Scarlett, a Summer Bride

by Hildie McQueen

  Aurora looked to the wardrobe. On the open door, a beautiful dress that she’d hung since arriving made her lips curve.

  The gown was a gift from Lady Price, a most exquisite soft cream creation with lace bell sleeves and a round neckline that would show off her collarbones. The folds of the skirt went out from the waistline to the floor.

  “It’s beautiful. It’s perfect for your olive skin tone.” Aurora ran her hand down the dress. “I can’t wait to see you in it. Now get your dressing gown on, I’ve prepared some ham and eggs.”

  Moments later they sat around the dining room table and drank tea.

  After raps at the front door, two women entered.

  Aurora rushed to greet them. The first was a beautiful brunette, the second a pretty red-haired lady with bright green eyes. Both looked to her, waiting for Aurora to introduce them.

  Scarlett stood and waited for her soon to be sister-in-law to make introductions.

  “These are my childhood friends, Wilhelmina,” she said pointing to the brunette, “and Lucille.” Aurora motioned to the red head.

  It was unbelievable that friends from Philadelphia ended up together in the west. Scarlett couldn’t wait to hear how it came about. Instead, she accepted hugs and congratulations from both women.

  When they settled at the table, Lucille’s playful gaze met hers. “I must say, I can’t wait to see how the stern Emmett Jones will act once married. Perhaps, he’ll soften a bit.” Scarlett instantly loved Lucille and smiled at the words as the other women’s eyes rounded.

  “Lucille!” Aurora gasped out the word loudly. “You’re going to frighten Scarlett.”

  “If he hasn’t scared her off by now, why would me saying anything do it?” Lucille laughed and patted Scarlett’s hand. “Good thing he’s a handsome devil.”

  “That he is,” Wilhelmina said. “Quite attractive.”

  “We’ve got four hours ladies.” Aurora took everyone’s attention. “While Scarlett bathes and relaxes, we should go to the chapel and ensure the hall is prepared.”

  The women spurred into action. They hustled Scarlett to take a bath. Aurora and Wilhelmina left to go to the church while Lucille remained to make bouquets from flowers placed in pitchers in the kitchen.

  Scarlett was too nervous to do much more than be a puppet and allow the trio to pull her from one room to another, dress her, do her hair and even instruct her to eat something prior to the ceremony.

  The entire time not one male was visible and although to her it was funny that Emmett was banished from his own home, she wasn’t about to ask his whereabouts.

  The hours passed quickly as women came and went. Gemina, the owner of the mercantile and both Fern and her mother Harriett had been recruited to help out. They dashed in and out with instructions or announcements of what happened in town.

  When her soon to be sister-in-law Esther arrived, Scarlett was too overwhelmed to do more than accept the blonde woman’s hug.

  What seemed like only seconds later, Scarlett was led out of the house. Flanked by Aurora, Wilhelmina, Esther and Lucille, they helped her into a coach that would take them all to the church.

  Scarlett leaned back and looked down to the bouquet in her hands before meeting her new friends’ gazes. “Thank you so much everyone for doing all this. I didn’t expect more than a simple wedding ceremony at the pastor’s home.”

  “We’re excited to have something to do. Besides, it gives us an opportunity to come together and visit and get to know you for a bit.” Esther pressed her hand over Scarlett’s. “Welcome to the family.”

  The chapel was a simple small building. There were several wagons there and horses loosed in a small corral. Scarlett and her accompaniment remained in the carriage waiting for the last of the guests to enter. From what she could see there were quite a bit of people.

  She figured most came out of curiosity and because there wasn’t much to do in the small town.

  Emmett stood at the front of the church fighting to keep a frown from his face. Why were so many people there? If he’d known his wedding was to be a spectacle, he would have insisted it be a private ceremony in his house.

  Not only was the small church filled with townspeople, but he also saw faces of some who lived outside of town.

  “Who invited all these people?” he mumbled to Elias, who was standing next to him.

  “I assume the wives did.” His brother had the audacity to grin. “Very nice isn’t it of them to come and celebrate with you today?”

  He didn’t reply but instead looked to the front bench where Gladys sat, with an eager expression and a bright smile splitting her normally stern face. Even she had fallen under the wedding spell.

  At least Gladys’ husband had the presence of mind to look bothered by the entire event.

  A pianist began to play a song as Wilhelmina, Lucille, Esther and Aurora rushed to their seats at the front pew. Bright eyes met his and he realized Esther looked about to cry.

  “Why is your wife on the brink of tears?” he whispered to Elias. “Is there something I need to know?”

  “Nope, happy tears,” Elias said, nudging him and motioning to the back of the church.

  Dressed in a long gown and holding a bouquet of pale roses, Scarlett made her way down the aisle on Evan’s arm.

  She was without expression, neither looking sad nor happy for that matter. He couldn’t look away from her face. Her brows slightly lifted and her mouth in a pleasant soft smile, she held her head high and her shoulders back.

  If he didn’t know it was her, it would have been hard to recognize her at the moment. Regal and unwavering, her gaze met his for a beat before she looked side to side seeming to greet every single guest with but a glance.

