Chapter 26
Sage awoke with a start.
They’d finally stopped moving. Thank the Lord.
A gentle kiss against her neck brought her back to the realization that she was riding with Jackson on his horse.
After leaving the bridge earlier in the day, she’d started off on her own mount. The traveling, though, had been difficult, and for most of it, they’d ridden single file because of the narrow trail. When they hadn’t reached Lytton by the time darkness had fallen, she’d asked to keep going, hadn’t wanted another night to pass for poor Augusta in captivity.
Both Pastor Abe and Jackson had reminded her that there wouldn’t be much they could do for Augusta so late at night anyway. But Sage had pleaded with them to continue, and they’d agreed only if Sage was willing to share a horse with Jackson. She hadn’t needed much convincing to join him while Pastor Abe guided her horse behind his.
She’d been exhausted by that point from the stress of staying away from the edge of the road and the trauma from her fall earlier. Her sleeplessness of the previous night had probably also caught up to her.
So even though she’d wanted to stay awake during the last leg of their journey and enjoy her time in the saddle with Jackson, she’d fallen asleep only minutes into their ride and had slept the whole way—had it been one hour, maybe two?
Whatever the case, she was sore from the long journey but couldn’t think of anyplace else she’d rather be than in the saddle with Jackson. His strong arms surrounded her and were cradling her against his chest. His legs boxed her in too, and one hand rested flat against her stomach.
As her mind roused to the fuller awareness of just how close she was sitting to him and the intimacy of his hold, a warm thrill spread through her abdomen. She was his wife, and they could kiss and hold each other as much as they wanted, couldn’t they?
“We have arrived in Lytton,” he whispered against her ear.
Just his whisper and the brush of his lips sent more warmth spilling through her. She tilted her head to an angle that would allow him more access. As she did so, his lips touched her neck again, as though he was taking full advantage of her offering.
This time his kiss wasn’t so gentle. It was hot and demanding and hard. She wanted to shift in the saddle, wrap her arms around him, and mesh her mouth with his.
But he ended the kiss before they could get carried away, which was a good thing since the sounds of town life filtered through her senses: fiddle music and laughter, the rattling of a passing wagon, the thudding of horse hooves, a woman’s distant voice in a heated argument.
Her eyes opened now to find the darkness of night surrounding them, but not as encompassing as it had been on the trail. Not with the light radiating from windows from the structures all along the main street and especially from the lights in the windows of a large and elaborate building in front of their horses. The sign hanging from the post at the base of wooden steps read: The Globe.
“It’s a new hotel, the best in town.” Jackson straightened as he surveyed the rest of the main thoroughfare. Except for a couple other buildings made of clapboard like the Globe, most were constructed of logs. “I know the owner, and I’ll ask him for the best room.”
A flush bloomed inside Sage. She knew exactly what Jackson wanted with the best room, and she wanted it too. But she couldn’t…not tonight.
“Jackson,” she started, her whisper containing a hint of her embarrassment at having to bring up the topic at all.
“Am I moving too fast?” His voice held genuine concern.
She appreciated his consideration, that he’d even ask that.
“We can wait,” he said softly.
His words proved all over again what a kind man he really was and just how much he loved her. In addition, his words only fanned her own love for him…and her desire. But she also didn’t want to have any regrets, especially about Augusta.
Sage brushed her hand over Jackson’s, loving the tautness of each finger splayed over her stomach. “I am worried about what Augusta will think of my marriage to you.”
“She will rejoice in it.”
“Do you think so?”
Jackson hesitated.
It was a moment too long. “You’re worried about her reaction too?”
Jackson was silent, staring straight ahead at the hotel.
At the livery next to the hotel, Pastor Abe had already dismounted and was in the process of speaking with a young man, probably making arrangements to board their horses. No doubt the reverend would be on his way tomorrow to his next destination while she and Jackson continued the search in Lytton for Augusta or for another clue.
“Be honest with me, Jackson.” She brushed a hand over his cheek, loving the fact that she could do so whenever she wanted now. “Should we get Augusta’s blessing first?”
He was silent for a few more seconds, then he spoke gruffly as he began to dismount. “I have your love. That is all the blessing I need.”
“I know Willow will give us her blessing.”
“We shall visit her again just as soon as we return.”
“I would love that.”
“And I shall pay the passage for the rest of your family to immigrate. No arguing with me about it. I shan’t be swayed.”
