Mail-order Bridegroom Part 47

"I'd even shed a few tears. But I want you to myself for a while."After you abandoned me for years'] It sprang into her mind automatically,evidence even now as his promised bride she couldn't overcome the raw pain ofthe past. Damaged people took a long time to heal, she thought, but managedquite coolly, "That sounds very lover like but I, for one, don't want to antic.i.p.ate our

wedding night."

He touched a hand to her cheek, pretended to s.h.i.+ver as if a chill lay on her skin.

"Are you sure you won't want to order up a couch for me in the dressing room?"

"No. I'll stick to my side of the bargain."

He was silent for a little while, staring out at the savage beauty of the

sweeping plain. A hawk that had been hovering overhead suddenly made aleisurely swoop on a group of zebra finches feeding on the ground. Thelittle birds made no attempt to get away. They never did.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he said.

There was something like a taunt in his vibrant voice. "Why would you saythat?" she parried. "Because I know you, Rosa." He held her chin. Made her look at him directly.

"I know your fears and your resentments. I know what shapes you. Drives you. You i were powerless once. You're not going to allow it to happen again."

"That's only sensible, isn't it?" The old hostility was alive around them.

"Being sensible isn't the motivation," he said, and released her.

"It's more like punishment and we both know why." He switched on the ignition, turned to her. "Go back with Justine if you think you should. I won't try to stop you."

CHAPTER NINE.

it turned out to be a hectic time. Roslyn had been staying with Justine andher husband, ian, in their beautiful harbour side home for just on threeweeks and already she had lost count of the number of social gatherings shehad attended. Justine was determined on introducing her to all the peopleshe thought Roslyn should know.

Legions it seemed. She badly missed Mac.u.mba. Most of all she missed Marsh. She had spoken to him on the telephone several times since she'd arrived b.u.t.they were strangely stilted conversations that left her feeling isolated andvulnerable. Their gala party was scheduled for the coming Sat.u.r.day night.Marsh had promised he would be in Sydney by Friday afternoon at the latest,piloting his own plane. He would be staying with Justine and ian, as well,taking advantage of the large, heritage-listed house ian had inherited fromhis maternal grandmother.

As the house and grounds were so large it had been decided instead of theBeaumont as originally planned the party would be held at the house.Something that pleased Roslyn and Justine took in her stride.

They hadn't seen a lot of Dianne who didn't appear to want to be a part ofall the endless social rounds, the planning and preparations for the partyand the wedding. Her pregnancy was an excuse in part, but Roslyn had toaccept she and Dianne would never really get on. A fact of life and one she could live with. Justine, on the other hand, had been a tower of strength.

As she'd claimed, organization was her forte and she was thriving on all the excitement and bustle.

"Planning makes perfect!" she told Roslyn constantly, her countdown guide, her blueprint for success, never far from her hand.

"Everything is going to be splendid, you'll see. Weddings have a way of catching everyone up."

The invitations would go out the following week, a month before the ceremony would take place on Mac.u.mba. All the attendants had been chosen, Roslyn had asked two of her closest friends from her university days to be bridesmaids.

Justine would be matron of honour.

Not for a moment had Roslyn considered anyone else. Gowns for the bridal party had been settled on and were in the process of being made by a top designer who specialized in exquisitely romantic bridal wear. The same designer had been given the task of making Roslyn's gown for Sat.u.r.day night but as she was losing weight a small adjustment to the waist and bodice had to be made.

She spent an hour at Bridal House standing tirelessly while her party gown then her wedding dress were refitted. The designer had a wonderful stock of gowns, fabrics and accessories but nothing more beautiful in Roslyn's opinion than her own wedding gown which was nearing completion. It was a midsummer's dream in lace and silk: the long, line-fitted lace bodice, off-the- shoulder and long-sleeved, tapered to a central peak, the wonderful silk skirtbillowing from the hip. Bodice and a deep hemline of the skirt featured thesame exquisite pearl beading. Her headdress was a very beautiful anddelicate circlet of handmade flowers in pinks, palest yellow and magnoliawith little sprays of pearls to simulate baby's breath. It was a veryromantic look and Roslyn thought it was perfect for her. So did the designerand her clever team who were counting on a lot of publicity.

Justine, who never figured herself the "romantic type" would wear the veryflattering fitted sheath with a small hat and a spotted eye veil Roslyn hadsuggested. It all worked and everyone was delighted with their outfits.Roslyn should have been in a state of euphoria, instead she was conscious ofhigh emotion fraught with pressing anxieties.

Justine was being marvelous, indeed they had grown surprisingly close, butRoslyn wanted her mother home. They talked frequently but it wasn't enough.Olivia had given Harry the answer he most wanted in the world. They were tobe married in London soon after the "super wedding" as Harry had dubbed it.That meant Roslyn and Marsh could attend. Olivia was due home in a few days.Plenty of time for the wedding but Harry, deep in family business, would remain in En- gland for as long as possible. It was Harry who was to give Roslyn away.

Harry, the perfect gentleman. Harry, the English lord. Justine considered this an enormous a.s.set.

When Roslyn arrived back at the house shortly before noon she was told by Justine's housekeeper that Mrs. Herbert and a friend were in the Garden Room where lunch would be served. Justine had a wide circle of friends. Roslyn wondered briefly if she'd already met her.

The same people seemed to turn up at every large gathering. She went directly to her room to tidy up then found her way back downstairs to the Garden Room so called by the family because it was filled with lush green plants and marvelous hanging ferns, furnished informally and looked out over the beautiful grounds and the sparkling blue harbour beyond.

