Page 31 of Conquered

Noelle felt Hunter’s hand on her elbow squeezing her reassuringly. He smiled even as his eyes gleamed in triumph. He mouthed three simple words.

You look perfect.

They weren’t the words Noelle longed to hear.But she had to be content…for now.Then Hunter guided her tenderly up the altar to the minister who was tasked to seal their vows as husband and wife.

***

The wedding reception at the Met was just as extravagant as the church ceremony. Champagne and caviar were overflowing. Gold-plated silverware gleamed against the thousands upon thousands of fairy lights that dropped from the ceiling. Similar lights adorned the flowers, turning the Met into a veritable Garden of Eden.

Noelle’s head was spinning from the number of well-wishes offered to her and Hunter.

Uniformed waiters kept champagne and wine glasses constantly filled as the orchestra set the mood for the extravagant dinner and the dancing that followed.

When the orchestra played the song, “At Last,” Hunter took the cue and led his wife to the middle of the dance floor where they had their first dance as a couple. Noelle was initially conscious about the eyes that were trained on them alone. But Hunter’s confidence and his arm around her waist was enough. She followed his expert move easily. When the song came to an end, he kissed her in front of the entire assembly. It was a kiss just as passionate as their first kiss in the patio with just the moon and the sea as their witness.

It was a wedding reception that lasted till the wee hours of the morning and landed in the front pages of the newspapers the very next day.