27
Victoria ate a few pieces of bread and jam and took a long, hot bath after Callum left to retrieve his belongings from the boarding house. Once she poured herself a cup of tea, she felt quite a bit better about everything. Funny how a few comforts could make such a difference. She sat on her bed and began thinking over her life, from the time her father had died to Callum sweeping into her world and saving her. While it slightly irked her that, in the end, a man had come to her rescue, somehow it seemed that because it was Callum, she would have to accept all that had occurred. And it wasn’t as though she had been completely useless. He had simply… helped things along.
Her lips curled into a soft smile as she thought of their first meeting, how contrary they had been to one another while on the ship. She had always thought love would come in one sweeping moment when she would gaze on someone and her heart would instantly fill, but now she knew that love was not always like that. Perhaps sometimes it was — she had certainly immediately lusted after Callum even when she hadn’t liked him all that much — but it seemed more often than not that love was really something that grew over time after coming to know someone better and learning how to trust them and lean on them in the truly necessary times.
She knew Callum’s destiny was to return to Scotland. She had resolved that she would follow him there, but now that it had become an actuality, she was overwhelmingly apprehensive about it. She had really come to love it here, and had just reconnected with Aunt Sarah. But she was married now and she couldn’t — nor did she want to — leave Callum. So go she would.
* * *
Callum welcomed the reprieve to collect his thoughts as he returned to the boarding house to gather up his few belongings. He knew wherever he was going it would include Victoria, but he had seen the panic in her eyes she hadn’t been able to hide when she spoke of the future in Scotland. As much as she might say she’d be happy returning across the ocean, he knew she’d found a home here.
What was he supposed to do about that? Should he stay? Could he stay? He had responsibilities at home, but he enjoyed the country here, with the freedom to make a life for himself and not take on what was pre-destined for him. As he’d made clear to Victoria, however, his word was solid and bound him to return to his father as much as it did to keep her by his side.
Exactly why he’d tried to stay away from her. He sighed.
He thanked Mrs. Johnson, telling her only that he would no longer be needing the room. She, of course, had already heard of all that had transpired and was not surprised. Callum packed his few belongings in his bag, tidied his room, and strode down the street toward his new lodging. As he climbed the porch steps, he could hear Charlie’s loud laughter from inside, and he smiled to himself. These were good people. He opened the door to find not only Sarah and Charlie but Maisie, Gilbert, and Archie as well. Apparently, they had heard of the wedding and had come to offer their congratulations. As Callum entered the revelry and chorus of voices, Sarah took him aside and enveloped him in a warm embrace.
“Callum, I didn’t properly thank you earlier for all you’ve done. Not only have you kept Victoria from Lansing, but I know you’ll do well by her. I only wish I could have been there. For the wedding… and for Edward Travers the Third being told off by the two of you and a priest!” Sarah pealed into laughter. “Oh, and I’d be more than happy to have the two of you stay with me until you can build a home of your own. What fun it will be.”
Victoria turned away before Sarah could see her expression, but Callum noticed the sorrow that had filled her face. As the wife of a future clan leader, they wouldn’t be building a house here, as soon enough they would be returning to Scotland, where they would live with the McDougall clan. How was Victoria going to tell Sarah she would be leaving so suddenly after their reunion? Callum couldn’t imagine.
“Victoria?” Maisie’s voice, calling to his wife, broke through Callum’s troubled thoughts. “I must ask you something. We were so excited to hear of your wedding, and, well, it has us thinking. You see, Gilbert and I,” her discomfort was obvious and Gilbert turned the color of his hair. “We are not… actually married, and we were hoping that, perhaps, I mean, do you think Father John would marry us too?”
“Maisie!” exclaimed Victoria, her eyes wide. She clearly longed to ask additional questions, but Callum noticed she swallowed her curiosity and masked it with a smile. “Of course he would. I cannot believe you never told me!”
“We were so judged at home.” Maisie glanced at the floor for a moment before lifting her gaze, her eyes swimming in tears. “I am quite beneath Gilbert’s station, and he was promised to another. I was a maid in their house, you see, and we fell in love. His father would not allow the marriage, even when I became with child. We decided to leave. Gilbert gave up everything and traveled here to prepare a home for us. We decided to come as a married couple, but now that we are here, we would like to make our marriage true before God.”
“How different yet alike our stories are,” murmured Victoria, “running from the past to a new life. I’m sure Father John will marry you. And how exciting — to plan a wedding!”
Callum watched with a smile on his face as Victoria helped the stuttering Maisie and Gilbert announce their plans to the others with a few explanations and joined in the merriment of the assembled group. Callum couldn’t wrench his gaze away from his wife. This land held so many surprises, and for the first time, the thought of leaving brought sorrow to his own heart… for more reasons than what Victoria’s feelings on it might be.
* * *
That evening as Victoria readied herself for bed, unease rolled through her stomach. She knew she was supposed to be an ecstatic, excited young bride welcoming her new husband into her bed, but she felt more awkward than anything. It had all happened so fast. One moment she was trying to push away her feelings for Callum, and the next she was married to him. Now she was waiting for him in her — their — bedchamber, which had become cluttered with his things — a pair of boots beside the door, trousers casually thrown over the chair in front of her mirror.
