A Delicate Matter

[Lovely]

September 1, Year 1


She was in Sam's offices pouting and being a spoiled brat at the moment and she doing her best to kick Sam's arse. She had demanded that he make her stop being sick.

He told her "fresh air, fresh fruit and milk, plenty of good company and early bed rest nightly for... eight months.. would do you just fine."

Lily picked up a flask and threw it across the room at Sam's head, circling around the inner room of his offices.

Sam suggested speaking to the father of the babe.. as it may ease some of her worry..

She sort of snarled and smacked him.

He had claw marks on his neck.. d**n this girl is.. He thought as he tried to grab her and keep her from flailing. A chair gets knocked over as he tries to subdue her without harming her or the babe. the office was getting wrecked in the struggle.

"LILIAN!"

The sound of his voice caused her to still, she trembled lightly in Sams grip. Her breathing labored, she knew who was there without looking up. All her cries and protests and lashing words went silent with his bellow.

Sam looked up to see his brother there and noticed how the girl stopped struggling. "Thank you.. Patrick.. " Though he did not let go of the girl, for fear she would begin again.

"Apologies, brother... she's apparently been in fits... for a few weeks, hm?" He spoke to them both, but the tone was directed to Lily who'd managed to elude him for several days. "Though I can't for all my life imagine what's gotten into her..." The tone continued, partially teasing, waiting for an answer, a confirmation of what he suspected.

"I am aware of her mood change and of the condition causing it.. I am her physician... though there is no need for you to apologise. I appreciate your being here, actually.. I may need a hand in keeping her calm and here until she is composed." His grip on the girl's arms tightened a bit. "I fear in her current state she may bring harm on others.. or herself." He said softly, genuinely concerned for the girl and her child.

Lily herself would not look at Patrick, she kept her eyes cast to the floor or the far wall.

"Sorry Sam... I am... unfortunately.. at her mercy and if that is something she wishes me not to do, then I'm afraid... I can't. Lily? Would you kindly unhand my brother or is it your wish that I help you in breaking him in two?"

She jerked her arms, though Sam held fast. "Make him let go." She whispered, glancing at Pat and then quickly away.

[Lovely]

Sam was confused and it was evident on his face as he looked from his brother to Lily and back. "Patrick.. please.. lock the door.. and if you will not help me, then leave.. " His rich voice then directed towards Lily, in a softer lower octave. "Lilian.. please.. this is not good for you or your child to be this worked up."

"It's alright Sam... let go," he said softly, apologetic, concerned for her, but relieved she was relatively alright.

His gaze drifted back to his brother, the expression on Pat's face convincing him. His hand dropped to his sides and he stepped back, though not fast enough to avoid the raking of her hand across his cheek as she spun. Reflexively his hand caught hers and twisted her arm back to keep her from striking again.

Lily was like an angry hornet, her blow meant to be painful at one she saw as antagonizing.

"I didn't say lower your guard, brother. I only advised to let go... she's not likely to run as much as slaughter us both as we stand," he chuckled, watching her seethe. He did step away to lock the doors and leaned against them now. "Lily... Sam's done nothing to earn your anger, please."

He nodded, not taking his eyes off Lily as he dropped her hand and backed away. He was cautious, glancing to Patrick now and then, but focusing on Lily as he moved to a safe distance. "As you seem to be more effective in calming her.. perhaps you can talk some sense into the girl?" His voice came to Patrick from along the side wall.

Her arms folded around her middle, her hands rubbing her upperarms where Sam had gripped her. Her jaw set as if clenched though she pouted a bit, not saying anything as she slumped into a chair that had remained untipped in the struggle.

"Your support and belief are appreciated, Sam, but I can't guarantee that either as I haven't had the opportunity to see her for well over a week... and now I know why. Why didn't you tell me, Lily?"

"Oh.. dear.." He breathed, his dark eyes moving to his brother. "Patrick..??" The child was his? Lily was only fifteen!

"What's done is done, and that part I can't be sure about, either, Sam... that she'll need to tell you herself."

Her lips parted and trembled, as though she was going to say something, but no sound came out. Her eyes slowly shifted along the floor and then up to Patrick's, for the brief time she spoke the next words, she braved holding his gaze. "You are the only man... it is yours." Her voice was a soft whisper, loud enough to be heard and her eyes lowered again as soon as the last syllable was uttered. Lily curled a bit in the chair, as if trying to be even smaller than her petite frame was already.

[Lovely]

Sam leaned heavily against the wall, his eyes closing a moment. "Patrick.. perhaps I should.. excuse myself and let you two have a few moments?"

