Jason shook his head. ‘No, Violet, it’s all good. I just need to speak to Mac for a second. I won’t take too long, promise.’
‘Okay, I’ll see you both shortly,’ said Violet.
‘What’s up?’ Mac asked with a frown.
‘I need to speak to you privately,’ said Jason. ‘Can you come in here?’
Mac stepped inside the study, shut the door and waited for Jason to speak. Jason was staring out the window into the late afternoon sky.
‘I spoke to Violet this morning,’ he said without looking up.
‘When?’ Mac felt a knot in his stomach. Something was very wrong; he’d never seen him this pensive.
‘This morning she came down to make coffee. We had a talk about the other night and what she said got me thinking. I know I should have done some more thinking a long time ago.’
‘I don’t understand, Jason. What’s the problem?’
Jason looked up and slowly shook his head. ‘Probably way too many problems to deal with in this conversation. Let’s just say, some of the things Violet and I talked about hit home.’
‘Like what?’
‘That I’ve been jealous of you since we were kids. When Mum married your Dad, I didn’t like it. I felt I was being forced to share her with you.’
Mac wandered over and sat in the nearest chair. A silence lingered between them. ‘Yeah well, to tell the truth I wasn’t very happy about having a stepmother and an instant brother, either.’
‘Sorry, I wasn’t the best brother. I thought if I competed with you and won, Dad would love me.’
‘But he did love you, you must know that?’
‘Yeah, I do. But maybe I just wasn’t so sure about it when we were kids. I mean, you were his “golden boy” and well, I guess I was more jealous of you than I wanted to admit. I thought you should know.’
Mac was silent for a minute, while a string of old hurts and rivalries flashed through his head. Jason was offering an olive branch and maybe it was time to put the stings of childhood behind them.
‘It’s fine, you used to annoy the shit out of me but sometimes I was jealous of you as well. Just forget it, Jase. We’re brothers and that’s all that matters.’
‘I always wanted to prove myself which is why I left here and followed the law. Violet said to me last night that I’d lost the man I used to be, or the boy she fell in love with, and I’ve realised she’s right. I was so focused on chasing my career and becoming the best corporate lawyer in the business that I lost sight of myself.’
‘Jason, everything will be fine,’ said Mac.
‘Yes, it will, but only once I put it right. I don’t know if I even deserve to ask this but I want your support, Mac.’
‘Of course,’ said Mac. ‘Whatever you need.’
‘What I need is for you to stand next to me when I go out there and tell everyone the wedding is off.’
‘What?’ Mac jumped out of his chair and headed to the window next to Jason. ‘Are you serious?’
Jason nodded his head. ‘Yes, the wedding is a mistake. I realise I’m getting married to Celine for all the wrong reasons. Her father introduced me to a lot of my most important clients but I don’t share her values and we don’t have the same dreams. Coming home has made me realise that.’
‘What are you saying? You were using her to help further your career?’
Jason’s head snapped up and he looked Mac in the eyes. ‘Believe me, the whole “using” thing is mutual. Celine needs a stable income, one that will allow her to carry on living the way she always has. Her father has pretty much lost the family fortune through a series of bad investments. He’s already sold a lot of assets and he faces losing his house, but I can’t keep lending him money because I can’t see it changing.’
‘So, why has it taken so long to realise the difference in your values?’
‘I’m a very good corporate lawyer but marrying Celine would help me move even further up the food chain. Celine is well-connected and marriage would give me the opportunity to network and enlarge my client base with some very influential firms.’
‘That’s pretty cold, Jase.’
‘Yeah, I know. Don’t get me totally wrong, I did think I loved her, she can be a lot of fun and deep down there’s a good person there. You haven’t seen her at her best. She’s been truly awful since she’s been here but she isn’t always that way. She’s worried about her dad and the wedding just seems to be doing her head in. As I said, I don’t think I . . .’
‘Love her?’
Jason nodded and stared back out the window. ‘I thought we could have a perfect life together, that having the same sort of goals would plaster over the things I didn’t like so much about her. But after seeing how she’s behaved and how she was prepared to blackmail you and give Violet a hard time, I don’t feel confident it will. And that’s what I have to go and tell Celine. After that I need to go and get my priorities right and find something deeper—something closer to what you and Violet have.’
‘I can tell the guests if you want.’
‘Nah, it’s my fuckup, so it’s my responsibility. I’ll do it. I’d just appreciate it if you were standing next to me while I did.’
Mac placed his hand on Jason’s shoulder. ‘Don’t worry; I’ve got your back.’
Jason knocked on the door and waited until one of the bridesmaids cracked it open.
‘What are you doing here, Jason? It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding—you know that,’ said Tracey, Celine’s best friend.
‘I know Tracey but I have to speak to Celine. It’s important.’
Tracey gave him a nervous look. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, it will be, but I have to talk to Celine.’
‘Alright, I’ll tell her you’re here.’ Tracey slipped back into the room and closed the door.
There were a few muffled voices before Celine opened the door. She was standing behind it so all Jason could see was a fluffy cloud of white tulle.
‘Jason, we’re getting married in a few minutes. Can’t this wait?’
