“The beds getting cold,” Cornelia winked at him, “Will you not come join me, your Grace?”
That was the night the two consummated their marriage and finally, Clement could show Cornelia all the love that he had been feeling for her these past few weeks. And just before she was on the brink of sleep after their activities, she heard him whisper in her ear.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
-
Epilogue:
A year has now passed and the marriage between the two is going as strong as it was before. The two fell even more deeply in love. Clement was accepted back into society, for the only remaining trace of his disease was small scars on his face but otherwise, he was back to normal. Clement had never been so happier with his life and he knew that he owed it all to Cornelia. A few months after they consummated their marriage, Cornelia got pregnant. And in October, she gave birth to a beautiful son.
“He has your eyes,” Cornelia commented as she held the baby in her arms for the first time.
“Hm, well I only hope that he has your heart,” Clement replied back and softly kissed the top of his wife’s head, “Welcome to the world, Clement Moore Jr.”
The Despised Bride
~Bonus Story~
An Arranged Marriage Historical Romance
Stunningly beautiful and attached to a handsome dowry, Olive Catrall cannot understand how she has been unable to attract a suitor in New York. The men for whom she vies seem to distance themselves for reasons she cannot fathom. Thankfully, her father, Eugene has arranged a match for her. His name is Julius Perone and Olive packs her trunks, determined to be the perfect wife to her Southern husband.
There is one small glitch, however. Julius apparently despises her on sight.
No matter how she tries, her husband will not lower his frigid exterior.
There is an umbra of darkness surrounding the newlyweds and Olive strives to maintain her optimism despite the grim circumstances.
Yet, there is always more than meets the eye, a harsh truth which Olive is about to discover. Her only hope is that love can overcome the sinister obstacles which they will face.
* * *
Chapter One
“Service was lovely today, was it not, Olive?” Eugene Catrall asked his daughter as they rose from the pew, patiently waiting for the members of the parish to exit the church.
“Indeed,” Olive murmured, smiling in agreement but she was not truly heeding her father’s words. Throughout the pastor’s monotonous droning, she had been trying to catch the eye of Percy Milner. It had been a coy game of cat and mouse for the past few weeks at church, he staring at her and she at him. Nothing had materialized from their flirtation but Olive hoped that would end soon.
At first, she had been certain that she had captured his attention as he had returned her sunny smile with his own. Yet as his eyes shifted toward Eugene, he lost the coquettish expression on his face and whipped his head as if Pastor Krieg’s words were God speaking Himself. Disappointed, Olive stared down at her gloved hands, wondering why this always seemed to be the reaction she faced. She would idly seem to entice a suitor but just as abruptly, they would vanish from her purview.
Olive was a stunningly beautiful girl. Her resplendent curls flowed alluringly about her full bosom, stopping just shy of her tiny, cinched waist. Her eyes were a mesmerizing cerulean blue which rivaled the brightest country skies.
She was nineteen-years-old and it was high time that Olive was sought out for marriage. There was no reason that she should not have a long line of suitors vying for her hand. Over and above her lovely face, Olive Catrall was the only child of a prominent banker, ensuring that her dowry would be sizeable. Yet it seemed that the eligible bachelors in town purposely avoided Olive and she did not understand why.
She and her father had lived in New York since her mother had died unexpectedly ten years earlier. Eugene had been rattled by his young wife’s death and decided to leave the calm serenity of Apple Hills, Ohio for the bustle of New York City. Olive had relished the change, despite her young age. At nine, she longed for a life of glamor and excitement, something she knew she would never find in Apple Hills.
Eugene had sold his stake in the county bank, reinvesting his money in a larger bank once they had settled in New York. In a short while, he was a revered businessman, accumulating a sizeable fortune. Olive wanted for nothing, except perhaps a suitor.
“Father,” she whispered, taking his arm.
“Yes, my dove?”
“Do you suppose I will ever marry?”
Eugene chuckled and patted her white glove affectionately.
“I am certain you will,” he responded. “Sooner than you think.”
Olive sighed, unconvinced by his words. He oft spoke the same empty promise to her.
“Why have I no suitors?” she asked him as they glided into the churchyard, her yellow dress swooshing softly as they strolled.
“Ah, but you do, my dear,” he told her. She stopped walking to regard him.
Is he mocking me while I am obviously distraught? She wondered. It was not like her father to be so cruel.
“Who?” she challenged. “I have never had one caller, not one!”
Again, Eugene laughed and gently pulled her along. From the corner of her crystalline eyes, Olive noticed some men staring openly at them, whispering and pointing.
What in heaven’s name are they gossiping about? Olive wondered, staring down at her clothing. She wondered if she had somehow managed to stain the lace fabric but a quick search showed nothing. She raised her head to stare at the men but they averted their eyes upon her scrutiny.
“I was going to tell you when you we arrived home but I see you are quite eager and it would be unkind to make you wait unnecessarily.”
Olive looked pensively at Eugene and her free hand flew to her mouth in surprise.
