Connor picked up the hot curlers and began the process of rolling her hair. The ceremony was due to begin in half an hour. She didn’t have time to sit alone in her room and smother herself with morbid thoughts—silly jitters. This was her wedding day. She was marrying the man she loved, and if nothing else was certain, her love for Clay was real and deep. She had to believe that together they would work through their problems. Once she was Mrs. Clay Sumner, she would have the authority to ferret out the intruder in her home, be she human, or … ghost.
Connor deliberately turned her thoughts to Australia. After the election she would visit her father. And she was, of course, free to invite any of her friends to Oaklawn for a visit, long or short, at any time. Clay had been very receptive to the idea of hiring Elvie as soon as they had enough horses to warrant a second trainer. The days until the November election would pass rapidly. Clay would be away much of the time, but she had plenty to keep her busy with her future—with the horses. Everything she’d ever wanted was within reach.
There was a soft knock at her door. “Connor, can we help?”
“Elvie, come in.” Connor composed her face with a smile. All brides had certain apprehensions. Marriage was a serious step to take. Her fears were normal, and like all brides, she had to hide her concerns and show only her joy.
“Oh, the dress is beautiful,” Elvie whispered. “Sally and I came to do your hair. We’re going to have to hurry. The men are down in the library, having a little bourbon, I think. I caught a peek of Mr. Sumner. He’s so handsome.” She squeezed Connor’s arm. “Clarissa Barnes didn’t believe it when I told her I was going to be your wedding attendant. Oh, Connor, it was worth a milion dollars to see the look on her face.”
“I’m sure she’s horrified that Clay is marrying his hired hand.”
“Such things simply aren’t done here in Mobile.” Elvie laughed. “Sally went to get us all a little nip, too. We can’t let the men have all the iron nerves today.”
“Good idea.” Connor took a seat in front of the vanity and let Sally quickly roll the remainder of the curlers into her thick auburn hair.
“You’re going to be the most beautiful bride in the world.”
Connor laughed, infected by her new friend’s enthusiasm. “That’s exactly what I need to hear.”
“Mrs. Welford has your bouquet downstairs. The roses are beautiful, Connor. They’re the reddest I’ve ever seen.”
Connor caught Sally’s eye in the mirror. “Red?”
“Yes, ruby red. With those white things. Mrs. Welford said they were …” She stopped. “Is something wrong?”
“I ordered coral roses. With calla lilies.”
Elvie reset a loose curler. “Well, the red ones are magnificent. And they even smell good. Listen, I know Sally is wangling to catch the bouquet when you toss it, but I can stand a little boost in the romance department, too.”
Connor forced a smile. “Of all the people I wouldn’t want to encourage, it’s Sally. Her choice of men is immature, and dangerous.”
“Jeff.” Elvie sighed. “She’s been talking about him all morning, and I must admit, from what I’ve seen, he’s a hounddog who thinks he’s a wolf. He asked me if I wanted a private tour of the barn.”
“Quite the operator.” Connor opened the top drawer of the vanity and withdrew the jewelry case Clay had given her. She opened it and heard Elvie’s gasp of appreciation. The opera-length strand of pearls, interwoven with a thin gold chain of diamonds, was one of the most exquisite pieces of jewelry Connor had ever seen. When she clasped it behind her head, it was the perfect accessory for the plain dress she’d chosen.
“Your wedding gift?” Elvie asked, her voice envious.
“Yes.”
“And that hunk of diamond for an engagement ring?”
“Clay is generous,” Connor said. She held out her hands. The diamond solitare looked enormous on her left hand. The emerald and opal ring he’d given her for Christmas was on her right. With her nails carefully manicured and polished, her hands looked as if they belonged to someone else. At that thought she dropped them into her lap.
“What’s wrong?” Elvie asked.
“Bridal jitters.” Connor shifted on the seat. “Let’s take those curlers out and get on with this.” To take the sting out of her words, she smiled up at Elvie. “I haven’t even told you how beautiful you look. I think green was the right choice.”
“My favorite color, anyway,” Elvie said, smiling. ‘Thanks for asking me to do this, Connor. I know we haven’t had a lot of time to become friends, but you’re very special to me.”
“I look at you as a true friend, one I could count on if I ever needed help.” Connor felt the tears threaten. Elvie, with her green eyes and dark hair, was lovely in the forest-green velvet dress.
Another tap on the door gave notice that Sally had arrived, complete with a decanter of bourbon and crystal glasses. “The musicians are playing on the front porch. It’s beautiful.” Sally kicked the door shut behind her with her foot.
“To the new bride,” Elvie said, pouring a round and holding up her glass. “To a long and happy future.”
They drank, giggling as they poured another round.
“My veil.” Connor felt a shock of horror. “Willene was working on it. She said it was too plain and she wanted to add something.”
“I’ll go down to Mrs. Welford and get it,” Elvie volunteered. “If she gets her hands on Sally, she’ll put her to work.”
“And she’s running that kitchen like a slave master,” Sally said, bursting into laughter. “Those caterers came in thinking they were going to run the show. Willene’s had them standing on their heads.”
