The Diamond Bride

by Carole Mortimer

  It would be so much easier to say no, she wasn’t—and pray that was the truth. But Annie really couldn’t do that, had no idea how serious Celia’s condition was.

  ‘I don’t know, Jessica,’ she answered honestly.

  ‘My grandfather died when I was a baby,’ Jessica rejoined evenly.

  Annie held the little girl’s hand tightly. ‘I know, darling.’

  ‘My mummy died, too,’ Jessica said tightly.

  Annie felt her heart contract at the stark truth of Jessica’s words; her mother had died and left her. As had Annie’s own mother. And Rufus’s. Everyone died eventually. That was the one true fact of life that was inevitable.

  Her hand tightened around Jessica’s. ‘Let’s hope that Granny will get better.’

  Jessica chewed on her bottom lip, still fighting the tears. ‘My mummy went out on a boat with Uncle Anthony, and never came back.’

  Annie frowned. Joanne and Anthony…? Was this the boating accident Rufus had spoken of the very first afternoon she met him? Joanne—and Anthony?

  ‘That doesn’t mean Granny won’t come back from the hospital,’ she assured Jessica.

  ‘Will I be able to go and see her?’ Jessica persisted, suddenly looking very young.

  ‘If your daddy says she’s well enough,’ Annie answered evasively—because she really didn’t know how ill Celia was! ‘Let’s have a game of chess while we wait to hear from him,’ she encouraged as a distraction. ‘Your father tells me you play well.’

  Jessica gave her a derisive look that reminded Annie so achingly of Rufus. ‘Daddy tells me you play even better!’

  Annie laughed, relieved to have something to laugh at. ‘He wasn’t really concentrating last night when we played.’ His thoughts had all been with another woman!

  ‘I don’t mind losing,’ Jessica admitted. ‘Daddy says it’s good experience.’

  ‘Does he?’ Annie returned dryly; she very much doubted Rufus had ever been pleased at the experience of losing!

  Jessica giggled at her wry expression. ‘I don’t think he thought so last night…!’ She giggled again. ‘I still can’t believe you actually beat him.’ She shook her head as they set up the chessboard. ‘I don’t think that’s ever happened to him before.’

  Annie bent her head over the game as her own smile faded; she didn’t think it would ever happen again, either. Because she very much doubted she would spend any more time alone with Rufus…

  But she was relieved the suggestion of chess seemed to have taken Jessica’s mind off her maudlin thoughts of death. It was sad that Jessica had such tragic memories to carry through life with her. And how awful that her mother had died in such a terrible way. Drowning, fighting for breath and simply taking in water instead of air, was a horrible way for anyone to die.

  But at least now she knew Joanne wasn’t the one who had committed suicide down in the cove.

  Which meant that probably Rufus’s mother had…

  How awful if two Diamond brides had met their death by drowning.

  And now Celia, a third Diamond bride, was seriously ill in hospital—Annie realised she was becoming maudlin herself now, and that wouldn’t help anyone!

  How quickly she had become caught up in the lives and emotions of this family. But they seemed to be a family dogged by misfortune. Even Anthony was marrying a woman he had no intention of being faithful to. She sincerely hoped Rufus was right, and that this was not a typical example of family life!

  She managed to beat Jessica at chess quite easily, although she could see by Jessica’s strategy that, as she got older, she would be a force to be reckoned with; no doubt she would have the same determination to win as her father!

  ‘Do you think Daddy will ring us once he knows how Granny is?’ Jessica asked once they had cleared the game away.

  Obviously Jessica hadn’t been distracted by the chess game at all! ‘Let’s hope so.’ She stood up. ‘Come on, it’s time to go in search of some lunch.’ Empty tummies weren’t going to help anyone, either.

  It was mid-afternoon before the expected call came through from Rufus, and he sounded incredibly weary. ‘Celia is awake now,’ he said tonelessly. ‘It wasn’t a heart attack, after all, but she’s going to stay on in hospital for a few days anyway. I’m just arranging for a private room for her now,’ he told Annie. ‘I should be back soon.’

  He seemed to be missing a lot out; if it hadn’t been a heart attack, why had Celia collapsed in that way? Why were they keeping her in hospital for a few days? Surely twenty-four hours was the normal time for observation?

