Last-Minute Bridesmaid

by Nina Harrington

  He had felt every one of her ribs under the thin top she had been wearing in the workshop that afternoon and the heat of that sensation hit him hard all over again.

  ‘We were so busy this afternoon I never had a chance to give you an insight into the family before we go down to dinner,’ he replied after a quick cough, and flopped down on the corner of her bed. ‘You’ve already met Alice’s two great-aunts and the cousins. The New York Sheridans were the noisy ones who spent the time arguing about how to string the banners. They will probably rearrange my seating plan at the first chance they get.’

  ‘Heath, you can stop now. I get it. You want me to say nice things and be charming and polite. But my world revolves around hemlines and shoes and gloves and hats with feathers in them and if they don’t like it then they can look at my shoes instead.’

  Kate stepped out of the bathroom with her hands still tugging on the back zip of her dress. And his heart stopped beating.

  Shoes? He wasn’t looking at her shoes.

  His gaze was locked onto the short-sleeved black dress she was wriggling into. The shoulders were made up of two stiff collars of taffeta which showed her creamy neck and collarbone to perfection.

  Apart from a slightly sparkly neckline, it was so totally different from anything else that he had seen Kate wear that he simply could not look away.

  No flashy splashes of colour. No outrageous cutting-edge slashes held together with gold safety pins. She was elegance personified.

  He had heard of the expression drop dead gorgeous but he had never experienced it before, not even when Amber had invited some of her model pals to a charity event in Boston.

  Shame. It might have prepared him for the full-on sensory overload that was Kate Lovat in a black cocktail dress, cream satin evening gloves and a statement necklace which made her eyes sparkle with an even greater intensity than he thought possible.

  ‘Well?’ she asked, holding her arms out wide. ‘Will this do? I thought about a hot-pink bandage dress but I thought it might scare the aunts and embarrass Alice. So. Black and jewels. Not original. But I think it works.’

  ‘Oh, yes, it works just fine. Wow. I mean. Wow!’

  She glanced down at her dress and sniffed. ‘Oh. Last season’s collection but it was popular. I’m glad that you like it.’

  ‘Like it? I am overwhelmed by it.’ And then he realised what he had just said and coughed away her smirk of delight.

  ‘You look perfectly elegant and sophisticated, Miss Lovat. And it’s not often I get to say that.’ He smiled.

  ‘Well, thank you, kind sir,’ and she rolled her eyes. ‘Although, I have to say, you clean up pretty well yourself. Dinner suit. Always a killer on a tall, slim man. Although your shoes are a little boring.’

  He stared at his shiny black tassel shoes. Then stared at hers.

  They seemed to consist of straps of magenta fabric which went up her legs in spirals. He knew this because she had stretched out one leg onto the dressing table stool and lifted her skirt a little so that she could tie the straps in a little bow at the top. Revealing a tantalising amount of thigh.

  Aha—there was his Kate.

  For a dazzling, bewildering moment he wondered what it would be like to be the one taking those shoes off, one ribbon at a time. It could be fun.

  Except, of course, she would think that he had completely lost his mind.

  ‘Did Olivia like shoes?’ Kate asked. As though she could read his mind.

  ‘No clue,’ he replied, then laughed. ‘But I have never seen her wear anything like that.’

  ‘Good,’ Kate replied. ‘The trick is to make us as different as possible. Remember what I said in the car, or were you not listening again? I am Amber’s friend from high school who works as a fashion designer and made the splendiferous bridesmaids’ dresses. I don’t want people thinking that you have been using me to cheat on your girlfriend when she is in China.’

  An embarrassed silence filled the room but Kate carried on tidying away her things and organising the contents of a clutch bag, which seemed so small for everything that she was packing into it, completely oblivious to the fact that she had just dropped a bombshell.

  ‘Good point,’ he managed to reply. ‘That wouldn’t be fair on you.’

  ‘On either of us,’ Kate retorted and shook her head. ‘There have to be people here tonight who know Olivia and would be happy to spread gossip if there is even a hint of scandal.’

