They arrived at the cabin after a long journey. Zeb turned off the car and looked around in satisfaction. The deep woods were silent except for sounds of songbirds and other wildlife. No human intrusion could be heard. He got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side, where his young bride, Emma, sat imperiously waiting for him to open her door. With a sigh he did so, and scooped her up easily to carry her over the threshold.
Once they entered the cabin he put her down, turned and locked the door, depositing the key in his pocket. He smiled to himself as he took a deep breath. Finally. All alone, and able to be himself for the first time in a year. He stretched to his full 6' 4" height and turned to Emma. Predictably, she was standing with her arms crossed, looking around in disapproval. He smirked. He could not wait to wipe that look off her face.
"What do you think, Emma?" he asked, knowing the answer.
He watched as she looked around the plain space - only one room, the kitchen in one corner, a big wood stove in the middle for heat, and, of course, the largest thing in the room - the bed.
Emma sniffed, "And just where are the servants, Zeb? This is most unimpressive. Why are we not in the city as I suggested when we discussed our honeymoon?"
"As I've already explained, Emma, I thought we should be alone - completely alone - for our wedding night and for a time after. With your mother's constant presence, we haven't even been able to have a conversation without others nearby." Zeb suppressed a shudder at the thought of Emma's overbearing, snobbish and quite horrid mother.
"Well I do not like this place and demand we go back to the city. I said I would come out here but I do not wish to stay," Emma stated emphatically with a snooty tone - the only tone of voice she had, really.
"Emma." He waited until she looked at him. Only 20 years old and 5'2" tall, she still managed to appear as if she was looking down her nose at him...a look she projected toward anyone but her damn mother. That will change soon...
"Emma, that is not the way this marriage is going to work," he stated calmly. Inwardly he was gleeful. He had waited ages to express himself openly. He had let her run all over him for the length of their courtship, knowing there was no way to break her mother's influence until she was safely married and his. The day - today - had finally arrived.
Emma appeared shocked, her mouth gaping open. She was speechless, but only for a moment. She actually stamped her foot. He grinned.
She repeated, "Take me back, NOW!"
"No," he said, firmly. "We aren't going anywhere, and we have some business to attend to. This marriage has been consecrated in a church but has yet to be consummated. Take off your clothes, Emma. Now."
Again, he remained calm, but he knew he was in for a fight and was very well prepared. Earlier in the week he had made a trip to the cabin to get everything ready - he glanced around the room, ensuring that the strap was on the bed where he put it.
Emma gasped and gaped once again in reaction to his statement. Zeb was amused - he had never seen his bride without words so often, and they were just getting started.
He repeated sternly, "Take off your clothes."
Emma, now red in the face, regained her powers of speech, "I will NOT! Mother told me about what men get up to in the bedroom and I have decided that will not happen in our marriage. Take me back, NOW!"
Zeb walked toward Emma, who didn't have the sense to back away. He took her by the shoulders and gently grasped her chin in his fingers to ensure she was looking up into his eyes.
"Emma, I will explain this one time. Our marriage will not be you giving orders and me following them. Hours ago you promised to obey me. Our vows were exchanged in church, in front of witnesses and the preacher. I take those vows seriously and you will learn that I intend to be obeyed. You will do as I say or face consequences for disobedience." Knowing she would, in fact, refuse, he gave her one more chance. Still not raising his voice, he stated firmly, "Emma. Take. Off. Your. Clothes. Now."
Emma shook her head, yanking her chin away from his hand and stepping backwards. She had never had to insist before and was bewildered by this turn of events.