by Douglas, Michelle; Gordon, Lucy; Pembroke, Sophie; Hardy, Kate
Zeke shook his head. ‘Not for a good while, at least. I need to...I need to find something else to make my life about, you know?’
‘Not really,’ Flynn said with a half-smile. ‘I’ve spent my whole life trying to get in to this family, while you’ve spent it trying to get out.’
‘I guess so.’ Zeke wondered how it would feel to finally get the one thing you’d always wanted. Maybe he’d never know. ‘Something you and Thea have in common.’
Flynn tilted his head as he stared up at him. ‘You really love her, don’t you?’
Zeke shrugged, and stepped past his brother to climb the stairs to retrieve his suitcase. ‘Love doesn’t matter now.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
‘WOW,’ HELENA SAID as Thea stepped out from behind the screen. ‘Maybe you should just walk down the aisle like that. I’m sure Flynn wouldn’t complain. Or any of the male guests.’
Thea pulled a face at her sister in the mirror. She wasn’t even sure she looked like herself. From the ringlets and veil, to the excess layers of make-up Sheila had assured her were necessary to ‘last through the day’—despite the fact the wedding was at four in the afternoon—she looked like someone else. A bride, she supposed.
She let her gaze drop lower in the mirror, just long enough to take in the white satin basque that pushed her breasts up into realms they’d never seen before and the sheer white stockings that clipped onto the suspenders dangling from the basque. She looked like a stripper bride. She hoped Flynn would appreciate it.
Zeke would have.
Not thinking about that.
‘Help me into the dress?’ Thea said, turning away from the mirror. ‘We’re late already, and I think the wedding planner is about to have a heart attack. She’s been calling from the church every five minutes to check where we are.’
Helena reached up to take the heavy ivory silk concoction from its hanger, then paused, biting her lip as she looked back at Thea.
‘Don’t, Helena,’ Thea said, forestalling whatever objection her sister was about to raise. ‘Just pass me the dress, yeah?’
Helena unhooked the dress and held it up for Thea to step into. Then, as Thea wriggled it over her hips, pulling it up over the basque, Helena said, ‘Are you sure about this? I mean, really, really sure?’
Thea sighed. ‘Trust me, Helena. You are not the only person to ask me that today. But I’ve made my decision. I’m marrying Flynn.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
Thea spun around at the words, to see Flynn leaning against the doorframe.
‘What are you doing here?’ The last couple of words came out as a shriek, but Thea didn’t care.
‘I need to tell you something,’ Flynn said, perfectly reasonably. ‘It’s important.’
‘Not now!’
‘You look beautiful, by the way,’ Flynn added, as if that meant anything. The groom wasn’t allowed to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding! It was terrible, terrible luck!
‘Flynn, why don’t you tell her what you came to tell her so she can stop freaking out?’ Helena suggested. ‘Plus, you should be down at the church already.’
Flynn nodded his agreement. ‘Zeke has agreed to sell This Minute to Morrison-Ashton.’
Thea stopped trying to cover up her dress with her arms and stared at him. ‘Seriously? Why?’
‘Probably because someone convinced him he had to leave everything here behind and find his own path in life.’
‘Ah,’ Helena said, eyes wide. ‘Thea, what—?’
‘It doesn’t matter.’ Thea cut her off. ‘Does that mean he’s not taking the director job?’
‘No. He insisted that Dad give that to you.’
Thea started to shake. Just a tremor in her hands and arms to start with, but she could feel it spreading.
‘And he’s made Dad agree to step down within the next year and pass the company to me,’ Flynn finished. Even he looked a little shell shocked at that bit.
Thea dropped into the nearest chair as the tremors hit her knees. ‘Why? Why would he do that?’
But she already knew. He’d given in. He’d given his father exactly what he wanted so he could walk away clear and free. Just as she’d told him he’d never be able to do.
‘I think he wanted to make things right,’ Flynn said, and Thea felt the first tear hit her cheek.
Zeke was free of them all at last. Even her. And she was being left behind again, still trying to prove she was good enough to belong. After today she’d be tied in for ever, never able to walk away.
Was she jealous?
‘Thea? Are you okay?’ Helena asked.
‘No!’ Thea sobbed, the word a violent burst of sound. ‘I’m a mess. I’m a mistake.’
