Tug Of Law (Bernadette Mackenna Cases Book 4)

by D. R. Bailey

  Conversation flowed freely as they ate, and the food beautifully presented and cooked was complimented by all. The meal was served with a variety of wine and soft drinks. Bernadette moderated her intake and alternated with sparkling water in order to make sure she wasn’t intoxicated. She wanted to consummate their marriage as soon as she was able, in the proper fashion and she wasn’t going to be doing so drunk. She and Eve played footsie under the table and touched fingers affectionately during the meal.

  When the coffee was being served, Imogen stood up and called for hush.

  ‘‘Now then,” she said a trifle loudly, “It’s traditional, of course, at a normal wedding for the best man to give a speech. But of course, there is no best man, only me.”

  There were a few laughs at this.

  “And this is not what you might call a normal wedding, no indeed, because it’s far from normal, it’s very, very special. It’s special to me, and to all of you because this is the wedding of two people we love and cherish to bits, and fuck me if I carry on like this, I’m going to cry…”

  There were more laughs during this and several ‘ahs’ too.

  “I remember meeting Bernadette or rather seeing her in court a while back now, and thinking I want to work for that woman. As luck would have it I did. I mean, how could she not choose me anyway? But seriously. Bernadette has become not just a colleague but also my best friend, and now she has Eve, who is also my best friend too.”

  “They’re my best friends too!” D’Arcy piped up not wanting to be left out.

  “Yes, all four of us best friends, darling, you’re right.” Imogen laughed.

  “But anyway, I love this woman, and also this woman, and that woman whom I’ll be getting married too someday soon, and you’ll probably get to hear me make another speech when I’ve had a bit too much to drink, like now.”

  She stopped for a moment to gather her thoughts while people chuckled. D’Arcy looked at her a little surprised, perhaps Imogen didn’t usually imbibe quite so freely as she appeared to have been doing today.

  “But anyway, what I want to say really is that I’m so happy to see Bernadette and Eve get married, and for all of us to have been privileged to be part of this wonderful celebration. Two people who are so in love deserve the best, and so join me in raising your glasses for long life, happiness, and love. Bernadette and Eve.”

  There was much applause at the speech, and when it died down Imogen said, “Now normally it’s traditional for the father of the bride to say something, but we actually have two brides, and sadly neither of their fathers are with us. So instead I’ve asked Bernadette’s uncle Donal to say a few words.”

  Uncle Donal stood up, he had a mop of grey hair, and was nevertheless a distinguished looking man wearing a rather flamboyant purple coloured suit, with a white shirt and blue tie. Her uncle was quite a character who was wealthy and had made his money in property development. He pulled out a sheaf of paper and put on a pair of reading glasses.

  “I’ve, erm… I’ve known Bernadette all of her life,” he began, he cleared his throat a little to get rid of the nerves and tried again, this time a little louder. “And I can tell you she always was a wonderful girl, if headstrong. She has become a wonderful and beautiful woman. It has always been me she came to for a shoulder to cry on, particularly after her parents tragically passed away.” He stopped to compose himself before wiping away a tear. “It was also me in whom she confided she was gay, all those years ago, and naturally enough she did, because if you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m gay too. And I’m proud of it.”

  “Hear, hear,” shouted Oscar from another table, and several people clapped.

  “Now I’ve helped her, I’ve counselled her, I watched her flourish and become the successful barrister she is. I’ve seen her on the stage at school, and now on a bigger stage in the courtroom. I can tell you she’s quite a performer, one of the best. She’s brought tears to my eyes, but in a good way, I assure you.”

  He stopped to take a drink from his glass, and then continued, “So it was with absolute pleasure I received the news she had found someone who has turned out to be the love of her life. That someone is Eve. What can you say about Eve? She’s beautiful, she’s caring, she’s kind, she’s loving, intelligent and in every way a match for my beautiful Bernadette. In every way. The two of them were made for each other, completely. I couldn’t wish for a better partner than Eve for my Bernadette. So, without further ado, I wish them long life, and all the love in the world. Please raise your glasses to Bernadette and Eve.”

