Emma peered over her shoulder. “The stone’s the same as the one in your ring.”
“It’s beautiful,” Victoria whispered.
“He sent a note as well, dear.” Nona handed her the missive.
She sat on the bed to read it.
My beautiful rebel - I love you forever. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife. All my love, Gus
Hannah handed her a handkerchief. “Here’s my hanky, Victoria. I actually have two for you. Both have blue on them, so you have your new and blue, now you just need old and borrowed.”
“I have old and borrowed covered,” Gwen said. “Mama gave me grandmother’s ring for you to wear.”
“That was sweet of her,” Victoria said.
“Hannah and I both wore it on our wedding days.” Gwen handed her the ring and it fit perfectly.
“Yes, it’s really beautiful,” Hannah said.
Hannah and Gwen asked if they could have a moment alone with Victoria and the others left the room. Hannah took her hand. “Victoria, Gwen and I have something for you.”
Gwen smiled and pulled a small box from the pocket in her skirt.
Victoria arched an eyebrow. “What have you done?”
“We’re so excited to welcome you as our sister.” Hannah smiled. “I know I have always felt that way, but now it’ll be official.”
“This is a small memento of how happy we are to welcome you to the family.” Gwen handed her the box.
A pair of perfectly matched amethyst earrings sparkled out at her. “My word. They are amazing.” She hugged the girls. “Thank you both so much.”
Sophie opened the door and held a hand out to Victoria. “It’s time to go.”
They made their way downstairs and were met by Quincy’s father. Less than a year earlier, he had walked Hannah down the aisle to marry Christopher, and now he would give Victoria away. According to Quincy, he’d been telling everyone about the honor of walking his daughters-in-law down the aisle.
“Victoria, dear. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said, and took his proffered arm.
Victoria climbed into the carriage after Hannah and Gwen, and the group took off for the church. The day was warm—not exceptionally so, but Victoria was still thankful her dress was short sleeved. Vincent patted her hand. “If Quincy ever does anything to sadden you, Victoria, remind him that we are keeping you and he will be ostracized. That goes for you too, Hannah.”
The girls laughed.
Vincent seemed to set the mood for the day. It would be lighthearted and loving, a genuine celebration of new love. They arrived at the church, where Christopher and Andrew were waiting to assist their wives.
“Shouldn’t you be inside?” Hannah asked as Christopher lifted her from the carriage.
He smiled. “I will be when I know you’re fine.”
“What’s your excuse?” Gwen asked Andrew.
Andrew shrugged. “I don’t have one.”
Gwen grinned. “At least you’re honest.”
Vincent assisted Victoria from the carriage.
Christopher pulled her aside and kissed her on the cheek. “You look beautiful. Welcome to our family.”
“Thank you, Chris.” Victoria beamed up at him.
Christopher led Hannah inside, reminding her she was to stay seated for the duration of the service. The rest of the group made their way up the front steps of the church and into the foyer. Sophie was waiting for them and handed Victoria’s bouquet to her.
Victoria lifted it to her nose. “Sophie, this is stunning.”
Sophie grinned. “I’m glad you like it. It was so much fun to put this together for you.”
Hearing the music start, Victoria took Vincent’s arm. The doors opened, and she couldn’t stop a gasp when she saw Quincy. He was gorgeous and her heart beat faster as she made her way down the aisle. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and she felt his love encompass her. The ceremony seemed a blur until the kiss. When the minister said he could kiss his bride, Quincy whispered, “I love you, little rebel.”
“I love you, Gus,” she whispered back and then his lips gently touched hers and she was lost. He broke the kiss faster than she would have liked, but reminded herself there was much more to look forward to.
Quincy settled her hand into the crook of his arm. Then they were showered with rose petals as they made a run for the open carriage. He lifted her in and jumped up beside her. Victoria stroked his smooth cheek and smiled. “I love this look.”
“Better than the beard?”
She nodded. “Definitely. I didn’t tell you that last time, but yes, I prefer to see your face. It’s how you looked in the photograph.”
“The photograph?”
“The one I was holding, you know...”
“Ah, right. Well, I’m glad you approve,” he said as he kissed her palm.
“I wish we didn’t have to go to the reception.”
“Why is that, sweetheart?”
She raised her eyebrow at him. “Why do you think?”
He chuckled. “Patience, little rebel. I have something planned for us later.”
“As do I.”
“You do?”
“Patience, Gus.”
Quincy laughed and pulled her in for a kiss.
THEY DROVE AROUND for almost thirty minutes before making their way back to the house. The reception was in full swing and despite the desire to be alone, the newlyweds found themselves swept up in the celebration.
Christopher handed them each a glass of champagne as they entered the ballroom. Once dinner was served and the cake cut, the dancing began. Victoria was thrilled to be back in Quincy’s arms.
“I missed you, Rebel.”
Victoria wrinkled her nose. “Already?”
“Yes, already,” he whispered as he pulled her closer. “I haven’t been able to touch you for almost an hour.”
They danced to three tunes and then she was pulled away by Sophie to change. Victoria followed her up the stairs and found breeches sitting on the bed. “What are these?”
