The Duchess of York

Dominick- The Wedding

To say I was surprised was an understatement, the wedding march played and the whole room was on their feet. I scanned the facts seeing more business acquaintances than family and friends, even Margaret's side held a number of business contacts. At the front was a woman with short hair wearing a dark blue dress and like always she was glaring at me, I was glad that hadn’t changed. Jasmine was a spitfire of a woman completely dedicated to Margaret, I was glad she had someone like that to help her. Then I saw her, I had to will my body to stay completely still, to stay indifferent. Jesus, she was beautiful. As Margaret walked down the aisle with her father I couldn't help but stare. Her long red hair was braided and piled into an elegant bun much different than her usual relaxed style and frizz. Her eyes were brighter than normal and she had an elegance as she walked down the aisle. The ivory colored wedding dress wasn't her style, her mother must have picked it out. But I had to admire the way it fit her, the neckline showing off the top of her breasts and her skin was so pale that the darker part of my mind wanted to see how it would look after a kiss or a bite. I realized the way my thoughts were going and had to force myself to again remain stoic, when did I truly start to see her as a woman. My train of thought, of panic and desire, was halted as Paul, Margaret's father passed her hand to mine. Under her veil I could see her eyes were slightly misty, that must have been why they seemed brighter. She lifted her chin up defiantly, and the view was even better than before. Her figure was slim but not model like, the corset hid it but I had seen enough of her lately to know she grew well into her body. She was so soft, almost fragile, that's why I had to make her hate me. I will not be the reason this woman dies. The Priest in front of us was speaking but I didn't pay attention to his words, Margaret and I faced each other. Her eyes bore into mine, her mouth was pressed into a straight line, when I heard my name I got ready to sign a contract I never had a choice in. "I do" I said when the priest signaled for me, Margaret's eyes lost some color as she straightened up and repeated the words I had just uttered. "I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your bride." The priest said joyfully as the room erupted in applause, I saw Margaret tense as I leaned down by her ear. "Relax love" I whispered in her ear, I heard an audible intake of breath which piqued my curiosity. I lifted her veil and wrapped one hand behind her slender neck and pulled her flush against me, she became soft and pliable as I leaned my lips down to hers. I had meant for it to be a quick peck but her hands were gripping the lapels of my tux as if she might float or run. I found myself wondering if she had ever been kissed before but ignored it immediately as I lingered a moment longer. Slowly I moved away and I could see her blush rising on her neck, she looked up at me from underneath her lashes, her eyes somewhat glassy not like earlier, no she seemed dazed. I didn't release her right away, I had to tell myself that it was because I was afraid she would collapse and not because she felt good in my arms. When the photographer her mother hired came up to us I rolled my eyes, I was never a big fan of photos. Having keepsakes was ridiculous, we wouldn’t want to remember this anyways but I followed the woman's instructions. Margaret giggled next to me and I caught her staring at me, she was trying to keep herself from laughing, she wasn't very successful. When she noticed I was looking at her questioningly she cleared her throat and looked at the people around us, her expression becoming focused. "Sorry, I told my mother all of this was ridiculous but she insisted." Her voice floated over to me and I found myself wanting to hear her laugh again. I nodded in her direction as people started walking up to us, giving congratulations and well wishes, if only they knew. Most people believed arranged marriages were archaic and pointless, granted I completely agree, we decided not to tell people how much we hadn't wanted to get married, that it was only a business move. It was one of the few things Margaret and I agreed on, she had mentioned she didn't want to worry her friends. Her small group of girl friends had taken her off, I assumed to be taken out of the dress, I wondered if she was actually wearing a garter and what color her slip might be. My thoughts were getting dangerous and I decided a drink, maybe multiple were needed. A slap to my shoulder caught my attention as my best man and best friend Elijah came up from behind me, he motioned for a server to bring us drinks as the guests moved from the chapel out to the garden that was set up for a reception and dinner. "Well mate you did it! Like 80 or so people think you guys are a love match!" I sent him a glare as he laughed, I ran a hand through my hair really wondering what had come over me today. Elijah passed me a drink before unceremoniously clinking his glass to mine like American's did when they were celebrating. We both downed the shots, and I gestured to the server to bring us more. "Seriously Dom, if I didn't know better I would say that you two were ready to roll in the sheets. But I doubt she will even let you on the bed!" Again Elijah laughed, if he hadn't been my friend for over a decade I would have punched him. We went to the same boarding school and later on we went to the same university, his business that he built from the bottom up was starting to become known well enough that we had been in multiple meetings about how we could help each other. "Elijah, I thought your job tonight was to keep me thoroughly drunk and to keep me from getting pissed off." I sent him a dark look, my voice barely above a whisper. I understood that as my friend it was his job to tease me for being a married man, but this was no ordinary wedding. Elijah whistled low and I looked up just in time to see my new bride walking with one of her friends in a form fitting take me now type dress. "Well mate I'll keep my eye on you but I am pretty sure there is a rule about the man of honor and the maid of honor taking a roll in the hay" Elijah placed his empty glass on a passing tray and made a beeline to Jasmine. Margaret had my full attention, my mouth went dry as her legs were exposed all the way up around her mid-thigh where I could barely see a silver garter peaking out whenever she took a step, her heels would definitely look good hooked around my neck. I rubbed my face as a server handed me a new drink and this time I decided to sip at the whiskey, as I looked at Margaret who was taking a shot with her maid of honor and Elijah. I licked my lips as a drop