by Dawn Brower
"No need to make things interesting, love. I'm already willing. Now sit back and relax. The rector is expecting us to arrive shortly."
"What rector?"
"The one in the next town. I've made all the arrangements. I already told you I had a special license, didn't I," he said. "In less than an hour you will be my wife. Don't worry you'll get used to the idea.
If Gemma had something to throw at him, it would have already bounced off his head. Liam Marsden had to be the most stubborn male in existence.
"Bloody hell, you are irritating."
"Welcome to my world," he said with a droll smile. "It's all part of the plan, love. Makes life more… intriguing."
Gemma sat back in her seat and fumed. Winning an argument with Liam was akin to dreams becoming reality. No way would he allow her to get ahead. Just like the real world never compared to the bliss of dreams.
Neither one had a chance of happening for her right now. She gave up on her fantasies a long time ago; just as she now gave up on convincing Liam to forego marrying her. It would amount to wasted energy and useless hope.
Gemma knew when to sit back and lick her wounds to fight another day. If she had to be Liam's wife, she'd need a new plan of attack. She had learned from the best and Lily had taught her well. Her fiancé didn't know what he had in store for him.
Gemma didn't give up anything that belonged to her.
Liam would love her or at the very least desire her as much as she did him. With a plan forming in her head, she relaxed, and her lips lifted into a half smile.
CHAPTER THREE
Things hadn't gone quite as Liam had planned it. The situation had gotten out of control when he walked in and saw Alfie's hands all over Gemma. Rage filled him as he fought to restrain himself from murdering the rotten bastard.
How dare he force himself on a woman!
Seeing Gemma fighting off his unwanted attentions had changed his approach to the situation. He had come in prepared for anything, but hoping for the best. Marriage to Gemma was only to be utilized as a last resort. She had been right in assuming the contract was a means to extricate her from her cousins clutches. Liam never thought he'd be grateful for his father's foresight. For once the unwanted betrothal with Lord Devon appeared to be a good thing.
When he'd first heard about it years ago, he'd been angry and disillusioned. So much so he'd listened to his sister's scheme and along with her and his best friend, Noah, he had run away. How serendipitous his father still had the original contract. If Lord Devon hadn't insisted on his father keeping it, they wouldn’t have had the means to extricate Lady Gemma from Alfie's clutches.
Now he found himself on the way to his own wedding.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. He wiped it away with the back of his hand. A flutter of energy dissipated throughout his stomach. Oh hell, he was getting married and soon. What had he gotten himself into?
Liam originally had no intention of going through with the ceremony. Tying himself to one woman was the last thing he wanted at that point in his life. He was too bloody young to even consider the idea. He couldn't back out of the situation now. Fate had decided on a new path for him, and it included Gemma as his wife.
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of a vicarage. Liam leaned forward and looked out the window. He glanced at his bride-to-be and found her to be sitting calming across from him. At least she had stopped arguing with him. Thank goodness for small favors, he didn't want to drag an unwilling bride into the vicarage. What would the vicar think then? How would he explain it? Gemma had to be willing, or it wouldn't work.
"Wait here. I'm going to see if they are ready for us. I will retrieve you once it's time to start the ceremony," he told her.
"Fine."
"You're not going to argue with me?" he asked.
Thank God. The last thing he needed was to fight with Gemma before the wedding. The one he hadn't set up yet. He didn't want her to realize how much he'd been bluffing since he’d walked into the sitting room and found Alfie attacking her.
The urge to protect Gemma became ingrained in his soul in an instant.
Gemma always bickered with him and now wouldn't be a good time for her to unleash her inner wrath. He had come to accept it as second nature for her, but for this to work she needed to project a calm demeanor.
"No point."
Gemma had to be plotting something. Liam knew her too well to believe anything else. His twin sister, Lily, happened to be the queen of devious plans. No doubt she had taught her best friend how to create the most intricate ones. He needed to be at his best if he hoped to thwart whatever rambled through her brain.
"All right. I will be back shortly," he told her as he stepped out of the carriage.
He ambled inside the vicarage and found the clergyman sitting at one of the pews near the altar, his head bent down in prayer. The man obviously hadn't heard Liam walk inside as he only looked up once he stood in next to him.
"Sorry to disturb you," Liam said. "I had hoped you could perform a wedding today."
"Yours I assume?" the vicar asked.
"Yes. I'd like to get married immediately. My fiancée awaits your decision in the carriage."
"I presume you have a special license as the bans have not been read in this vicarage."
"Indeed I do. Will you perform the ceremony?" Liam asked.
"I will as long as you are both willing."
He hoped Gemma wouldn't make a fuss. This was for her own good. If he was willing, she better damn well be too.
"We are."
"Very well, retrieve your young woman. I will perform the ceremony."
Liam nodded and strolled out of the vicarage. Now to get Gemma inside so they could get married without any unforeseen interruptions. He hadn't planned on a wedding that day, but at least everything seemed to be falling into place. She didn't need to know exactly what his original intentions were though. Liam hadn’t wanted to marry her, but he'd been left with no choice. Alfie would never leave her alone if she remained unwed.