She felt short of breath and sat down on the pants with her head in her hands. “What did I do?” she said aloud. It had been one thing to lie with him outdoors with pine trees for walls and the night sky as a ceiling, but it was quite another to be here with him in her bedroom in Aunt Sarah’s house. Would he expect them to do — that — here?
She was so preoccupied with her thoughts she didn’t even hear Callum come in. She jumped when she felt his hands on her shoulders. “Callum! I…”
“Shhh,” he said softly. “Ye don’t have to say anything.”
His hands brushed her hair to one side of her face and he began to gently knead the tight knots in her neck and shoulders. Her head rolled from one side to the other as the tension ebbed from her body. She closed her eyes for a few minutes, and when she opened them, he was gazing at her in the mirror. He held out his hand to her and said, “Come, get some sleep.”
She shimmied into the bed and turned to face the window. He slipped in behind her and cupped her into the curve of his body. He put his arm around her, seeming content to simply hold her for the night. She had been troubled when he walked in because of the rushed and hurried nature of their marriage along with the uncertainty and the unease at where they stood with one another and what shape their future together would take. But he had seemed to know instinctively that what she needed right now was the security of his arms.
She was comforted by his quiet presence behind her but confused as to whether she was supposed to do anything further, or wait for him to take initiative. Or did he just want to sleep? Or did he not want her anymore after their first time together? Or—
“Victoria. I can hear you thinking,” Callum said in a soft voice. “Relax.”
Relax? She thought. What did that mean? Relax so they could make love again, or relax so they could sleep?
“Would you like to talk about what’s bothering you?
” he asked, his hands upon her shoulders.
“What are we supposed to do now?” she said, her words coming out in a rush.
"Do?”
“Yes. Do we… do… what we did last night? Or… do you not want to do it anymore?”
“Victoria,” he said with a soft, low chuckle. “Of course I want to make love to you again. I think I will always want to make love to you. However, a lot has happened in the last few days and I don’t want to push you into doing anything you do not want to do.”
“I think I do want to. As long as we’re quiet. Aunt Sarah is really just down the hall.”
“I can do quiet if you can.”
Still spooning her from behind, Callum tweaked her nipple with his fingers, rolling it gently through her nightgown until she lightly whimpered, needing more from him. Then he grasped the garment from the bottom and lifted it over her head in one swift motion. She nuzzled back against him and he softly stroked the underside of her breast, and then grazed her ribcage up and down with his fingertips, causing her to tremble from her head to her toes. He inched his way down to the center of her and began to stroke her most sensitive spot until she was pressing into his hand with need.
He put slight pressure on her hip and she turned around at his slight urging as he ran his fingers through her hair. He kissed her long and deep, before nudging her onto her back and framing her face with his arms. He trailed soft kisses down her body, then entered into her with tenderness. Victoria’s cries were caught in his mouth as it covered hers while he began rocking into her, her legs wrapping around his hips as she moved with him. The bed gave a little rock and bang, and she giggled as he cursed under his breath.
They moved together in harmony, building to a crescendo until she found her release, urging him into his own.
Afterward, as they lay together once more, Victoria’s distracting thoughts fled as she finally fell into a deep, blessedly dreamless sleep.
28
The next week flew by with Victoria and Sarah splitting their time between working with the doctor and preparing for Maisie and Gilbert’s wedding. Callum spent his days tracking down leads with Angus and his nights with Victoria, exploring the pleasures of marriage. They laughed and teased, altogether immensely enjoying each other, but there was still an invisible barrier between them, one built of unspoken feelings and apprehension of the future.
Callum held onto a thread of hope that Gregor remained alive, but as of yet he had not been able to find any definitive proof with which to confront the three Hudson’s Bay men. He had a few strands of clues, such as Mrs. Johnson’s remark about the additional amount of food she had been having to prepare as of late, and Charlie’s remembrance of an odd arrangement the men had bought some time ago, including sheets and other necessities men living at a boarding house were not likely to need. They had claimed it was for when they were out on the trail, but Callum wondered if that were altogether true.
Callum and Angus had been searching nearby, in hopes they would come across wherever Gregor was being kept. Angus had wanted to question the men, but Callum was concerned that would lead them to killing Gregor or refusing to share his whereabouts. He had tried to track them, but so far anytime he had done so they went only where they had said they were going to, which was most often hunting, trapping, or down to the pub.
Lost in his thoughts, Callum pushed open the door to Sarah’s house, ready for a meal and sleep. Instead, he instantly froze at the sight in front of him. “Ladies! My apologies, I—”
“Oh no, come in Callum.” Maisie stood in the center of the room, absolutely beaming in a long cream gown. “What do you think? Charlie had the fabric in his store, and Sarah is so smart with the needle, she brought it together for the wedding.”
“You look absolutely beautiful, Maisie,” said Callum sincerely, bending low and raising her hand to his lips, causing her to blush. “Gilbert is a very lucky man.”
