But, before she could make up her mind, an arm came out, circled her waist and, ignoring her startled gasp, pulled her down and into close contact. The eyes which had been observing her covertly swept open, startling her afresh with their beauty. He smiled—that slow, sensuous expression defeating any idea she might have had that it was time to...’
His hands were measuring her waist span, his eyes absorbing details of her tangled hair, her tender mouth. ‘Don’t you feel the slightest bit ashamed?’
‘Ashamed?’ Her eyes widened in surprise. It was so close to her feelings of a moment before...
‘Ashamed—of all those...perhaps not lies, but half-truths you have been feeding me since we first met?’ He nuzzled against her cheek and she felt the beginnings of that irresistible upward spiral of delight. Her breathing quickened. ‘Ashamed of driving me crazy with jealousy?’
Suspecting the direction of his query, she chose a diversion. ‘Where did they come from?’ Her finger touched the long dark lashes. ‘If you give me a satisfactory answer then I’ll think of answering your question.’
His mouth was soft and tender against hers; he was laughing, frowning. ‘Where did what come from?’ ‘Those eyes.’ Again her finger teased the silky lashes. ‘I know Marion’s are blue, but these are something else, and since...’
‘From my mother, I believe. She was Marion’s cousin and they were rather alike, but since I know nothing of my father... My mother never did tell anyone his name. It’s even possible she wasn’t entirely sure herself. It was that era—flower power, anti-war demos...but for her it all ended too soon. She drowned when I was six months old. Marion and Hugo adopted me, and I couldn’t have had better parents.’
‘I see.’
‘And now that I’ve answered your questions, what about mine?’
‘Which was?’ Pretty certain she knew the answer, she struggled to damp down this silly inclination to blush like a schoolgirl.
‘You let me think there had been other men—whereas—’ his arm pulled her closer into the curve of his body ‘—I could so easily have hurt you.’
She sighed against his mouth. ‘I promise you didn’t. Besides—’ she gurgled with amusement ‘—somehow it didn’t seem the right moment to impart that particular piece of information. Even if it had come into my mind.’
‘Mmm,’ he half agreed. ‘I can see how you might have thought so, but...’
‘But nothing.’ Overtaken by a strange kind of yearning she spoke as much to convince herself as Jake. ‘Anyway, I shall never regret it, no matter what happens. You must accept that’
‘I do accept it.’ Idly his hand stroked her upper arm, stirring the delicate hair follicles. ‘And equally you must accept that I did not mean this to happen, Ginny. I didn’t have it all planned when I suggested lunch.’
‘No.’ She bit her lip quite savagely. She knew he was hinting at his marriage plans. At least one of them had a conscience! ‘I can see that.’ And she, poor fool, had assured herself such a short time ago that she would settle for this...that what happened between them today would last for the rest of her life... Pain tore at her but she strove to speak evenly. ‘I suppose I’m as much at fault as you are...’
‘Only in that you are so irresistible. If I hadn’t seen you dashing along in that dazzling pink coat...’
How could he be facetious when it was her happiness at stake? Her life, almost. Her voice hardly shook. ‘After all, I did know you were about to marry...’
‘Yes. But only if you’ll have me, Ginny.’
‘But how can you?’ She was so involved with her own misery, she didn’t absorb what had been said, allowed accusation to colour her tone. ‘That’s what I find so hard... How can you want to marry one person and jump into bed with another?’ Aware that her control was slipping, she could do little to retrieve it.
‘Ginny, my darling...’ He was laughing. Laughing! Had even found a hankie for the tears which, to her mortification, were running down her cheeks. ‘Are you listening to me? I know the circumstances are not what I planned—the only excuse I can offer is that you have been so frustratingly elusive. But I’m asking, humbly and contritely, if you will marry me as soon as it can be arranged?’
‘Wh—what?’ The trickle of tears had stopped but her expression was blank. ‘What did you say, Jake?’
‘You know...’ He pursed his lips. ‘Your mascara is running, your nose is shiny and I’ve never fancied weepy women, so I hope you’ll answer in the affirmative before I have second thoughts.
