Chapter 37

Jacqueline was eating, nervously, she couldn't enjoy the delicious array of foods before her and she was agitated. The private dinner being held in their honour left her with an empty stomach. She felt queasy and refused to eat anything. Dominic's plan had not work. Unless Francis had decided to not tell the court of their divorce, it felt exactly the same.

Once they had returned to the palace Dominic had treated her with the most politeness she had ever seen. He had been kind, attentive and paitent as she ranted angrily. He had not shouted or once spoke as she complained and insulted him. Instead he had sat quietly and it seemed like he had listened to everything she said.

He had said the letter must of been a joke, but his face paled at seeing it. He had then nodded and repiled that she would not be owned by him if she broke the wedding contract, and he would allow her to live her life in peace.

Once she was done, he excused himself. He had talked quickly of their divorce and the reason for having to humiliate her in the street for it to work, he had promised it would not happen again and he had apologised for doing it without warning. After he had said he would not join her for dinner. And William would escort her.

As she sat in her cushioned seat she looked at the people she was surronded with, and realised how young and alone she felt. The cold glances of members of the court, including Mr Thomas. And the warm congratulations of the noblewomen who thought of her unrest, her desperation to wed.

But as she bit into a soft fluffy cake she wondered. After all that abuse and hatred gone what was left of Dominic. Lord Dominic DeFleur. He was alone and Jacqueline felt a great loss of hurt.

William who did not know of the plan sat rigid, his face a cool mask of anger and irritation. He was still mad at her for not going though with the divorce which he knew existed but did not want to upset her by not coming. Amelia sat beside him and talked animatedly to a young woman who was also being ogled at by the men.

Thomas included. Her older brother had been invited to her wedding, her parents somewhere as well. And she felt even more nervous. She was glad Francis approved of the divorce otherwise she would not of known now to deal with the angry crowd that would swarm after either member of the couple after the divorce.

She felt bad for his wife, Thomas' wife. She had been cast away and sat eating her meal in slience whilst her husband lusted for his brother's wife. She couldn't have that in her relationship. She thought, at least Dominic had never done that. Or at least in public, she had been spared at humiliation.

++++

Dominic sat weary in his study."Yes?"

"My lord's meal. Requested by His Majesty." Dominic waved the servant in but continued to stare at the sheets in front of him. He was waiting for the letter. That one letter that would free him of Jacqueline, or more correct, free her of him. So his work was the only thing that could keep him occupied.

The messanger would most likely come late at night or early the next morning. And Dominic could only wait. He was even unsure if the divorce had been granted but at least this gave him the last shread of hope that he could do something right.

His mind drifted onto the fact he had been sold a wife. And it made him for determined for her to get the divorce and live without him. She must of felt so worthless, when she was the greatest woman he had ever met. Apart from his mother.

He looked at the food in front of him and pushed the fine meal away. He was in no mood to throw up or spit it out."You are dismissed."

"Yes, my lord." The butler left and gently shut the door.

Francis would leave for Paris soon, after their 'wedding' and Dominic would be on his way to England. He would go as a swordsman and build a school. Noblemen would need teaching in the art of fighting, swordplay and riding and he would be paid to do so. Men pursesed it without the means to be successful but Dominic knew he would not fail. This job would be perfect. It would allow him to release his prowess to the world and maybe one day, redeem himself.

He had already sent letters to England requesting buildings and he would be on his way to London as soon as he docked the boat. The only part of him that would accompany him was his name and his horse. His name providing him with clients, money and time. His horse, the only companion who was as angry as he was, would give him friendship and ease his home sickness. Money had been set aside he was prepared and all that was left was one last parting gift to Francis.

He would complete the King's security change to Paris with the uttermost care. He would put everything he had under his tutorage into one journey that would be perfect. After Francis was done in Paris and prepared to go the Field of Cloth of Gold to meet King Henry, all eyes would be on him. And Dominic would make sure it was either with awe, envy but never contempt.

"England is the land of the desperate," Dominic laughed at himself."Yet here I am," He looked at his papers filling in the last parts of his journey.

Bored of writing he got up and decided a quick stroll would help him think. He went to his room the fetch his cloak before heading outside. As he did he walked past the room his mother and father use to lodge in when they went to court. He wondered if his father still used it and he knocked on the door. The lack of guards and answering meant he probably didn't and Dominic opened the door.

It was empty. A queen bed, mostly used by his mother stood in the middle. A dressing table and a book shelf. Dust had gathered onto it but the balcony door had been left open, therefore the smell was nor putrid. Several trunks from their last visit together were on top of each other in the corner. Dominic couldn't resist the urge to see his mother, even through her clothing, one last time. He opened the top box and looked inside.

