The Duchess of York

Margaret- The Wedding Night

As I watched Dominick walk away from me I realized just how close our encounter had been, he had been about to kiss me. Honestly he looked like he was about to devour me. I would have let him, a burning low in my belly caused my thighs to clench together, I was a breath away from chasing after him. Then realization hit, alcohol and Dominick Collins did not mix well with me. I spotted Jasmine on the dance floor getting comfortable with Dominick's best man, I rolled my eyes as I walked towards them. She looked up at me sheepishly when she saw me. "Elijah can I borrow my maid of honor, I need her assistance" I greeted them and he let go of her hips, he smiled at me genuinely which caught me off guard. "Of course your Grace" Elijah half bowed as he let go of Jas and walked over to Dominick who had just received some hot drink from the bartender, he looked angry and handsome. The impulse to go to him made me pause before I grabbed Jas's hand and led her away from the dance area. "Mag what's going on? You look.." she paused as she looked me over, I knew I must have looked crazy. My skin was flushed, and my whole body was humming. I felt crazy as my mind raced and tried to piece together some sort of logical explanation. "Did something happen?" Jas finally asked, I had stopped us near a gazebo in the garden far from prying eyes and ears. I looked down at my dress brushing off invisible dirt, brushing off Dominick's touch. I sucked in a breath, when I looked up at Jasmine she was giving me a worried look, the same look she had given me countless times before and I cracked telling her everything. She let me rant and unravel, I told her about the contract I had written, I told her about the kiss and how his touch seared my skin. As I heard myself talk I could hear the panic, Jasmine must have as well because she had started rubbing my back. I told her about how close we had been to breaking our rules, I told her how close I was to walking up to him and demanding more. I told her I wanted more."Jas I don't know what to do." My voice cracked at the end of my rant as I felt tears gather in my eyes, I was so overwhelmed. When I looked up at Jasmine she was biting her lip, lost in thought. I buried my face in my hands as I felt another wave of embarrassment wash over my skin, Jas had stopped rubbing my back so I jumped slightly as she rested her hands on mine. "Maggie, you are my best friend, I want you to be happy. Is it completely impossible for a friendly relationship? I am not saying fall in love with him but maybe you guys can get to know each other a little more closely. You guys will have the chance this week so use it.” she shrugged easily, but I just stared at her as if she had grown a second head. It was not that easy. "Jasmine, he can't stand me!" I was wringing my hands and trying my best not to begin pacing, I need another drink. That was probably all it was we had both been drinking all evening and I was two shots away from really bad decisions. I would just be the easiest woman for him tonight since everyone was expecting it of us, we were just horny, right? I scanned my eyes across the party, thankfully no one was watching my meltdown but when I found Dominick he was staring back at me. His blue eyes were dark, again reminding me of a storm over the ocean, I love the ocean. I bit my bottom lip and at that moment it seemed like we were the only people in the garden. His intense stare caused my body to heat, I needed to sober up, since it wasn’t Dominick having this affect on me. Definitely the alcohol's fault. "I think that is a blatant lie, it looks like he wants to eat you up." Jasmine's voice shook me from my thoughts, for a moment I agreed with Jas, but then all the things he had said to me rushed back and I felt cold. As if to prove I was right my arms began to pebble with goosebumps, I covered my arms with my hands in a weak attempt to get warm again. I felt harsh reality begin to hit me over and over, I looked away from Dominick as I heard his voice in my head. ‘Ugly duckling’ ‘Know your place’ ‘We are only getting married so I can get the business and title’ ‘You will be the Duchess of York only in name’ His taunts over the years stung more for whatever reason now, I felt a new wave of panic hit me and Jasmine was again soothing me. I heard footsteps coming towards us and I forced a smile on my face, I could panic later right now I had to play as a love struck bride. I turned to look at who was coming up to us, only for my smile to fall as I saw Dominick, he had his hands in the pockets of his black suit. God he looked good, was it really because I wasn’t his usual beautiful type that we couldn’t get along? Was I really supposed to accept this for my life, was I really just an ugly duckling? "Margaret you look ill, are you ok?" His voice washed over me