MAIL ORDER BRIDE: ARISTOCRAT: The Duke’s Engagement (Historical Victorian Duke Romance) (New Adult Romance Short Stories) (9 page)

The days flew by and Tina spent most of her time knitting and talking with her mother.  Her mother was so proud of Tina for going through with the mail-order bride plan and was so reassuring that she was going to have a nice life with William.  Tina did not let on that she was very disappointed and had this secret romance with Jacob.  When Wednesday finally arrived, she made her way to the park at the appointed time and found Jacob waiting for her, reading a novel.  As she approached he heard her footsteps and looked up at her.  They made eye contact for a while, and then she approached and sat down next to him.  “It’s good to see you, Tina,” said Jacob.

“Likewise! I had butterflies in my stomach the whole way over here.  Jacob, it’s awful.  My family is making me marry this cold, old man who has a lot of money but is not very nice.”

“Well they probably just want what’s best for you,” he responded.  “But I know how it is to feel as though you have to do something when you don’t want to.”

“When I’m around you I don’t feel as though I am being forced into anything.  I am with you because I want to be.  That wonderful day we had with my friends and the picnic was one of the best days that I can remember.  I just want more of those in my life.”

“Well let’s not lose touch.  Even if you do end up marrying this fellow, you and I can still have meetings like these.  Although we will have to be very discreet about it, otherwise things could get ugly.”

“What if we made our affair public.  I know that you can’t support me right now, but what if, after I married William, you showed up on the scene.  Then you two would have to duel, would you not?”

“Yes, if I showed up after you two were married things would likely end in a duel.  But I think I could best him.  I am very quick to the trigger and I have won many duels in my life.”

“So why don’t we go through with it? Why don’t I marry him and then find some of his money and bring it out to you? And then when we’ve cleaned him out substantially you can make your interest in me public, and then William would have to have a showdown with you.  Once you beat him, you and I could leave town and have a nice little life together.”

“It’s an interesting plan.  Let’s see if we can make it work.”

The two of them spent the evening in each other’s arms on the bench, watching the leaves fall.  At one point they got up and walked around the park a little bit, seeing the squirrels and birds run about.  Then Tina asked, “Are you a good duelist?”

“I have been in over 25 duels and needless to say I’ve won them all.” Tina was impressed.

That night in her bed Tina thought about Jacob.  She thought about his strong arms and imagined them hugging her.  He imagined the two of them lying in bed together, sharing an intimate moment.  She knew that her plan would work, and that they would be able to get rid of William shortly after they were married.  She was not looking forward to consummating the marriage, however.  She thought maybe she could get William drunk enough so that he passed out before the deed could be done.

The next morning at breakfast, Tina, Dorothy, and Henry sat at the table eating porridge.  Henry and Dorothy were still very content at their meeting William the night before.  They thought that things were wrapped up quite nicely in a neat little package.  Their daughter was going to marry a rich, successful man who could provide for her.  Little did they know of her own plans that she was hatching underneath the surface.

“Mother, I’d like to go horse-back riding with Kate today, if it is alright with you,” announced Tina suddenly.

“Well I had planned on giving you another sewing lesson this afternoon, but I do suppose it would be alright.  You need your socializing time and horse-back riding is a fine pursuit, your father and I both agree on that.”

So that afternoon Tina walked over to Kate’s house and asked her if she wanted to go horse-back riding in the fields and orchards around their houses.  Kate very much did, so they saddled up and went riding.  They covered a lot of territory and found some excellent, beautiful scenery in the woods and in the fields.  All of a sudden, when in a shaded part of the woods, they walked into an ambush.  A total of four bandits laid in waiting for them, two in front and two that jumped behind them.  They were surrounded.  The tallest of the four bandits, their leader, spoke up: “We’ll be taking those purses off of ya.  Not to mention those thoroughbreds.  I’m sure we can find a better use for them than yas.  Now, go along, be quick about it.”

