Page 49 of Poison and Wine
Father Leahy dabbed his handkerchief to his forehead. “Right, yes. Repeat after me, I, Caterina Neretti, take you, Callum Kavanaugh, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you, to honor you, and to obey you all the days of my life.”
I jerked out of Callum’s grasp. “No.”
“Excuse me?” Father Leahy questioned as Callum’s jaw clenched.
I shook my head. “I won’t say I'll obey.”
A low growl came from Callum. “Say the damn vow, Caterina.”
“If you like it so much, you say it.”
“Stop acting like a petulant child.”
“These are archaic vows that no one uses anymore. I sure haven’t heard them in any Italian ceremonies.”
Father Leahy opened his mouth to protest, but I held my hand up. “I took one oath to obey God, and that’s the only one I’m keeping.” Glaring at Callum, I said, “I’m not one of your men to command. I’ll be your wife, but I expect to be your equal.”
Jerking his hand through his dark hair, Callum paced around the altar. He jabbed a finger at Seamus. “You better be right about this marriage. It sure as hell better bring us everything and more for me to have to put up with her.”
Seamus merely laughed. “Oh, boyo, you’re in for a wild ride.” At my indignant glare, he appeared momentarily sheepish. “My apologies, Caterina.”
“All can be forgiven, Uncle Seamus, if you tell him to remove obey,” I countered sweetly.
“All right, lass.” He placed a hand on Callum’s shoulder. “I don’t think it will hurt anything if we omit the obey.”
Callum glowered at Seamus. “You should back your leader.”
“I didn’t have Elena say to obey in our vows, so why should you?”
“I’ll never win with you when it comes to her, will I?”
“It’s nothing personal. It’s about keeping our alliance happy.”
Callum’s silence was long and calculated. After a long exhale, he nodded at Father Leahy. “Fine. Let’s get on with it.”
I couldn’t hide the triumphant smile that lit up my face. Without prompting from Father Leahy, I recited, “I, Caterina Neretti, take you, Callum Kavanaugh, to be my husband. 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.”
Father Leahy, who was beyond rattled by all that had transpired, stared at me for a moment before shaking his head. “May the Lord in his kindness strengthen the consent you have declared before the Church and graciously bring to fulfillment his blessings within you. What God has joined, let no one put asunder.”
As he began to bless the rings, Callum continued glowering at me. When I glanced down, I gasped. An enormous diamond glittered up at me while my wedding band sparkled with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
When I stared up at him in surprise, he said, “I chose the emeralds for Ireland, and the rubies for Italy.”
My heartbeat accelerated at his admission. I couldn’t believe he had done something so thoughtful. How was it possible such a brutal and heartless man could be so endearing? “It’s stunning.”
He eyed me warily as if any moment I had the ability to make him go off again. “I’m glad you like it.”
Although I shouldn't have, a feeling of regret entered me. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything meaningful about your band.”
Surprise filled his expression at my admission. “It doesn’t matter.”
After sliding the ring down his finger, I repeated Father Leahy’s words. When I finished, he said, “With the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.” Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. From his reaction, I’m sure he was as glad the ceremony was over as I was.
“I think you forgot a part, Father,” Callum remarked.
Although Callum was officially my husband and had held up the promise I’d asked of him, I still wasn’t ready to kiss him. I wasn’t ready for any physical aspect of our marriage.
At what must’ve been my look of horror, Callum said, “I’m sorry, Kitten, but I think for all the bullshit you’ve put me through, I at least deserve a kiss.”