“Turn around and I’ll close the fastenings for you. Oh my gosh, look at this beautiful embroidery.”
Charlotte stared at her image in the mirror, as Mrs Foggerty lifted the short veil onto her head and secured it.
She leaned in close to the younger woman and whispered in her ear. “You look beautiful, my dear. A far cry from the way you arrived yesterday.”
Charlotte could have sworn Mrs Foggerty had tears in her eyes, but she was surely mistaken.
“Quickly now, pack up your bag and I’ll escort you out to your groom.”
As Charlotte snatched up her few meagre belongings, Mrs Foggerty had a few words of wisdom. “You look after our Angus. He’s a wonderful man, and he’ll take good care of you.” She pulled Charlotte in for a hug. “Look after his manly needs, and everything will be alright.”
She watched the heat creep into the older woman’s cheeks. Charlotte frowned. She wasn’t sure what that meant but didn’t feel disposed to ask.
“Have his meals ready when he gets home and give him lots of babies. That’s all a man can ask for.”
Charlotte let out a long sigh. “I will do my best.”
She was pushed out of the front door, where her beaming groom-to-be was waiting. Mrs Foggerty ran to him and pulled him into a big bear hug. “Congratulations my dear boy. I know you will both be very happy.”
Angus took both her hands and stood there looking her up and down. “You look amazing,” he said quietly. “My beautiful bride.” His voice broke, and Charlotte wondered how he could be so emotional about marrying a complete stranger.
Right now, at this moment, she felt nothing. Nothing at all – except for relief that in a few minutes she would be completely free of Joseph Rainer.
Once she was married to Sheriff Angus Doyle, there was nothing anyone could do to make her marry that filthy old man.
She looked up and Angus was staring into her eyes. His hands slid to her waist, and he lifted her up onto the wagon. He placed her dirty carpetbag on the back of the wagon.
He climbed aboard, then took up the reins. “Are you ready to become Mrs Doyle,” he asked grinning. “Not long now.”
She nodded, but Charlotte felt strangely impassive. She stared at the profile of the man she was to shortly marry.
He seemed like a good man, and Mrs Foggerty had said he was. Who was she to differ?
Soon they were on their way to the church, where the preacher would marry them.
Chapter Three
Charlotte was shaking. He knew she would be nervous, but he could see her trembling. What was she afraid of?
The ceremony was practically over, and they’d each said their vows and made promises to each other.
They were almost there.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Angus had been coming to this church all his life and knew the preacher well. When he’d explained the situation yesterday, he’d tried to talk Angus out of marrying a young woman he’d never met, but it didn’t sway him.
Charlotte let out a loud sigh. Angus turned and gazed at her. What was she thinking? This petite young woman whom he didn’t even know less than twenty hours ago.
She stared into his eyes, and he watched as they took in every detail of his face.
He wanted to reach out and touch her cheek, but that would never do. Not in church, anyway. She would likely swipe his hand away.
“You may kiss your bride now.” The preacher’s words were music to his ears. He wanted so badly to kiss the beauty standing next to him, but should he? Would she even let him?
Again, she stared into his eyes. This time she looked terrified, and her bottom lip trembled.
He held both her hands gently and leaned forward. As he moved toward her lips, she flinched, so he changed direction and lightly kissed her cheek instead.
They were now so close he heard her try to stifle a gasp. It didn’t quite work.
He winked at her, as though trying to reassure her she was safe. That he wouldn’t hurt her.
She nodded so gently he almost missed it. It was as though she was saying she understood.
They turned to leave the little chapel, and he noticed Mrs Foggerty sitting in the pews. There were a few other people there too, mostly relatives, but a few close friends.
This was a second marriage for him, but he was certain it was her first time.
For a moment he felt sad that she had no one here to see her married. Her parents particularly – he would have liked to meet them. He had no idea of her situation, but she must have been desperate to get away from them. Miss Bethany had said the situation was dire.
Otherwise, why would a beautiful, cultured woman like her become a mail order bride?
Why would any woman become a mail order bride?
Not that he had any experience in such things, but surely there must be an element of danger in their lives to totally uproot their lives and leave their family to marry a complete stranger?
Often in a state far from where they lived, such as his new wife had done.
They stood together outside the chapel, and a small crowd gathered around them throwing rice on them. Angus reached up and pulled pieces of rice from her hair. Touching her made him shiver.
His sister came up and kissed him on the cheek. “This is my sister Abigail,” Angus told her. “It’s her dress you’re wearing,” he whispered so no one else could hear.
“Thank you very much,” she said to Abigail. “It’s very beautiful.”
Abigail suddenly pulled her into a big hug. “I’m so glad to finally have a sister,” she said, as her tears ran onto Charlotte’s shoulder. “Anything you need, you just ask.”
She pulled back then stared into Charlotte’s face. “Oh, you don’t look very old.”
“I’m twenty! I’m not a baby,” Charlotte told her in no uncertain terms.
Angus grinned at the shenanigans of his sister. It was so Abigail.