‘Listen, Ginny, I love you. To distraction I love you. And I’m asking—no, dammit—I’m ordering you to marry me. This evening, if it can be arranged.’
‘No, that’s not possible.’ The legal tone was automatic. ‘But—oh, Jake, I thought...’ She had thought Bonnie White. But now her mind was on another possible objection, one he picked up and instantly swept aside.
‘And if you’re worrying about Hugo and Marion, then don’t.’ He traced the curve of her cheek with a distracting finger. ‘You see, when I was summoned to Singapore it was so I could be told of your relationship with Hugo. He had found it was something he couldn’t keep from Marion, and when she had recovered from the shock he put it to her—and she agreed—that you and I might not be indifferent to each other. And in that case...
‘It didn’t take them long to realise that any possible attraction we felt was bound to be doomed if you were under the impression that I was your half-brother.’
‘Oh, all this must have been a bolt from the blue for your mother! I ought not to have let things run out of control the way they did...’
‘Now—what was it you said a moment ago about regrets?’ His frown as he loomed over her was light-hearted. ‘I hope you’re not having those at this stage in our relationship.’
‘No.’ Her head moved against the pillow in a negative gesture. ‘No, I’m not having regrets.’ Her mouth moved against his, her lips parted and there was a long silence as his arm beneath her waist tightened, pulling her body into a more positive contact with his.
‘But...’ As he spoke she reached up, touching the excited pulse in his throat. He caught her fingers before continuing. ‘I’m still waiting for an answer to that important question I asked just a few minutes ago...’
‘And that was?’ She appeared to frown with the effort of recollection, relishing the opportunity to tease.
‘That was—’ his arm tightened menacingly ‘—as you know very well...how soon will you marry me?’
‘Oh, Jake, are you sure it’s going to be as simple as all that? I can’t imagine how your parents will react.’
‘I think they’ll be delighted. For us and for themselves. I’m pretty sure Mother had you marked down as a prospective daughter-in-law right from the beginning. Besides, it is a decision for us in the end...’
‘Yes, but they are so kind—I should hate to be the cause of dissension. Maybe...’ she hesitated. ‘Maybe it would be best to go on like this for the time being, let them become used to the idea...’
‘I don’t think that would work. You see, I can’t bear the idea of being apart from you for any length of time and, even more, an affair is not what I want with you. I meant it when I said I didn’t plan to get you into bed right away.’ Her sceptically raised eyebrow made him grin. ‘And don’t ask me if I have regrets, for I shall plead the Fifth Amendment.’
‘So, you’re positive your parents would have no objection?’ Her tone remained unconvinced.
‘I promise you. My mother has long since run out of eligible young women...’
‘Mmm. Eligible. That’s what I mean.’
‘And you, I promise, are the most eligible she could possibly imagine.’ Seeing she was about to interrupt he put a finger over her lips. ‘Simply because I love you so.’
‘Oh, Jake...’ A hand snaked about his neck, pulling his face close to hers. ‘And I love you...so desperately.’
‘Then say it for heaven’s sake,’ he challenge
d, refusing to allow himself to be diverted. ‘I swear that this could amount to mental cruelty. Repeat after me, “I love you, Jake Vanbrugh, and I promise to marry you as soon as it can be arranged.”’
‘I love you.’ How sweet it was to give in, to be so unusually submissive. ‘I love you, Jake Vanbrugh, and I promise to marry you just as soon as it can be arranged. Within reason, that is.’
‘Now, don’t spoil things.’ His mouth brushed against hers. ‘I was so enjoying listening to that meek, humble tone.’
‘If that is the kind of wife you think you’ll be getting...’
‘I don’t. I have few illusions.’
‘Then you ought to have proposed to someone else, in fact.’ It was impossible to resist a tiny dig. ‘When Mr Welsh said you were to be married, the first person who came into my mind was Bonnie White.’
‘Really? I wonder why.’ With his fingers tracing across tender, excited skin it wasn’t easy for her to remember what they were discussing. ‘I suppose,’ he went on lazily, ‘because she’s so pretty and... young... Oh, and she’s heiress to one of the largest spreads in the whole of Virginia. Mmm, I wonder why I didn’t think of that before? I suppose it’s too late now.’
