~V~V~
~Chapter Four~
Margaret Anne Saybrooke had just stepped off the ship from Ireland with her Aunt Kiki. Abigail Collins had arrived to greet them at the port. "How was your trip, Kiki? I'm sure it must have been most dreadful!" Abigail remarked as she hugged Kiki with affection.
"Ahhh yes, it was torturous, being cramped up on that TINY ship will all those nasty, unkept people. And it was difficult to keep all those lustful young men off of Margaret; THAT, my dear, was a most unpleasant task!" Kiki cried out.
"Well, you're here now... and the voyage is over! You can come back to the house with me and have a nice hot bubble bath," Abigail said with a little smile.
"Ohhh I would love that," Kiki purred.
Then in loud, hateful voice, Kiki commanded to her niece, "Don't stand there just like a dolt! Carry all the baggage!"
Marty was left to carry their valises and place them onto the carriage while Kiki and Abigail walked off together. Marty was feeling a bit nervous, but also quite excited about meeting her betrothed. She carried his portrait in a heart-shaped locket with an opal upon it's center. It had been her only correspondance from Todd. She couldn't wait to finally lay eyes on him.
She was clutching the locket in her hand when they arrived at the Collin's Mansion in Collinsport. It was a such a beautiful home with it's magestic white columns and the colorful magnolia trees which framed the estate. The buds were pink this time of year, and their scent was heavenly. *I'm going to love it here,* Marty thought as a small smile touched her lips.
Servants carried the luggage inside containing Marty and Kiki's clothing and possessions while the newcomers followed close behind with Abigail. Once they reached the parlor, Kiki turned to her niece. "Margaret, you must play a tune for Abigail. Show her how you can play," Kiki insisted.
Marty set her gaze on the grand piano in the corner of the parlor. It looked absolutely exquisite, and Marty couldn't wait to play it. That was what she had missed most on their trip over from Ireland- making her beautiful music upon the piano. "Alright," Marty said with a smile as she sat down upon the piano's narrow bench. A rare smile came to Abigail's face as she heard the lovely yet haunting melody that Marty began to play.
After Marty had finished with the piece, Abigail cheered. "That was lovely, my dear Margaret," she said. "You have such talent at the piano. Todd is just going to love you."
Suddenly all eyes turned as Todd entered the parlor. From across the room, Todd's eyes had locked with Marty's. "What am I going to love?" he then asked his aunt.
"Come here, my nephew ~ darling. I'd like you to meet Margaret, your wife-to-be," Abigail said as she took Todd's arm and lead him over to where Marty was seated upon the piano bench.
"Margaret, this is Todd Manning, my dearest nephew," Abigail introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Todd," Marty responded softly.
Todd didn't say a word as he took Marty's small hand in his and gently kissed it. All the while, she could not tear her gaze from him. Something unsual had passed between them. Was it love at first sight? An instant chemical reaction? Whatever it was, Marty was intrigued and wanted to spend time with him so she could get to know him.
"Kiki, we should give these two some time alone together ... to get to know one another. What do you say? Would you like to go for a walk in the gardens with me?" Abigail asked as she watched Marty and Todd together and saw that they only had eyes for each other.
"Ohhh I do not know. Would that really be proper? To leave my niece, a maiden alone with a young man, before her wedding day?" Kiki said to Abigail.
"Well, they are going to be married within a month," Abigail stated.
"Todd won't do anything improper? Will you, Todd?" Abigail prompted her nephew.
"Hmmm... what was that?" Todd asked as he finally drew his eyes away from Marty and looked at Abigail. "No... Margaret will be perfectly safe with me."
"Alright then," said Abigail as she took Kiki's arm and started leading her toward the foyer. "We have so much to catch up on. Tell me all about Ireland, Kiki. How is it there this time of year?"
After Kiki and Abigail had left, Marty and Todd were alone as no one else in the household appeared to be around. Marty still sit there on the piano bench, not saying a word. "I'm glad I'm finally here," she spoke at last as she looked up at Todd.
"Is it everything you dreamed it would be?" Todd asked.
"It is and more," Marty told him with a smile.
"Would you like to see your room?"
"I- I don't know..." Marty responded as she didn't know how Kiki would react if she found out Marty had gone off into a bedroom alone with Todd.
Despite Marty's indecision, Todd reached out for her, taking her hands in his as he helped her up from the bench. "You're going to love it," he said as he stared into her eyes. "Come with me. I have a surprise I'd like to show you upstairs."
"What sort of surprise?" she asked as he took her hand and lead her up the staircase.
Todd didn't stay anything as they entered a long narrow hall and came upon the bedroom which was hers. Todd opened the door and together they stepped into the room. Marty gasped as she looked at all the beautiful furnishings. There was a gorgeous canopy bed with white lace draperies. She walked over to the bed and touched the silk coverlet. "Do you like it?" Todd asked her softly.