“We’ve put together a small celebration,” Mrs Foggerty said. “At Abigail’s house. Nothing fancy, just something to celebrate your marriage.”
He took Charlotte by the hand. “That’s very sweet. Thank you both.” He guided Charlotte to the wagon, and grabbed her around the waist, lifting her up onto the wagon.
He wasn’t sure what it was, but every time he touched her, warmth filled him.
He stared at her face. She was incredibly beautiful. All that soot and dirt yesterday totally covered her beauty. He’d been certain there was a striking woman under all that mess, and he’d been right.
He pulled his gaze away and got back to the task at hand. “My sister lives out of town. Not far from my property.” He looked across at her. “Er, our property.” He grinned. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to being married and thinking of them as a couple.
He hadn’t had much time to get used to the idea of being married, and it was totally surreal.
He lifted the reins and headed the horses toward his sister’s farm.
* * *
It was a small affair, but Charlotte was appreciative of the gesture.
Abigail’s farm was lovely. It was a log cabin and looked superb from the outside. Inside it was cozy. There were four chairs scattered around the room, each with cushions made by Abigail.
The fire place was large, with logs sitting in the cavity, as well as a box of fresh fire wood next to it.
There was a lantern on the low table, which sat in the middle of the room.
She couldn’t help but stare.
She gasped when Angus suddenly spoke. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” He squeezed her hand, and she felt a thrill run up her arm.
“It truly is,” she said quietly.
“Follow me,” he said. “Abigail has a magnificent kitchen.”
They stood in the doorway, and Charlotte stared at the wood stove. She’d never seen one so big. Not even at her parent’s home.
“My sister bakes for the Mercantile. She supplies them twice a week, always wi
th a big variety.”
“How wonderful.” But it wasn’t really wonderful, Charlotte decided, because it meant Abigail was a fantastic cook, and Angus would soon realize she wasn’t so good.
She’d only learned to bake a few things, mainly a variety of cakes such as election cake, chocolate cake, and her favorite, Almond Crumble Cake.
Cook could only teach her when there was time, so she hadn’t learned a lot.
Angus put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulder. “It’s pretty impressive, eh? I’m sorry to say your kitchen doesn’t match this one.”
“I’ve set everything up out the back,” Abigail said, interrupting their discussion. “Bring her out back, big brother.” She wandered off to greet some of the guests who had just arrived, then turned back.
“No, wait,” Abigail said. “Have you told her yet?” She frowned at her brother.
“Haven’t had a chance,” he said, glaring at his sister.
Charlotte was confused. What were they talking about?
Angus sighed. “There’s something I have to show you, Charlotte,” he said. “I’m sorry, but with such short notice, I didn’t get a chance to tell you.” He took her by the hand and guided her through the cabin.
They stopped at a room where a small child was sleeping in a cot. “Your sister has a baby!” she whispered, glee in her voice.
He gazed down at her, his eyes penetrating hers. “Emma is mine,” he said. “Her mother died birthing her.” He stared at her, waiting for some sort of response, but none came. “Abigail has been looking after Emma since her birth, but she’s moving away soon.”
He turned his head, so she couldn’t see his face. “She’s the reason I needed a wife,” he said quietly.
Charlotte felt betrayed. He brought her all the way here to look after his child? And he didn’t tell her?
She was fuming.
“To be fair,” he said, staring at her. “I was going to tell you in my next letter. But you were suddenly here without notice.”
She nodded. He was right. This was her fault entirely.
Actually, it wasn’t. She was forced to run and blamed her parents and Mr Rainer for her situation.
She took a deep breath. Our Dear Lord was challenging her. Why else would he put her in this situation? He had placed her with a dear man. A man in great need.
“I’m sure it will all work out,” Charlotte told him, forcing herself to smile. “How old is Emma?”
He breathed a sigh of relief. It was so great, Charlotte heard it. “Nearly three.”
“Let’s go out and greet our guests,” he said, taking his new wife by the hand. “Papa!” The little voice forced them to turn back.
Little arms went up for her dear Papa to lift her out of the cot. She hugged him tight when he held her close.
Charlotte studied his face. His muscles had loosened, and his expression was softer. She could see how much he loved his little girl.
She glanced across at Emma and saw her watching Charlotte’s every move, staring into her face.
“Who’s dat?” Emma asked.
Angus grinned. “This is your new Mama,” he told the child. “Say hello.”
Charlotte was shocked. Mama? Her?
Emma stared at her again but didn’t say a word.
“Say hello to Mama, Emma.” Angus was persistent, and finally was rewarded.
“Hello Mama.” Emma buried her face in her father’s shoulder, and Angus carried her outside.
Charlotte took in the view before her, trying not to stare at the child. It was magnificent, she knew it was, but she couldn’t get her new situation out of her mind.
She had married not an hour ago, and suddenly she’d become a mother too. It was all so overwhelming.
“Wonderful, isn’t it?” Angus said, ignoring the fact he had a small child in his arms. “My sister and her husband William certainly chose a great place to live.” He looked at her sideways. “But now they’re leaving.” He scowled at his sister.
