The Forever Gamble

The wedding was every woman’s dream. Phoebe descended the stairs in elegant fashion. All eyes were on the most beautiful bride in Birchwood’s history. Her attendants, Carla Beth, Catherine, and Rachel, proceeded her wearing dresses of red silk and holding bouquets of white roses with red ribbons. Phoebe’s dress was a delicate lace and silk creation of fabric imported from Paris. Her bouquet consisted of red roses tied with white ribbons. She wore her mother’s wedding pearls and earrings. Thomas was beaming with pride as he waited for his future daughter-in-law at the foot of the staircase.

Major George Davis was waiting for his bride in the ballroom that was filled with family and friends who eagerly awaited the bride and groom to be joined in Holy Matrimony. Phoebe’s only regret was that Janet and Luther could not make the trip north to attend the ceremony. Janet was close to delivering her first child and did not need to travel. Everything else about this day was perfect.

The ballroom was draped in white silk with green ivy. White candles lined the walls and washed the room in golden candlelight. Waiting for her at the other end of the room was her handsome groom. Phoebe smiled at her man as she walked past wedding guests. George was so handsome in his black tuxedo.

Phoebe paused as she looked down the aisle at George. She had a strange feeling of déjà vu like she had lived this moment before, and then she remembered her dream. This time it was perfect because George was not wearing his uniform. Phoebe smiled at George, and her eyes told him all that he needed to know. In a matter of heartbeats, she would be his, and they would enjoy a special Valentine’s wedding night that they had wanted for so long.

Chapter One

As George watched Phoebe elegantly walk towards him, all eyes in the room were on the blushing bride and charming groom, except for Joseph Thompson’s eyes that were fixed on the beautiful bridesmaid Rachel Anderson. Joseph was there as a guest of Phoebe’s and as a favor to his brother who was incarcerated in a Philadelphia prison for shooting and killing Phoebe’s brother Philip. Sam wanted a first-hand accounting of Phoebe’s betrayal.

Joseph was delighted when Phoebe invited him to the wedding. She insisted that he attend considering he was a life-long friend of Philip’s and a representative of the South that would surely be under-represented at the Pennsylvania estate of George’s parents. Joseph and Phoebe had always been friends, but Joseph’s brother Sam had always claimed her as his future bride.

Joseph was like a brother to Phoebe. At this moment, his brotherly instincts told him that she had picked the perfect husband. He hated to admit it, but this Yankee seemed to care more for Phoebe than his brother ever did.

Joseph recalled how devastated he was to learn of Philip’s death at the hands of his own brother, Sam. He and Philip were the closest of friends and were more like brothers than he and Sam had ever been. Knowing that one of his inventions spared Sam’s life after he killed Philip was difficult for Joseph to accept. Even yesterday when Joseph visited Sam in prison, he maintained that the gun fired accidentally and that he never meant to harm Philip.

Joseph snapped back to reality when he realized that the beautiful bridesmaid Rachel was staring at him. He smiled and shyly lowered his head feeling an awkward bashfulness. She smiled back at him as they both returned their attention to the ceremony.

Phoebe and George exchanged vows, rings, and then an intimate kiss. After being formally introduced as Mr. and Mrs. George Davis, they seemed to float down the aisle followed by Alice and Thomas and the remaining wedding party that continued through the foyer and into the formal dining room. The remaining guests followed behind, but Joseph claimed his position in line behind Rachel who glanced back at him and whispered, You’ll be in trouble with the society police for breaking protocol.

I don’t care. I need to sit next to you.

Need is a strong word Mr…what is your name? I can tell from your accent that you are here for the bride. Rachel was regretting her earlier smile that encouraged her new follower.

Ah yes, I’m an old friend of Phoebe’s. I’ll tell you more about that later. Joseph leaned forward letting his breath touch Rachel’s neck as he whispered the scandal-laced words.

I can hardly wait, Rachel whispered but kept her gaze forward as Mrs. Bartlett, the wedding organizer, surveyed the line and quickly looked at her paper for the identity of the new person. She glared at Joseph as he strolled by her until he gave her a flirtatious smile that caused the stoic face of Mrs. Bartlett to blush.

