Forever in Love (Book One of the Armstrong Series)

by Rita Hestand

  He pulled her chin up to look into her eyes.

  "You have to ask? Sweetheart, I have never had doubts about you. I want you this minute. I also want you to walk down the aisle in that lovely white dress, with a smile on your face. And don't let my father, and your mother bother you with their details. It will be a beautiful ceremony like you deserve." Joe said hugging her closely. "Just remember in a few short hours, we'll be husband and wife."

  "I don't care about ceremonies. I care about being your wife. I've dreamed of the day we would marry. But now that you are home, and I've been with you…I am looking more and more forward to the day I am truly yours." She sighed.

  "I'm as anxious as you are, my love." He smiled into her shining eyes.

  She looped her arm in his again and they continued walking. "And Sam, when will he return?"

  "I'm not sure. But if he's not here by the time we return from our honeymoon, I may have to go look for him myself. He should have been here already." Joe's face mirrored a real concern.

  "I so hope he's alright." Melanie cried.

  "Don't fret; I aim to see he is." Joe promised.

  "You've changed a lot, Joe…and for the better. I know I keep saying that, but I can't help but notice." Melanie smiled as she shot him a casual glance. "You've become so passionate about things."

  "Oh…how so?" Joe asked.

  "I don't know really. You seem more compassionate toward people in general, toward me…. Why…if I didn't know better I'd swear you were Sam and not my Joe at all." She chuckled.

  "Are you saying I wasn't compassionate before?" He stopped to look into her eyes.

  "Of course not, but now even more so. I suppose the war changed you."

  "And does the change upset you?" Joe asked. "You've mentioned it a couple of times."

  "Not at all. You've only grown more like your brother is all. I suppose that is natural too, the two of you being twins." Melanie laughed softly.

  "Do you like Sam?" Joe asked her, watching her out of the corner of his eye.

  "Yes, very much. I always have. Unlike your father, I see him as a caring kind of person. I've often thought he got a raw deal from your father. Not that you don't deserve all he gives you, but Sam has been left out, many times." Melanie defended his brother.

  "I agree. I hope I can right a few of the wrongs done to him. And I wish Sam the best. But…I do wish he'd get himself home."

  "Is your father worried?"

  "To some extent yes. That's another reason I'm going to personally see to Sam's safety." Joe nodded. "I'm quite proud that father cares that much."

  "I hope he finds a true love and is as happy as we are." Melanie squeezed his arm.

  Joe turned to her and smiled, then bent to take another kiss from her sweet lips.

  Melanie swooned. "I can hardly wait to be your wife…"

  ~*~

  The day of the wedding, Golden Manor was alive with festivities. All the maids, butlers, and hired help were bustling about, arranging flowers, seeing to the cake, and Ole Jen was fitting the dress on Melanie for the last time.

  Melanie looked into the floor length mirror at herself and gasped. "Oh my, it's so lovely."

  "Pretties dress I ever made…" Ole Jen cried real tears.

  "Do you think he'll like it?" Melanie cried out.

  "He'll love it, child. You are the prettiest bride I ever did see. Yes ma'am, the prettiest." Ole Jen's whole body shook as she chuckled.

  "I need something old…"

  "You got your mother's pearls, they is old. They belonged to your grandmother." Ole Jen reminded her. "Miss Minerva told me to make sure you wore them."

  "Oh yes, of course…and something new."

  "Mr. Joe done took care of that; he brought this garter for you to wear, so he could take it off himself…" Ole Jen laughed.

  "Oh Jen…I'm so happy." Melanie started to twirl but the train of her dress was so long it wrapped around her. "I'm afraid to open my eyes too wide; afraid everything might disappear into thin air."

  "And something blue…" She shrugged.

  "We got Bluebonnets in your bouquet." Ole Jen handed them to her. "And just so you have enough blue, I made this hankie for you."

  "The bluebonnet oh yes….my grandpa said that the Indians claimed the bluebonnet was sent from the Great Spirit. When I see a field of them, I have to agree."

