“Married! But Callum I thought… You said… I’m not sure…”
He reached up for her and slid her off the horse, taking her hands. “Victoria, I know you said ye never wanted to be married. But I’ve thought this through and the way I see it, right now you have two choices. You can marry me, or you can marry the Duke of Lansingberg. At least with me, you know you’ll be safe. I would not hurt you, and you know he will. Now we have to hurry before your stepfather and the Duke catch up to us.”
Victoria stared at him, speechless, as he took her by the hand and led her to the door of a small structure built of poplar logs. He knocked politely, and when no answer came, he pounded on the door. Finally the door swung open, revealing a small man, covered in long robes. He was slightly bent over, wrinkles surrounding his clear blue eyes and lips.
His eyebrows drew together as he took in the two of them at his door.
“Patience, lad,” he said, his Irish accent lilting his tone. “Though I think I can guess what it is you’re wantin’ today. Is the girl with child?”
Victoria’s flushed even deeper as Callum did his best not to glare down at the priest.
“Nay Father. She’s not with child. But we do want to be married, and as soon as possible. ‘Tis important, please.”
“I can do that for ye, lad, but I need a witness. Run down to the next place, will ya, and find the Browns. Ask them to come while we get ready. Come, my girl, come on in. Oh and lad? Ask Mrs. Brown if she has some shoes for your soon-to-be missus. I’d not like to marry a gel without any shoes.”
As Callum left for the neighbors, Victoria stood awkwardly with the priest inside the small room that included six crudely constructed pews and a small alter at the front. “Is there anything I can do to help prepare, Father?” she asked as he puttered around.
“No, child, but tell me something. Is this what you want? You’re not being forced? Because if you are, Connor Brown will help you out.”
“Oh no,” she answered, tripping over her words as she had yet to come to terms with what was happening. “Or yes, I should say. This is… this is fine. It’s good.”
Callum burst through the door followed by a large man with fiery red hair and a small mousy woman. “Here are the Browns. We better hurry. There are horses at the top of the hill.”
“I don’t know what this is all about, boy, but she seems willing enough, so I’ll go through with this,” said Father John. “Come in, come in. Mary, did you happen to bring a pair of shoes?”
After Victoria stuffed her feet into a pair of shoes a mite too small, the priest motioned Callum and Victoria towards him in front of the altar. “Are ye both Catholic?” Callum nodded. “Anglican," said Victoria. “Hurmph,” said the priest. “English. Good enough I suppose.” The fire in the corner cracked in the following silence.
Callum took Victoria’s hands and turned her toward him. His deep brown eyes gazed into hers. “All will be well, Victoria, I promise you.” Her eyes flicked back and forth, then held on his. He had never seen her so quiet before. He tried to exude calm, but inside he was nervous. Was he doing the right thing? Was she happy about this? Or upset? He wished he could find out what she was thinking, but they had run out of time for that.
Victoria tried not to shake. Was this happening? Was she getting married? Sarah wasn’t here, nor Maisie. But Callum was. And she was sure her father was watching over her. Come to think of it, something about Connor Brown’s look reminded her a bit of her father. The fact was that Callum was tying himself to her for life, and for all she could tell, he didn’t want to be married, at least not to her. He had pushed her away enough for her to be sure of that fact. What would it be like to be married to a man who didn’t want you with him? She didn’t know, but once this was over she would let him be free if he chose to be. And if he did want her to stay, she would go where he went, and learn to keep her mouth shut and her feelings to herself. He was saving her from a life of misery, and she owed him.
She took a look at the Browns. They looked intrigued, but not shocked. Perhaps they had seen many situations like this before, living so close to the one priest in the area.
Then she realized what she must look like. She had been exhausted from a day at the clinic. Add to that an exhilarating horseback ride and Callum’s shocking gallantry… then she realized the greatest issue of all. She wasn’t wearing undergarments. She as getting married in an old dirty dress with borrowed shoes and near to nothing underneath, her hair in tangles around her shoulders.
“Callum?” she said softly.
“What is it Victoria?” he asked gently, leaning down towards her.
“I look awful.”
She looked so crestfallen, he had to laugh.
“No, darling. Ye look beautiful.” He gave her a light kiss.
“That comes afterwards,” Father John interjected. “Now, let’s get on with this.”
He read through the marriage rites, and had them repeat to one another their wedding vows. Victoria realized the enormity of the act as she recited, “I take you, Callum, to be my husband.”
Their ceremony concluded with the final words. “I pronounce you husband and wife,” Father John finished as the door slammed open.
The light from the graying afternoon sky silhouetted the frames of Edward Travers and the Duke of Lansingberg.
“Victoria Brighton!” shouted Travers. “What in the name of... Stay right there. The Duke is here. This is my daughter and she must marry who I choose. That man is here beside me. Lansingberg, go claim your fiancée. Perhaps this priest can marry you now before she can slip away again. As for you —”
As Travers waved a finger in Victoria’s face, Callum and the priest both moved forward in front of her. Before they could say anything, though, Victoria stepped around them and faced her stepfather.
