“He’ll worry now. I wish you hadn’t.”
“He had a right to know. He’s your only relative. Actually, he got upset because you didn’t confide in him.”
Caroline dragged herself out of bed for work the next morning. She had been crying half the night and looked it. Her face was pale and blotchy and she had bags under her eyes. Bryce didn’t love her. Andy was upset about her predicament. And, if she could believe the papers, he would soon be on his way to Vietnam. No wonder she couldn’t stop crying long enough to get any sleep.
She listlessly pushed the toast around on her plate but drank the tea Kerry had made for her.
“Eat up.” Kerry stood over her like a demented general. “You’re not leaving here until you do.”
She forced the toast into her mouth, wondering why she didn’t gag on every mouthful. Don’t think. Chew and swallow. It was imperative that she snap out of her malaise, and she would. Surely she was entitled to a few days of self pity, though. Plenty of time to be strong and brave. Once she felt her baby’s movements her strength and determination would return. She could take on the world and win.
She pulled herself together enough to pick up her handbag and shuffle down to the bus stop with Kerry. As always, the bus was full, but by pushing and shoving Kerry got her a seat. The ruddy-faced business man she bustled out of the way gave them both a hostile stare.
“Who does he think he is?” Kerry hissed in Caroline’s ear. “Chauvinist pig.”
Caroline unlocked the door of her office. Now that her boss trusted her, she opened the office so he could see clients on his way to work. She placed her bag on the desk, lifted the cover off her typewriter and got busy.
Mr. Jackson, a fat pompous man who always wore a charcoal gray suit and a blue shirt, arrived a little after ten. He mopped his brow with a white handkerchief. He hated the heat but was too conservative to discard his suit and tie for something cooler.
“So, this is where you’re working.” Caroline nearly collapsed as Bryce strode into her office.
“What are you doing here?” she asked belligerently, even though her heart leapt at the sight of him.
“I’ve come to see you, not to make my last will and testament. That dumpy little guy who just came in, is he your boss?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Tell him you want the morning off.”
“I don’t want the morning off.”
“You might not want it off, but you’re having it. Give him your resignation at the same time. Tell him to his face, though. Don’t leave a crappy little note on his desk like you did to me.”
“You’ve got no right. I don’t work for you now.”
“I’ve got every right. That baby you’re carrying gives it to me. Go and tell him, or I will, and believe me, I’m not in the mood for sweet talk, either.”
Mr. Jackson plodded out just then. “Miss Dennison...” He stopped, his face registering surprise when he noticed Bryce. “Could I help you?”
“Caroline, er, Miss Dennison would like the morning off.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” Bryce said curtly. “Miss Dennison requires the morning off. She also wishes to hand in her resignation as from now, but she can work until Tuesday or Wednesday to give you a chance to find a replacement.”
“What gives you the authority to interfere?” Mr. Jackson blustered.
“The fact that she is going to be my wife in just over a week gives me all the right in the world.”
Caroline couldn’t believe she was hearing right. She stared at Bryce, too stunned to move.
“Grab your bag, for heaven’s sake.” He picked up her bag and with his hand clamped around her elbow, marched her to the door. “She’ll be back after lunch,” he threw the words over his shoulder, before slamming the door behind them.
“Have you gone mad?” She tried to free her arm.
“Mad? No, I’m quite sane. We’re getting married in a week. You’ve got to fill in some papers, and I’ve got to buy you a wedding ring.”
“You are mad. I’m not marrying you.”
“Oh, but you are,” he answered with arrogant confidence.
“Since when?”
“Last night, when I worked out that this is the only sensible course of action for us.”
“I don’t have to marry you if I don’t want to.” If he loved her she would be the happiest girl in the world.
“Yes, you do. I’ve already notified your brother. He’ll be there to give you away on Saturday. We’re being married at five o’clock in the Melbourne Grammar chapel, the minister happens to be a friend of mine. It’s all arranged,” he said smugly.
“I haven’t agreed to marry you.”
“Haven’t you, honey? But you will. I’m supposed to be an excellent catch.”
“I don’t know.” She gnawed her lip. “It’s because of the baby, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’m not giving up my bachelor lifestyle without good reason. I want my child to carry my name. Your brother called me a bastard, and I don’t want any child of mine being called that.”
“It couldn’t work. A shotgun marriage would be doomed before it even started.” Her eyes filled with tears.
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. His warm breath caressed her cheek. She felt an overwhelming desire to rest her cheek against his chest. To hear his heartbeat. Inhale his male scent.
“It’s the only sensible thing to do. We’ll see the minister and sign the papers, and I’ll organize a wedding ring. We’ll have some lunch, and I’ll take you back to work so your boss won’t blow a gasket.”
When they came to the car, he opened the door to let her in then walked around to the driver’s side. Before he drove away, he lit a cigarette.
Caroline’s mind was in turmoil. Bryce wanted to marry her. She loved him desperately and should have been happy, but he didn’t love her. He just wanted to do the decent thing and give their child his name.
She should have jumped out of the Jaguar, but she didn’t. Should have refused to sign the papers at the church or accept the minister’s congratulations, but she didn’t. Did she have no pride at all? Not when it came to Bryce Harrington. She was putty in his hands, easily molded to his will.