‘No, I really need to talk to you in private,’ said Jason, his face tense.
Before Celine could respond, Laurie Thornton stepped into the hallway.
‘Hello son,’ he said as he shook Jason’s hand.
‘Laurie, I didn’t know that you’d arrived,’ said Jason, smiling awkwardly at him.
‘Yes, I’ve been here for quite some time. The wedding planner let me in,’ said Thornton.
‘Violet is an old friend of the family and very close to my brother’s heart.’
‘Well, Celine told me all about her and how she turned up with a child, claiming it was yours,’ said Thornton.
‘The child is mine and Violet never wanted or asked for anything. But that’s beside the point. I need to speak to Celine privately.’
‘Now what’s all this about?’ Thornton asked with a deepening frown. ‘Is there something wrong?’
Jason ignored him, pushed open the door and walked into the room. With a forced smile he greeted the bridesmaids.
‘You all look beautiful but if you could just excuse Celine and me for a few minutes, that would be great,’ he said as he gestured to the door.
The room fell silent as the bridesmaids filed out with worried looks. Laurie Thornton went to walk back in but Jason shook his head, closed the door in his face and turned to face Celine.
‘What’s the matter, Jason?’
‘Before I say anything, Celine, I have to tell you just how bloody breathtaking you are. You look beautiful, you really do.’ There was an awkward pause, before Jason added, ‘I’m sorry Celine but I can’t marry you.’
Celine sucked in a breath and leant against the dressing table. ‘Wow, you waited until now to tell me?’
‘I’m sorry. I thought we’d be good together since we wanted the same sort of things, but it’s not enough. We both deserve more than just settling for a comfortable life. There should be passion
and—’
‘And what? Love?’ Celine snapped.
‘Yes. I don’t love you anymore.’
‘Do you love Violet? Is that what this is all about? You’re throwing me over for her?’
‘No, I’ve just come to realise that I want someone to fall in love with and really share all the same values, and back each other in everything.’
‘You’re unbelievable!’ Celine snapped as she reached out and grabbed the nearest object, which happened to be a heavy silver-etched hairbrush from the dressing table. With a shriek she threw it at Jason. ‘How could you humiliate me like this?’
Jason managed to dodge the brush before it smacked against the door. He held his hands out in front of him—whether it was in order to placate her or surrender, he wasn’t sure.
‘Celine, I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I do love you but not enough to believe we can share a future together.’
Celine shrieked as she launched another handful of missiles at him.
He rattled the handle and managed to open the door just as a crystal bottle of perfume shattered next to his head. He wasn’t that lucky with the hot curling iron—it managed to hit him on the thigh as he dived through the door.
Chapter 34
Violet slipped out the French doors for a last-minute check. Two rows of scattered rose petals defined the bridal aisle which led all the way to the rostrum.
The aisle was flanked on either side with rows of cream vintage chairs. Each chair was different but they were pulled together as a whole by the colour. Tall, freestanding candelabra were dotted down both sides of the brick walls of the courtyard. The day was beginning to dull and the light of the fat candles became stronger. By the time the ceremony began they’d give a soft ambience to the space.
Two large floral displays sat at the front of the arched rostrum. She’d managed to get some latte-coloured roses as well as others in shades of cream, pale pink and dirty pink, which cascaded from their vases and filled the air with a heavenly scent.
There was an old-world romantic ‘classical elegance’ feel to the space without being too fussy.
Violet frowned as she looked up at the sky. Celine had wanted the ceremony to take place at sunset. Time was running out. They needed to get this show on the road.
She opened up the French doors and went in search of the string quartet. Perhaps if they started playing, the guests would drift into the courtyard.
Violet found the young musicians gathered around one of the trays of hors d’oeuvres.
‘Hi, I’m thinking we should get things going,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’m sure if you start playing, the guests will begin wandering in to take their seats.’
‘Sure thing, Violet. It’ll only take us a couple of minutes to get ready,’ one of the quartet said before he popped a canapé into his mouth. ‘These are great.’
‘I’m glad you like them,’ Violet said as she turned away. ‘I’m off to check on the bride.’
She walked out of the great room and towards the stairs, her heels clicking across the wooden floors as a muffled shriek came from upstairs causing Violet to break into a run. Mac stepped out from his study and stopped her.
‘Don’t go in there,’ he said.
Violet stared up at him questioningly. ‘But I think I heard someone scream.’
‘It’s fine, Jason is just having a word with Celine.’
Mac pulled her a little closer and she relaxed in his arms.
‘It sounded more than a word, Mac. She shrieked. He’s finally snapped and is murdering her for being such a cow?’
Mac let out a laugh as he shook his head. ‘No, I have to tell you something, but don’t freak out, Violet.’
‘You’re scaring me.’
‘Jason is calling off the wedding.’
‘What?’
‘It’s true, apparently it was something you said. Whatever it was, it got him thinking that he was settling for a life that wouldn’t make him happy.’
‘Poor Celine,’ Violet whispered. ‘I can’t stand her, but I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.’
‘Seriously, the woman has been nothing but mean and vicious to you and you feel sorry for her?’
