Part 37
"You are despicable!" Liz spat out. Her fists clenched at her sides, her eyes glared coldly at him as he stood there nonchalantly, his mouth turned up in a cruel twist.
"So you have indicated many times." he only replied dryly. Then his turned serious and made impatient noises. " You have been delaying your answer long enough!" he stared intently at her. " It is time you made a choice. Time is wasting."
Liz was furious. " You dare come in here...threaten me with someone else's life, force me to make a choice no sane human being would wish to make, and have the audacity to ask me to be your wife still!" She whirled away from him, unwilling to let me see how his horrible words were affecting her. " You're despicable."
A horrible shiver ran up her spine, and then she was crying out in pain, as strong, blunt fingers dug savagely into her arm to turn her back again. Sean's face was livid. His eyes had grown dark and sparked with fury. " You little bitch," he hissed menacingly in her face. " Never," his fingers bit more harshly into her tender flesh, " speak to me this way. I warn you, i will not tolerate it."
Liz stared at him, her eyes wide with shock, her body suddenly trembling with fear. Her throat convulsed as she attempted to swallow. " Are- are you threatening me with violence?" she whispered.
Sean smiled grimly. " Like none you've ever imagined before my dear."
With a sharp gasp she tore away from him. She doubted she would have succeeded though had he not voluntarily let her go.
"You-you...I-" she shut her mouth. Her thoughts cluttered. Had she heard right? Oh heavens above, she has come face to face with a monster!
"Shhhh," Sean mockingly placed a finger to his lips, " no need to be frightened my dear. I assure you i will not act on any violent impulses...as long as i am kept satisfied..." he paused and gave her a long measuring look, "..and do you know what i need right now to keep me satisfied Elizabeth?" he asked softly, deliberately.
Liz swallowed dryly, and slowly shook her head from side to side, though she knew she was lying. She most definitely knew what he wanted, but she also knew she couldn't give it to him...not willingly anyway.
Sean laughed, as if he had read her thoughts. " So what will you answer be Elizabeth? How do you feel about 'what ifs'?"
A long silence met his last words. Liz stared away from him. She saw Max. Saw the wild wind blowing through his hair and shirt, showing off his golden chest. His boots planted firmly on the wooden plank of his magnificent ship as it sailed gloriously into the sunset. She saw his whiskey eyes, that always made her drown within their depths. His hard, sensual lips as they curved into a wicked smile...and then she blinked...and could not stomach what she saw next. It was something she had barely prevented...
Tearing her thoughts away she gazed blankly at Sean, who looked at her expectantly.
Her whispered words drifted across the room and reached his ears. " Very well my lord. I accept." Though in her heart, she was a long way from accepting.
The doors opened, and Jeffery whirled around in surprise from where he was pacing the floor worriedly. He truly hoped that things had gone well between his daughter and Di Galvani. He wanted no strife.
He looked questioningly from one to the other. Liz's face was stoic, unemotional. Sean's was unreadable. They stopped and looked at him. Discreetly he coughed, and slowly approached his daughter and place a gentle hand on her arm. He frowned slightly when she stiffened.
" Has everything gone well?" he asked gently.
Liz opened her mouth to speak, but Sean beat her to it. " Indeed it has Parker. You may congratulate yourself and us. There will be a wedding." His tone was smug. Liz hated him all over again at that moment.
Jeffery seemed to relax as bit. A hesitant smile touched his lips when he looked at Liz. " I see...well then...Congratulations Lizzie." he said and drew her into a a tender fatherly hug. A poor smile wobbled on her own lips as she tried to return his embrace.
Her eyes met Sean's. He smiled. She looked away in disgust.
"What!" Lady Parker exclaimed. " But that is impossible, there is so much to do and prepare. Guests to be invited, a dress to be made, a reception organized..." she trailed off, looking incredulously at the man standing before her, as were Lord Parker and Liz.