“I’d do whatever she said rather than argue with her,” Elvie agreed. “I’ll be right back.”
Sally finished brushing out Connor’s hair. “You’re really beautiful, you know. I’d hardly know you as the horsewoman who came here.”
Connor shook her head. “I’m the same person.”
“You are and you aren’t,” Sally said, putting the brush on the vanity. “You look like you stepped out of a magazine.”
“Isn’t that what every bride should look like?” Connor smiled in the mirror at Sally.
Sally answered with a grin. “Just as long as you’re the same Connor underneath. Willene said you’d change. That marrying Clay would make you different. She said it would change everything here, and she was about to cry.”
“I hope not,” Connor said. “Of course I’ll change. Everybody does. But I hope I don’t become … hardened.”
The door burst open, and Elvie held up the bridal veil. “Here it is, the crowning touch.” She walked up and put it on Connor’s head, adjusting the layers until they hung perfectly.
“We’re ready.” Sally said.
“I can’t believe this.” Connor stood up. “You two go ahead. I want just a moment alone.”
“The guests are going out to take their seats,” Elvie warned her. “Clay was pacing the library floor.”
“At least my groom is here. What about the children?”
“They’re dressed and ready,” Sally said quickly. “Mr. Clay saw to that.”
“And Renata? Is she going to attend?”
“She may be standing, but she’ll be here,” Sally said.
“I wish it could be different for her. I wish she could be happy for her father and me.”
“In time,” Sally said. “Now, hurry down. We’ll wait for you by the front door after we shoo everyone else out. Not more than five minutes.”
Connor nodded. When the door closed behind the two women, she walked into the sitting room. The huge mirror over the fireplace gave her back her image. The dress was beautiful, a perfect compliment to her tall, slim figure. The necklace glittered against the pale candlelight satin. Damn! She’d forgotten the flowers!
Before she went down, she walked to her bedroom window for one peek at the guests. She didn’t know any of them. There were a few sh
e’d met. And Harlan, of course. Looking as if he’d swallowed a dose of vinegar, he was showing guests to their seats.
Renata had refused to participate in the wedding, but she was seated in the front row, beside Danny. Willene was already seated, too, in the back row, so that she could move easily to the kitchen to make sure the caterers were doing their job.
In all, there were at least a hundred people there, all important in one way or another to Clay. In a matter of minutes, they would all be important to her future, too.
She was about to step away from the window when a movement at edge of the woods caught her eye. The motion was too quick to distinguish, but Connor was certain someone had darted back into the underbrush.
Connor stared at the woods, willing the person to come out again. How many times had she stood at that same window and searched the orchard for someone? How many times would she have to do it in the future? The thought was chilling.
What if there was no one there? Thoughts she’d held at bay for days swept over her like the wind through the orchard. What if there was something about Oaklawn that allowed the past to interfere with the present? Maybe not even ghosts, but a lingering corruption. Who was out in the orchard, watching the preparations for her wedding?
As if in answer to her call, a figure stepped out of the dense foliage into the clear. Long auburn curls hung on her shoulders. The black satin dress was a perfect duplicate of Connor’s wedding dress. The short black veil hid the woman’s features. She lifted a single red rose, pointed it directly at Connor, then dropped it to the ground and crushed it beneath her heel before she turned and ran back into the woods.
Stunned, Connor gripped the windowsill. She grabbed the wooden frame and pushed the heavy window open. The music of the string quartet filtered in to her, mingled with the laughter and conversation of her guests. Connor saw Jeff at the edge of the crowd. She leaned farther out the window, ready to call his name, to tell him to chase the woman who’d disappeared into the woods. The woman who wore her wedding dress in black.
“Connor!” Elvie’s shocked voice stopped her just as Elvie’s hands grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back in the window. “What are you doing?”
Connor reached for the windowsill again, but Elvie pulled her away.
“What’s wrong?”
“She’s out there,” Connor said. “I saw her.” The significance of the dress had not been lost. “She means to kill me, Elvie.”
“I’ll get Clay.” Elvie’s face was white.
“No!” Connor grabbed her shoulders and held tight. “Don’t tell anyone. No one ever believes me when I tell them, anyway.”
“Good lord, Connor, what’s going on?” Elvie looked as if she were going to cry. “You’re acting crazy.”
Connor dropped her hands to her side. “I am, aren’t I?” Elvie was clearly terrified—not of the woman in the woods, but of her. Elvie, her only friend in a strange city, was afraid that she was losing her mind. Connor turned from the window and walked to the vanity, composing her face in the mirror. “I guess my imagination got away from me.” She turned around and faced Elvie. “I thought I saw someone from … my past, in the woods. I’m sorry I frightened you.”
“What the hell is going on with you? I know you well enough to know you aren’t some silly hysterical girl. Who was out in that orchard?”
“I thought it was one of Clay’s old girlfriends. I was trying to get a better look.” She forced a smile and shrugged. “I’m feeling a little insecure, I guess.”
Elvie’s smile was slow, a mixture of doubt and relief. “You scared the shit out of me, Connor. For a minute there, I thought you were trying to crawl out that window.”