  ‘How stupid of me.’ Heath blinked. ‘I’ve just realised something rather important.’

  ‘You’re not wearing underpants?’ Kate asked with her head tilted to one side.

  ‘Sorry to disappoint, but I am wearing underpants,’ he replied with narrowed eyes. ‘It wasn’t that. I have just realised that I didn’t ask if you have a boyfriend at the moment. Apologies. I hope you haven’t got any plans for this weekend and, of course, he would be welcome to join us for the wedding tomorrow.’

  Heath glanced around the single bedroom. ‘I could move out of the double and...’

  ‘Relax.’ She dropped her hand on his knee for just a second before going back to getting dressed. ‘Stop getting so stressed. I’m between boyfriends at the moment,’ she muttered, ‘so this room is absolutely fine. And I can be a pretend bridesmaid. After all, you’re not asking me to be your wedding date.’

  Then she looked up and asked. ‘Are you?’

  Damn right he was.

  ‘A wedding date? Um. Now, that’s an idea. How about it, Miss Lovat? Want the job of fending off all of the lovely Jardine girls who are gathering downstairs planning their attack now that they know that I am a bachelor again?’

  ‘It’s a good thing you are so modest,’ she replied far too quickly. ‘But I forgot to pack my body armour. Sorry, Heath. I think that would go above and beyond bridesmaid duties.’

  Drat. Well, he had tried. But he wasn’t giving up that easily—the evening was still young and there was always the wedding reception.

  Kate gestured towards the gift bags dangling from Heath’s hand.

  ‘Is that your present for the bride? May I have a peek?’ Kate asked and carefully lifted the lid from a lilac-coloured card box.

  He was so tempted to reach forward and maybe stroke her leg a little to test that her shoe was fitting nicely. Bad idea. Bad Heath.

  Kate did her famous mind-reading act again and glanced up at him in surprise as she carefully opened up the tissue paper to reveal a heavily embossed burgundy picture album. She couldn’t resist peeking inside and gasped out loud.

  To his delight, she sat down on the bed next to him and gently lifted the pages. Each sheet was an original hand-painted watercolour with an interleaved protective gauze. ‘These are stunning,’ she gasped, and blinked up at Heath. ‘Wow! This is certainly some present, and what an inspired choice.’

  She wrapped the book in tissue and held the box out towards Heath, who glanced at it just once and then nodded.

  ‘Alice knew the artist and Sheridan Press employ some wonderful craftsmen who were happy to work over a weekend for a generous bonus.’

  ‘What a wonderful idea. You have gone to a lot of trouble to come up with something very personal which she will love. Perfect. I am impressed.’

  ‘And now for the bridesmaids,’ he replied and swung the other bag from side to side. ‘They are all different but I thought that you might enjoy this one. Don’t hold back—dive in.’

  Kate drew out a book bound in pale dove-grey super-soft suede from its tissue-lined box. The pages were ten love poems which had been hand-written in dark purple ink in a cursive font on lovely thick cream paper.

  ‘Oh, Heath. This is beautiful. Any bridesmaid would treasure this for the rest of her life. I love it. Thank you,’ Kate said and placed one hand on his shoulder, which startled him more
than a little, but not as much as the gentle kiss she placed on his cheek.

  His right hand moved automatically to her waist. She smelt heavenly and it took all of his willpower not to linger longer than he should and prolong the delight.

  ‘Right, Mr Sheridan.’ Kate grinned. ‘I need to pop in to see Alice. And that’s it! Time to get this party started. Leave those gift bags to me—you’ve done the hard work. Fun and frolics, here we come.’

  * * *

  Kate knocked twice on the white-painted door that the housekeeper had pointed out was Alice’s bedroom. She had already spotted that Charles was escorting two older ladies down the corridor so she imagined it was safe to enter without interrupting anything.

  ‘Alice, it’s me, Kate. Can I come in?’