" Ah my dear lady Parker," Sean put in smoothly. " I know that such things take time to plan and so on, however you must understand, time is one factor we do not have. Unless the ceremony is performed with the greatest haste, there will be tongues wagging." His concerned look was as false as his words. " If we were married i could better protect her as my wife than as my fiancee."
Lady Parker opened her mouth to protest once more, but Sean interrupted to say in a deceptively cajoling tone, " perhaps when this whole thing dies down we would have a real wedding with the dress and guests..." his voice drifted it off pointedly, and it left Nancy to think on the matter.
At last she nodded her head reluctantly. " Perhaps you are right my lord. As long as Lizzie is happy, so am I." She turned to look at her daughter. " What do you think dear?"
Liz could feel Sean's gave burning a deadly hole in her back. This was the moment of truth. Heaven above, he meant to marry NOW! It would seem all hope of perhaps salvaging her freedom were lost. She knew what he meant to do by this. He meant to secure her word, her life in his hands, and make her his possession. All because of his hate for Max. And she would have to agree, bind herself to a monster for the rest of her life. All for the love of Max.
With a strained smile, she replied, " I do not mind mother. All that nonsense never truly appealed to me. A simple wedding with a priest will do." She really hoped she was a terrible liar.
Her parents still appeared unsure, especially her father. " Lizzie are you sure-" he began but was cut off by Sean.
" Please do not be concerned Jeffery. Your daughter knows what she wants."
Jeffery tossed Sean a slight frown before turning back to his daughter and giving her a questioning look. A look that only she could see held much more than a simple question. Liz swallowed painfully and nodded.
" Do not worry father. This is what I want." she had to force the words out of her mouth.
With a sigh Jeffery agreed to the plan. Nancy followed suit.
Sean ordered for a priest to be brought to them immediately. " It is best to have the ceremony performed now, while we have the chance, and still ahead of any vicious gossiping." He went on smoothly.
Liz was ushered away into her room to prepare her as much as possible. She cared not how she looked though. When she stared at the mirror at her dressing table, she saw nothing. A stranger. She barely felt Mary's hands as she tangled and twisted her hair, or when she was fitted into one of her unused ball dresses.
It was a shame too, because right then, any man would have looked on and thought she was the most beautiful creature in the world. Her hair pulled back in an intricate french twist, loose tendrils falling softly across her cheeks, and caressing her nape. Her dress was of a royal blue, molding perfectly to her body as it overflowed at her waist. Delicate lacing adorned the precious silk, and they swayed gently with ever movement she made..
Sighing she began to make her way towards the door. Too meet her doom. It opened suddenly, and her mother entered. With one look at Liz she gasped with delight. " Oh Lizzie darling you look positively enchanting!" she gushed.
Liz felt her face go an embarrassed red. " uh...thank you mother." she mumbled uncertainly.
Nancy gave her a gentle look. " You look truly enchanting my dear." Then she began to sniff. " Of if only you could be all dressed in white with a veil and you grandmother's pearls."
Liz couldn't help but smile slightly at the memory of dear Grandma Claudia. Oh what would she say if she could see me now?
" Come now mother, I never really cared for all that kind of fuzz. A simple ceremony is enough to satisfy me, as long as I am marrying the right man." she said softly, trying to hide the disgust and anger she was feeling. Lies tasted bitter on her tongue.
Nancy eyed her daughter carefully. " And is Lord Di Galvani the right man?"
No.
Liz was unwilling to lie outright this time. She gave her mother a steady look. " He's close enough."
Lies, lies, lies. When shall they cease?
There was a knock at the door. Liz tensed, knowing who it was on the other side.
A cloaked man walked slowly through and into the hall, a hood shielding his face, his back slightly hunched. A black book with the sign of the cross was held tightly to his chest. Liz swallowed as she imagined the vows she would be repeating from there in a short while.
" Good afternoon father. " Jeffery greeted. " Thank you very much for coming." He led him to the drawing room where the service was to be performed. " We appreciate you coming here on such short notice."
The priest nodded and replied in a raspy voice, that for some reason sent strange shivers down Liz's spine. " It is no trouble. Especially when the request is to unite a man and woman in holy matrimony."