She turned to look at him. "It's the most beautiful thing ever," she said as she wrapped her arms around him.
In Ireland, her aunt had kept her in a small attic bedroom with sparce furnishings. She didn't have anything so lovely of her very own. She wasn't even allowed to come out of the room, unless it was to play the piano for the customers of the inn where they lived. Marty had been overcome with sorrow and loneliness. She missed her parents who had died in a drowning accident when she had only been a small girl of seven. Aunt Kiki had cared for her since then, but she was strict and hateful. Already, in the space of just several minutes, Todd had been far more kind to her than Aunt Kiki had EVER been.
Todd had been surprised when she settled herself into his arms. He held her for a moment, cherishing her sweet scent and the feel of her body pressed against his. "That isn't all. I have more surprises for you," Todd stated with a chuckle when she pulled away from their embrace.
"But I haven't had a chance to thank you yet for my locket..." Marty told him as she once again clutched the tiny heart on the golden chain she wore around her neck.
"Come over here... and I'll show you the rest. There's something that goes with the locket..." Todd said as he coaxed her to sit down with him in the chairs placed before the fire.
Curiously, Marty sat down beside Todd next to the crackling fire. "I have some gifts for you... to make you feel more at home..." Todd told her. He reached into the satchel at his side and withdrew a golden hair brush and a matching mirror.
"Wow, these are so lovely," Marty said as he placed them in her hands. She had never received gifts before, not since she had been very young, and she'd been given a toy bunny-rabbit from her mother and father on her seventh birthday.
Marty was marveling over the gifts when Todd presented her with an antique music box. He opened the lid and a beautiful melody tinkled forth. "I've never seen anything like it," Marty said with amazement. "All of this is for me?"
"No," Todd said with a smile. "There's one more thing. I can show it to you... but you can't have it right now. Not till our wedding day."
He then withdrew a small exquisite ring. The band was gold and there was an opal on it. It was a perfect match to the locket that Todd had sent her overseas. "It- it's beautiful," Marty said as she didn't know what else to say. Her eyes filled up with tears as she treasured all the gifts he had given her. She could not wait until he placed that ring upon her finger. She wanted to be with him; wanted to BELONG to him.
"Do you really like the gifts, Margaret?" he asked her.
"Yes, I do," she responded. "But you must call me Marty. That's what my parents always called me. And I miss them..."
Softly he brushed some stray tendrils of long blond hair out of her face. Her curls twined around his fingers. "I am sorry about your parents..." he said to her as all he wanted at that moment was to hold her and comfort her. Her blue eyes were so expressive, and they spoke of her pain.
"I have you now, Todd... and we are going to be married soon," she said to him softly.
"Speaking of our marriage, there's one more thing I must show to you."
"What is it?" she asked him curiously. "You've already given me so much."
He took her hand into his and lead her back over toward the bed. He opened the cedar trunk at it's end and withdrew a white shimmering gown made of silk and delicate lace. "For you... for our wedding day," he said as he lay it in her arms.
"I- I don't know what to say. I have never seen anything more beautiful in all of my life," Marty said as she gazed into Todd's eyes. She lay the wedding gown aside as the need for physical contact with Todd was incredibly intense.
"I'm so tired from my travels. Would it be alright if I lie down on the bed for just awhile?" she asked him quietly.
"That is perfectly fine. I'll tuck you in," Todd said to her as he helped her lie down upon the huge bed. Gently he placed the coverlet over her and turned to leave.
"No, Todd... please don't leave me. Stay and hold me," Marty pleaded as she grasped his hand in hers.
"I'm not sure..." Todd said as he hesitated. If his aunt ever found out... or hers, they'd be greatly displeased. Looking into Marty's beautiful blue eyes, Todd couldn't tell her 'no.' Above all, he wanted to hold her and give her his comfort.
"Alright," he relented. "But just for awhile... until you fall asleep..."
Todd crawled into bed next to Marty and took her into his embrace. Quietly, she curled up against him and lay her head upon his chest. Softly caressing her hair, Todd felt an incredible sense of peace. She belonged in his arms. He was never letting her go.
Marty loved the sensation of him holding her. No one had ever held her or showed her any affection, not since the death of her parents. She had been so lonely, and she'd craved comfort and physical contact. "Todd," she whispered as he held her close.
"Yes, babe?" he responded.
"Now I'm hungry. Could I have something to eat?"
"Yes, Love. What would you like?"
"Anything is fine. How about cookies and tea?"
"Cookies and tea. I'll go have the servants fix you something. You just stay here and rest, and I'll be right back," Todd said as he brushed a kiss across her forehead.
She shivered at the sensation of his lips moving across her skin. With his touch, her whole body began to tremble. Before she could question her response to his kiss, Todd was gone.
~V~V~
Moments later, Todd had walked into the kitchen to see Anqelique preparing a pot of tea. She smiled at Todd as he approached the stove. "Would you like a cup of tea, Todd?" she asked as she seductively caressed his arm.
