Bess and Billy tried to sleep for the next few hours. But their sleep was light and interrupted with thoughts of the day that lay ahead.
Bess rolled over in his arms to face him. His eyes were closed but she knew he was still awake.
"Billy" she whispered.
"Hmm?" he questioned, not opening his eyes.
"Why did you… go to that woman?" Bess bit her lip, "You never told me why."
Billy opened his eyes sleepily. He said nothing for a long while but finally he spoke.
"I dunno Bess; I was in a mess after I asked you… I felt like I'd trapped myself." He looked down at her, studying her expression. "Not by gettin' married..." he added hurriedly, "maybe I wanted you to find out and leave". He pursed his lips together in a serious pout, "'Cause I couldn't leave you," he sighed, "but I don't know why I did it… habit maybe".
Bess studied his face, "No more though, if I'm your wife" Bess stated sternly.
Billy nodded; "I promise on my soul" he said, and kissed her.
He pulled her to him and breathed in the scent of her hair.
Bess wrapped her arms around his middle and let her cheek rest against his chest.
"Good" she mumbled, feeling tired herself.
She heard Billy sigh, "And your daddy?"
Bess reached out her hand, her fingers entwining with his.
"I hated my daddy" she whispered. She was surprised how easy it was to say, it was almost as if being with Billy made those things matter less… and for the first time in her life she did not feel wicked for thinking it.
Billy squeezed her hand and no more was said.
--
The sunlight filtered in and cast a bright ray over Bess' face. She shifted uncomfortably and turned over, her hand reaching out on the bed… but she felt nothing but cloth. Slowly she opened her eyes, blinking hard to dispel sleep from her mind.
She looked over at the empty place beside her and her heart leapt upwards in a sickening motion; she quickly rose and glanced around the room.
"He's gone" she whispered, wanting to cry once more, feeling a fool for the night before and all that had passed between them. She let her hands cover her face, the despair creeping into her very core.
She sniffed, trying to regain her composure and pushed her hair from her eyes… and then she saw it… his hat sat upon the chair seat. She stared at it, not quite believing her eyes for a moment. She rose and walked forward, shakily she reached out, almost fearing the hat would disappear at her touch. She grasped it and let her fingers trail across the brim. Bess held it to her chest, feeling even more foolish for thinking he had left.
She smiled and placed it back on the seat and then went to wash. She hurried downstairs into the silent kitchen and grabbed the bag she had left by the fire the night before. She couldn't quite believe she was the same girl as the one she remembered last night. So willing and accepting to die, so angry and so hopeless. It seemed like a bad nightmare. She dismissed the thoughts, not wanting to dwell on the feelings she had felt so strongly, that had near driven her out of her mind… Billy was here and all would be well, she told herself.
Bess grabbed a loaf of bread that had been freshly baked the day before and then went back to the room. She fumbled in the bag until her hands found a comb. She quickly brushed out her hair and tidied her appearance as best she could before tearing a large chunk off the bread and chewing it slowly while she thought of what the day ahead had in store for her.
She looked up as the door opened and Billy walked in, wearing a dandy suit, hat and a large grin. Bess smiled at the sight of him, he could have almost passed for a real gentleman apart from the six shooters at his hips.
"Mornin" she greeted cheerfully.
The blue of Billy's eyes flashed in a mischievous way and Bess felt her heart miss a beat.
He tipped his new dandy hat to her before taking it off and laying it and a large bundle on the table top.
"How do I look?" he asked, grinning and obviously pleased with himself.
"Very fine" Bess replied.
"You best check that bundle." He winked and gestured to the large lump on the table.
Bess looked at him questioningly before rising and unfolding the cloth.
Inside was a beautiful gown of dusky blue taffeta. Slowly she pulled the garment out in wonder. It had a wide neckline that made it slightly off the shoulders and a bow on each short pleated sleeve. She ran her fingers over the boned bodice, feeling the luxury of the material. A sash adorned the waist and was tied at the back in a large bow.
Bess felt the full skirt and the discreet sewn-in bustle pad…. it was beautiful.
She glanced up at him, her heart near bursting with the joy she felt.
"This is too expensive" she said, finally regaining her senses.
"I borrowed it" Billy grinned, "an old friend".
