Dusky Rose (18 page)

When Steven had left as well, Laura and Midge started to clear the coffee cups from the table. Midge looked at Laura. "Now will you stop talking nonsense about David? I told you he promised to come to my wedding. I hope this will put an end to
all
your silly notions."

Laura was about to answer Midge but their aunt returned to the room and the conversation came to an abrupt end.

Laura woke the next morning to the gushing sound of a shower running in the adjacent bathroom. The bedside clock showed nine o'clock and she quickly swung her feet to the fluffy pink rug just as Midge entered the room, still drying the hair at the back of her neck with a thick yellow towel.

"Let's go, Laura. You'd better shower. I'm going to need some help getting dressed in my gown, it's an impossible mass of lace and buttons. I'm afraid it will take all day to get into it and we have to be at the church by eleven o'clock."

Laura smiled. "Don't worry, Aunt Estelle and I won't let you be late today." She snatched her robe and ran into the shower. The cool water streaming swiftly down her body brought her mind to full consciousness and she began to consider the events of the day ahead of her. She knew that much of the joy she should be feeling at Midge's wedding would be spoiled by David's formidable presence. Roger was Steven's best man and she would be standing up with Midge, and David had made no secret of his opposition to even the mildest sort of social contact between Laura and Roger, but how could she possibly avoid him completely? She only hoped that David would control his violent temper and not allow it to ruin Midge's wedding. Laura determined that she would avoid Roger's presence as much as possible and do everything in her power to please David, if only to ensure her sister's happiness on this important day in her life.

When she reentered the bedroom, Aunt Estelle was helping to brush Midge's damp black hair into the loosely arranged ringlets that were so becoming to her.

Laura set down and began combing her own hair. She arranged it in a carefully curled cascade which lifted off her face and fell enticingly along the nape of her neck. The styling was more elaborate than any other she had ever attempted.

Her aunt eyed her critically. "Isn't that hair style a bit too sophisticated for you, Laura? I think it's much more becoming when you wear your hair loose."

"I want to look sophisticated. It's not every day I get to be matron of honor for my sister." She went to the closet and withdrew the dress she was going to wear to the wedding. It was made of silk organza and had a high jewel neckline leading to closely fitted sleeves which buttoned snugly at the wrist. Carefully tailored darts nipped her waistline, moulding the gauzy fabric enticingly to the sensuous curves of her softly swelling breasts. A delicate jeweled belt circled her waistline, accenting its slender beauty. Layers of fabric in various shades of blue from palest sky blue to darkest midnight fell from her waist in skillfully cut handkerchief tiers. The muted shades of blue emphasized the intense blue of her eyes, making them shine like two deeply set sapphires. Triangles of filmy fabric swirled softly about her legs, highlighting their slender beauty, which was further emphasized by strappy high-heeled sandals in the same shade of navy blue that ranged intermittently through the dress. Around her neck, Laura wore a simple gold chain in a delicate filigree pattern.

Midge looked up from her dressing table. "That's a lovely dress, Laura. I just hope I look half as nice. After all, I am the bride, you know."

Laura could tell by Midge's bantering tone of voice that her remarks were made in fun. She walked over and kissed her sister on the cheek. "Thank you for the compliment, but you know that there's nothing I could do to upstage you today. It's the most important day in any woman's life." Her voice weakened as she thought of her own wedding. She had no memory of that ghastly event. The only confirmation of her marriage came from David's testimony and the legally binding certificate of marriage. It was almost as if the coldly unromantic beginning of her wedded life had foretold the chilling unhappiness that had followed so closely behind. No serene expressions of love would ever pass between herself and David, just the hateful tension generated by David's desire for vengeance for the injustice he imagined she had done to him. The soft touch of Midge's arm on hers brought her back to reality and she smiled brightly at her sister. "Let's get this bridal outfit on you and we'll see who'll be the star of this show."