Without waiting for her response, he lifted her out of the saddle but didn’t set her down and instead cradled her against his chest. As he did so, he bent in and let his lips touch hers in a short but passionate kiss. “I love you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you too.”
“I’ll get two rooms for tonight.” He started toward the front door of the hotel.
“No.” Her protest came out quickly and emphatically. “I want to stay with you.”
His muscles tensed.
“You can hold me like you did that night at Centreville.”
“I had the strength of a saint that night,” he growled. “Don’t expect another miracle.”
Her lips curved into a smile.
He swung open the hotel door.
“My dear husband”—she loved the way the word husband rolled off her tongue—“are you telling me that you can’t resist me?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying, my dear wife.” He smiled down at her, and the sight of the smile, like always, took her breath away.
She couldn’t help herself. She tugged his head down and at the same time rose into a kiss. She barely had time to brush his lips, when he jerked back and stared straight ahead, his mouth falling open.
“What is it…?” She followed his gaze only to let her mouth drop open too.
There, wrapped in the arms of a large man, was Augusta. The proud bearing, dark hair, tall, thin body belonged to none other. Not only was she pressed against the man, but she was kissing him with an enthusiastic fervor.
She didn’t appear to be harmed or disadvantaged or even coerced. In fact, from the way her arms were roaming over the man’s chest, she’d moved in and taken up residence there.
Jackson released a low growl and lowered Sage to her feet. “Just one moment.” He stalked across the hallway toward Augusta. His footsteps were loud and ominous.
A gentleman stepped out of a side room with a smile and a greeting on his lips, but Jackson passed by him without a glance. Jackson didn’t stop until he reached Augusta. Then without a word, he ripped the fellow away from his sister and shoved him against the wall. With a roar, he lifted a fist and swung it.
“Stop!” Augusta yelled. But she was too late. Jackson’s punch connected with the big man’s gut.
The fellow’s eyes rounded, and he emitted an oof . With mature facial features, a trim beard, and a few strands of silver in his brown hair, he appeared to be a middle-aged man. Attired in a simple blue suit, he had a gentlemanly look, although without the same suave aura that Jackson had.
Jackson’s features were gathered with fury, and he raised his fist for another punch. But this time, Augusta grasped his arm. “Don’t hit him again, Jackson.”
“Hitting is the least I plan to do to him for kidnapping you.” Jackson threw another fist into the man’s stomach.
“No!” Augusta practically screamed the word, the panic in her voice and on her face finally halting Jackson.
A strange premonition sifted through Sage as she took in Augusta’s flushed face, swollen lips…and the beautiful sapphire ring on her left hand.
Augusta yanked Jackson back. “He’s my husband!”
Jackson stared at Augusta for a long moment. Then he dropped his arm. “You’re married?” His voice held a note of shock.
Augusta’s eyes filled with censure. “Is it so hard to believe that a spinster like me could find love?”
“Yes…no…” Jackson rubbed at his knuckles, likely now bruised. “I do not begrudge you the love of a man, Augusta. Not in the least. I wish you much marital happiness. But…”
“But what?”
“We thought you were kidnapped.”
For the first time, Augusta glanced at Sage, her eyes warm and welcoming but without the least amount of surprise that Sage was present.
“This is my husband, Nelson Roundtable.” Augusta reached for the big fellow’s hand and positioned herself by his side. Although he was watching Jackson warily, he tenderly tucked Augusta’s hand into his.
“The cook said he heard you scream,” Jackson said, “and saw a man carrying you from the house.”
“I didn’t mean to scream when we were leaving, but when Nelson swept me off my feet to carry me outside, I was taken by surprise.”
“We thought you were in trouble.” Jackson’s glare was still foreboding.
“I have never been happier in my life.” She smiled up at Nelson, and her eyes truly did radiate with a happiness that Sage had never seen there before. Her husband peered at her with just as much happiness.
“How? When?” Sage fumbled over her questions since there were too many, and she didn’t even know where to start.
“I met Nelson in India when he was working there for the East India Company.” Augusta leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “But since he was in the process of moving, we couldn’t make any plans, not until we knew where he would be sent next. When he wrote that he’d taken a position here in British Columbia in Lytton, that’s when I decided to come.”
“I had no idea,” Sage said. How had she spent months with Augusta and never once had a discussion about Mr. Roundtable and the possibility that Augusta would reunite with him in the colony?
