by Margaret Way
“So it’s not your body but your mind that has made the decision to reject me?”
“My mind doesn’t seem to count.” He rose to his commanding height, looking down at her.
She was silent for a while trying to calm herself. “You’re not making complete sense, Adam.”
“No, I’m not, am I?” His smile was very white against his tanned olive skin.
Courtney deliberately took a few more paces back, as though he might take it into his head to grab her again. “Obviously you’ve got problems,” she said.
“Cheerful thought!” He shrugged. “But I manage to get by.”
“Maybe, but you’ll have to make some changes sooner or later. You can’t bear to lose control over a woman. I’ve learned that.”
“There’s not much choice with you,” he told her sardonically. “You’re enormously appealing to me. I can’t hide it. But contrary to what you seem to think, I really want something more than the physical from you.”
Courtney felt a surge of pride. “Oh, the physical’s not good enough for you? You want my soul? Have you also made a vow to reform me? I mean, you’ve already labelled me a fraud. I manipulated my father. I’m manipulating you. I’m the wicked little temptress. Didn’t that bitch of a Barbra tell you as much? She really got to you, didn’t she? Maybe you’ve met up with her around town. That would be easy enough. Compared notes. Have you?” She took a harsh breath at some fleeting shadow across his face. “Casey told me something that makes complete sense. If someone doesn’t trust you, don’t trust them.”
“Maybe we don’t know one another well enough for complete trust,” Adam offered gently. “Forgive me, Courtney. I didn’t aim to upset you. I’ve only arrived and I feel I should be leaving.”
“Not on my account!” She swung back, a real chill in her normally gentle voice. “This weekend is meant to be for Casey. I’m not going to be the one to spoil it.”
CHAPTER FIVE
BY NOON Saturday morning everyone had arrived, light air-crafts dotting the landing strip like a flock of white birds.
Courtney felt her ragged emotions were perfectly understandable but she kept them well hidden. She wasn’t out to spoil anyone’s fun. It was great to meet up with Troy Connellan again. He was so big and ruggedly handsome she couldn’t believe this was the boy she remembered.
He laughed down at her, taking her small hand very gently into his own. “So, Courtney, all grown up. You’re beautiful!”
“So are you!”
“Haven’t grown all that far,” Troy’s sister, Leah commented. She strolled up, her current boyfriend Paddy Nicholls in tow who Courtney later learned was quite the man around town in Sydney. “You and your half sister will have to get used to cracks about the long and the short of it. How are you, Courtney?” Arctic-blue eyes looked Courtney up and down and apparently found her wanting. “Meet my friend, Paddy. Paddy Nicholls from Sydney. He’s staying with us a while.”
“Delighted!” Paddy who bore more than a passing resemblance to a dapper English film star, gave the really delicious-looking little blonde a big smile. “I have to thank you for asking me, Courtney. This life you’ve got out here is quite extraordinary.” His light charming speaking voice vibrated with interest and pleasure.
So he wasn’t going to be a problem, Courtney thought, gracefully disengaging herself, but sister Leah was. Good-looking as she was, although she didn’t resemble her golden-bronze big bear of a brother at all, her manner Courtney found quite abrasive. Did Leah really have to start out with barbed comments? She’d do well not to antagonize Casey. She’d lose. Courtney allowed herself a smile at the thought. Casey was fiery and intimidated by no one. It struck her, too, looking around the assembled group, people in the Outback, men and women were much taller and leaner, than they were in the cities.
With relief she turned from Leah to the other young women, grouped around Darcy and Casey who presented a stunning contrast in beautiful women. Darcy’s sable head, with her remarkable aquamarine eyes; Casey, a study in alabaster, red and gold with their father’s brilliant sapphire eyes. It seemed like a miracle to Courtney, exposed to the Outback sun as she was Casey still hadn’t acquired a single freckle though she did take good care of her skin.