"Only if you're paying a call to the undertaker. What needs to be said needs a witness and needs to go no further than this room once said, Samuel. Do you understand?" His voice held an unusual tremor and a stern insistence of the importance of the contents of their conversation.

His head nodded as slowly as his eyes opened to focus on Patrick. "Of course.. it is understood." He said softly, remaining where he was.

"Lily?"

She lifted her head a little, though not quite able to meet his gaze. "Yes?"

He cast a glance at his brother and pursed the level of embarassment away in the disappearing grin. She'd likely despise him forever, but as he'd said, what was done was done and he wouldn't condone her attempting to alter the outcome just to spite him. "Lily.. bargains and agreements aside... I won't let you harm the child if she's mine. Whatever you know or believe about me, believe that it is not my intent for you to endure this alone. I will do what I can to make it right, but you understand as well as I do what burden remains to overcome."

She shook her head and then nodded, the look on her face bewildered. "I wasn't.. I wouldn't.. didn't mean.. I wouldn't harm.. it." She trembled, her fingers raking back into her disheveled hair, she'd obviously been very distraught. She closed her eyes. "Overcome?.. My father?"

Sam took a moment to speak openly with his brother. "I do not believe her intent was to harm the child, I believe she may have.. unintentionally in her distressed state as well as perhaps bring harm to herself in lashing out as she was not remotely calm or in a condition to deal with this alone... as well as dealing with the reprocutions of her family since finding out the news."

"So they know... Cody knows.. her father? Obviously not whom...?" He whispered, seeking the dreaded confirmation as he knelt beside her and offered himself as a cushion of support to lean on or sack of ill-begotten flesh for her to kick and maim as she wished if either would ease her. "If they do not know whom, then it is best they not be told. Not directly, for reasons you may obviously guess."

She kicked him, quite hard either hitting his thigh or a direct blow to his nether region. "You'd let me.. you leave me to face them and this.. while hiding in shadow and not having to show to everyone.. leave me in disgrace?" She began kicking and swinging at him in earnest now. Her voice drifting away to an angry sob.

"Patrick.. what do you purpose as a solution? Her father is considerably angry and has given her a proper lashing upon first finding out." Sam approached slowly, though not coming too close. "The longer she keeps the father un named.. the worse it is for her."

"Shut up!" She hissed at Sam.

[Lovely]

That stung rightly and doubled him over. "It has to be done carefully, Sam. Even if I offer my own head on a platter, do you think that will help her or the child? Her father will need to see reason and understand that this is not truly an accident or result of malicious intent. He won't simply 'agree' to my being the father regardless of the truth. He'll marry her off...," he turned to her. "That I also can't condone... not unless it's to me."

Sam nodded, understanding fully Patrick's point, though he could tell by the glare, that Lily might not agree. "So you do.. have an idea of how you will deal with this?"

Her eyes shot daggers at Patrick and to Sam as she glanced at him now and then, feeling out numbered and ganged up on. Feeling such, she acted typically.. lashing out. "You're just buying time.. to do as you please, while I am disgraced.. and still wanting your prize in the end! Pity for you.. because you'll never have it... daddy will marry me to Resher, he'd much rather believe it was him.. than to think that I let you.." Her expression was cold as her words were delivered. "But than again.. you have no worries there.. cuase you know I'd never let him touch me.. and I will not be married off to him.." She'd told Patrick once what she'd do if she ever found herself forced into some such unwanted position. Though at the moment she wasn't thinking of the fact that she'd told him, only of how much money she'd be able to gather and if the train came through tonight or if she'd have to attempt to get to it in another town.. finding other means to get from this one.

"it's not your goodness that brought me to fish in your pond..." He reminded her softly.

"looks like you caught something with that bait." She countered, still pouting and looking angry.

"Yes... and now we're talking to Sam about it.."

She growls, glares.. wanting to hit him and Sam..

"You can hit me all you want later.."

"later? no.. now!!"

"patience....pet..." steps out of reach.

"fine.. " smiles and kicks his shin instead.

"ow.." He grins and blows her a kiss

picks up something to throw at him

ducks... it heads toward Sam

Sam ducks as it sails over his head and crashes into the wall. "Patrick.. I am holding you accountable for all damages."

"S'alright Sam... so is she," he turned to grin again. The antics were serving to entice him more and threaten to ask his brother for a moment or five alone with her to ease her temper in other ways.

