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.Freeing my slaves hasn’t gained me any friends, but I’m certain they will attend a wedding hosted by the Chesters.People will come out of curiosity if for no other reason.”Lady Chester visited Sunset Hill frequently to confer with Sophia during the following weeks.A week before the wedding, Chris told Sophia at breakfast that he was taking her to Kingston to meet Reverend Townsend.The arrangements had been completed and everything was in place for the festive affair Lady Chester had planned.The only thing left to do was meet the reverend.Sophia was nervous.She couldn’t believe she was going to marry Chris.She hadn’t had a long conversation with him of late, or the opportunity to ask how he felt about their impending nuptials.He still made love to her nearly every night, but he usually left her bed before she could initiate a discussion, and he usually left the house early and returned late.Would it be this way after they were wed?“The Intrepid is due to arrive any day now,” Chris remarked between mouthfuls of food.“Where has she been?” Sophia asked curiously.Any day Chris wished to converse with her was a good day.“She carried rum to Charleston and then returned to England to pick up the carriage I ordered before I left London.I’m hoping the Intrepid will arrive in time for our wedding.I’d like Mr.Blaine and the crew to attend the celebration.”“I’d like that too,” Sophia said.“What time should I be ready to go to Kingston?”“Is an hour too soon? We’ll take the wagon; Chandra gave me a list of staples to purchase in town.”“I’ll be ready,” Sophia said.After Chris left for the distillery, Sophia summoned Kateena to help her dress for her trip to town.“Are you excited about your wedding, mistress?” Kateena asked.She sighed dreamily.“The captain is so handsome, and he truly loves you.You’re a lucky woman.”Sophia went still.“Why do you think he loves me?”“I have seen the way he looks at you.”“He and I are rarely together, so how can you possibly know how he looks at me?”“You do not believe me? Ask any of the servants and they will confirm what I have observed.”“I’m sure you’re mistaken,” Sophia contended.“Our history is long and complicated.”Kateena shrugged.“If you say so, mistress.”Sophia was ready and waiting when Chris brought around the wagon.Chuba helped her onto the bench beside Chris, and soon they were on their way.The day was hot and sultry; the threat of rain hung heavy in the air.Summer was the season of thunderstorms and something far worse.Kateena had explained about hurricanes, those violent storms spawning fierce winds that blew houses apart and uprooted trees.Sophia swatted at the flying insects that swarmed around her bonnet, grateful for the veil that kept them off her face.She considered Jamaica a paradise, but the island did have its drawbacks.Nothing in life was perfect, not even in Paradise.Kingston was teeming with people.Vehicles clogged King Street, making travel slow and difficult.Finally Chris pulled up before the Church of St.Thomas and set the brake.He leaped lightly to the ground and handed Sophia down.They approached the rectory together.A servant answered the door and invited them to wait in the parlor.The reverend arrived a short time later.“Captain Radcliff”—Townsend, a tall, thin man in his mid thirties, greeted them affably—“and Miss Carlisle, welcome to Jamaica.Lady Chester has told me all about you.You are the happy couple I am to wed Saturday next.Yours will be the first marriage in St.Thomas since my arrival three years ago.Most of the planters arrive in Jamaica with wives and family in tow.And the bachelors usually return to England to marry.”Chris and Sophia made small talk and took tea with the reverend.After an hour, they took their leave.“I am looking forward to performing your nuptials,” Townsend remarked as they said their good-byes.“It’s refreshing to see a young couple so in love.”Sophia shot a glance at Chris.He appeared discomfited.As for herself, she recalled Kateena’s words earlier and wondered what the servants saw that made them think Chris loved her.Perhaps they judged Chris’s feelings by what they saw in her.Were her eyes misty with love when she looked at Chris? Did she hang on his every word, follow him with her eyes?“Where are we going now?” Sophia asked as Chris guided the wagon into traffic.“To the docks to see if the Intrepid has arrived.Afterward, we’ll visit the marketplace.Then I thought we would have lunch at the King’s Arms, if that meets with your approval.”Sophia’s eyes glowed.She hadn’t spent this much time with Chris since.She couldn’t recall when.“I’d like that.”The Intrepid hadn’t arrived.“I was hoping to find her in port,” Chris said, clearly disappointed.“I wanted to take you to the church in style.”Touched, Sophia laid her hand on his arm.“It doesn’t matter, Chris.” He didn’t shake off her hand, which Sophia considered a good sign.The visit to the marketplace was pleasant, the combination of sounds, sights and smells uniquely Jamaican.After Chris made his purchases, they headed to the King’s Arms for lunch.Mr.Ludlow greeted them enthusiastically and told them he had received an invitation to their wedding and would attend.Sophia had insisted that Lady Chester invite the innkeeper.Sophia thought lunch went well.They didn’t discuss anything controversial, which made the outing all the more enjoyable.After lunch, they left the King’s Arms for their return to Sunset Hill.“Thank you for this day,” Sophia began.“I wish every day could be like this.”“We will have good days and bad days, Sophia.It’s inevitable, given our past.”His answer didn’t satisfy Sophia.She sighed and broached the subject they both had avoided all day.“I know you’re a reluctant bridegroom, and I’m truly sorry it turned out this way.There is still time to cry off.”“Stop talking nonsense, Sophia,” Chris replied curtly.“We both know ours isn’t a love match, but we are adult enough to muddle through this marriage.”Curbing her sudden jolt of anger, Sophia said, “Muddle through? I don’t want to muddle through.I want a real husband, Chris.If you can’t be what I want, then cry off now.”Chris reined the horse to a stop on a deserted stretch of road and glared at her.Sophia glared back.“I thought we’d worked through this,” he bit out.“You needed protection and I offered it.Once we are wed, you will never have to worry about Rigby or Caldwell again.”The words that came out of Chris’s mouth hurt.Why didn’t he understand that their marriage meant so much more to her? All her life she’d looked forward to marriage as the culmination of all her dreams, a union that would provide a wealth of love and need.A need Chris didn’t intend to fulfill.“I mean it, Chris.Don’t go through with this marriage if you intend to ignore me or find another woman to give you what you need.”“Dammit, Sophia, you ought to know by now that I want you in my bed.If you want sex, I will give it to you unstintingly.If you need protection, I will be there for you.What more do you want?”Love.“I don’t want you to feel trapped.Marriage is more than the need for protection or sex on demand.How can you possibly want me when you have shown so little interest in me these past weeks?”“You think I don’t want you? How can you believe that when I’m in your bed most nights?” Chris said angrily.“Perhaps I’ve done too good a job of controlling my lust.”As if to prove his words, he pulled her against him.“Chris, I—”He swept away her words with his lips and tongue, his kiss demanding and thoroughly intoxicating.He tangled his fingers in her hair, moving her head so that their lips meshed fully
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