Taking Liberty's hands in his, he led her to the warmth of the fire. "Your hands are cold. We do not want you to become ill."
Liberty sat on the edge of the sofa, wishing she could flee. Judah was too near, and she couldn't think straight. Why was he looking at her so strangely?
Gently, he reached out and touched her hair. "You have grown up behind my back, Liberty. When I left, you were so young —I come back, and you are a lovely woman."
Her face flushed red, and her tongue flicked out to moisten her lips, catching his attention. "Don't," he said, tracing a pattern across her cheek. "Don't ever be embarrassed with me, Liberty. I want to be your best friend."
She looked at him, puzzled. "I have always considered that you were my friend."
"What would you say if I told you that I wanted to be more than your friend?"
She held her head up proudly. "I would say you had discovered what happened between us, and you have decided to make me your mistress."
He leaned his head back against the sofa and laughed delightedly. "There is still a trace of Liberty the minx in you after all. I half feared you had lost some of your most endearing qualities."
"Did you really think I would become your mistress, Judah?"
He could hardly contain his laughter. "No, not my mistress."
She looked past him to the clock on the wall. "I feared you would be angry with me . . . when you learned...”
"I should beat you. Do you know what a fool I felt when I discovered last night that you were the one—"
Liberty placed her hands over her ears. "Do we have to discuss this? I do not feel up to your recriminations."
He took her hand and held it in his warm clasp. "All right, no recriminations, but at some time in the future we will talk more about this. I have many unanswered suspicions about the two nights in question."
She peeped at him through her long lashes. "Are we through talking?"
Again he laughed. "No. I have something very important to ask you, and I don't want you to say anything until I have finished."
"All right "
Judah felt his heart skip a beat, knowing how important her answer would be to his future happiness. He was as deeply in love as some untried schoolboy. He wanted to take her in his arms and voice his feelings, but when he gazed into her troubled blue eyes, he stood up, knowing he needed to put some distance between them.
"Liberty, I want you to be my wife."
For one joyous moment she thought Judah had asked her to marry him! "What did you say?" she asked, fearing to learn she had misunderstood him.
He took her hand and pulled her up to stand beside him. "I have just asked you to do me the very great honor of becoming my wife."
She gasped as excitement robbed her of breath; then she waited tensely for him to tell her that he loved her. But no—he loved Bandera. Slowly the joy seeped out of her and reason prevailed. Judah, being the gentleman he was, wanted to offer her his name because he felt she had been dishonored.
Stubborn pride allowed her to raise her chin and meet his eyes. "I thank you for the offer. It is one of the nicest I have received, but I must decline."
Judah released her hand. "Do you care for someone else? I seem to remember you once telling me that you cared about someone. Is that why you won't marry me?"
"No. I just do not want to be your wife." She closed her eyes for a second, hoping she could get through this without crying. "Will you go now, Judah?"
"No, not until I have some answers. Why will you not marry me?"
Liberty held on to her composure, hoping he wouldn't discover how much she loved him. "You have not given me a good reason why I should become your wife."
Judah drew in the breath he had been releasing. "Don't you know that after Saturday night you may already be with child-my child?"
A tear escaped from Liberty's eyes to roll down her face. "I . . . do not hold you responsible. I knew what I was doing."
"I am responsible, Liberty, and I do not want a child of mine growing up without a father."
"How do you know I do not . . . that there have not been other men?"
He laughed at the adorable expression on her face. "Let us just say that I have vague memories of a night in Zippora's cabin when I was the first to be with you."
Her face burned, but she met his eyes. "What about when you left. Perhaps I was . . . free with my favors."
"Oh, little one. Your innocence shines forth in your eyes. I know you so well, probably better than you know yourself."
"Judah, I do not want to get married. Don't you see, I have obligations and people who depend on me. I could never ask a man to take on my problems. Besides, we don't . . . love one another."
