grin in response. When her gaze remained steadily fixed on him, he chose to share a small, yet truthful, part of what was coursing through his thoughts.

“I missed you, darling. More than you can imagine.”

His heartfelt statement touched Marian and the significance of his gentle caress upon her finger didn’t escape her notice. She inhaled a shaky breath and hoped that the tears she felt welling up in her eyes would not be noticed. Perhaps there was a coy answer she should give in response to Harold’s admission. Maybe she ought not fully reveal what was in her heart. But, Marian had never been one to indulge in games, and she lacked experience in the realm of love. So, in her typical, ingenuous manner, she stepped closer and softly breathed, “I missed you, too, Harold. Every day and every night.”

It took every ounce of strength Harold possessed not to draw her into his arms and demonstrate just how much he had yearned for her during the last two weeks. Later, when looking back upon that night, he would never know how he had resisted. But somehow he did, and stepping back, he fixed his gaze on her. “I’ll call upon you tomorrow evening when the library closes, Marian,” he told her in a voice laced with restrained passion.

She nodded mutely, not trusting herself to say anything and not daring to do something that might cause Harold to lose the control he was clearly exercising at the moment. She watched as he turned away from her and made his way down the steps and out her front gate. Allowing herself one final glance at his retreating figure, she waited until he had turned the corner before softly closing the door. Her teacup, sitting on a small table near the entrance, was forgotten as she drifted upstairs lost in a world of thought.

Harold waited until he had rounded the corner of West Elm before exhaling the breath he’d been holding in an effort to leave the very dangerous situation he had placed Marian in. He shouldn’t have come to see her tonight. He knew that now. It might not have been as dangerous had she not answered the door in such an innocently-provocative outfit. The knowledge that she had not intentionally set out to captivate him was the only thing that had held him back from giving into the thoughts that had been racing through his mind.

He had given serious thought about his and Marian’s future while in Des Moines. He had even gone so far as to do something about it. Now, after tonight, he knew he’d have to do something soon. They were playing with fire, and eventually, they were going to get burned. An image of Marian in her frock popped, unbidden, into his mind, and he couldn’t help but grin sheepishly at the thought that accompanied it.

Yes, he might get burned, but it would be well worth it!

He quickly chastised himself and did his best to remind his errant thoughts that it wasn’t only himself he had to be concerned about anymore. That thought sobered him a bit, and he resumed the walk back to his home. He was tired. He needed a hot bath and a shave. But, he had seen his lovely librarian and that alone was enough to lift his spirits for a week. He decided to get a good night’s sleep. That was what he needed most right now. A refreshed Professor Hill could put his mind to developing a plan much better than a depleted one could.

Reaching down into his coat, he fingered the small, velvet box that lay nestled deep in his pocket.

Yes, he decided, tomorrow he would have to set about putting a plan into motion.

A/N – This chapter concludes Absence Makes the Heart …, but I’ll be exploring his ‘plan’ in a later story.