Tina and Kate were in such shock that they did not know how to answer.  Plus, neither of them had ever had a real live pistol pointed at them before.  Now there were four.  Tina slowly removed her purse from her arm and began to hand it to the tall bandit.  Kate took Tina’s lead and did the same.  Tina felt crushed because she had a lot of cash in her wallet that she was saving for an outing with Kate and Eric.

Just as the lead bandit began cackling to himself about the great score he was about to walk away with, a shot was fired from behind him and a red explosion of blood erupted from his chest.  Then three more shots were fired and the three other bandits went down as well.  Tina had no idea who the mystery man was who saved them and vanquished the bandits.  She was too much in shock to dismount and look around.  So she stayed put.  And then, from the shadows, emerged none other than Jacob Farraway.  “Thought you two could use some help,” said Jacob coolly.

Tina was speechless.  So Kate jumped in.  “Oh my gosh! You came at the very best time! How did you know we were here and needed help?”

“I was walking along this path from a friend’s house and heard some commotion,” explained Jacob.  “So I hid in the shadows to determine what was going on.  Luckily I had my loaded carbine shot on me so that I could quickly dispatch of your so-called robbers.  Wasn’t it lucky that I was here right when you needed me the most?”

Tina was still shock.  But she managed to muster a reply: “Lucky hardly even covers it.  You are my hero and saviour!”

Tina swung her leg over and dismounted her horse.  She ran up to Jacob and gave him an enormous hug and a kiss on a cheek.  She could not see Kate’s reaction to this but somehow knew that she was smiling broadly at this act.  Kate knew, as any best friend would, that Tina had found love.  Tina’s resolve to carry through with their plan of eloping after having married William was stronger than ever.

Tina didn’t much feel like riding after this incident.  So she took up her purse from the dead bandit and retrieved her friend’s as well, and the three of them continued down the shady path through the canopy of foliage into the forest.  They were moving west now, away from the orchard, and chasing the sun towards a beautiful evening glow.  Tina and Jacob were afoot, and Kate was still mounted.

“I feel as though we could let Kate in on our plan, Jacob,” announced Tina.  “She is my best friend and would keep any secret if we asked her to.”

“Alright.  Let’s share it with her then,” agreed Jacob.

And so Jacob and Tina included Kate in their little secret.  They told her of how they planned to go ahead with wedding with William Hornhill and how after they were together they she would have meetings with Jacob until finally, by William’s honour, a duel would come about.  Jacob would clearly win this duel and then, with William’s money, Tina and Jacob would be free to live their lives unfettered.

Kate was clearly shocked by this plan as it seemed so drastic to her.  But she could also sense the love between Tina and Jacob and knew that nothing could stand between them.  So she gave them words of encouragement and basically supported them to the best of their abilities.  After another hour or so of walking Jacob decided that he would be off and walked in the direction of his home.  Tina and Kate mounted up and trotted all the way back to Kate’s house where they took care of their two horses and chatted a bit more.  Tina then left Kate and headed back to her own home, adding, “Kate, I’ll see you at my wedding!” Kate nodded sadly but somehow managed to make a smile to see her friend off with.

The week passed very quickly and the day of the wedding approached.  Dorothy helped Tina get ready for it by helping to find the most perfect wedding dress in the entire town f0r her to wear.  Trying it on at the store, Tina had to admit to both herself and her mother that it was beyond stunning.  They made all sorts of other preparations too.  They selected the prettiest roses to ornament the tables.  They found the best band in town to play music to enchant the guests and family members alike.  And the venue of the reception, they picked a beautiful country pavilion house very close to the church where the formal ceremony would be held.  Guests would be able to stroll leisurely to the pavilion and have a seat and drink wine, spirits, beer, and eat to their heart’s content.

