AN UNEXPECTED WEDDING
Ardeth was sleeping when Bart, Tarita, and Laurel left to take Tarita to Cairo. He had wanted to be awake before they departed so he could spend a few moments talking to Laurel. Yet, she had gotten away again. Where would they go from here? Should he ride out and follow them? Then, there was his obligation to Waqi. He couldn't push her aside, not now, not after all the preparations. Stiffly, he rose from his pallet and tromped over to the large bowl of wash water that someone had brought in while he was sleeping like the dead. He splashed water on his face and ran his fingers through his hair, dampening it just a bit. Before he made a move to dress, he heard his father calling out to him. He hastily stepped into his pants and responded to his father's call.
"Come as you are, Son. Your mother is not with me." Ardeth went to his father and gazed at him curiously. "After Ustâd returns from Cairo, he and Mrs. Aciquilla will wed," Bahir began. "They have invited us to attend." Ardeth opened his mouth to protest, but Bahir raised his hand. "I would like to tell you something and I hope it does not anger you. I spoke to Waqi's parents and they have expressed a desire to break the marriage contract. I never brought it to the elders back when you requested it again. I assumed you would choose to marry Ustâd's daughter. There was never a new contract."
Bahir waited patiently for the anger to erupt. His son was normally a calm man, one not easily provoked. However, when angry, he was fierce and could kill without a qualm. He knew he had dishonored his son's request, basically stepping in and making his decisions for him. In the back of his mind, he wondered that if he hadn't intervened, then who would have? As an elder, he had the choice to withhold any request he thought was made in haste. The contract to Waqi was one of those requests. Ardeth had allowed his broken heart to rule him and it forced him to act like a horse's ass.
"We go to the wedding," Bahir said. "And you find the woman you love. All of us know who she is, even Waqi."
* * *
The wedding of Bart and Tarita was a simple affair, held at Bart's modest adobe house. Laurel stood in as her mother's Maid of Honor, dressed in a simple powder blue dress. Her jaw nearly fell to the floor when she saw the Bays. She didn't have a clue that her parents had invited them. Being at a wedding, in clear view of Ardeth, wasn't a simple feat. It was only a mere reminder of his upcoming nuptials. Her parents planned on going back to England because Bart wanted to help Tarita raise Robert and Harry. Tarita had yet to tell them Tehotu was dead. There were big changes about to occur, and Laurel wasn't certain how the boys would react to it all. Laurel had chosen to return to England, but would depart a day or so after her parents. She couldn't stay here, not after everything that had happened, not knowing that Ardeth would marry Waqi. She loved Waqi, loved her almost like a sister, but the thought of seeing her with Ardeth was gut wrenching. What would she do when they began having children? She couldn't stand the thought and going back to England was the best bet for her. Although her back was facing Ardeth, she could sense his eyes on her, likely willing her to look at him. She discovered that he rather enjoyed doing that and she fell prey to it each and every time. Give it some time, a few more hours, and it will all be over. Mother and Father will be off on their honeymoon, I'll be back in my bedroom listening to my brothers fighting. It all comes back full circle. In my room was where this adventure began, and in it will it finally see its end. Have I changed? Laurel heard very little of anything. Her attention was not focused on her parents or their happiness. Once again, she couldn't help but feel a tug of jealousy. This should be happening to me.
When the main ceremony was over, Laurel stood back and let the happy couple have their day of bliss. She began to back away from them and she wound up backing right into Ardeth. Apparently, he had been intent on approaching her. She stepped forward and turned around. Embarrassed, she averted her gaze for the briefest of moments. "I'm sorry," she said, "I hope your toe survived. You'll need it for the ride back." Her words were spoken lightly. Inside, her heart was breaking. She would book passage to England shortly, and today would probably be the last day she'd ever see him.
"My toe is fine," he said with a slight smile. "I have had far worse injuries." The heartbreak outshines any injury a knife, fist, or gun could inflict.
"I'm sure you have." I've seen some of those scars and I'd certainly like to touch them again before I go. "I'll be seeing my parents off later and then I'll book passage back to England. I wish you and Waqi all the best. I'm sorry I won't be here for the wedding."