Bess smiled and nodded, bringing the dress to her shoulders and looking at herself in the mirror.
Billy came up behind her. "And I thought these for your hair." His hands encircled her waist; in one he gripped a bunch of blue and white wildflowers.
Bess turned to look at him and she gazed into his blue eyes that twinkled with a strange playfulness. She reached up and kissed him deeply.
She pulled away and turned back to the mirror.
"I got a Padre to say he'd marry us today, it's a church just outside of Santa Fe." He smiled at her reflection, "Then we can go home, celebrate".
Bess smiled weakly.
"What is it?" Billy asked.
"Is Dave goin' to be there?" she asked.
Billy shook his head and his brow furrowed, Bess knew he'd soon have questions as to what happened on that night they were alone and her heart quickened in panic at the thought.
"He rode for Old Mexico" he stated.
Bess nodded, more than glad of the news. She forced a smile back onto her lips.
"Well, I best be gettin' dressed." She gave Billy a stern look and he held his hands up in mock defeat.
"Okay" he said with a chuckle, he placed the flowers onto the table and turned his back to her.
Bess unbuttoned her blouse and took it off and then undid her skirt and let it fall around her feet.
She adjusted her chemise and then stepped into the dress and pulled it over her frame.
"You can help me with the hooks" she called, and Billy turned around.
He quickly fastened the back of the dress, but Bess thought he lingered a little too long on the last few hooks, his fingers brushing the bare skin of her back above her corset, sending small shivers across her skin.
She turned and studied herself in the mirror; she looked quite the lady in this finery.
Billy snaked his arms around her waist again, pulling her to him.
"You look beautiful" he whispered in her ear and then kissed her neck.
Bess smiled, the dress was only a little tight and, apart from that minor detail, was a near perfect fit.
Billy let her go and Bess set about dressing her hair. She took large sections from the front and piled then into a loose bun upon the back of her head, letting some of the waves fall free from it. She then picked a few of the flowers and placed them in the bun.
Bess turned to Billy. He grinned widely, his eyes raking over her hungrily.
"Beautiful" he breathed, and then offered her the crook of his arm. Bess picked up her already packed bag and took his arm gladly. Billy grinned at her and they made their way outside.
--
Bess and Billy mounted their horses, Bess doing her best to ride side saddle to avoid creasing or tearing her dress, and they left the bustling city behind, riding once more together into open dessert.
Billy led the way until they reached a small village an hours ride from Santa Fe. The village consisted of a few scattered, run-down looking abodes and a small sand coloured church.
Billy tethered his horse before turning to help Bess down from hers. He grinned boyishly at her, the excitement plain on his features, before grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the church doors. He opened them and they walked into the stuffy, musty smelling air that occupied the small inside of the church. Wooden pews lined both sides and a large, old table stood at the top of a crude step as a make-shift altar.
An old looking man sat in one of the rickety, unstable looking pews. He appeared to have been bent in prayer as they entered but he abandoned the task as he heard their footsteps. Bess studied him; he seemed ancient, with only a few stray white hairs still left upon his head, and deep lines running across his face as if making a map of time. He was dressed in a simple cream cotton garment, with large sleeves.
Billy smiled at the old man, "Padre, gracias por casarse con nosotros con tan poco tiempo."
The old man smiled in return, showing the few teeth he still had left.
"Si, si" he said, gesturing toward him with his hands, beckoning them both forward, his sleeves falling comically over his hands; the clothing he wore was much too big for his skinny frame. He then gestured to two rather dirty looking men that stood smoking in a corner.
"Estas personas son los testigos." The old man croaked.
Billy nodded and turned to Bess "Our witnesses" he grinned.
The old man took his place in front of the table and began to ramble in Spanish.
Bess turned to Billy questioningly, she did not know Spanish well and it seemed the man marrying them knew nothing but.
Billy smiled reassuringly and squeezed her hand. Billy replied as the man addressed him and Bess thought she heard her own name being mentioned. The old man then turned to Bess and began to speak to her, Billy began to translate some of the words the man spoke for her.
Bess couldn't help staring at Billy, his words scorching into her very soul.
"Do you, Elizabeth Rowan, take Henry McCarty to be your husband - to live together after God's ordinance - in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him; honor and keep him; in sickness an' in health; for richer, for poorer; for better, for worse; in sadness and in joy; to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?" he smiled at her with these last words.