Fee Kinsella and Lisa Sanders, both Darcy’s age were really nice. No sharp tongues. No assessing eyes. Just warmth and kindness and a desire to be friends. She’d renewed her acquaintance with them briefly at her father’s funeral, then more leisurely when they had visited Murraree over the festive season. Both were to be Darcy’s bridesmaids. As thrilled about it as was she, Casey as yet hadn’t committed. Courtney guessed Casey was waiting to see what this weekend would bring and whether she considered she would fit in.
With the exception of Paddy Nicholls who would probably fit in effortlessly in any gathering, the men knew each other well. Curt and Adam had become good friends, sharing a mutual respect. Troy, Garrett and Stuart Dundas were Curt and Darcy’s friends from childhood. Stuart, with his sun bright hair and smiling blue eyes was to be Curt’s best man.
The easiest way around lunch was a barbeque where everyone could help themselves. Courtney had saved herself for dinner. Thanks to her mother, all those cooking lessons and her interest in and accumulation of cookery books and videos, she had turned into a very good cook. She actually loved it, the whole thing. The deciding on the menu, the preparation, the presentation. She didn’t even mind the washing up, although tidying up as she went along had become an ingrained habit.
More than anything else Courtney wanted her sisters to enjoy this weekend. Her reunion with Darcy after their long years of separation had richly illumined her life. Now Casey had joined them and they didn’t want to let her go. Casey had to be compensated for all the years she’d been a frightened and abused child. Not that anyone would ever guess. Courtney looked over to where a wonderfully confident and self-assured appearing Casey was standing laughing happily at something Troy Connellan had said.
Casey was fabulous. Courtney only hoped she could persuade her to sing for them. She was so looking forward to showing her off. Some of Casey’s songs she’d written herself had brought tears to her sisters’ eyes. They spoke of old grieves both she and Darcy could share.
“Well you’ve really done up the house,” Leah remarked, looking around critically as Courtney ushered her into the allotted guest room. “What decorator did you use?”
Courtney named him. “We all got on remarkably well. Hugh listened to everything we had to say. We were actually of one mind on just about everything.”
“What experience would you have?” Leah asked in her faintly jeering way.
“Darcy and I have natural good taste.” Courtney met that remark with just the hint of an acerbic note. After all Leah was their guest. “I hope you’re comfortable here, Leah. Come down when you’re ready. I have to get the barbeque underway.”
“You? You look about fifteen,” Leah laughed. “Don’t run away. I don’t bite. I want to ask you something about Casey.”
“Ask away!” Courtney’s blue eyes began to sparkle.
“I want to hear all about her. Everything.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I think she’s somehow got her hooks into my brother.” Leah sat down on the bed with a worried frown. “He’s been acting kind of weird.”
“I thought you hardly saw him,” Courtney retorted.
Leah gave her a frowning stare. “No need to get on your high horse. Dad and I have plans for Troy. He’s as good as promised to Sandra Gordon. Her dad is my dad’s best friend. I like Sandra, too.”
“I bet she’s grateful for that,” Courtney said lightly, already making for the door. “If you want to know all about my sister, why don’t you ask her yourself?”
“Because she looks totally unpredictable, that’s why. Troy has been calling her a goddess. Stuff like that.”
“Well, I think myself that just about describes her.”
Leah drille
d her with another stare. “So you’ve bonded? Isn’t that sweet! And it was all so totally unexpected. I just thought we two could have a quiet chat. I love my brother. I want the best for him.”
“Then he couldn’t go past someone like Casey,” Courtney said, twiddling a little farewell with her fingers. “See you at lunch.”
Lunch was a thoroughly relaxing informal affair, easy and carefree, with everyone, with the notable exception of Leah who sat back like a princess expecting to be waited on, pitching in. With the various salads and accompaniments prepared, Courtney found she had little to do but enjoy herself. She looked over to where Adam was busy brushing lamb cutlets with plum sauce as they continued cooking. Lisa was standing beside him, chatting away, clearly revelling in his company. Why not? Adam was an extremely attractive man. And he was unattached. She couldn’t blame Lisa for giving it her best shot. She loved the way happiness radiated from Darcy and Curt. That was definitely the upside of love. She was experiencing the downside herself.
