Catching her unaware, Cal dipped her easily, and kissed her, once more. It was a kiss with a fair amount of passion and out of place in the conservative church, and amid uncomfortable laughter, and some applause from some of the more rowdy gentlemen. Especially given the perfunctory kiss he had given her for the wedded moment.. For a brief respite Rose forgot where she was, and returned it, before she was placed upright again on her fight.
Rose's eyes fluttered, and peered up into his cold and unforgiving eyes and any illusions of today being a new start for them were silently warped and ripped apart. She began to tremble, and he tightened his hands on hers. A wordless warning on his hard set lips, eyes flashing. She repeated her vows as instructed, and did her best to remember to keep breathing. The task surprisingly difficult as the claws of anxiety began to draw her down to their dangerous depths.
Amid applause, and organ plunking, he raised her hand, his own tightened around hers in a triumphant fist. He led her down the aisle, and her cathedral train dragged along the burgundy liner, that had been covered in flower petals by the little flower girl. Rose stood in a receiving line doing her best to smile, greeting each of their guests, and embracing them, taking their congratulatory words, and wishes of a wonderful future with as much grace as possible, given the circumstances.
A small reception was to follow at the Mansion where she would spend her wedding night. Cal murmured against her ear, as the last stragglers in line approached for their congratulations. " I thought we would take a little drive, you and I, before arriving as Husband and Wife." He gave a glance to where his man stood beside a vehicle that looked strikingly like the car in which she had eagerly given her virginity and virtue to Jack.
"Oh God." She breathed, barely loud enough to be audible, but he grinned at her response. It was what he was hoping for, and his eyes lit with a dark excitement as he watched the effect the vehicle had on his new bride.
Rose struggled with the last of the wedding guests, quietly murmuring her thank you's, and returning their embraces half heartedly, and it was only with the forceful grip of her new Husband that she made her way to the car.
Cal's ever faithful body guard opened the door and she numbly climbed in with his and Cal's assistance, careful not to sully her gown. Sitting in the back seat and jumping when the door slam closed behind her. She took some deep breaths, her eyes scanning the all too familiar interior. Her heart began to pound and she blinked back tears as the memories of a happy time threatened to destroy her fragile grip on sanity.
Climbing beside her, Cal settled in, and she paled when she saw out of her peripheral vision that the sounds that accompanied his awkward positioning and movements were from his hands busily unbuckling his belt. His bodyguard and driver climbed into the front seat and studiously ignored what was happening just behind him. The engine rumbling to life.
"Please, not until tonight." Rose pleaded, her eyes drawn to her Husband's eager and nimble fingers, as he unbuttoned his trousers, continuing his removal, shoving the pants away, giving a low growl as the fabric caught on his erection as he moved his clothing aside.
"Please." Repetition, maybe would get through to him, she thought. Realizing too late she had bet and lost, and that begging would accomplish nothing. If anything, her request had only made his need grow. His hand moved to yank out her veil, tossing it down to the floor of the back seat, he moved to adjust himself, one hand moving to stroke his growing need, the tip of him glistening with anticipation.
"NO!" She yelped, as his remaining hand tightened in her beautifully coifed auburn locks. He hissed and began to tug her down toward his crotch, groaning a little at the cry she made. Licking his lips and taking a steadying breath he began to speak. His voice strange, heady with need, and dripping with malice.
"You want to behave like a whore my little plucked flower? Well now you're going to use that smart mouth on me."
She struggled against his attentions but in the end, he got his way. She clumsily did as he asked, nearly vomiting in the process, completely unaccustomed to something she found demeaning and vulgar. Something she would have not wanted to do under even the best circumstances. These were not the best circumstances.
After finding his release buried deep in her throat, he released her, and took his handkerchief to clean himself up. After drying himself of saliva and what she hadn't swallowed of his seed, he offered her the handkerchief, and when she tried to give it back, his grin widened, eyes darkening.
"Wipe your mouth, Rose."
She swallowed back the wave of nausea that accompanied her humiliation, and refusing to meet his eye, gritting her teeth and blinking back the tears that had begun falling before he had forced his way between her lips.
Taking the handkerchief and trying to find the driest part she used it to wipe the corners of her mouth. He took it and folded it neatly, replacing it in his pocket.
