Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3)

by Praks, Alexia

She looked up at him. “I fell in love.”

  Brian frowned. “You fell in love?” He looked confused.

  “With Alec,” she said.

  “How? When?”

  “A wee while ago,” she replied evasively.

  “When he visited New Zealand three years ago?” he asked as though it were impossible.

  “Well, Brian—”

  “Then why did you lead me on? Why did you make me think that I meant something to you?”

  “Oh, Brian, it’s not like that. You do mean something to me.”

  “In what way, Ruby?”

  “Brian, you love Susan,” she said, licking her lips.

  Brian looked frustrated now. “How do you know I love Susan and not you? I used to love her, very much, in fact. But she didn’t want me and broke off our engagement. I got over her.”

  “I know you still love Susan, and Susan still loves you. Can’t you see what she’s done for you?” Ruby said, touching his arm.

  “In what way, Ruby? In what way do I mean something to you?”

  Ruby just wanted this line of questioning to end. Why was he interrogating her? Asking questions she didn’t know the answers to. She hesitated, wondering what she should tell him.

  “A… a friend. Like… like a brotherly friend.”

  “Is that all?”

  She could hear the disappointment in his voice, and her heart reached out to him. “Brian, I’m sorry.”

  “No, don’t be, Ruby. It’s the way it is. You can’t tell yourself to love somebody if you don’t.”

  “Brian, I’m sorry,” Ruby said as tears flowed from her eyes.

  Brain cupped her face in his hands. He stared deeply into her eyes and said, “Ruby, you’re a special girl. I hope Alec sees that. If he ever hurts you, tell me. I won’t let him die easily, even though he’s my best friend.”

  “Brian, why are you so kind? Why does it have to be like this? I wish I never came here in the first place,” she said, hiding her face against his chest.

  “Like you told me that day in Dunedin: fate, Ruby, fate.”

  Ruby moved her head back and looked up at him. “Susan really loves you, Brian.”

  “I know, Ruby, I know,” he said, patting her head as he stared off into the distance.

  Up at the manor at that moment, Susan stood at the window of her bedroom, watching them. She felt sick to her stomach, and like she just lost everything as she watched Brian hugging Ruby.

  Ruby must have been telling Brian about everything, why she was kidnapped by Alec and how Alec only pretended to be in love with her so that Brian—

  Oh God, she couldn’t think any further. It was too horrible to contemplate. She just wanted to die.

  Feeling a bit dizzy, she thought she should go and sit down; although she preferred to stand there and watch them. Despite how very painful it was, she had to accept that Brian would never love her again. He would never marry her because he was already in love with Ruby. There was nothing more she could do. Unexpectedly, fresh tears welled up in her eyes.

  * * * * *

  Lunch at the Mooreland Mansion was delicious. Conversation, as before, was mostly conducted by Jane and Richard, who couldn’t seem to keep their eyes off each other.

  After lunch, both Alec and Brian excused themselves to take a ride on Richard’s newly acquired stallions. Richard, on the other hand, showed Ruby—with Jane tagging along behind them—around the mansion. Susan was too tired to engage in either activity, and relaxed in the drawing room, reading magazines.

  Ruby thoroughly enjoyed her tour of the mansion, and once they returned for some tea, Jane suggested they all go out for a stroll. Richard thought that was a good idea. Both Ruby and Susan reluctantly agreed.

  “So nice out here,” Jane said, linking her arm with Richard’s as she inhaled the clean, country air.

  “It’s very peaceful and beautiful,” Ruby commented to Susan. Susan smiled at her and nodded in agreement.

  Ruby noticed that Susan did not look very well. She wondered what was bothering the woman. “Are you feeling all right?” she asked curiously.

  Susan glanced at her in surprise. She shook her head as she said, “I’m fine. Just a bit tired.”

  Ruby nodded and asked no more.

  A while later, as they approached the lake, Jane squealed with delight. “Oh, Richard, can we row the boat? Please?”

  Richard laughed. “Would you girls like to come?” he asked Ruby and Susan. The women shook their heads. “Don’t say I didn’t invite you.” He chuckled, leading Jane toward the lake.

