AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Get on with it,’ I said to the humanist as he stared at Maeve’s chest.
‘Yes. Yes. of course.’ He cleared his throat before launching into his spiel. I’d ensured it was as brief as possible, focusing primarily on the legal obligations. I had insisted on no frills. No hand fasting, no rings, no drinking from a quaich. We were hardly there to celebrate the joining of two people. It was for everyone except us.
‘Face one another,’ the man said and reluctantly, we complied.
It was surprising how little you needed to say to get married, really. Only one line each to bind ourselves together, as far as the government was concerned. I’d refused the oaths of love, and forsaking others and honour and all that shit. I was largely a man of my word, and I had no intention of living by any of those oaths.
Maeve met my eyes with her chin high and a steely determination about her face.
‘Repeat after me, dear.’ The man instructed her to follow his words.
Maeve’s voice was clear and light as she repeated his phrasing word for word.
‘I, Maeve McGowan, solemnly and sincerely declare that I know of no legal impediment to accepting you Cameron Thompson as my lawful wedded husband.’ Only at the husband did her voice falter, belying her nerves.
‘Now you, Cameron.’ The man hurried along after my father glanced at his watch.
My neck was clammy beneath my collar as I watched Maeve. Hoping she’d chicken out and head running for the door. Anything that would get me out of the wedding without it being my fault. But she didn’t. She just kept staring at me like she was cut from stone.
I sighed and gave in. There was no getting out of it.
‘I, Cameron Thompson, solemnly and sincerely declare that I know of no legal impediment to accepting you Maeve McGowan as my lawful wedded wife.’ The word was sour on my tongue. I didn’t want a wife. Marriage was just another vulnerability I hadn’t intended on exposing myself to.
‘The couple have foregone rings, so that leaves me delighted to say that you are now husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.’
Pockets of applause broke out amongst the crowd while Maeve and I about mutually died up on the small stage. There was no way I was kissing her. I didn’t kiss.
Maeve glanced at her brothers and then at my father before inching closer and stepping to her toes so her mouth was level with mine. My heart may well have stopped as I debated whether to let her kiss me, to appease them, or to push her away from me with repulsion.
Maeve deflected at the last moment, looking to all the world like she was placing a chaste kiss on the edge of my lips. Instead, she whispered to me below her breath.
‘I am going to destroy everything you hold dear.’
She stepped back to a rapturous cheer from all but our own families.
I struggled to decide whether to be impressed or annoyed.
Either way, it was done.
Husband and wife.
Until my father tore us asunder, naturally.
The reception was over the top, even for Father. Maeve and I had completely avoided one another since arriving at the glittering black-tie event.
Until the coordinator guided us to the sweetheart table in view of all of our guests for dinner.
‘Cameron,’ Maeve said, taking her seat on the ridiculously ornate thrones that awaited us.
‘It’s just Cam. I don’t like being called Cameron.’
She gave me a level look before smirking. ‘Cameron it is.’
I sighed and sat back in my seat, reaching up to loosen off my tie.
We ate mostly in silence, doing an excellent job of acting like strangers who had to travel on a plane together. Occasionally I’d steal a look at my new wife and wonder how on earth Father had got me into this? There was no doubting that she was beautiful, but it wouldn’t make up for who she was or where she came from. McGowan had been a curse word ever since I could remember. Whether it was Father beating Mother for not being like Jane McGowan, Maeve’s mother, or him steaming at the gills when another of his deals went south because of their interference. Ewen and I had come to blows more than once at finishing school. Even sitting near her had my blood boiling. I just wanted to go. Anywhere but there.
‘What now?’ Maeve asked, while spearing her cheesecake repeatedly. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she was trying to imagine my flesh in its place.