Rachel was intrigued by the forward nature of the Southern intruder and his blatant disregard for wedding etiquette, but she loved seeing Mrs. Bartlett rattled. Rachel had always been a rebel at heart, but now she was meeting a real Rebel and feeling the challenge for verbal sparring about the war and anything else Southern. Setting this handsome rogue straight would be a pleasure.

Joseph pulled out Rachel’s chair and quickly claimed the one next to it. He waited for her to turn and offer a thank you, but she kept her back to him. He wasn’t discouraged but even more intrigued. He loved a good cat and mouse game, and it appeared that this lovely creature next to him wanted one too.

If you’ll do me the honor of turning this way, I’d like to introduce myself. Joseph again took advantage of the long, beautiful neckline partially covered by brunette ringlets.

Rachel shivered when his breath caught her off guard again. One part of her wanted to lean back and feel the source of her torture, but the rational part of her wanted the Rebel intruder to know his place in her society. She closed her eyes and struggled to dismiss the tingling she felt all the way to her toes. She surrendered to the fact that the best way to get rid of this feeling was to turn and address it head on.

We are at a formal wedding dinner. Why are you harassing me so? Rachel abruptly turned and blurted the words as her eyes went from Joseph’s chest to his mouth to his eyes. She was not prepared for the sudden feeling of desire that locked her eyes with his.

Not letting the intensity of their moment go to waste, Joseph replied, Because you are the most gorgeous woman that I have ever seen. Formality takes a back seat to raw human emotion, don’t you agree?

I think not. Rachel turned quickly to break the trance but sat quietly knowing that she had met someone who would challenge her lifelong vow to deny the silliness of romance and love. She was a serious student of science and would not be led around like a silly girl full of hopes and dreams dependent on the generosity of a man. Her long-term commitment to independence had driven her to reject all offers of male companionship. She closed her eyes and mentally recharged her resolve to put words of wisdom between herself and the man sitting next to her. She would not be a puppet. Rachel stiffened her back, squared her shoulders, and mentally recounted the bullet points of her five-year strategic plan.

As she shifted in her chair, her leg brushed against Joseph’s so he placed his arm around her shoulders and whispered in her ear again, I feel it too.

You feel what? Rachel’s stanch reaction was audible to those around them who looked at the young couple with wonder. Joseph offered a mischievous grin while Rachel confirmed suspicions with a look of incredulity. To her dismay, she was losing her battle with the handsome Rebel.

What can I say or do for you to leave me alone during dinner? You have everyone around us, most of whom are my family, thinking the worst of me.

Promise me the first dance. Joseph took advantage of her whispering tone to lean over and whisper in her ear again making sure his breath fanned the flames he had ignited in the beautiful woman who seemed awkwardly uncomfortable with her femininity.

Rachel closed her eyes again and with a stiff upper lip agreed. As she picked at her food she wasn’t sure if she was winning or losing her ongoing battle with the South. Earlier she was looking forward to putting the Rebel in his place, but she had to admit, he was winning the war of physical attraction while she was prepared only for a war of intellect. She didn’t know why her usual strategy of disarming men by talking over their heads was not working on this seemingly uncouth fellow.

As she contemplated her dilemma, she concluded that it was her appearance. She had reluctantly agreed to wear makeup and lipstick and to have her hair professionally styled as a favor to Phoebe. When she saw her reflection in the mirror, she wasn’t sure she was looking at herself. She normally wore no makeup and her hair pulled tightly in a severe bun. She had to admit that she felt a bit of excitement when she saw what traditional womanly beautification could make her look like. Getting to know Phoebe made her realize that a woman can be beautiful on the outside as well as intelligent and driven on the inside.

When Rachel first met Phoebe, she dismissed her as a serious friend assuming that she was all lace and grace with little to offer the knowledge base, her own little saying for women from the South. But, after spending time with Phoebe and hearing how she survived the struggles of war, she developed a deep appreciation and respect for her. Rachel felt that her life’s struggles paled in comparison. She had to admit that Phoebe was an intelligent and knowledgeable woman that her family adored. She easily won the hearts of her aunt and uncle not to mention her cousin George. She even managed to blend into Philadelphia society. Phoebe knew more about etiquette and social manners than most of the women in Pennsylvania. Rachel credited her own lack of desire for the social graces to her commitment to medicine and science. She planned to be the first female doctor in her family.

