Mail-order Bridegroom Part 46

He was there. I can tell you no one was impressed with the high-and-mightyMiss Petersen. I know you and Marsh were prepared to let it pa.s.s, but I sawit more as a strike for us. I've nursed quite a bit of resentment about KimPetersen's treatment of you. "

"I felt sorry for her all the same." Roslyn sighed. "She was mortified in

front of the girls and she's still in love with Marsh."

"It's called tunnel vision. I've been guilty of it myself," Olivia murmured wryly.

"So what's the latest on Harry?" Roslyn asked.

Olivia brought tea to the table and poured it.

"It appears his cousin has rallied a little but the doctor thinks it was only

to keep himself going until Harry arrived. It's quite marvelous the will tohang on. Harry wants me to come over for a bit after Christmas. Out of thequestion with a big wedding to be arranged."

"Of course it's not, Mumma. It's just what you need and it will settlethings for you and Harry. Have you made any decision?"Olivia shook her head."You know me, darling. I'm a real ditherer.It's such a big decision. I'm very fond of Harry. He's a good friend.We're so comfortable together, but this baronetcy has thrown me a bit.I've known enough snooty people to last me a lifetime. ""There are lots of nice people, too, Mumma. The real people. Besides,there's no need to give everyone a rundown on your life. Let them judge youon how you look and act. I know Harry will be proud of you."

Olivia gave a worded smile.

"Have you considered, darling, his feelings might have undergone a change?"

"A great big no to that!" Roslyn answered firmly. "Harry has a constant

heart. He wants you over. My advice is to make a booking."

"I have a stepbrother and two stepsisters, you know," Olivia said, and tearssuddenly welled in her eyes."I used to love them when they were little.""Look them up. It's entirely possible they'll welcome you with open arms.""Not if they've turned out like Delia." Olivia sighed. "How have the girls been since Marsh sprang his bombsh.e.l.l?"

"Okay," Roslyn said. '"We all have to pull together' was the way Di put it."Roslyn gave an excellent imitation of Dianne's haughty tones."Well, Justine is nowhere near as stuffy as she used to be," Olivia commented."Marriage has improved her no end. Dianne has a way to go.By the way, the Shepards are arriving tomorrow afternoon. You couldn't ask for better references. They'll take up their dudes immediately but I'll beon hand to help out. We'll have lots of visitors between now and Christmas."

"Marsh told me he fully intends to introduce me as his fiancee,"

Roslyn said,in slightly troubled tones.

"Good." Olivia gave her daughter's hand a sharp pat. "I never thought he'd

go along with all that business of keeping quiet. It's not his style:" "No.But then Marsh has never been in my position. Anyway, the girls took it alot better than I thought."

"I don't know whether to applaud or to cry. You could take your place anywhere. And you'll have to remember Kim Petersen is bound to try to cause trouble."

"Then she runs the risk of alienating this family," Roslyn retorted sharply, suddenly realizing it was true.

The very next day the first of the visitors descended from the sky to befollowed by dozens more. Once Roslyn counted thirty light aircraft scatteredlike birds off the strip. The girls' husbands arrived in the middle of thismigration, bearing stacks of gifts. It was obvious they had been informedMarsh and Roslyn were to marry but Roslyn privately considered both of themhad difficulty taking it in. Only one name had loomed on their horizon. Kim Petersen. It had generally been agreed she was the most impressive candidate.

How things had changed!

As for the stream of visitors they professed to a man to be delighted Marsh had at long last decided to take a bride. The news had spread like wildfire from station to station courtesy of Kim Petersen, so all of them had had plenty of time to absorb the shock. What did fascinate them was the revelation "good old Harry" was now Lord Mortimer. All gave Olivia their best wishes to pa.s.s on, apparently unsurprised Harry and Olivia were considering making a match of it.

Meanwhile Mr. and Mrs. Shepard went about their business with a social stiffness and a pompousness that jarred Roslyn in particular.

They were extremely competent as their references had stated, but Roslyn would have liked more natural behaviour and less formality.

She tried to indicate this, she hoped diplomatically, but it soon became apparent the Shepards intended to stick to their inflexible code. The family didn't seem to notice. They had long been used to having servants around them and, generally speaking, treated them as though they weren't there.

It didn't suit Roslyn at all. Obviously courteous behaviour was essentialbut the stiffness put her off.

"So change them later on," Olivia advised.

"As mistress of Mac.u.mba you'll be able to do as you like."

"Mistress of Mac.u.mba!" Roslyn cried softly.

"Lady Faulkner will turn in her grave."

"Does that scare you?"

"No." Roslyn shook her head.

"What really bothers me is the way Chris still likes to hang around me. What an a.s.s! It's no wonder Di gets jealous and resentful. I've tried insultinghim but nothing seems to put him off. Not the fact he's married, or thisring." She held up her left hand adorned with a diamond ring of exquisitedesign.

"The marriage is solid enough," Olivia considered. "It's just that youfascinate him. My own view is he's well on the way to getting a punch in the nose. Marsh is fed up with him. He's fairly well fed up with Justine'shusband, as well. All those long boring accounts of his professionalbrilliance. Maybe the Shepards could go to him. I think they'd suit."