Pulling at the lock, in it's weakened state, it did not put up much of a fight and he flung it open. Dresses mostly filled it. It contained morning gowns, evening gowns and riding habits. They were outdated fashion wise but they bled their original colours and they would of looked pretty on his mother. He put the dresses to one side and digged further in the box. He didn't know what he was looking for but he would not be satisfied until he gained it.

There was a box. He flipped it open, a jewellery box. It contained the usual lavish jewels that women of the court requires to mingle comfortably in society, but also ribbons. Uncommon in a ladies' box. More likely in a peasants. He played with the colourful ribbons for a while.

Counting them, touching them, feeling them. He laughed in pain that such a simple thing could cause him such joy, but nothing else. There were ten in total. All random and unmatching colours. He packed away everything.

But he pocketed his favourite. It would remind him of his mother. A woman through the good times and the bad who held him so close, kept him so strong. A woman, that now was gone, meant he wouldn't exist anymore.

He wouldn't exist. He decided that night as he put the last box on top. He would enjoy.

++++

"My lady, you will be most beautiful for your day."

"Yes, Alice." She sank into the herbed bath with tension. Where was the blasted messanger? Dominic had not send word to her and the plan was based on communication.

She drifted off into her dreams of what she would do as a free woman. She would live in a small cottage. Warm and brown coloured, like Dominic's estate. But not the one he gave her, she would sell it and use the money for the home. And she would not marry either. Dominic had confused her in one too many times and she was unsure of the opposite sex.

Sometimes, he was so good to her and she couldn't hide the smile that crept onto her face when she saw him. He was very handsome and he was now not going to own her. He was doing such an honourable thing; he was such a honourable man. And she was letting him go. But did she want anyone else?

"My lady?"

Jacaueline got out the bath and wrapped a cotton white sheet around her body. She entered the room and gasped, exicited as she saw a rolled up note. A blue ribbon tying it up, she sat on the slik sheets and gently opened it.

Slanted curly handwriting, scribbled a short message: We will have to do it at the alter. You will reject me. Dominic.

Jacqueline sighed, it wasn't the clean escapade she wanted but it was something. She allowed Alice to cream her legs as she thought of the humiliation they would have to face. Mainly Dominic. He had done a brave thing allowing her to reject him. It would stain his name, and she vowed she would do it as politely as possible.

She fingered the pretty blue ribbon and wondered, even if she wasn't going to marry him, if she could say goodbye feeling pretty. Including the dark blue ribbon that lay in her finger tips.

Alice and several other maids came forwards with the dress. Slipping into it she sighed and watched as they completed their makeover. "Add this,"

"Yes, my lady." Alice added the blue ribbon with a final flourish and smiled at her Mistress.

Therie was a knock at the door."Father," She said reluctantly. He was dressed in, most likely, borrowed finery. A full mourning outfitted to his broad shoulders and stumpy legs.

Jacqueline's father looked at her with approval. He had raised a woman. She would please the lord and he would reap the benefits. The debt he owed, was paid. He would be a free man, and his daughter didn't even have to know. Good. He did not need an overly emotional speech from her. She liked to weap and no man could resist her, her husband would probably be the same. And he would have connections to the court, a dream he had always had.

"Come daughter."

He took her arm and together they walked to the carriage.

++++

"She's here," Wilson muttered. He heard the door's open and peaked a look at the bride.

Dominic slowly turned around. He knew he wasn't suppose to but he needed to tell her that he would not marry her. She would be free from the bastard that had claimed his body.

His breath was caught as she walked up the aisle. She was a beauty.

The dress made him chuckle. It was exactly what he expected. Since he had brought her to his estate she had only donned simple clothing. Her dresses even though in the fashionable colours of a lady but they were not overly embellished. He liked it. It suited her pretty face and it allowed it to stand out and hug her. Exactly like this dress.

It was simple. A plain ivory wedding dress. It clung to her bosom and flared out gracefully. As she would kneel, Dominic imagined it fanning and covering the floor. The patterns were beautiful, on her stomacher. He could see a a pattern and lace, dancing and the wind. The patterns in gold were a magnificent creation and her skin looked so slender along with the story on her dress. On her neck was a simple gold chain and it danced with her clothing.

Her hair was tied up and covered by the traditional veil. White and mainly transparent, the blue rock at the back, it fluttered to her back. The veil that hey had bought together. A purposeful veil that did its job and held beauty behind it. And he could see another glimpse of blue. Blue? He muttered.

She caught his eye, her blue green eyes were watery, and she smiled. He smiled back, and she mummered softly- he read her lips."You look magnificent,"

He turned back, as to not break the tradition too much and then he smiled to himself. She though he looked good. He loved the sober clothing he had worn. Plain grey adorned with white buttons and black pantaloons. He liked it's warmth and it clung onto his broad, neat shoulders. His boots had clicked before because of the heel, and now the pointed boot showed his authority.