  Ole Jen smiled. "I think they might have been right about that."

  She reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a blue linen hankie with delicate lace around the edges. She handed it to Melanie. "More blue for you!"

  "Ole Jen, it's lovely, did you make it?"

  "I sure did. I knew you'd need something blue…" She laughed.

  Melanie looked at her bouquet and smiled. "Aren't they lovely?"

  "They sure are…"

  Ole Jen cried once more.

  "Don't cry, this is a happy occasion." Melanie smiled at her.

  "I know that…but I can't help it." Ole Jen shook her head and blew her nose on a hankie. "Miss Melanie, I wish you all the luck in the world. And remember there are sometimes hard times as well as good ones, and you have to cling together to get through them."

  "Now you stop that, you'll have me crying too." Melanie tried to laugh. "There may be some rough times, but with Joe by my side…"

  "Sometimes hard times can devastate you. But you got to rise above it and stay true to one another." Ole Jen said wiping her eyes once more. "Life is full of trials, but when you become one, you must think as one…"

  Melanie hugged her.

  "Now…are you scared about….well…you know."

  "I hope this doesn't sound too presumptuous of me, but I've been waiting a long time for this moment. I've dreamed how it might be. "Melanie stared at her with a smile. "Actually, I can't wait…"

  "That's good. That's real good." Ole Jen cried once more. "It's as it should be. You love him so much; I see it in your eyes."

  "I'm so happy, I'm afraid I might wake up and this is all just a dream. I so wish Sam could be here…" Melanie cried.

  Ole Jen's facial expression changed, but she quickly recovered. "Yes…well, I'm sure he's thinking about it. You liked Sam too, didn't you?"

  "I like him very much. How could I not, he's the spitting image of Joe. Used to, it's funny, but I could have told the difference from them just by the way they talked about things. Now, I'm not so sure. Joe seems to have changed a lot since he left. And all for the better. Maybe he missed me as much as I missed him. But, I so hope Sam's alright, too" Melanie glanced at her. "I wanted many times to defend Sam to Papa Armstrong, but I didn't want him mad at me."

  "Me too, darlin'. Sam never got a fair shake from Mr. George."

  "But now, the two of them are more like twins than ever." Melanie sighed.

  Chapter Ten

  The wedding march began and Melanie floated down the stairs and into the huge parlor where guest were seated all along the aisles. George Armstrong was her escort since her own father had died many years ago. Vague memories of her father floated through her mind, but she was so young when he died, she could barely recall him. Would he approve of her marriage?

  There was a huge congregation, so big in fact; they had to put the ceremony outside so everyone could see.

  Joe saw her and he lost his breath. Melanie was breathtaking. The dress Ole Jen had made for her shimmered in the afternoon sun. The hues from the sun made the beads sparkle like diamonds. The intricate handiwork of lace and beads was stunning, but Joe wasn't looking at the dress, his eyes were fixed on Melanie. His heart was pounding. This was the day of his well-deserved happiness.

  Right or wrong, he was marrying Melanie today. The lie that was between them would remain there. His priority was making Melanie the happiest woman alive.

  Guilt could have no part in this glorious day. He loved her!

  She smiled with such innocence and happiness, radiating from her. She nodded at some of the guests, and let his father ironically ca
rry her to her future husband.

  "Who gives this bride in Holy Matrimony?" The Preacher eyed the congregation.

  "I do." George responded.

  "Very well…"

  He released her into the hands of Joe who looked mesmerized.

  There came a hush over the congregation as Joe took her hand in his. The entire congregation sensed the love they shared.

  It was a long ceremony with all the rituals, exchanging of rings, reading of vows, and the pronouncement. At last, Joe was encouraged to kiss the bride, but by that time, he already had her in his arms.

  The kiss was long and the audience seemed to sigh.

  When he turned her loose, he held her hand tightly.

  It was his dream and it had finally come true.

  Blushing and eager to escape the huge crowd of people descending on them, Joe kept her hand in his and guided her toward the doors to the back of the house that would lead them away from prying eyes.

