Lessons in Love

by Victoria Sinclair

  ‘I wonder how Steven’s faring?’ Emily commented rhetorically. Nicholas had arranged for Steven and his best man to meet at a formal wear hire store, and had then promised to entertain him for the rest of the afternoon, knowing undoubtedly that it would take the women much longer to decide on their purchases.

  After visiting her favourite salon and booking a pre-wedding consultation for the three of them, Emily drove them back to her house, where she’d promised to feed all six of them – Nicholas and his best man included.

  ‘How did it go?’ Nicholas asked as the three women entered the door, tired but satisfied after their long day.

  ‘I’m amazed they’re already finished!’ commented his companion, obviously James, his best man.

  ‘Ha! Ha!’ Emily gave a mock laugh. ‘I’ll have you know that I am a very efficient shopper, and it’s only due to the so-called help of my dearest and bestest friend Sonya that we have arrived home at such a late hour.’ Sonya shook her head and laughed.

  ‘I wanted only the best for your bride-to-be Nicholas, and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the result. Even Emily has to admit that the perfect dress could only be found in the fourth store we visited. Now we’re all outfitted, everything’s pretty much organised, and the big day will be perfect for the both of you.’ Nicholas smiled warmly at Sonya.

  ‘I’m glad you’re looking out for her. I’ll let Steve here tell you of the day we’ve had.’ Steven puffed up with pride at being asked to speak and described the suits selected by the men, the lunch they’d had at a local steak house, and the football match they’d watched that afternoon. Veronica pulled a face.

  ‘Football! Yuck!’ she said, shaking her head in disgust and eliciting peals of laughter from the adults present.

  Emily worked harder over the next couple of weeks than she ever could have imagined. Now that Nicholas was backing Mark, he was working harder than ever to get new clients and build his business further. Of course, Mark had insisted that she should be taking things easy now, but she felt fine, and now more than ever she wanted to help him. Soon she would no longer be in his employ, and she felt she owed him for the amount of help and encouragement he’d given her over the years. Until she’d become pregnant, she’d imagined working for Mark at least until she’d finished her degree, and it saddened her to be leaving Overington Industries, despite Lisa’s assertion that they’d stay in touch.

  Finally, however, exams were over and Emily was satisfied she’d done as well as she could. It was hard knowing that Nicholas, her future husband, was also marking her business economics exam, so she’d put extra effort into her study for his subject. It was even more difficult during marking time, when she’d see Nicholas and know that he’d corrected her exam, but couldn’t divulge the results until the official day when everyone else’s results were announced.

  But the day came, and she was overjoyed to find her name on the notice board attached to a High Distinction in both business economics and accounting. ‘I think it’s time we went out for a celebratory dinner.’ The soft voice made Emily jump and she spun around to find Nicholas behind her.

  ‘You startled me!’ she said, not unhappily. ‘Did I really do that well?’

  ‘Of course you did! You didn’t think I’d play favourites did you?’ he asked wryly. Nicholas? Not likely! She shook her head and smiled.

  ‘I just can’t believe I did so well after the number of problems I had during the semester.’

  ‘I told you so, didn’t I? You’re smarter and more capable than you give yourself credit for, and you’re always willing to go the extra mile in your work. See how it pays off?’ He grinned at her.

  ‘Now about that dinner?’ she began, but they were joined by two other students at the notice board, and Nicholas could say no more.

  He mouthed, ‘I’ll call,’ before smiling and nodding at Emily and the other students, and heading towards his office. Emily stared after him for a moment, before taking one last glance at the notice board and returning to her car.

  A frisson of excitement swept over her as she thought about making love to Nicholas, the way they had in the past, and she wondered whether finally getting him alone, in an intimate restaurant, they’d rekindle some of that passion.

  She desperately needed for Nicholas to love her as much as she loved him, and how better to begin that process than by driving him wild with desire?

  Chapter Ten

  ‘Everything seems to be going well so far, Emily,’ announced Dr Richmond. ‘Your blood pressure’s fine, you look well, and your urine test is clear. Now all we need is an ultrasound so we can check that everything’s well with the baby. I’ll fill in an ultrasound request form for you, and Mandy will arrange an appointment.’ Emily smiled, pleased to hear that things were going well.