Midge stood up and let Laura slip the soft white lace dress over her head. Then they fastened the long row of buttons at the back. When they were finished, the ballooning sleeves and bell-shaped skirt fell softly from the waist of the bateau necked dress. Laura stepped back and watched as her aunt placed the orange blossom tiara with its short net veil on Midge's head. The soft, pure white of the gauzy veil contrasted brightly against Midge's jet black hair and the effect was dazzling. Laura stood in back of Midge, who gazed at her reflection in the mirror.

"Are you still worried about who will hold everyone's eyes today?"

Midge turned and hugged Laura. "The only eyes I want to hold are Steven's and I want to hold them for a lifetime, not just for today. I only wish that you and David could find the same happiness in your marriage," she whispered sadly.

Laura shrugged. "Let's not talk about me today. This is your day, yours and Steven's."

Aunt Estelle interrupted their conversation. "My, my, stop quibbling, you both look beautiful," she said as she parted the curtains and looked out the window. "I can't tell you how happy I am for my two little girls. Well, there's no more time for idle chatter. Steven's dad is here to take us to the church, so we'd best get moving." Then she hugged them both. "I'm so happy for you—both of you."

When they arrived at the church, Midge and Laura went directly to the room especially reserved for the bride, so neither the guests nor the groom would see her before the ceremony. Midge was becoming more nervous with each passing minute and she had twisted her lacy white handkerchief into a wrinkled mess by the time Steven's father came to walk her down the aisle. Laura went out the door first, wondering how she would feel about seeing Roger again. She held her head high and clutched her cornflower bouquet tightly in her hands. When she neared the altar, her steps slowed as she waited for Roger to come forward to meet her and escort her to her place near the altar. Instead, she felt the all too familiar touch of a sure, strong hand on her arm, and was startled into looking up into the admiring eyes of her husband. Stunned, Laura looked around for Roger, but he was nowhere in sight. She looked inquiringly at David, waiting for some comment, but he only gripped her arm more tightly and whispered softly in her ear, "I'll explain later."

The musky scent of his cologne drifted to Laura's nostrils when he bent to speak and she tightened her grip on his arm as she felt her legs threatening to give way beneath her. He seemed to sense her distress because he patted her hand gently as if to reassure her and pass his own strength on to her. He escorted her swiftly to the side of the altar and then left to take his place next to Steven. Laura raised her eyes and met his where he stood, tall and straight in his gray morning suit, his dark eyes and hair glistening above the pure whiteness of his silk shirt. Laura marveled at the strange way the sight and scent of him could arouse ardent desires hidden deep within her. She longed to tell him how she felt about him, but she knew he would only glory in his absolute power to take the ultimate revenge on her. No, she could never reveal the love her heart harbored for him.

Laura looked up as the organist played the strains of the wedding march. There were tears in her eyes as she saw Midge come floating down the aisle on the arm of Steven's father and she shot a glance at Steven as he went to receive Midge from his father's arms. The love that passed from Steven to Midge was so apparent that Laura knew her sister would have a happy married life. Even her love for Midge couldn't keep a twinge of envy from making itself felt in her heart.

Steven led Midge to the altar and they both knelt before the reverend. He spoke to them about the sanctity of married life and Laura looked up to find David's obsidian eyes blazing into hers. She shivered as she felt him condemning her for her actions toward him. It was as if Reverend Carmichael was voicing David's accusations, chastising Laura for the terrible thing she had supposedly done. She looked away, shamed and hurt by David's low opinion of her.

When the ceremony was over, Midge and Steven walked down the aisle, accepting everyone's good wishes. David had come up behind Laura, slipping his arm around her waist. He smiled broadly as Aunt Estelle introduced him to the other wedding guests. To all outward appearances, David and Laura were as much a loving couple as Steven and Midge. Laura's nerves grew taut under the tension generated by the situation.

Finally, Aunt Estelle nudged Laura, "Come on, we've got to get back to the house and prepare the refreshments before our guests start to arrive." She and Laura drove in the van, and David followed in his Porsche. David made himself useful at the house, helping Aunt Estelle set up chairs and tables and acting the part of the charming host whenever the occasion called for his services. Laura smiled to herself when she thought about how distraught David's employees would be to see him performing such menial chores. The smile died on her lips as steely hands gripped her shoulders from behind and she felt David's warm breath gently caressing her earlobe.