“Why didn’t you tell us you were getting married?” Jackson asked, some of the tension gone from his tone. “Why run off like this?”
Augusta had the grace to look chagrined. “I apologize to you both. But I sent a message to Nelson the first day I arrived in Victoria. Yet I did not want to tell anyone about my love interest until I knew for certain he still felt the same.”
Sage nodded in understanding. Augusta probably didn’t want to face anyone’s pity if the relationship with Nelson didn’t work out.
“I most assuredly did feel the same.” Nelson spoke so tenderly that Sage already liked him.
Augusta exchanged another smile with the man. “I’d been checking the post every day for a letter in return and had even begun to inquire about traveling up here to Lytton by myself.”
That accounted for all of Augusta’s secretive errands, the many times when she hadn’t wanted Sage to accompany her.
“Of course, the moment I received her missive,” Nelson said, “I dropped everything and came to Victoria as quickly as I could. I sent Augusta a message the night I arrived.”
“The night of the dinner party,” Augusta added. “I decided to send you both to Salt Spring Island together so that I could leave without you knowing what I was doing. We left for Hope not long after the two of you departed and were married the same day by Reverend Roberts.”
If Augusta was in a hurry to pack and leave, was that why she’d left her room in such a state of disarray?
“You could have told us,” Sage offered. “I would have understood.”
“Then you would have insisted on coming.”
“You’re right.” Sage had almost stayed home that morning because she hadn’t wanted to leave Augusta behind even for the short trip to see Willow.
“And if Nelson had rejected me,” Augusta said more quietly, “I didn’t want anyone to know.”
“I wouldn’t have.” Nelson patted her hand affectionately.
“That doesn’t answer my question, though,” Jackson persisted. “Once you learned Nelson still cared about you, why didn’t you stay and introduce him to us? Why did you run away with him?”
This time Augusta shrugged sheepishly. “I also knew that the only way to make you face your feelings for Sage was to force you to spend lots of time together.”
Jackson arched a brow. “So the clues were nothing more than a matchmaking mechanism?”
Augusta arched a brow back. “Did it work?”
“We were worried about you, Augusta.” His voice turned sober.
“I regret any distress I may have caused.” She gave both of them an apologetic smile. “But I was hoping you would forgive me once you realized the brilliance of my plan.”
Jackson crossed his arms and glared at his sister.
Sage ducked her head to hide a smile.
Before they could say more, the hotel door behind her swung open. Pastor Abe stepped inside, bringing with him a gust of the chilly October night.
He smiled broadly at Sage. “And where is that husband of yours? Once he had you in his arms, I didn’t think I’d ever see him let go.”
Sage’s smile only widened, and she cocked her head in Jackson’s direction.
“What?” Augusta’s eyes rounded. “Husband?”
Jackson coughed.
“You and Sage are married?” Augusta’s voice took on a screech as she pinned Jackson with a look of wonder.
Pastor Abe continued to smile. “I married them this morning. Never have I seen a couple so much in love—except for myself and my wife, of course.”
Sage didn’t realize she was holding her breath until Augusta screeched again, this time with an enormous smile. She released Nelson and flung herself upon Jackson, hugging him tightly.
In the next instant, Augusta crossed to Sage with outstretched arms. “You’re married!”
Sage captured the woman in an embrace, releasing all the worry that had been building. When Augusta took a step back, tears lingered in her eyelashes. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thank you, Augusta. We wanted your blessing.”
Jackson reached for Sage, slipping one arm behind her and tucking her into the crook of his arm. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Let’s hear you say it.” Augusta grinned slyly at Jackson.
“Hear what?”
“That you’re not the only brilliant one in the family. That I am too.”
Jackson scrubbed a hand over his mouth and chin, unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile. “Fine. You’re brilliant.”
Augusta laughed lightly. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you .” Jackson pressed a kiss to Sage’s head. “I couldn’t ask for anything or anyone better.”
“If I had to search the whole world over for a woman for you, I couldn’t have picked a more perfect bride.”
“I agree.”
Sage leaned into Jackson, the love for him swelling into her chest and bringing tears to her eyes. She wasn’t perfect, and neither was he. But they would be perfect together, and that was all that really mattered.
* * *
Thank you for reading His Perfect Bride ! Can’t wait for another romantic voyage with Jody Hedlund and Patti Stockdale? Read on for a sneak peek at His Unforgettable Bride .
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