Dark Chaos (# 4 in the Bregdan Chronicles Historical Fiction Romance Series) (3 page)

             
Carrie moved closer and wrapped her arms around her father.  “Can you believe it’s actually happening?  That I’m going to be married?”

             
“I wasn’t sure you’d ever find a man good enough for you.”

             
“Good enough - or one who could put up with my stubbornness?”  Carrie teased.

             
“That was something I took into consideration,” Thomas admitted with a playful smile.  Then he sobered.  “Robert Borden is getting the most wonderful girl in the world.  Strong-willed, tender, loving, intelligent...”

             
“You make me sound perfect!”  Carrie laughed.  “I’m afraid Robert knows the truth already.  It’s too late to trick him.”

             
“I know exactly what Robert thinks of you, Carrie.  If he didn’t love you as much as I do, I wouldn’t let him marry you,” Thomas said firmly.  “He loves you the way I loved your mother.  That kind of love can weather a lot of storms and make your life very rich.”

             
“I’m incredibly rich,” Carrie said, wrapping her arms around him tenderly.  “I have you, and I have Robert.”  Unbidden, images of Rose, Moses, and Aunt Abby flashed into her mind, but she pushed them away resolutely.  Someday she would be able to share with them the happiness of this moment.  For now, she would simply live it as fully as she could. 

             
Suddenly she stepped back and stared at her father.  “Why are you standing with one arm behind your back?” she asked suddenly.  He pulled his arm around and held his hidden treasure out to her.  Carrie reached forward slowly and took the magnolia blossom he was cradling in his strong hand. 

             
“It’s the first one of the season,” Thomas said.  “Your mother used to tell me how she would fill the house with magnolia blossoms the day that you got married.”

             
“I remember,” Carrie whispered, caressing the milky white bloom with her fingers.  Then, fighting tears, she lifted the blossom and inhaled deeply.  “So fragrant,” she murmured, burying her face in the single flower.

             
“I couldn’t fill the house, but I’ve watched that bud for the last few days and hope it would bloom in time.  I went out onto the porch this morning and found it lifting its head toward the sun.” 

             
Carrie smiled.  “I think it’s a sign.  Magnolias have always been my favorite flower.  Rose and I used to pretend each bloom stood for one of our dreams.  We would wait for them to bloom then wish on them.”   She gazed at the flower, remembering.

             
“And what is your wish today?”  Thomas asked.

             
“That Robert and I will have a long life of happiness together,” Carrie replied instantly.  She cupped the bloom, lifted it to her face, and kissed it gently.   “That is my magnolia dream for today.”

             
Just then a knock sounded at the door.   “Pastor Anthony and Robert are here,” Janie called.  “I think all the guests are, too.”

             
“I was just getting ready to come down,” Thomas called, kissing Carrie warmly on her cheek.  “I’ll be waiting downstairs for you.”

CHAPTER TWO

Carrie stood at the top of the steps and fought to control the pounding of her heart.  From where she was standing and waiting on the top step of the long staircase, she could see Robert’s wavy, dark hair.   Abiding by her wish not to mix the war with their marriage, he was dressed in a dark blue suit instead of his Confederate gray uniform.  The firm set of his shoulders and his erect carriage made it almost impossible to believe he had spent months paralyzed before recovering, after his wounds in the battle at Antietam. 

             
Pastor Anthony, facing the stairway, glanced up and caught Carrie’s eyes.  A warm smile spread over his kindly features.  Carrie smiled back, her heart full of appreciation for this man who had become such a dear friend.  They had grown close during the last year as Carrie had worked closely with him to bring medical care to the black residents of the city.   She had known instantly that he should be the one to marry them.  A frown flitted across her face.   Pastor Anthony had agreed immediately, but she was sure she had seen a brief flicker of uncertainty flare in his eyes before he smiled and nodded.  She had pushed it aside, but in quiet moments she had wondered about what had seemed a flash of fear.   Now, as before, she brushed it aside.  It was probably just her imagination. 

             
Carrie focused her attention back on the room, watching as Janie walked to the piano and settled down, her fingers poised over the keys.  Thomas stood and climbed the stairs to stand beside her before he lovingly pulled her arm through his.  Janie looked up, winked, and began to play the wedding march.  

             
“I guess this is it,” Carrie whispered as they began the descent of the stairs.  Down below, the two dozen or so guests rose to turn to watch expectantly.  Huge sprays of apple blossoms filled the room with their feathery beauty.   Carrie was glad her father had agreed to keep the wedding small. 

             
“This is it,” Thomas agreed quietly, his arm squeezing hers gently.  “Robert Borden is about to be the luckiest man alive.” 