"I do" Bess whispered, smiling back at him.
The old man talked hurriedly to Billy and Billy reached into his waistcoat pocket pulling out a worn gold ring.
Billy smiled wanly, "I couldn't afford a new one Bess, but I got it engraved just like they do up East."
Bess took the ring from him and studied it. It was small and plain, worn around the edges, but Bess thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. The light caught the inside of the band and Bess made out a crude engraving of "H. M – B. R".
She stared at it a moment, overwhelmed with emotion, before finally placing it back into his palm and glancing at the old man, waiting for him to continue.
The old man began to talk and Billy again translated.
"Henry McCarty, in placing this ring on Elizabeth Rowan's finger she is now consecrated to be as your wife from this day forward, and this ring is the pledge of your love and a symbol of your unity." Billy grinned as he slipped the ring onto her finger, his eyes dancing with boyish glee. "What - therefore - God has joined together - let no man put asunder" he whispered.
The old man's voice rose and Billy tried to speak over him, his eyes never leaving Bess'.
"And so, by the power vested in me by Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife - and may your days be good and long upon the earth."
Billy grinned once more and chucked her under the chin in a playful manner.
"Man and wife," he breathed, "it's official".
Bess smiled at the old man in thanks and then Billy grabbed her around the waist pulling her close, the old man suddenly became very interested in his bible. Bess felt her face flush, it wasn't proper to behave so in a church but Billy wanted his own way and would not desist, no matter how much she pleaded with her eyes and hands that this was unseemly in front of a priest.
Finally she relented, wanting his touch as much as he wanted to touch her, and Billy's mouth found hers. He kissed her sweetly, passionately, tasting her lips, and then pulled away, leaving Bess feeling slightly breathless. All thoughts of the old man, the church and even God vanished from her mind, only Billy occupied it.
The priest gave a rough cough, bringing them both back to their surrounding. The old man indicated to a worn and stained book that lay upon the alter.
Billy picked up the pen, dipped it into the crude ink well and signed his name. He then handed the pen to Bess and she did the same.
"Well, Mrs. Bonney… shall we go home?" he smiled playfully.
Bess nodded and laughed sweetly.
They burst from the dusty dark church into the warm sunlight and Billy giggled crazily as he swung her into his arms, mischief pulling at the corner of his lips and eyes.
Bess smiled "Why Henry McCarty? The name I mean" she asked thinking she already knew the answer to the question.
Billy grinned "It's my real name, never cared for it much, William Bonney suits me better" he winked.
Billy's gaze was distracted from her.
"Let's get a picture Bess" he said excitedly, seeing a dusty painted sign. He pulled at her arm and dragged her towards the small abode that smelt a little of stale corn and ale.
"Hallo!" Billy called into the darkened room.
A dumpy, overweight man with a beard poked his head out, his bald head shining a little in the sun. He squinted at them both.
"You be wantin' a picture?" he asked.
Billy nodded eagerly. The man held his hand out and Billy quickly placed the right amount of money into his palm.
The man counted it carefully "Come from the church? I get many newly weds wantin' pictures" he said not wanting or expecting an answer.
Billy led Bess inside and the man gestured to a wall. "Stand in front of that now."
Billy giggled again, enjoying the excitement. He placed a hand around Bess pulling her towards him.
"Be nice to have a good one" Billy said, grinning down at her, "I had one done, once". He sniffed and smiled a cocky grin, "Sure you seen it." He sniggered and gave her a smirk, obviously enjoying flaunting his fame to his new bride. Bess rolled her eyes at him.
"Okay, now look this way and hold still" the dumpy man said, taking his position behind the huge equipment.
Billy held Bess tightly to him and gave a slightly lopsided smile that gave him a sly look.
"Here we go, ready?"
A loud popping noise and flash of light blinded them both for a moment.
"All done," the man said, "you can move."
Billy grinned down at Bess and then bent down and playfully kissed the tip of her nose.
The man soon returned with the tin-type and handed it to Billy. They walked into the sunlight together.
"Mighty fine couple, if I may say so sir" he said, grinning and showing his browning teeth.
"Thank you," Billy said, grinning. "She's a pretty thing ain't she?" he winked at Bess.