  However, there were small pleasures along the way like when he removed her garter and got a flash of her beautiful leg and then he threw it in the air.

  One of his friends caught it and held it up for everyone to see.

  "We need to change clothes for the reception," Joe told her.

  Ole Jen was in the kitchen. "You come on back here; I got your dress, Miss Melanie…"

  Joe winked at her. "Hurry, my love…"

  The reception was held at her mother's estate and they had hurriedly changed clothes to attend.

  People came up to them repeatedly, congratulating them and wishing them well. The crowd followed Joe and Melanie to the Hamilton's.

  Joe thought the throngs of people would never go away. All he really wanted was to be alone with his new bride.

  Finally, they began the grand dancing in the ballroom and Joe took Melanie into his arms and held her tightly against him.

  "You've never looked lovelier…" He whispered. "And I'm so glad to finally have you in my arms."

  "And you make a dashing groom." She sighed.

  They danced endless dances together, and everyone rejoiced their love, for it was the happiest of occasions.

  Joe spotted his father talking with Melanie's mother and smiled. "What do you think they are plotting with their heads together like that?"

  "Today I could care less," She whispered.

  "I love dancing with you, but I'd rather be making love…" Joe groaned.

  Melanie blushed and smiled, clutching her husband.

  Melanie's eyes sparkled as she spoke. "It's the anticipation that makes it so exciting…" She raised a brow as her cheeks flushed.

  He stole a kiss from her lips and all the while, they kept dancing.

  She wore an equally beautiful dress for the occasion and bathing her in a baby blue silk that plunged daringly at the breast and flirted with their unspent passions.

  "Your wedding dress was the grandest I've ever seen." One of her long time friends complimented her as they passed each other on the dance floor.

  "Thanks, Ole Jen made it for me…" She smiled.

  "Oh…it wasn't one of your mother's seamstresses that made it?"

  "No, Ole Jen makes most of my clothes." Melanie smiled.

  "Oh." Her friend looked almost offended.

  Melanie knew that her mother was upset about it, but this was her day, and her dress nor nothing else would mar it.

  When they cut the cake together their parents gathered close, and Joe let her shove a small piece into his mouth, his lips grazing her fingers as she pulled away.

  Her eyes found his and a smile broke over her face.

  "You are an anxious man…" She cooed in his ear as they danced once more. Her every move stoked the fires within him

  "You have no idea how anxious." He smiled as he whispered in her ear. The heavy sensation of flirting weakened her in his arms.

  After a few hours of sipping punch, dancing, and a few sneaked kisses, Joe guided her up the stairs so she could change into traveling clothes. His true intention was not to let her out of his sight.

  "Are we headed for St. Louis immediately?" She cast him a smoldering glance.

  "Our first few nights will be spent on a riverboat." Joe told her.

  Seeing the delight in her eyes, his smile broadened and he leaned to touch his forehead to hers.

  "That sounds breathtaking." She said her breath hitching as his lips nibbled the corner of her mouth. "I can't recall ever traveling by steamboat."

  "It will be a time to remember, my love..." He kissed her hotly as they neared her room. She lost her breath and drown in his affectionate kisses.

  When his head came up, she smiled.

  "Would you like to unlace me?" She asked breathlessly as they reached her door and she turned her glance fully on him, from head to toe.

  "Very much…" He smiled at her. "May I?"

  "Please …" She practically pulled him into the room.

  "Hmm…so the bride is anxious too?" He smiled as he swept her into his arms for another kiss and closed the door with the heel of his boot.

  "Very much…" She sighed as she gave herself to the kiss.

  She took his hand and guided him into the room. However, the moment he closed the door, he reached for her again and she glided into her arms without hesitation. He kissed her tenderly on the lips, and then let his lips slide easily down the gentle curve of her neck. He nibbled and she leaned her neck back so he could have all the advantages he wanted. He quickly realized she was putty in his arms. She didn't know what a seductress she'd become.

  Her breast rose in rapid breaths puckering madly at the bust of her dress. His glance slid there and she colored beautifully.