             
Carrie glanced up and caught Robert gazing at her.  A smile shone on her face as the full reality of the moment sank in.  His responding smile made her breath catch.   She was really marrying this incredible man.  They had weathered the storms of their relationship and found their way to this day.  The stairs disappeared as she floated to meet him, the rest of the room dissolving in a haze.  Robert held her gaze, his dark eyes penetrating her heart.  She wanted to both laugh and cry with the wonder of the moment.  For today, it was just the two of them.  Nothing, and no one, could steal this day from them.   Reality blurred as the magic settled in. 

             
She vaguely heard Pastor Anthony speaking to the audience, his voice seeming to come from a great distance.  She felt her father release her arm and place her hand in Robert’s.  Only then did she tear her eyes away from his face and turn to Pastor Anthony.  The look on the pastor’s face told her he knew exactly what she was feeling.  Slowly his face came into focus, and his voice rang clearly.  Once again reality settled in, the magic still lingering. 

             
“Carrie Cromwell, do you take this man…?”

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Pastor Anthony said joyfully. “Robert, you may kiss the bride.” 

              Carrie lifted her face joyfully, substance once more fading into fantasy, as Robert’s lips lowered to meet hers.  Every particle of her being lifted to meet his as his mouth settled on hers tenderly.  Every portion of her leapt to quivering, exuberant life as their love met, mingled, and meshed them into one.  

             
Sometime later Robert raised his head reluctantly.  “I love you,” he whispered. 

             
“And I love you,” Carrie responded, trying to slow her pounding heart.

             
Pastor Anthony turned them to face the room.  “It is my pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. Robert Borden.” 

It was several hours before the last guest left.  The sun was sinking low on the horizon, a cauldron of clouds boiling in the eastern sky.  The soft green of the trees stood in stark contrast to the gray cumulus, outlined boldly by the last rays of bright sunlight.  An occasional puff of stiff breeze, amidst the calm that portends a storm, kicked up puffs of dust from the road. 

              Once again Carrie found herself longing for the quiet and privacy of Cromwell Plantation.  She and Robert had nowhere to go.  Every house and hotel in Richmond was crowded to capacity, the bulging city barely able to contain the throngs war had heaped on it.   The novelty of ladies marrying soldiers bound for the front had long passed.  It was nothing but a commonplace occurrence now, not deserving of special favors.  The newlyweds would stay where they would be living for the duration of the war - in Thomas Cromwell’s house.  

             
Robert lifted his hand once more to wave at the last departing wagon then turned to Carrie.  “I think we’re finally alone.”

             
Carrie flushed at the bright gleam in his eyes but held his gaze.  “I wasn’t sure we ever would be,” she replied, grateful her father had made sure the house would be empty for at least that evening. 

             
Robert continued to stare deep into her eyes then quietly extended his hand.  Carrie grasped it, and together they entered the house.   The calm before the storm retreated before the advancing clouds, and a strong breeze blew through the hallway, which caused the chandelier to sway gently, and a tinkling noise following them up the stairs.  Carrie barely noticed.  She seemed to float up the stairs as Robert’s gaze held and lifted her. 

             
“Should we shut the window?”  Robert asked as they entered what was now
their
room.

             
“It will be a while before the storm arrives,” Carrie replied.  “I’d like to leave it open.  I love the feeling of the warm wind dancing into the room.”

             
Robert nodded then took her into his arms.   “Whatever you wish, my love.”

             
Carrie raised her head in wonder as he lowered his.  Their lips met and melted.  She was both frightened and exhilarated by the rampage of feelings in her body as she realized this night was just for them.  When Robert finally raised his head, she was clinging to him, her breath coming in gasps. 

             
Robert smiled, bent down, and easily lifted her with his strong arms.  Carrie never took her eyes from his face as he carried her across the room and put her on the bed.  “You’re beautiful,” he said tenderly, his eyes caressing her face as his hand began to stroke her cheek.  Slowly he reached up and began to pull the pins from her hair. 

             
Carrie’s eyes filled with tears as she felt the tightness of her bun begin to loosen.

             
Robert stopped immediately and let his hand drop.  “Is something wrong?  Am I hurting you?”

             
“No,” she whispered.  “It’s just... I’ve dreamed of this for so long.  Tried to imagine how it would be when you let my hair down.  Now it’s happening.”

             
Robert leaned down to brush his lips on hers then resumed his actions.  As he pulled the last pin out, the tightly woven braid dropped down her back.  His eyes misted as he lifted her to a sitting position then gently released the braid, catching his breath as her hair sprang loose in a thick, dark cloud.  Groaning slightly, he lifted it and buried his face in it, taking deep breaths. 

             
Carrie was silent, watching him, overwhelmed by the feelings of awe and desire coursing through her body. 

             
Finally Robert lifted his head.  “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined,” he said roughly.  He held her face with his hands tenderly for a long minute then reached back to unbutton her dress.  “I love you, Carrie Borden.”