by Sharon Booth
Her mother may be a whiny, irresponsible sort of woman, but she did care for Emerald in her own way, and at least she was safe. They may have had nothing else, but they had each other. Emerald was too afraid to step outside and discover that real life was even worse. She had little faith in other people. Worse, she had little faith in herself.
She pressed her palms to her eyes and willed back the tears. She didn't cry. She hadn't cried for years and she wasn't going to start now. None of this was her fault. It was all down to her appalling parents.
She straightened and unlocked the cubicle, then walked over to the mirror and surveyed herself critically. It was time she claimed her life back, time she got what she deserved, and she deserved a hell of a lot more than she'd had so far. She would start with Cain. He'd got away with paying her minimal attention all these years. Well, he was going to pay in other ways. She was staking her claim in the Carmichael clan. Things were about to change. She'd make damn sure of it.
Chapter Five
The door closed behind them and they seemed to let out a sigh of relief at the same time. For a moment they looked at each other, then one of them — Eden wasn't entirely sure which — moved, and they were in each other's arms at last.
He feathered her neck with gentle kisses, and she stroked his hair, closing her eyes as she breathed in the spicy citrus smell of his aftershave. Without a word, he shrugged off his jacket and threw it on the chair, then, his hands gentle on her shoulders and his mouth covering hers, he moved forward, taking her with him. She stopped after a few steps, the back of her legs pressing against the bed, and he lowered her gently, still kissing her.
She could feel the hardness of his body pressing down on her, and her breathing quickened. He pulled back a little and she saw the desire in his eyes and moved to kiss him again.
'Your dress,' he murmured.
'Sod the dress.' How could he think about things like that when they had far better things to occupy their minds? 'You promised me my Valentine's Day present and I want it now.'
'You'll only regret it, and I don't want to worry about tearing it, do I?'
She felt a ripple of excitement at his words. 'You can tear it off, if you want to.'
'Don't tempt me,' he said, his mouth curving in a wry smile. 'I might not be able to resist if you don't take it off now.'
'You'll have to unzip me,' she said.
He gave her a knowing look, and sat up, pulling her into a sitting position. Inch by inch, he lowered the zip, tracing its path with little kisses down her back.
'Oh, God.' Eden wondered how much more she could stand. Struggling to her feet, she dropped the expensive, designer vintage dress to the floor, and kicked it out of the way. Breathlessly she gazed at Eliot, smoulderingly sexy in black trousers, white shirt, and bow tie which dangled, unfastened, under his collar. She started to remove her basque, but Eliot held out his hand.
'Leave it.' His voice was husky, and she realised he was staring at the expensive lingerie, that Honey had bought for her bridesmaids, with undisguised lust. She followed his eyes as he took in her stockings, and a spark of mischief flared in her. So, the stockings were doing it for him. Well, who'd have thought he'd be so predictable?
She climbed back on the bed and sat with her back against the headboard. As he reached out for her, she took hold of the ends of his bow tie and pulled him towards her. He gave a small sigh as she kissed him lightly. 'So, you like the stockings, do you?' she whispered.
He nodded, and she kissed him again. She could taste wine on his lips. 'And you like the basque?'
'I love the basque,' he admitted, and she pulled his bow tie from under his collar and threw it on the floor.
'Have you missed me?'
'You've no idea how much.'
She was unbuttoning his shirt now and heard his sharp intake of breath as she slid her hand against his chest. His heart pounded beneath her fingers and she began to unfasten his trousers as he practically ripped off his shirt and threw it across the room.
'Is there anything you don't like about me?' she breathed into his ear as she slid down the bed, taking him with her.
'Nothing,' he murmured, his lips against hers. 'Absolutely nothing. You're perfect.'
'That's not quite true,' she teased. 'My hair. It's — what was it you called it? — too structured. I think maybe it's time you messed it up a little. Don't you?'
He didn't answer her, but he didn't have to. He was already obeying her orders. Eliot always said he was hers to command.
****
'We'd better hurry. The last thing we need is a search party.' Eden didn't sound as if she wanted to hurry at all.
