Marriage on the Agenda

by Lee Wilkinson

  ‘You still haven’t told me why you allowed me to go on believing that Jane was the woman you were hoping to marry.’

  ‘I wanted to see if, believing that, you would still sleep with me. The very fact that you did told me a lot.’

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Loris said, bewildered.

  ‘Leaving Longton out of it, you didn’t seem to be the kind of woman who would make love with another woman’s man unless you couldn’t help yourself.’

  Watching the colour come into her cheeks, he said, ‘I needed to be sure so I could complete the arrangements.’

  ‘What arrangements?’ she asked suspiciously.

  ‘For our wedding. I’d already got a special licence, but there were still things to organise. That’s why I went over to Harefield. Then again, you shook me rigid by trying to run away the minute my back was turned, and insisting you still intended to marry Longton. That’s why I was forced to take you to Bladen Place instead of shopping for a wedding dress, as I’d hoped. And, speaking of wedding dresses, you haven’t said yes yet…’

  He sounded so confident, so sure of her answer, while all Loris could feel was dazed, incapable of coherent thought. He already had a special licence!

  Looking at her quizzically, he added, ‘I must warn you that if you don’t say yes at once I shall have to take you in my arms and kiss you until you do.’

  ‘You can’t kiss me here, in front of everybody,’ she protested thickly.

  ‘Do you want to bet?’ He rose to his feet.

  ‘Yes.’

  Still standing, he asked, ‘Is that yes you want to bet, or yes you’ll marry me?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll marry you.’

  ‘Good.’ Resuming his seat, he added with a twinkle, ‘That means we’ll be able to come here again.’ Then, watching her expressive face, ‘What’s wrong? Don’t you like the place?’

  ‘Oh, yes…’ A shade awkwardly, she added, ‘But it’s bound to be very expensive.’

  ‘I see. Will not being rich bother you?’

  ‘Why should it? I’ve never been rich.’

  ‘Your parents may not have loaded you with money, but you come from a rich background.’

  Something in his tone made her ask, ‘Does that bother you?’

  He smiled at her. ‘Not any longer. Now let’s get out of here. I’m dying to kiss you.’

  CHAPTER TEN

  LA RONDE’S organisation was super-efficient, and by the time Jonathan had paid the bill and they had got outside his car was waiting, one of the attendants holding open the door.

  A generous tip changed hands, and within seconds they were drawing away and joining the busy traffic stream to head out of town.

  Sitting still and silent, Loris struggled to get her thoughts and emotions into some kind of order. The fact that everything had miraculously come right and she was going to marry the man she loved had barely sunk in.

  Stunned by the speed at which things had happened, and the sheer unexpectedness of Jonathan’s proposal, she hadn’t even had time to feel happy.

  Remembering his quiet admission of what lengths he’d gone to to break up her engagement, she gave a little shiver that was part excitement and part unease. Such ruthless determination scared her a little…

  They had left the suburbs behind them and were on a quiet country road, their headlights picking up bare hedge-rows, when she surfaced to ask, ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘Down to Harefield Farm. We’re staying the night with Jane and David. Then all the arrangements are made for us to be married in the village church at twelve o’clock.’

  Casually, he added, ‘Though it will be a very quiet wedding, I expect you’d like your family to be there?’

  ‘Yes, I would. But I can’t imagine they’ll want to come.’

  ‘Wouldn’t you like your father to give you away?’

  ‘I doubt if he will,’ she said honestly. ‘He won’t be very happy.’

  ‘No. I dare say that after Longton I’ll come as something of a shock.’

  Knowing there was no point in denying it, she said quietly, ‘For one thing it’s so sudden. There’ll hardly be time to let them know.’

  ‘I’ll either phone or email them as soon as we get back to Harefield.’

  ‘I think you’ll be wasting your time.’

  His voice like polished steel, he said, ‘I’ll get them there.’ Then, with a quick, sidelong glance, ‘But just at the moment I have something more important on my mind.’