[Lovely]

She chuckled, coldly, let him say she was.. she'd not be around to have to repay such a debt. Either father would marry her off to the Resher boy.. which she would not really allow to happen.. unless it served her to do so. "In that case." Another item found her hand and was heaved at Patrick's middle.

This he caught and doubled over, falling back against the cot he missed the edge of and stumbling to the floor. The item was undamaged, but his back took a hit on the rough metal frame he now leaned against. At first the wince of pain washed over him, but behind it came the darkly charged smile she'd remember from their first encounter.. the one that held promises for moonlight and shadow. He set the object above him on the cot and pulled himself up to reach into the cabinet, gathering a roll of gauze strip, coming at her with it and reaching for one of her hands to secure it to the chair.

The look on her face was indignant and she lashed out with legs and arms. "How dare you you... even think.." She hissed in warning, her green eyes darkening with anger and 'spit'. She was a petite firecracker, and knew well his strength.. all those hours of pounding irons had blessed him with more strength than would seem. If he got ahold of her.. there was not a thing he could not make her do, if he so desired to... of course not all of such was due to his greater strength.

"I do think you have quite the temper, dark lady...just a moment, now," he said, grasping her hand at the wrist as she spit at him. He shot her a gaze of warning and an odd compassion as he slipped a band of the gauze around her wrist and aimed to tack it around the chair.

Where she had not too much in the areas of brute strength, she had claws and teeth. With a wicked smirk and glare, she sank into him, leaning to graze his neck, near to his collar bone with harsh teeth and her claws lashing at his arms and anywhere she could.

Sam remained where he was, watching curiously for a moment and then, moving off to begin cleaning up. The door was securely locked and he chose not to interfere with them, trusting for once Patrick's odd ways, as he seemed to be quite effective with the girl. And of course... the child was his, Sam had listened to Pat's words about not letting her harm the babe nor allowing her to be married off. Sam believed his intentions to be... somewhat more honorable and he would let Patrick deal with his mess as he saw fit for the moment.

A short and shallow grunt of pain climbed out from him through his own gnashed teeth as his shoulder was marred, quickly replaced by a chuckle. His fingers and wrists ignored the clawings as he tied the one hand tightly and reached to secure the other as well. He wouldn't resort to striking her if he didn't have to.

She pouted, glared, and hissed at him, straining against the binds and finding her wrist secure. As he set to the other she made a sound like a soft growl and tried to kick him, but found at this close range her long skirts hindered her from doing any damage. "You're going to pay for this." She whispered in promise.

He sidestepped the kick and shot her another look as her other wrist was secured. Once tight, he backed off a moment to dab at his shoulder, feeling it wet and warm where she'd bit through the shirt and into his skin. The mark was small, but effective. "You're already making me pay, little one," he smirked. Moving closer again, he knelt one knee over hers, weighing her down from kicking further and out of reach of her wriggling hands and claws. His own hand slipped beneath her chin to hold her gaze to his where the dark coals of his trade reflected in smoke and haze of intent.

"Silly me.. how could I forget... The baby, that you'll have naught to worry about or consequence for." She delivered cooly, angry at being bound, at having things in her life beyond her control... and at herself, for she was as responsible for the situation as he was. She would not admit that she felt anything, and directed her seething at him. "Enjoy holding me while you can.." Even tied down, she would tear at him, any way she could.

[Lovely]

"I'll have a lifetime for that enjoyment, Lily, though you don't seem to understand that. Details and technicalities... and a full life for -our- child. You're mistaken if you believe differently," he hissed as coldly as she had, quietly, holding her chin more firmly. "I told you what I wanted and I intend fully on keeping her... keeping you both."

She was silent for a few heaving breaths as his words sank in, along with his effective and smokey gaze. Her lips twisted and pouted softly, her gaze locked with his. Her eyes changed to a more vunerable and near affectionate expression, though her words were delivered with the same cool edge as before. "My father is as we speak planning and at the ready to hand me off to Resher.. convinced it seems, because he wishes it to be, that he is the one.." Her eyes the only thing that betrayed now, showing she did not wish this to come to pass. "How do you plan to keep us.. hmmm? Tied to the chair?" Though her voice remained cool and taunting, her lips trembled. Silently she begged him to make her his, to own, to claim her as he promised he would... as she wanted it to be, though she would not admit that to herself.

"Clever," he grinned, the churning embers and smoke flaring a bit as he thought it over. "Perhaps marrying Resher is the wisest choice." He eased a gentle kiss over her lips and backed away, leaving her strapped down and alone. Let her think what she would, it wouldn't end here, nor would she ever marry Resher. He'd see to that.