He frog-marched her to an exclusive jewelry store where she chose a plain gold wedding ring.
“I’ll buy you an engagement ring later on. There’s some antique family stuff in the safe at home. You can have a look at it. There are a couple of rings you might fancy. If not, I’ll have one made for you.”
They ate lunch at a small, exclusive restaurant, roast duckling, cooked to perfection, but she couldn’t do it justice.
“Would you care for dessert?” he asked.
“No thanks.”
“You’ve lost weight.” He reached out and ran a finger gently across her cheek. “You’re pecking at your food like a bird. I remember when we went out you ate quite heartily. Have some dessert, go on,” he wheedled.
“I don’t want any. I’ll be sick. Rich food makes me nauseous.”
“I keep forgetting.” He frowned. “Have you seen a doctor?”
“Yes. He prescribed some tablets for the nausea.”
“Well, what’s your problem, then? How about a coffee?”
“Could I have tea? I can’t drink coffee, either.” She thought she heard him mutter a curse, but he ordered tea for her, coffee for himself.
“What’s the point of taking bloody tablets if they don’t work?”
“They stop the morning sickness, but certain foods still don’t agree with me anymore.”
“I give up.” He gave a dramatic sigh. “Women!”
“It isn’t my fault.” She hated sounding whiney and tearful all the time.
“All right.” He patted her arm. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand any of this. I know nothing about pregnancy.”
“I don’t know much, either.”
“Don’t worry there must be classes or something we can take
, to learn the ropes.”
He was trying to be helpful, but every word he uttered made her feel even more incompetent.
“I’m going to be busy over the next few days, so we probably won’t see each other until we meet at the chapel.”
Their coffee and tea arrived. She drank hers slowly, while he sculled his in a couple of mouthfuls. She wondered why it didn’t scald him.
“It was half cold.” He might have read her mind. “I felt it the moment I picked the cup up. Don’t get all huffy on me, but I’ve opened a couple of accounts for you.”
He leaned across and put his finger against her lips to stall her argument. “You’re to spend Thursday and Friday shopping. Buy a complete wardrobe, you understand, everything. If you don’t buy what I want, I’ll come with you and buy it myself. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Good, we won’t be going on a honeymoon.”
She watched his lips curl.
“I’ve already had my holidays.”
“What about me? I’ve worked like a galley slave without a break for months.”
“Maybe we can take a cruise before the baby’s born. For the time being, we’ll live in my apartment. We’ll think about getting another place later on. Pack what you want to bring with you, and I’ll send someone over on Friday to collect it. That’s all. I think I’ve covered everything.”
Yes, he’d thought of everything in his usual, analytic way. She was mad to be marrying him, but she loved him so much she would take him on any terms. Besides, regardless of her proclamation to Kerry, she wasn’t brave enough to bring up a baby on her own.
She returned to work to a frigid reception. Later in the afternoon a large city employment agency sent over a middle-aged woman who seemed perfect for the job. Mr. Jackson acted more reasonable after that.
When Caroline arrived home, she told Kerry what had happened.
“It’s the least he can do. Mr. High-and-Mighty owes you. Big time.”
“Will you and Trevor come to the wedding? I know you don’t like Bryce, but I’d like to have you there.”
“Sure, we’ll come. It’s the least we can do for a pal. You’ll need plenty of moral support. I wonder what your future in-laws are like?”
“Mr. Harrington is a nice man. I haven’t met his wife, but from all accounts she’s a first-rate snob. Bryce doesn’t mention her much. I get the impression they aren’t close.”
Andy would be coming down on Saturday morning, according to Bryce. He wasn’t due for a leave pass, but Harrington Senior had pulled strings.
Money opens lots of doors, she thought cynically. Could it save her brother from the killing fields of Vietnam?
On Thursday, Kerry took the day off work and they went on a shopping spree. Caroline bought a whole wardrobe of new clothes. She spent large sums of money in an exclusive boutique. Kerry made sure she did. It was rather fun not having to worry about blowing your budget.
Frothy nightgowns, silky underwear, dresses, slack suits, new bathers and several after-five frocks. The shop assistant piled them on the counter as they spent Bryce’s money with reckless abandonment.
“Serves him right,” Kerry said when she protested. “He owes you this and more. Wonder what Amanda and the other bimbos will have to say about him marrying you? Bet they’ll be as jealous as hell.”
“It’s not funny. They’ll hate me. All the women coveted Bryce. I suppose they’ll still chase after him, whether he’s married or not.”
“Don’t worry, Caro. You got him to the altar. That’s more than any of them could do.”
“The bimbos didn’t let themselves get pregnant, and they aren’t having a shotgun wedding.”
“Yeah, but I bet they wished they were. I’ve got a good mind to ring up the newspapers, so you can have your picture in the social columns.”
“No, please! If you contact the papers, I’ll never speak to you again. Never, you understand?”
“Only kidding.” Kerry laughed as she squeezed Caroline’s hand.
For her wedding outfit Caroline chose a turquoise, short-sleeved raw silk suit with a white lace blouse and white kid accessories. Kerry went into raptures over it. “You’ll look terrific. Harrington doesn’t realize what a lucky man he is.”
