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That would be the talk behind her back. Annoyed over the situation, she intended to give Zac a piece of her mind, when he grabbed her, yanked her to him, and placed a fat, mushy kiss on her lips. She accepted it with little enthusiasm, realizing too late his intention.
His tongue slipped easily into her mouth, her lips limp from the childish kiss. And while the crowd watched a husband bestow a chaste kiss, Zac tasted her honey moistness with his tongue.
He was quick, unable or perhaps unwilling to continue.
But he left his taste on her, and Prudence found herself running her own tongue over the area he had sampled only moments before. Warmth and a hint of whiskey tingled her tongue and sent goose bumps down her arms.
No man had ever taken such liberties with her, but then he was no man. He was her husband. She looked at him then and saw a strange glow in his eyes. It caused her to smile despite herself, and he returned her smile with a gentle one of his own. He reached out and took her hand. His flesh was warm, his grip strong and protective. It suddenly felt so right.
Everyone offered their congratulations, and it wasn't until the train whistle blew that the crowd began to disperse.
"Hurry, we'll miss the train," Prudence said, tugging at Zac's coat sleeve. He took his time buckling his holster, making her certain they'd miss the train.
He finished tying the leather holster thongs to his thighs, then began walking slowly beside her. "It doesn't matter. We're not taking it."
"You said we would be taking the train to Hastings," Prudence said, upset by this sudden change of plans.
"That was before our wedding. Plans have changed."
"This farce of a wedding changes nothing. Do you think I would marry a gunslinger? My father will arrange an annulment immediately." Her words were spoken from anger and pain. How could he want her as a wife? If her own mother couldn't love her, how could a man like Zac Stewart? She didn't want to feel the hurt and rejection again.
Zac contained the urge to strangle her. Her thoughtless words affected him more than he cared to admit. "You have much to learn, Prudence. I intend to wire your father concerning our marriage and suggest he come immediately so this matter may be settled properly. You're familiar with doing things properly. After all, that's what concerns you the most."
"I find no shame in my proper breeding," she said. Her chin was held high, her shoulders back, and her chest out.
"There is no shame in anyone's breeding. Whether blue blood or mixed, everyone is the same. Perhaps one day you will learn that."
"I do not look down on anyone."
"Then you better lower that chin an inch or two and take a good look. There's much to see, if you weren't so blind."
Prudence walked right past him, her posture as stiff as ever.
Zac shook his head. "Why, Lord? Why did you saddle me with her?" Then he thought about their kiss and the way she tasted, the way her full body felt when it brushed against his on occasion. He smiled and raised his eyes to the heavens. "Many thanks, Lord. Many thanks!"
"Will we be staying in Alexandria?" Prudence asked as they climbed the steps to the train station.
"No. I’ll wire your father and tell him to come to my home."
“Your home? You have a home?"
"Yes, I have a home," he said, exasperated. "Where did you think I lived?"
"I don't know. Hotel rooms, perhaps." The idea that Zac had a permanent residence, an actual home, puzzled her. It didn't fit his gunslinger image.
"I stopped living in hotel rooms a long time ago. I always look forward to returning home, a home that is now yours, since you're my wife."
Prudence thought about that as Zac wired her father and purchased two tickets for the morning train to Hastings. Why would he take her to his home? Why not return her to Boston and have her father dissolve the marriage? What was he up to?
"My father just can't take off and leave his business," Prudence informed him as he lifted both her traveling cases in one hand. His were still at the hotel.
"I told him there was no rush. You were safely in my possession and would remain so."
She didn't care for the staunch reassurance in his tone. "When he learns of our marriage, he'll insist on making arrangements to come here as soon as possible."
Zac stood looking down at her. She suddenly seemed more vulnerable, almost frightened of the present situation. "Perhaps, but until then, you're my responsibility."
"You take your husbandly duties seriously," she said, bewildered by his odd reaction to this ridiculous situation.
"I do," he said even more seriously.
She leaned over, reaching for her cases. He moved them from her grasp.