  Once more the toast rang out and Donal sat down as everyone applauded.

  “Now,” said Imogen standing up again, and slurring her words just slightly, “I believe it’s only right that Bernadette should say a few words, and then Eve too, yes?”

  There were shouts of “Yes” from the guests and Imogen smiled, nodded to Bernadette who stood up.

  “Thank you, thank you so much, Imogen, and D’Arcy and Eve. Thank you, all of you for coming today and making it so special. If I had imagined a wedding day then this would have been it, and in fact, it has surpassed all of my expectations or wild imagination. I think I’ve said it all in my vows, but I’m sure you all know how much I love this woman right here. She is beyond words. I sometimes cannot find a way to articulate the depth of my feelings for her… I love her that much…” Bernadette paused, gathering herself, “I wasn’t going to cry again, and now look at me.”

  There were a few laughs but the emotion in the room was once more palpable.

  “Eve is my life, my everything. I honestly cannot say how I could ever live without her now, and that’s the truth. I was going to say some funny stuff and make jokes, but all I can think of, Eve, is how much I love you. So, I’m going to leave it at that. And please know that every one of you here today, holds a special place for me, all of you. Thank you again for coming, thank you.”

  Bernadette sat down and Eve kissed her spontaneously. Bernadette wiped her eyes. “Fuck,” she said, “I’m such a cry baby.”

  “You are my cry baby and I love you for it,” Eve whispered.

  Eve stood up. “I just want to say that I’m truly grateful all of you came to make this day such a wonderful one. I’m truly grateful to whatever magical forces brought me together with Bernadette. As much as she loves me, I love her, a thousand-fold, and more. She is my life, my world too, I could never live without her either. So, based on that, when we go, I guess it had better be at the same time.”

  There was another little ripple of laughter at this. Eve was speaking with more poise now than she had shown at the ceremony. Her voice though tinged with much emotion was steady and clear.

  “But seriously, since I’ve been with Bernadette, I’ve had a charmed life, a beautiful life. I could not ask for more, and I never want for more than she gives, because she gives me so much of herself. So, thank you again for coming, and for this special day. Thank you so much to Imogen and D’Arcy, and I’d like to have a toast, to the two best friends in the world, Imogen and D’Arcy.”

  There was more enthusiastic applause and Imogen stood up once more. “You’ll be pleased to know I’m not making another speech. The formalities are over. Stay here as long as you want, I believe there are liqueurs and a cheese board too, plus more coffee. If you want a swim, the pool is there, and we have changing facilities, towels. If you are sticking around then there will be dancing later, and more food until the early hours. So, eat, drink and be merry.”

  Everyone cheered, and Imogen sat back down.

  “Darling, don’t you think you should slow down now on the wine?” D’Arcy whispered.

  “Oh, come on, it’s a wedding, eat and be merry, and I’m certainly merry.”

  “Oh well, I just thought…”

  “Don’t tell me what to do, pet.”

  “I only wanted to make a suggestion, my love, I mean, about drinking so much…”

  “Well don�
��t!” said Imogen quite rudely and suddenly got up and stalked off.

  “Oh! Oh!” said D’Arcy her eyes filling with tears, “And this has been such a lovely day… and…”

  “It’s OK,” said Bernadette, “Don’t worry, D’Arcy, I’ll go and talk to her.”

  “Well, but she didn’t need to speak to me like that, I was just worried and…” said D’Arcy looking terribly upset.

  “It’s OK,” said Eve, taking D’Arcy’s hand. “You go and find her, darling,” she said Bernadette.

  Bernadette got up leaving Eve to comfort D’Arcy and hurried out of the marquee, she went towards to house and seeing Carragh asked him, “Have you seen Imogen by any chance?”

  “Oh yeah, she went inside I think, not sure where. Is everything OK?”

  “Yes, yes it’s fine, well, kind of.” She made a face which suggested otherwise, and he nodded sympathetically. “I just need to find her, though.”