The telephone rang on Thursday night. “It’s Bryce. I just wanted to make sure the arrangements are going smoothly.”
“Don’t you want to know how I’m feeling?” She couldn’t disguise the hurt at his off-hand manner. She wasn’t a business contact.
He gave an exasperated snort. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired out from shopping.”
“You bought everything you needed?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll see you Saturday. Please don’t be late.”
She slammed the phone down in his ear.
Chapter Fourteen
Saturday dawned hot and sunny, a perfect February day. Andy arrived after lunch, hot and bothered, having hitchhiked from the base. After a cool shower and an even cooler beer, courtesy of Trevor, he soon regained his equilibrium.
“You’ve lost weight, Caro, and you’re paler too. I mean, this is what you want, isn’t it? I don’t want Harrington bullying you. Let me know if he does, and I’ll deal with him.” His handsome features were suddenly marred by a frown.
The nearer the time came for the nuptials, the more nervous Caroline became. She took a shower and Kerry helped her get dressed.
The two men whistled when they saw her.
“Wow! Harrington doesn’t realize how lucky he is,” Trevor said.
“You look lovely, Caro,” Andy told her. “I’ve never seen you looking better.”
“It’s the best money can buy,” she told him, trying not to sound cynical.
Kerry had braided a section of her hair on either side, and tied the two plaits together at the back of her head, leaving the rest of her hair to hang freely about her shoulders. It was sun-bleached to pale blonde now.
“If you’re not happy about marrying him, there’s still time to call it off,” Andy said worriedly. ”I can arrange with the army to pay you an allotment.”
“I do want to marry him. Oh, I don’t know.” She forced a laugh because he looked so anxious.
Kerry wore a deep pink dress, a perfect foil for her black hair, Trevor a navy suit, and Andy his uniform.
Bryce had organized a car for them, but by the time it arrived ten minutes late, Caroline’s stomach churned with anxiety.
“We’re going to be late,” Andy remarked.
“Too bad, it’s not our fault,” Kerry said. “Let Harrington sweat it out a bit. He probably messed up the arrangements.”
Bryce never messed up anything, except for getting her pregnant. He certainly wouldn’t have planned that little episode. Caroline would stake her life on it. She grabbed Andy’s hand and clung to it.
***
Bryce waited in the front of the chapel with his parents. He wore a dark suit and a white shirt. He glanced around the empty chapel. He could just about kill for a cigarette. Where was Caroline? They were late. If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was tardiness. What if she jilted him at the altar? His gut clenched.
His mother looked regal in a floating chiffon dress in a pale peach color with a cream hat and matching accessories.
***
Iris Harrington sat in the front pew. She had come to the church under sufferance and made sure Bryce knew it. She pursed her lips as she waited for the bride to arrive. How her own flesh and blood, could let a thing like this happen to him was beyond comprehension. Hadn’t she presented him with the most socially eligible girls in Melbourne? He continually thumbed his nose at them, only to be trapped into marriage by some insignificant little typist.
How would she face her friends over their morning cocktails? The humiliation! This chit had even dared to cast aspersions on Bryce’s suitability as a husband. Any slight against her flesh and blood she took as a personal insult. As fo
r this degrading hole-in-the-corner wedding. Didn’t Bryce once describe Caroline Dennison as a prim little mouse? He was probably having this quiet, secretive little ceremony because he felt ashamed of her. This thought gave her a grim satisfaction.
Of course, the marriage could be dissolved after the child’s birth. Maybe that’s what he planned, unlike Bryce to let anyone force his hand. Yes that must be it. She breathed a sigh of relief that the Harringtons were in complete control of the situation. Just as it should be.
***
Alexander Harrington sat next to his wife in the front row of the church.
He glanced at her several times but couldn’t read what was going on in her mind. Plenty of conflicting thoughts, if the changing expression on her face was any indication. He wore a lightweight gray suit with a blue shirt and his favorite tie. This should have been a happy occasion, but Bryce looked positively savage as he balanced on the edge of the pew.
He glanced around the chapel. Yes, the old place brought back a lot of memories. He had been married here himself, and he hoped the child would be a boy so it could attend here, too. He rather fancied the idea of seeing the principal and enrolling his grandson.
He smiled at the pleasant thoughts swirling around in his head. If it was a girl, she could attend the girls’ college. Iris had gone there, as had the daughters of most of his friends. Would any of them know Caroline?
He could picture himself walking into his club with his grandson trotting beside him. He had become heartily sick of his business friends boasting about their grandchildren, ramming their various exploits down his throat all the time. In a while it would be his turn. He savored the thought like vintage wine.
***
Bryce sat staring straight ahead.
If they didn’t hurry, he would get up and walk out and damn the lot of them. He clenched his fist in his coat pocket. Why couldn’t people smoke in church? It wasn’t as if he intended to drop ash on the carpet or anything.
He glanced at Russell, who had been one of his closest friends at school. Imagine old Russ becoming a minister, married with a couple of kids, too. Damn Caroline! This waiting was driving him crazy.
Make Love Not War Page 14