  But Annie was very aware of Jessica hopping from one foot to the other as she stood at Annie’s elbow, desperate to know her grandmother wasn’t going to die. ‘Jessica would like to see Celia,’ she told Rufus bluntly, hoping he would realise why Jessica was so anxious to do that; she could hardly explain exactly why, with Jessica standing so close.

  ‘Not today.’ Rufus’s voice was harsh. ‘Maybe tomorrow, when Celia is more—composed.’

  He sounded strange, not at all the confident Rufus she was used to. Maybe Celia’s collapse had made him realise he did have some affection for his stepmother, after all…

  ‘Could you give Celia Jessica’s love?’ She smiled as Jessica nodded enthusiastically beside her. ‘And my best wishes.’

  ‘I’ll do that,’ he returned distantly. ‘I don’t suppose Anthony is back yet?’ His voice hardened as he spoke of his brother.

  Not yet. And Annie couldn’t say she wasn’t rather relieved that he wasn’t. They hadn’t parted on good terms, and she didn’t think he would thank her for being the one to pass on the news about his mother, either.

  ‘No,’ she answered Rufus evenly.

  ‘Fine,’ he rasped. ‘I did try telephoning Davina’s parents, hoping to catch him there, but apparently he left a couple of hours ago.’

  Which meant that Anthony could be back any time now. Annie felt her stomach muscles contract at the thought of seeing him again. The last time they had spoken he had offered her the role of mistress in his life—an offer she had turned down in no uncertain terms.

  ‘Annie?’

  She mentally shook herself as she realised Rufus was still talking to her. ‘Yes?’ she prompted huskily.

  ‘Don’t get carried away on a wave of pity for Anthony because his mother isn’t well,’ Rufus bit out insultingly. ‘He’s still a first-class bastard. And he always will be.’

  Annie bristled resentfully at Rufus’s condescending tone. She might have behaved rather stupidly where Anthony was concerned, but she wasn’t completely stupid; she now knew exactly what sort of man Anthony was. ‘I’ll keep your advice in mind,’ she told Rufus frostily. ‘Was there anything else?’

  His answering chuckle was not what she wanted to hear! How dared he laugh at her? Because she had no doubt that was exactly what he was doing. Damn him!

  ‘I’ll be back very soon, Annie,’ he told her gruffly. ‘Keep the bed warm for me!’

  Keep the—!

  She drew back from the receiver as if it had reached out and struck her, dropping it back into its cradle with a clumsy clatter. How dared he? How could he…? She had been absolutely mortified all day over what had happened between them last night—and he was making a joke out of it!

  ‘Annie? What happened? Why did you ring off so suddenly?’ A stricken-faced Jessica looked up at her worriedly.

  She was alarming the little girl with her behaviour, and that would never do. ‘Your daddy had to go and sort out a hospital room for your grandmother.’ She smiled, smoothing back Jessica’s silky fringe from her brow. ‘But everything is all right. And your father will be home soon.’ Something she now dreaded even more than seeing Anthony again! Rufus was—

  ‘Ah, my two beautiful girls.’

  It seemed as if the thought of Anthony had somehow made him appear as he stood tall and handsome in the doorway of the library where Annie and Jessica had settled for the afternoon, his demeanour as charming a
s ever, appearing to remember nothing of the last, acerbic conversation between himself and Annie as he gave her his most charming smile. He had obviously forgotten that the last thing she had done before going to London with Rufus was threaten to punch him on the nose! Or maybe he was just arrogant enough to think that conversation wasn’t important. Or simply foreplay!

  ‘Uncle Anthony!’ Jessica stood up to launch herself into his arms. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’

  ‘Well, it’s nice to know one of you is,’ he drawled, giving Annie an enquiring look over Jessica’s shoulder as he hugged the little girl.

  ‘Your mother is ill.’ She hadn’t meant for it to come out quite that bluntly, but somehow it had. ‘Rufus is at the hospital with her now, and—’

  ‘Hospital?’ Anthony repeated slowly, lowering Jessica to the carpeted floor, his gaze fixed on Annie. ‘My mother is in hospital?’