She blinked her gaze following him as he pulled away from her, her lips pouted and her eyes widened. No!.. he had not.. she hated him.. hated him.. she'd never forgive him for betraying her so... Tears stung her eyes, and they narrowed a harsh gaze upon him. Lily said nothing as he stepped away from her.. too angry to breathe, nearly.

Sam stepped to the door, as his brother moved away from the girl, wondering now what Patrick would do.. and what he would have to do, in dealing with the girl and her family.

"Sam, come with me. She seems fit to wallow in her pity and not see reason. Something best done without an audience. I wish you well in your future life, Miss Westgate," he sniped coldly as he slid out of the room to the front room.

If looks could kill, both he and Patrick would be dead.. and he had the distinct feeling that if she could have lunged from the chair she would have and would have shredded them both. He nodded to his brother and stepped into the front room with him, closing the door behind them.

He stepped to the front door and double checked that no one was waiting outside. He raised a finger to his lips and hushed his brother, opening the outer door then securing loudly, pulling the bolt to again. In all semblance it appeared he'd left the office entirely and upset at the turn of events, yet he remained and spoke in the lightest of whispers to his brother. "I'm to do the honorable thing Samuel, but I need assurance of your assistance. I will marry her this day, this hour to keep her here and away from that... lump... Resher." He paused, looking for a proper insult, but nothing seemed to fit the overtly self-righteous man that he couldn't pin on his own self other than he evoked no emotion whatsoever from the girl where Patrick's effect on her was evident. "One witness Sam and the blessing of a family member. I charge you to watch her and be certain she doesn't chew her way free. Not if she's to be my wife. I'm off to find Gulliver and work this the right way around. Do I have your help?"

[Lovely]

He paused, thinking over the situation for a mere moment, before nodding and reaching offer his brother his hand. "You have it.. Though I may gag her if she puts up a ruckus." His eyes were warm, concerned and held a bit of admiration at his brother and respect, a touch of awe at seeing him so set on such a task. "She will be here when you return." The child she carried was his kin, and his brother before him, declaring this girl would be his wife, it was more than enough reason for him to stand behind Patrick and assist him.

"Not a soul. Not even Cody will know what's transpired. We brothers and her alone, until such time as necessary to tell her father. Can only imagine what burden she would suffer...," he paused, looking back at the door, listening for sounds of movement, shrieks of anger or sobs, anything. "Tend to her, though I suppose soothing her won't be an option."

Again Sam nodded, glancing back to the door. "Like a wild animal in a cage at the moment." He mused softly.

"Quite wild, I assure you," he smiled and slipped the bolt quietly on the door, setting off to secure the means necessary to keep her as his own.

========

A little more than an hour after he'd abruptly left her behind, Patrick returned with confused older brother in tow and an envelope in hand, the paper in it hanging out as the ink continued to dry.

Gulliver followed, adjusting his collar and flipping pages hurriedly to the section he'd had little opportunity to utilize in this town, weddings.

Upon hearing the footsteps on the walk, Sam walked to the frot room to check and then unlatch the door for his brothers. He was still smarting, somewhat and a partly doubled over as he'd been harshly kicked by the girl. During the hour, he'd spent the time cleaning up and trying to talk calmly with the girl, she'd not screamed, though he'd had to threaten her with a gag a few times. During his attempt to clean the area directly around her, he'd gotten to close and took a direct hit to his nethers... so much for thinking she was calm and subdued or that she could not reach him. Samuel looked over both of his brothers and nodded to Patrick, a slight smile given as well.

Lily remained where Patrick had abandoned her, bound in the chair. She had shed a few angry tears, enough to dampen her cheeks but not be obvious. What was apparent, was that she'd not sit still, her wrists were red and slightly raw from where she'd twisted and yanked, trying to free herself. Hearing the sounds of someone entering, she paused, waiting and trying to listen, fearing it was her father, having been sent to come fetch her. She knew he was likely to give her another sound lashing, already angry and frustrated with her.. and her disgrace. The only thing that seemed to calm him of late, was the thought that she would be wed to the Resher boy. She slumped in the chair, glaring at the closed door to the inner room.

Patrick nodded to Gully and had him go in first. It would do her well to panic a little more, he thought, sending him in unannounced.

