Savage storm (42 page)

When Patrick Murdock opened his book to begin reading the ceremony, Gabrielle found it difficult to believe she was

the bride. She feh completely detached from the others in the small gathering. Her mind wandered, filled with irrelevant thoughts which had no bearing upon the occasion. Her pearl gray suit was attractive, but was not a wedding gown, and that suddenly distressed her. She'd not even thought to gather a few flowers from Clayton's garden so she had a bouquet to carry. The very last thing she'd expected to do that day was marry Jason, but here she stood, calmly waiting for the pale, young minister to reach the part of the ceremony where she would have to repeat her vows. She tried to pay careful attention, but it was difficult. His voice was rather high, not one suited to the delivery of dynamic sermons, and she wondered if he were well regarded by his congregation. Forcing herself to stop daydreaming, she realized he was now looking toward her. She was relieved to find she'd not missed a response; he was merely glancing in her direction as he continued to read the service.

Jason held his breath, waiting for something else to go wrong as the ceremony continued. He had never wanted anything in his entire life as badly as he wanted Gabrielle 1o be his bride, but he was ashamed to think how he'd rushed her to the church. He should have been far more considerate. Clayton's comment that he'd not danced with her at their parties was only a reminder of the many things he'd neglected to do. He knew she'd never let him forget he'd failed to buy her a ring; that was so appalling an error he did not know how he'd ever make it up to her. He found it increasingly difficult to stand still and shuffled his feet nervously, now concerned that he might well be the one to faint before Patrick Murdock pronounced them husband and wife. His mouth had grown so dry he doubted he could speak the proper replies, and to make matters worse, he could feel Gabrielle's hand trembling in his. That she was not simply in tears over the lack of formality in their wedding ceremony amazed him. He'd known couples who recalled exchanging their vows with great fondness, but he knew he would want only to forget this day because Gabrielle

deserved so much more than he'd had time to provide. He'd chosen to make her his wife before he lost her to another man who would court her with the courtesy and tenderness she deserved. He'd won. But that victory brought no feeling of pride, only remorse as he glanced down at the graceful beauty who would soon be his bride. When Patrick paused for him to repeat his portion of the vows, he was surprised by the calm he projected. He spoke as though he were in complete control of the situation. Gabrielle's voice held the husky tone which had first drawn him to her, but her promises were spoken as steadily as his, with no trace of tears. He slipped Clayton's gold ring upon her finger, then leaned down to give her a gentle kiss. He did not know how he had been so lucky, but by some miracle no mishap had occurred and the woman he adored was now his wife.

After they'd signed the necessary documents, Cabrielle took Jason's arm as he turned toward the double doors at the entrance of the church. He moved up the aisle with so long a stride she had to break 4nto a run to keep up with him and implored him to use a more sedate pace. ''Jason, please, this is not a race!" She could not understand why he was so anxious to leave. They were married, that was what he'd wanted. Why couldn't he wait a few moments to accept their friends' good wishes?

Once outside Jason took a deep breath then reached up to loosen his tie. "Another thirty seconds in there and I would have fainted from the heat!"

Cabrielle could not help but laugh at his stricken expression, for indeed he did seem to have been suffering terribly when she'd not thought the church overwarm. "It is the bride who is allowed to faint, not the groom!"

Clayton overtook them then, grabbing Jason's hand in a firm clasp. "Come back to the house with us. We've time to celebrate before dinner and I've plenty of champagne."

Cabrielle waited for Jason to respond. She would welcome a chance to relax at a party, for she was afraid they'd only find

themselves arguing again if they went directly to his hotel. She twisted Clayton's ring nervously on her finger and held her tongue, hoping Jason would agree without her having to intervene, but he seemed most reluctant to accept his friend's invitation.

"No. Gabrielle and I have many plans to make. As you know I've not really lived on my parents' farm for several years and it will take considerable effort to make it a proper home. There are many things we'll need to buy once the stores open in the morning, and I don't want to waste time here in town when there's so much work to be done at the farm. May I borrow your wagon in the morning to transport everything?"