It was then she did a double-take. She couldn’t love Adam Maynard, could she? She was all-out infatuated with him. But love? Gosh, she would have to think seriously about that.
Paddy Nicholls wedged himself beside her on a stone bench, staring smilingly into her eyes. “I’ve hardly had a chance to talk to you and I need to!”
After lunch settled everyone took to the pool, again with the exception of Leah who lay back in a recliner all afternoon showing off her eye-stopping cut-out one piece black swimsuit that never did get wet.
“I hope you’re going to sing for us?” Troy asked Casey, gathering her one armed in the shallow end where Curt had adjusted a huge patio umbrella to give shade, especially to the red-headed Casey who did indeed look like a goddess in a halter necked blue bikini printed with hot pink hibiscus.
“I promised the girls I would,” Casey said, tossing her long blazing hair over her shoulder. “Your sister’s a really nice person. She’s twice tried to rile me and succeeded. Next time I’ll bop her in the nose.”
Troy looked around to where his sister was lying. “I guarantee her nose will never be the same again. Ignore her,” he advised. “She thinks I’m a little bit too interested in you.”
“I guess you must be,” Casey smiled lazily. “Since you’ve taken to making love to me with your eyes. I’ve never seen anyone with gold gleaming eyes before.”
“You never met my mother,” he said. “She had gold eyes.”
Casey reached out and gently touched a finger to his mouth. “No, don’t. I’ve made you unhappy. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know.”
“It’s all right.” He shook back beads of water from his sun-streaked bronze hair that matched the pelt on his broad dark tanned chest. “I just haven’t found the right moment to tell you about my mother, Casey.”
“As I recall, we had to be lying in bed together?”
“So how much longer do I have to wait?” he asked huskily, his gaze dropping from her stunning face to the swell of her breasts.
“My guess is a very long time,” she taunted. Even now she couldn’t escape the past. Her mother had trusted a man. Been seduced and abandoned. Troy Connellan was definitely a man. And what a man! So wonderfully unnervingly masculine. Just as well she knew how to protect herself. Her body if nothing else.
“I’m told women are always changing their minds.” He continued to survey her with those mesmerizing eyes.
She splashed him as if to cool him down, then heaved herself effortlessly out of the pool, dangling her long thoroughbred legs in front of him. “Hope then, Connellan. It’s not a crime.”
While the men played pool, upstairs the young women wandered from bedroom to bedroom catching up on everyone’s life. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of banter, at which her sisters were delighted to find Casey joined in. Casey had taken to Darcy’s friends, Fee and Lisa on sight, recognising from long practice there wasn’t a skerrick of meanness or malice in them. A trait that appeared to distinguish Troy’s only sibling. While everyone joined in the fun Leah sat back as was her wont, her expression suggesting she’d gotten over these girly afternoons a very long time ago.
Why had she come? Casey pondered. Obviously not to join in the fun. She’s come to check me out and she isn’t being all that discreet about it. Where Troy’s eyes were pure gold, and his hair ranged from blond to bronze and every tone in between, his sister’s eyes were an icy shade of blue, her hair black satin cut in a swinging pageboy. She was certainly arresting but there was nothing remotely friendly about her.
“It’s a pity you didn’t invite Sandra?” she called to Darcy at one point.
“Sandra Gordon?” Darcy asked. “Maybe next time.” It was a diplomatic response. Darcy had never been all that friendly with Sandra.
“Of course you know she’s still carrying a torch for Troy. Dad and I are hoping they’ll make a match of it.”
“I’m sorry, Leah,” Darcy said, aquamarine eyes wide. “I didn’t know Troy was keen on Sandra?”
“Can I tell you all a secret?” Leah waited for them all to fall silent. “It was fixed long ago. Sandra is special!” At that precise point she fixed her eyes on Casey.
Casey didn’t even blink.