  The appointment at the hospital for her ultrasound was made for the day before the wedding. Emily called Nicholas in the hopes that he’d be able to be there, but he reluctantly told her he had a business meeting in the city, and after briefly stating how glad he was that everything was going well, he rang off, leaving her scowling at the receiver.

  She’d expected at least a little support. Maybe Nicholas didn’t personally care for her, but he was excited about becoming a father, and she was disappointed that he couldn’t be there for her ultrasound.

  ‘Did Andrew go to your ultrasound appointments when you were pregnant with Paul?’ Emily asked Sonya anxiously on the phone that evening.

  ‘Of course. He wouldn’t have missed them for anything.’

  ‘What if he’d had an appointment scheduled for the same time?’

  ‘Well, he’d have rescheduled, I suppose. What’s this about, anyway? Isn’t Nicholas able to attend yours?’

  ‘No, and I did want him there. They’re supposed to be able to tell what sex the baby is, but I wouldn’t feel right asking with Nicholas not being there. It wouldn’t seem fair, somehow,’ she said inadequately. But that wasn’t the whole reason she was upset. For starters it demonstrated his lack of feeling for her, but as well as that, she wanted him there in case something was wrong. It seemed a ridiculous fear, but she knew it was one shared by many women.

  As promised, Nicholas took her out to dinner at Rochford’s, an exclusive new place which had opened its doors just a few weeks earlier. She hadn’t brought up the subject of her ultrasound again, hoping he’d tell her that he’d cancel his meeting to be with her, but he never mentioned it, leaving her unaccountably disappointed.

  ‘Have you been here before?’ she asked to break the ice as they sat down at an elegant candle-lit table. Nicholas looked up from his drink menu and raised an eyebrow at her.

  ‘Sorry? Did you say something?’ Emily fought the urge to sigh.

  ‘I was asking if you’d been here before.’ A wave of irritation swept over her. Couldn’t he at least pretend to be interested in her for the evening? She’d dressed as seductively as she knew how, perhaps not as much as many women, but hopefully enough to impress Nicholas, however he hardly seemed to have noticed.

  ‘No, I haven’t. But it was recommended to me. Besides, it’s always a good idea to try new places, even if you only visit once,’ he said, grinning. Emily half smiled back, wishing he’d be more personal. He was being kind and friendly, but distant, as if this were a first date, not a dinner between two people who were engaged to be married in less than a fortnight’s time!

  Emily allowed Nicholas to select the wine as she wasn’t much of a drinker, and she didn’t want to have more than a taste because of the baby. Nicholas ordered a Chardonnay, a quick sip of which demonstrated Nicholas’s good taste, and Emily was glad she’d allowed him the choice.

  ‘It’s an excellent wine,’ she commented as the waiter left them to decide on their meals. ‘What would you recommend?’ she asked, as Nicholas smiled politely at her comment.

  ‘The shrimp sounds good for an appetiser, followed by a New York Steak for me. Anything take your fancy?’

  ‘The shri
mp sounds lovely, but I’m not in the mood for steak. I wonder what their pasta dishes are like? The chicken cannelloni sounds lovely.’

  ‘If that’s your final choice I’ll summon a waiter and we’ll order then, shall we?’ Emily’s stomach twisted as he showed great interest in his mobile phone, checking for messages or something, while leaving her to gaze around the restaurant.

  It definitely wasn’t the sort of place Emily frequented, but it certainly was first quality all the way. If the food was as good as the surroundings, she thought, it’d be well worth the money. The lighting was subdued, but not so dim that one couldn’t see what one was eating. Entertainment was provided by a string quartet who played some lovely classical music. All in all, the atmosphere was perfect for romance. That is, she thought wryly as she looked at Nicholas, if romance was on the mind.

  Nicholas finally looked up. ‘Sorry,’ he muttered, looking slightly shamefaced. ‘I had a couple of text messages. I’m afraid we’ll have to make it an early night.’ Emily’s face fell, and Nicholas hastened to reassure her.

  ‘We’ll have time to eat, but I wanted to take you to a movie as a surprise, and we won’t be able to do that now.’