  Bernadette went into the house, and on the spur of the moment went back to the living room she and Eve had lately been in. There she found Imogen crying her eyes out.

  “Oh my God,” she said moving quickly to gather up her friend in her arms, “Whatever is wrong?”

  “I’m a bitch, I’ve been such a rotten drunken sot of a bitch. D’Arcy’s been so good, she’s contributed so much to this wedding, you don’t know, and I’m not supposed to tell you, and here I am getting drunk and talking to her like shit. I’m fucking awful person, a bitch from hell…”

  “Stop it,” said Bernadette soothingly, “You’ve just had a bit too much to drink, darling. We all do, and you’ve been so wonderful today organising it all.”

  “I know but what possessed me to snap at her like that? I’m stupid, perfectly horrid.”

  “Don’t fret, darling, honestly, I will just bring her here and you can apologise.”

  “No!” said Imogen pulling away slightly.

  “No?”

  “No! I need to be punished, now! I’ll go upstairs, and she can give me a damn good spanking, it’s what I deserve.”

  “Are you mad?” said Bernadette quite shocked, “With all these people here wandering about? I mean, it’s not a good idea. No really, I can’t allow it.”

  “But it’s what I need! I’ve been an utter brat.”

  “This is the drink talking,” said Bernadette firmly, “And I’m not letting you do it. You are not to suggest it to her and especially not on my wedding day. Just apologise to her and it’s done. If when you’re sober and the guests are all gone you still feel you want her to do that, then that’s between you and her, OK?”

  Imogen looked at her a little teary eyed. “OK, if you think it’s best.”

  “I do and I think you need to sober up, and don’t drink anymore. Apart from anything else you’ll have the worst hangover.”

  “I’ve ruined your day with my stupidity…” Imogen began.

  “Stop it, unless you want me to take you outside and spank you in front of all the guests.”

  “What?”

  Bernadette laughed. “Your face! Of course, I wouldn’t do such a thing.”

  “It would be pretty horny though now I come to think of it.”

  “No, it would not! I just said that to snap you out of it. Now, stop it, I’m going to get D’Arcy and mind what I said.”

  “Yes, OK, you’re the boss,” Imogen said meekly.

  Bernadette poured a glass of water and handed it to her. “Drink this, darling, and stay here while I get D’Arcy. You better apologise nicely.”

  “Shall I beg her forgiveness?”

  “You can if you want but no funny business.”

  “OK, fine, fine!” Imogen laughed and consumed the water, holding it out for a second glass. “That’s better I’m starting to sober up now.”

  “Good, I’m going to get D’Arcy.”

  Bernadette went outside, and asked Carragh to ask D’Arcy to come to the living room. D’Arcy arrived in very short order looking worried, and Bernadette ushered her inside. She stood by the door watching D’Arcy walk up to Imogen.

  “Well?” said D’Arcy in hurt tones as Imogen looked up at her from the chair.

  “Darling, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please forgive me, darling, I’m such a bitch…” Imogen began. She could see D’Arcy melting at once. “No, no you’re not…” Bernadette quietly closed the door.

  “Everything OK?” Eve asked her when she returned to the table.

  “Oh yes, Imogen’s just a little drunk.” She related what had happened in an undertone, and Eve laughed her head off.

  “Oh goodness, what is she like?”

  “She drunk too much that’s all, it’s not like her.”

  “Oh well, I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

  Shortly afterwards, Imogen and D’Arcy reappeared smiling and holding hands.

  “Thank you,” D’Arcy whispered to Bernadette when they sat down again.

  “It’s fine, darling, I’m glad you two are back on good terms.”

  “Oh, it was just a misunderstanding,” D’Arcy brushed it off, “She apologised so nicely to me.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  Eve and Bernadette circulated around the tables chatting to everyone they could, while cheese and biscuits were consumed along with liqueurs and more coffee. Bernadette kept a weather eye on Imogen and D’Arcy, but they were circulating too. All seemed to be OK between them. Soon people began to peel off, and go for a swim, or just to rest. D’Arcy had made some rooms available for the purpose. Those who might want to stay were easily accommodated in her very large house.