“First of all, I am not your daughter, and never will be. You may be my guardian, but that should not mean you can sell me like cattle. Besides that, you can no longer marry me off. I’m already married. Meet my husband.”
Callum stepped forward, keeping one arm around Victoria and the other in his pocket.
“I would say I’m pleased to meet you, sir, but that would be far from the truth.”
Travers’ icy gaze bore into the two of them.
“Do you really think this…” he gestured at the priest, “quick sham of a marriage is going to work? We can have this annulled just as fast you were married. You had no right to marry without my permission. No right at all.”
As Travers reached forward to grab Victoria, Callum stepped in front of her to shield her. At the same moment, a shadow fell over the room as the long frame of Angus McLaren filled the doorway.
“Are these men bothering you, Mr. McDougall?” he asked Callum. “I received a complaint.”
“Actually, Sergeant McLaren, they are indeed. They are calling into question my recent marriage and are trying to steal away my new bride.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Gentlemen, please come with me and my colleague. I believe you are acquainted with Constable Smith. We would be pleased to escort you to the police barracks or to the train station — your choice.”
“Excuse me.” The voice of the Duke of Lansingberg cut through the air and sent chills down Victoria’s spine. He had stood so still and straight near the door. “I believe I should have something to say as the betrothed of this woman. If we are talking about the law, as I was her intended I should have the opportunity to marry her as opposed to this Scotsman she has taken up with. We have traveled far for me to claim my fiancée, who left England before our wedding vows could be completed. But I assure you, every other aspect of our arrangement was finalized. Now, as long as this… man has not defiled her in any way, Travers, I would still be pleased to proceed.”
As Callum took a step towards the man, his fists shaking with rage, Victoria stood beside him and planted her hands on her hips.
“All of you, just stop and listen. I am not your property,
” she said, pointing to the Duke. She then turned to Travers. “Or yours.” She turned to Callum, and to soften her words, she held a hand to his cheek. “And I am not your property either. But,” she said to Travers and the Duke, “I am his wife now, so by law regarding my inheritance, neither of you have claim any longer to my life, or to my wealth. I believe both Father John and Sergeant McLaren will agree that our marriage is in every way legal and binding, despite whatever contract was drawn up between Edward Travers and the Duke of Lansingberg. As I mentioned, Edward, you are not my father, and even as my step-father you have no right to negotiate any of my inheritance. And you, Duke, may have been my betrothed, but when I left England I left you and therefore broke the promise, which, I should note, I did not actually make to you. Your plans, unfortunately, are no longer possible and I would ask you both to leave.”
She crossed her arms and was pleased when she felt Callum’s arm encircle her waist from behind, providing support but still allowing her to stand her own ground.
The Duke’s face remained impassive, but the color in Travers’ face continued to rise as he sputtered to speak.
“That’s enough, sir,” said Angus, taking the Duke by the arm. “MacDonald, please help me escort these men. Now what will it be — train station or police barracks? I believe the train is due this evening and I would highly suggest you take it as far east as ye can.”
Travers was still sputtering, but finally defeated, they left the room. Victoria remained stoic until they were out of sight. Then she turned and threw her arms around Callum, collapsing into him. “Thank you Callum,” she said, burrowing her head into his shoulder. “Thank you so much.”
“No, Victoria,” he said softly, dropping a kiss on the top of her head and drawing his arms tighter around her. “It was all you.”
17
Father John cleared his throat. “Well. That was quite the entertaining afternoon. I believe, however, that the two of you should be quite happy and I feel surprisingly relieved. This has been one of the most interesting marriages I ‘ave officiated and I wish you both a happy life together. There are no rooms available in town at the moment so you may want to head back before the sun goes down.”
As Victoria and Callum said their thanks and made their way to the door, Mrs. Brown surprised Victoria with a hug while Connor engulfed one of Callum’s hands in his own. Victoria returned Mrs. Brown’s shoes as they said their good lucks and congratulations and went their separate ways.
As the two of them stood together looking out over the vast expanse of prairie, Victoria suddenly felt quite awkward and unsure. Did she and Callum continue on together or part ways as well?
Callum could sense her shyness and wanted to put her at ease. But for the first time today he had a moment to stop and think about all that had happened. When he came to this town, he had certainly not intended to be leaving with a bride. When Travers and the Duke arrived today, he had taken action to help Victoria, but he didn’t pause long enough to think of the effects of the marriage on his own life.
His father would be furious. Victoria would be miserable leaving her aunt and this town. He would have to do his best to make things up to both of them. It was the right thing to do, however. If he had to do it all over again, he knew he would have done the exact same thing.
“Well, Mrs. McDougall,” said Callum, taking her hand as they walked toward the horse. “We’re alone at last. Where would ye like to go now, wife?”
Victoria looked up, hesitating. “Callum, is this actually what you really want? I know we’re married now, but we likely could find a way out, as this is really a lifelong commitment that perhaps we should think more clearly about…”
He cut off her words by pulling her close and kissing her deeply. He held her tightly in his strong arms as he swept his mouth over hers, teasing her lips with the tip of his tongue.
“‘Tis enough of that talk,” he said gently. “I would not have asked to begin with if I didn't mean it. Besides, I no longer have to feel so guilty about my thoughts of you. Come, let’s go.”