One way and another the festive break turned out to be a stressful time,which somehow got worse as the days rolled on.

"I don't think our holiday is turning out a success," Justine told Roslynprivately as they took a late afternoon ride together.

"I.

never realised how boring we all are. Not you, of course, and heaven knows,not Marsh, but the rest of us. ian is only thirty-five yet he's starting tosound like an elder statesman. He really is a dear, you know, but takingsilk had such an effect on him. I was going along with it, but now I can seehe takes himself much too seriously.

One can see those Rumpole stories aren't all that exaggerated. And, of course, Chris, if he continues, will set off a calamity. I saw Marsh's face last night. I wondered how he checked himself. "

Roslyn sighed.

"I don't give Chris the slightest encouragement. Rather the reverse."

"Oh, we know that!" Justine exclaimed in disgust. "It's not a serious thing. Of that I haven't got the slightest doubt. It's more a silly moth around a flame sort of thing. You are so much more beautiful than the rest of us. It can be very unsettling. I think we'll get away earlier than intended. See the New Year in, then fly off home.

One thing I've been meaning to say to you"-- Justine turned a prim face to her " --with your mother joining Harry in England you can't stay here with Marsh. There will be quite enough chatter as it is. I want you to come to us until the wedding. You'll need help getting it all arranged. It could be such fun! Organisation is my job. It's where I come into my own. "

"I hadn't thought about it, Justine," Roslyn said when she had given the matter a lot of consideration.

"I still have my own house."

"And I'm sure it's very pretty, but let's face it, ours is better.

We're undertaking this as a family. Everything must be done right.

Marsh told me you're giving a big gala party for everyone we can't fit into the wedding. I can help you with that. I know everyone you will need to get to know. I thought possibly the big reception room at the Beaumont. They do things extremely well and it's . so central.

Black tie, of course. I'll be your matron of , honour. Di will be too far gone to act as an attendant. Don't you worry about Di. " Justine paused rea.s.suringly. " Once she gets used to the idea she'll be as excited as I am.

You'll have to help us with our outfits. You're so good with that sort of thing. "

And so it went on for almost an hour.

"I don't want you going anywhere," Marsh said when Roslyn attempted to discuss it with him.

"Not even for a day."

They had managed to find a moment alone together, taking the four-wheel drive

to the edge of the sand hill country. The mirage was abroad, creatingfascinating visual effects. In the distance s.h.i.+mmered a long billabong wherethere was no water to he had, with curious, stick- like figures dancingdelicately above the silver glitter.

"I suppose we have to be seen do the right thing," Roslyn reasoned.

"There will be enough talk without our being alone together at the homestead."

"How could we possibly be alone with the Shepards in attendance?"

Marsh asked with extreme sarcasm.

"I thought you were happy enough with them?"

"Listen, I'd have been better off hiring a couple of actors. They're much

too stiff and formal. But I can't see us getting replacements until the NewYear. I'll just have to pay them off and mark it down as a mistake. The agency handled it. Next time you'll have to do it."

"They'll be different:' " That's all right with me. Mac.u.mba is a homestead,not a stately home. Another one I might just consider chucking out is Chris.His behaviour is only tolerated in adolescence. Obviously you've lostnothing of your old witchery. "

"I've tried to be as off putting as possible," Roslyn said mildly.

"A little difficult when you haven't got the knack."

"I could try growing a beard," Roslyn joked.

"You sound disgruntled."

"Clever you! Actually I'm as mad as h.e.l.l. If I didn't

have Di to consider

I'd bundle him onto the first plane home."

"It's not serious. Marsh. Justine put her finger on it. It's a sort of harmless crush."

"It's not harmless and it's not amusing," Marsh answered with a little rasp.

"Di must be finding it very embarra.s.sing."

"She hasn't mentioned it to me."

Marsh shrugged.

"Knowing Di, there's no guarantee she's not saving it up. I never thought

I'd say this, but I'll be glad when they all go home.""Justine thought just after New Year.""She's a darling!" Marsh said feelingly."I don't go along with her idea of taking you, though.""Mumma has offered to stay as chaperone, but I said no. No one is trying to rush her into marrying Harry, but the fact of the matter is, she does need a little push."

"Come on, a big push," Marsh drawled.

"You are out of sorts!" Roslyn allowed her eyes to linger on his face.

"/ want you.""I want you, too." Her voice was husky. There was colour in her creamyskin. She was about a second away from admitting how much.

"So what's the stand-off?" he asked edgily."You might abandon me after you have your wicked way.""Don't start that again, Rosa," he warned in, a dangerous voice."All right. Let's say I don't want to land us in a crisis situation.""Crisis? What crisis? G.o.d, we're engaged.""I have the ring." She spread her small, elegant hand, maneuvering the diamond ring, a central two-carat stone

flanked by baguettes, into a beam ofsunlight. The glitter was dazzling."Four carats in all, isn't it?""Closer to five.""It's unbelievably beautiful.""Nothing beside you." Instead of lover like it came out as a soft growl."You just want to get me into your bed.""As soon as possible," he a.s.sured her crisply."What do you think is going to happen to you? You'll fall pregnant?""Would you want that?"He looked at her, his eyes drowningly blue."I surely would," he said in a heart-stopping voice.