The man stared at Bess a moment, Bess felt her flesh crawl a little as the man's gaze lingered on her breasts; she felt as if he were imagining her without her clothes.
"She sure is" he snorted, and laughed like a jackass.
Billy laughed with him, patting the man squarely on the shoulder in a friendly manner.
"You must be wanting to get her home." The man winked and began laughing again, snorting a little, his eyes again on Bess.
"Sure you would too" Billy hooted and the man nodded eagerly licking his fat lips almost obscenely.
Billy again laughed, his eyes widening as he looked at the man, pointing his finger at him as if he got the joke, but Bess noticed the falseness of that smile, the coldness of his eyes, the strained laugh…she'd missed it before but it had been there.
Billy's laughter abruptly stopped as if it had never happened, his eyes took on a crazy snap as he looked at the man, his jaw set, his face serious and his eyes icy as they regarded him.
The man laughed for a few seconds more before he noticed Billy's expression and then his laughter began to die to just strange huffs until he became quiet and the silence uncomfortable.
"Excuse me…" Billy said, sidling up to him and looking straight up into the man's face.
Billy was not a tall man, being only two inches taller than Bess, but this man before him was at least six foot. Bess felt her heartbeat quicken at the coolness in his voice.
"Are you talking about my wife?" Billy asked, his eyes alert, searching… as cold as metal.
The man licked his dry lips. "No, sir" he said stupidly.
"Sir," Billy said in an all too political manner, "I think you was".
Bess tried to touch Billy, to stop what was happening but he shrugged her off.
The man stared dumbly at him and then his expression changed, becoming a look of annoyance.
"I don't have time for your wise lip boy."
In a light speed of a moment Billy had pulled his gun from his holster and was aiming it at the man's head.
"You got time for me now, picture man!" Billy spat coldly.
The man's face fell, turning into terror.
Bess watched horrified as Billy's finger tightened on the trigger.
She threw herself forward into his arms and stared up at his face. It was cold and stone-like as any statue.
"Billy!" she cried, her palms resting on his cheeks, pulling his gaze down to her face.
His eyes refused to meet hers for a moment, too intent on the man before him, but finally his eyelids flickered closed and when he re-opened them they found her face, her eyes… her look of horror.
"No" she whispered. Her hand reached up to his hand that held the gun and slowly, without breaking eye contact she lowered it to his side. She reached up and kissed him softly, his expression now listless.
Bess then turned to the man who stared in confusion and fear at them both.
"I'm sorry sir," Bess said as brightly as she could, "it's our weddin' day and, well, he's been at the drink." She winked knowingly at him and a smile slowly spread over his lips.
"Aww, that's okay ma'm, you have a good day now." He turned and quickly made his way back into his house.
Bess led Billy to their horses, soothing him; he looked like a lost child. They stood together for a while before Billy blinked hard, and then a smile appeared on his face and the punkish glint returned to his eyes.
"Piece of chicken shit" he said, gesturing to the man's house.
Bess nodded, "Let's just forget it and go home".
Billy nodded, bent forward, and moved Bess's long hair to one side of her shoulder, admiring her and then he kissed her cheek.
Bess forced a smile pushing the incident that just happened from her mind.
--
Bess' stomach felt knotted as they began their ride back to Fort Sumner. Would the others be able to accept her back after what had happened? Pat… she'd hurt him… she had hated him. Now she'd come to know why he acted the way he had, to keep the peace and be the peacekeeper. She'd also talked badly to Doc… and Tommy, the look in his eyes that night of the Fiesta… could everything go as smoothly as Billy seemed so assured it would?
The knot tightened…
--
Hope you all enoyed! please do let me know what you think.
Little extra info for you on their marriage. The vows are actual vows used in the late 19th Century. It was normally only the bride that received a ring as rings were expensive. The line "You may kiss the bride" was not widely used in this period. It was seen as unclean in the house of God, so Billy kissing Bess in front of the priest and in a church is very cheeky!
Bess' wedding dress is based on an actual 1870 dress that I found on my studies. Only the original dress was a simple ballgown and golden in colour.
Spanish translations:
Padre, gracias por casarse con nosotros con tan poco tiempo - Father, thank you for marrying us with so little time.
Estas personas son los testigos - These people are witnesses.