  Both Ruby and Susan watched Richard and Jane get into the small boat before rowing all the way to the middle of the lake, laughing gleefully.

  Suddenly, the sounds of horses’ hooves could be heard. Ruby turned to see Alec and Brian riding beautiful, dark stallions, fast approaching them. Brian held onto the reins of another horse beside him.

  Once they halted, Ruby looked up at Alec and saw him watching her.

  “I’ve got a mare for you, Susan. Want some exercise?” Brian asked.

  Susan looked adoringly at Brian and nodded happily. She climbed onto the horse before she and Brian headed toward the woods.

  Alec gave her one last glance before riding his horse off to follow Brian and Susan.

  Ruby watched him until he disappeared from sight. With no one to talk to, she headed back toward the mansion. Strolling the narrow footpath surrounded by tall trees, with a gentle breeze dancing about her, Ruby relaxed. Now and again, she closed her eyes and inhaled the clean, country air filling her nostrils and lungs.

  In the distance, she heard horse hooves behind her. Were they coming back already? she wondered, glancing behind her. She saw a man and beast galloping toward her, very fast. Ruby’s heart missed a beat before it began pumping rapidly as she recognized Alec and his stallion.

  It looked as though he would run her over at the speed they were coming. Ruby felt paralyzed. She was scared, but at the same time, fascinated. Just as Alec was about to pass her, Ruby closed her eyes.

  Alec lowered his upper body on his left side, holding his arm out as the stallion neared her. He caught her around her middle and lifted her up as the stallion passed her.

  Ruby opened her eyes and saw that she was now on the horse’s back. She tightened her arms around Alec’s neck as the stallion galloped faster, heading toward the other side of the woods.

  When they came to a secluded spot near a waterfall, Alec reined the horse to a halt. Ruby loosened her arms about him, quite aware that her backside was rather sore.

  Alec stroked her hair back from her forehead as he gazed at her. Ruby couldn’t help staring at his firm lips.

  “You still owe me two kisses,” he whispered, his hot breath fanning her face.

  Ruby replied with her eyes still on his lips, “Are you going to kiss me now?”

  “Aye, I am,” he said before kissing her sweetly on her forehead. Then he moved his lips slowly down to the tip of her nose where he kissed her again.

  Ruby said, “That’s two kisses already.”

  Alec thought she sounded rather disappointed. He wanted to laugh. He said, “Those are not kisses, sweetheart. Those are just pecks.”

  “They are kisses to me.”

  “Nay, they’re not. This, Ruby, is kiss number one.” Alec’s eyes twinkled as he watched her looking at him in anticipation. He moved his head and kissed her softly on her lips. As he was kissing her, his hands guided her arms up and wrapped them around his neck.

  Ruby felt encouraged and tightened her arms about his neck as she moved her body closer to him. She was lost and not even aware that they were still on the saddle. The spirited stallion, however, did not move an inch under Alec’s expert command.

  Alec deepened his kiss as Ruby opened her mouth for him. They played innocently, their tongues stroking and caressing each other.

  When Alec drew his head back and looked at her, Ruby was once again dazed. He smiled arrogantly as he guid
ed her in such a way to turn her around in the saddle, placing her properly in front of him.

  He buried his face against her neck and inhaled her beautiful scent. Giving her little kisses, he caused every fiber inside her to rush with pleasure.

  “Kiss number two is for later,” he promised.

  Ruby bit her lip and her insides trembled with pleasure and excitement at the prospect of that.

  Alec urged the stallion to start trotting. They rode on for half an hour, with Alec showing her the lovely scenery around the estate. Now and again, he gave her little pecks on her cheeks, her forehead, and the nape of her neck.

  Ruby enjoyed his intimate company very much. She wanted it to go on forever. But she knew it could not be so. In five more days, she’d be going home, never to see him again. At the back of her mind, she anxiously awaited for kiss number two, while also realizing she was falling deeply in love with her captor.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 17

  Ruby watched Alec come out of the bathroom, dressed in his rarely used pyjamas of loose pants and a T-shirt. With his recently washed hair all tousled, and his chin cleanly shaved, he looked very handsome, making her heart beat faster.