Qayton simply stared at his young friend, appalled that Jason was so preoccupied with the details of getting his farm in order when he should be concentrating on providing Gabrielle with a proper honeymoon. Gesturing toward her, he said pointedly, "Jason, this beautiful creature is now your bride. Have you no intention of celebrating that event in a suitable

manner.'

?"

Jason looked away, clearly embarrassed. All he'd wanted was to be alone with Gabrielle, to begin what he hoped would prove to be an endless honeymoon. The farm had only been an excuse, not his real interest. "You needn't tell me how to be a husband. Clay. I know what is required."

"The hell you do!" Clayton responded in a hoarse whisper. "Forgive me, Gabrielle, but Jason is maddeningly blind at times and this seems to be one of them."

Since Erica and Michael were standing nearby with Reverend Murdock, Gabrielle hoped to avoid an unfortunate argument. She spoke sweetly. "I think we can spare the time to share a glass of champagne to celebrate our marriage, Jason. There will be ample time later to make a comprehensive list so nothing is forgotten when we go shopping tomorrow."

She'd made her request so politely that Jason knew he could not refuse, but he was not a bit pleased. "If it will make you happy, then of course we will accept Clay's invitation," he

replied tersely, and stopping to invite the minister as well as Michael and Erica to join them, he escorted Gabrielle to their buggy. He made little effort to hide his true feelings from his bride, however, and said not a word to her until they had returned to Clayton's home. ''I thought I'd finally succeeded in getting you away from everyone. Let's plan to be gone within the hour. I don't want to stay for dinner and then have the party that is planned for this evening turn into a reception for us. We'd be lucky to get away before midnight if that happens."

Gabrielle made no hostile reply, but the coolness of her glance could not be misunderstood. "I'll leave my things here in the buggy then since we'll be here only a few minutes."

"Good." Jason escorted her inside the beautifully furnished home, and to his dismay he found several couples who had been out for the afternoon had already returned. Instead of having to accept the congratulations of only a few close friends, they were swiftly surrounded by pretty young women and by bachelors who hoped to join the ranks of married men themselves. What had begun as an invitation for one glass of champagne soon turned into a festive gathering. Jason despaired of ever being able to leave, but Gabrielle at last drew him to the edge of the crowd and whispered.

"They are having such a good time, no one will notice if we slip away now."

Delighted by her suggestion, he took her hand and began to edge slowly toward the door. Michael and Erica, realizing what they were doing, rushed over to say goodbye.

Michael stepped forward to shake Jason's hand, and after congratulating him once again, he kissed Gabrielle's cheek shyly. "I wish you both only the best life has to offer." He spoke politely as a gentleman should, for despite his own disappointment he was sincere in his hopes for Gabrielle.

Erica gave each of the newlyweds a warm hug then took Michael's arm again. "I know you're anxious to begin work on your own home, but you'll come into town for the rest of the

weddings won't you?" She dared not look up at Michael as she asked that question, hut truly she had found his company to he as entertaining as Gahrielle had descrihed it to he and her mood was now a most optimistic one.

"Of course!" Jason agreed quickly. "We'll not miss a one." With a wide grin, he hid them goodhye and, slipping his arm around Gahrielle's waist, spirited her out the front door and down the walk to Clayton's huggy, knowing it would he a long while hefore any of the other couples so enthusiastically celehrating their marriage noted that they were gone.

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As he climbed up into his seat in the buggy, Jason found a bottle of champagne with a note attached. He read it hurriedly, then shoved the message into his coat pocket before handing Gabrielle the bottle of sparkling wine. "More advice from Clay," he explained with a frown, obviously reluctant to divulge the contents of the brief note more fully.

"I can imagine what he said.'' Gabrielle leaned close to whisper. "When I go back to the house to pick up the rest of my belongings. Erica wants me to give her a full report on what transpires between us tonight."

"She actually said that?" Jason inquired, incredulous, his expression as startled as his tone.

