Free Amelia (The Marriage Market Book 1) by Stevie MacFarlane Page B

office.
    "Give my regards to your father," the judge called. "Tell him he should have let me marry Tempest when he had the chance," he said, laughing.
    "Any chance you might come and steal her away now?" Hugh asked, feigning hope.
    "Nary a one," he assured Hugh. "I may be old, but I'm not foolish."
    "I didn't think so, but it never hurts to ask."
    Opening the door, he escorted Amelia from the room.
    Upon leaving the judge's chambers, they set off immediately for the photographer's studio and sat through the standard poses. When her new husband approached the photographer Amelia assumed he was taking care of the bill until he returned and resumed his seat. Resting her hand on his shoulder she was shocked when he took it and pulled her onto his lap. He leaned her back and claimed her lips in a kiss. While the young man took a few pictures, Hugh held her firmly in place. Too shocked to struggle, Amelia ended up with her arm around his neck and slightly out of breath.
    "Why ever did you do that?" she asked, dazed by his behavior.
    "I wanted something different, something unique," he replied with a smile. "Sometimes when I look at my mother, I find it hard to believe she was ever a sweet young bride. I want these photographs to always remind us of how we are today."
    "Hugh, that's very sweet," she said with a smile. "I guess as long as we don't display them on our mantle and they are only for our eyes, they will be a nice reminder."
    "Oh no," he said, grinning as he stood with her in his arms. "I'm going to have a huge portrait painted of the most outrageous one and hang it over the fireplace."
    "Now you're teasing me. Put me down," she whispered. "The photographer must think we are crazy."
    "He's welcome to think anything he likes," he said, setting her gently on her feet, "as long as he does a good job. Come along, Mrs. Jordon, we need to get to the telegraph office and send off some cables. I want your father to know I've made an honest woman of you and I want to let my family know we will be on our way tomorrow. It will also give my mother time to throw a tantrum or two before we get there."
    "Is she really that bad?" Amelia asked with a worried frown. "Doesn't she want you to marry and produce grandchildren?"
    "Oh, she wants my brother and me to marry, but to women she's chosen. Frequently, she brings back young women from her travels in an effort to tempt us. Once she even brought an Arabian girl trained for the harem." He laughed. "It was the one time I can remember my father losing patience with her. She did not stay at home long before she returned to France for a visit."
    "What if she doesn't like me?" Amelia asked quietly as the photographer stepped back into the room.
    "Then I'll consider myself a very lucky man," he replied with a laugh. "I'd prefer she have no influence over you. Amelia, my mother is a lovely, charming woman, when she wants to be. She's also capable of causing havoc wherever she goes."
    "And your father?"
    "My father is a strong, opinionated man, except when it comes to my mother. If she could put a ring in his nose, she'd lead him around joyfully. They are a very strange couple, to say the least. They want different things out of life."
    "Will that happen to us?" she asked, tilting her head and looking up at him. "What if we don't suit? We don't know each other very well, not really."
    Hugh smiled and patted the hand she placed on his arm.
    "Let's continue this conversation in the carriage."
    Amelia nodded in agreement.
    "Do you think we could arrange to have some copies sent back east? I'm sure my father would like one and I'd like to send one to Effie and Grace."
    "Certainly, but who are Effie and Grace?"
    "Grace Wentworth and Effie Lane are my very dearest friends. I think a copy of our wedding picture will go a long way in assuring them I'm safely married, and that you're not an ogre," she teased.
    "Then by all means, we must send them a photograph as soon as possible," Hugh agreed. "I would hope