  Alice opened the door wide within seconds and kissed Kate warmly on the cheek and invited her into the bedroom.

  ‘I thought you might have escaped back to London after the mayhem at the rehearsal.’ Alice laughed and patted the bed so that she could sit down. ‘Thank you for coming back to keep me company.’

  ‘As if I would miss a great party! Gorgeous dress.’ Kate smiled and nodded at the pale lilac taffeta fabric wrapped around Alice’s tall, slender frame. ‘You look fantastic.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Alice sighed. ‘This is the third one I have tried on this evening. I only hope it works.’

  ‘Of course it will,’ Kate replied with a wink. ‘I have brought gloves.’

  Alice whirled around and pounced on the now clean boxes of gloves Kate had brought from her workshop. She sat back and watched as Alice reacted with delight at the white, lilac and shoulder-length satin gloves.

  ‘Please go ahead and try them on.’ She smiled at Alice, who was sizing up the colours and shades. ‘All yours to do with as you like.’

  ‘Fantastic,’ she replied. ‘And I’m sure that I can find a fun evening bag to match. Be right back.’

  Kate resisted the temptation to collapse back on the soft duvet cover and snatch five minutes, but that would be far too dangerous. Who knew that hanging balloons, laying tables with flowers, wedding treats and favours could be so exhausting? Thank heavens she wouldn’t have to do that very often.

  And then there was Heath.

  Who had just asked her to be his wedding date.

  Oh, Heath. If you only knew how desperately I wanted to say yes.

  Kate looked around the pretty bedroom with its floral chintz curtains and matching wallpaper. Instantly her gaze settled on a large framed watercolour on the wall opposite the bed. It was a portrait of the Manor with the knot garden laid out in beautiful detail in front of the main entrance with its wonderful colouring and towers.

  She shuffled off the bed and strode over so that she could look at it in more detail.

  And the longer she looked the more she realised that it had been painted by the same artist who had created the watercolours in the book that Heath had chosen as a wedding present.

  A smile creased her lips.

  Somehow Heath had found out the name of the artist who Alice liked and had managed to track down some stunning miniatures and flower sketches.

  It would be the perfect present and Alice would be delighted.

  She was still staring at the picture when Alice came back into the room with an assortment of bags.

  ‘Ah,’ she said, and came to stand next to her. ‘That’s the last of her paintings but I simply couldn’t bear to let it go. Lee was so talented and we had such fun that weekend. Charles understands why I hang on to it, but it’s hard sometimes to admire the work without thinking back in pain and regret to the lovely friend who painted it just for me.’

  Kate blinked twice and her mouth opened to reply but her mind was too busy working through the ramifications of what she had just heard.

  It took a great deal of effort but she managed to keep her voice light and positive when she asked, ‘Do you mean that this was painted by Heath’s mother?’

  Alice nodded. ‘I know I should put it in another room, but I love this picture and it takes me back to happy times we spent together.’ Then she gave a small shrug. ‘Most of Lee Sheridan’s work was sold in America to serious collectors and there is so little on the market. I’m lucky to have it. But do you know what Lee would say if she were here now?’ She laughed. ‘Where’s the champagne? We have gloves, shoes, bags and the full works. How about we get this party off to a swinging start? I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes and then you help me open some bottles.’

  ‘I like the sound of that.’ Kate laughed and turned towards the door, then paused and looked over her shoulder at Alice with a smile. ‘I’ll just be a few minutes. See you downstairs. There’s something that I need to do.’

  NINE

  Kate pushed her apprehension deep inside and switched on her happy face as she descended the majestic staircase that led to the stunning entrance hall where the drinks reception was being held.

  And instantly spotted Heath.

  He was looking out at the cluster of girls who were drinking champagne on the patio, the fading July sun casting a warm glow on his fair complexion and the white shirt. He was leaning against the fireplace, below a set of crossed swords.

  A knight of the Manor.

  To any of the other guests he would have seemed distant and remote. An elegant, tall, sophisticated and urbane publishing executive who should be on a poster for a classical city boy.