He reached into his breast pocket, withdrew a handkerchief, and wiped her tears away. "Liberty, I want to be your husband, and by God, I will be!"
"I need to think," she said, turning away. "Everything is happening too quickly."
"There is no time to think. There is a war at your back door. I don't have time to pay court to you and to try to win you. If you will agree to marry me, I want you to come to Bend of the River with me tonight. A priest is waiting there to join the two of us in marriage."
Her heart was beating in her throat. More than anything she wanted to be Judah's wife. "I cannot," she said aloud.
"Liberty, what can I say to make you change your mind?"
She raised her head proudly. He had given her all the wrong reasons as to why she should become his wife. "I will not change my mind, Judah."
Judah could see her slipping away from him. "I suppose you have had many offers besides mine."
"I have had a few."
His eyes racked her face. "I was told that you are called the ice princess.' "
She smiled ever so slightly. "I have heard that."
"Liberty, if you will marry me, I will allow you to remain the ice maiden if you desire it."
"Why are you doing this, Judah?"
He thought about telling her that he loved her and wanted her as his wife. He ached to tell her how she had fulfilled him and how, even now, he wanted to take her in his arms and carry her up to the bedroom. But something stopped him from exposing his true feelings. "I know about the trouble you are having keeping Briar Oaks from the moneylenders. In all modesty, I admit that I have more money than I know what to do with. As your husband, I could help you save Briar Oaks."
She moved away from him and absently picked up his cloak, draping it about her shoulders for warmth. "I do not believe that is your true reason, Judah."
"What do you believe my motives are?" he asked, thinking how adorable she looked with his black cloak dragging the floor.
"I believe you are doing this to get back at Bandera and Sebastian for hurting you."
"Do you think I would go that far to revenge myself on your sister?"
"I . . . it doesn't make sense, does it?"
"No, not really."
"Then give me a reason, Judah."
He dropped down on the sofa and patted the cushion beside him. "Come sit with me, and I will tell you some of my reasons."
Reluctantly, she complied. Sitting stiffly on the edge of the sofa, she waited for him to continue. "Liberty, in truth, I find you to be exactly the kind of wife I would like to have. You are young and lovely. You are intelligent, and you wont bore me on those long winter nights when we are forced to endure each other's company." In a move that took her by surprise, he pulled her to him and softly brushed her mouth with his. "And you already know the most obvious reason, Liberty."
Her face burned, and she turned away from him. But he would not be put off. Forcing her to look at him, he continued. "Liberty, I am going to join Andrew Jackson's forces tomorrow." He hated playing on her sympathy, but he saw no other way. "I may not come out of this alive, so-"
"Judah," she cried out, placing her hand over his mouth. "Do not say that. Never say that!"
"It's true, Liberty. If I don't come back, I would li
ke to know that my mother and grandfather are taken care of. They both love you, Liberty." He looked at her through lowered lashes. "You would take care of them for me, wouldn't you?"
"Of course, but you don't have to marry me for that. I will always care what happens to them."
"Yes, but as my wife, you would be safe also."
"But, Judah."
"No more arguments, Liberty. Suppose you run upstairs and get your own cloak. I have brought a horse for you to ride. If you hurry, we can be at Bend of the River within the hour."
"I did not say I would — "
He stood up and pushed her toward the door. "Hurry, I do not have much time before I must join Andrew Jackson."
He watched different emotions play across her face. First indecision, then fear and uncertainty. "I shouldn't, Judah. You haven't given me one good reason to — "
He pushed her toward the door. "I will be waiting for you out front—don't disappoint me."
Hesitantly, she moved across the room. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Wasn't this what she had wanted from the first night she had met Judah? What difference did it make that he was marrying her for all the wrong reasons? What mattered was that he wanted her for his wife.
When she reached the stairs, her feet flew. She was afraid Judah would change his mind. She paused at Bandera's door, wondering whether to tell her sister, but decided against it. She would leave a note for Bandera to find in the morning.