He'd always stand by her, and that's all the information Gemma would need to know. That included tying them together forever. He just accepted them as a fact. Gemma needed him therefore he gave her the only thing that would help… himself and everything it entailed.
"It's time Gemma. Follow me inside," he said as he opened the carriage door.
"Do we really need to take it this far?"
"We are not going to go over this again, Gemma. Come inside."
She reached out and grabbed onto his hand for support as she exited the carriage. Her gloved hand slid across his palm leaving a trail of heat. Once her feet hit the ground, she looked back up into his eyes, her jade green eyes staring back at him in defiance.
Liam sighed. She didn't appear too happy at the prospect of being his wife. Too bloody bad—this wasn't an ideal situation in his eyes either.
"If this is my only choice I will make the best of it. Rest assured I do know when to give in and fight another day. I just wanted to make sure that you are positive you want to tie yourself to me forever. I know how you feel about me," she said.
"You have no idea what I feel for you Gemma. You never did. Let's go attend our wedding now. The vicar is patiently waiting for us."
Gemma followed him inside making small steps ensuring a slow progress. Liam could feel his pulse start to race with anticipation. Heat spread through him. Desire he'd never experienced before. A thousand sensations traveled over him leaving him breathless. Soon he would be her husband, but something even more surprising became evident to him.
In a short time, Gemma would be his.
It was simultaneously enlightening and terrifying. He started to shake with the sudden realization—Gemma would soon be his wife. This was truly and utterly happening. She would belong solely to him and no one else. He would have a claim on her that he never realized he wanted. Somehow that made all the difference to him as he turned and waited with extreme patience for her
to join him in front of the vicar.
"I know it's been a taxing day love, but we have an even longer journey back to London," he said with an amused smile. "But I'm a patient man. I'm willing to wait forever to make you mine."
"I know exactly how patient you are Liam. Trust me when I say my fervor matches yours."
"Good. Then we can proceed at a quicker pace. Vicar whenever you wish to begin we are ready," Liam said.
"I am ready now. Please join me here," the vicar said.
They ambled over to join him. The vicar started the ceremony and for Liam it went by in a blur. He barely remembered saying the vows which joined him and Gemma together. Through the entire ceremony, he stared into her green eyes and lost himself in their depths. Something lurked there, something that he hadn't noticed before. He couldn't explain it, but he felt he had missed an important detail. A facet that made Gemma essential to him, but he couldn’t pinpoint the exact element that had changed. Maybe the only real change resided deep inside him. Perhaps Gemma had not changed at all, but how he saw her had.
"You are now man and wife," the vicar said. "You may now kiss your bride."
Liam looked up at the vicar startled at his pronouncement.
"What?"
"Never mind Liam," Gemma said with a disgusted voice. "You don't need to kiss me. We have a long journey ahead. We should go. Thank you again, vicar for marrying us."
Gemma started to leave, but Liam stopped her. He turned her to face him, and he could see how much he had disappointed her. She wanted to kiss him, and he had ruined the moment by being lost in his own thoughts. How could he be so foolish? The least he could do was make this day as happy as possible for her. It wasn't and ideal situation. They should get some enjoyment from their wedding. His heart thrummed hard in his chest and sweat dripped down his neck.
In that instant he realized he wanted to kiss her too.
"I want to kiss my wife."
He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. With as much gentleness as he could muster Liam placed a soft kiss on her lips; with a slow pace he caressed them with his own over and over again. He pulled her into his arms and with gentle hands stroked her back. She let out a small breath of satisfaction.
Liam wanted more, and he promised himself he would have it later. The first taste of her lips left him with a craving like none before. He pulled back and saw his own need reflected in her eyes. They had that at least. An equal desire for each other, but Liam knew he couldn't press her just yet.
If their marriage was to have any chance of becoming anything good, they had to take their time with each other. They had the rest of their lives together. He wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but he looked forward to learning everything he could about his new wife.
"Let's go home, Lady Marsden."
"I don't think I'll get used to that anytime soon," she said.
"You will. Sooner than you realize."
"What's next Liam?"
"Other than going home? We will plan a trip to visit my sister in America. I want to meet my new nephew, and she will want to make sure you are all right. We won't leave right away though. I have some things to take care of before we can make the trip."
Liam nodded at the vicar as they walked out faster than they had come in. They really did have a long journey ahead of them. It would be at least an hour before they made it back to London. He didn't want to waste any time lingering in the church. He helped Gemma back into the carriage, and he settled once again across from her.
"How long do you think before we leave?"
"Two weeks at least, if I can manage to get everything in place that quick. A month at most," he said. "Are you in a hurry to share a small space with me?"
"Not at all. My urgency is a deep desire to see Lily again. It has been three years since she left. I miss her terribly. I too want to meet her new son."
"And you shall. I promise."
"Because you always keep your promises?" she asked with sarcasm as she leaned her head against the side of the carriage.
She might not believe he did, but she'd learn soon enough. Liam was as good on his word. Once given, he made sure he didn't disappoint the person he'd given it to.