He felt powerful. Yet so weak. This was what he hated, he had to say goodbye.

But then a single tear dripped down his face as she kneeled and he realised that was his mother's ribbon. It was the only ribbon in her hair and as proud as any piece of jewellery it stood out amongst everything. It touched her creamy white skin and it swayed in the wind. Although it hit the veil it continued to attempt to escape and flutter.

The service has begun. It was time to go, to leave, to become a real being. He nodded at her and sarched her face."You look beautiful," She smiled and Dominic returned it before, lasping his hands in prayer and the focusing on the service.

"Dearly beloved," The Eminence began."We are gathered here today, in the house of our father,"

The members of either marriage party were now seated and the peasants cheering, even from the outside, had ceased. The church was slient and apart from the boom of the priest's voice nothing could be heard.

Dominic looked at Wilson who was now standing in the pews, away from everybody else, but politely close enough to the bridegroom's family. He looked at his father who was standing impaitently for the service to end and Dominic knew he was doing the right thing.

Francis sat beside them and he was muttering prayers, his eyes closed. Dominic smiled, he loved Francis.

On the other hand, he looked at Jacqueline's side. Her father was rubbing his hands, and glaring at his beautifully dressed daughter. Her mother was crying, and rubbing a purple bruise on her face. Thomas DeWhite was holding his wife's hand but Dominic could see his heart was not on it, as he roved onto one of the bride's maids, Amelia. Derek bent his head cooly, and Dominic did the same. He then looked at Anna and Peter and knew he could do nothing wrong this day.

Two men who Dominic knew must of been the men who would escort Jacqueline back to her estate bent their head in a bow. He could vaguely remember their names from the letter's he had found in his wife's items and the letters he had wrote to invite them afterwards. Alex and Anthony, they were. Alex was a cousin, the one they had met in the park on their first outing. Anthony was the family's stable boy, and they were both close friends of his wife.

Then there was the nobels, mostly people he did not know but invited by Francis, some foreigners there to see the cream of France. He sighed.

He wished his mother was here to see him. He would show her that a nobleman would not be an ass like his father. He would work hard and be something, he did not need a woman for that. A woman did not need him for that.

"Stop! This cannot go on," Dominic growled. This was as painful as it was, it was not the theatre and no one had the damn right to interrupt his wedding. That he was getting rejected at.

Everyone swirled around to the voice."W-William what are you doing?" His sister spoke.

"I cannot take this. You do not want to marry him, and neither does he. I will pay your debt."

"William! Be quiet." Jacqueline heard her father's voice.

Jacqueline gulped and shot a look at Dominic to see if this was part of his plan. Dominic was as startled as she was and nodded."Continue the ceremony and get this man back to where he belongs."

Two guards quickly rushed to the front and grabbed William. They returned him to the front pew and stood on either end. William's fist were clenched and he shot a nasty look at Dominic before Dominic turned away back to the priest.

Jacqueline caught on. He was salvaging his pride, and hers."Lord Dominic DeFleur, do you take Mistress Jacqueline DeFleur, in name and person to be your wedded wife?"

The Eminence asked Dominic first. The woman's input was suppose to be a formality. The contract was already signed and some men decided to not even allow their brides to speak during the ceremony. But for Dominic's plan to work, he needed her input. He would let her go, he wouldn't chain her to him. Francis would understand, and Dominic would pay off the debt.

Dominic's voice rumbled low."I do take Mistress Jacqueline DeFleur to be my lawfully wedded wife." He paused looking to the sky to finish his half."To love and to cherish her. To honour, obey and serve her as she has done to me. To understand and complete her. To be her friend and her lover. In God's name I pray. Amen."

The Eminence made him repeat a couple of extra words before asking her the same question. This was her moment of freedom. Her moment of peace and to be Jacqueline again.

She closed her eyes for once last time as Mistress Jacqueline DeFleur and opened her eyes to say goodbye to Dominic. He was staring at her and then she made her choice.

"I do take Lord Dominic DeFleur to be my lawfully wedded husband." She looked at his face even further."To love and to cherish him. To honour, obey and to serve him as he has done to me. To understand and complete him. To be his friend and lover. In God's name I pray. Amen."

The ceremony was quick after that. Until Dominic was given the right to take off her veil. He slowly removed it and looked into her eyes. They were as confused as he felt.

"Why?"

She closed her eyes."Because I cannot bare to leave you,"

"I-I'd thought you'd be happier,"

She touched his smooth cheek."I've seen the good in you, that's all I was looking for."

He cried and she cried with him. Laughing joyfully as they did Dominic swooped in and kissed her gently on the lips.

Everything felt warm again.

