Martha Schroeder by Lady Megs Gamble

Author:Lady Megs Gamble [Gamble, Lady Megs]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

When they came out of the church, the sky was dark again and rain began to come down in gusty spurts, which turned to solid sheets as they ran for the carriage. Meg’s pink dress was drenched before she could scramble inside, and she dropped her bouquet in the mud. Gerald waved them off from the church porch, but Annis ran out to rescue the bedraggled roses. She was to stay the night at Mattingly Place.

Meg had protested that it wasn’t really necessary. There was no reason why Annis shouldn’t come home with her and James. She and James were going to start their married life as she meant it to go on, very simply and at Hedgemere. There would be no wedding trip—there were no relatives they wanted to visit, after all, and their first night should be spent without ceremony, as if it were any other night. Meg hoped to slip into marriage quietly, pretending to be an old married couple until they in fact became one. But the Mattinglys and Annis insisted that she and James should have some time alone.

Meg went upstairs to change her dress. Without thinking, she pulled out her dark blue riding habit, as if this were indeed just another day instead of the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Perhaps though, the old dress was going a bit far since it was her wedding day.

Her wedding day. Meg sank down onto the bed with its gold silk counterpane. James was her husband now. She smiled to herself. His smile when he slipped the ring on her finger had been as intimate as a kiss, and his actual kiss had been warm and welcoming. Excitement tinged slightly with apprehension sent shivers down her body.

James. She was married to James. Another shiver. A special day after all, it seemed.

Yes, indeed, something a little more festive than her working clothes was called for. She found a simple dress in a soft, muted green color that she hoped James would think brought out the green in her eyes. She brushed her hair and twirled in front of the mirror, looking at herself from all angles, trying to see if James would be pleased. Embarrassed at her vanity, she turned away and went downstairs to find James.

He waited for her at the foot of the stairs, tall and imposing, his face lighting up at the sight of her. Without a word, he took her hand and led her into the library. His eyes held a disturbing light. He clearly did not believe this was just another day.

No, James had other ideas.

In front of the cozy fireplace a small mahogany table had been placed. It glowed with crystal and silver. A bottle of wine stood on a small stand nearby. Meg looked around. He must have conferred with Meadows and Mrs. Meadows while Meg dressed and countermanded her directions. He had ordered a wedding luncheon—or, really breakfast in her case. She had been much too nervous to eat that morning.

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