In the Land of the Long White Cloud

to Cleo, who was not allowed inside tonight. Lucas had not been enthusiastic about the prospect ofthe little dog following his fiancée everywhere she went. He might have allowed Gwyneira a lapdog, but he believed that sheepdogs belonged in the stables. Gwyneira was willing to indulge him this evening, but planned to reshuffle the cards the next day. And James would take good care of Cleo…Gwyneira thought about his strong brown hands scratching her dog’s fur. The dog loved him…and she had other things to worry about at the moment.

    The wedding festivities were still in full swing when Lucas suggested to his wife that they retire.
    “Later the men will be drunk and will probably insist on escorting us to the bridal chamber,” he said. “I’d rather spare us the dirty jokes.”
    It was all right with Gwyneira. She’d had enough dancing and wanted to put this night behind her. She vacillated between fear and curiosity. According to her mother’s demure remarks, it would be painful, but in the penny novels, the woman always sank wholly smitten into the cowboy’s arms. Gwyneira would let herself be surprised.
    The wedding guests saw the couple off with much ado, but without any embarrassing ribaldry, and Kiri was right at her side to help her out of her wedding dress. Lucas kissed her discreetly in front of the bridal chamber.
    “Take your time preparing, my love. I’ll come to you.”
    Kiri and Dorothy helped Gwyneira out of her dress and undid her hair. Kiri giggled and made jokes the whole time, while Dorothy whimpered. The Maori girl seemed to be honestly happy for Gwyneira and Lucas and was only surprised that the married couple had retired from the party so soon. Among the Maori it was considered a symbol of the marriage’s consummation to lie together before the whole family. When Dorothy heard that, she began to cry harder.
    “What exactly is so sad, Dot?” Gwyneira asked, piqued. “You’re acting like this is a funeral.”
    “I don’t know, miss, but my mum always cried at weddings. Maybe it brings good luck.”
    “Doesn’t bring good luck crying, brings good luck laughing!” Kiri said. “There, you done, miss. Miss very beautiful! Very beautiful. We going now to knock on door of young master. Handsome man, young master. Very nice. Just a little thin.” She giggled as she pulled Dorothy out the door.
    Gwyneira looked down at herself. Her nightgown was of the finest lace; she knew she looked good in it. But what was she supposed to do now? She couldn’t receive Lucas here at her dressing table. And if she had understood her mother correctly, the whole thing played out in the bed.
    Gwyneira lay down and pulled the silk sheets over her. It was unfortunate that her nightgown was no longer visible. But maybe Lucas would uncover her?
    She held her breath when she heard the doorknob. Lucas entered, a lamp in his hand. He seemed confused that Gwyneira had not yet turned out the light.
    “Dearest, I think we…it would be more proper to extinguish the light.”
    Gwyneira nodded. In any case, Lucas was not a particularly impressive sight in his long nightshirt. She had always pictured masculine nightclothes to be…well, more masculine.
    Lucas slid next to her under the sheets. “I’ll try not to hurt you,” he whispered and kissed her softly. Gwyneira held still as he caressed and covered her shoulders, her neck, and her breasts with kisses. Then he pushed up her nightgown. His breath quickened and Gwyneira noticed how she was seized by a growing excitement as Lucas’s fingers felt for her body’s most intimate regions, regions she had never explored herself. Her mother had always instructed her to wear a shirt even when bathing, and she had hardly dared examine her nether regions—the curly red hair, even curlier than the hair on her head. Lucas touched her softly, and Gwyneira felt a pleasant, arousing tingling. Finally he removed his hand and lay on top of her. Gwyneira felt something between her legs that bulged, became harder, and thrust deeply into those unknown regions of her body. Suddenly Lucas seemed to encounter some resistance and softened.
    “I’m sorry, dearest, it’s been a long day,” he excused himself.
    “It was really very lovely,” Gwyneira said carefully and kissed his cheek.
    “Maybe we could try it again tomorrow.”
    “If you like,” Gwyn said, confused and a little relieved. As far as marriage duties went, her mother had exaggerated greatly. This was