“REPEAT AFTER ME,” Judge Baker instructed in an oratorical tone. “I, Kiernan Deirdre O’Shay, in the presence of those gathered here, take you, Ariel, to be my wife.”
Voice solemn and gazing with earnest purpose into Ariel’s eyes, Kiernan repeated the vows and went on. “I pledge to stand by you, not only in times of joy, but also in times of need.”
Ariel glanced away from Kiernan’s gaze. Kiernan squeezed her hand, obviously wanting Ariel’s attention on her, but Ariel didn’t want to give it.
Kiernan said, “I pledge to be faithful to you, and I will hold you in respect and honor the person you are.” Judge Baker handed Kiernan a ring. “Now place the ring on her finger.” Ariel glanced up, and Kiernan took Ariel’s left hand to slip the ring on her finger. “This ring is a symbol of my pledge to you.” Kiernan’s voice slightly wavered with a rush of unexpected emotion.
Ariel’s eyes darted nervously away.
Judge Baker regarded Ariel, her voice reassuring. “Repeat after me, I, Ariel Lynn Thorsen, in the presence of those gathered here, take you, Kiernan, to be my wife.”
A faint tremor ran through Ariel’s body. Swallowing hard, she repeated the words, her voice trembling, and made the pledge to stand by Kiernan, not only in times of joy, but also in times of need. Lastly, she said, “I pledge to be faithful to you, and I will hold you in respect and honor the person you are.” Tears now threatened to overflow.
Judge Baker handed over the ring. Ariel’s hands shook, so Kiernan gently took the hand holding the ring and guided her.
The judge prompted Ariel with the final promise. Her throat constricted, and Ariel could barely speak. “Th—this—ring is a symbol—of my pledge to you.”
“I now pronounce you married.” Judge Baker gazed on the couple with pleasure and said, “You may now kiss.”
KIERNAN GENTLY PLACED her hands on Ariel’s shoulders, rising up slightly on her toes, and leaned in to give her a kiss. Ariel twisted her head away so that Kiernan ended up placing a kiss on her cheek instead. Ariel did not reciprocate, and Kiernan took Ariel’s left hand back in hers, holding it gently but firmly.
The staff applauded and soon dispersed to help in preparing the dining room for the buffet.
“Kiernan, you and Ariel turn this way, so I can get another picture,” Jack said while holding out a state of the art 3-D digital camera.
Kiernan glanced at Ariel and saw the tears on her cheeks. She turned to Jack, “Perhaps later.”
Kiernan let go of Ariel’s hand, watching as a teary-eyed Joanna made her way to her daughter and hugged her tight. She was dismayed to see mother and daughter weeping, feeling at a loss as to what she should do or say. Both Theodore and Jack offered their congratulations. She accepted them, excused herself, and went over to Judge Baker.
“Thank you, Margaret.”
“I wish you and Ariel the best.” Judge Baker pulled Kiernan in for a hug, whispering in her ear, “Something tells me this will end up being much more than a business arrangement.”
Kiernan let a wistful sigh escape. “We’ll see.”
SETH MOVED OVER to Leigh and asked, “Why are Mom and Ariel crying? I thought you were supposed to be happy at weddings.”
Leigh put her hands on her hips and said, “Nanobrain, mothers do that all the time when their children get married.”
“Where’d you hear that? And why’s Ariel doing it?”
Apparently overhearing their conversation, Theodore walked up to them. “Why, mothers have been crying at weddings since Adam and Eve. Are you two hungry?”
“I’ll say,” Seth said.
“How about let’s sneak into the dining room and see what Kiernan’s chef has prepared. I hear he has all kinds of goodies laid out.”
“Yes,” Seth enthused and shot his fist into the air.
“You’re always hungry,” Leigh said with mock disgust and wrinkled her nose. “Mom needs to check you for worms.”
Theodore said to Seth, “Well, partner, lets you and I do some grub rustling.”
“I’d better go along to make sure Seth doesn’t eat too much and retches-up,” Leigh said.
Kiernan and Judge Baker, overhearing the conversation between Theodore and the twins, laughed.
Judge Baker said, “They’re around three years younger than my grandson, Tony. Only a few weeks ago his main interests were music and food. Now it’s music, food, and members of the opposite sex.”