Ardeth longed to reach out and touch her hair. Today, she had worn it down and loose. If he told her there wouldn't be a wedding, would it make any difference? He remembered his father's words: We go to the wedding and you find the woman you love. He stood before her, gazing into her eyes, but they'd each hurt the other so very badly. "Laurel, Waqi and I are not getting married. Neither my father nor the other elders drew up another contract. No one but my father knew." He held his breath and waited for her reaction. He wasn't sure if she would start screaming, crying, or strike out at him with rage.
She gave him a little nod. "I see." From what Waqi had said, she expected as much, but she didn't want to show any emotion. There would be another woman in line, another heartache to endure.
"You are not staying here," he asked. He could clearly see the emotion in her eyes, but she wasn't letting any of it out.
She shook her head. "Only a day or so until I can get a steamer ticket. Thank you for coming today, Ardeth. Thank you so much for everything." She didn't give him an opportunity to say anything. She turned and walked away from him.
* * *
Laurel had just finished preparing for bed when she heard the unmistakable sound of a snorting horse. It's just your imagination, Laurel. Why would he come back? In case it was someone sinister [after all Reginald, Tehotu, and Bishop had all met bizarre deaths], she grabbed her father's pistol. She crept to the door and waited. The instant she heard a voice commanding its horse to stop, she knew it was Ardeth. She opened the door before his knuckles could touch it. He stood back as if surprised to see her so suddenly.
"Ardeth? What are you doing here," she asked, standing back to allow him to enter the house.
He came inside and waited for her to close the door. When she turned toward him, he began to speak, "I started back with my parents, but I stopped and turned around. I am not letting you leave," he said simply. "When I asked if you would stay if the contract was broken, you said you would. I will not leave here until I am convinced you are planning to stay. I love you, Laurel. I know you love me. What more do I have to say? To do?"
"Ardeth, I…"
Quickly, he approached her and placed a finger over her lips. "I will not accept any arguments, Laurel. There is nothing for us to argue about anymore. There is nothing. There is no one between us now. There is only you…and…I."
Laurel wanted to speak, to continue to fight it and him, but she couldn't. How long had it been since they were truly and completely alone? She started to back away, but he took hold of her arm. Without a moment of hesitation, he leaned down and captured her lips with his. His kiss was tentative at first, but as soon as he felt her responding, he pressed onward, plunging his hands into the thick fall of her hair. He actually didn't know what he missed more, her hair or her kiss. Her lips were so soft and sweet. They parted against his and he slipped his tongue inside her inviting mouth. She felt it tripping over her teeth in its endeavor to seek hers. He tasted as good as she remembered. It hadn't been that long since she tasted his kiss or made love with him, but it seemed like ages. He broke the kiss and then took her into his embrace. He inhaled the lovely scent of her and reveled in the sensation of her body pressed against his. When she felt his wonderful, full lips against the side of her throat, she threw her head back, and then her hands went into his hair. She felt him drawing away and she reluctantly allowed him to do so.
Ardeth's hand came up to rest against her cheek. Her skin was so very soft; his thumb drew lazy circles along her cheekbone, occasionally reaching up to gently flick her earlobe. "You are not leaving me again," he told her, his eyes set and determined. "I will not leave until you consent to be my wife."
There were thousands of things she wanted to say and do, including telling him she couldn't be his wife. The most prevalent thought, of course, had to do with Waqi. But then again, she remembered her friend's words. Waqi said she had wanted to see her happy. Marrying Ardeth would definitely make her happy. Nothing would make her happier. Nothing. "I'll be your wife," she began, "but I don't want you to leave."
A hint of a smile touched his lips. "I did not intend to leave you tonight."
A moment after the words left him, he kissed her again and his arms encircled her waist. Against his body now, Laurel lost herself a little. She was floating, embraced by the wonderful ambrosia that was his kiss. He pulled her in and held her there for a heart-stopping amount of time. She kept her eyes closed tightly because she feared that if she opened them, she would see them drifting out to space. Laurel lost her footing, but his arms kept her firmly on the ground. What brought her out of space, out of the clouds, were Ardeth's hands reaching for the sash of her modest bathrobe. He broke the kiss as the sash finally gave way.
"Il-Hamdo lil-lâh," [God be praised] he whispered when he noticed that she wore absolutely nothing beneath the robe.
"What…" she uttered.
"It is not important," he told her as he drew the robe away and off her body. "I will teach you Arabic later. Right now, I only want to make love to you."