  Drawing into a lay-by shielded from the road by a stand of trees, he stopped and switched off the engine and the main beam.

  Her heart began to race with suffocating speed as he unfastened both their seat belts and took her in his arms.

  In the greenish glow from the dashboard she saw him smile. ‘There’s no need to look quite so apprehensive. It’s a shade public to do much more than kiss you.’

  He kissed her lightly, almost playfully, but when her lips parted beneath the gentle pressure of his he began to explore her mouth with a hungry passion that made her stomach clench and sent her heart racing.

  When he finally lifted his head she was past thinking, and if he’d suggested making love exactly where they were she would have offered no resistance.

  He must have known she was his for the taking but, true to his word, he drew back and reached to fasten first her seat belt and then his own. A moment later they were on their way again, without a single car having passed.

  Shaken to the soul by that brief interlude, she wondered how it was that no other man had ever been able to move her in the way this man did. His briefest kiss could summon up a storm of emotion, his lightest touch make her burn for him.

  He had such power over her that it would have been frightening if he hadn’t loved her as much as she loved him. But he must do, otherwise he wouldn’t have gone to so much trouble to marry her.

  She felt a warm glow of pleasure and excitement just reminding herself that by this time tomorrow she would be his wife…

  As they approached Harefield Farm, and the security lights flashed on, Loris was surprised to see a large country mansion, rather than the homely farmhouse she had been expecting.

  It was a square building, dignified and gracious, with creeper-covered walls and long windows flanking a handsome front door.

  But, thinking back, Jonathan had told her that his sister had married the son of a local landowner.

  As he helped Loris out and collected her case, he explained, apparently reading her mind, ‘David’s parents died a couple of years back, so he and Jane run the estate now.’

  Having led the way into a spacious hall and up the stairs, he opened a door to the left. ‘Jane said if all went well she was putting you in here.’

  It was a pleasant room, with black oak floorboards, well-polished antique furniture, and a log fire burning cheerfully in the grate. A modern en suite bathroom had been added.

  ‘I’m next door.’ Dropping her case on the bed, he went on, ‘I’ve a few things to attend to before I come up, so I’ll say goodnight now.’

  When she lifted her face for his kiss, he shook his head regretfully, ‘I’d better not. If I kiss you once I may not be able to tear myself away.’

  Disappointed, she reached up, and with her index finger traced the curve of his cheek and jaw and the cleft in his chin. ‘Would that matter?’ she asked softly.

  ‘Woman, are you trying to tempt me?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve a lot of catching up to do.’

  He laughed softly. ‘Well, as I can resist anything but temptation, I’ll be back in about half an hour.’

  A little shocked by her own boldness, she had decided against a nightie, and, her hair loose around her bare shoulders, she was lying watching the flickering flames when he returned.

  He was freshly showered and shaved, and wearing a short towelling robe. Discarding it, he slid in beside her and nuzzled his face against her breasts. ‘Mmm…you’re all scented and sensuous, like a velvety s
ummer night.’

  His warm wet tongue coaxed a pink nipple into life, and with a little murmur of appreciation he drew it into his mouth.

  Shivers of pleasure ran through her, which were intensified when his fingers found its twin. Just when she thought she could stand no more of such exquisite torment his free hand slid down her flat stomach and began to explore.

  She gave a little gasp as all sensation was dragged downwards and started to build and spiral into a growing need. When, without conscious volition, she began to move against his hand, it was withdrawn.

  She whispered his name pleadingly.

  Raising his head, he kissed her lips and said softly, ‘There’s no need to rush things, my love. Taking it slowly can mean maximum enjoyment. It will give me pleasure to experiment a little, to find out what pleases you most, then I can make our wedding night truly memorable.’

  His index finger had been moving almost imperceptibly, and now it paused and applied a light pressure. ‘Do you like that?’