  There was a hush about the room as everyone craned their neck to get a glimpse of the beauty and once doing so smiling in approval.

  He’d never seen someone take attention like his bride did at the moment. The only sound in the room was the soft hesitant notes from the piano, as the pianist herself seemed to be taken by the bride.

  When she finally stood at the front, the preacher’s announcement of who gave her to him broke the spell in the room and whispers sounded.

  “Beautiful.”

  “Lovely.”

  Evan replied to the pastor’s question with a strong voice, “I do.”

  Finally, Scarlett came to stand beside Emmett, never meeting his gaze while Evan stood on the other side of Elias, as he’d wanted both his brothers to stand next to him.

  Someone said something and Aurora along with Esther hurried to stand beside Scarlett in sisterly solidarity.

  It occurred to Emmett that he and his brothers were now going to be husbands and family men. A far stretch from the three bachelors who moved west in search of a new life away from their family and the stench of what had become their standing in social circles.

  Each of the three women he and his brothers had been granted, was a beauty in their own right and Emmett didn’t want to compare them as if it were some sort of competition. But he had to admit that Scarlett more than held her own in the trio.

  “Emmett?” The pastor got his attention.

  He cleared his throat and replied. “I Emmett Jones take you Scarlett Franklin to be my...”

  When it was Scarlett’s turn, she spoke in a soft by steady voice until stating, “I do” at which point her voice waivered and she cleared her throat.

  They exchanged simple gold bands, which surprised Emmett as he’d not thought to purchase them. He knew Evan had taken care of it, thankfully.

  When the pastor pronounced them man and wife, Emmett took Scarlett’s face and tilted it up to his. “I will honor each vow I made today.”

  He pressed his lips against her soft ones and felt her breathe out in what seemed like relief.

  They walked out of the chapel, with her arm through his and were escorted to the hall next door where tables, chairs and food had been laid out.

  “The women ha
ve outdone themselves with only a couple day’s notice.” Pastor Ward came to shake his hand. “I will admit, the food is my second favorite part of weddings.”

  “What is your first?” Emmett had to ask.

  “Two people becoming one before God of course,” the pastor replied and headed away in the direction of the food.

  Scarlett was whisked away by Aurora to be introduced to some women. She remained poised and warm, however, the soft smile never became wider, nor did she speak in a way that showed some sort of festive mood.

  When she came to sit next to him, her demeanor never waivered. “I am astounded at how many people came. It shows that you are held in high regard.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it that way.” He scanned the room and found everyone in lively conversations and laughter floated over the space.

  His brothers and their wives sat at the same table.

  At a nearby table were the Hamiltons along with their ranch hand Owen Blake and his brother Colton Blake, the town sheriff.

  “I hope you feel well enough to remain just a bit longer,” Scarlett said, her gaze on his right hand. He’d been drumming his fingers on the table.

  Emmett flattened his hand on the table’s surface. “I will remain as long as the guests do.”

  Several hours later, the guests finally began to thin out and Aurora leaned to Emmett. “I think it’s time to take your wife home.” She looked to Scarlett who spoke with a guest.

  “She’s exhausted.”

  Scarlett didn’t look exhausted at first glimpse. Her back was held straight and she was wearing the same poised expression. However at further inspection, he noticed a light darkening under her eyes and that she hid a yawn behind a lifted hand.

  Emmett stood and went to Scarlett. “We should go.”

  She turned to him and nodded. “Very well. If that is what you wish.”

  Moments later they sat in the carriage, which would take them the short distance to their home. She leaned back and closed her eyes finally seeming to relax and show how truly tired she was.

  When she didn't say anything, Emmett was glad to remain in silence and look out the window.

  If things went well between them, he hoped to have an agreeable marriage with a clear understanding of what each of them expected. Once a couple days passed and she settled, he planned to have a long conversation with his wife and ensure they came to an agreement of what each expected out of the marriage.

  They entered the house and he looked to his new bride who still held the flowers. “I’ll put the flowers in water while you get ready for bed.”

  Without a word, she nodded and handed over the bouquet. When she hesitated, Emmett cleared his throat. “I’ll be in there presently. I’ll give you some privacy to get undressed.”

  Scarlett walked away, her steps measured and elegant.

  Scarlett’s heart hammered inside her chest as she leaned on the back of the bedroom door. Was it possible that she could maintain a calm demeanor when Emmett joined her?

  She’d followed Lady Price’s teachings every second of the day and now all she wanted to do was cry with not just exhaustion, but anxiety at what was about to happen.

  Emmett was tall and muscular, how could he possibly come to be with her and not crush her? Was it even possible to be intimate with him and not be in so much pain she’d cry throughout the entire ordeal?

  Her mother had warned her, the first time it could be painful and now she shivered at remembering it.

  Once again she pictured the time in the woods. The couple she’d spied in the woods had been enjoying their time together seeming to block out the rest of the world while creating one with just them.

  Having wasted time, she hurried to remove her dress and placed it carefully over the back of a sturdy chair, then after removing her shoes and stockings, she looked around the room trying to determine what she should wear.

  Under her dress she wore a thin shift. Scarlett decided it made for a perfect nightgown and climbed hastily into the bed.

