The next few weeks flew by. Gideon found himself deluged with support for his campaign, and good wishes on his upcoming nuptials. Thankfully his work kept him from having to think about any of it, as he travelled up and down the State, giving talks and meeting as many voters as he could. He rested safely in the knowledge that Alberta was arranging a wedding suitable for a future governor, as it was looking more and more likely that the race was now his to lose. He had tried to convince Aaron that a small wedding, a quiet and private ceremony would be for the best but his wily campaign manager had other ideas. He was determined that the worlds should see the connections this wedding would bring to Montana, that the State would gain not just a trustworthy governor who truly cared about the people of his State, but one who had friends in the highest places who would help to deliver them more than anybody else could. Politically he knew it was the right decision, but he couldn’t help feeling that it was the wrong one for him and for Alberta.
She seemed to be in her element, had made no complaints of him at all. He wasn’t sure if that made him happy or not either. Every time he was with her he felt that it just wasn’t long enough, and he wondered that she could be so calm about dealing with his many absences. She always greeted him with a smile, and they would enjoy a dinner in one of the States more fashionable restaurants, or would attend the theatre together and she was always turned out immaculately. He simply could not have asked for a better partner, and that was the role she played to the hilt. She was supportive and she understood his needs, and knew better than he did how to present himself whilst in the political arena. But he couldn’t help feeling that there was something missing. Try as he might he hadn’t been able to erase that passionate kiss, the evening of the ball, from his memory. A spark had come alive inside him that refused to die, one that demanded more of this union than he had ever wanted it to deliver.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Aaron asked him as he greeted his carriage outside the office. He had just come from a presentation in Billings, and felt weary beyond measure.
“As I will ever be,” he admitted as they walked inside. In fact he could hardly wait to have Alberta be his wife, to be able to take her home and explore that passionate side of her he had only been lucky enough to glimpse so fleetingly.
“She has been a wonder,” Aaron marveled. “I know few women who could arrange the biggest Society wedding of the year, whilst also campaigning tirelessly for their husband to be.”
“She is marvelous,” Gideon admitted. She truly was too good to be true, and nothing ever seemed to daunt her or stop her in her tracks. He felt quite inadequate in comparison at times. But no matter what she was doing, whether she was up to her elbows in flour with a local group of women bakers, or singing as part of a choir, or standing beside him on the podium as he spoke of his plans he always found himself wanting her. She had become a thirst he had to quench, and he prayed that his undeniable desire for her would be slaked upon her possession.
“She is giving a speech to the women’s suffrage movement this evening. It is on your calendar, but I hadn’t thought you were going to attend as this past week has been so full of travel – you must be exhausted?” Aaron queried.
“I just wanted to see her in action. I have not seen her speak yet, though everyone tells me she is quite mesmerizing.”
“Just don’t cause any ruckus, and make sure you are both home and in bed early. You have a big day tomorrow!” Aaron chuckled and Gideon smiled weakly. He wanted to go to Alberta’s meeting because he hadn’t seen her in six days, and he simply couldn’t wait another moment. He knew that he shouldn’t, that he was making a fool of himself – but he kidded himself that an impromptu visit to see his fiancée would endear him to this group of strong-minded women. But he knew it was his own need to be with her that he was satisfying, it had nothing to do with his political aspirations.
He put away the papers and documents from his trip carefully, and then straightened his tie and brushed his hair before making his way down the Main Street towards Tom’s Saloon. The meeting was held in his large back room, and as he made his way through he could see that it was full. Alberta stood at the podium, her long blonde hair pinned in an elegant chignon. She spoke emphatically and passionately, and just like the rest of her audience he found himself responding to her words. He was grateful that his competition for governor wasn’t so fierce, she would have beaten him by a landslide! He hoped to catch her eye, to let her know how proud he was of her, but he wasn’t sure if she even knew he was there.
“Well, it would seem we have an intruder in our midst ladies,” she suddenly said with a gentle laugh. “My erstwhile fiancé is here, loitering at the back of the room.” All eyes shifted from her to him, and he grinned, despite feeling thoroughly discomfited. “Please give him a round of applause, he believes as we do that women have much to offer, that we should have our say in politics as it affects our lives just as much as any mans!” He moved reluctantly to the dais to join her, but was heartened by the riotous applause that greeted him.