Roslyn was almost at the door, arranging her face into a pleasant smile when she heard Justine's friend speak.

"Well, with all your help, darling, it should be a wonderful occasion.

Roslyn doesn't know just how lucky she is. "

Roslyn felt the sudden intense heat of anger. Kim Petersen. She had to have a hide like a rhinoceros! The thought of her still stalked Roslyn. The spite and the rage Kim had displayed. But why should she feel so shocked?

It was inevitable they would see Kim Petersen again. The Faulkners and the Petersens had been lifelong friends.

Elaine Petersen and Lady Faulkner had been close confidantes, fellow schemers. It was understandable Kim's aberrant behaviour might be forgiven.

Roslyn took a deep breath and entered the room, unaware her golden eyes were burning in her face.

"Ah, there you are, Ros!" Justine called from her chair, not exactly looking like she had been enjoying her chat.

"You'll never guess who's come to call on us." The tone was slightly dry.

"It couldn't be Kim?"

"Hi, there Ros!" Kim put her blond head around the back of her peac.o.c.k chair, her voice bright and friendly, her eyes as hard as agates.

"I'm in Sydney on a shopping spree so I thought I'd call in and say h.e.l.lo."

Roslyn hid her disgust perfectly.

"How sae you, Kim?" she asked calmly, taking a chair facing the entrancing view.

"Splendid!" Kim smiled, showing her fine white teeth.

"You've lost weight, haven't you? You look tired."

"All the excitement!" Roslyn ignored the little flash of malice.Justine nodded."Justine's been telling me all about it. It's quite an achievement to take Sydney by the storm."

"Have I done that?"

"Justine appears to think so. Look, what I really wanted to ask you both,

beg really, was not to hold my little outburst at Christmas against me. I

deeply regret it. I a.s.sure you such a thing will never happen again.""That's good to hear. It was an unpleasant experience," Roslyn said, lookingstraight at her.

"And I've said I'm sorry." Kim tried her best to look humble but only

succeeded in looking dogged."Justine and I have been friends all our lives. I can't imagine life withouther and Di. If you'll allow me, Ros, I'd like to be friends with you."

Roslyn stood up, walked to the French doors, then turned back.

"Is that possible, Kim?" she asked in a quiet, reasonable tone.

"Oh, please, do sit down again," Kim implored.

"I think so. I hope so. It will be very difficult if we're not. The family

is expecting an invitation to the wedding."Justine, looking perturbed, made a sweep on her countdown guide."Is this a joke of some kind?" Roslyn asked."I didn't imagine, Kim, you would want to come." Justine stirred restlessly in her chair."Of course I want to come!" Kim cried."There would be too much talk if I wasn't invited. Besides, Mum and Dad were your parents' close friends. It's clear we have to be invited."

Roslyn sank back into her chair.

"It's not clear to me.

It's my wedding after all. It's generally understood I invite the people I like. "

Kim seized the legs of her linen slacks and pulled them down over her knees.

"All right, I know you have a perfect right to say that, given my behaviour, but you must realise I'm no longer any threat."

"I wouldn't write you off all the same," Roslyn said dryly.

"Surely it would be too painful," Justine asked in a near puritanical voice.

"You overestimate my feelings, Ju-Ju," Kim's grey- green eyes blazed up.

"I know I've wasted a great deal of my life hankering after Marsh. That's all over. He's made his choice. He wants Ros. Actually life's picked up for me. Craig and I are thinking of getting engaged."

The relief on Justine's face was enormous.

"You are'1. But that's marvelous. Craig's always been in love with you. I couldn't be more delighted. Have you told Di?"

' "As a matter of fact I have. I rang her as soon as I arrived. She sounded quite out of sorts, poor darling. Craig is in town right now as a matter of fact. He has business to attend to. Actually his fondest wish would be to meet up with Marsh. Neither of us is doing anything Sat.u.r.day night. Would it be too much to ask an invitation to the party? If Craig's thinking of a best man he wouldn't go past Marsh. You don't mind, do you, Ros?"

"That's a tough one. I think I do."

"It would mean so much to me. To us both." Kim fished in her Gucci bag, pulled out a handkerchief and actually touched it to her eyes.

"You've no idea how our little falling out has weighed on me."

"Please, Kim, don't upset yourself," Justine said, looking distressed.

"I've been punished enough. I knew I had to come to you both and beg your

forgiveness. Di's so sweet. She told me she could never turn her back on me."

"That's all right, I wouldn't either," Roslyn said in a wry voice.

"You and Craig are welcome to come along Sat.u.r.day if it's so important to

you. Does that suit you, Justine?"

"That would be just fine," Justine murmured, her expression indicating theopposite."Lovely. Lovely'. I'll get myself something extra special to wear."Kim jumped up, insisting on kissing them both."Marsh due in Friday?"she asked as she resumed her chair."How did you know?" Roslyn heard her own voice sharp with challenge."Di told me," Kim answered sweetly."Justine told me your wedding dress is almost finished, Ros. What's it like?"So you can spread it around as the latest intelligence? Oh, no!"That's a secret," Justine said before Roslyn could even speak."Why not!" Kim gave a merry laugh."You'll make a beautiful bride, Ros. Ju-Ju's been telling me you've been better than a sister helping her make herself over."

"She's created my new image!" Justine declared with touching grat.i.tude.