of vodka trailed down her mouth to her neck, she blushed as she used a napkin to clean it up. What a pity, I believe vodka and her skin would taste wonderful together, again I was shocked by my thoughts. I couldn't take my eyes off her, so when she looked up and locked eyes with me from across the garden I couldn't help my smirk as her blush deepened. I vaguely heard someone say dinner was ready, so I headed to the table with the card that said groom. When Margaret came over to sit I stood up and pulled the chair out for her, she gave me a questioning look before sitting down as I guided the chair to the table for her. We had also decided on no speeches so the tables were just full of people drinking and talking with each other while romantic music played in the background. I picked at the salmon in front of me grimacing at the mush it had soon become. When I heard the light sound of someone humming I looked over to Margaret, who was sipping on wine, humming the same song that was playing in the background. It sounded rather nice. "You like to sing?" I found myself asking before I could stop myself, her confused look must have matched mine because she didn't say anything at first. "I used to be a part of my church choir, but I stopped enjoying it a few years ago" Her lips were pursed slightly as she thought about what to say. After a moment she just shrugged and continued humming as she sipped her wine and ate the salmon on her plate. I found myself listening to the soft humming coming from her as I sipped a new whiskey, I wasn't drunk but the warmth of the alcohol had allowed my muscles to start relaxing. “What about you? Do you sing or even like music?” I raised an eyebrow to her question as she seemed to giggle at the end finishing her wine and waving for another, note to self Margaret is giggly when drunk. Her skin was much more flushed than it was earlier and she seemed to be much more relaxed, almost smiling as she swayed slightly to the song playing. “Doesn’t everyone like some type of music?” my response earned me a mix between a scowl and another giggle. “I suppose but I guess I was curious as to what type of music you liked.” her smile was soft, and something about it made me want to tease her. I leaned down to her ear as I blew lightly on it, she jumped but I put my hand on her thigh causing her to still and her breathing quickened just a bit. “Why do you want to know little wife? Are you going to sing a song just for me?” her blush was on full display as she stared at me, her eyes flicking between my lips and eyes. I smirked down at her and that seemed to snap her out of the spell she had been trapped in. Before I knew it, dinner was over and the guests were moving to the area of the garden that had been decorated to act as a dance floor. The band that had been playing was setting up for a new song, when Margaret's mother approached us. "my dears I do believe it is time for your first dance as husband and wife." The little duck openly glared at her mother, and I fought back a smile, defiant little thing. "Mother, I have let you decide every little thing about this day. The least you can do now is leave me be to drink." Her voice had a slight slur and the shock that passed over Helena's features told me that Margaret didn't talk back often. Helena forced a smile in my direction before grabbing her daughter's wrist pulling her up out of her chair, when I saw Margaret wince I stood up from my chair placing my hand over Helena's. "Helena I do believe you're right, dancing sounds divine, Margaret shall we?" Before I finished speaking I had removed Margaret's mother from her and had started to lead her to the makeshift dance floor. She seemed to have some difficulty walking and was leaning on me more than she realized, I had a feeling she was drinking heavily but she might be in trouble if she doesn’t slow down. I decided I would need to watch her a bit more closely than I had intended. Once we reached the dance floor I put my left hand on the small of her back, with my right I grabbed her small left hand, she slowly put her other hand on my bicep. She looked at me skeptically as we started dancing to the bands slow song, she bit her bottom lip as she looked up at me. "Why?" Her question caught me off guard a bit, there were too many options to the simple word. Why had I kissed her like that earlier? Why did I start asking questions about her? Why had I intervened with her mother? Why was I dancing with her? Why in the hell did I want to kiss her again? Instead of answering I just shrugged my shoulders, hoping she would drop it, of course she didn't. "Why did you agree with my mom, it's no secret you would rather any other woman. Why even pretend?" her voice sounded unsure and I had to stop myself from comforting her, no Dominick get your head out of the clouds, it's better this way. A small voice protested in the back of my mind but I shut it down, I would not entertain such thoughts. "I thought it would look bad if I didn't step in, Father still hasn't signed the company over to me so I need to make it somewhat convincing." Her glare made me smile, when she tried to stomp on my foot with her heels I picked her up slightly pressing our bodies flush against each other. A blush formed on her neck as I bent down to whisper in her ear placing a kiss right on the shell of her ear. "I thought you would like the knight in shining armor act little duck." I blew on her ear after I finished my sentence and I felt her shiver, this was getting dangerous, but I couldn't stop. I continued our dance her fingers were now digging into my skin, a mix of lust, alcohol, and resentment were hanging in the air around us. I had led us to a more secluded part of the garden as I watched the fairy lights on the bushes around us heat Margaret's skin, I trailed my hands down to her waist and her hands were on my chest. I lowered my head to her neck, right above her collarbone and nipped at her flesh. Damn she even tasted faintly of lavender, I was about to break all of my rules when I heard her voice. "Dom what.." it was a soft moan, she was shaking as if anticipating the moment or afraid of it. Realizing my actions I quickly let go of her. Margaret staggered back until an arch behind her met her skin, like it was keeping her upright, one of her hands was over the place I had bit the other hand was pressed against the arch. I pushed a hand through my hair, "s**t" I growled out as I began walking away. I had to walk away before I did something we would both regret, I strode towards the open bar and decided it was time to sober up. If I was sober I wouldn't be tempted right? "coffee" I ordered from the server, the poor boy nearly jumped out of his skin as he rushed to fulfill my order. It would be a long night, I just had to survive it.