“Now that everyone is here,” William said, “It is time to celebrate the marriage of Charlotte and Angus. May they have plenty of babes.” Everyone laughed, and Charlotte felt the heat creep up her face.
As of this moment, she wasn’t certain how babies got in a woman’s belly, so it was unlikely she’d ever have any.
* * *
It was almost dark by the time they arrived at Angus’s house.
As he’d told her, it wasn’t very far from Abigail and William’s place, and she would learn to drive a wagon, so she could visit her sister-in-law – while they were still living near by anyway.
At least that’s what Angus said. She wasn’t sure she’d ever manage to do that.
He pulled up near the front door and helped her down, along with the child. Sometimes she thought he just liked to hold her, rather than it being a necessity.
It did feel nice though, having her big strong handsome husband hold her like that and swing her down off the wagon. She felt safe.
He escorted her up onto the porch, then told her to wait there with Emma. “I’ll go and light the lantern. I don’t want you falling over on your wedding night.”
From what she could see in the semi-darkness, the cabin looked nice. Not as big as his sister’s, but nice all the same.
The rooms were somewhat smaller too, but Abigail and William seemed to live in a mansion, not as palatial as where she used to live, though. The baking brought in quite a nice sum, according to Angus.
“I’m tired Mama,” a little voice said through the darkness as she reached up and tugged Charlotte’s hand. It had been a long day for her, and she could only imagine what it would feel like to an almost three-year-old.
Abigail hadn’t wasted any time handing the child over, and her cot was strapped to the back of the wagon. Charlotte thought at the least, Emma would be given time to get to know her.
But Abigail decided a clean break was needed, and here they were.
The house lit up from the lanterns, and Angus untied the cot and carried it into what had always been intended as Emma’s room. At least that’s what he told her.
Charlotte lifted the bag holding the child’s clothing and other possessions from the wagon and headed into the house with Emma.
Poor little mite was almost asleep on Charlotte’s shoulder. She undressed the child in her new room and replaced her clothes with her night wear.
She was asleep the moment her little head hit the pillow.
Charlotte wandered around the cabin, getting to know where she was going to live for the rest of her life.
The thought had her frozen in her tracks. For just a moment she mourned having left her family and their wealth. But then she came to her senses when a vision of Joseph Rainer trying to kiss her came into her mind.
She shuddered.
Angus returned to the cabin after settling the horses for the night. It was getting quite late, and it was time for bed.
Charlotte stood in the doorway to the bedroom. Their bedroom. The only room left to sleep in.
She took a few tentative steps into the room. The bed looked heavenly. After many days on a rickety train, she was ready for a decent sleep.
The bed at Mrs Foggerty’s was passable, but not luxurious like she was used to. She sat on the edge of the double bed in front of her. It felt soft enough.
She pushed at it with her hands, then pulled back the cover slightly.
It did feel comfortable.
“Having second thoughts?” Angus stared at her. It was too late for second thoughts. She’d married him and there was no going back.
He stood in front of her. “We haven’t had a chance to get to know each other,” he said quietly as he pulled her close against him.
She felt warmth spread through her body.
His arms went up around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. It felt nice, but he was a complete stranger. She shouldn’t feel so comfortable with him.
“It’s late,” he sai
d after a few minutes of standing like that together. “I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
She sighed. “I am. It was a long trip from Wyoming to here.”
She stared at the bed, as though watching it would turn it into two beds.
Angus offered to leave the room while she prepared for sleep.
“I, I can’t undo the fastenings myself,” she said, as she felt heat creep up her face.
Now she was relying on a stranger to undress her. She felt like a harlot.
He stared into her eyes, then a slow smile came to his face. “Turn around.” He held her shoulders, then gently turned her.
One by one he unbuttoned the tiny fastenings. She felt a thrill every time he touched her bare skin.
“All finished,” he finally said, and pulled her gently against him. She felt his lips softly touch her bare shoulder. “I’ll be back in ten minutes,” he said quietly, then left the room.
The moment he was gone, she let the wedding gown fall to the ground, then scrambled for her carpetbag, pulling out her nightwear. It was no sooner over her head, than her new husband returned.
She scooped up the gown and lay it across a chair. She’d sort it out in the morning.
She quickly jumped into bed.
“I normally sleep naked,” he told her quietly. “But since all this is new to you, I’ll wear drawers tonight.”
She was shocked, but knew he was mocking her because of the big grin on his face. She didn’t answer but pulled the covers up over her face.
He slid into bed quietly and startled her when he reached out and pulled her close to him. “Is it alright if I hold my wife close tonight?” he asked.
She froze. She wasn’t sure what was expected of her, since her mother hadn’t explained. Perhaps she’d intended to tell Charlotte on her wedding day.
“I, I’ve never been in bed with a man before,” Charlotte said honestly, ensuring he understood.
She felt him tighten his grip. “That needs to change,” he said. “But not tonight. We’ll take it slowly.”
She sighed. At least tonight she had a reprieve, but for how long?
Chapter Four
Charlotte slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
The Widower's Christmas Wish Page 3