  The only light in the room was a lantern and just as Scarlett wondered if she should blow it out, the door opened and Emmett entered.

  His gaze went to her for a moment and then he walked to the wardrobe, opened the door and began to undress.

  Unsure of how things were normally between a husband and wife, Scarlett racked her brain to think of anything Lady Price may have said on the subject.

  “How are you feeling? I hope you are not too taxed. It hasn’t been too long since you’ve been mostly abed.” Scarlett stopped at realizing she was rambling and not allowing him to reply. She was glad for the bedding that soaked up the moisture from her palms.

  “I feel well enough. Plan to return to work tomorrow.”

  “Oh. That is good news, I’m sure.”

  When he finally came to the bed, he was nude as the day he was born. Scarlett was sure her eyes were about to pop from their sockets. She’d not considered that men slept bereft of clothing.

  She’d expected he’d at least remain in his underwear by form of modesty.

  Without a word, he slid between the blankets and turned to her. “You should lie back. If you wish to remove your shift you can.”

  “Remove it?” Now she felt stupid. “Is that what I should do?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t want to tear it. It looks delicate.”

  Once again, Scarlett’s eyes rounded and she held her breath. What exactly did he plan to do?

  She ducked and removed the shift and then threw it toward a table where it hung off the edge. Now she too was utterly and totally nude.

  When Emmett pulled her against him, his mouth took hers and he kissed her deeply. The longer they kissed and the more he caressed her, the faster her anxiety abated until she clung to him wanting whatever came next.

  Finally when he climbed over her, Scarlett was too consumed with passion to care if it hurt or not. She needed more, needed the fire within her quelled so that she would not combust.

  Her husband knew exactly what to do, how to move and encouraged her with his hands or softly spoken words. His deep voice in her ear affected her almost as much as his touch.

  Finally, it happened, the moment of joining and Scarlett cried out as a piercing pain traveled down her legs. She clung to Emmett until finally relaxing enough to breathe.

  When he took her mouth with his once again, and began to calm her, it wasn’t long before Scarlett became lost in him no longer caring about anything more than being consumed.

  Chapter Eight

  The first thing Scarlett noticed upon waking was the soreness of her body and still feeling tired. She wondered if every morning when being intimate would be the same.

  Surely not.

  The day before had been exceptionally long and she’d barely rested since arriving in Laurel.

  Emmett slept on his left side with his back to her. The wide expanse of his shoulders looked to be larger when so up close.

  It had been a night of discovery for her and she wondered if upon waking he’d remain distant as seemed to be his nature.

  Unable to remain abed any longer, she slipped from the bed.

  All the while sliding looks at the slumbering man, Scarlett splashed water on her face and washed away the remains of the night before from her body. She quickly dressed, the entire time stealing glances at the slumbering man. Emmett didn’t stir. It seemed he was as tired as she.

  As she prepared coffee and placed a skillet on the stove, she wondered what the first interaction with her new husband would be like. It would be their first full day alone in their home and although a part of her tingled at the thought of more times like the night before, her stomach tumbled with nerves at him waking.

  “Good morning.” Emmett walked into the kitchen and went directly to the coffee pot, pouring coffee into a mug she’d placed on the counter beside the stove.

  She smiled at his back. “Good morning. I’m about to cook breakfast if you wish to sit at the table.”<
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  Instead of a reply, he nodded. Cup in hand, he walked back out of the room after only giving her a cursory glance.

  No need to fret, Scarlett told herself. The man was in all probability not a morning person and needed time to fully wake to hold a conversation.

  An hour later, Scarlett’s opinion changed. They ate in silence as he read a journal, which he did explain held notes left by Evan.

  When Emmett finished his meal, he then thanked her for breakfast and went back to the bedroom.

  It was probably that he was as shy as she after what they’d shared the night before. Scarlett put the matter of her sullen husband to rest and devoted the next hour or so to washing dishes and cleaning up the kitchen.

  “I’ll be at the clinic. There’s no need for you to come there, Gladys will be with me if I need anything. If you require something, the mercantile has a line of credit set up that I pay monthly. Whatever you need, don’t worry about cost.” Emmett went through what he had to say while standing at the kitchen doorway. His tone was flat, as if he spoke to an employee.

  Scarlett smiled at him. “I will certainly go and get items required. Is there anything you prefer not to eat for supper?”

  For an instant his brows lowered as he considered her question. The man was astonishingly handsome, and the expression seemed to enhance it. “No, not that I can think of. I don’t like onions so much.”

  At Scarlett’s nod, he turned and left.

  It was certainly going to be interesting getting to know her husband, Scarlett mused. No matter, she had plenty to keep her busy. Once she washed the sheets, she’d put them out to dry and then head out to find the mercantile.

  “I certainly didn’t expect to see you today,” the woman behind the counter at the mercantile called out to Scarlett. Her wide smile put Scarlett at ease.

  The woman rounded the corner and came to her. “My name is Gemina. We met yesterday, but I’m sure the day was a complete blur.”

  “Yes ma’am it was.” Scarlett looked around the well-stocked shelves. “Emmett returned to work today, so I thought I’d come and get all the items I need.”