  He reclined beside her on the bed and said, “Now then. Does my lady allow this poor beggar to sleep in her bed, or has she relegated him to sleeping on the uncomfortable sofa?”

  Ruby smirked. “I am truly sorry, Sir Beggar, but you must sleep on the uncomfortable sofa. Her ladyship deems it so.”

  “Aw, such a meanie.” He groaned and reluctantly ambled toward the sofa. He was halfway there when he turned, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

  Ruby glimpsed his expression and knew he was up to something. “What is it?”

  “It means the number of kisses you owe me just went up.”

  Ruby frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Every night I sleep on the sofa, and you sleep in my bed, you owe me a kiss.”

  Ruby laughed. “Sir Beggar, ’tis no time for jokes,” she said as she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

  Alec caught it and pretended it hit his stomach. He fell to his knees and clutched the pillow to his stomach as though it was a very sharp sword. He groaned as though he were in pain, “My lady, you… you’ve mortally wounded me. You’ve stabbed me right in the heart.”

  Ruby laughed again, clutching her stomach, as it was aching from laughter. Alec peeked at her, smirking.

  Once she managed to stifle her amusement, she said, “Sir Beggar, I did not stab you in the heart. I stabbed you in the stomach.”

  Alec crawled toward the bed. “Have mercy, my lady. This beggar is dying. At least, let him die in your bed.”

  Then he climbed up onto the bed and pretended to die painfully there.

  Ruby leaned over and looked at him. She touched his arm. “Alec?” she whispered. “Are you really dead?”

  No response. He was as still as a corpse. Ruby tugged his arm to get his attention. When he still didn’t respond, she moved on top of him and looked at his face, their noses nearly touching.

  Alec flashed his eyes open and grabbed her arms. Ruby jerked back.

  “Does that mean I can sleep in her ladyship’s bed?” he asked cheekily. Then he pulled her down and rolled on top of her.

  Ruby could feel every sinew of his strong body. Her own body started to spark with pleasure. She licked her lips and said, “I didn’t say that you could.”

  “Ah, but your voice and eyes tell a different story,” he chuckled, gazing down at her. “What a beautiful prisoner you are, my lady. Would you like to remain my captive for the rest of your life?”

  “No!” she snapped. “I do not want to.”

  “Come now, this is my one and only offer. It’s a great offer,” he added, his fingers stroking her hair.

  “Tell me what’s so great about it?” she demanded, liking the feel of his fingers so gently touching her skin.

  “Hum.” He cocked his head to one side. “First off, you won’t have to work to survive.”

  Ruby snorted. “Sir Beggar, I can survive by myself, if you must know. I do like supporting myself, thank you very much.”

  “Okay. Then how about not having to worry about money? I will give all the things you want. Designer clothing, designer jewelry, cars, houses, travelling expenses. As long as I’m with you.”

  Ruby laughed. She touched her finger to the side of his face and said, “I can get all those things myself, Sir Beggar. To be honest, I don’t really want designer clothing or jewelry. Cars, I have my own; houses, I also have my own.”

  “What about travelling?” he asked her with his eyebrows raised.

  “That, I’m not particularly fond of, after this adventure.”

  “Aw, my outstanding offer does not even move you,” Alec said.

  “That’s right, Sir Beggar, there’s nothing you can offer me in exchange for my voluntary imprisonment.”

  “What about this?” he asked.

  Ruby widened her eyes at him in question. “What?”

  “This,” he said, touching his lips to hers.

  Alec kissed her deeply and passionately, sending Ruby’s body straight to heaven. When he moved his head back, he said, “Kiss number two.”

  Then he proceeded to give her little kisses on her cheeks down to the nape of her neck. Ruby closed her eyes at the sensuous pleasure.

  Alec stopped the kissing and said, “Will you at least give it time and reconsider?”

  Ruby opened her eyes. She didn’t know what he was talking about.