Happiness crept into her heart. God was in his heaven tonight, because before the sun rose in the morning, she would be Judah's wife.
Judah stood beside the horses and stared into the night. He waited, counting the minutes, fearing that when Liberty had had time to think, she would refuse his offer. In truth, he did not make sure that she would be cared for, should anything happen to him. He knew, if the worst happened, his grandfather would see to Liberty if she was his wife.
A chilled wind blew off the Mississippi, and Judah huddled beneath his cloak. In the far distance he thought he heard the sound of gunfire. It increased his urgent need to marry Liberty and make sure she was safely at Bend of the River.
The front door opened, and Judah waited for Liberty to reach his side. With a smile, he helped her mount. "I am glad you accepted my offer. I feared you would not."
"I do not know why I did, Judah," she said in a small voice. "You are a very persuasive man."
He chuckled and made her a formal bow. "Behold your wedding night, Mademoiselle Liberty. The time to flee is now —if you stay, you will belong to me and I will keep you forever."
The thought of belonging to Judah made her feel warm and safe. "I have nowhere to run, Judah. It is you who has made the bad bargain. I hope you will remember that you insisted I marry you. Do you forget that I am called the 'ice princess' ?"
His laughter was deep as he swung into the saddle. "Do you forget? Twice I held the ice maiden in my arms, and she thawed so completely that she burned her brand on me."
16
Judah led Liberty into the huge salon where the wedding was to take place. She stared at the canopy of fresh flowers that filled the room with their gentle scent, suspecting that Gabrielle was responsible for them.
Gabrielle, looking lovely in a pale peach gown, rushed forward to embrace her. "When Judah told me his plans this afternoon, I so hoped he would be able to persuade you to become a part of our family, my dear. You are very precious to us all."
Before Liberty could answer, Gustave bellowed out in a loud voice. "Bring her to me." He waved his cane in the air. "Let me inform her of what she is getting into by marrying this grandson of mine." The soft light in his eyes belied his gruff words. One only had to look at the rare smile that creased his face to know he was pleased about the upcoming nuptials.
Judah laughed at his grandfather. "Would you scare Liberty away before I have her safely tied to me?"
"No, I would not, you young pup, and do you know why?" Liberty stood before Gustave, and he reached out and took her hand in his. "Because she is the best thing that ever happened to you. She might just be your salvation."
Liberty was accustomed to Gustave's teasing manner, but this time she blushed prettily. She was surprised to be welcomed with such obvious approval.
"Well get on with it," Gustave said, pointing a finger at the priest who hovered near the warm fire. "I want to see my grandson married so I can go to bed and get my rest. It is much too late for an old man like me to be socializing."
When Judah removed Liberty's cloak and handed it to the downstairs maid, she looked down at her unadorned blue gown, wishing she had taken the time to change into something more suitable. She had often fantasized about becoming Judah's wife, but in those fantasies, she had always worn white satin.
As though Judah had read her mind, he smiled at Liberty encouragingly. "You would look lovely no matter what you wore. Come," he said, holding out his hand and leading her beneath the canopy of flowers. Gabrielle handed Liberty a bouquet of flowers, while Gustave looked on, his eyes shining expectantly.
Liberty caught the warm glow in Judah's eye when he smiled at her, and when his hand encased hers, she felt a thrill go through her body. As the priest spoke the words that would tie them together, Judah stared at Liberty, his heart gladdened because the woman he loved was about to become his.
The priest blessed them both, and in a deep, clear voice recited the beautiful, timeless words—cherish . . . love . . . honor. All too soon it was over, and Judah slipped a ring on Liberty's finger—she was his wife!
After they had received the final blessing from the priest, Judah gathered Liberty in a warm embrace and she was momentarily lost to everything but his nearness. His breath stirred against her ear as he spoke. "You have me tied to you now, Madame Slaughter."
"Oui," she whispered, so only he could hear. "But what am I going to do with you?"
