Storm Ravaged (Storm Damages 2) (Storm Legacy) (21 page)

“I just heard.” He salutes me with his still full tumbler. “So tell me the details—when, where?”

“Sunday, December 7, at Winterleagh Castle as tradition demands. After our honeymoon, she’ll return to D.C. to take her final exams and then we’ll come home to London.”

Brianna startles at the announcement.

“A Christmas wedding, The family hasn’t had one of those in a good long time.” Royce contributes, seemingly unaware of Brianna’s reaction.

“Not since medieval times, I believe.”

“Wait. Back up a bit. You’ll both return to London?” A frown creases Brianna’s brow. “I don’t understand. Elizabeth mentioned she’d remain in D.C. to finish her studies and that you planned to move to New York City to head the Storm Industries branch.”

“She’ll finish her studies in London.”

“And she’s agreed to this?”

“She will, like she’s agreed to everything else.”

“Gabe, did you tell her you were moving to New York City to head the Storm Industries North American branch?”

“Yes. I had to. She wouldn’t agree to marry me otherwise.”

“What?”

“After the closing, she told me she wanted to put the baby up for an open adoption. I nixed the plan, asked her to marry me. She balked and only relented when I told her she wouldn’t be far away from our child because I planned to move to New York City to head up our branch.”

“So you lied to her.”

I brush nervous fingers across my brow. “If she didn’t marry me, our son would not inherit the title. Don’t you see?”

“I see you lied to her. What’s going to happen when she discovers the truth?”

“Nothing. We’ll be married by then.”

“Gabe, you have to tell her before the wedding.”

Something strong and hot surges within me. “No, I’m not, and you’re forbidden from telling her. I lost Edward to an assassin in Honduras, and this fool almost died in a South American jungle. I can’t lose Liz and our child. I won’t lose them.”

“It wasn’t
that
dire,” Royce says, referring to his bout of sickness.

“Then why aren’t you drinking, Royce? By now, you would have been on your third drink.”

He shrugs but doesn’t say anything.

“For so many years, I fought for you, for Royce, even for Edward, knowing all the while she could do something to tear you away from me. In the natural way of life, you’ll go your own way. But a wife, a child, those are mine. Mine. I need something of my own. Something that can’t be torn from me.”

“Darling, you won’t lose us, no matter what.”

“Liz and the baby are mine. And I won’t allow anyone, not God nor mortal man or woman to take her, or our child, away from me. So promise me you won’t tell her about my plans.”

I’m shaking so much from the emotions coursing through me, the ice in the glass I’m holding rattles around in the glass.

Bri wraps her arms around me. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep your secret, won’t we, Royce?”

He nods in agreement, seemingly dumbfounded by my loss of control.

Neither voices the obvious. I won’t allow anyone to tear Liz away, but what if she herself chooses to walk away from me?

Chapter 27

______________

Elizabeth

AFTER MY LAST CLASS ON THURSDAY, I’m whisked to Dulles Airport where Gabriel’s corporate jet waits to fly us to London. I arrive at the plane to find CeCe, Casey, and his fiancee, Gina, waiting for me. Against all odds, I actually sleep on the plane which contains a nice comfy bed.

In London, we’re transported to Winterleagh Castle where Gabriel, his family and the wedding guests expect us. We’d settled on twenty of them. His brother and sister, of course, close friends. His parents do not attend. The official story was they suffered from precarious health. True enough of his father, but his mother? Apparently, she’d suffered a nervous breakdown and could not handle the excitement of a wedding. I doubt anyone believes that farradiddle, but the guests go along with the plan.

The wedding will take place on Sunday. With events scheduled for the entire weekend, Gabriel invited all twenty guests to stay at the castle. After the ceremony, we will spend one day at Winterleagh before leaving for our honeymoon. Gabriel, being Gabriel, has planned everything down to the smallest detail.

Winterleagh Castle sparkles and shines with Christmas greenery and ornaments. Holly is strewn throughout every corridor, nook and cranny, and a great big Christmas tree presides over the Great Hall. Mistletoe hangs over the entrance to each room, giving him the opportunity to kiss me every time I cross a threshold.

Brianna makes the mistake of entering alongside Jake, her bodyguard. After he offers her a peck on the cheek, they drift apart, Brianna flustered for once.

Dinner bears no resemblance to the one I experienced last July at the castle. This one’s much more casual with everyone taking their seats where they wish. Since most of those present are close friends, no awkward moments arise. After dinner, Bri and CeCe steal me away to a bachelorette party. Surrounded by body guards, we still manage to have fun at the local village pub where male strippers have been brought in for our viewing, and touching, pleasure.

Seeing how the ceremony will take place in the afternoon, on my wedding day I’m allowed to sleep late. I wake up nervous, excited, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Gabriel would have no problem calming me down. But since tradition forbids me to see him until the service, he’s nowhere in sight.

Brianna and CeCe keep me company throughout the day, but as the time for the pomp and circumstance draws near, my nerves get the better of me. Am I doing the right thing? There’s no going back from this. I may not have wanted to wed, but marriage is a sacred institution, not to be entered into lightly.

The hairdresser and makeup artist Bri arranged to meet us here take care of Bri and CeCe’s dos before they turn to me. As befits their family tradition, my hair’s left loose and flowing down my back. The stylist is putting the finishing touches in my coiffure, tiny sparkling diamond-like stones strewn through my hair, when a knock sounds on the door.

A servant dressed in medieval garb—a tunic, leggings, and leather shoes attached with straps. He bows as he offers a gold box festooned with a bright red ribbon. “From Lord Ainsley to his bride-to-be with his compliments.”

