Page 48 of Poison and Wine
Intensity burned in her dark eyes. “I’ll make sure my father and brothers understand how generous you’ve been, so they can do the same.”
Considering the fire that burned within her, I didn’t believe for a second she was capable of keeping her word of peace. But I wouldn’t let her know that. I would allow her to think she had scored a major victory when in truth, I knew it was me who had won. With her in school and having a career, her mind would be occupied to where she wouldn’t be sniffing around my business. She wouldn’t be sitting around wondering where I was and nagging me to be home with her.
“I would appreciate that.”
After clearing his throat, the priest asked, “Since we’re all assembled, shall we get started?”
I nodded. “We’re ready.” Squeezing her hand, I asked, “Aren’t we, Kitten?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
And I knew exactly how she felt.
Chapter Thirteen: Caterina
As Callum and I took our places before the priest, my heart thrummed wildly in my chest. When I glanced over my shoulder at Seamus and Callum’s brothers, they gave me reassuring smiles. It did little to steady my racing pulse.
The logical side of my mind tried reasoning that marrying Callum wasn’t the end of the world. It wasn’t like he was holding a gun to my head, or he’d beaten me into submission.
“Since this isn’t occurring in a church or before a large congregation, I’m going to cut down the vows to a minimum,” Father Leahy pronounced.
“As long as it’s still considered a true Catholic wedding,” Callum replied.
“Of course.” Father Leahy then cleared his throat. “Callum and Caterina have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?”
At Father Leahy’s question, I fought to breathe. I certainly wasn’t entering into this bond without coercion or freely. Despite the promises Callum made to entice me into marriage, I couldn’t overlook that I was being forced against my will. My attention was brought back into the moment by Callum reaching for my hand. His calloused fingers trailed over mine.
Cutting his eyes to me, Callum replied, “I have.”
Since I knew it wasn’t worth fighting, I quickly murmured, “I have.”
When I dared a peek at Callum, he smirked back at me. “I’m surprised you managed to keep your trap shut, Kitten,” he whispered.
“As if it would do any good,” I shot back.
Nodding, Father Leahy continued. “Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?
As Callum and I both echoed, “I am,” I wondered what thoughts were circling through his mind at that moment. Was he conflicted about whether he could ever love me? Did he feel the weight of the words ‘as long as you both shall live’ as heavily as I did? When I stared curiously into his blue eyes, I only saw conviction, not confusion.
I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. Callum was a man. Marriage didn’t mean the same thing for him as it did for me. He wouldn’t be imprisoned by his vows the same way I would.
Father Leahy’s words brought me back into the moment. “Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?” Father Leahy questioned.
Warmth flooded my cheeks at the thought of what bearing children entailed. “I am,” I squeaked as Callum also answered. I was thankful for the small mercy that Callum was a young, very attractive man. The thought of his hands on my body was actually enticing. Unlike Carmine, he would never force me, and when we finally consummated the marriage, he would be gentle when it came to taking my virginity.
“Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church,” Father Leahy instructed. He stared down at our hands that were already joined. “Right. Let us continue on then.”
When it was time for Callum to repeat the vows, my breath hitched. In a clear, resounding voice, he stated, “I, Callum Kavanaugh, take you, Caterina Neretti, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”
Swallowing hard, my frantic gaze darted between Father Leahy and Callum. This was truly it. There was no going back now. Once I said the words, I’d be bound to Callum for life. Regardless of what man’s laws could annul, I would be his wife in God’s eyes.
With the enormity of the moment bearing down on me, I swayed on my feet. Callum dropped his hand from mine to slip his arm around my waist to steady me.
His head dipped for his lips to graze my ear. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” I whispered. I peered up into his questioning eyes. “I’m sorry.”
He gave me a terse nod. I don’t know how much time passed before I could find my voice again. “Yes, please, continue.”