He cupped her bare foot and boosted her onto the horse, then hoisted himself up behind her. He turned Ansgar towards home.
Fort Qu'Appelle wasn’t far, but when it came within their sights, Callum slowed the horse.
“Victoria,” he said, “I do not want to take you back to the boardinghouse, and as much as I like your aunt, I’m not sure that I want to spend my wedding night under her roof. I have a pallet packed on my horse. What do you say we make camp out here?”
“Here? In the fields?”
“Well I thought perhaps further down under a few trees, but if you prefer out in the open, that’s fine too,” he replied with a glint in his eye.
“Oh, um… of course, whatever you’d like.” She kept her gaze looking straight ahead at the valley below. If she felt slightly awkward before, now she was entirely all nerves.
“What’s this, my outspoken wife is suddenly shy?” He took her chin and gently turned her face towards his.
“It’s just, I’m not exactly sure… what comes next. That is to say, I know the general idea and what actually happens, just not, perhaps, all the details. My mother certainly… participated in these activities, but she never took the time to tell me what to expect or what to do to make it good.… I just don’t want to disappoint you.”
“Victoria.” He looked deep into her eyes, completely serious for once. “You could never disappoint me,” he smiled, a gleam coming into his eye, “certainly not with a body like that or a mouth that moves like yours does.” He jumped back, laughing, to avoid her smack, dismounted his horse and held a hand up to her. “Now come.”
As Victoria put her hand in Callum’s, her heart raced. She was excited, but so scared at the same time. She didn’t know what to do — what if Callum wasn’t happy with her in this way? Would it give him more reason to leave their short and hurried marriage? She turned and looked at Callum, and his easy grin reached up and warmed her, dissolving any fears. She did want to be with him, and know even more of him.
Callum led both Victoria and the horse over to a grove of trees. As Callum tied Ansgar and found water for him, Victoria opened the saddlebags. Callum didn’t have much with him, but he did have a bedroll. She stared at in her hands until he took it from her and spread it on the soft, fresh spring grass.
“Victoria,” he said softly, taking her face in his hands, then slowly running one hand along the dark curls that bordered her face. “I want you to know that you are absolutely beautiful — inside and out. I don’t expect anything from you tonight that you don’t wish for.”
“I’m nervous Callum, I can’t lie about that, but I do want you — please.”
A slow grin spread over his face before he lowered his head to hers and took her mouth. His lips were soft, and he was slow and gentle as he kissed her. Her passion for him began to bloom and soon overrode her fear. When he felt her relax into him he teased her lips open and dove into her mouth. His kisses and embrace became stronger and more passionate.
She gasped as one of his arms came under her knees and he swooped her before gently laying her back on the blanket. He wrapped them both inside of it, then held himself above her on his elbows. He ran his gaze over her face and along her body, then followed with his fingers before finally planting quick kisses across her face.
Her body instinctively arched up to him, and he responded to her, his hands running down her neck to cup her breast and tease her nipple through her thin dress. He felt intense satisfaction when her eyes flew open in shock, but her mouth soon curled in pleasure.
“Is all well lass?” he asked.
“Oh yes,” she responded, pulling him back down to her.
He slowly, gently, slid one hand down her side and began a soft climb up her leg to her center. When he came close to her sweet spot, she drew back and carefully watched his movements, somewhat nervous but intrigued. He pushed her skirts up very slowly as he inched closer towards her.
He spanned his hand over her, then slowly began to rub circles around her most tender area.
“Callum!” she gasped.
“Shhh love, does that feel good now?”
“It feels… like nothing I’ve ever felt before. So, so…”
“Good?” he softly laughed as he continued.
He slid his fingers back down her leg to her ankle. His mouth replaced his hand, and he started to trail kisses back up her leg. When his soft lips reached her most sensitive area again, Victoria jumped from the sensation. He brought her back and as he circled her with his tongue she felt something building inside of her. Just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, she went over the edge and felt the explosion.
Callum gently laughed at the expression on her face, then lifted himself off of her. He turned her over and began untying the dress. He slid it over her head in one motion, and looked down at her naked body, taken aback first at the fact there was nothing between her and the gown, and then gazing longingly at her beauty. She reached up and, with trembling fingers, undid his pants and began to unbutton his shirt. He tried to maintain his patience as her fingers slowly undid the buttons. When she was done, he ripped the shirt off and chucked away his pants.
Victoria stared up at his magnificent body, all hard, sinewy muscle. She reached up to stroke the abdominal muscles etched into his stomach before trailing her fingers down longer.
He threatened to come right there, and pushed her back down. His knees wedged her legs apart, and he lifted himself and hovered over her.
“What are you waiting for?” asked Victoria.
It was all Callum needed to begin nudging himself inside her. He was cautious, but Victoria lifted her hips to meet his and he nearly came right then. When she gasped, he stilled himself, but she grasped his hips and kept moving. It was all the encouragement Callum needed, and he began to move inside of her.
They fit together perfectly, and it wasn’t long before Callum found his own release, losing himself in his new bride.
Quest of Honor Page 28