  The evening event wasn’t due to begin for an hour or two. So, after a quick word with Imogen who assured Bernadette everything was really fine and promised she wasn’t going to get drunk again, she took Eve’s hand and led her upstairs to their bedroom locking the door behind them once they were inside.

  ✽✽✽

  “What happens now?” Eve asked her with a saucy smile.

  “We both get naked, and then…”

  “And then?”

  “You will find out.”

  “Help me off with this dress,” said Eve turning around.

  Bernadette unzipped Eve’s dress, and Eve stepped out of it, she hung it up in the wardrobe. She was naked underneath apart from her knickers which she deftly removed.

  “You can keep the shoes on,” said Bernadette, “Now help me with my dress.”

  Once Bernadette was also naked, apart from her shoes, and had her dress also hanging up, she said, “Now close your eyes, and don’t open them until I say.”

  “OK, but what are you doing?”

  Bernadette said nothing and instead retrieved a white lace bustier from her suitcase and put it on. Then she removed some very soft silk light white rope, just a short length, enough to tie Eve’s arms.

  “You can open them now, my darling.”

  Eve gasped when she saw what Bernadette was wearing. “Oh fuck… fuck you sexy fucking bitch.”

  “I bought these, especially for today. Lie on the bed.” Bernadette smiled.

  Eve did so and Bernadette made her put her hands above her head.

  “You missed a few things out of your vows,” Bernadette whispered softly, her lips close to Eve’s.

  “Did I?”

  “Yes, so… do you promise to obey me when I want you to?” Bernadette’s lips brushed her wife’s tantalising her.

  “Yes, yes I do, of course, I do, I want that,” Eve breathed closing her eyes.

  “Do you promise to take your consequences when you’ve asked for them? And do you promise to let me tie you up and fuck you when you deserve it?”

  “Oh God, yes, I do, I want that too, so much, yes I do.”

  Bernadette kissed her softly, lovingly and then pulled away, she began to bind Eve’s wrists.

  “Like this?”

  “Yes, oh yes, and more, so much more.”

 
“OK.”

  Eve opened her eyes. “Oh shit… fuck… you’re making me so very, very wet…”

  “See, you’re not the only one with surprises.” Bernadette lay down beside her and began to run her fingers over Eve’s naked skin.

  Eve hissed in her breath in response to the touch.

  “Oh… oh shit.”

  “Now then, you didn’t think I’d let you get away with keeping secrets did you, Mrs Mackenna?”

  “No… no I didn’t, Mrs Mackenna. I know you wouldn’t… I was hoping you wouldn’t… oh… my… oh fuck.”

  “That’s right,” said Bernadette, teasing Eve’s nipples lightly, “Because you’re mine now, you belong to me.”

  “Yes… I am… oh… oh… oh darling.”

  “And this is how I show you…”

  “Oh… yes… I love it… I… ohh…”

  Bernadette’s fingers had found their way to Eve’s sweet spot, Eve gasped and pushed hard against her fingers. Moving her pelvis against them.

  “Oh… fuck… now… don’t stop… oh… fuck… I love you… so much… oh… don’t…”

  “You’re a naughty girl, Mrs Mackenna,” said Bernadette softly, “So very naughty, perhaps I should do what I did the other day… should I… perhaps… turn you over and… hmm…”

  She knew this kind of talk would take Eve to the edge very quickly without fail, and it did.

  “Oh… yes… oh fuck… yes… oh… oh… ohh… ohh… I’m going to… ohh… oh… oh…ohh,” Eve cried out arching her back, tensing and bucking, as she climaxed.

  “God I just Iove it when you do that,” said Bernadette watching her face and smiling.

  Eve finally relaxed and smiled. “Thank you, darling.”

  “It’s my pleasure, honey, but I’m not quite finished,” said Bernadette softly, straddling her wife, moving slowly upwards to the right position. “I think you know what to do.”