He glanced over at Victoria. She was staring at her friend, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. As always, Callum was caught off guard by the fact that this beautiful woman was his wife. And while no one could deny that Victoria was a looker, it wasn’t just her face that attracted all to her. It was her spirit. Like the way she was right now, living completely in the moment and soaking up all it offered to her. She let all worries and doubts go in order to enjoy such moments as this one. She radiated her emotions, as though soaking in the brilliance surrounding her allowed it to shine out of her. It was the other emotions he was concerned about — those that shared her vulnerable side.
“Victoria,” he said quietly, walking over to her side, “whatever is the matter?”
“Oh, nothing at all!” Victoria said, wiping away the tear. “She is such a beautiful bride. I simply love weddings. Now you must go, Callum, as I don’t want you to see the dress I will be wearing until Maisie’s wedding day. I know there is no reason for you not to, but I would like to be able to surprise you with something. Now go!” She gave him a little nudge with a laugh.
He took the stairs up to their room, but her words resonated with him on the way. She loved weddings? She was practically crying at Maisie in her wedding dress. And she had been married in borrowed shoes and no undergarments, with strangers as witnesses. He had never considered the fact that she had missed such fripperies. In fact, he hadn't thought much at all beyond the actual ceremony and the legalities of it all.
They were married, and that was all that mattered — wasn’t it?
* * *
When Victoria came to their room some time later, Callum was sitting up in bed, stripped down to his breeches as he waited for her.
Victoria softly shut the door and then leaned against it. As always, she admired the sight of her husband, his strong chest atop the muscled abdomen that tapered into a vee. Sighing wistfully she said, “I’m so excited for Maisie, Callum. She deserves happiness again. And this wedding will be such fun.”
“Victoria,” he replied, worrying her with the seriousness in his tone as he extended his hand out to her. “I realized something today and I must apologize to you. I stole your wedding from you. Ye never had the opportunity to wear the beautiful dress or to have Sarah see you walk down the aisle. Ye didn’t have the flowers or the church or any of the wedding rituals that, I should know from my sister, young women dream about. I never gave it any thought. Your wedding night was spent in the woods!”
She pulled her hand back, then crawled on the bed, kneeling overtop his legs and cradling his face in her hands. “How can you be serious about this? Callum, you gave me everything I could have wanted. Because of you, I was set free of the binds that had held me since my father passed. You gave me hope again. And I loved our night in the woods — truly I did. In fact,” the corner of her mouth curled as she smiled down at him wickedly, “perhaps we should try it again sometime.”
His face had relaxed during her speech, and he pulled her against him, hooking his arm around her and hugging her chest in to his neck. “We should, should we? I think I could likely arrange that.”
“The day after the wedding?”
“Sure, Victoria, the day after the wedding.”
Laughing, they rolled together over the bed.
* * *
Saturday, Maisie’s wedding day, brought absolutely perfect weather. The sun was a brilliant ball of light, a shining backdrop to her fitted cream dress, complete with a beautiful lace bodice and flowing material. Victoria helped Maisie lift her skirts high off the dusty ground to keep them clean as they walked down the house steps to the carriage.
Victoria smiled as she felt the soft satin of her own dress rustle around her ankles. She was in love with the sky blue material, a color Sarah said was the perfect complement to her complexion. A single braid adorned the waistband of the dress, offsetting a simple bodice and three-quarter length sleeves. Callum, Gilbert, and Charlie helped Maisie, Archie, Sarah, and Victoria into the carriage, before climbing aboard themselves. As Charlie sent the hors
es clomping down the street heading for Lebret, Victoria closed her eyes, angling her face toward the sun’s shining light as she held her hat in place and leaned into Callum’s arm, wrapped securely around her waist. They left behind the dust of town, the fresh scent of evergreens and elm trees now filling her senses, and she basked in the beauty of it all.
Victoria opened her eyes and discovered Callum studying her. She looked at him quizzically, catching a sense of seriousness in his gaze, and her smile faltered as she wondered what was on his mind.
“Callum, are you all—”
She was stopped mid-sentence as the carriage came to a jarring halt in front of the chapel.
“Here we are,” said Charlie in his usual jovial manner. The moment between Callum and Victoria was broken as they all began to disembark.
“My goodness,” Sarah muttered to Victoria as they made for the church. “The two of you best get things sorted. And do it soon.”
With a pointed look, she led the rest of them into the church.
Then all but the wedding before them was forgotten as they stepped through the doors. The six of them assembled around Father John, who beamed at them as they gathered in the comfortable space in front of the altar.
“Wonderful to have you back,” said the priest, smiling at Callum and Victoria. “And may I say how happy I am to marry the two of you, Maisie and Gilbert, today.”
With that, he carried on with the ceremony. Gilbert smiled nervously while Maisie cried all the way through to “I do.” Callum stole a glance at Victoria, and she gave him a secret smile as they silently remembered their own ceremony, before Victoria returned her focus to her friend.
It was perfect. Even when Archie interrupted everything in order to be held by his mother, a sense of peace and joy overrode all else.
Callum’s Vow: The Victorian Highlanders Page 18