++++

The party was over. And now was the tiring part. The first night. Dermont had quickly changed his master, the scented oils hung around the adjourning room.

Dermont brushed Dominic's hair and helped him to put on his night gown. He knew Dominic would remove it in a moment but it was tradition. His body was clean, fresh and ready.

Dominic sat in the chair. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes while his valet shaved him. Dermont brought the short blade to his master's face and worked sliently. "My lord."

"My robe Dermont." Dominic said. His eyes still closed until the man walked away and then he got up and brushes the stray blond hairs onto the floor.

"Yes, my lord." He draped the royal red coat around Dominic's body. It ended with the night dress and he tied it up at the waist.

Dominic felt complete and he waited for the valet to leave before he took the wine tray off the servant and headed to the adjourning room.

She waited kneeling. Her head bowed in prayer but her eye were wide open."I have brought us some wine, Jacqueline."

She responded by rising and nervously accepting the glass. She still could not believe this. What had she done? Would be be kinder now she fully belonged to him, especially after tonight."Thank you sir,"

"I-I hope you will forgive me if I offend you. But you have looked like a princess all day." He spoke quickly and blushed.

He thought she looked like a princess now. Her hair was brushed out, chestnut brown and silky. It curled slightly and covered part of her nightgown. The white gown was dangerously cut, appealing yet innocent with a blue ribbon wrapped around her waist, empathzing her small waist and curvy hips.

He looked away sharply to avoid her laughter and was surprised when she replied with equal discomfort."You looked very handsome today sir."

He smiled a little and drank some of his wine to calm himself."I would not like to consummate our marriage tonight." Jacqueline said quickly, stepping away in fear of an angry fit.

"Neither would I." He drank some more of his wine."I have yet to earn your forgiveness. I cannot bed you until I have."

Jacqueline did not know what to say. She knew it was true. He had hurt her so much but she felt somewhat guilty."My body is yours."

"In paper. But not in life Jacqueline. I will never own the three parts of you and do not want to. I want to share you with the world and be pleased if you offered me a bit of you."

She blushed all over again and slid into the bed."If it discomforts you I will sleep on the floor."

"No, it is our bed." She untucked the covers and Dominic slid in nervously. It was the first time he had slept in their bed with her consent.

"I normall-"

"Sleep with your shirt off." She said with her eyebrow raised and he nodded. As most men did, including William. She gave him permission and he took it off leaving his chest."I norma-"

"Sleep with no night gown?" Jacqueline nodded and he gave her permission to remove it leaving her undergarments.

They looked at each other with another fit of laughter, and went to bed.

They lay in the night unable to sleep. Jacqueline moved, trying to shift into a comfortable position and in the process her arm hit Dominic in the face."Oh, I'm so sorry,"

"You're still awake?"

"Yes, it is hard to sleep." She mummered quietly.

He nodded in agreement before touching the arm that had hit him."You're cold, lady wife."

"As you are husband." She said it more comfortably than before.

"You could have left me Jacqueline, you would of been happier,"

"I know." She said simply."But I don't want to,"

"Yoh hate me,"

"You assume too much. It's not a good trait." He chuckled and she continued."I use to, you hurt me so much. But if you can change, I can forgive that and I hope you can forgive me for my mistakes too."

"I would love that," He continued shivering and then closed his eyes.

"Good. And I hope you will permit me to honour you in name, I will be your wife: lover and friend. I will always obey what you say, my lord."

"Then sleep cherie. Enjoy our new life. I will make you happy and in fact I want to take you away, a holiday I was thinking. I've never been abroad and you haven't either. I was thinking Rome, we could visit the Temples of Venice."

Jacqueline nodded. She would love that."I've always wanted to be blessed there. The water is so holy."

"Then I will bring a river's worth if it pleases you. I will bathe in it to be fit to be for you."

"That would be expensive,"

Dominic grinned."The money I was going to use to go to England, I'll use that. It was a lot."

"England?" She exclaimed loudly.

"I was that desperate," He laughed.

"I'll have to make sure that doesn't happen,"

"No, now I have something to hold,"

She grinned and yawned."You are fit for me, you make me feel complete."

"Thank you, Jacqueline."

"Mon Chere,"

"Ma cherie."

She fell Into a sleep and looked out the window till she did so.

Dominic wanted to feel human touch, her touch. He rolled beside her and held onto her. She didn't stiffen of cry out and molded into his body. She was cold, and so was he. But then they both fell asleep as they warmed up together.

Authors note: Feedback? Too short, too quick or just right :) Ive had such a confusing week so I just decided to write and it's helped clear my mind. This story is coming to an end, but not just yet. They arent the perfect couple yet. Also, Im currently writing another historical romance which should be out. Hopefully soon I'll have a blurb for it and especially for romance lovers it will be more enticing. I hope.