  Annie swallowed hard. ‘She had a—She collapsed shortly after we returned from London this morning—’

  ‘And exactly where was Rufus when this—collapse occurred?’ Anthony interrupted, looking very like his older half-brother at that moment.

  ‘Daddy was talking to Granny—’

  ‘The hell he was!’ Anthony exploded angrily, eyes narrowed ominously.

  Annie ignored him for the moment, turning to Jessica. ‘It’s turned a little cold; could you possibly go up to my room and get my jumper off the bed for me?’ she encouraged smilingly.

  ‘But—’

  ‘Please, Jessica,’ she prompted firmly.

  A reluctant but obedient Jessica went off in search of the unwanted cardigan, Annie waiting until the little girl was safely out of earshot before turning back to Anthony. ‘Rufus and your mother were talking when she became unwell,’ she confirmed evenly. ‘Rufus has just rung from the hospital—’

  ‘Which hospital?’ Anthony interjected his face taut with tension.

  Annie looked confused. ‘I have no idea…’ she realised dazedly; she simply hadn’t thought to ask. ‘But your mother is okay; it wasn’t a heart attack or anything like that. They’re keeping her in for observation for a while—for a few days,’ she continued lamely. Rufus had irritated her so much over the telephone that she really hadn’t managed to find out any firm facts about Celia’s condition. ‘Rufus will be back soon…’ she finished unhelpfully. A few minutes ago she had been dreading Rufus’s return; now she just wished he were already here.

  ‘It would be better for everyone if he never came back here,’ Anthony ground out, hands clenched at his sides. ‘Every time he comes back he causes trouble. Surely you can see what a trouble-making swine he really is?’

  ‘Jessica is coming back,’ Annie warned as she heard the young girl coming down the stairs. ‘Please try and remember that he’s her father.’

  Anthony gave a contemptuous snort. ‘Is he?’ he jeered. ‘Can you be sure of that? Can he?’ he added sneeringly.

  Annie became very still, a look of dawning horror on her features as she realised exactly what he was implying. Anthony and Joanne’s affair in London—had it ever stopped, even after the other woman was married to Rufus? Anthony had been the one out on the boat with Joanne when the accident happened. Anthony and Joanne…

  She turned to Jessica as she came into the room, taking in the dark, tumbling curls, the deep blue eyes, the face that was so like Rufus’s. ‘Oh, yes,’ she breathed softly in answer to Anthony’s scorn. ‘He can be sure. And so can I,’ she stated with controlled anger. ‘I don’t think he’s the trouble-maker, Anthony; I think you manage that quite well on your own! Now, I suggest you go and telephone the local hospitals and check on your mother’s condition for yourself,’ she told him firmly, the anger in her eyes that glittered towards him not in the least beautiful, she was sure, before she turned to take her cardigan from Jessica with an appreciative smile.

  ‘I intend to,’ Anthony replied crisply, looking at her with assessing eyes. ‘Have a good weekend, did you?’

  The insult intended in his question was obvious from his tone, and Annie looked at him dispassionately; how had she ever thought this man was attractive? He was like a spoilt child, hitting out without conscience or thought for anyone else’s feelings.

  ‘Very good, thank you,’ she answered briskly. ‘Your mother,’ she prompted pointedly as he made no effort to move.

  ‘I’m going,’ he assured her. ‘But if I were you I wouldn’t put too much trust in what happened over the weekend. Much as he may hate it, Rufus and I are more alike than he cares to admit!’ And with that last taunting comment he left the room to make his telephone calls.

  Annie didn’t need that final remark of his explained, knew exactly what Anthony was referring to. Rufus had been involved with Margaret. Was probably still involved with her. But it hadn’t stopped him almost making love to her last night.

  She closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling. She would survive this. She had survived so many let-downs in her life already, she would survive loving Rufus too.

  She had to!

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THE first indication Annie had that Rufus had returned was when she heard the sound of raised voices echoing through the house!

  Jessica was in the kitchen helping Mrs Wilson bake a cake, and so Annie had taken advantage of this free hour to sit quietly in the library and read a book, losing herself in a tale of pirates and plunder, transporting herself into the life she was reading about, needing that escapism at this moment.