He is being sincere! There is a caller!
“You have an offer of marriage from a businessman in Louisiana,” he told her, guiding her down the street, toward their brownstone house.
“Louisiana!” Olive declared, her heart bucking wildly in her chest. “Who is it?”
“His name is Julius Perone and I have had occasion to do business with him in the past,” he told her. “I have arranged the match. I believe you will be a good fit for one another.”
Olive glanced uncertainly at her father.
Would father know a good match if he saw one? She wondered but she pushed the thoughts from her mind. She was much too elated to be dragged down by cynicism.
“You may write him when we return to the house,” Eugene continued. “He has already enclosed a letter for you, separate from the one which he requested your hand. I am certain he would like you to send word of your feelings toward the marriage.”
How romantic of him to do that, Olive swooned. Most men in his position would not have bothered to personally address a letter to her. As it was regarded as a business arrangement, he would only need to correspond with her father.
Unconsciously, she quickened her gait, eager to return to the house.
“Woah, girl!” Eugene joked but he kept with her stride. She gave her father a happy smile which he returned easily.
I am going to be married! She thought joyously.
As was typical the station was amassed with weary travellers, coming and going from various parts of the county. Olive hardly noticed the crowds, despite the almost stifling temperatures of the July morning.
She turned excitedly to her father, a bittersweet feeling washing through her body as she stared at the man. He had always had flowing white hair, ever since Olive could recall. It made him seem older than his years in his youth but as he aged, there was a distinguished quality about him. His eyes were the same shade of cyan as hers but they seemed harder as if the world had hardened the ice in their depth. The man never left the house looking less than one hundred percent dapper and that day was no different. It
seemed to Olive that he took special care that morning to dress, as if seeing off his only child was the monuments occasion she felt it was.
He has been a wonderful father and provider. I will miss him with all of my heart. Perhaps when he is old and infirm, he will come to live in New Orleans with Julius and I.
Eugene reached into the vest of his suit, pulling forth a gold pocket watch and glancing at the railroad, a frown on his face.
“The train is late,” he murmured and for the first time since he had announced her betrothal, Olive saw a glimmer of uncertainty in his shocking blue eyes. It sent a fusion of alarm through her body. Eugene Catrall was not a man to exhibit insecurity. His very aura was wrought with confidence and a mere look could inspire fear in the most formidable of his competitors. Yet Olive knew her father better than anyone else could claim and she could not ignore the somewhat worried look upon his face.
“Father, are you well?” she asked. Eugene blinked and abruptly, the expression was gone.
“Of course, my dove. Are you?”
Olive nodded, a sudden surge of happiness overcoming her again. Over the past weeks, she and Julius had exchanged two letters. Reading his gentlemanly words made Olive excited to meet her betrothed.
His letters are exceedingly polite, not at all filled with innuendo, Olive had thought with some disappointment but she reasoned he would not pen romance when there was a chance Eugene’s eye might read the text.
There will be plenty of time for passion in our new life together, she told herself reassuringly.
A whistle blew in the near distance, causing both Olive and Eugene to take notice of the locomotive chugging slowly toward them.
“It’s here, father!” she cried, raising herself slightly onto her toes. Eugene offered his daughter a small smile but did not respond as the train eventually pulled to a full stop before them.
“All aboard!” The engineer shouted and Olive hurried forward. A porter reached down to help the beautiful passenger onto the car and Eugene handed the young man her trunks.
“I will send along your other belongings when I arrive for the wedding, Olive. Do you think you can manage without all your gowns until then?
“Yes, father, thank you,” she replied, smiling at him. “I have more than enough to last me the month. And you mustn’t forget that you have bestowed upon me a handsome allowance.”
“Yes, well, if you want for anything, dove, you write me at once.”
Indeed, Olive knew she would dearly miss her father but she was enthusiastic to begin her journey toward her new beginning.
She waved lovingly, kissing her covered hands to her lips.
Eugene waved back, stepping back as the train whistle sounded again. Olive watched his face and was suddenly seized by uncertainty.
Why does he appear so concerned?
Chapter Two
He stared at the letter in his hand and crumpled it angrily as his hand curled into a fist.
So, she is coming, he thought furiously. It is set in motion and she is on her way.
Julius Perone turned away from the window and moved toward the liquor cabinet. He desperately needed a drink. He had purposely written boring letters to Olive, hoping that the girl would be put off by his apparent lack of spontaneity but alas, his plan had failed.
Judging by her writings, she is also boring, he reminded himself.
As he lifted the cap from the crystal decanter, he thought about how he had ended up in this situation. It had all happened so suddenly, the wheels set in motion well before he had been able to do anything to stop them. Not that he would have had the opportunity to stop it from happening had he seen it coming.
Sighing deeply, he took a long swallow of whiskey before turning back to the window. He watched a throng of people wind through the French Quarter.
I wonder what she will look like. I hope she is not remarkably plain, Julius thought sullenly. He thought of how her father looked and cringed. It doesn’t matter if she is as unattractive as a gypsy’s dog. I am bound to her now.
