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florid-faced man, Hawk and Jack on the other. Both of them wore ill-fitting suits. Victoria guessed
they were hand-me-downs from her father. Behind the bush of his beard, Jack seemed to be
suppressing a grin.
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 169
Even though Hawk's jacket fit tightly across the shoulders, and the sleeves stopped high on his
cuffs, its dark blue color intensified the blonde streaks in his hair and the glow of his tanned skin.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if she could really marry a man who looked like that?
Then Victoria looked into Hawk's eyes. He stared at her intently, as though he expected
something from her. Fear suddenly tightened her throat. She should talk to Hawk before going
through with this.
Her father tugged on her arm.
Hawk needed money. He wouldn't be here if he didn't. She stepped closer to the him. What
could go wrong?
Hawk noticed her hesitant steps and the wide-eyed way she stared at him and realized she must
be terrified. Of course, she didn't know he was going through with this wedding willingly. He
forced a small smile to his lips that he hoped would reassure her. Her father transferred her arm to
Hawk. He laced his fingers with hers and gave her hand a little squeeze.
The red faced judge began to speak. After he said, "Victoria Regina Chandler, do you take this
man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Hawk had to prompt her by tightening his fingers again.
"I do," she said in a near whisper.
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 170
He spoke his vow more strongly. After the Judge pronounced them married, Hawk reached for
her chin, turned her face toward himself, and pressed a light kiss on her lips. A heavy, sweet odor
filled his nostrils. He resisted the urge to deepen the kiss. This wasn't the time or place for that.
When he opened his eyes, he found Victoria staring up at him as though the kiss had surprised
her. What had she expect him to do, hit her?
After they signed the marriage document, Miss Pritchard announced an informal dinner would
be served. With his hand firmly on her elbow, Hawk ushered Victoria to the dining room.
As the honored guests, they filled their plates from the heavily laden buffet and took their places
at the dining table first. "I wanted to speak to you before the ceremony," Victoria said softly as she
leaned toward him, "to explain things."
Hawk gave his head a small nod. "Don't worry about it. We'll work things out."
A relieved smile softened her features. "I'll reward you, too," she whispered.
His lower jaw dropped. That wasn't the kind of remark he expected from a lady like Victoria.
When all the guests were seated, a white-coated servant filled champagne glasses. A few toasts
were made wishing the newlyweds a long and happy life, then an awkward silence settled over the
table.
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 171
Judge Hooper took the opportunity to try and involve Chandler into a discussion of a local
political issue. T. J. replied absently-mindedly, or not at all. Mr. Dinsdale tried to divert the Judge,
and Miss Pritchard kept apologizing for the hastily prepared meal. Victoria picked at her food.
Only Jack seemed to be enjoying himself. After finishing his second glass of champagne, he held
the glass up for a refill. "I never had this bubbly wine before. It's purty good."
"You better not drink too much of that stuff, if you intend to leave with me in the morning,"
Hawk warned.
He noticed Victoria's fork pause in mid-air.
T. J. cleared his throat. "You plan to go in the morning, Hawkins?"
"That's right. Now that I can get my money, I want to buy that land before somebody else
does." He looked over at his new wife. "We'll be leaving early, Victoria, so you better do your
packing tonight."
Her fork clattered against her plate.
"Surely, you don't expect Victoria to accompany you!" T. J. exclaimed.
Hawk looked at the man in amazement. "Why wouldn't my wife to go with me?"
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 172
"Well, this is such short notice, and she's not fully recovered from the last journey. Why not
take care of the land purchase, and come back for her?"
Chandler had said he didn't give a damn what Hawk did after the wedding. Did that mean he [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]