Tina wasn’t even nervous about the wedding.  She knew, in the back of her mind, that her relationship with William would not last.  And this realization gave her strength.  Even though Jacob was not a guest at the wedding, he was very much with her in spirit.  As the hour of before the ceremony dawned, Tina was in one of the back rooms of the church getting ready and making final adjustments to her outfit.  She was standing in front of the full length mirror, peering at herself, when she heard the door open behind her.  It was William.  He stepped through and appraised her fully.  There were a few moments of silence until he stepped up to her and put a hand on her cheek.

“You are not supposed to see me before the wedding, William.  It is bad luck,” uttered Tina, summoning as much courage as she could to face him.

“That’s just a silly superstition.  If I want to see my girl before the ceremony, I will.”

“I am not a foreman in one of your mills that you can command.  I am your fiancé.”

Silence ensued.  Then a hard
smack
and Tina’s left cheek was left red and sore.

“Let me get one thing straight with you,” replied William.  “I may not be your boss, but I will be your husband.  You will obey me in all matters.  Is that clear?”

“Y-yes,” stammered Tina.  William quickly turned around and left the room.  Tina was left in shock.  She had not expected such cruelty.  Not even from him.

She brought a hand up to her cheek and examined the mark he had left in the mirror.  It didn’t look too serious.  It just stung a bit was all.  And besides, what was she going to do now?  They were going to be married within half an hour.  There was no way the ceremony was being called off now.

When it was time to enter the church’s main room Tina could hear the beautiful music the organ made before she could see the multitude of guests who had shown up to watch her get married off.  The music was delightful, very classy and old-fashioned.  Just the way her parents liked it.  As she approached the aisle she saw Kate and Eric in the front row.  Kate was very emotional and it looked like she was going to cry at any moment.  Eric was much cooler and looked very handsome and composed.  Dorothy and Henry, her parents, were also in the front row.  They looked very proud.  Especially Henry, who had a big grin on his face as if to say, “I thought this day would never happen.”

As she approached the dais where the minister was stationed, she saw her husband-to-be, William smiling at her.  She saw nothing but cruelty beyond the smile, and was continuously reminded of the violence he had shown her.  She thought, somewhat morosely, that she was probably the only one in the room at this time who knew that dark streak that this man had.  He had been so good at covering it up.  She thought with satisfaction how smooth he would look once Jacob had dealt with him.

The minister said a few words before getting into the nuts and bolts of the service.  After he had asked if there was anyone in the room thought they should not get married, he asked to see the rings.  The rings were brought forth and they each took turns putting it on each others’ fingers.  Her ring was truly magnificent.  It sparkled as only a twenty-four karat gold ring adorned with perfect diamonds could.  And his ring was very nice as well.  Finally, they kissed, and the room erupted in applause.

Next came the post-ceremony celebrations.  They retreated to the pavilion to have a seat and enjoy some amazing food.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  It was a bright, sunny, warm afternoon.  The band played marvellously and there was even quite a bit of dancing amongst the guests.  William, however, did not dance.  He just remained in his seat, looking at Tina as if she were his trophy or something, and accepted continuous congratulations by friends and colleagues who came up to him to shake his hand and offer commendations.   Dorothy and Henry were dancing together, big smiles on both of their faces.  Then Henry came up to Tina and said, “Tina! Don’t look so glum.  This is the happiest day of your life! Come, at least have a dance with your old man.”

So Tina arose and walked over to the middle of the dance floor.  The crowd parted as she gracefully entered the center of the pavilion.  Henry reached out and held her hand.  They came together and moved to the sounds of the music, rhythmically swaying back and forth.  He led her very well, and Tina had to admit, at that point, that she was having a good deal of fun.  She looked over and saw Eric and Kate dancing together as well. 
This wedding is all a charade. 
She knew it.  But still managed to enjoy herself somewhat.

Many hours later, as the festivities were wrapping up, William approached Tina with the intention of taking her back to his bedroom.  Luckily for Tina, he looked quite intoxicated.  She had lucked out.  He seemed too drunk to perform.  So she came back with him to his house – a beautiful mansion on the edge of town – and they both promptly fell asleep in his large bed.