[Lovely]

Gully silently argued with a gamut of expressions indicating his distaste for the ruse, but conceding seeing that Patrick was serious. Rarely did the boy not finish what he set out to accomplish with whatever intent was behind it. He set his hand to the handle of the door and inhaled a moment of courage. Planting a warm smile in place, he threw open the door to recite what Patrick had advised him, knowing he'd burn to ash for doing it. "Good afternoon, Miss Westgate. I apologize for this short notice, but it is my understanding that, by your father's wish, you are to be happily married very soon."

Patrick stayed in the front room for the moment, listening and cringing gently as the script altered a little. He showed Sam the paper. "Mister Westgate was ever so kind to sign away his sister without so much as a nod," he grinned. "Of course, had he known that's what he was signing... Samuel, I will need you to deliver this to the Magistrate as our witness." The Magistrate was of course their brother as well, but he was not yet brought into the ruse, not realizing that the papers gathered were for Patrick himself.

Lily sat up straight and stiffened, settling a defiant, hateful gaze upon Gully. "No." She spoke in a louder more firm voice. "I will not marry the man my father wishes me to marry.. and if I am forced into marrying Resher.. I swear I will throw myself off the the roof of the hotel... Niether myself nor my child will be bound to that man.. I swear it.. I'd rather die." Her voice was cold, serious and just loud enough, not to carry outside.

"Miss Westgate, please lower your voice," Gully insisted softly, looking over his shoulder and waiting, as it always seemed he was, for his brother to step in to save him from conversation. "Your father believes you should be wed to someone who is devoted to the care of you and your unborn child. Suicide... a shameful sin and taking the life of your child...?"

She laughed... it sounded a bit crazed, almost hysterical. "Someone.. devoted.. to taking care of me.. and my child... oh, yes I see... Resher is devoted to taking care of my child.. in a permanent manner.. ensuring it is never born or does not survive long after." She didn't care anymore, Patrick had abandoned her.. left her and thier child would not be allowed as heir to Resher's holdings. "Better we go together than to suffer an arranged accident."

Sam reached for the papers, giving Patrick a looked, which expressed his mixture of emotions. "Of course.. your witness... " He paused, his gaze shifting from the drying ink to Patrick's face and back again. "If you are certain, this is the course you wish to take.. it is the honorable thing to do.. I shall stand behind you, fully."

"Wild horses run with others of their kind Samuel. If I let her go..," he shook his head. "I must. Are you ready?"

He started to nod, understanding Pat's words, but paused again, a gentle hand to his arm. "Please.. I mean no offence, but so my own fears be laid to rest.. do you love her?" His suspicion was that Patrick did, but wild horses... and such a young lass, could very well be misguided lust.

He turned to his brother with what, for Patrick, could be considered a shocked expression. "Do I love her? What are you asking, Sam? Of course. Would I go through this much to merely have the warmth of a woman in my bed? Is that what you're thinking? How many? How often? Have I ever... ever made such a consideration?"

He folded his hands behind his back, clasping them together at the small of it. "My apologies... I did not mean.. We are not that close.. you and I, perhaps it was my time away at the university.. or that I have always been withdrawn with my books and disections.." He looked away to the window. "I often feel as if I am a stranger.. hardly knowing you at all.. any of you.." He sighed. "I am sorry..that I even questioned it.. of course you are not so trivial as to do such a thing."

[Lovely]

If truth be told, if it was something to merely amuse him, he would consider it, however Lily was more than a mere amusement. He looked over his brother as the contempt melted away to a rarely seen compassion. "Something we'll change, Sam... one of many things." He patted Sam's arm and stepped into the room behind Gulliver.

Gully sighed a thanks that the entrance was made and stepped aside to provide him the room.

"Lilian, you'll not be marrying Mister Resher... today or any day. It wasn't your father who requested the pastor to see you."

He stepped in behind Patrick and then moved off to the side.

Her eyes snapped to him, the surprise clear in her expression. "Patrick?" She breathed in question, looking as if she did not believe he was really there. She closed her eyes and counted to five, opening them to find him still in the room. "What do you mean? I wont? Are you..? How did you get daddy's approval?" The questions tumbled from her lips, before she could consider or stop them.

Taking the chance that she'd still strike him, he moved closer, pulling the knife from his belt and cutting the gauze away to free her. "I am... the question is, will you? Marry me, Lilian. The papers were signed by Mister Westgate.. one Cody Westgate, as witness upon the license and of legal age to approve such a union."