She began assisting him with his clothing. She drew her finger down his naked chest. "With regard to lovemaking, you've been a wonderful teacher. It's knowledge that I will never share with anyone else." Once they managed to free him of every stitch of clothing, she took his hand and tugged on it. "Tonight, you won't make love to me on a sand dune."
Ardeth followed willingly enough. Although she didn't say, she had taken him into her father's old bedroom. Her makeshift bed wasn't nearly big enough, but his was and then some. He took her into his arms again and covered her mouth with his. She felt him pushing her back as they kissed. When the back of her thighs hit the edge of the bed, she broke the kiss, and sat down on the side of the bed. He watched as she slid her body fully upon it, sitting up, waiting for him. He didn't make her wait very long. As he came down to his side next to her, she shifted her position and turned toward him. She placed a scattering of gentle kisses on his lips as his fingers drifted down to an exposed breast. He used one finger to tease the nipple, tracing small circles around it. He allowed her to place one more kiss on his lips before he moved. He took hold of her shoulder and with gentle prodding she lay back on the bed. He leaned over her and took the dark peak into his mouth that he had teased mercilessly. She bit into her lower lip as his tongue swirled about her nipple. Quickly, he moved over to its twin. Once again, she felt her hands going into his hair. Before long his lips met hers again. Laurel took the opportunity to do a little of her own exploring. Her hand slid down his chest, to his abdomen, and then lower still until it settled against his swelling member. Her hand stroked him gently but steadily.
"Inti sharîr sharîr mar'a," [You wicked wicked woman] he said against her lips.
Somehow, she didn't need a translation for what he'd said. She could feel the evidence of his need as he grew harder and harder still. "I can stop any time you wish," she asked without letting up on the caress.
"I will tell you when I want you to stop," he whispered. He allowed her a few more moments leeway before he took hold of her wrist. "I think it is time for you to stop."
"Yes," she whispered. "Please."
He smiled down at her and caressed her cheek. "I have only just begun touching you."
"You've already touched me. The first time I saw you, you touched me."
Ardeth kissed her again and she dug her fingers into his waist, trying desperately to pull him atop her. She parted her thighs as her insistent urging finally worked. He nestled his hips firmly between her legs. A moment later, he entered her. He propped his body onto his hands so that he could gaze down into her eyes as he made love to her. Their minds, hearts, and bodies became one. The last time they made love, they had merely touched true love. Tonight, they embraced it and would never let it go.
* * *
Spent, the couple lay together with their arms and legs entwined. Laurel was in between sleep and consciousness. When she first saw the creature crawling around, she thought she might be hallucinating. She raised her head just the slightest and gasped a little. She had never seen one of them up close, especially not so close to her lover's head.
"Ardeth," she whispered. "Scorpion."
"Hmm," he mumbled sleepily. "What?"
"Scorpion," she called urgently. "There's a scorpion crawling behind your head."
Ardeth moved suddenly and the scorpion dropped down to the floor before disappearing. He leaned over the edge of the bed, but never saw it. He turned when he heard his bride to be giggling behind him. Gazing at her he asked, "Did you or did you not see a scorpion?"
She nodded, but couldn't stop giggling. "You're lucky that thing didn't bite you on the bum. I was just imagining it."
Turning to her, he smiled. "You should consider yourself lucky that it did not sting me. I would have been out of commission for quite a while."
"I've seen that once," she said, "I don't want to see it again."
The giggles and the teasing lilt in her voice were gone. "There are no absolutes, Laurel. However, I will do everything in my power so that you do not have to see it again."
* * *
Two days later, a telegram was delivered to Tarita Robinson. She hated receiving them because they were never good news. She immediately thought of her daughter, who at this time, was to have boarded a steamer ship home. With shaking hands, she glanced at the telegram, expecting to start screaming and stomping. Instead, she was greeted with a surprise of another kind: NOT COMING HOME STOP DECIDED TO STAY STOP ARDETH AND I WILL MARRY STOP LOVE LAUREL STOP. Tarita read the telegram several times, but the words never changed. "BART! You must come see this!"
____________________
Finis
A/N: Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, and remained patient while Ardeth and Laurel acted like two asses. As always, special shout outs go to Shelley, Serena, and Deana!!!!
