One Hour to Midnight (19 page)

"And this is set in stone?"
 

Veronica's gaze strayed fleetingly to the wedding portrait on the bureau. "To me, Leon, it's very important."
 

"Okay. But we won't have time for a big, lavish do."

Because he's had one such wedding, and another would remind him of his previous marriage to the love of his life?
 

"I don't want a big do," she said, lifting her chin, "but I do want a church ceremony. Is that unreasonable?"
 

"It can be arranged although the timeframe is not ideal. What is your other proviso?"

It was her turn to frown but she let it slide. This was more difficult. "I insist on legally adopting Jordan, and I want a watertight pre-nuptial agreement that in the event of a marriage break down, I'll have free access to Jordan and any other children we may have."

Leon tensed and his demeanour changed but Veronica was determined. She'd lost one child and would never survive losing another. Nor did she want to lose contact with Jordan now they were reunited.

"And if I don't agree?"

"Then there will be no marriage, Leon." She folded her lips in a stubborn line. "I will never give up my rights to another child. It's that or nothing."
 

He sat up and threw back the covers, sliding his feet over the edge of the bed.

Veronica's heart thudded and her mouth went dry. He was naked evoking memories of their passionate lovemaking.

She struggled to find words. "Do you agree, Leon?"

He turned towards her, his flagrant nudity making her breath hitch sharply. Heat crawled up her cheeks.
 

Get a grip girl. I've agreed to marry him. Get used to it!
 

"Yes, I agree." He leaned his hands on the bed pushing his face close to hers. "And I have a couple of provisos of my own."

Trepidation snagged at her breath. "Such as?"

"We share a bed and we try to make this marriage work." His grim expression increased her uneasiness. "And that includes selling your house in Auckland."

Veronica sucked in a quivering breath.
 

The idea of selling the only home she'd ever known, appalled her. It was the only thread of security she had against the might of the Karvasis empire. What happened if her life and marriage to Leon turned sour? Where would she be then? Somehow she checked a hot refusal hovering on her tongue.

"Do we have a deal?" he asked, remorseless in his intensity.

She looked away, pleating the sheet with nervous fingers. Could she agree to his demands? What would she do if this marriage turned sour?
 

At her continued silence, Leon sat on the bed and caught her face between his palms forcing her to look directly into his eyes. "Are you negotiable?"

"No."

"And neither am I. A marriage will fail if you have a bolt hole ready and waiting for whenever the going gets tough."

Fairness made her concede his request was as valid as hers. That cottage had been her haven for so long, one guarded to the point of fanaticism. But a kernel of distrust drove her to bargain.
 
"Can we wait six months to implement a sale?"
 

Try as she might, Veronica couldn't quite believe Leon's denial. Had he colluded with his brother over her pregnancy with Jordan? It all fitted so neatly and if she found he had—
 

She tensed waiting for his refusal.

"Okay, I'll go along with the six month's grace. But the rest is non-negotiable."

"I know." Renewed colour stained her cheeks. Sleeping with Leon would never be a hardship. Wasn't that why she'd crept into his bed last night? "How's Jordan?"

Leon sat on the edge of the bed.
 

"He had a restful night." He gave her a comprehensive glance. "Professor Carey wants you at the hospital on Sunday night, the bone marrow extraction will be first thing Monday."

Veronica's heart lodged somewhere in her throat as anxieties crowded in.
 

Leon gave her a level look. "I'll be with Jordan later while he has chemo."

"Poor little boy." The pain caused by his words was almost physical. If it were possible, she would take Jordan's place.

"He's a fighter, Veronica. Hang onto that."

"I am." Her lower lip trembled.

"Have you any objections to getting married tomorrow?" He turned slightly watching her with unnerving intensity.

"Tomorrow?" she echoed startled. "Doesn't it take several days to get a special licence?"

"I already have one."

"You were that certain I'd agree?" Her voice echoed with resentment and surprise.

 
"I just covered every eventuality." He shrugged and caught her hand in his. "I hoped you'd agree, but didn't anticipate your consent."
 

 
Her anger ebbed, but anxiety wasn't so easy to set aside. She wished she had a crystal ball.

"How do you feel about tomorrow?"
 

Veronica swallowed hard to subdue a surge of panic. Then with a resigned shrug spread her hands. "Can you arrange it?"

"I can."

Of course, when you had enough money to sweeten any deal, arrangements were easily made. "I guess that's okay then."

"Such enthusiasm," he mocked softly.

"What did you expect? Fawning adulation because the mighty Leon Karvasis is deigning to marry me?"
 

Anger flashed in his eyes and she regretted the tart answer. "Sorry, it's my turn to apologise."

~***~

Surveying her reflection in the mirror, Veronica's anxiety reached new heights. All her doubts coalesced into one gigantic jumble.

Tania was right. Marrying Leon was lunacy.

She was so pale; she rubbed at her cheeks trying to impart some colour.

The exquisite gown of champagne coloured silk and lace was wasted on her. It was more suited to the sacrifice of a mediaeval virgin.

She was not a happy, excited bride.

A knock at the door caused what little colour she possessed, to ebb. She watched in morbid fascination, as the door opened.
 

Kathleen stood there.
 

For several seconds, Veronica stared at her reflection in the mirror before she turned and ran towards her, throwing restraint to the wind. Strong arms gathered her in a reassuring hug and she inhaled the familiar smell of peppermint and mothballs. She pulled away, wiping tears from her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
 

"Where else would I be when my girl's getting married?"