Casey stood and surveyed herself in the long mirror, then with a deep breath she turned to go downstairs. She’d already seen Courtney who’d called in on her a few minutes before. Courtney looked perfect. Like the angel on the Christmas tree. She wore white, top and full skirt, banded and embroidered in gold. Darcy had swept in, just as she was applying her makeup. Darcy’s outfit again was two piece. A green-aqua printed silk georgette skirt that flowed around her long legs, the camisole a beautiful aqua that matched her eyes. Darcy moved with such a spring in her step Casey found it a pleasure just to watch her. Darcy had had her bad times but her future looked rosy. Casey checked the lump in her throat. She hadn’t expected her half sisters to embrace her—pretty much figuring they’d resent her—instead they had welcomed her with open arms and closed ranks behind her.
So everything has turned out just fine!
It was cause for wonderment. Just when she thought there were no miracles in life one had happened. And there was one in the offing, Troy Connellan. She knew she wanted love desperately. She wanted warmth and approval and companionship. She was getting that from her sisters. But to embark on life’s great adventure? To become a wife and mother. For that she needed a man. A real man.
Smiling faces down the length of the gleaming dinner table. Darcy at one end. Curt at the other. Casey on Darcy’s right. Adam opposite her. Courtney on Curt’s right, Troy opposite her. The others within touching distance. The table setting was a work of art Casey thought, studying everything that went on around her. Beautiful bone china, sparkling crystal, gleaming silverware. She wasn’t used to this at all. Then again it wouldn’t be all that hard to get used to. She had an inherent love of beautiful things. The overhead chandelier was on the dimmer, soft, flattering light coming from the glow of candles in silver candlesticks positioned down the table.
Courtney had created a truly beautiful centre piece made up of yellow waterlily buds, a graceful curve of narrow leaves, minute cream terrestrial orchids and some small royal purple flowers that looked like iris but were in fact native to Murraree’s lagoons. Courtney was very accomplished Casey thought. She produced beautiful meals effortlessly. She ran what was a very large house and kept it looking wonderful. Lately she had set about training two young aboriginal girls to work around the house and help in the kitchen. She did all the ordering of supplies, she balanced the books. She was listening to something the guy from Sydney—Paddy Nicholls—was saying, her expression absorbed, her blonde head tilted towards him as if he were the most interesting man in the world. She was so small and delicate albeit full of energy, beside her Casey felt like one of those blue cranes, the brolgas, that performed their fantastic ballets around the billabong flats.
Other eyes but hers were observing Courtney as thou
gh drawn by powerful magnets. Adam Maynard, for one, though he covered it well. He continued to smile and contribute to the conversation in his smooth sophisticated fashion. But the real focus of his attention was Courtney. What was going on behind those dark eyes? Casey wondered. There was intimacy between Courtney and Adam but it was complicated. Starting a relationship was like a trip into the great unknown.
Further down the table Troy’s sister, the unlovable Leah was drinking her wine very quickly. She set down the crystal glass so hard Casey almost expected the long stem to break. She stared across the table with a tense jaw, obviously supremely irritated at the way her boyfriend was responding to Courtney’s silken attractions. Casey knew the signs. Paddy Nicholls was finding Courtney extraordinarily attractive. Not only was she lovely in every respect; she was one of the McIvor heiresses who had received quite a lot of press. Perhaps the charming witty Paddy couldn’t envisage life without a rich wife. Why else would he be with Leah?
At least that’s taken the heat off me, Casey thought, baffled by why Connellan Senior would favour Leah over Troy when Leah, for all her obvious attractions, was a real pain in the ass. The spoiled rotten daughter of a rich man who had never had a job.
“Why would I want to work?” she had hooted, when Lisa had asked her what on earth did she do with herself? “I’ve got a rich dad who loves me!”
Apparently “Dad” didn’t indulge his only son. Both Curt and Darcy had told her Troy worked extremely hard, but they hadn’t divulged his story. By the sounds of it, it was right out of a black closet. Casey realized she wanted to hear it so much she was actually considering Troy’s proposition. She’d even begun fantasizing about her and Troy tucked up together in a big comfortable bed.