His voice hardened. ‘I would. I told you, I’m vengeful. Loyalty should be rewarded. Not betrayal. How stupid of them to be influenced by that—’
‘That influencer.’
‘That’s the word.’
She laughed and he felt her relax.
‘Let’s try and have fun with this,’ he said. ‘From what you say, it’s going to be a great party. Let’s enjoy it, at the same time knowing we’re sticking it to an enemy of your business. Nothing can be more satisfying than that.’
* * *
Despite Eloise’s protests, Josh insisted on carrying her overnight bag as well as his own while she carried her long dress in a special Eloise Evans Atelier garment bag to their room. He didn’t have to pretend to be a gentleman, she thought, it was obviously innate to him. But she couldn’t help her thoughts from straying to what he would be like when he was being ungentlemanly. In this very room.
She did her best to ignore the contentious bed while she hung her dress alongside Josh’s tuxedo in a matching bag in the wardrobe. She walked over to stand beside him where he stood looking out of the French doors. They opened out to a wide balcony edged with lavishly planted containers and across the garden to the green fields studded with grazing horses.
‘It’s an awesome view,’ he said.
‘The other side of the house, where the family have their rooms, overlooks the lake and the stand of silver birch trees that gives the house its name. This house is incredible, yet it’s a family home. I grew up in a comfortable house in Sydney’s inner west, near Sydney University, where my father taught. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Simon to grow up with something like this.’ She faltered to a halt. ‘I’m sorry, Josh, you must have lived in a wonderful house before you had to move.’
‘Home was a grand townhouse with a view to Boston Common. My grandparents—ex-grandparents—had a place something like this in Northborough, about an hour out of Boston, that we used to visit. But there are few happy memories. And now I can buy any house I choose to.’
‘Which is a triumph in itself,’ she said, not certain what else to say.
‘I guess it is,’ he said.
Not for the first time, Eloise thanked her lucky stars for the stability of the childhood her happily married parents had given her. She’d long stopped wondering what her life with her birth mother might have been like. However, she sometimes wondered if her parents’ romance had given her unrealistic expectations of relationships. She’d had her heart crushed a few times by seeing in a man what she wanted him to be, not who he actually was. Craig had played her by pretending to be someone he wasn’t. He’d outright lied and, at the beginning, she’d been so besotted she hadn’t seen the signs. No wonder she was wary of taking a man at face value.
‘Will you be okay here by yourself?’ she asked Josh. ‘I have to go and check everything is perfect with Becca’s dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses. There are only two bridesmaids and a flower girl. Believe it or not, this is a relatively low-key wedding compared to some, as it’s her second. But it’s Simon’s first and he wanted a big celebration. As you said, it looks to be quite a party.’
‘I’m perfectly fine by myself. I’ll see you when you get back.’
‘I won’t be long,’ she said.
There was an awkward moment when she wanted to lean up and kiss him on the cheek but decided against it. No kissing in private.
CHAPTER TEN
FROM THE MOMENT Josh had first laid eyes on Eloise in the park with Daisy he had thought her to be an exceptionally beautiful woman. But nothing had prepared him for the sight of Eloise dressed for the wedding.
Already in his new tux, he’d gone out on the balcony and turned his back while she got ready. It had seemed way too intimate to be in the same room as her while she got dressed. Not that she used the bedroom for changing—the bathroom was there for that. No, it was the private female rituals that only a woman’s lover would usually witness that he found too disconcerting, the primping and preening and perfecting.
What had made him decide to leave the room was when she, dressed modestly in a satin robe patterned with oriental dragons, had leaned in close to the mirror to fasten her outsize earrings. The hairdresser and make-up artist employed by the bride had done her hair and make-up, and Eloise’s thick dark hair had been swept up into a glamorous style. As she’d peered into the mirror her robe had slipped off her shoulders to reveal the nape of her neck, slender and pale. She’d seemed somehow vulnerable and exposed, yet deeply sensual at the same time. He’d been swept by the desire not just to protect her but also to make her his, and he’d had to fight the impulse to press a tender kiss to the base of her delicate nape and slide the robe all the way down off her shoulders.