With shaking hands, I open the envelope that accompanies the box. “All my love, G.” Within the velvet-lined box resides a sparkling tiara dripping with shiny stones.

My eyes practically bug out. “Those diamonds are not real, are they?”

Brianna takes the tiara from me. “Yes. They are. Storm brides have worn this for centuries, Liz.”

After I’m tucked and laced into the wedding gown, she places the tiara on my head. Since she’s so tall, it’s an easy task for her. She fixes the tiara beneath the shimmering veil which cascades down to my fingertips. She turns me and finally, finally, I see myself in the mirror.

Why, I’m beautiful! My eyes sparkle with emotion, my lips glow with a soft rose pink. The gown flows from my shoulders into an empire waistline bedecked with more sparkly tiny diamonds, the sleeves tight to the elbow and then split open to cascade down in soft, flowing chiffon. And the decolletage? Well, let’s just say my boobs are in full display. “You don’t think the girls will fall out, do you?” I ask, tugging up the neckline.

“No. The seamstress did a great job constructing the gown.” She brushes a hand against the stays which hold up the dress on the sides.

“You’re stunning, Liz.” Tears shimmer in CeCe’s eyes.

“Pregnant belly and all.”

Brianna peals out a laugh. “Actually several Storm brides have come to the wedding altar bearing proof of their husband-to-be’s virility.”

“Darn. And here I was hoping I would be the first.”

“You’re first in Gabriel’s heart. And that’s all that counts.”

First in his heart? I don’t think so. But he’s played the besotted groom so well, even his sister believes he’s in love with me.

I remind myself we are doing this for our baby.

CeCe and Bri’s gowns, although not as elaborate as mine, are also of medieval construct, with deep decolletages and long flowing sleeves.

A knock on the door signifies it’s time to leave. The dresser hurries to envelop me with the last finishing touch, an ermine-lined cape draped around my shoulders to keep me from growing too cold. Part of the ceremony will be conducted outdoors.

Bri hands me my wedding bouquet, a mixture of red roses, lilies of the valley and baby’s breath. I take a deep breath, and CeCe opens the door.

Casey stands right outside, looking very handsome in the groomsmen version of medieval garb, a dark flowing coat that falls to his knees over trousers, with a sword tied to his belt. Bri precedes me down the Adams staircase with CeCe following behind, and Casey and I bringing up the rear.

At the bottom of the stairs, I’m greeted by an entire array of all the castle servants dressed in similar costumes. Lined along the length of the Great Hall, they smile and bow as we walk by.

“Breathe”—Casey reminds me—“before you pass out.”

I take a deep breath, well as much as I can take in the constricting gown. How on earth people wore these types of garments for hours at a time is beyond me.

We finally make it to the castle’s massive front door where we take a right. The chapel shares a wall with the castle, but it must be reached from the outside. It’s a cold, breezy day, with lots of sun. The bright light hurts my eyes, momentarily blinding me

I open them to find Gabriel standing on the front steps with Royce to his side and the officiant who will marry us on the top step, holding a big book close to his chest. He looks exactly the way a minister should, white hair and a kind smile.

“Welcome, milady.”

I don’t know what to do, so I nod in acknowledgment of the greeting.

He waves his free hand about. “God blessed you with a beautiful day for your nuptials. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, Sir.” My voice sounds unsure. I wish Gabriel would turn around and acknowledge my presence, instead of staring straight ahead at the congregation through the chapel’s open door.

My hand trembles in Casey’s arm. He presses it for reassurance.

The minister offers another kind smile, opens his book and reads from it. “God is love, and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.”

Gabriel’s hanging on to the minister’s every word, a solemn look on his face. He’s yet to glance at me.

From somewhere within the chapel, an organ peals out a hymn, accompanied by a choir of voices. The minister turns and leads us down the aisle. Gabriel and Royce, Brianna and CeCe, Casey and me.

When we reach the altar, Casey waits until the hymn finishes before gently pulling back my veil. He kisses me on the cheek, and steps into the first row, where Gina waits for him.

And still Gabriel hasn’t looked at me.

The minister offers more prayers that seem to go on forever. And then suddenly, he’s addressing us.

“The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence
of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts;
therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.”

Both of us remain silent.

“Gabriel James, will you take Elizabeth Marie to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”

“I will.” Gabriel’s firm voice echoes in the chapel.

When it comes to my turn, my voice wavers. Not only am I about to pass out, but the chapel’s bloody freezing.

Another hymn is sung while I sway on my feet. And then the minister invites us to hold hands. I swallow back a moan of ecstasy from Gabriel’s warmth. Finally, blessedly he turns to look at me, all the emotion in the world in his gaze, eyes practically brimming over with tears. How could I have doubted him knowing what our wedding means to him?

“I, Gabriel James, take you, Elizabeth Marie, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.”

With Gabriel now lending me his support, my vow is stronger than the puny thing I offered before. After more prayers, we exchange rings. And then finally it’s time for us to kiss.

Okay, I have to admit, I practically jump him seeking more of his warmth and strength. The kiss is everything a wedding kiss should be—tender, loving, with just a hint of tongue. Giving as much as I’m getting, I clutch at him with all the joy my heart will allow. He kisses the palm of my hand afterward. From the look on the minister’s face, I gather that’s not part of the ceremony. Gabriel hurries us up the aisle. Outside, he picks me up and twirls me around and around. I grow dizzy, breathless, before he drops me back on my feet and kisses me, the way he usually does, with lots of tongue. As the guests gather around us, applauding the passionate kiss, his mouth splits in the most luminous smile I’ve ever seen on him.