Nancy hurried forward. " Would you like to relieve yourself of your clock Father?" she asked, already motioning for one of the servants to approach.
"No!" He fairly shouted and startled everyone in the room. He bowed his head. The hood hid his face even more so. " No please. I am..er...very sensitive to daylight. I prefer the comfort of my hood and cloak." He offered in that rough voice that left Liz's ear's ringing.
Curiously she gazed intently at him. Wondering if she had met him before. She was almost positive they hadn't. For some reason, her hand ached to tear that hood off his head and reveal his face.
"Come then." Sean's voice sounded. Impatiently he grabbed for Liz and pushed her along till they stood before the priest. " I'm afraid Father that this is a matter of haste for us. We wish to proceed with the ceremony as soon as possible."
Lord and lady Parker lined up behind them. The servants gathered by the drawing room door to watch. Mary hurried forward and handed a startled Liz a small bouquet of flowers.
With surprise Liz exclaimed, " Why thank you Mary!" she smiled at the young woman and clutched the stems tightly within her trembling fingers.
"No bride should have a wedding without some flowers my lady." Mary smiled hesitantly back and returned to her place.
With deep, not so calming breaths, she turned around and stood stiff as an arrow beside Sean, who finally motioned for the priest to begin.
He nodded, which caused his hood to fall back far enough to reveal the bottom half of his face.
Liz blinked a few times and her hands went numb.
"We are gathered here in the presence of God..." with fascination she watched that mouth move. Full lips. Strong white teeth, and a voice she knew not to be raspy, but husky, deep..smooth.
"...If there is anyone here that objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace." When he was met by silence, he continued.
" Do you Sean Williams Di Galvani take Elizabeth-" a pause. Silence filled the room. The priest looked hesitant.
" Claudia Parker," Nancy supplied quickly.
"Ah yes, forgive me..." he said softly.
" It is of no consequence...do continue." Sean interrupted impatiently.
A slight cough. " Yes ofcourse."..."Elizabeth Claudia Parker to be your lawful wedded wife? To love, honor and cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
His answer rang out loud and clear. " I do."
The priest turned slightly toward her now. Liz felt herself tense, and she didn't know why. Though she could not see his eyes, she knew he was staring right at her. And all she could imagine was swirling amber eyes.
Blinking and mentally shaking her head she prepared herself. It was now her turn.
"And do you Elizabeth Claudia Parker take Sean Williams Di Galvani to be your lawful wedded husband, to love, honor and cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" His raspy voice seemed more pronounced now, rougher.
The words trembled on her lips. There was silence. Servants cast questioning glances at each other. The Parkers looked on in confusion. Sean gave her an impatient side-long glance.
"The words are 'I do' my dear." he prompted.
Liz swallowed. The priest moved. She knew he was about to raise his head.
" I do" she blurted out loudly. He snapped his head down again. Liz hid a relieved sigh. She did not know why, but for some reason, she did not want to see his face. She felt she would have to face something she could not bear to.
Her eyes darted to the hands that held the open bible. Fingers clenched tightly around the leather bound book.
Without prompting from the priest Sean grabbed Liz's hand and held it up to insert a gold wedding ring upon her finger. She hardly noticed the huge diamond that dominated the center.
" I now pronounce you man and wife." His voice seemed harder, " You may now kiss the bride."
Without further ado Sean held Liz in his arms and bent his head down to lay a kiss on her lips. Liz closed her eyes and prepared herself for the impact.
Except it never came.
She heard only a voice so familiar to her, she thought her heart would burst in recognition.
" Or, if you value your very neck, you would refrain from doing so." came the dark, dangerous threat.
Sean whirled around incredulously to face a long sharp rapier that lay against his throat.
Liz gasped in shock. Though her instincts had somehow alerted her of the fact, she had dared not hope. Not in her wildest prayers and dreams.
Her eyes watered with sudden tears, and she stared and stared. Not believing the sight before her. Swirling ambers stared right back.
"Max" she breathed.