Judah laughed, and she felt warmth wash over her. A half-wicked light burned in his eyes. "I am sure we could think of something. I have several good ideas."
Judah bent his head and briefly brushed his mouth against Liberty's. When he released her, she suddenly remembered there were others in the room. Turning to her new mother-in-law, she was wrapped in a hug, while Judah received the congratulations of his grandfather and the priest.
"This is a happy day for me, Liberty. I have my son back, and you are everything I could hope for in a daughter." Gabrielle's eyes were shining with tears. "I wish your father could have been here tonight. I believe he would have given you his blessing."
"I believe he would have liked Judah, Madame."
"No, no, you must call me, M'mere." Gabrielle's eyes took on a faraway look, as if she were remembering something. "I believe that would also please Louis."
"I want to talk to my new granddaughter!" Gustave demanded, pounding his cane against the floor. "Liberty, bring me a glass of wine, and sit beside me for a moment."
Gabrielle laughed. "You had better do as he says. We in this house are all subservient to his wishes."
Several servants were hurriedly laying a table with crystal and silver, placing cake and wine in the center. Gabrielle handed Liberty two glasses of wine, then nodded in the direction of her father. "He is very fond of you, my dear. You have always been one of his favorite people. Talk with him for a moment."
As Liberty went over to the fireplace, she noticed that Judah was talking with the priest. She seated herself beside Monsieur Gustave and handed him a glass of wine.
"Tonight is a proud night for me," Gustave declared, drinking the wine in one gulp and holding his glass out for his daughter to refill. "If there were not a war going on, I would throw wide the doors of Bend of the River and we would celebrate for a week. It isn't every day one's only grandson takes a wife."
"The doctor said you could only have one glass of wine a day, Papa," Gabrielle reminded him. "This is your second glass," she said, filling it only half-full.
Gustave waved his daughter aside and turned his
attention back to Liberty. "I suppose with two women living in the house, you will both make my life unbearable. I hope you will not want to put ruffles and slipcovers on the furniture."
Liberty looked troubled for a moment as her eyes sought Judah's. "I will not be living here, Monsieur, I cannot leave Briar Oaks at this time. There is too much work to be done."
"What's this?" the old man said, looking at his grandson. "Surely you will not allow your wife to live under the same roof as Sebastian."
Judah raised an eyebrow at his grandfather. "I appreciate your concern, Grandfather, but where my wife lives is my concern, not yours." He lifted his wineglass and smiled. "To Madame Liberty Slaughter, my wife!"
"Very well, enough has been said for now," Gustave agreed grudgingly, knowing he should not press the issue at this time. After all, he had already won a decisive battle tonight; Liberty had become Judah's wife. "Call Moses," Gustave told his daughter. "It is four hours past my bedtime."
Gabrielle laughed at Liberty. "I had better do as he says. When he has had a full night's rest, he is hard enough to live with; heaven only knows what kind of bear he will be tomorrow."
Soon the room had been cleared of family and servants, and only Judah and Liberty remained. She was sitting stiffly before the roaring fireplace, while Judah moved to sit beside her. "It seems we are alone, Liberty," he said, taking a sip of wine.
"I . . . yes. Judah, everything has happened so fast, I suppose I wasn't thinking clearly. I brought nothing to . . . sleep in. I don't even know where I am supposed to sleep."
He smiled, thinking that she appeared to be a lost little girl at the moment. "I believe it is customary for a bride to sleep with her husband." His eyes met hers and he wanted to wipe the uncertainty from them. "It is expected that we will occupy the same bed, you know."
Liberty stood up and rubbed the palms of her hands together nervously. "I didn't even tell Bandera I was coming here. I left her a note, but she might be worried when she reads it in the morning."
Judah leaned back and allowed his coat to fall open. He reached up and untied his cravat, while he watched her through lowered lashes. "Liberty, come here. Sit beside me for a moment so we can talk."
Moontide Embrace (Historical Romance) Page 26