Eliot gazed at the ceiling and sighed. He could stay in bed all night. He wasn't in the mood to go back downstairs and join the party again. The only company he wanted was lying right beside him, flushed, breathless, and with her hair well and truly messed up. He turned over onto his side and reached out a hand, caressing her face.
'I know you do,' she whispered, as he stared into her eyes.
'I never said owt,' he said, startled.
'But you were thinking it,' she said, smiling. 'And I felt it.'
'Did you?' It mattered to him, and he took her hand and kissed it. 'Do you really know?'
'Of course I do. You have to stop worrying about stuff like that.'
'I'm not great with words,' he said. 'But that doesn't mean I don't feel it. I'd die without you, Eden.'
She laughed. 'No, you wouldn't.'
'Well, maybe not,' he conceded. 'But I reckon I'd want to. I just wish...'
'What? What do you wish?'
'I wish I could give you more.'
She propped herself up on one elbow, her face stern. 'What more could I want, for goodness sake? I have you, and Libby and Ophelia and George. I have a gorgeous home, and we're about to start a new business which will bring in more income.'
'Aye, and more work for you,' he pointed out.
She stroked his hair. 'You're all damp,' she said, pushing back a tendril from his forehead.
'Well, I've worked very hard.'
'You always work hard,' she told him. 'And not only in the bedroom. Seriously, Eliot, you never stop from dawn until dusk on that farm. You do everything you can to keep it going, and all I want to do is help.'
'You already help,' he protested.
'I mean help you make more money, so you can ease off a little and stop worrying. The bunk barn and the cream teas were my idea, remember? It's not hard graft like you do every single day, and it won't kill me.'
'I want you to have nice things,' he muttered. 'Like Honey and Emerald.'
'Emerald? You met Emerald?'
'Aye. I was sitting next to her at the wedding do.'
'God, I'm sorry. What a dismal fate. I never noticed her.'
'Seems most people don't,' he said ruefully, thinking of Jed's words earlier and the shocking omission in Cain's speech. 'Anyway, I want —'
'— Me to have nice things. You've said. What's your definition of nice things? As far as I'm concerned, I have everything I could possibly want or need. Well, apart from one thing.'
'What's that?'
'A wedding ring. We've been engaged for months now. Don't you think it's time we made it official, or is there some doubt in your mind?'
'Don't be daft!' He pulled her to him and held her close, noticing over her shoulder the painting on the wall opposite the bed. What the hell was that about? A few splodges of colour in a posh frame. George did better at nursery. Modern art, he supposed. 'I've got no doubts at all.'
'It's okay if you have,' she assured him. 'I mean, I know you love me, but marriage is a different thing altogether, and after what happened before —'
'You're not like her,' he interrupted. 'And it won't be the same. I want to be married to you, my love, believe me. It's the same old story. Money.'
'It doesn't cost much to get married at a registry office. All we need is the licence and a ring. We could nip into tow
n, get married and be back home in an hour.'
He stared at her, horrified. 'That's not a wedding. We put more thought than that into the weekly shopping list! Bloody hell, you deserve better than that.'
'A registry office is fine,' she said.
'No, it's not! You should have a proper do, with a party and a nice dress.'
She grinned. 'I suppose I could always recycle my bridesmaid dress.'
'No chance. Although,' he added with a gleam in his eye, 'I hope you'll wear that basque and stockings again.'
'Only if you promise not to ravish me before I get the ring on my finger,' she said.
'Can't promise that.' He cupped her face in his hands and she stared down at him, her expression changing. He felt the alteration in their mood and knew where it was going. With a heavy heart he let her go. 'Come on, we said we'd get back to this bloody wedding, and if we don't go now we'll never do it.'
'You're right,' she said, sighing. 'Good job one of us is so responsible.'
'It's a curse sometimes,' he said, sliding off the bed and hunting around for his trousers. 'God, where is everything? My clothes seem to have disappeared.'
'Jacket's hanging off the chair, bow tie's at the side of the bed, shirt's by the door and trousers are draped over the bedside table. Scattered, yes, but hardly invisible.' She pulled on her dress and went round to his side of the bed so he could fasten the zip. He did so with a great deal more speed and self-control than he'd shown when unfastening it. She stepped into her shoes and rushed over to the mirror, pulling a face as she saw the state of her hair.