  Emily shrugged and spoke lightly, ‘That’s all right. I’m a little tired anyway. It’s been a difficult few weeks, and I need my beauty sleep for the wedding.’

  ‘Have you worked out the table arrangements yet?’ he queried. The table arrangements? They hadn’t even crossed her mind. It was to be a fairly small wedding, with only thirty or so guests and she’d thought everyone would pretty much choose where to sit. She sighed.

  ‘Does it matter?’

  Nicholas frowned. ‘Of course it matters!’ He sounded angry at her, and for the life of her she had no idea why. She didn’t want to seat completely incompatible people near each other, and didn’t like the formality of wedding receptions where that was done. She figured that if it was left to the guests they’d gravitate towards those they knew and be happy. Maybe she’d been wrong about that.

  ‘Perhaps you’d better help me then,’ she said a trifle coldly, ‘I don’t know your guests and I wouldn’t know who to seat where.’

  ‘I don’t really think that matters.’ Emily frowned at him. Nicholas made absolutely no sense! One moment he was telling her that it mattered that she didn’t have seating arrangements, and the next that it didn’t matter where people were seated. She fought the urge to roll her eyes in annoyance and muttered that she’d discuss the idea with Sonya. That effectively ended that strand of conversation, and they sat in uncomfortable silence until their appetisers arrived several minutes later.

  The shrimp was delectably prepared and tasted as good as it looked. Her irritation temporarily forgotten, Emily sighed with pleasure. ‘You were right, Nicholas. This is delicious.’ Nicholas gave her a small smile in response.

  ‘I thought you’d like it. It is good isn’t it?’ Desperate for further conversation, Emily searched her mind for something…anything…they could discuss calmly and pleasantly together.

  ‘I know we don’t have anything planned, Nicholas,’ she began, ‘but a couple of people have asked me about a honeymoon. I’m not worried, of course, if we don’t have one, but…’ her voice trailed away. She really wasn’t fussed about not taking the traditional holiday, but was dismayed that Nicholas hadn’t even suggested it. People would ask where they were going, and would be surprised to be told there would be no honeymoon.

  ‘Honestly, Emily, the honeymoon hasn’t been a big consideration on my list. You know that the move to Ballarat’s taking time and effort on my part, and I don’t think I can afford to take the time off. Maybe in the summer.’ Emily took a deep breath and held herself in check. But honestly! Did Nicholas completely lack common sense tonight? Come summer, Emily would be uncomfortably pregnant – she was due in late January. Had Nicholas conveniently forgotten this fact? Well, she wasn’t going to point it out to him. He was, after all, probably just fobbing her off in the hope that she’d forget all about it.

  ‘That’s fine,’ she replied in as cool a voice as she could manage. ‘I was only wondering. You know what people expect…’

  ‘I’m sure they’ll understand, Emily. We won’t be the first couple to postpone their honeymoon.’ That was probably true. But many of those couples weren’t expecting their first child soon after the wedding, either.

  ‘So, how’s business?’ she asked lightly, determined to keep something resembling a conversation going. He looked at her curiously.

  ‘Fine.’ He nodded.

  ‘That’s it? No gory details?’ she asked lightly.

  ‘What do you want me to say, Emily?’

  ‘What I want,’ she said, in a very controlled tone, ‘is for you to speak to me! We’re to be married in less than a fortnight, if you haven’t forgotten, and when we’re married I think we’d each prefer it if we don’t live completely silent lives, devoid of any conversation.’ Nicholas looked surprised.

  ‘I’m sorry Emily. I suppose I’m distracted. Work’s been piling up and I want to keep on top of things. I know it’s not fair to you. And I really am sorry about the honeymoon. It’s not that I don’t want to go away with you, I do, but now’s not the right time.’ Emily looked down at her plate, her appetite had dissipated and she chewed mechanically.

  ‘I know, and I understand that. I was just hoping we could have something resembling a conversation. Perhaps if you could let some of those worries go for at least the next couple of weeks things will be easier for us.’ She gave him a hopeful smile and he capitulated.