"I do indeed, Gemma. Every last one of them," he said with desire in his eyes. "One day you will know exactly how good I am at keeping a promise."
"I think I already know," her voice just above a whisper. "I don't need any demonstrations."
"Don't worry, love. I don't plan on giving one anytime soon. Relax we have a while before we arrive home."
She looked at him and turned her head to look out the window. Her choice not to answer him told him everything she tried to hide. He knew her desire as well as he knew his own. Two years ago she had let him know exactly how much she wanted him. He had turned her away then. A mistake, he knew it now. She didn't fully trust him, but he would rectify that with time. Soon she would see that she could rely on him for anything.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gemma sat in silence for the rest of the trip to London. She still had trouble wrapping her mind around the fact that she had just married Liam Marsden. Saying yes had really only been a token effort on her part; marrying him had always been her secret wish. Perhaps not the wisest choice she had ever made, but she knew that she couldn't turn back and change it. Marriages were not as easily undone as they were to enter into. She only hoped that she wouldn't come to regret her choice. No matter what Liam said, she knew he wouldn't have forced her into the marriage if she had truly been adamant against it. She looked out the window of the carriage and saw the outskirts of London coming into view.
"Not much longer and we will be at our destination."
Liam looked over at her. He had been quiet for the rest of the journey as well. Gemma couldn't help but wonder what he had rolling through his mind. She wished she knew why he insisted marriage was their only option.
"True enough, I'm sure you are as ready to get out of this carriage as I am," he said.
"Probably more so, on your part. You did travel more than I have today."
"More than you know."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Maybe if she got him to talk a little bit she’d figure out what his plan was. Liam had a way of being closed mouthed. Gemma didn’t understand what was going on, but at least she could be thankful to be out of her cousin’s clutches. Even if Liam irritated her, Gemma knew she owed him more than she could ever pay back.
"It's nothing. Suffice to say I had a lot to accomplish in a short time."
"You're not going to tell me are you?" Gemma pursed her lips in displeasure.
"I don't see the point," he said, frustrated. "I'm tired Gemma. Just leave it be."
Liam wouldn't discuss it with her even if he didn't have the excuse of being tired. She wouldn't push the issue… yet. She knew when to let something go and bring it back up at a later time. He may not want to answer her questions now, but he would when she was ready to force him to.
"Fine."
"You're not going to try to make me talk? That's a refreshing change," Liam said.
"I'm in a semi-good mood. Don't ruin it by being an imbecile." Gemma glared at him.
"I'm never without wit, love."
"Truly?" she raised her eyebrow in question. "You could have fooled me."
"Now who's being the difficult one?" he asked with an amused laugh.
"I call it as I see it, love." She emphasized the last word with sarcasm. Gemma believed he mocked her by saying it so offhanded when talking to her. He didn't love her, and she didn't see the point of the charade.
"Do you now?" he asked. A cocky grin filled his handsome face."Should make our lives inherently more interesting."
"Absolutely." Wickedness filled her, and she grinned up at him, letting it shine through.
Maybe she should look at this as an opportunity. One she could use to her advantage. She'd have more freedom as a married woman. As she studied Liam, she real
ized something else.
He was her husband.
By marrying her, he'd give her the right to take certain liberties—with him. Part of her was rather excited at the prospect. A tingle of energy fluttered inside of her. Yes, maybe this marriage thing wouldn't be so bad.
"I don't like that look on you. Whatever idea you just formed I'd advise against it."
Liam had no idea. Gemma wasn’t the meek wallflower he first met. She’d had to grow up and fast. Her father’s death changed everything for her. Losing him—dealing with her awful cousin—it gave her the backbone she’d been lacking before. Her husband had no idea how much courage it had taken her to tell him how she felt about him two years ago. Loving Liam made her brave. Too bad he never returned her feelings. Now he was hers and she’d find a way to make him pay for that slight, without losing her heart to him again.
"Of course you would. I happen to think it’s a rather genius idea."
"Gemma..."
"What?" Innocence resonated through her voice.
"Nothing. I'm not going to humor you with a response. I'm going back to my own corner and enjoy the peace and quiet."
"Coward." Gemma ground her bottom lip between her teeth and raised an eyebrow. She licked the sting from her lip and then asked, "Are you afraid of little ole' me?"
He gave her a scathing look. Some things just didn't change. Liam had always been so easy for her to goad into a response. He failed to realize she only wanted his attention. Something he didn't usually deign to give her. Which is why the marriage had come as a shock to her, Liam usually avoided her. The carriage came to a stop and surprised Gemma. She looked out and saw a townhouse she didn't recognize.
"This isn't Marsden House."
"Of course not, Marsden’s my parents’ home," Liam said.
"I didn't realize you had your own townhouse."
"No reason you would. I haven't had it that long, and we haven't socialized in a while," he said. "Come let's go inside. They are expecting us."
He'd certainly thought of everything. The staff probably had everything arranged for his new wife's arrival. Too bad she'd not been given the luxury of being prepared.