  A little moan was all the answer he needed.

  When Loris awoke she was alone in the bed and daylight was slanting in between the heavy velvet curtains.

  Instant remembrance brought a fresh flood of happiness, and she sighed blissfully. Last night had been made up of love, tenderness, passion and ecstasy and, like the icing on the cake, today was her wedding day.

  It didn’t matter that it was to be a quiet wedding with no frills; it didn’t matter that neither of them had much money; it didn’t matter that Jonathan had no job. The only thing that mattered was having his love…

  There was a knock at the door and she called, ‘Come in.’

  A young maid came in, carrying a tray of coffee and toast, and put it down carefully on the bedside table before drawing back the curtains.

  ‘Mrs Marchant asked me to say that she’s sorry to disturb you, but it’s almost eleven-fifteen.’

  ‘Eleven-fifteen!’ Loris exclaimed, pushing herself upright. ‘I’ll never be ready in time.’

  ‘She said that when you’ve had your toast and coffee, she’ll be along to give you a hand… Oh, and Mr Drummond said you’re to be sure and eat something, as he doesn’t want you fainting at the altar.’

  With a little bob, the girl scurried out.

  As soon as Loris had eaten a slice of toast and swallowed a cup of coffee, she laid out the suit she’d brought, found some stockings and a set of dainty undies, and hurried into the bathroom to shower and clean her teeth.

  When she emerged a few minutes later Jane Marchant was waiting, dressed in an elegant navy suit and hat. On the bed there were several boxes of various sizes, and a lovely bouquet of scented spring flowers.

  ‘I see you have a suit ready,’ Jane observed. Then, a shade diffidently, ‘But I wondered if you’d like to wear this.’ Taking the lid off the largest box, she lifted out an exquisite ivory silk wedding dress. ‘We’re pretty much of a size, and though it’s seven years old these classic styles don’t really change.’

  Loris swallowed, momentarily too full to speak.

  Noting the hesitation, Jane said hastily, ‘Please feel free to refuse if you don’t want to. I promise I won’t be offended.’

  ‘I’d love to wear it.’

  Her pleasure obvious, Jane helped Loris into the dress and fastened a row of tiny covered buttons that ran down the back from the neck to below the waist.

  It fitted perfectly.

  Looking at her reflection in the cheval-glass, Loris said huskily, ‘It’s beautiful.’

  Jane beamed. ‘The accessories are all here if you want them. Shoes, headdress, and this.’ She produced a garter embroidered with blue forget-me-nots.

  When Loris had eased the garter into place, she tried the shoes. Luck was with her, and they too fitted.

  ‘Are you wearing your hair up or down?’ Jane asked eagerly.

  ‘Up, I think.’

  When her chignon had been pinned into place, Loris found that the headdress, a simple rhinestone coronet that held a veil as fine as gossamer, sat as neatly as she could have wished.

  ‘All ready, with five minutes to spare,’ Jane said, handing Loris the bouquet, ‘and you look absolutely gorgeous.’

  ‘If I do, it’s thanks to you…’

  A knock at the door cut through her words.

  ‘That’ll be David,’ Jane said. ‘He’s offered to escort you to the church, if that’s all right by you?’ Then, seriously, ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you’re marrying Jonathan. He’s one of the best.’ Her eyes full of tears, she hurried out, just as her husband came in.

  Having looked Loris over appreciatively, he nodded his approval. ‘You look absolutely beautiful. My brother-in-law’s a very lucky man… All ready?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Offering her his arm, he said, ‘Then let’s get going. We’ve a Roller waiting.’

  When he’d helped Loris into a ribbon-trimmed Rolls-Royce, they made the short drive in pale winter sunshine, to find the small church full of flowers, the village organist playing Bach, and a grey-haired priest waiting to welcome them.

  A mere handful of people were present, amongst them her mother, who was seated in the front pew, and her father, who was standing at the back of the church.