“We all have a pair, it’s our little tradition.” Sophie held them up. “You’re going somewhere special, so don’t bother with hoops.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Where are we going?”
“My lips are sealed,” Sophie said.
“What about clothes?”
“You’re worse than Emma! Everything has been taken care of,” Sophie assured her.
Sophie helped her out of her gown and into her traveling outfit. They walked downstairs and found Quincy waiting for her. He held his hand out to her and grinned. “Ready?”
Victoria nodded and took his hand. Outside, Rocky whinnied and Victoria looked at Quincy in question.
He kissed her cheek. “You’ll see soon enough, sweetheart.”
She mounted and waited for him to do the same and then waved to their guests and Quincy led them toward the lake.
“We’re going to the lake?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps.”
She grunted but was quickly swept up in the ride. They ended up at the south side of the lake, an area she’d never seen before, and they came upon a clearing with a small log cabin in the middle of it. Victoria gasped. “I had no idea this was here! How did I miss it?”
“Richard and Jamie have been building it for the past six months. Richard uses it when the house is full. For the next two days, however, it’s ours.”
“Quinn,” she whispered. “Thank you!”
He led them to the cabin and dismounted. Victoria did the same and let out a little squeal when Quincy lifted her in his arms and kissed her as he carried her over the threshold and into the tiny cabin. The evening was quite cool, but the fire in the corner of the room had been lit, along with several of the sconces on the walls.
“Who did all this?” she asked.
“Jamie and Sophie.”
Before Victoria could take in her surroundings, soft lips covered hers. The distrac
tion worked, and she grasped the lapels of Quincy’s jacket, losing her sanity in the moment.
Between kisses he asked, “Would you like some champagne?”
Kissing him back greedily, she gasped out, “No.” She pushed his jacket from his shoulders.
Victoria felt a quiver in her belly when his eyes, dark with desire, held her gaze. “Is there anything I can get for you?” he asked as he pulled the pins from her hair.
“You can get your clothes off,” she said, and began to unbutton his shirt.
He chuckled and kissed her again, grasping her hands when she tugged at the waistband of his pants. “Let’s go slowly, Rebel.”
“Such a waste of time to go slowly.” She grinned and twirled a finger in the air. “Turn your back.”
Although he raised an eyebrow in question, he did as she asked. The rustle of fabric echoed in the quiet room as she slipped out of her skirts. The only other sound was the occasional pop from the wood in the fireplace. Victoria took a deep breath and smoothed out her hair before settling her hands on her hips. “You can turn around now.”
Quincy’s eyes widened, and she heard his sharp intake of breath. “What are you wearing?”
“This is a bra, and these are what we call boy shorts.” She jutted out her hip and glanced down at the ground. “They are modern-day underwear.”
“Modern day?”
“Future day might be a better description.” She slid her fingers through her hair, knowing the action gave her body a nice line. “No one wears a corset anymore. In the future, anyway.”
Quincy closed the distance between them and laid his hands on her waist. “Do you... did you... wear these every day?”
She slid her hands up his bare chest. “Every day, honey.”
“Here? Have you worn them here?” he choked out.
“Occasionally.” She kissed his chest. “Would you like me to tell you when?” He nodded and leaned down to kiss her neck. Victoria kissed his shoulder, just over his scar. “Remember the day you came back?”
“From D.C.?”
She nodded. “Mm, hmm.”
Quincy groaned as she kissed his chest. “And you had just returned from the lake?”
“Yes. Exactly.” She glanced up at him. “I was wearing a dark blue bra and bikini bottoms under my dress.”
“What are bikini bottoms?”
Victoria grinned at his shortness of breath. “They’re like these”—she slid her finger under the waistband of her underwear and let it go with a quiet snap—“only higher at the hips.”
Quincy slid his finger where hers had just been and Victoria gasped as he ran it along her abdomen.
“And I was wearing a different type of underwear when I found you on the field,” she whispered, never removing her gaze from his.
He raised an eyebrow. “I wondered why I didn’t feel a corset.”
Victoria leaned away from him. “Did you try to feel me up, Mr. Butler?”
“If that means, did I move my hands over places that perhaps I shouldn’t have? Then yes, Mrs. Butler, I did try to feel you up.” His voice roughened when he said her name.
Victoria giggled and kissed him. His fingertips whispered over her collarbone and to her shoulders. He slipped a finger under one strap and slid the band down her arm, and then repeated the motion on the opposite side.
Emboldened, she reached behind and slipped the hooks, before leaning back again. Letting the garment fall to the ground, she heard his deep intake of breath and smiled.
“You are exquisite, Rebel,” he whispered as he scooped her up and carried her to the bed. Stretching out beside her, he cupped her breast and drew a nipple gently into his mouth, then the other. He knew he needed to go slow, but he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to. He’d never been with a virgin... not even when he’d been one himself.
Kissing her, he slid his hand under her strange pantaloons and between her legs, sliding a finger through her wetness and running it up to her clitoris. Victoria mewled, arching into his touch. He stepped off the mattress and tugged her underwear off, throwing them in the corner, before gripping her thighs and burying his face between her legs.