"We'll need that for later. I'm certain we will make quite the mess. But first, we must have our reception."
The guests had almost all arrived by the time Cal and Rose joined them in the dining room, tables set up around the giant room. Dozens of place settings, and extra staff hired for the occasion to serve all of their guests. Those who weren't considered as close to the family were seated in the adjoining ball room and when supper was cleared away, the servants busied themselves with removing the furniture, and the afternoon became evening with a string quartet playing in the corner of the ballroom.
Being tradition for the Bride and Groom to lead with the first dance, Cal led her to the dance floor, and took her in his arms, leading her with ease across the dance floor. To their assembled guests they were the perfect example of a beautiful couple, and the assembled partygoers talked of the children they would have and the happy years to come.
Sharing none of those sentiments, Rose was silent as her Groom danced with her. The song came to an end and he bowed formally to her before handing her off to his Father, a kindly Gentleman who danced as well as his son, but with none of the guile or cruelty streak that set Caledon Jr. apart from his namesake.
For the first time since she had become a Hockley, she found herself smiling, however faintly. He welcomed her to the family and spoke of looking forward to being a Grandfather and how he intended to spoil them rotten. That he had been too strict on Cal, and would not make the same mistake with his grandchildren.
The kindness of a man who shared her new last name calmed her slightly and with the many dances, and conversations, along with cake cutting and eating, the evening quickly turned to night. Rose found herself surprised when she found her armed gripped by Cal, his lips pressed against her ears.
"Say your farewells. Tonight I take your virginity, Wife."
Rose shuddered at his words, and did her best not to allow her confusion of his words to register on her face. Keeping her brow smooth, not allowing her usual thoughtful furrow. Surely he knew she wasn't a virgin? How could there have been any doubt given the proof of the union that had grown for such a short time. That small beautiful candle that had been snuffed away. She said her farewells, purposely ignoring her Mother, passing off her bouquet to Trudy, and receiving a glass in response.
Sniffing the liquid and giving her maid a grateful smile when she recognized the smell of the "medicine" the Doctor had given her. Gulping it back gratefully and quickly before ascending the stairs and going to the bathroom to prepare herself for her wedding night. Trudy had hung her wedding night negligee in the bathroom and she paused to study the beautiful craftsmanship, though it perhaps would have been better suited for the stage. The heavy item was made of red satin, black lace, and heavy jet beading alternating in flattering lines along her waist and down the hips, the length of it shockingly shirt, stopping a few inches above her knees.
Her reflection startled her a little. She was pale, her expression more terror then wedding night jitters. What more could Cal have in mind for her? She didn't look like herself. More like a caged fox, eyes alert with fear and waiting for a stronger, more frightening predator to strike. It didn't take long, and she jumped as he pounded on the door of the powder room that was attached to their Master bedroom.
"Wife. Bed. Now." His orders crisp and clear. No room for her to question him. She opened the door, and his hand rose in a clear motion to stop, and she froze standing in the doorway between the bathroom and the bedroom as he began to slowly circle her. Surveying her like merchandise, after a moment, murmuring. "In clothes like these, one could almost forget what a whore you are. But I won't ever forget. " He leaned in to sniff her hair and she shuddered at the strange motion and stayed frozen as his lips began to trail their way down her neck,.
Despite her terror, or perhaps because of it, she gasped. Her trembling quickly transitioning to full blown shaking, as he whispered.
"See what a little slut you are. Now every man should have a virgin for their wedding night."
Raising her blue eyes to his, she grit her teeth at the steely resolve that met her, Cal's lips forming into a cruel smirk. "Since you left yours in third class, I'll have to explore somewhere no one has ever been. " His hands began to slide down the satin and beaded lingerie, resting finally around the gentle curve of her rear, one hand on each side cupping her, yanking forcefully and grinning at the obvious pain the motion caused, along with the realization of his intentions for the night.
He chuckled softly, and without difficulty his hands shifted so he could lift her, carrying her and laying her down with mock gentleness on the flowered quilt that covered their wedding bed. Adding as he settled her down, moving to stroke her auburn hair.
" There are expectations for you to bleed on your wedding night, and I assure you, Mrs. Hockley. You will."