  The girls looked like a flock of exotic birds compared to his sober look. But under that fine black dinner jacket Kate knew beat a heart that burned with sensitivity and passion for the things that mattered to him.

  But there was something different about his expression. A certain sadness. As though he wanted to join in the fun but felt remote from it.

  A hand grasped around her heart and twisted it a little.

  She strolled a few steps closer and her eyes followed what he was actually looking at. Not the girls, although any healthy male would be excused for enjoying the view, but Alice and Charles, who were walking hand in hand across the lawns towards them.

  Alice looked amazing and the gloves Kate had given her suited her perfectly—which was wonderful. But it was Charles who Heath was really looking at.

  The man who had been talking to Heath earlier that day, stony-faced and solemn, was transformed when he was with Alice into someone younger, brighter and happier.

  That was it. Happier. Charles was laughing and joking and now waving to the party guests who were starting to gather in the hall.

  Kate sighed softly. It must be hard for Heath to see his father with another woman, especially considering what Alice had told her about their past relationship so many years ago.

  Her heart went out to him. There had to be some way of making this marriage easier for him to accept. Some way of easing the transition.

  Perhaps she could be his wedding date—not for her, but for him.

  She stopped at the foot of the stairs and slipped into the dining room. The decorations and balloons combined with the sparkling crystal and china and silver-wear to create a wonderful display—and she would be the first to congratulate Heath as being the chief bunting fixer-upper.

  Kate walked slowly around to the head of the table and paused at Alice’s name-plate, where several gifts were already stacked up on the tapestry-covered dining chair.

  Suddenly indecisive.

  Heath might not appreciate the little embellishment that she had made to his gift to Alice.

  The gift bag swung from her right hand and she quickly glanced inside, clutched it to her chest and carefully slid it to the bottom of the pile.

  Exhaling slowly, she caught the sound of the famous string quartet that had started up in the hall.

  Time to get some of that champagne Alice had talked
about earlier.

  It was party time!

  * * *

  An hour later, Kate had found the champagne, sampled two glasses, talked to several relatives from both sides and was now desperate for food and company.

  That was one of the problems of being vertically challenged. Looking over the heads of the other guests for Heath was a tad tricky.

  Just as she thought she spotted him, one of the Jardine girls bumped into her, almost spilling her drink, apologised and then peered at her for a few seconds before pointing at her chest with a wobbly finger.

  ‘Wait a minute. I think I went to school with you,’ the blonde rasped in a high squeaky voice. Her breath smelt of pink champagne and mushroom canapés and high school cliques.

  ‘Crystal. How nice to see you again after all of these years. Fancy meeting you here.’ Kate smiled sweetly. This was not the time or the place to rehash the bullying of arrogant posh girls like Crystal Jardine.

  ‘Yes. I remember you now. You were the funny one.’

  The funny one. Yes, that’s me, the funny one. Class clown.

  Be nice, Kate. You went through all of that at the ten-year reunion. And this is definitely not the place.

  ‘Well, I did try and have some fun in class,’ Kate replied and beckoned a waiter over for another glass of champagne.

  ‘Of course. Christine, isn’t it?’

  Kate opened her mouth and was about to reply that she had changed her name to Gloriana Hephzibah Wilkes, just for fun, but she took one look at the vacant expression on the frozen Botoxed face grinning down at her with fluorescent white teeth and decided that this girl wouldn’t understand the humour and abandoned the idea.

  ‘Well, my mother still calls me Katherine on the telephone now and then when I have forgotten something important like her birthday present, but I prefer Kate. Kate works for me.’

  ‘Kate.’ She nodded. ‘Of course. How stupid of me. And is the rest of the little band here tonight? You know, the gorgeous lanky one and the plain, quiet one whose dad got into trouble or something? What were their names? Oh, yes, Amber—she’s the pianist, right? Everyone remembers Amber and we are all so jealous of that modelling gig she did. But the other girl’s name completely slips my mind.’