  ‘Agreed. I’ll put all business thoughts out of my mind and we’ll talk. I don’t want our relationship falling by the wayside. I hope you know that, Emily. Maybe I don’t always make my intentions clear to you, but I’ve every intention of making this marriage of ours a successful one. And on that note, how about a toast to our new life together?’ Smiling she raised her glass as they toasted each other and their forthcoming life together.

  The rest of the meal was a definite improvement. The food was not only filling, but excellently prepared and supremely delicious, and although Emily had regained some of her usually good appetite, she’d been unable to finish her generous serving of cannelloni.

  ‘How did you like it?’ Nicholas asked, observing her half finished plate.

  ‘It was superb! But I can’t eat another mouthful.’

  ‘Oh? Then you won’t want dessert. I’ve been told the chocolate mud cake is to die for.’ Emily groaned. She adored chocolate mud cake, but was worried she’d explode.

  ‘You have some, Nicholas, but I can’t eat another thing.’ But when his dessert arrived at the table she suddenly seemed to have room to spare.

  ‘Mind if I have a small taste?’ Nicholas grinned and passed her his dessert spoon. She took a not-so-little spoonful of the mud cake and sighed as she placed it in her mouth. ‘Mmmmm,’ she said happily.

  ‘I can get you one if you like,’ Nicholas said wryly, but she grinned and shook her head.

  ‘I couldn’t eat a whole one. I think that taste was enough for me.’

  ‘I’m sorry we took so long,’ she said as they got up to leave.

  ‘No problem. This was more important than my appointment anyway.’ He smiled down at her. ‘I wanted you to enjoy the meal. After all, it was to celebrate your success.’

  When Nicholas dropped her off at home, part of her desperately hoped he’d stay for awhile, appointment or not, but it seemed their evening together was over. He stopped long enough to give her a quick peck on the cheek and ensure that she reached the door safely, before he zoomed off in to the night, and to whoever his mysterious appointment was with. It was a very late hour for an appointment and all sorts of possibilities entertained themselves in Emily’s mind, but she forced them out. It was business, that was all, she assured herself.

  But that night she tossed and turned, her imagination running riot. Could he be having one last fling before committing himself to m
arriage? It didn’t seem like the sort of thing Nicholas would do, but she couldn’t be sure. There had been no physical intimacy between them for weeks, and as far as Emily was concerned, his passion for her could have well and truly evaporated. She still felt palpitations when she was near him, but seemed unable to elicit a response in him, and there had been a time when he hadn’t seemed able to keep his hands off her. The thought of him in the arms of another woman, making love to her, sent vicious spasms of jealousy through Emily and she ground her teeth together as she forced the unwelcome images from her mind. Finally she sat up in bed, picked up a half-read book from her nightstand, and immersed herself in someone else’s troubles for awhile.

  Finally, too tired to keep her eyes open a moment longer, Emily fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, but awoke in the morning feeling as if she hadn’t slept a wink. It was Sunday, and she had nothing planned. Normally, she’d have used the day to do some much needed housework, but most of their belongings had already been packed in boxes and sent ahead to Nicholas’s house, ready for when they moved in after the wedding. All that was left was the furniture she was donating to the Salvation Army, and her kitchenware – most of which was following the furniture. Nicholas had already purchased a state of the art set of saucepans and all sorts of other gadgets and gizmos, many of which Emily couldn’t even guess as to their functions. She wryly wondered what on earth the guests would be able to buy as gifts that Nicholas hadn’t already thought of.

  That done, she sat down to continue her book, but before she was more than a few pages into it, the phone rang. She stood to answer the phone and stretched lazily, wondering who it would be. Several old friends had called her over the last few weeks replying to the wedding invitations and reminiscing about old times. But the person on the other end was her old faithful, Sonya, who was busy preparing a hen’s night before the wedding.

  ‘I’m not so sure this is a great idea,’ Emily muttered.

  ‘It’s a wonderful idea. Besides Manpower are in town. I know the other girls won’t want to miss this!’ Emily groaned inwardly. Manpower were a popular act whose routines seemed to Emily to be little more than strip acts. She’d been dragged along to a previous performance, and while it had been good for a laugh, she felt no need to repeat the experience.