and I almost forgot that he had been so cruel, almost forgot that this was an act. ‘I thought you would like the knight in shining armor act ugly duck’ "I'm fine" my voice was clipped and confusion danced over his features for a moment before he looked to Jas who, as a good friend would, was openly glaring at him. Elijah came up to us clapping a hand on Dominick's back. "Ladies, we wanted to invite you two over for a drink you know before the party comes to an end?" Elijah had a much softer, inviting voice, I imagined he could read to a group of kids and seem genuine. Dominick would probably growl and groan at a group of kids, no, I mentally chastised myself. I needed to stop comparing any man I met to Dominick. It was ridiculous, it didn't matter if he was deliciously attractive, his attitude was not! except that kiss, and the dance, and what seemed like genuine worry coming from him now. The man was confusing the s**t out of me and I was over it. "We would love to." Jas answered for us and the look I sent her way showed the absolute betrayal I felt, when a chuckle reached my ears I actually whipped around to stare at Dominick who had cleared his throat. Elijah offered his arm to Jas and she happily took it, Elijah sent a pointed look to Dominick and this time it was my turn to chuckle slightly at the interaction between the two friends. Dominick looked at me with a small amused smile and offered his arm, we silently walked to the bar pondering the strange night we were experiencing. "So Maggie, can I call you that? I don't know much about you, would you do me the honor of telling me more about yourself?" Elijah directed the question at me but his eyes were fixed on Jasmine, we had decided that the bridesmaid dress she was still in was perfect because it would be similar to my party dress. Her dress was a dark blue that paired well with her skin tone, like mine it went down to her mid thigh and it was tailored to fit her perfectly. She had more of an hourglass figure than I did, and the dress looked amazing on her, while my light blue, almost white, dress didn't feel very flattering. It was obvious why men gravitated towards Jas, she was beautiful and radiated confidence. "Um not much to tell I guess" I shrugged as I sipped the drink the bartender put in front of me, I glanced at Dominick who was sitting on the stool next to me. He was looking forward, clearly uninterested in the conversation. Jasmine on the other hand gasped, she glared at me before stating rather matter of factly "She loves to read, but she also knows how to ride a horse she has awards for doing some dressage competitions, and there was this one time that my little sister was heartbroken over some childish boy, Mag had her laughing in just 30 minutes." Jas took a drink of her cocktail before continuing. "She is nice, funny, and really smart. Did you know she got top marks in all her classes at university? She was my personal tutor at the time. If it wasn't for this wedding I am sure she would have had no problem in starting up a company if she wanted to." Jas covered her mouth quickly before looking back at Dominick and I, I shook my head as I took the shot the bartender put in front of me. To hell with decorum, the alcohol and the night had finally worn me down and I just didn’t care anymore. I eyed Dominick who was just sipping on his drink, he didn’t seem to care about anything that Jas just said. "Yeah, I would probably give your company a run for their money" I could hear myself slurring but I didn't care, when I heard the distinct sound of a chair scraping at the floor I looked over at Dominick who had stood up, his expression unreadable. "Margaret, you're drunk, it's time for bed." His voice was authoritative, I looked up and felt rage course through me. I stood up a little unsteady at first but I glared up at him, who did he think he was? After everything he put me through, what right did he have "If you think you can boss me arou.." I didn't finish my sentence, I couldn't, Dominick had picked me up like I was a child and put me over his shoulder. He held onto me with one arm over my waist, I was speechless as he started walking towards the estate, I could hear various whistles and cheers as we walked away. After a moment I felt my anger rise again, Dominick had carried me inside by this point. "Put me down you, you, jerk!!!" My scream echoed over the hall, but it didn't stop Dominick's strides, I started hitting at his back and kicking my legs out. It did nothing, so I sucked in a breath before screaming profanities as loud as I could. I could hear the sound of a door opening and I looked up hoping to see someone who could rescue me, but I saw nothing. Dominick had opened a door and before I knew it he unceremoniously dropped me on a large, rather comfortable bed. I looked up at him, and before I could shout more he met my gaze. s**t.