  “My offer?”

  “Oh,” she replied.

  “Very good,” Alec said as he arranged himself comfortably on the large bed.

  “You’re not sleeping on the sofa?” she asked.

  He pulled her to him and wrapped his arm around her. “If you want another kiss, I’m willing to sleep on the sofa.”

  “No, that’s okay,” she said, closing her eyes, liking the feel of his large, warm body now very close to her.

  Alec reached out and switched off the bedside lamp. He turned back, rested his chin on the top of her head, and closed his eyes. Holding onto Ruby’s hands as he slept, Alec had a smile on his face.

  * * * * *

  Alec got up before Ruby the next morning. After showering and changing, he gave her a kiss on her forehead before going down for breakfast. He saw Susan there, waiting for him, and looking very anxious.

  “Alec!” She jumped up from her seat once she saw him.

  “Sue, what’s wrong?” he asked with concern, eyeing her pale complexion.

  “Alec,” she began, her hands trembling. “She told him.”

  “What?” he asked, frowning with confusion.

  “Ruby, she told him. Oh, Alec, Brian told me yesterday when we were riding. He said Ruby told him everything.”

  “Hold on, Sue, what exactly did Brian say to you?”

  “He said Ruby told him everything.”

  “Nothing more than that?” he asked.

  “Well, that’s all he said. But, Alec, I talked to her. I… I was confused and scared. I told her that it’s okay to tell Brian everything.”

  “Shit!” Alec hissed.

  “Alec, I’m sorry,” Susan said.

  “Oh, sweetheart, it’s not your fault. It can’t be helped if it already happened.”

  Susan sighed and said, “I don’t think we can do anything. They love each other, Alec.”

  Alec shook his head. Suddenly, he was lost and confused. What the hell was going on? If Ruby loved Brian, then why the hell was she behaving like a lovesick kitten around him? Was she just playing with him because he hurt her? Shit!

  * * * * *

  After eating her breakfast alone, Ruby went out for a stroll, hoping to see Alec. Her hope, however, died a slow, painful death. She couldn’t find him anywhere. Not even in the stables where she greeted the friendly Bernard. She made polite conversation with him for a while before she mustered the courage to ask him if he knew whe
re Alec was.

  The stable master shook his head. Ruby, with slumped shoulders, waved goodbye to him and walked back to the castle. That was when she spotted Alec.

  He ran up to her and dragged her by the hand to his car.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked.

  “Out for a ride.”

  Both were quiet as the car drove along the verdant countryside. A while later, they reached a small village.

  “Come on,” he said, leading her into an antique shop.

  An elderly man greeted them as they entered the tiny, cluttered room.

  “What are we doing here?” she asked.

  “I’m buying you a present.”

  Ruby could only look at him in surprise.

  “Come on, look around. See what appeals to you. You do like antique stuff, don’t you, my lady?” he teased.

  “Yes, but—”

  “Nay, no buts,” he interrupted as he steered her toward the jewelry section.

  “Whoa,” Ruby gasped, staring at the array of beautiful, though badly arranged, antique necklaces. One caught her eye. The locket was made of a dark, blue ivory in the shape of an oval, enclosed with beautifully designed flowers etched into the silver round edge. “That one’s nice.”

  “Then, that one it is,” Alec said as he picked it up.

  Ruby suddenly realized he was serious when he walked to the counter. As the elderly man punched some numbers into the antique cash register, Alec glanced back at her and gave her a wink. Then he gave the man some notes, thanked him, and walked back to her. Without saying anything, he grabbed her wrist and led her outside.

  “You are serious,” she said once they left the shop.

  “I am serious,” he replied. He placed the delicate necklace about her neck and locked it in. Gazing at the two necklaces now on her neck, he automatically moved his fingers down and touched the elephant pendant.

  “You never take this off?”

  Ruby shook her head. “Never.”

  Then he touched the dark blue, ivory locket. “Then you’re never to take this one off either, madame,” he said, his lips at the nape of her neck.

  “Is that a command, my good sir?” she asked, giggling.