'God, you really did mess it up, didn't you?' she said admiringly.
'I aim to please.'
Ten minutes later, they entered the reception room, hand in hand, and were pounced on by Cain. 'Where the hell have you been? You missed the cutting of the cake, and the photographers were looking for you, Eden.'
'Haven't they taken enough pictures yet?' she pleaded. 'I seem to have done nothing all day but pose for the cameras. I don't know how Honey can stand it. She's barely had a moment to herself.'
'The curse of the celebrity wedding,' he acknowledged. 'Mind you, it's saved me a fortune. Can't deny it.'
'How kind of Honey to be so considerate then,' said a voice behind Eliot, and he turned, smiling as he saw Emerald and Jed.
'Hey, Eliot,' said Jed. 'Are you going to introduce me to your wife?'
'She's not his wife,' snapped Emerald.
'Oh, sure, I mean fiancée.' Jed held out his hand to Eden.
'Eden, this is Jed Carmichael,' said Eliot. 'Jed, this is my fiancée, Eden.'
Jed kissed the back of Eden's hand and Eliot tried not to feel offended. They were a funny lot, Americans. Very friendly. Jed didn't mean anything by it.
'Pleased to meet you, Eden. I've been hearing loads about you from Honey and Dad.'
'Really? Well, thanks, I think. Nice to meet you, too. I've heard a lot about you over the years.'
'I'll bet.' Jed glanced at Emerald, who looked distinctly cool. 'Emerald, have you met Eden?'
'Oh, yes. We've met,' Emerald confirmed. She glanced over at Eliot and fixed her big blue eyes on him. 'And I've certainly met Eliot, haven't I? You're a very lucky lady, Eden. He's an absolute gentleman. Quite a charmer.'
'Is he? I mean, yes he is.' Eden looked a bit bewildered, but not as bewildered as Eliot felt. A charmer? He'd never been called that before. Was she taking the mickey, or what?
'So, when are you two getting married?' Jed asked. 'Or has today put you off weddings for good?'
Eliot shuffled uncomfortably. It was a sore subject, and not one he wished to discuss in front of this bunch of people who'd probably never known what it was to be skint. God, he wished he could win the lottery. He didn't need or want a fortune. Just enough to give Eden the wedding of her dreams. Shame he didn't have enough money to buy a ticket. He raised his eyes to hers as she said, 'Oh, we'll get around to it soon enough. Don't worry about that. Can't wait.'
'Weddings are so expensive, though, aren't they?' said Emerald, with unnerving perception. 'Unless, of course, you manage to con some stupid magazine into paying for it. Then there's the honeymoon.' She smiled. 'Where do you have in mind for your honeymoon?'
Eliot squirmed. The rate things were going, they'd be lucky to manage a wet weekend in Filey. 'Well, er, we haven't really —'
'Wherever it is, you don't have to worry about it,' boomed Cain. 'In fact, you don't have to worry about anything. I was going to tell you tomorrow before you left, but since you've brought the subject up I may as well tell you now.'
'Tell us what?' Eden looked puzzled, and Eliot held his breath, wondering what Cain was up to.
'Your wedding! It's on me, every penny of it. No, I won't hear any arguments,' he added, holding up his hands as they started to protest. 'Listen, I meant every word I said in that speech, Eden. You're family. It's a father's duty to pay for his daughter's wedding and I missed out every time. Scarlet's stepfather paid for her do. All the Goss paid for Honey's. And as for Emerald —' he cast a dismissive glance in her direction, 'well, there's no one on the horizon for her anyway, so I don't think I'll have to worry about that for a good while.'
Emerald was apparently too shocked to reply, judging by the look on her face, and Eliot felt a rush of indignation for her. 'I reckon you should save your money for your own daughter, Cain,' he said. 'Happen there's someone out there who'll sweep her off her feet before you know it. She's a right bonny lass, and someone will see it soon enough.'
He was rewarded for his efforts in gallantry with a stunned look from Eden and a grateful smile from Emerald.
