Fifty-Eight ONE WEEK LATER

"Do you Nicholas Jonathan Barkley take thee, Maris Annabella as your lawful bride? To love, honor, and cherish her until death you do part."

"I do." quite loudly. His brothers couldn't help but chuckle while Victoria shook her head and sighed.

"You may now kiss your bride."

He swooped her over and kissed her in quite a dramatic fashion. The whole parlor erupted in applause and laughter.

Victoria had emptied out her greenhouse of roses, Audra and her house staff cut ivy and huckleberry greenery, and Nick had a nosegay of orchids delivered on the evening train from the arboretum. The roots were wrapped in ribbon and placed back in water immediately so she would have the orchid for life.

Audra and her sisters-in-law took care of all the details at the ranch. Alice took matters in hand in San Francisco and had Maris fitted for a new pale green dress. She gave her the Belgian lace sleeves from one of her own dresses and her own gloves. "Something old, something borrowed, and something new."

She brought it with her on the train to the wedding.

Chip stood up with Nick. Jarrod officiated the wedding and James David gave Maris away. Alice stood next to Maris beaming. Maris clasped her orchids with a blue embroidered handkerchief of VIctoria's mother that had been used by all the ladies of the family.

Grover and his fiancée Kitty sat in the dining room chairs beaming. He would tell anyone who listened about his part in the match. He was recovering quite well from the gunshot but was still a few months away from driving his carriages. Nick made sure he had a bank draft to cover six months of salary.

They turned to face the family with Jarrod grinning behind them. Nick raised Maris's hand in a boxing victory pose. Everyone laughed at his gesture.

Nick toasted Maris with champagne as she began to cut their wedding cake. All the cousins gathered around the table, thrilled to get cake before lunch.

Jarrod had asked one of Elisabeth's friends to play the violin for the event. His wife had not taken much interest in the wedding planning after he confided the circumstances.

Nick and Maris held hands and appreciated the classic music, Canon in D. Then she played Pavane by Gabriel Faure. Nick took her hand and they slowly danced to the rendition. The family looked on with pleasure at seeing Nick so happy again.

It had been a long ten years without Peg and then the six months of waiting to marry—

Nick told all of his brothers about the upcoming baby. Eugene understood completely and Heath actually alleviated his nerves.

"Nick, y'all are meant to be. It happens. Don't be thinking it's the same as me. I could tell y'all was sporting if I am to be honest. You calmed down a heap once you got her home. Kinda like them stallions. You was mean as a goat when ya had to leave her in San Francisco. Pacing, prancing—-never saw ya sniff but wasn't looking that close. I am might proud to be an Uncle again. I right like James David and Maris, she's a peach."

Victoria had taken it stoically as he hoped, "These things happen. I am glad we can quickly make it right."

Sally smiled when Heath told her, "could have been us if you hadn't been so proper."

Elisabeth took it the worst when Jarrod told her, "Oh my—Maris is in the family way?" with a frown on her lovely face.

"Yes, Lis. They began the honeymoon a bit early, that's all. They have been in a tight spot. I understand how it happened "

"I don't, Jarrod," she said with petulance. "Nick knows better. Maris should. And our boys look up to him. And James David? What in the world were they thinking?"

Jarrod didn't read her mood quite as well as he thought. Elisabeth in pregnancy was often more volatile than her normal calm self.

He made a joke, and winked at her, "Well I think we both know what they were thinking?"

"Jarrod! We are talking about immorality. I am so disappointed. You know I love Nick and Maris. But you told our boys to wait. He lectured them on the subject! Nick knew better. Maris - even though she's had a child - was innocent and I can't help but feel Nick took advantage."

He flinched back not used to being reprimanded by his wife, "Elisabeth—we have no right in this to be disappointed in them. It's our role to support them. Nick would never take advantage as you say—-"

She sighed, "Sorry I don't see it that way. Our boys—her son. What if they find out?"

Jarrod hmpfed with frustration, "They aren't doctors nor as wise about the world as they act. Plus babies come early all the time. I wouldn't worry about it at all."

She frowned at her husband. "I still think it's disappointing."

"Excuse me, Elisabeth. I need to attend to my brother and his fiancée."

&—-

Ximena and Davos had an amazing week at The Palace. He took her to all of the finest shops which she adored. She was very discerning with her purchases. He appreciated how well she managed money and had learned that from her after his years as a spendthrift. She was very wealthy but she knew its worth.

"I have seen too many generations of wealth lost on fancies. My father had to rebuild my grandfather's fortune in mines and in pastures. I will honor his name."

They went to the Perfumerie when her perfume was sold along with all the finest fragrances imported in and a few East Coast brands..

"David, this is so exciting. I only see it in vats to be transported and then in crates. The pretty bottles you designed. I knew you got a contract with this store but to see it on the shelves, it is emocionante!"

A clerk walked up to them, "May I help you?"

David beamed in pride, "This is the creator, Ximena of these three fragrances. We are on a trip to your fair city."

"It is a very fine line. We sell it to some of the grandest ladies in town. I am so pleased to meet you. We have an order behind the register for the spring. This is our third shipment and it was one of our most popular during the holidays."

David bowed, "I will hand deliver the order to our home if you will allow."

The owner answered, "Double it."

The owner and other clerks came over to meet her and Ximena was overwhelmed with their praise.

"I have a new fragrance for the spring. I shall have it sent to your establishment first for your kindness."

"Please add the new fragrance when it is available."

She left a gold piece in each of the clerks' hands, "Gracias, senoritas. You have bendecida my trip."

David couldn't help but look at her with love and pride.

"Thank you, Davos. This meant the world to me."

—-&-

They went to the invitation-only ballroom and danced each night, ate at Delmonicos, the harbor, and Little Italy—-they watched the sun come up from the harbor

"That's as close as I am getting to that cesspool of foul water. Some nights I still wake up with that in my nose."

Ximena squeezed his hand. "My Davos in San Francisco is quite different from the man I met eight years ago—he rarely drinks, tends to stay quieter each year—-no gambling losses and I leave him no time or seed for another la zorra (vixen in English) He doesn't take money from our shared account—-"

He had been particularly attentive to her—-in a way, he had never been. He had always been charming and kind and mannerly—quite passionate and respectful. But the past month, he had been different. She looked at him with different eyes and allowed him to touch parts of her heart she guarded for her late husband—she had sworn to never marry again.

They woke up to the sun streaming through the velvet drapes. He kissed her on the forehead and walked to look out at the city.

"Davo? Is everything okay?"

"No Ximena. I need to make some things right. And I am trying to find the courage. I have always been a coward. Not facing things, living off my father—-woman to woman. I have a son I do not know; a wife I barely know. I realize I don't even know the color of her eyes."

She frowned and sat up, "Eyes?"

"I know the brown speckles in yours that change in the light; your right eye has three gold speckles, your left two. They disappear when you desire me. It hit me, I never looked her in the eyes."

She smiled at him in compassion. He was struggling.

"Oh Davo, it was an insufriblesituation. She was forced upon you."

"A man wouldn't have bargained with the devil, Ximena."

"A man recognizes his sins and atones for them, Davos. I am proud to stand by your side."

He grinned, "Does that mean you will assent to be my wife?"

She laughed her wicked, deep laugh that attracted him to her in the first place.

"No Davos, I shall keep allowing you to present your case."

He grinned, "I am very good at that" and he winked. They quickly got lost in each other again until they spent their passion.

They dozed for another hour and then dressed.

"Let's go see the lawyer. I need to find out where my father and Maris are. I am not sure they will allow me to see my son. I don't blame them."

"I am by your side, my Davos,"