As he continued to gaze out the window, grinding his teeth in frustration, he silently calculated how long it would be before Olive Catrall arrived in New Orleans.
I have two weeks. Two weeks before my life as I know it comes to an end.
Aside from the trip which had taken the Catralls from Ohio to New York a decade before, Olive had never been on a train. As a girl, she had often begged her father to allow her to join him on his business excursions but he did not feel it proper for a woman to join him. Olive had spent hours daydreaming about adventurous trips across the country and exotic journeys overseas but those fantasies had never become a reality.
We are not yet wed and Julius is already making my desires come alive, Olive thought as she watched the buildings of New York fade into prairie land. The scenery was beautiful in the hazy morning light, rays of sunshine slicing through the cloudless sky.
The excitement of her future was enough to take her breath away but most her exhilaration was because of her husband to be.
She had tentatively asked her father about details of Julius as she had no idea what to expect but Eugene had been exceedingly vague about his business associate.
“He will provide well for you, my dove,” Eugene told her. While Olive had no doubt that he spoke the truth, that was not the information which she sought.
I wonder how he looks, she thought, staring dreamily outside the large window pane. Is he tall and strapping or small and fair? His name sounds deliciously exotic. I imagine him with dark hair and piercing dark eyes, eyes which will read my soul and set my body on fire. He will be tall, yes, with a firm, strong build and arms made to sweep me over the threshold on our wedding night.
Suddenly, Olive became aware that she was shifting uncomfortably in her seat. There was a slight dampness between her thighs and as she stared about the reading car, she was grateful for the privacy of her full skirts.
I imagine his mouth to be full, with ruby red lips, ripe for kissing. They will mesh with mine as we begin to consummate our marriage, our tongues meeting wickedly. He will pull back and regard me with passion and speak in a sonorous voice, sending gooseflesh up and down my spine. He will say, “I have waited for you my entire life, Olive. Our lives are now one. Allow me to show you.” Then he will scoop me up in his arms and lay me gently on the bed where he will slowly begin to undo my bodice. I will try to be demure but he will force me to look upon his face, placing gentle kisses onto my skin. I will arch my head back as he slips off my dress –
“Miss, would you care for a beverage?” The steward startled Olive and she jumped guiltily. She blushed crimson and shook her head, her heart pounding so loudly, she was certain he could hear it.
“No, thank you,” she breathed, willing her pulse to steady. She picked up the discarded book on from her lap and stared at the pages as if they were written in a foreign language. She tried to ignore the dull but electric throbbing between her legs.
Perhaps I will take this back to my compartment, she thought, leaping to her feet. She rushed toward her car, averting the eyes of the other passengers. She was certain they could see the sin in her eyes.
The two-week trip was both excruciating and exciting to Olive. The frequent stops began to wear on her nerves as they passed through the states. She longed for the trip to hurry and slow simultaneously.
When they finally arrived in New Orleans eleven days later, Olive was finding it difficult to breathe.
Perhaps I made a mistake agreeing to this, she thought for the first time since embarking on the journey. She reasoned that it was simply her nervousness clouding her judgement but as the locomotive began to slow at the station, Olive was fighting the urge to hide.
Don’t be ridiculous! She scolded herself. Father has found you a wonderful match, one who will care for you and provide a stable life. He will be handsome and doting. You are lucky to have finally found someone. Afterall, no one in New York had any interest in your han
d.
Sighing, Olive collected herself and began to disembark with the other passengers. She had attempted to freshen her appearance before the arrival but she feared she looked a fright after such extensive travel.
I do hope that he will not judge me based on my current appearance. I will be the perfect wife to him, never exhibiting myself in a public forum looking unrespectable.
Slowly, she stepped off the train with the assistance of a porter and began to look about. While New Orleans was a bustling city, it did not boast nearly the numbers of New York. There were several people on the platform but quickly the numbers began to decline as families reunited. Soon, Olive stood staring a single man and her heart caught in her throat.
Is that him? She wondered. He was older than she imagined, likely in his late fifties. He scowled at her as she stared and Olive noticed a gash over his right eye. His clothes did not reflect wealth in the slightest.
“Whatcha starin’ at girl?” he finally growled. “Ya lost?”
Olive exhaled in relief and offered him a smile to reflect her feelings.
“No, sir,” she replied. “I thought you were someone with whom I was acquainted.”
“Well I ain’t!” he snapped back before sauntering off.
Suddenly, Olive was aware she was alone on the platform. She turned to locate her two trunks.
Oh, he is running late, she thought with discontent. She had envisioned their reunion to be shy but connective. She swallowed her disappointment and perched on the edge of a bench, carefully watching the clock. The minutes ticked by painfully and Olive found herself wringing her hands.
Has he been detained? Or perhaps he had the day of my arrival confused? If he had been detained, surely he would have sent word. I will go to the ticket booth and ask if he does not appear soon.
Bad, Very Bad Shifters- The Complete Mega Bundle Page 68