  Until she heard Rufus and Anthony shouting at each other somewhere in the house…

  Anthony hadn’t even left for the hospital yet, and it seemed unfortunate, for all concerned, that Rufus should have returned before the other man had gone; their argument, as far as Annie could tell, had been going on all their lives, and could surely have waited another few hours!

  ‘And I’m telling you it is my business, damn you!’ Rufus spoke savagely.

  Annie shrank down into the high-backed armchair as she realised the two men had brought their argument into the library where she sat, the slamming of the door indicating they had actually come in here for privacy. And she was sitting in this large armchair that faced away from them, unnoticed by both of them!

  What should she do? She couldn’t just sit here and listen to the two of them. But if she made them aware of her presence it was highly likely they would both turn on her—that had happened more than once!

  ‘Did you already know?’ Rufus’s voice was dangerously low now. ‘Did Celia know too?’ he added almost incredulously.

  ‘It’s private family business, Rufus—’

  ‘And I’m the head of this family!’ Rufus thundered furiously.

  ‘When you choose to be,’ Anthony acknowledged scornfully. ‘Which isn’t that often!’

  ‘I asked you a question, Anthony.’ Rufus’s voice was icy cold. ‘Did you know Margaret was expecting your child when she left here?’

  Annie couldn’t hold back her sharp intake of breath, unable to breathe out again in her shock, hands shaking as she desperately tried to hang onto the book she had been reading, knowing that if she hadn’t already been sitting down she would probably have fallen down!

  Margaret was expecting Anthony’s child…!

  ‘Of course I knew,’ Anthony answered baldly.

  ‘And Celia,’ Rufus persisted softly. ‘Did she know too?’

  ‘Yes. Yes, yes, yes!’ Anthony confirmed impatiently. ‘Why do you think she’s in such a hurry to bring the wedding forward to Christmas?’ he scorned. ‘She doesn’t want anything to stop my marriage to Davina.’

  ‘And another woman expecting your child would definitely do that,’ the other man rasped harshly.

  ‘Margaret is expecting that child because of her own stupidity,’ Anthony dismissed uncaringly. ‘She didn’t tell me that because of her religion she wasn’t using contraceptives. And she won’t get rid of the child for the same reason,’ he added disgustedly. ‘The stupid little fool,
was—Aagh!’ Anthony’s scornful tirade was cut short as the sound of flesh making contact with flesh was heard, quickly followed by the sound of furniture crashing to the floor.

  Rufus had hit him! Annie couldn’t see what had happened exactly, but she knew anyway. She would have done the same thing herself if she were Rufus; in fact her hands were clenched into fists ready to do so! Margaret was expecting Anthony’s child, and to him it was just an inconvenience, something to be got rid of—

  ‘You’ve knocked one of my teeth out, you bastard!’ Anthony said disbelievingly, obviously struggling to get back onto his feet.

  ‘Think yourself lucky it’s only one of your teeth!’ Rufus ground out savagely. ‘What I really want to do is take you apart and then throw away the pieces! You’re a disgrace to the Diamond name, and I want you out of this house—’

  ‘You can’t do that, Rufus,’ the younger man told him with gloating assurance. ‘Our father stated quite clearly in his will that, although this house is yours, my mother has the right to live here until she dies—’

  ‘She’s dying now, Anthony,’ Rufus cut in evenly.

  There was complete silence after this announcement, and Annie could only imagine Anthony’s shock. She was shocked herself!

  ‘Wh-what did you say?’ Anthony sounded as if Rufus had punched him again, but emotionally this time, not physically.

  ‘Celia is dying, Anthony,’ Rufus told him gruffly. ‘She has terminal cancer. She’s known for some time. And that’s the reason she’s trying to rush your wedding. She wants to see you safely married before she dies.’

  ‘But—I—You—I don’t believe you, Rufus,’ Anthony denied, but there was an edge of uncertainty to his voice.

  ‘You don’t have to believe me,’ Rufus told him wearily. ‘Celia intends telling you herself when you get to the hospital.’

  There was silence after that last heavy statement, and Annie could only guess at Anthony’s bewilderment. He was almost completely selfish; his mother was probably the only other person he had any genuine affection for.