‘Much...much too late.’ Feeling so secure, it was easy for her to smile—but had he put these points just a few hours earlier, she knew she would have been devastated by misery and sheer jealousy.
‘Well, I shall have to try to live with that.’ A curious little smile flitted across his face. At her enquiringly raised eyebrow it became a blatant grin.
‘What... what are you thinking, Jake Vanbrugh?’
‘I was simply remembering that night when we got home after dancing at the country club...’
‘Mmm.’ She felt the colour rise in her cheeks and tried to wriggle deeper under the bedclothes, but she was thwarted, and gave up the struggle when his fingers circled her throat.
‘Remembering how very fetching you looked wearing nothing but a dark choker round your neck.’
‘Oh.’ She could think of nothing to say to that.
‘And I’m wondering if you ever wear it in bed, by any chance.’
For a moment her brain refused to function, but when it did she had to struggle to maintain an impassive expression. ‘Frequently, but only on the most auspicious occasions. If I had known you had bed in mind I should have brought it with me. But you said, quite distinctly, you were taking me to lunch.’
He grinned at the clever way she had turned the tables. ‘And I suppose what you’re saying is that, since I fell down on that, you are hungry.’
‘I’m starving.’ Sighing, she trailed a finger down his arm. ‘I’ve heard so often about men like you, who promise lunch when they mean bed.’
‘Yeah.’ A soft throaty chuckle. ‘Can’t believe my luck. And now I’m going to be even more shameless and invite you to join me in the shower.’
‘Jake.’ Her eyes widened in assumed dismay. ‘As I told you once before, don’t rush me—though...’ she gave a wry grin as the eyes sparkled up at him ‘...look where that got me.’ With a lithe wriggle she slid lower in the bed and linked her arms more persuasively about his neck.
‘I’m looking,’ he said as he did exactly that, laughing aloud when she blushed. ‘And you give the distinct impression of asking for more.’
‘I wonder what makes you think that?’ Reaching up, she brushed her mouth across his.
‘Oh, just one or two things.’
‘Jake...’ She sighed as his fingers trailed across her skin. And again as his hand slipped beneath her, raising her into closer contact.
‘So long as you realise this is the last time before I take you off to Virginia and marry you...’
‘Virginia?’ Her eyes flicked open for a split second before the eyelids dropped again. ‘Married in Virginia.’ Then she gave a tiny giggle, as if she were surprising herself. ‘Whatever you want Jake.’ And they began the tender, wanton teasing game which drove everything from her mind.
CHAPTER TEN
THREE weeks later, standing in front of the glass in her bedroom in Virginia, Ginny still found it hard to believe it had all happened. That in such a short time she had tendered her resignation, severing all connection with the firm where she had intended to pursue her long-term career, and had begun tentative enquiries about putting the flat on the market, should Kate find it impossible to raise a mortgage. That and a hundred other things made it amazing that she had ever caught the flight Jake had insisted on booking for her.
Her life had moved not just into top gear but into overdrive—so fast that her recollection was blurred and indistinct, so exhausting that, when she had arrived the previous day, Marion had taken one look and ordered her to bed. There she had slept for fourteen hours, waking once to sip some tea and totter to the bathroom before drifting back into blissful, restorative sleep.
But now, fully refreshed, Ginny felt ready to face the ordeal waiting for her downstairs. After a critical examination of her reflection she was confident she would not let Jake down. Nor Marion. Nor Hugo.
They had been so wonderfully kind and understanding when she had met them again. Both coping, with every appearance of enthusiasm, with the large reception this evening as well as the arrangements for the smaller, much more intimate wedding in two days’ time.
A firm knock at the door sent her whirling round in a rustle of silk, eyes and mouth smiling as Jake appeared, closing the door behind him.
‘You look like some wonderfully exotic butterfly.’ His expression was, like the tone of his voice, a caress. Her heart began to beat loudly...they mustn’t...she mustn’t... Not with dozens of guests due to arrive. But it was so difficult when they had had barely a moment together since London...