Instead he’d muttered an excuse that he needed to get some fresh air and headed out onto the balcony. It had been left to his imagination to guess what else she was doing in there—was she wearing anything under that robe?—and his imagination tantalised him. But not once had he looked back to catch a glimpse of her getting dressed. He respected her privacy and dignity too much for that.
Then she was at the French windows. ‘I’m ready when you are,’ she said.
He turned. And could do nothing but stare. His heart started to thud into overdrive and his mouth went dry. She stood in a strapless dress that cupped her breasts, then hugged the curves of her body to her hips before it floated down in a series of layers—he wasn’t sure what you’d call them...flounces maybe?—to the floor. The dress was an iridescent deep blue that picked up the light and shimmered through subtle tones of purple and violet. The colour contrasted with the creaminess of her skin and complemented the cornflower blue of her eyes.
Her black hair was twisted and turned up on her head and, with her deep red lips and highlighted eyes, she looked like some Hollywood movie star of a time long before she was born. Glittering clear stones hung from her ears but she wore no other jewellery save the ruby ring that shone brighter in contrast to the blue dress. He had never seen a more beautiful woman.
He stared at her for so long, she shifted from high-heeled shoe to high-heeled shoe. ‘Do I look all right?’ How could she imagine for even a second that she would ever look anything but much more than ‘all right’?
‘You look absolutely beautiful,’ he said hoarsely. ‘You just need long gloves and a jewelled cigarette holder to look like you stepped out of a vintage movie.’
She smiled, pleased. ‘But if I wore the long gloves it would cover my ring, and what would be the point of that? And of course I don’t smoke.’
‘You look...breathtaking. Are you sure you won’t outshine the bride?’
Eloise laughed. ‘No one could outshine the bride! Her gown is exquisite and she’s glowing with happiness.’
She picked up a filmy blue wrap and a small beaded purse from the bed. ‘We don’t want to be late.’
‘It’s an honour to escort you, Eloise. Truly.’
‘I’m glad you’re here. I wouldn’t have worn such a glamorous dress if I’d come on my own,’ she said. ‘And may I say how handsome you look in your tux?’
‘That’s really thanks to you and your team,’ he said.
‘I don’t know about that,’ she said. ‘I think the very good-looking man wearing the tux is what makes it look so good. They say clothes maketh the man, but in your case I’d say the man maketh the tux.’
He laughed. ‘If you say so.’ He liked her quirky outlook. Honestly, he’d never met a woman like her. Tori was her lookalike, of course, but they were so very different in personality. Eloise was incomparable.
Josh offered her his arm. ‘Let’s go and give that troublemaker influencer something to think about.’
‘Like how to backpedal out of the lies she’s spread about me.’
She tucked her hand into his arm and looked up at him. Again he caught his breath at how lovely
she looked, how alluring with the subtle curves of her breasts, the shadow of her cleavage revealed by the strapless gown. ‘It would be a different scenario all together if you weren’t with me, Josh. Thank you again for being here.’
He couldn’t think of anywhere else he would rather be.
* * *
Eloise had never felt more confident entering a room of people than with Josh by her side. Together they walked into the ballroom of the mansion, which had been set up for the marriage service with rows of white chairs forming an aisle and facing the front of the room. While the overwhelming focus of the wedding guests’ interest was on the bride, Eloise soon became aware that her appearance with Josh was causing a secondary ripple of interest. She knew they were noticed as a couple and comments made, and she’d detected several glances towards her left hand. By the time she and Josh made their way to their seats for the ceremony, she felt satisfied the news of her ‘engagement’ was spreading.
Because she knew several of the bride’s friends, and had dressed others as either brides or bridesmaids, Eloise knew quite a number of the other guests. She didn’t look out for @lindytheblonde but she knew she must be there.