“No.” Connor smiled. “I was trying to get a better look. You know how you sometimes catch something out of the corner of your eye. I saw her, but I couldn’t get a clear view.”
“And was it a woman from his past?”
“No, it was nothing at all.” Connor walked to the window and shut it. She gave the woods a quick look. There was no sign of anyone. “Nothing at all,” she said. “Let’s go downstairs.”
As they started down the long stairway, Elvie touched Connor’s shoulder. “Sally says she’s afraid of these stairs. She said you fell here one night.”
“I did. Luckily, I wasn’t seriously hurt.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about these stairs. You’ll be sleeping downstairs tonight.” Elvie gave her a wink. “If you get to sleep at all.”
“I have to get my flowers,” Connor said at the bottom of the stairs.
“Hurry, Connor. Clay’s about to have a fit.”
“I’ll be right there. Wait on the porch.”
Connor hurried across the hallway and into the kitchen. Even the caterers had gone outside to watch the ceremony. Connor opened the refrigerator, but the flowers weren’t there. All of the shelves were crammed with delicacies for the reception. There wasn’t room for a single blossom.
There was no place in the food-jammed kitchen for any flowers. Tapping lightly at Willene’s door, Connor pushed it open. The room was large and neatly ordered, dominated by an antique bed topped with a beautiful quilt. Her bridal bouquet was centered on the bed. Connor walked in to get it, her curiosity getting the better of her as she looked around.
Willene’s room contained none of the elegance of the rest of the house. Although the furniture was nice, there was no scrollwork or brocade. Instead, there was a comfortable solidness captured perfectly by the old rocking chair in front of the hearth. The hardwood floor was covered with hand-woven rugs. Even the wallpaper was old-fashioned. Picking up her bouquet, Connor sighed. Willene knew who she was.
A piece of paper fluttered out of her grasp, landing on the quilt. Connor noticed that one edge was jagged, as if it had been torn. She turned it over. The black-and-white image of a young woman, auburn hair piled on top of her head, gazed up at her. The woman, hardly more than a girl, was smiling, her red lips soft with youth and happiness. She was beautiful, and obviously very happy. A man’s hand rested on her shoulder, but it was the only evidence that someone else had shared that moment with the young woman. Whoever the man was, he’d been torn out of the picture.
“Oh, my.” Connor spoke the words softly. “Willene.” She examined the picture more closely. Was it possible that the young woman in the torn photo was Willene?
“So you found your flowers, did you?”
Connor looked up to find Willene standing in the doorway. “I did.” She held the torn photograph. “Is this you?”
“Indeed. You’d hardly believe it to look at me now. But there was a time when I was a comely girl with dreams of my own.”
“And you were going to marry the man …”
“I intended to. But he never intended to marry me.” Willene walked forward and took the picture. “But it’s not the kind of thought for you to have on your wedding day, Connor. People are getting anxious. Mr. Clay is about to pace a ditch waiting for you.”
“Who was the man?” Connor asked.
“Someone I loved.” Willene took her elbow. “No sad stories today, Connor. Now, out you go.” She gave her a little push toward the door. “Go on.”
At the kitchen, Sally grabbed her arm. “Hurry up, Connor. Mr. Clay’s about to have a conniption.”
Elvie waited at the front door, her anxiety turning into a smile as she saw Connor coming down the hall.
Connor stepped onto the porch, her eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight outside after the dimness of the house. Without faltering, she walked down the steps and around the house to the gardens. As soon as the musicians saw her, there was a pause, and then the Wedding March began. All heads swiveled to watch her, and Connor walked forward to the altar where Clay waited. Only his smile drew her forward. For Connor, there was no music, no sound, no sensation—only Clay. Right or wrong, she’d made her decision.
“You look a little shell-shocked, Connor, darlin’.” Harlan pressed a glass of champagn
e into her hand. “Now that you’re my sister-in-law, you’d better learn to drink. It’ll help to ease the pain of being married to Clay.”
“You never give up, do you?” Connor sipped the champagne. The wedding ceremony had passed in a blur. One of the most important moments of her life, and she’d been in a trance of some kind. The only thing she could remember was Clay’s blue eyes.
“Clay tried to clean my clock for me and told me if I wasn’t nice to you he was going to make me so. So how are you going to take to life in Washington? It can be a real fishtank.”
“It couldn’t possibly be worse than this town. The only clear benefit I can see is that you won’t be there.” Connor sipped her champagne and let her gaze drift over the crowd. Harlan was a wart, but at this particular moment she couldn’t give him her full attention. As soon as there was a lull in the introductions Clay was making, she wanted to slip out of the crowd and walk in the orchard. She caught a glimpse of Renata and Danny. They were standing at the edge of the tent, staring into the woods.
“Excuse me, Harlan. You can torment me another time just as well, I’m sure.” She walked toward the children.
“Danny, Renata.” She called their names as she approached. “Thanks for helping so much today.”
“Daddy said he’d spank us,” Renata said. She didn’t bother to look at Connor.
“What are you watching?” Connor asked.
“There’s someone in the orchard,” Danny answered.
Connor felt her heart begin to pound. “If it’s your friend, why don’t you invite her over for some champagne and cake?”
Deception Page 33
