Last-Minute Bridesmaid (15 page)

‘Heath. Tell me now. What does the letter say?’

He smiled and kissed the end of her nose. ‘I wrote—
Stop talking and kiss me.
’

‘I couldn’t have put it better myself.’

THIRTEEN

Kate snatched a
calming breath and took a minute to cool down as Alice fidgeted on the back seat of the vintage Rolls Royce and checked for the third time in five minutes that the stunning diamond tiara Charles had presented to her as his wedding gift was not in danger of tumbling from her head, bringing the vintage lace veil down with it.

Little chance of that, Kate thought. Alice’s hair had been gelled, sprayed and pinned into glossy sleek submission by a team of expert hairdressers who had already been hard at work by the time Heath had pulled up outside the Manor in his dad’s car.

Of course she had protested about turning up to an elegant wedding wearing shorts and a strappy top, but he had insisted. She was perfect as she was. He didn’t want her to change a thing. And the people who mattered would not care a jot. And those who would care didn’t matter. Not to him. Not any more.

It had taken four attempts before he’d stopped cuddling her long enough so that she could pack a bag,
again,
with what she needed from her bedroom. Not that she was complaining. Far from it. She had dreamt of lying in Heath’s arms for so long. And the reality was even better than she could have imagined. This was really saying something.

In the end, it had been a mad dash to make it back to the Manor in time to get changed, phone calls flying back and forward every minute of the way. But, even so, she had barely time to hug Alice before slipping on the bridesmaid’s dress and matching gloves. The dress fitted perfectly.

As for the shoes?

Alice had chosen the shoes and they were magical. Ivory-and-beige lace, low-heel courts. With a big satin bow on the heel. No stilettos or platforms today. Not when she was carrying the train of Alice’s absolutely stunning designer crystal and pearl-embellished strapless oyster silk taffeta extravaganza. She had seen the dress in a Paris wedding shop almost eleven years earlier when she had fallen in love with Charles for the first time and kept it hidden safely away in her hope chest until today.

This truly was her dream come true, and every girl in the room, including the two cousins, Alice’s elderly aunt, and even the Dowager Sheridan great-aunt, had simply melted when they saw her in it for the first time. Alice was breathtaking.

Then Heath had popped his head around the bedroom door, which caused much screaming from the cousins, to give a five-minute warning that the boys were just about to leave. He was wearing morning dress, which fitted him to perfection, and her foolish teenage girl’s heart just about leapt out of her chest at the sight of him, especially when he gave her a toe to head scan followed by a very personal saucy wink.

That was when the panic started. Four bridesmaids and a lovely bride. All frantic. It wasn’t pretty.

Someone slid a fascinator made of feathers and cream rosebuds into her hair, but in all of the rush she had no idea who.

But now here they were. Gliding to a halt outside the tiny stone church where Alice’s ancestors had gathered for baptisms, weddings and funerals for generations. Her uncle and a cluster of photographers and guests were gathered in the warm sunshine, all waiting for the bride.

One minute ahead of schedule. Heath would be delighted.

Alice reached out and held Kate’s hand for a fraction of a second before she took a couple of deep calming breaths and slowly exhaled.

This was it. Kate gave her new friend a tiny hug and a grin, and then practically leapt out the second the driver opened the door so that she was ready to hand Alice her wonderful, perfect bouquet.

Kate and the other guests sighed out loud as Alice stepped out of the car. She looked so stunningly beautiful and happy that every second of the work of the last few days seemed worth it a thousand times over.

It only took a minute to adjust the short, heavy silk taffeta train before Alice glanced back to Kate over her shoulder and beamed the glorious smile of a happy bride before taking the arm of her handsome, debonair uncle.

Above them the church bells rang out an old tune and, by some hidden signal, the ancient church doors swung open and the opening bars of the Wedding March drifted out of the high arched stone entrance.

With a single nod from Alice, Kate picked up the train, the other three bridesmaids stepped into line and, with a rustle of the heavy silk taffeta gown on the stone paving, Alice and her uncle stepped into the narrow aisle and began their stately way down the church filled with their friends and family, who had turned out en masse with smiling faces to share their happiness.

Bright July sunlight beamed through the stained-glass window above the altar so that the air was tinted with subtle pinks, lilacs and blue tones, contrasting with the garlands of cream lilies, bright ivy and roses decorating the ends of the pews. The sweet heady perfume of the flowers lifted with their every step.

Kate walked slowly behind Alice and her uncle, trying to concentrate on not stepping on the train or letting it snag but the whole time her eyes instantly searched out and fixed on the tall man standing to the right of Charles Sheridan, who was waiting so patiently to finally claim his bride after so many years apart.

Heath looked so handsome as he grinned at her that it took her breath away to know that his smile was not just for his new stepmother—but for her.

Every step down the aisle was taking her closer to this remarkable man who she had loved for so long. And who loved her in return.

He was her new family. He was where her heart was.

In those strong arms she knew she’d found a home and love for the rest of her life.

It was amazing what you could achieve in a weekend if you stepped out into the rain.

EPILOGUE

‘Kate, you have
to stop whatever you are doing,' Saskia squealed. ‘I mean it. Right now. Put that sewing down! I don't want you to stab yourself somewhere important. Because I have
news.
'

Kate laughed down the phone at Saskia. ‘Hey, calm down, lovely. What's going on?'