If she didn’t have to see the woman ever again she would be grateful. She just wanted her nemesis to know that the basis of her attack had now been proved to be erroneous. Eloise was here with an incredibly handsome ‘fiancé’ and looking her best in a killer dress from her own label. The bride and her attendants were dressed in the most exquisite, money-no-object dresses from Eloise Evans Atelier. That should be enough. If not...well, Josh had presented her with a next-step option she would shudder to take.
She settled in to enjoy the wedding, Josh by her side. No matter her opinion about a wedding for herself, there was something about other people’s weddings that always grabbed at her emotions. The favourite part of any ceremony for Eloise was to see the bride come down the aisle and then watch for the moment when her groom first caught sight of her. In this case Simon didn’t disappoint with a look of wonder and love when he saw Becca walking up the aisle towards him, the joy shining from her.
It brought the sting of tears to Eloise’s eyes. But beyond her usual sentimentality and happiness for her friends, she felt a deep and heartfelt yearning of her own. Would it ever be her? Not so much the dress and the flowers and all the fuss, but would a man ever look at her like that? And would she ever be able to trust a man enough to look at him with such unreserved love? For a deeply disconcerting moment she imagined that man was Josh and had to shake the image from her mind.
She clasped his hand tightly. ‘I told you I always cry at weddings,’ she whispered.
Eloise sniffled her way through the rest of the ceremony. Becca’s first marriage had been short and miserable and her friend had vowed never to let a man into her life again. Then she’d met Simon, and risked her heart a second time. How had she found the strength to do that?
The ceremony over, the bride and groom walked triumphantly back down the aisle as husband and wife. Eloise realised she had been holding on tight to Josh’s hand the entire time. He pulled a handkerchief—a crisp, white, old-fashioned handkerchief—from his pocket.
‘You might need this,’ he said quietly.
Her hands flew to her face. ‘Panda eyes?’
He nodded. She scrubbed under her eyes with the handkerchief where she thought the smeared mascara must be.
‘Let me,’ he said, taking it back. She tilted her face upwards. Gently he wiped beneath one eye then another. She sat perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe. Loving his touch, even masked by a handkerchief. He sat back to look critically at his work. ‘Better,’ he said. ‘Although you look beautiful even with panda eyes.’
‘Thank you,’ she said.
She smiled, he smiled too, and their eyes met for a long moment. Was he acting? Without thinking, she leaned across and kissed him on the mouth, a sweet, tender kiss of thanks, of gratitude, of sheer appreciation of how thoughtful he was. It wasn’t staged. She meant it and she was smiling as she pulled away. He was smiling too and there was something warm and questioning she hadn’t seen before in his eyes that sent a tremor of awareness through her. Josh took her hand again and she squeezed it tightly as they rose from their seats. The truth hit her with painful clarity—the truth she had been refusing to acknowledge.
She could so easily fall in love with this man.
But Eloise did not want to fall in love with a man she scarcely knew. She had to slam down hard on that inner voice that cajoled, You’ve known him long enough. She’d listened to that voice before with disastrous consequences. Right now, however, she wasn’t going to fight it, just ignore it. Josh had suggested they relax, have fun and enjoy the party, and that was exactly what she intended to do.
The guests flocked around the bride and groom. Eloise and Josh waited their turn. Congratulations were said. Introductions were made. And Josh played the doting fiancé to perfection. ‘You deserve someone like Josh,’ murmured Becca. ‘Well done for opening your heart again to love.’
Only of course she hadn’t and her heart was still shut down to love. Everything about her and Josh being together was a sham. She was pretending to be in love to save her bridal business. How hypocritical of her was that? And he... She wasn’t really sure why he had offered to help her. Could it be simply because he enjoyed exacting revenge for revenge’s sake? Even when it was someone else’s revenge? In spite of the ruthlessness he’d demonstrated, she couldn’t bring herself to believe that of Josh. Not the Josh who was so sweet to Daisy and had been so kind to her. She had to tell herself it was because of a gentlemanly instinct. And she was just so glad he was here with her.