  To Loris’s surprise, he took David’s place, and walked her up the aisle, while Simon, clearly about to perform the duties of best man, waited at the chancel steps with Jonathan.

  As she reached her bridegroom’s side, he turned his head to smile at her.

  Knowing he must have moved heaven and earth to get her family here, she returned his smile, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude.

  The short service passed like a dream—the quietly spoken vows, the exchange of rings, her bridegroom, handsome and self-assured putting back her veil to kiss her, and finally the signing of the register.

  In the vestry, looking unexpectedly tearful, her mother kissed her, and said, ‘I hope you’ll be happy.’

  Her father, unsmiling and terse, added, ‘I just hope you know what you’re doing.’

  Simon gave her a hug and wished her, ‘The best of luck.’

  Then a tall grey-haired man she had never seen before came up to take her hand and say, ‘So you’re Loris. My nephew has very good taste.’

  Moments later they were out in the weak sunshine, and the local photographer was taking pictures.

  ‘Time we were going to get changed,’ Jonathan said in his bride’s ear. ‘Jane and David and Simon, who know what’s going on, will take care of the reception and explain our absence.’

  ‘Why are we leaving so soon?’

  ‘We have a plane to catch, and we’re cutting it rather fine.’

  He took her hand and, showered with rice, they ran down the church path to the waiting Rolls.

  By seven o’clock that evening they were in Paris, at the Hotel L’Epic, being shown into the luxurious honeymoon suite by the manager himself.

  This was yet another surprise in a day full of surprises.

  When Monsieur Duval had bowed himself out Jonathan opened the waiting champagne and poured them each a glass.

  Watching Loris while she sipped, he asked, ‘Tired?’

  ‘A little,’ she admitted. ‘It must be the excitement.’

  ‘Hungry yet?’

  ‘Not really.’ They had eaten a sandwich on the plane.

  ‘So, shall we say dinner at eight-thirty?’

  ‘Yes, fine.’

  ‘Do you want to go downstairs? Or shall we have it sent up?’

  ‘Oh, sent up, I think.’ She had nothing suitable to wear for dinner in a first-class hotel.

  Once again reading her mind, he said, ‘As soon as the shops are open we’ll go and buy you a trousseau.’

  Knowing the honeymoon suite must be costing the earth, she said hurriedly, ‘Oh, no, I don’t need any new clothes.’

  ‘As you’ve virtually nothing with you, if you don’t buy something we’ll have to spend the rest of our
honeymoon in bed.’ A glint in his eye, he added, ‘Not that that’s such a bad idea… But first, in order to keep up our strength, we’ll need to eat, so is there anything special you’d like me to order?’

  ‘No, I’ll leave it to you.’

  While he ordered the meal, in fluent French, she put her glass on the coffee-table and went to the window to look out over the Place Chaumont, a quiet square with wrought-iron lamps and elegant buildings.

  The last eight hours had had an unreal, dreamlike quality that made her feel as if she wanted to pinch herself to make sure she was really awake.

  Instead, she looked down at the plain gold band that Jonathan had slipped onto her finger. Everything had happened so quickly that there’d been no time to wonder if she’d done the right thing in marrying a man she scarcely knew.

  Suppose she’d made a dreadful mistake? Suppose what she felt for him was just sexual attraction rather than love? Suddenly racked by doubts, she clasped her hands tightly together.

  No, if what she felt for him wasn’t love, then there was no such thing. Sexual attraction was there, certainly, but there was so much more—warmth and caring, a liking and respect for the kind of person he was, a deep and abiding need to be with him, to be a part of him…

  So long as he felt those things too, their marriage would be a happy one… But did he? All at once she was beset by fresh doubts. He’d never once said he loved her… Though surely he must do, otherwise why would he have bulldozed her into marrying him?

  Replacing the phone, he came to stand behind her and kiss her nape, before turning her into his arms and covering her mouth with his.