|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
believed Raff could make her that; they could have no idea of the bargain she had made with her new husband. 'Yes,' she turned back to Stuart Hillier. 'I hope you're enjoying yourself too.' She looked at him enquiringly. 'Of course,' he returned stiltedly. His manner was unfriendly to say the least, and after months of finding him overly familiar, if anything, she couldn't help wondering if he had been warned off by Raff's attitude towards Court a few minutes ago. She hoped so. She didn't know why she disliked this man, iie was always polite, sometimes too much so, and yet for some reason she felt uneasy in his presence. He was reasonably tall, although not as tall as either Raff or Court, with dark hair and deep brown eyes that should have been warm but somehow weren't. He made Bryna feel uncomfortable every time she was with him. 'Good,' she gave him a bright smile as the music ended, turning to walk away, only to have him clasp her arm. 'Yes?' she turned to him enquiringly. 'Raff asked me to look after you, until he returns,' Stuart told her challengingly. 'Indeed ?' She gave him a look of haughty disdain. T don't believe I need "looking after" at my own wedding, thank you!' 'Nevertheless --' 'Mr Hillier,' she cut in icily, 'at this moment I intend talking to one of my cousins, and I certainly don't need your company to do that!' How dared Raff tell his assistant to watch over her as if she were a child who could step out of line and embarrass him if left alone! He had never acted in that autocratic way with her before, never given the impression she wasn't to be trusted if left on her own. Maybe he expected her to get up on a table and announce to all their guests that they were to be parents in just over six months' time! That was going to be obvious soon enough anyway, and she certainly wouldn't embarrass her parents by even thinking about doing such a thing! She was chatting absently with her cousin and her fiance when she saw Court leave the room he and Raff had entered together, quickly excusing herself to cross the room towards him, a perplexed frown marring her brow as he turned to leave the reception room without a second glance, his expression thunderous. Bryna hurried after him. 'Court ' 'Don't!' The pain of having her wrist cruelly grasped was as nothing to the ache in her chest as she looked up into Raff's coldly furious face. He actually looked as if he hated her in that moment! He had never seemed so much a stranger. She wrenched her gaze away from his cold one, looking towards the door. 'But Court --' 'Had to leave unexpectedly,' Raff bit out in harsh reply. Bryna turned back to him slowly, frowning her bewilderment. 'You asked your best friend to leave our wedding,' she said disbelievingly. 'No,' Raff grated softly. 'He chose to leave.' Bryna faced him accusingly. 'Because you made him,' she realised disgustedly. 'What on earth do you think you're doing --' 'I think I'm trying to avoid causing a scene, but if you're intent on one --!' He nodded in the direction of the room he and Court had so recently vacated. 'Let's go in there,' he instructed between gritted teeth. Bryna went willingly. She had been woken by her mother at seven o'clock this morning, been hustled and bustled about all morning dealing with all the last-minute details, been married to a man who was now a stranger to her, and for the last four hours she had tried to put a happy face on that marriage in front of their families and friends. It felt good to at last have a respite from that, although she wished it could have been in happier circumstances. The room turned out to be a small lounge, even a small, fire burned in the grate; the room was obviously provided for people who found the festivity in the ballroom a bit much. Bryna wished she had known about it earlier; four hours earlier! She. turned to Raff. 'Why are you being so arrogantly unreasonable?' she demanded. He looked at her coldly. 'I consider my behaviour very reasonable,' he snapped. ' You're the one who insisted on making an exhibition of yourself!' Her cheeks coloured at the accusation. 'I was only dancing with Court --' 'Forgive me, but when I interrupted you certainly weren't dancing,' rasped Raff, thrusting his long capable hands into his trouser pockets. 'The two of you were drawing attention to yourselves by that mere fact alone, and minutes earlier dozens of our guests witnessed the way he caressed your hair --' 'He wasn't caressing my hair,' she defended heatedly. 'He was trying to take off my veil!' Grey eyes narrowed. 'Why?' 'Because he's kind.' Tears glistened in her violet- coloured eyes. 'Because the veil was making by head, ache!' 'If it makes your head ache why didn't you just remove it yourself?' he challenged. Because she had known it would displease him! My God, she thought, in the space of just two weeks she had become one of those women she despised, in awe of her husband instead of the independent woman she had always been, fearing his disapproval to the slightest move she made. She was a successful businesswoman, for goodness' sake, with a mind and will of her own, not some simpering simpleton afraid of her own shadow. Consideration for the feelings of others was one thing, but in Raff's case she had taken it too far! 'I thought I was supposed to keep up appearances,' she told him caustically, deftly removing the pins from her hair, at once feeling the pressure ease. 'But I think four hours is enough for any bride!' She put the tiara and veil down on a small table in front of her, shaking her hair just to feel its freedom. 'Now I intend enjoying what's left of my wedding reception, you can act as watchdog if you want to!' She turned to leave. 'What's that supposed to mean?' he grated harshly, his mouth tight. Bryna spun around. 'Do you think I'm a fool, Raff?' she scorned. 'I know you've been watching my every move since I agreed to marry you. Why, I have no idea, but I think even you can trust I wouldn't do anything stupid at my own wedding!' His mouth was taut and unremorseful. 'You've already caused quite a lot of talk by your behaviour earlier with Court --' 'What behaviour?' she demanded impatiently. 'I only danced with him!' 'And told him about the baby,' Raff bit out accusingly. 'He's your best friend, I would have thought you would have already [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
Podobne
|