The bride and groom disappeared for more photos. The guests were directed into the large conservatory where first cocktails and then a sit-down dinner were to be served. Eloise was greeted by some women she knew quite well, and some she didn’t know so well. Congratulations on her engagement flowed and Josh was given appraising and approving looks. She was gratified by people’s happiness for her and dreaded how uncomfortable it would be to say, a few months down the track, that her long-distance engagement had, as it happened, not worked out.
But right now, she and Josh had their answers ready.
‘Yes, a November wedding, we think,’ she said.
‘Boston is home for me, but then, it used to be home for Ellie too, so we’re keeping our options open.’
‘I have no intention of closing my business—never, ever. Oh, you’re on my waiting list? Don’t worry, I won’t be too distracted by my own wedding to design you a fabulous wedding gown.’
‘Yes, I knew she was “the one” straight away. How? I...uh...just knew.’
‘You know I dressed Roxee and her wedding party? Josh and I first met when I was in Los Angeles for the wedding.’
‘Yes, we have kept it quiet,’ Josh said. ‘We wanted to be sure.’
‘Thank you. You’re very kind to say we look like we’re made for each other.’
‘No, I don’t have a brother just like me back home in Boston.’
‘Oh, yes, Josh is a keeper.’
‘Ellie is a keeper for sure.’
She found it emotionally draining to keep up the act and not slip and was glad when they were asked to head to their assigned tables for the speeches and dinner.
They were nearly at their table, when Eloise clutched Josh’s arm. ‘Don’t look now but she’s over there...@lindytheblonde.’
‘Is she watching us?’
‘If looks could kill...’
Josh pulled her close to him and looked deeply into her eyes, smoothing a wisp of hair that had tugged free from her updo as only a lover would do. ‘Do I look suitably smitten?’ he said in a voice only she could hear.
‘I thought you said you were a terrible actor?’ she murmured. ‘Because you’re being very convincing.’
/> He came closer, so close she felt giddy from his scent, weak at the knees from the contact. ‘Maybe it’s because I’m not acting,’ he said, in a voice so low she wasn’t sure she heard him correctly.
She didn’t have a chance to ask him to repeat it because suddenly the influencer was at her elbow. ‘I hear congratulations are in order,’ she said with an insincere smile from her trout mouth’s inflated lips that didn’t reach her eyes.
‘Yes,’ Eloise said simply. She introduced her to Josh and the woman’s eyes narrowed at the same time she mouthed platitudes. Josh acted the proud, loving fiancé as if he’d been born to it.
When Eloise had first read the influencer’s mean social media posts, calculated to ruin her business, she had lain awake planning exactly what she’d say to this woman if she got the chance. Now she kept her mouth shut. Josh had, instead, offered her a way to defuse her accusations. Then @lindytheblonde introduced her and Josh to her fiancé.
Immediately, Eloise recognised his name. One of her clients had cancelled her wedding when she’d discovered both his cheating and his over-active interest in her wealthy father’s bank balance. A schoolfriend had also dated him and could only say he was bad news. Perhaps it was karma, perhaps the influencer and her fiancé had met their match. But Eloise decided she’d be the better person and graciously accepted her congratulations while giving congratulations of her own.
‘What was that about?’ Josh said in an undertone when the influencer had gone. ‘I was looking forward to watching you stick the knife into that awful, supercilious woman and twist it.’
‘Because, darling Josh, sometimes karma takes hold of the knife and twists it for you. I’d rather have one night of being your pretend fiancée than a lifetime of being a wife to that guy. I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.’
‘You’ll have to explain that one to me later,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t sound enough like revenge to me.’ He looked so puzzled she had to kiss him again.
From Bridal Designer to Bride Page 11