Todd cringed at her sensuous touch. The only woman's touch he craved from this day forward was Marty's. "Actually yes, I would like a pot of tea and cookies placed upon a tray straight away," he told Angelique. "My bride has arrived, and she's tired and hungry from her travels."
Angelique looked extremely angry when Todd announced that he was sought a snack for his beloved. Angelique wanted to be the only woman in his heart. Once, not all that long ago, she and Todd had been lovers, and he had been very pleasing in bed. She wanted him again, and she was determined to have him... no matter what she must to do to get him back.
"Todd, forget about her. She's a skittish little virgin. She has no idea how to please you. I am an experienced woman, and I know exactly what it is you want and need..." Angelique said as she boldly began to caress him through his pants.
Todd tensed as she toyed with his cock. Angelique was getting out of hand. He had told her many times he no longer wanted her, but she did not listen. She was always trying to arouse him, but her advances weren't working. Todd was committed to Marty, and there was no way he was returning to Angelique's bed.
Todd pushed her roaming hand away. "I've told you before, Angelique. It's over for us. I'm getting married in less than a month. Find another lover," Todd said in a steely voice. He reached for the pot of tea himself as well as a plate of freshly frosted cookies. He couldn't wait to leave the kitchen and avoid Angelique's unwanted caresses. He was sure if Marty ever found out, she wouldn't be pleased.
As Todd placed two teacups on the tray, Angelique was furious. *You'll regret rejecting me again, Todd,* she inwardly seethed. *You and your precious little Margaret are going to pay!*
~V~V~
Todd had just left the kitchen carrying the tray when he met up with his cousin Barnabas in the hallway. "Cousin, we must talk," Todd said to him candidly.
"What is it?" Barnabas asked.
"It's the servant Angelique. She can't keep her hands off me. I slept with her a few times... but now it's over. My bride has arrived and I-."
"Margaret is here?" Barnabas asked with surprise.
"Yes, she is," Todd answered. "She's upstairs right now, waiting for me... and she must never know about me and Angelique."
"What would you like me to do?"
"Go into the kitchen and distract Angelique. Maybe another man's attentions would make her forget all about me."
"Are you suggesting I make love to her?"
Todd smirked. "If that's what it takes. She's a beautiful woman. You can't deny that. And she's quite good in bed. She'll pleasure you well, Cousin."
"Well, it has been several months since I had a woman grace my bed," Barnabas stated with a chuckle.
"Then take her. She's ready and willing. In fact, I DARE you... Take her in the kitchen," Todd challenged. "Right on top of the serving table..."
A smile came to Barnabas's face. "I can never back down from a challenge. I'll give you the details later. In the meantime, have a nice time with your bride-to-be. So tell me, what do you think of her?"
Todd's eyes lit up. "She's amazing ... and I think I am already falling in love with her."
"That's good, considering there's no way Aunt Abigail would ever let you get out of that marriage."
"I don't want out," Todd said with a small chuckle. "In fact, I grow quite anxious for my wedding night..."
"Be careful, Cousin. Your beautiful little bride probably doesn't even know what to expect. From what I hear, her mean, old aunt kept her locked up in the attic a great deal of the time."
"I'll worry about Marty... and you worry about Angelique," Todd said with a wink before disappearing down the hallway carrying the tray.
~V~V~
Kiki and Abigail stood in the garden holding hands. "Kiki, you are not going to believe this... but I suspect we have a witch in this house," Abigail said as she raised Kiki's hand to her lips and gently spread kisses on it.
"A witch?" Kiki gasped.
"Yes, I shall have to call upon Reverend Trask; ask him to come over at once to bless this house and rid it of the witch's evil," Abigail stated.
"Who do you think it is; the one who is a witch?"
"I am thinking it is my niece Sarah's new governess by the name of Victoria Winters. She's a strange one. She arrived from Boston, speaking strangely and wearing indecent clothing. She acts as though she came from another time and place, so she must be the witch."
"Good heavens!" Kiki cried out. "What are we to do? You don't think she'll ruin Todd and Margaret's wedding, do you?"
"You mustn't worry, darling," said Abigail as she pulled Kiki into her arms and passionately kissed her. "Todd and Margaret will be married right on schedule and very soon you and I will get EXACTLY what is is we want."
Kiki looked at Abigail with sparkling eyes. "Are you sure Margaret will become pregnant right away?"
"Why yes. I know my nephew is a lustful devil. She's probably become pregnant on their wedding night... if not soon after. After the baby arrives, we'll tell her there was an unfortunate accident and that the little one didn't make it..."
"And then we will have our own little child we can raise," Kiki said with a smile. "Yours and mine, Abigail... and no one will ever find out about us; that you and I are lovers."
"You are right. No one must ever find out. How about that bubble bath now?" Abigail suggested to Kiki.
"I'd like that very much," Kiki said as she melted into Abigail's arms.