"Yes, but you needn't worry Til give away our secrets. I told her she'd have to wait for her own wedding night to satisfy her curiosity." Perhaps it was the champagne Clayton had poured so generously, but Gabrielle was filled with excitment now and did not attempt to stifle the giggle which came readily to her lips.

Jason laughed* heartily, for he thought his bride's sparkling smile charming regardless of its cause. "You are not sorry then, that your own curiosity has already been satisfied as to what occurs between a bride and groom on their wedding night?"

"No," Gabrielle confessed without hesitation. "I would not change anything that has happened between us/'

Jason gave her a skeptical glance. If their many angry confrontations had slipped her mind, he'd not remind her of them now. When they reached the hotel he helped her down from the buggy, and seeing a young man he knew lounging nearby, Jason paid him a small sum to return the carriage to Clayton's barn. He then offered his arm to escort his bride into the hotel, which he suddenly realized lacked the elegance to which she was entitled. He made no excuses, however, but stopped briefly at the desk to tell the astonished clerk his wife would be sharing his room for the night and they'd like to have supper brought to them at seven. He carried the bottle of champagne as well as Gabrielle's bundle of clothing and led her upstairs to his room which occupied the right front corner on the second floor. It was neatly kept for the maid was a diligent worker who saw that everything was put in order each day. Actually Jason had spent little time there, and he was grateful they'd be leaving first thing in the morning.

Gabrielle surveyed Jason's lodgings with rapt interest, hoping to discover some clue which would provide an insight into his fascinating personality, but the Spartan decor gave no hint of the character of the present resident. The iron bed was covered with an attractive blue and white quilt, two straight-backed chairs were placed beside a small round table which stood in front of the windows, and along one wall was a five-drawer dresser with a mirror attached. Against the opposite wall stood a large wooden wardrobe. The three large windows were the most attractive feature of the room. They faced west and provided more than ample illumination since the afternoon was a bright one. The lace curtains rustled in the breeze. They had been freshly laundered and still held the perfumed scent of soap which gave the air a fragrance nearly as delightful as that of fresh flowers. The room was sunny and clean, but Gabrielle could think of no comment to make on it so she asked about her few possessions.

"May I put my things away in the dresser for the night?'*

"Of course," Jason responded graciously. He carried the bottle of champagne over to the table and busied himself with trying to uncork it. "I think the bottom two drawers are empty."

Gabrielle untied the ends of the silk scarf, and after shaking out the garments she'd brought to wear the next day, she refolded them upon the bed before carrying them over to the dresser. When she opened the fourth drawer, she found Jason had used it to store his sketch book. Curious as to what he'd been drawing, she opened it and began to thumb through the pages. The first sketch was of a family who'd been part of the wagon train. They stood clustered around their wagon smiling broadly. The next three pages held careful studies of horses— he had caught the spirited animals in motion—but the final sketches in the book brought a sharp gasp to her lips. They were all beautifully drawn nudes, clearly recognizable to her. She turned slowly to stare at the man who was now her husband, her expression one of utter confusion and disbelief.

Jason had managed to open the champagne without mishap, and while the two glasses he had were not crystal, he thought the wine would taste every bit as delicious as it had at Clayton's. He poured them each a glass, then looked up to see what was keeping Gabrielle. When he saw his sketch book in her hands, he remembered tossing it into a drawer so the maid wouldn't find it. However, he would have much rather that woman had seen it than Gabrielle. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to see those."

"Obviously not," Gabrielle replied angrily. "But I'd like to know just who has."

Jason walked over to her side as he answered truthfully. "No one has seen those sketches except you. That's hardly the kind of thing I'd want to share with other men since it makes the depth of our relationship so plain."

"Oh, I see. You drew these only for yourself to enjoy? I must say your memory is an extremely good one." Her cheeks

flushed and she could not recall ever having been so dreadfully embarrassed in her life.

"Gabrielle . . .*' Jason spoke her name softly, hoping to make her understand his purpose had been a most loving one. *'You are a very beautiful woman and I like to draw. That I would wish to make sketches of you is not so remarkable."