‘But imagine being jilted on your wedding day. That’s awful,’ said Violet, looking stricken.
‘Yes, I suppose it is, but better to break it off before the honeymoon.’
‘So what happens now?’ asked Violet.
‘I’m going to support Jason while he tells all the guests and then, I don’t know. What’s the protocol on this? Feed some people and send them on their way?’
‘How can I help?’ asked Violet.
‘Stay close,’ he said as he bent down and kissed her.
‘The guests will be making their way to the courtyard by now, shall I send them back inside?’ she asked in a hushed voice.
‘No, Jason can break the news out there. At least they’ll all be sitting down. You might want to keep a low profile though, who knows what the reaction is going to be.’
‘You don’t expect trouble do you?’
‘No, I just want you out of harm’s way. Go find Holly and we’ll be out in a minute. If you see Dan and Mum on the way, could you get them to come in? Oh, Flynn too, if you happen to see him.’
Violet put her hand on his chest. ‘Of course.’
‘Thanks. I’ll see you soon.’
With a nod, Violet turned away and hurried towards the courtyard. She headed down the makeshift aisle right up to the front. Sarah was already seated in the first row with Holly next to her. Violet knelt down and whispered in Sarah’s ear.
‘Jason is calling the wedding off. Mac wants you, Dan and Flynn inside.’
Sarah gasped, her face suddenly pale.
‘Are you alright?’ asked Violet.
Sarah nodded as she stood up. ‘Of course. I’d better get in there straightaway.’
Violet took Holly’s hand. ‘Nana Sarah has to go inside for a minute and see Mac. So, you better stay with me.’
‘Okay, Mummy,’ said Holly.
Violet and Holly walked back down the aisle and headed to the kitchen. There was the rhythmic sound of the clatter of a busy kitchen as Dan and his staff geared up to feed the wedding guests.
Flynn was snagging a cheese tart off one of the serving trays as Violet walked through the door.
‘Ah, you caught me,’ he said with a grin.
‘So it seems,’ Violet said with a smile. ‘Listen, Jason needs you up in the study.’
Flynn frowned. ‘What’s going on, Violet?’
Violet took a step and lowered her voice. ‘Jason has called off the wedding. He wants his brothers and you to stand by him as he makes the announcement.’
‘Shit!’ said Flynn, his face totally serious for once. ‘I better get in there.’
‘Yeah, they’re going to make the announcement any minute now.’
Violet watched as Flynn hurried away before she nicked a cheese tart and handed it to Holly.
‘I want you to stay in here until I come and get you, okay?’
‘Alright.’
Violet looked up, her face grave as she beckoned Dan’s head waiter over.
‘Hi Tom, I know you’re incredibly busy but can Holly stay in here with you for a few minutes? There’s a few problems I need to take care of.’
‘Sure thing,’ said Tom with an easy smile before turning to Holly and saying, ‘Why don’t you come and sit up here in my special hidey hole and fold some napkins for me? It would be a big help. Hey, do you want a ride?’
‘Sure.’ Holly lifted up her arms and waited for Tom to kneel down so she could climb on his back. He carried her over to the end of the kitchen.
‘There you go,’ he said as he put her down. ‘You’ll be fine here, won’t you?’
Holly nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
Tom handed her a small stack of serviettes. ‘Here, can you fold them like this?’
‘Yep,’ said Holly as she started folding th
e dark cream serviettes.
‘Good job, Holly. That’s brilliant.’ Tom turned to Violet. ‘You head on. I’ll keep an eye on her.’
‘Thanks, Tom, I’ll only be a few minutes. Hey, sweetie, I’ll be back in a tick,’ said Violet, giving Holly a hug.
Holly nodded but she was too engrossed in napkin folding to look up.
Chapter 35
As Violet walked out of the kitchen she noticed that several of the candelabra weren’t alight.
She frowned; a gust of wind from the open doors must have blown them out. Violet hurried over to grab the long matches from the fireplace. She knew that it was probably silly as the wedding wasn’t going ahead but she really wanted to see how the candlelight would transform the room. She had imagined the design and she needed to see her vision realised. Violet drew the match across the striking surface of the matchbox. After a raspy sound the match burst into life and she lit the first tall cream candle which was scented with French Pear. Just as she was beginning to light the last one a loud voice from the doorway made her start with fright.
‘You! This is all your fault.’
Violet glanced up and saw Celine walking towards her.
‘Sorry, Celine, I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Yeah right, still playing the innocent mealy-mouthed little princess are we?’
Violet straightened her shoulders and stood her ground.
‘Seriously, Celine, I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.’
Celine marched forward, her long veil floating out behind her like the wake from a ship.
Too late, Violet realised what she was doing. She took a step back but Celine was too quick and she placed her hands on Violet’s shoulders and shoved her hard. Violet stumbled back and landed with a loud thump against one of the open doors which led to the courtyard. She was vaguely aware that the majority of guests had swivelled around and were gawking at her. Anger burned through her, she wasn’t hurt, just bloody furious.
‘Just back off, Celine,’ she snapped, standing up and straightening her jacket then trying to stare the other woman down.
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