  She turned around, and he pulled her back against him, his hands going to the round fullness of her breasts. The dress and corset were in the way, he wanted to touch her. She moaned raggedly.

  He whirled her around again, to gaze down at her.

  He continued his exploration on down to her shoulders, and then to the deep plunge of her bosom. His nose nudged at her cleavage. "This dress has been driving me crazy, tempting me to sweep you off your feet and carry you to the first available bedroom."

  "Oh Joe…I love you so…The way you look at me, sets me on fire…And we are in the bedroom…in case you want…" She whispered as his lips nudged the dress lower on her shoulders. "It's simply wicked to leave our guest, but I'm as anxious as you…to be together."

  "I'm not sure this can wait until the steamboat…I want you now…" He whispered against the cool of her skin. His voice was ragged, heated, wanting. "I know I must be gentle with you, but the desire you create in me has me climbing the walls to keep from raking that dress from you and ravishing you."

  She pulled his head up, "I don't want to wait either. We've spent half a lifetime waiting. Make me yours…now," She whispered for his ears alone.

  "Yes," He picked her up in his arms and carried her toward the bed. He barely noticed the beautiful silk cover of her bed, or the canopy of white and blue scarves that draped about her bed. All he sought was her. After kissing her into submission, he slowly undressed her.

  He bent to undue the tiny buttons of her dress one by one, and one by one, his lips caressed her back, as the dress became loser, until it finally floated to the floor. Her back was perfect, not one flaw, and so silky to touch.

  She bent slightly to toss the lovely dress away. Then he pulled the petticoats off her in a rush. They fanned the floor.

  Yet, when he came to the corset, his hands shook as he untied it. He untied the blue lace that held it together, pulling at the inside strings to loosen it. His eyes fastened on the straining globes of her breasts as he pulled her fully against him and reached around to caress her breasts with his hands for a moment. He heard her gasp. As the last lace of the corset fell loose, he slowly turned her to face him. "This looks way too confining…" He said in a hoarse whisper.

  "Yes…" she sighed. "Much too confining…"

  Finally, he p
ulled it away from her, exposing her upper body to him completely. His eyes went from the gentle curving of her full breasts to the small delicate waist, and flaring hips. His eyes devoured her, like a perfect meal. "I've never beheld such beauty." He whispered. Frustrated that the corset hadn't fallen to the floor, he walked around to her back and loosened the contraption by its laces, until it slid down her legs and left nothing but her bloomers. His lips sent a trail of fire over her beautiful bare back, as his arms went around her and fondled her full breasts once more. His hands gently kneaded them. He folded his arms around her easily. His hands cupped her full breasts, his fingers touching and gliding against her hot skin, as his thumbs moved to gently glide over her nipples. The gentle caress of his thumbs had her head falling back against his chest and he bent his head to kiss the curve of her neck. Her nipples responded by puckering beneath his thumbs. He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. He took a deep breath, not wanting to rush into this moment of glory. His hands kept massaging her breasts, his thumbs caressed her there as she moved against him sinuously. She whimpered somewhere near his ear. "Oh Joe…your gentle touch ignites a fire inside me."

  "Does this please you?" He asked as he hands kneaded her breasts, caressing her like a kiss. She closed her eyes and smiled with a sigh. "Oh…yes." She barely breathed. "I've thought about this moment before…I never dreamed I could feel like this."

  "I've been on fire for you since the day I came home. Do you like my touches?" He whispered.

  "Hmm…" she sighed happily.

  He turned her around as he bent to rub his face against her there, his lips devouring one rosey nipple, then the other. However, it was his tongue licking at her puckering nipples that made her tremble against him. When they drew up tight, he groaned aloud. He cradled her breasts in his hands and kissed her until she was raw with longing.

  She moaned raggedly. "I never imagined being together like this would be…so wonderful."

  "I've dreamed of touching you here…But to kiss you here is heaven. You have such beautiful clothes, but I must confess I wanted to rip every one of them off of you."