Turning her attention back to her current situation, she wished she understood the physiology of what was happening between her body and the man sitting next to her. The feelings he stirred in her were unexpected and new. She feared they would only get worse as they danced.

Rachel pushed her dessert around on her plate as she mentally practiced her dance steps. Even though she learned to dance at a very young age, she always refused requests as an objection to being led around a dance floor by a man treating her like an ornament. Now she was regretting her lack of experience, but she was determined to demonstrate her superior skill and knowledge of social graces to her Northern audience at the expense of the openly rude and primal Southern Rebel who continued to press his leg against hers.

Chapter Two

As dinner progressed, Rachel heard music echoing from across the foyer. The wedding area was being transformed into a dancefloor. As dessert plates were cleared, Rachel knew her time to perform was getting closer. She was becoming anxious about her impending dance with Joseph who continued trying to engage her in conversation. No matter how much she contemplated her words, when she opened her mouth to demonstrate her superior intellect, the silliest things came out. She was still reeling over her toast.

As tradition dictated, members of the wedding party stood and offered toasts of health and happiness to the new couple. When it was her turn, Rachel stood and delivered a stuttering of words that sounded poetic but insincere. Joseph stood after her and eloquently quoted from Shakespeare. Everyone was impressed and amused hearing Shakespeare with a Southern accent. Several of the ladies clapped and sighed as his Southern drawl left words hanging in the air. Rachel rolled her eyes and was embarrassed at their lack of control although she had to admit that he was a stunning specimen of male flesh with dark hair and features that were strong and commanding. Rachel studied his hands as they ate noticing that they were strong but not scarred by hard labor. She made a mental note to find out more from Phoebe about his background.

The moment Rachel dreaded arrived as Thomas stood and announced that the wedding party would continue in the ballroom after the ceremonial first dance of the new couple. Rachel still had her napkin clinched in her fists as Joseph stood and put his hands on the back of her chair.

Shall we? His tone was more commanding than requesting.

Rachel placed her napkin beside her plate and stood as Joseph pulled her chair from under her. She stood and tried to hide her apprehension. Joseph held out his arm and she gently placed her arm through his. She was avoiding touching him as much as possible. As she stepped away from the table, she realized the bottom of her dress was caught under her chair leg. Joseph continued walking as she tried to pull the dress without asking for help. The fabric ripped and she lunged forward falling into Joseph. He turned to look at her and noticed her predicament. He smiled and said for others to hear, Madam is it the wine or are you that eager to dance with me?

Rachel looked up at Joseph with dagger eyes and knew any response she offered would make her look worse than she already did. She dug her fingernails into his arm as he laughed at her attempt to quiet him.

Madam, this shall be a dance that I will long remember. I can hardly wait to get your arms around me but do try to be a bit gentler. We can save the rough stuff for later.

Joseph followed his words with a throaty laugh that left Rachel wishing she could toss him to one of the young women eagerly eyeing him. She kept repeating to herself, One dance and I’m out of here.

Rachel continued holding on to Joseph’s arm as they watched Phoebe and George waltz across the dance floor. Rachel didn’t think about letting his arm go because she was preoccupied watching the steps Phoebe was making and how she moved. She wanted to put Joseph in his place and embarrass him the way he had embarrassed her all night.

Joseph paid more attention to Rachel and how her eyes followed Phoebe’s every move. He found it amusing that she was still clinging to his arm and hadn’t excused herself to get away from him. He was enjoying the look of consternation on her face. He was sure that he would have his hands full on the dance floor trying to keep her from falling or looking awkward. He smiled when he realized that the strong-willed lady clutching his arm was mortified by what they were about to do on the dancefloor.

As the song ended for George and Phoebe, they hugged and shared a lingering kiss. Applause rang from guests circling the ballroom. Thomas and Alice walked onto the floor and invited all to join them. A livelier number followed the newlyweds slow dance as Joseph unwound Rachel’s arm from his and took her hand.

"I believe it is