"Would you care to tell me just what you find so terribly amusing? I do believe this is the first time I've seen you smile since we were married."

As Laura spun around to face him his arms dropped from her shoulders and casually encircled her waist.

She looked up into his eyes, hoping they might reveal some clue as to his emotional state of mind, but they stared down at her impersonally, giving no indication of his carefully guarded inner thoughts and feelings.

"It's nothing, really," Laura said. "I just never thought I'd see Mr. D. Jonathan Lattimer doing a busboy's work."

David grimaced as he led Laura to a secluded corner of the garden. "That just shows how little you know about me. I scored very high on my Boy Scout survival tests and I always take care of my own needs when I vacation at Stinson Beach. I go there to get away from everything and just relax, so I do without any sort of domestic help. Besides, I'm just doing the things that would be expected of the best man at any wedding."

Laura sat down on a redwood lounge and David relaxed against the trunk of an adjacent oak tree. She creased her brows as she spoke to him. "How did you get to be best man? I thought Roger was going to serve in that capacity."

David grinned ominously and seated himself at the foot of her lounge. "I hate to disappoint you, my dear, but it seems Roger is not quite willing to fight for your loving affection. I fear my ultimatum to him yesterday scared him off. So you see, you are left with only me to warm your cold heart."

Laura started to rise from the chair as she felt the anger rising in her at David's barely veiled insinuations. But she remained seated and only succeeded in coming up against his steely-hard chest as his arms rose up to complete his control over her movements. His dark, brooding eyes clearly hinted at the violent emotions that were churning within him, and it was only a matter of moments before she felt herself savagely clutched against the swiftly beating tattoo of his heart. His mouth descended on hers, bruising her lips with the savagery of his attack. His splayed fingers bore viciously into her back, destroying any futile hopes she had ever harbored of a tender marital relationship. She twisted in his arms, pressing her palms against his chest in an ineffective attempt to free herself. But all her efforts were in vain and she was helpless against his determination to inflict his will upon her. Finally, he relaxed his rigid grip and allowed her to fall back on the lounge. He rose and looked down at her.

"I hope that solves any confusion you might have as to whose pleasures your body will serve. Forget about Roger, or anyone else. You're mine—for as long as I want you!" He gave her one last chilling look that shriveled her heart, then turned on his heel and headed back to the house.

Laura closed her eyes and tried to blot out the terror she had felt only moments ago. David had made it abundantly clear what her function was to be, and she could only imagine that Amanda Tate would continue to be the recipient of his love.

Despondently, she forced herself to rejoin the other guests and watched miserably as her husband enchanted them all with his contagiously friendly manner. When the small reception had concluded, and Steven and Midge had cut the wedding cake, Steven came over to David and Laura.

"I want to thank you for replacing Roger at the last minute." He turned to Laura. "Did you know that Roger got called away suddenly last night, and David generously agreed to take his place as best man?" He grasped David's hand warmly. "Midge and I really appreciate all you've done for us."

"It was my pleasure. After all, what good is a family if they don't help each other whenever they can? Now, why don't you and Midge run along. I've alerted the crew of the yacht to be ready for your arrival so enjoy your honeymoon, and we'll discuss your new position when you return."

Steven and Midge left under a shower of rice, and soon after that most of the guests left, leaving David and Laura to help Aunt Estelle clean up and put things away. Laura was amazed at the efficiency with which David worked. She knew that he rarely had any need to clean up after himself, but he helped out as if he had been doing chores all his life. Laura had changed into her jeans again but had left her hair in the carefully curled upsweep. David had returned to the motel and changed into light colored worsted trousers with a soft beige T-shirt.

"Well, it looks as if we've put everything away," Aunt Estelle said. "Are you two going to spend the night here? It's beginning to cloud up and we might be in for a sudden squall. I don't like the idea of you driving all the way home in a storm."