As he might have suspected, her right hand connected with his cheek. "That's for tying me to the chair." Her left hand swung as the words came from her mouth. "and that's for letting me think you'd abandoned me." Her hands then came gently to cup his face and she gazed deeply into the smokey depths of his eyes. "Cody? You got Cody to sign the papers? He hates you.. well everyone who has the same last name as you.. but especially you and Alex.." She shook head, a soft chuckle rolling out. "You are crazy." She whispered, with a small smile. "You realize.. this does not alter our bargain... you still have to win my father's approval... and I'm still going to give you hell."

"That would be a 'yes' Gully... start the ceremony. Our witness..?" He motioned Sam closer. "I would expect no less and hope for much more, Lily. Your father's true approval will take time, but he won't be able to marry you off to anyone now."

She nodded, understanding and knowing her father would not be pleased. "Then I agree." She said softly, shifting her hands down into his, so she could pull herself to her feet. Once up, she deftly undid the pins that held her disheveled hair up, depositing the pins into Patrick's palm. She gave a small smile to Gully and Sam, motioning them both to proceed and quickly smoothed and pinned her hair out of her face. The long blonde locks cascaded down past the middle of her back, now that the bun was loose.

Sam watched them both curiously, love was one mystery he did comprehend. He stepped forward as asked, at his brother's side as witness and in support.

Patrick allowed her the moment to fix her hair while Gully shifted nervously, feeling that lightning would strike him through the window for what he was about to do. While he was not against the sanctity of marriage, the blessing was in question. He steeled himself a little as he waited, holding his finger closed in the book marking the page.

[Lovely]

"Lily, only my brothers are aware... half of them. Those who saw me coming here believe Gully is reading a last right to a patient... sorry Sam... not here for this purpose. Until the time is right, we continue to be the only ones who know, do you understand the position that places you in?"

"Disgraced, ruined.. a terrible wretched thing.. I'll be the death of my mother.. never show my face in proper society again... my father wanted to throttle me one moment, blaming himself the next and my brother for the next three... Hmmm very much the same position I am in now, except I will be keeping two secrets?" She tipped her head to the side, looking up at him with an expression that was not remotely shameful for what she'd been doing with him. The gleam in her eyes hinting that she was all for sneaking around some more with him. "It's alright Patrick.. he can read me, my last rights after.. if it makes any of you feel better."

"He'll do no such thing... I don't want him giving that type of permission for you to leave, even in jest. Lilian, as these men and the presence of God are witness, I love you. Are you ready?"

His words brought a small, but affectionate smile to her lips and she nodded her head, looking only to him for the moment. "Yes.. I'm ready."

A wash of nerves shuddered through him, a moment of doubt, but her gentle smile quelled it quickly. "Gulliver... before we both just walk out the door," he said over his shoulder, not taking his eyes from her.

He looked to the young girl and his other brother, opening the book to begin the ceremony, customarily addressing the loved ones and speaking to the bounds of one to the other and to the Lord above, although his words sounded somewhat hollow in regards to his knowledge of Patrick's faith. The boy was as peculiar about his spirit as he was in his other dealings, but if the girl would take him, he had little grounds to argue. "... and if no man should speak as to why these two should not be wed, let him speak his peace," Gully recited, closing his eyes in anticipation of chaos or intervention from above. When no such storm came, he sighed, relieved, and smiled his first genuine beam since he'd arrived, offering his final blessing on their union.Gully slipped from the grace and ceremony a moment to nod to them, "Kiss her if you're keeping her.. she's your bride, Patrick."

Patrick grinned gently though the fires charged in his gaze. The heat from the wounds she'd left on him surged and drove him toward want. "I will," he said, tipping to kiss her without worry of hiding now.

The touch of his lips on hers was thrilling, and more so with two witnesses to it. Without having to worry for the moment, Lily leaned up on tip toes to an enraptured kiss. The heat of her anger, panic and turmoil were ignited as her lips clung to his and her arms twined around his shoulders.

"Let no man tear asunder...," Patrick added himself, holding her closely as he turned to his brothers. "Do not follow and do not inquire. I'll have her back here for her to return to her father, but should he ask, she's here and refuses to see anyone, resting by the doctor's recommendation and is not to be disturbed. Samuel, she'll sign the paper and you're to take it to Rory or have Gully do it."

His lips pursed and he was about to protest, but the way they both looked.. happy, even if it was not the gushing giddy way most would act.. this was what they wanted and they both seemed to shine in a subtle way. His well trained eye, picked up the renewed glow to her cheeks and the shine to the girl's eyes. He sighed and nodded, getting the ink and paper ready for her.

She did not want to let go, but knew that her signature was needed so for that she would let her arms fall away from him. She took care of the papers her name in a beautiful flair over the parchament, sealing their 'deal'.