As he reached her side, she reached out and took his hand then leaned in and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. The crowd roared its approval. He turned to face them, knowing he was blushing. “My fiancée is too kind in her praise. I have been away all week and have missed her, could not wait another day to set eyes upon her. Please forgive me for my intrusion.” He kissed her hand gallantly, bowed to the women in the audience and then made his way back out of the room. He didn’t see Alberta’s face flush with happiness, nor did he see the tear that welled in her eyes at his words.
He made his way to the bar, and accepted a glass of beer from Tom with a smile. He sat and chatted with his friend while he waited, wondering if he had said too much, or if he was being a fool to entertain the idea of marrying a woman for political reasons. But, he knew he no longer wanted this match because of the ties she came with. He wanted to marry Alberta Freemont because she made his pulse race, and his heart skip a beat every time he saw her. But, she was so aloof that he had no clue as to her true feelings for him. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had been the biggest fool alive to think that he could find a woman who would stake no claim on his heart. But he did seem to have found one who had no desire to make her own claim on his.
With the meeting over, and the women dispersed back to their homes Alberta emerged, a look of triumph upon her beautiful face. “Would you like a drink?” he asked her, pulling out a chair so she could sit and join him.
“That would be lovely,” she said.
“Tom, a claret sangarees for my lovely wife to be,” he said happily. She was even more perfect than he had remembered, and he was content just to be with her again at last.
“How did your travels go?” she asked him, clearly genuinely interested.
“Very well. We have been sent so many cards and notes of congratulations for tomorrow. It seems that the entire State has fallen in love with you,” he said happily. Her face fell a little, and it surprised him. Surely the popularity of their union was a good thing? “I know they are all waiting with baited breath to see your gown.”
“Well, I hope they will all be happy when they do. It is quite beautiful. I shall hardly dare breathe in case I ruin a single stitch!” she joked, but her voice sounded strained.
“Are you quite well?”
“I am a little tired, it has been a busy time for us both.”
“Well, we shall have a few days to rest and then I am afraid we will be busier than ever.”
“But at least we are nearing the end, the campaign will be done and you will be Governor of Montana.”
“I certainly hope so. But are you sure that all of this is what you want?” he asked her, he knew he could think of nothing better than to have her by his side, and for them to lead Montana into the new century together.
“It is,” she said simply, but her eyes were cast down and he couldn’t help but wonder if she truly meant it.
“I would drop out of the race right now if it would make you happy,” he said impulsively. She looked up at him, her eyes wide.
“But...” she said, and then tailed off.
“Alberta, maybe I should have said this much earlier than this but I love you. I think I fell in love with you from the first, that very wonderful letter you wrote to me.”
“You... you do?” she queried, he could see she was trying to hold back tears, but whether they were of joy or sadness he could not tell.
“I do. I never meant to. I cannot lie. I did not want to be wed. It was all Aaron’s idea. There was this terrible article in the newspaper and the only solution seemed to be to take a wife. I wanted to find someone discreet, someone who would understand that marriage can be based upon respect rather than love, and that sometimes there is a need for pragmatism. I needed the contacts your family could bring to my campaign. When Madelaine told us you might consider being my bride it seemed that nothing could stop me. But, I was a confirmed bachelor. I did not believe in love – until I met you.”
“You truly love me? Would truly give up the campaign if I asked it of you?”
“I would, gladly. As long as I have you by my side I would be happy. You do not have to love me back. I know you probably do not feel so deeply for me as I do you – but I would treat you so well, would do everything in my power to make you happy.”
“Oh, but I do love you. I love you with all my heart. I was so very frightened that you did not love me, could never love me. I was resigned to a marriage of alliance, knew what I brought to your campaign. I wanted a child, someone I could love. But I found myself loving you too, even though I believed you would never love me.” Gideon took her face in his palms and kissed her lips tenderly.
“Then it is as well that I do, and that you do,” he said, his joy was indescribable. “But I meant it, I would give up politics if you wished it of me.”
“There is no need for that. The State needs you, needs us both,” she asserted firmly. “Just think what we can achieve together, truly together!”
“So you have no misgivings about marrying me tomorrow?” Gideon asked, still hardly believing his ears.
“None whatsoever. Now I know you love me, I would follow you anywhere,” she said as she pressed her lips to his and kissed him deeply.