‘You like it?’ How sensible to concentrate on the dress, to be diverted by it. But her question was a formality, since she knew she was looking pretty special. She moved, demonstrating the flow of the skirt, her eyes full of flirtatious appeal. ‘You don’t think it’s too...?’
‘It is “too”...’ He grinned. ‘Much too much “too” ... The pity of it is that Mother is waiting in the hall—but for that, I swear... But just think...two days and we shall be away from all this. And before we go down...’ A tiny box emerged from his pocket, to reveal a solitaire diamond, on a narrow platinum band, flashing fire...
‘Oh, Jake...’ She caught her breath. ‘It’s quite, quite perfect.’ And it was. When he slipped it onto the slender pink-tipped finger it might have been made for her hand. ‘Thank you.’ And, standing on tiptoe, she pulled his head down to hers, breathing in the astringent fragrance of him as their mouths touched.
‘I suppose...’ His voice was husky, humorous. ‘I suppose I can’t persuade you to let me stay with you now, to forget what is happening downstairs and...?’
‘I would,’ she said mischievously, ‘but I don’t want you to break that promise you made in London.’
‘Ah. I was hoping you might have forgotten.’
‘No chance.’
‘I can’t imagine why I ever made such a stupid, completely frustrating commitment... But, if that’s your last word, then I suggest the only thing we can do is go down. But—one last look...’
Fingers entwined, they stood in front of the glass—he tall, impressive as ever, in dark tuxedo, with brilliant white shirt, and she in the soft red cashmere, which suited her amazingly, clung lovingly to the full curves, emphasised the slender waist. At the back it was slashed into a wide inverted V, leaving an expanse of smooth skin. She wriggled as Jake’s fingers explored each bone in her spine. The skirt was an extravaganza—full, and swaying from a deep cummerbund, the sheen and rustle of the silk adding excitement to beauty.
Walking downstairs with Jake, the skirt slightly raised, the diamond glittering on her finger, his touch on her elbow giving her confidence, Ginny felt more like a heroine from some period drama, than the modern, emancipated female from London she knew herself to be. Acting like an old-fashione
d girl, she admitted with a sly sideways glance at Jake who, intercepting it, raised an enquiring eyebrow.
‘Nothing.’ Her eyes gleamed in self-satisfied innocence. They reached the hall as Marion and Hugo came towards them. ‘At least, nothing I’m prepared to confess right now.’
That secret smile kept coming and going as she stood in the receiving line, automatically replying to good wishes as guests arrived. For how could she admit that the instant he had snapped his fingers, she had come running? All previous views on equality simply abandoned—career, home, friends, all tossed out of the window... Who would have thought it? And yet...she felt not the hint of a doubt, not a trace of uncertainty...
In a kind of dream she drifted through the evening—dancing, when the music began, with the man she would marry so soon. Their eyes were on each other, oblivious of the crowd of friends who smiled and clapped as they circled the room, her skirt floating about her in the most romantic way possible.
And then, later, Jake whispered something in her ear, hurrying her through one of the French windows out onto the terrace and along the shadowy side of the house to a waiting car.
‘What...?’ She was breathless with excitement and emotion. ‘Where are we going, Jake?’ Carefully he swept her skirts inside and came round to the driver’s seat without answering. ‘It seems so rude...’
‘I have a surprise for you—and we shall be back before anyone realises we’re missing. Mother knows where we’re going, so don’t worry.’ A quick kiss was dropped on her forehead before he started the engine and a few moments later they were pulling up outside the stables, where a grinning Miguel was waiting to open her door.
‘Careful, now, you mustn’t damage that beautiful skirt.’ Jake took her hand to lead her across the immaculate paving to one of the stables where a light gleamed through the open half-door. ‘But I wanted you to see what arrived yesterday.’
They leaned over the top, where they had a perfect view of the tiny foal snuffling against his mother’s flank.
‘Oh, Jake. How wonderful.’ She held out her hand and the chestnut mare nuzzled softly at her fingertips. The foal was much darker than his mother but with a chestnut mane and tail. ‘And you say he was born yesterday?’
A Reckless Affair Page 13