“Just think, there are two of them who will be going through that stage at the same time. I’d hate to be in Joanna’s shoes.”
“You wait. Your time will come, and you’ll be in those shoes.”
Kiernan shook her head, a slight smile on her face. “That’s a while down the road yet. Let’s get everyone together and have lunch before Uncle Theodore and the twins eat it all.”
Kiernan walked over to Ariel and Joanna. “I have a buffet in the dining room, so why don’t we get a bite to eat.”
Ariel said, “I’m not hungry. I’m going to go upstairs for a while.”
Joanna admonished her daughter. “Sweetheart, you didn’t eat anything this morning. You need to eat something.”
Scrutinizing her bride closely, Kiernan noticed Ariel’s pallid cheeks and weary appearance. In a tone sounding like an order instead of a request, she said, “Come with me. You need to eat, Ariel.”
She took Ariel by the elbow and urged her forward. Balking, Ariel pulled her elbow out of Kiernan’s grasp, her eyes scathing.
Unsettled by Ariel’s reaction, Kiernan leaned back. “Ariel?”
Ariel shut her eyes briefly and then opened them, her expression and voice stilted. “Lead the way.”
Kiernan thought the strain of the day was catching up with Ariel, and food and rest would be what she needed.
ARIEL FLOPPED BACK onto her bed, too tired to remove her dress or unbraid her hair. Her mother and siblings had departed twenty minutes earlier, right after the buffet. Somehow she managed to keep from leaving with her family. She wanted so much to go back to the comfort of her room at home.
“May I come in?”
Ariel jumped, startled by Kiernan’s voice. She quickly stood, apprehension flooding her.
Kiernan, dressed in a pair of jeans and a knit pullover blue turtleneck sweater, said, “I have a wedding present for you, but I think you need to change into something more comfortable before I give it to you.”
An uncomfortable feeling settled on Ariel, thinking Kiernan would stay and watch her undress. Then she remembered the dressing room. “I’ll go and do that now.”
Kiernan must have sensed her unease because she studied Ariel, her mouth tightening. “I’ll wait in the sitting room.”
Ariel removed her dress and went into her closet. She ignored the new clothes Kiernan bought her, selecting a pair of her faded jeans and a white Henley shirt, and quickly dressed. She slipped on her casual, black sport shoes, pulling the Velcro tabs to tighten them.
She found Kiernan in the recliner in the sitting room. Kiernan stood, and Ariel saw her gaze slide over her, no doubt wondering why she wasn’t wearing some of the clothes she had purchased.
“I see you’re ready. Let’s go,” Kiernan said.
Ariel followed Kiernan to the outdoor veranda.
Kiernan drew out her IMP from her front jeans pocket and spoke into it. “Michael, we’re ready.”
The sound of a deep, rumbling roar reached Ariel’s ears. She spun toward the sound and saw a vintage, red hardtop convertible rapidly pull up and stop. Michael exited out of the driver’s side.
“It’s yours, a wedding gift from me. It’s a 2017 Ferrari, with the original hybrid alcohol injection and electric engine.” Kiernan’s expression was expectant.
Ariel didn’t know what to say as she surveyed the sleek lines of the sports car.
Kiernan said, “If you don’t like it, I can have it exchanged for something else.”
“No. It’s—beautiful. Thank you.”
“Let’s go
check it out. You can take me for a ride.” Ariel heard a flirtatious quality to Kiernan’s voice at this last part. They walked down to the car, and Kiernan opened the door for her. “Sit in it, why don’t you, and get the feel.”
Ariel slipped in the driver’s seat, her body fitting comfortably in the plush, black leather bucket seat. She noticed the old-fashioned dashboard with its dials and gauges. This car lacked the safety features of today’s cars. Undoubtedly, Kiernan did her homework, discovering when Ariel won her Harley she was required to take a special class to obtain a license permitting her to operate it and other vintage vehicles.
The price of the Ferrari exceeded the amount Ariel could earn working for ten years as a professor. The permits required to operate a vehicle having an exhaust system, no matter how clean the fuel, were expensive and difficult to obtain, taking months and sometimes up to a year. Then again, Kiernan O’Shay wasn’t one to be denied anything she wanted, whenever she wanted it. Ariel’s stomach lurched at what she thought Kiernan expected as payment, her mind touching on stipulation number nineteen.