'Besides,' he continued, as Jed clapped him on the back in evident approval, 'you said yourself that it's supposed to be the bride's dad who pays for the wedding. If me and Eden need any help, I'm sure her dad will want to be the one to provide it.' Not that he'd ever ask. Hell would freeze over before he went cap in hand to anyone to pay for his own wedding.
'Well, that's as may be,' conceded Cain, 'but come on, we all know Eden's dad ain't got that kind of dosh. No offence, darls. And you want her to have a great day, don't you? I mean, you want the best for her, right? I won't interfere if that's what you're thinking. I want her to have the wedding of her dreams 'cos I happen to think she deserves it. That's all. But sorry if I've wound you up, mate, or overstepped the mark.'
Eliot's heart sank. What could he say to that, really? Cain was right. Eden's father was a smashing bloke, and the two of them got on well, but he was no better off financially than Eliot himself. In fact, he was probably worse off. And Eden did deserve a dream wedding. He'd said so himself. How could he deny her that? Besides, he had his own idea of how their wedding should be, and he didn't have a cat in hell's chance of funding it.
He took a deep breath. 'That's good of you, Cain. Thank you.'
Cain looked delighted. 'So, you agree?'
Eliot felt sick. 'Aye. I agree.'
He couldn't look at Eden, hoping she wouldn't feel he'd let her down in any way. He knew he should be able to pay for it himself, but the fact was, he would never be able to afford to buy her a beautiful wedding gown or pay for a proper party. If they waited for him to save up, they'd be getting married from a nursing home.
Cain clapped him on the shoulder, then hugged Eden, who was looking dumbfounded. Emerald watched them, her eyes narrowed, and Eliot murmured to her, 'Try not to take it to heart. You'll show him, one day.'
Emerald nodded. 'You're so right. I'll show them all.'
As Cain turned back to her, she tapped him on the arm. 'Now that you've got that sorted, Daddy, I'd rather like a word with you. You see, I have something quite important that I need to discuss.'
'Can't it wait until tomorrow?' he pleaded. 'This is a special day, after all.'
Eliot didn't hear her reply. He was too busy listening to Jed telling Eden all about America, and how it was such a beautiful country and the perfect destination for a honeymoon. His heart seemed to sink
into his shoes. He'd really gone and done it now. He was back in the clutches of the Carmichaels yet again, and it was all his own fault.
Chapter Six
About an hour later, Eliot managed to get Eden on her own for all of five minutes. 'Can we talk?' He didn't want to upset her, and he certainly didn't want to postpone their wedding for any longer than was strictly necessary, but the more he thought about it, the more he worried exactly what sort of glamorous event Cain had in mind for them.
Of course, he wanted Eden to have a wedding she could be proud of, but what if Cain took it to extremes? What if he decided their wedding would be every bit as expensive and grand as Honey's own? Eliot didn't think he could stand it. Suddenly, a quick trip to the registry office and a wet weekend in Filey wasn't sounding so bad.
'Of course. What is it?' She leaned towards him, her eyes bright from all the glasses of wine and champagne she'd consumed, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted in a teasing invitation. 'I'm all yours.'
'Aye, I should hope so.' He wondered how to broach the subject. 'Thing is —'
'Not long now,' she whispered in his ear. 'Then you can take me upstairs and we can start practising for our wedding night.'
Eliot swallowed. 'Aye, that'd be —'
'Not that you need any practice.' She undid the bow tie that he'd not long since managed to do up again and feathered his lips with kisses. 'You know exactly what you're doing, don't you?'
He caught hold of her hands and tried to concentrate on the matter in hand, although, God knows, it was a difficult task. He was half-tempted to drag her up the stairs right there and then, but he had to keep a clear head. It didn't look as if she had. 'I'm a bit worried, my love. About what Cain said.'
She frowned. 'Cain?'
'About the wedding,' he said patiently. 'I think it's grand of him to offer to pay for it, 'course I do, but I want to know what it's going to cost us.'
'Nothing! He said —'
'I mean, in terms of handing over control. Whose wedding is this really going to be?'