Victoria moaned, weaving her hands in his hair and moving against his mouth. He applied pressure with his tongue on her clitoris and then moved it down, lapping at her entrance, moving back to suck on her clit.
“Quinn,” she panted, her hands now pulling his hair gently. “I...oh, God, baby...” Her body locked and he felt her legs quiver as her orgasm overtook her.
Not wanting to lose the momentum, he shifted so he was hovering above her, then sliding into her slowly, the feel of her maidenhead stopping him.
“I’m okay,” she whispered.
He gave a short thrust, heard her hiss, and stopped again, leaning down to kiss her gently. He cupped her breast and rolled her nipple between his fingers, waiting for her body to respond. She arched into his touch again, and he began to move.
He buried himself deep, waiting for her to relax and as soon as she wrapped her legs around his waist, he linked his fingers with hers and dragged her arms above her head, kissing her again.
Her quiet little moans spurred him on, but when she started to cry out his name, he slammed into her over and over until she screamed, and he felt her climax. With one final thrust, he joined her and kissed her again as he pulled her close.
The last rays of the sun forced their way through the tiny window, and Quincy stroked her cheek. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Are you certain?”
Victoria folded herself onto his chest and laid her palm flat over his heart. “Quincy. That was the most amazing... wonderful... honestly, there aren’t adequate words.”
“Did I hurt you?”
She shook her head. “It hurt for less than a second, and then it was just magical. I really didn’t think I’d like it. I don’t know how anyone could ever complain. It’s the best thing in the world.”
He ran a lock of her hair through his fingers. “Why didn’t you think you’d like it, sweetheart?”
Victoria shrugged. “Just the way it was always described by my mother. As more of a duty. Not something pleasurable.”
“And was it pleasurable?”
She grinned up at him. “Wasn’t I making the right noises?”
“You liked it then?”
She laughed and kissed him. “I loved it. I want it every day. Can you handle that?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Staring up at him, she stroked his cheek. “You are my favorite person in all the world.”
Quincy chuckled. “I can say with certainty that I feel the same way about you. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Quinn. I’m better than fine, actually.” She sat up. “And I’m hungry.”
Sitting up behind her, he kissed her shoulder. “Let me heat water for a bath, and we’ll eat.”
“Sounds perfect.”
They climbed off the bed and Victoria gasped. Quincy turned with a frown. “What’s amiss, sweetheart?”
“I just wasn’t expecting that much...” She pointed to the evidence of her virginity. “Do we have fresh sheets?”
“Yes, right over there.” He pointed to the corner.
“Okay, you heat the water and I’ll change the bed.” She rummaged through their bag for a robe, managing to only find one of Quincy’s shirts.
“Rebel?”
“Hm?”
“You’re blushing.” Quincy pulled her close and stroked her cheek. “Are you embarrassed?”
“A little.”
“Don’t be.” He took the shirt from her and pulled it over her head. “I love that you’re mine and mine only.”
Quincy kissed her gently, then pulled on his pants and padded to the wood stove to heat water for a bath. She smiled as she watched him work, loving the view. His bare chest was smooth and tanned, the scar on his shoulder now almost invisible, but the memory of how they met made her s
mile. She loved this man, more than she could have ever thought possible.
She pulled the sheet from the bed, threw it into the corner of the room, and laid the new sheet on the bed. She had trouble securing it to the mattress.
“Honey? Can you grab a corner, please?” Quincy walked over to the bed and helped her finish making it. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her waist. “The water’s ready. Would you like to eat or bathe first?”
“Eat.”
He kissed her nose and then they sat at the small table in the middle of the cabin and enjoyed a light meal of cold chicken and an assortment of fruit. Quincy poured water into tin cups and handed her one.
Sipping the cool water, she asked, “What will we do when we return to D.C.?”
“I’ve informed my tenants that I’ll need the house back. I gave them sixty days to vacate. I’d like to make some changes to it once they leave, but will need your input. I want it to feel like your home, not just mine. If it’s acceptable, we’ll stay with Christopher and Hannah until then.”
She smiled and looked down at her plate. “Yes, that’s fine.”
“Did you have something else in mind?”
“Hm?” She glanced back at him. “Oh, no.”
“What’s amiss? Do you not want to live in the house?”
“No... nothing like that. I guess I just feel slightly overwhelmed with everything. Now that I have time to reflect and my world has calmed, things just seem overwhelming, you know?”
Quincy reached out and squeezed her hand. “Are you unhappy?”
She rose to her feet and stood in front of him. “Not at all. I love you, and the fact that I get to spend the rest of my life with you is more than I ever hoped for. I can’t really put it into the right words. I’m sorry, I’m botching this a bit. It’s just that...” She hesitated. “Sometimes I have these premonitions, but they’re not always clear.”
He laid his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. “Did you have another dream?”
“No, no dreams. Just an unsettling feeling. It’ll pass. Truly.”
Running his hands under the shirt, he lifted it over her head, revealing her flawless body. He leaned forward and kissed her stomach.
The Rebel Bride (Civil War Brides Series, #5) Page 21