Kiernan peered down at her from the open door. “Do you want to take her for a spin? I have all the special permits in case we get stopped by the highway patrol.” She whispered conspiratorially, “I have a radar detection device installed, so you can rev her up.”
Ariel blinked in surprise. Federal laws in the States prevented private ownership of electronic radar detection devices.
Kiernan must have seen her surprise and concern. “Don’t worry, you can easily disable it. Besides, it’s a special sensor Stellardyne developed similar to the ones on our ships used to detect transmissions. Of course, this one is the size of a pinhead with limited range. It’s almost impossible to find in a search and will allow you plenty of warning to slow down before there is a trooper within a mile. So what say we see what she’s got?”
“Some other time. I—I’m tired right now.” She added in a stilted voice, “I thank you for the gift—it’s very nice.”
Kiernan seemed disappointed, which reflected in her voice. “I’ll have Michael park it in the garage. Perhaps we can take that ride after we return from St. Thomas.”
Ariel said with little enthusiasm, “Yes. I’ll drive it then.”
“I’ll walk you back up to your suite so you can rest. I’ll come back at six and take you down to dinner.”
Kiernan held out her hand to assist her from the car. Ariel took her hand but stumbled when exiting the driver’s seat and fell against Kiernan, who folded her in a tight hug. “Are you all right?”
Warm breath wafted across Ariel’s neck. The softness of breasts pressing close sent a delicious shiver rippling down her spine. Confused by her reaction, she pulled away and mumbled, “Yes.”
For an instant, she locked eyes with Kiernan’s, which seemed to see her every thought. Quickly, she turned away, but not before seeing those eyes widen and brighten with what appeared to be desire. Heat flushed Ariel’s face from both embarrassment and something she refused to name. Then a torrent of ice water filled her veins when remembering she had signed the contract and agreed to every stipulation in it—including number nineteen.
“HOW’S THE SALMON?” Kiernan asked.
Ariel’s cold and fatigue squelched her appetite, and she replied in a barely audible voice reflecting her weariness, “It’s good. I’m not very hungry.” She took a bite on her fork, but didn’t bring it up to her mouth.
“It’s been a long and demanding day for both of us. Don’t eat it if you don’t feel like it.”
They returned to their meal, Ariel picking at hers.
They finished eating and Robert removed the plates and brought in dessert. Ariel stared in puzzlement when she saw what was in the crystal dessert glass placed before her.
Kiernan said, “One of my favorites, vanilla tapioca pudding. If you don’t want it, I happen to know there’s a fresh cheese cake in the kitchen.”
“No. This is all right.”
Ariel had never had tapioca pudding and didn’t recognize what the tiny opaque spheres in the pudding were. They reminded her of the frog eggs she used to see when she was a kid and rode her bicycle to the pond in her neighborhood to catch tadpoles. Taking a dab on her spoon, she tasted it, finding it pleasant, but couldn’t get past the image of frog eggs. Suddenly nauseous, she hastily reached for her glass of water and took a gulp to wash the dessert down.
Kiernan apparently noticed Ariel wasn’t enjoying the dessert and, motioning Robert over from his station at the sideboard, said, “Bring Ariel a piece of the cheesecake, and a glass of milk.”
“I’m sorry,” Ariel said in a weary voice. She couldn’t remember a cold ever making her feel this ill and fatigued before.
“Don’t be sorry. There is no rule saying you have to eat everything on your plate, or that you like everything that is served.”
Robert brought out the milk and cheesecake, placing it in front of Ariel, and removed the tapioca.
After taking a bite, she put her fork down and wearily closed her eyes, wishing she could go up to her suite and lie down.
Kiernan said, “You’re tired, and I think it’s time for you to retire. I’ll take you upstairs.”
