A/N: Hello. Just re-editing some of my work. Horrible chapters. Until the next chapter arrives, please come back!
Chapter 1:
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride," beamed the priest, a dimpled smile showing his delight.
Looking into eyes that mirrored his own feelings of disgust, Darien hesitated for the first time in his life. Kissing women had never been a problem. But standing here, under the eyes of God marrying a complete stanger was quite a different matter. As minutes ticked by, he grew aware of the silence. Glancing at the congregation of people, he swallowed. With frozen smiles, they sat motionless; waiting patiently for the kiss that would bind them together. Fighting the urge to cut and run, he glanced quickly at his family, before pulling himself together. He was doing this for them.
Bending his head to kiss his bride, he kissed her so quickly, the crowd was slow to react. Turning to the scattered applause he managed a small smile, knowing all too well that the Lord saw right through him.
She was exhausted.
Dismissing the maid who had been assigned to her, Serena stood alone and uncomfortable in the heavy silks, her wedding dress holding no significance at all. Catching her reflection in the mirror as she moved about the room she paused, walking closer to the looking glass. Touching her face as she turned her head from side to side, she frowned. Where was the radiance? The glow? The flush of a newly wedded woman? Saddened she could see nothing of that in her face, she turned away to survey the room instead.
Beautiful in the candlelight, she would never have believed the family were in dire need of money. Yet, she had come upon the truth by mistake. Clambering through the window late one night outside her father's study, she had caught the sounds of a conversation in place. With no intention of eavesdropping, the mention of her name and marriage made her forget all forms of propriety. Set to marry a complete stranger within weeks, Serena had pleaded with her parents to revoke their decision. But they had given their word.
Shrugging out of her wedding finery, she moved towards the mirror once more to see how the dress undid. Bending at an awkward angle as her fingers just reached the tiny buttons, her neck and arms ached from the effort. After what seemed like an eternity, she was finally freed from the heavy garment. Leaving her underclothes in place, she glanced at the adjoining door connecting her bedchamber with that of her husband. Feeling more exposed than usual, she swallowed uneasily only to knock herself on the head for being such a ninny.
What did she have to fear? It was obvious her husband didn't care about her. In fact, he probably wasn't in his room. She could imagine him drinking himself to death or flirting with some full bosomed woman. She had noticed him eyeing some of the women in the crowd which hardly surprised her. Feeling more at peace, she headed for the bed eager for sleep.
Hiking up the silk in her hands as she climbed onto the feathery mattress, she rested on top of the counterpane and stared up at the canopy of the four poster bed. No longer so tired, she lay thinking. How quickly the wheels of fate turned. A little sad she would never experience true love and happiness, she sighed. Perhaps after the annulment of the union, she may find it. All she had to do was wait one more year, and then she would be free.