“This marriage will not hold. They do not worship the same gods and I demand to see the marriage consummated,” spat Onontio.
A nighthawk shrieked above in a moonlit sky, his sight on certain prey. The chill of a breeze settled over Joshua. Hushed murmurings rang through the Indians. Some nodded their heads in agreement, others pulled back slightly.
Someone asked the medicine woman for direction.
“You will demand nothing, Onontio.” Her face lit with the dancing firelight. “And I will see the marriage is consummated.”
Father Devereux stepped forward. “For any doubt one might have, The Longhouse ceremony and the Code of Handsome Lake allows me to perform the marriage ceremony of my God at the same time. The marriage will be consecrated.”
The crowd roared their approval, eager to celebrate with the roasted venison, wild turkey, smoked fish, and corn cakes cooked the entire day.
The chief stood before them and presented the tribe’s valuable wampum. Joshua took hold of them and lifted Juliet’s shaking fingers on the sacred beads. Father Devereux translated.
“Are you prepared to be the wife of the warrior, Joshua for the rest of your life? Will you care for Joshua if he becomes ill? Will you prepare food for your husband and children?”
She sought out his gaze, her vulnerability tugging at him.
He gave her a reassuring smile and he saw the relief in her face.
The promise of each vow was supported from her sweet lips. He wanted to cradle her close and tell her everything was fine. The chief turned to Joshua with the same questions, and concluded. “Marriage is a partnership and no one has authority above the other; you do not dominate your husband, and he does not dominate you. Today you have become members of a fine and loving extended family of Tionnontigo.”
The chief allowed Father Devereux, Bible in hand to begin.
Juliet sensed Joshua was extremely serious about the vow he was about to speak. The look of resolute and unwavering determination manifested on his face assured a rare kind of promise Joshua straightened and with intense and complete profoundness said, “I do.”
Beneath the stares of villagers, curious about the foreign rite, Juliet’s nerves went taut as a drawn bow. She said yes, to every lifelong pledge, not actually hearing the words until Father Devereux closed his book. “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.”
In one forward motion, Joshua caressed her face with his big hands, his lips stirred against hers, gentle at first, then persistent. The cheers of villagers caused her to remain stiff and awkward. But the gentle massage of his kiss sent currents of desire though her. Blood pounded in her brain, leapt from her heart and made her pulses race like quicksilver. And in that moment, the fires, the noise, the world seemed to melt away, leaving only her and Joshua.
He finally broke apart, but his blue eyes riveted her to the spot. Suddenly looking confused, he turned away to a series of backslapping and knowing winks.
Ojistah produced a wheel made of a wooden branch and decorated with white deerskin strips and a burnt feather design. “This wedding wheel is a symbolic gesture, guaranteeing your hopes and dreams for a happy future.”
Juliet was again touched by the medicine woman’s generosity and held the wheel against her heart.
“Go now to my lodge, you will not be disturbed.”
Juliet colored from the innuendo, yet happy with Ojistah’s assurance that a consummation would not be investigated.
Pulsing drums beat, gourd rattles clattered, while villagers danced to the Feather Song, swishing a mesmerizing array of white plumes. Joshua pressed his hand to her back, guiding her away from well-wishers, but some pulled at them to stay, apparently disappointed the newly wedded couple was leaving so soon.
* * *
“I should carry you over the threshold but, at this moment, my leg will not allow it,” Joshua held open the flap for her to enter. “I’m sure this is far from the wedding ceremony you have ever dreamed.”
Inside, a feast had been laid out on platters for the married couple. Her stomach flip-flopped as Joshua’s large shape filled Ojistah’s lodge. She doubted she could eat a thing.
They were alone for the first time. In light of the fact this was a sham marriage, in England, such a contact with a man, particularly one of his station, would have been scandalous. But that life was far behind her, for here in America, the rules were very different.
“How did you happen to come here?” Her head had spun at his sudden appearance at Tionnontigo and part of her sought to hear he’d remembered his promise to return for her.
He positioned himself on the floor and tore off a piece of roasted venison. “I swore to come back for you. When we came upon the Hayes’ farm, I feared we were too late.”
Her blood quickened.He had come back for her. He had not forgotten his promise.
She drew a long thankful breath. “We might have been slaughtered, too, but the night before…” she said. “Orpha ordered Eldon to be whipped. She had a British captain by the name of Snapes whip him to death.” She drew a quivering breath, remembering the horror. “I was to be next. So, Mary and I escaped at dawn. We were on the hill when…the screams…the attack…the butchery…” Her throat clogged. Tears welled.
Joshua waved his hand for her to come join him. “No softly-bred woman should ever witness that, and with certainty, Onontio proved his ruthlessness. When we didn’t find your bodies, Two Eagles searched, picked up a faint trail, suggesting you heeded my instructions and left before the attack. Later, my worst fears arose when we discovered the spot Onontio captured you.”