A jolt of apprehension seized Ariel. She opened her eyes, and the weariness and illness magnified her fear. She closed her eyes again, feeling wretched. She couldn’t do this. If Kiernan touched her—
Ariel heard Kiernan say, “Robert, you may go,” and then the sound of a chair moving back. She opened her eyes as Kiernan knelt by her chair, inquiring in a gentle and concerned voice, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Ariel didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t meet Kiernan’s eyes and tell her she couldn’t have sex. Too much was still at stake. She looked down at her clasped hands, too tired to think and cope—and she was getting a headache as well. The recent events, and her illness, had sapped her spirit and strength. She swallowed hard, feeling her neck muscles move, and said almost in a whisper, “I can’t do it.”
She took a tremulous breath, suddenly feeling Kiernan’s hand under her chin, forcing her head up. Ariel wouldn’t meet Kiernan’s gaze, hearing her ask in a puzzled voice, “Can’t do what?”
Ariel peered at her from lowered lashes, and said in a quavering voice, “I can’t be—with you. I—”
“Be with?” Kiernan narrowed her eyes. Ariel saw the confusion in them. Suddenly Kiernan blinked, and surprise, then hurt, flashed across her features. She uttered, “Oh.” Then she softly said, “Ariel, that’s not going to happen. Rest assured you’ll be in your own bed tonight, and I’ll be in mine.” She stood up, reaching out her hand for Ariel to take. “Now, this day has been wearing for us both. We both need our sleep.”
Ariel furtively glanced at the hand, declining to take it, since she didn’t want to touch Kiernan. She stood, and Kiernan dropped her hand before saying, “Let’s go.”
Upstairs, Ariel opened the door to her suite and Kiernan followed her in, shutting the door behind her. She regarded Ariel and said, “If you need anything, push the green button on the intercom pad and Mrs. Belfort will answer. She keeps her pocket com-call with her.”
Ariel looked down at the floor. After an awkward silence, Kiernan said, “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning. Breakfast is at nine in the garden room.” She crossed Ariel’s sitting room and exited through the door leading to her suite.
Ariel watched her go, too tired and sick to feel relief, or much of anything at all.
Chapter Sixteen
TAKING HER BREAKFAST at nine the next morning in the garden room, Kiernan stared across the table at the empty place setting across from her. She wondered when Ariel would make an appearance. She planned to show her the estate grounds this morning before they packed and prepared for their St. Thomas trip.
An impatient glance at her wristwatch showed 9:30 and still no sign of Ariel. She informed Mrs. Belfort to tell her when her wife left her suite. In the meantime, she went to her study to r
ead the online wedding announcement her uncle had submitted the night before to all the media agencies. She wryly noticed the news made headlines on the majority of outlets, but was dismayed seeing the major networks camped outside the Thorsen residence, providing live coverage and speculating about her bride. Ariel wasn’t going to like that.
At ten o’clock, Kiernan became concerned as to why Ariel hadn’t made an appearance. She knew yesterday’s event was wearing, but they’d retired to bed early. Perhaps Ariel was avoiding her by delaying leaving her suite.
She remembered Ariel’s behavior at dinner the previous night when she thought Kiernan was expecting her to consummate their marriage. It hurt to think Ariel expected her to act the part of some medieval lord making demands of that nature on his unwilling bride.
She went up to Ariel’s suite, knocked lightly on the door, and, receiving no answer, opened the door and entered into stillness. No signs or sounds indicated Ariel was up, so she quietly walked through the open bedroom door into semi-darkness. The window was darkened to almost maximum, shutting out the morning light. On tiptoe, she went up to the bed. Ariel lay on her side breathing erratically, as if disturbed by an unpleasant dream. Kiernan noticed a folded washcloth on the pillow by Ariel’s head. Her first thought was that Ariel must have had a headache or fever during the night and wet the washcloth to put on her brow for relief. She became concerned, and pushed Ariel’s hair back from her forehead to place her palm there to discover Ariel indeed had a fever, a high one.
She hurried to the bathroom, searched the medicine cabinet and found a digital thermometer tab. She took it back to Ariel, ordering the computer to turn the bedside lamp on low. She placed the digital tab on Ariel’s forehead, waiting until she heard the beep, and took it off to read. She reached over to the bedside table and pressed the green call button on the intercom system to summon Mrs. Belfort.
A few seconds later, Mrs. Belfort said over the intercom, “Mrs. Belfort here. Do you need anything?”
Linda S. North - The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars Page 14