‘I have just had a call from Amber, that's what's going on. And do you know what that mad woman wants to do now? She's not content with causing uproar in Kerala. Oh, no. Now Amber wants to hold her wedding at—wait for it—Elwood House. My house! On New Year's Day. Kate! This is going to be my first wedding and it is only months away...and I think I'm hyperventilating.'

‘Take a deep breath, then another.' Kate chuckled. ‘Well, our girl certainly knows how to choose the best. It's a fantastic idea! In fact, I don't know why we didn't suggest it in the first place. A winter wedding at Elwood House. Oh, Saskia, it is going to be fantastic.'

‘I know. I've already been thinking through so many ideas my head is buzzing. But there's more. She wants us both to be bridesmaids so I'm relying on you for the frocks. And, oh, Lord,' she gasped, ‘I have just thought of something. The mother of the bride. Julia Swan. Help! I don't know if I'm ready for this.'

‘Of course you are. And don't worry about the frocks or Amber's mother. We can handle those little challenges. No problem. We are goddesses, remember?'

‘Goddesses. Right. Well, this goddess is going to have a little lie-down now before she gets ready to host a business seminar for some accountants. Amber will call you and Heath later! Bye, gorgeous.'

Kate pressed the handset to her chest, closed her eyes and sniffed away a wave of emotion. The first of their little band was getting married.

On New Year's Day.

Then she blinked and shook her head. Saskia was right. That was only a few months away. Ah, well, she would just have to fit in two winter bridesmaids' dresses and a wedding dress which was out of this world.
No problem.

The sound of laughter broke through Kate's concentration and she looked up to see her two apprentice fashion students comparing designs for embroidered evening gloves for an Edwardian costume drama. Katherine Lovat Designs had taken off at the perfect time and an international TV company had commissioned her to create the gowns and gloves for all twenty episodes.

There was enough work for Kate and her two apprentices and more to last for months and the best thing was—it was wonderful work. Creative, luxurious and challenging. She had spent the morning in London museums exploring the original designs worn by the characters in that period.

She was one lucky girl.

Kate sat back in her office chair and looked around the room that had been transformed in only a few months from the cramped space that her grandparents had used into a bright, clean and airy open plan studio. Wide, glass double doors had replaced the tiny windows, and it had been Heath's idea to extend the workshop into a long conservatory room which was filled with flowering plants, bringing energy and life into the long late summer evenings.

Of course, Heath had every right to develop the house as he wanted. He did own it.

Heath had bought the building from her, after all. And the house next door. But they had worked together, side-by-side, all during the summer to clean and renovate the rooms, see its potential and fall in love with the house all over again as they fell in love deeper and deeper with each other.

It was amazing what you could achieve in a few weeks with the help of the right architect and a dream team of craftsmen.

The whole of the first floor of the two houses had been combined into one single large apartment with wonderful woodwork and artisan bookcases created by craftsmen.

Best of all, the antique dealer's cluttered shop and storeroom next door was now the spacious London office of Sheridan Press. Heath had created a modern technical marvel of an office with a meeting room which extended into the garden. The whole atmosphere of his office was unfussy, friendly and efficient and the two professional e-book designers who worked there cheerfully admitted that it was one of the best working environments they could ever want.

Of course, it helped that Heath and his father had worked solidly for weeks to come up with an innovative design for the newly launched Sheridan Press which combined a wonderful hand-bound book with an enhanced e-book digital content which was totally interactive. The awards had come flooding in with orders from around the world.

Alice had made a wonderful new home for Charles in a different part of Boston from the house he had shared with his first wife and they were frequent visitors. But London belonged to Heath. This was his domain, his speciality and his delight. He had made Sheridan Press the success it was and she couldn't have been more proud of him.

Time to share her news with the man who truly was her best friend.

The beeper on her waistband flashed out a very private code in reply, which made Kate blush and she slid from her chair and strolled over into the garden room.

Heath Sheridan was leaning on the small white-painted wooden gate, which separated the two houses, with a big cheesy grin on his face.

Kate slid open the glass doors and stepped out into the early September air.

She reached up with both hands to take his face, tilted her head and kissed him with all the warmth and tenderness in her body. His reply was to kiss her back hard enough to make her toes tingle and her knees melt.

‘Hi, handsome,' she said, getting her breath back. ‘What's new?'

‘Oh, the usual.' He smiled and, in a pretend serious voice, said, ‘More awards, more orders, more news from Boston.' Then he grinned. ‘How about you?'

‘Amber is coming home for New Year and has decided to get married at Elwood House. Many new frocks and gloves will be needed. But I wonder who she could possibly ask to help organise the event. Any ideas?'

His reply was to press his lips against hers. ‘None at all,' he whispered. ‘Because I am fully booked, and I am going to stay booked for a very, very long time.'

* * * * *

Look for Saskia's story in
BLAME IT ON THE CHAMPAGNE
Coming soon

Keep reading for an excerpt from
Girl Least Likely to Marry
by Amy Andrews.

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Harlequin KISS
titles (September 2013) available wherever ebooks are sold!

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