And that suddenly, Veronica knew this woman was the mother of her heart, the one constant in her life. "Leon rang you?"

"He did." The older woman caught her shoulders and looked directly at her. "Is this what you want, Veronica? It's not too late to change your mind?"

"It is too late, Kathleen," she said quietly, her nerves suddenly settled. "It's been too late from the moment Leon tracked me down in Auckland."

Kathleen subjected her to the same stern look that used to reduce a much younger Ricki to stammering incoherence. "I guessed as much."

"Do you disapprove?"

"Would you change your mind if I said I thought you were making a mistake?"

Veronica shook her head.

"I thought as much, so there's no point me telling you what I think. This is your decision and you've made it."

The acerbic words made Veronica laugh. Someone rapped an impatient tattoo on the door, opened it and Tania walked in.

"Morecombe, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Is that any way to talk to your chief bridesmaid?" Tania waltzed over and hauled her into a hug. "You didn't think we'd let you get married with only Aussies in attendance did you, Vic? How's the kid?"

"Hanging in there, he's having his last session of radiation this afternoon and the last chemo tomorrow. The transplant is on Monday morning."

Tania's hand gripped her arm. "He'll make it, Vic. He's got you on his side and that makes him one darn lucky kid."

"Thanks, I think."
 

"I still think you're insane." Tania gave her a hard glance and caught her hands holding them tightly. "But I'll say my piece and then shut up. Have you safeguarded your interests this time around?"

Veronica squeezed her friend's hands. "Relax. I've have it covered."

"A pre-nup?"
 

"Yes and an exceedingly generous financial settlement."

"That's just money, Vic. I'm worried you may lose another kid out of this crazy deal."

"I'm adopting Jordan. The papers are already being drawn up." Veronica huffed out a breath that lifted the fringe from her forehead. "And we've drawn up a watertight custody agreement for any future children."

"Tell me you hired your own lawyer? You didn't use the same one he did?"

 
"Do I look that green?"

"And this from the crazy dame who's marrying a stranger just so she can have great monkey sex?"

Veronica saw Kathleen shaking her head and burst out laughing. "You're incorrigible, Morecombe."

"I know." She winked and threaded her arm through Veronica's. "So let's get this deed done so you can get to the good bit."
 

"Not so fast, Tania," Kathleen said after a quick glance at her watch. "What jewellery are you wearing with that sumptuous dress, Veronica?"

"I've nothing suitable with me."

"After Leon rang, I collected these." Kathleen extracted a maroon jewellery case from her handbag and laid it on the dresser. "Today's an occasion for your mother's pearls."

Veronica's eyes sparkled with tears as she smoothed a shaky hand over the worn leather case. "Do you think my mother would approve?"

Tania's muffled snort echoed in the room. "What did that woman ever do to earn your approval, Vic?"
 

"Tania's right, you don't need her approval, Veronica, but if anything Hélène would be insanely jealous."

"Why?" She looked at Kathleen mystified. "Because of Leon's wealth?"

"No, because you're beautiful inside and out," Kathleen said as she removed the pearls from their case and fastened them around Veronica's throat. "Your mother only ever considered herself. I'm so very proud of you, and what you're doing for a sick little boy."

Veronica caught Kathleen's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you. Your approval is all I need. And thank you for everything you've done for me over the years. I do love you."

Kathleen hugged her, eyes bright with unshed tears and suddenly Veronica was on the verge of tears.
 

"Okay you two, enough waterworks." Tania's brisk voice broke the tender moment. "This is a wedding not a wake."

Kathleen and Veronica pulled apart, chuckling as they wiped their eyes.
 

The Bentley, carrying Veronica, Kathleen and Tania, purred to a halt outside the open doors of the red brick Greek Orthodox Church of St Panteleimon. The white architectural details shimmered in the hot sun.
 

Outside the doors, Leon waited, flanked by a bearded, dark robed priest, and Milas Yeager.

"So that's why you're here?" Veronica said in a quiet aside to Tania as Leon stepped forward, opened the door and held out a hand to Veronica.

As she accepted his assistance, she was vaguely aware of a photographer snapping photos at a furious pace.

Leon, dressed in a charcoal suit with a gold and white rose boutonnière, white shirt and dark gold tie, looked every inch a bridegroom, and devastatingly handsome.
 

Her eyes sought his left hand and the pale band on his ring finger was testament to the recent removal of a wedding ring. When did he remove it and why hadn't she noticed?
 

Because you didn't want to see the evidence of his love for Julia.

Grey eyes scanned her from head to toe.

Her heart raced and blood careened through her veins as he gave her a posy of pale gold and white rosebuds and baby's breath, the perfect complement for her dress.
 

"You look beautiful, Veronica," he murmured, his voice husky, his grey eyes warm. He lifted a hand and touched her cheek.
 

"Thank you." The tender gesture eased her tension and she managed a shaky smile. "And thank you for the flowers."

"You're welcome." His glance went past her to the two women at her side. "Thank you for coming Kathleen and Tania to support Veronica. We both appreciate your presence."

Camera shutters made an annoying buzz almost drowning the organ music swelling from inside the church.
 

Veronica studied the posy, unwilling to meet his shrewd eyes. She knew he'd see more than she was comfortable revealing.