‘That’s not true,’ Helena said soothingly, and Thea could see her giving Flynn looks of wide-eyed concern. ‘What would make you think that?’
Thea gave a watery chuckle. ‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe sleeping with the best man the night before my wedding? Perhaps having to have an intervention with my almost-mother-in-law about how it was better to have an affair than marry an inappropriate guy?’
Flynn swore at that, Thea was pleased to note.
‘Or maybe sending away the guy I love so I can marry the guy I’m supposed to? And now, on top of everything else, Flynn’s seen me in my wedding dress. That’s not just like pearls! Everyone knows that’s absolute bad luck! It’s against all the rules!’
With another glance back at Flynn—who, Thea was frustrated to note, was still standing perfectly calmly in the doorway, with just a slight look of discomfort on his face—Helena knelt down beside her.
‘Thea. I don’t think this is about rules any more.’
‘No. It’s about me messing up again. I was so close to being happy here! And now I’m making a mess of everything.’
Helena shook her head. ‘No, you’re not. And today’s not about family, or business, or any of the other things you seem to think this wedding should be about.’
Thea looked up at her sister. ‘Then what is it about?’
‘It’s about love,’ Helena said. ‘It’s about trusting your heart to know the right thing to do. And, since you’re sitting here sobbing in a designer wedding dress, I think your heart is trying to tell you something.’
It couldn’t, Thea wanted to say, because it had stopped. Her heart had stopped still in her chest the moment Zeke had walked out of the library that morning, so it couldn’t tell her anything.
But her head could. And it was screaming at her right now that she was an idiot. She’d spent so long trying to find her place in the world, trying to force her way into a role that had never been right for her, she’d ignored the one place she truly belonged all along.
She looked up at Flynn, still so calm and serene and perfect—but not perfect for her.
‘Go,’ he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. ‘You might still catch him.’
‘But...but what about the wedding? Everyone’s here, and our parents are waiting, and—’
‘We’ll take care of it,’ Helena promised, glancing over at Flynn.
Was there something in that look? Had Isabella been right? Thea couldn’t be sure.
‘Won’t we?’
‘We will,’ Flynn agreed. ‘All you have to do now is run.’
Somewhere in the villa a door slammed, and Thea knew it had to be Zeke, leaving her again. But this time she was going with him.
Shoving the heavy wedding dress back down over her hips, Thea stepped out of it and dashed for the door, pausing only for a second to kiss Flynn lightly on the cheek. ‘Thanks,’ she said.
And then she ran.
* * *
Zeke shut the front door to the villa behind him and walked out
into the late-afternoon Tuscan sun. Everyone must have already headed down to the little chapel at the bottom of the hill, ready for the wedding. His talk with Flynn had delayed him, and now there were no taxis hanging around. He might be able to find one down at the church, but he didn’t want to get that close to the main event. Not with Thea due to make her grand entrance any time now. The wedding planner’s schedule had her down there already, he remembered, unless they were running late.
No, he’d call for a cab and sit out here in the sunshine while he waited. One last glimpse of his old life before he started his new one.
Phone call made, he settled onto the terrace, sitting on the edge of the warm stone steps rather than the swing seat round at the side. Too many memories. Besides, he wouldn’t see the cab arrive.
He heard a car in the distance and stood, hefting his carry-on bag onto his shoulder and tugging up the pull-along handle of his case. No car appeared, though, and he started to think it must have been another guest heading for the chapel. But he made his way down the driveway anyway, just in case.
‘Zeke!’
Behind him the door to the villa flew open, and by the time he could turn Thea was halfway down the stairs and racing down the drive towards him.
He blinked in disbelief as she got closer, sunlight glowing behind her, making the white of her outfit shine.
White. But not her wedding dress.
‘Isn’t this where I came in?’ he asked, waving a hand towards her to indicate the rather skimpy lingerie that was doing wonderful things for her heaving cleavage as she tried to get her breath back.
‘Don’t,’ she said, scowling.
‘Don’t what?’ Zeke asked. ‘You’re the one chasing me in your underwear. Five more minutes and my cab would have been here and I’d have been out of your life, just as you wanted.’
‘Don’t joke. Don’t mock. I need you to...’ She took a deep breath. ‘I need you to stop being...you know...you for a moment. Because I need to tell you something.’
‘What?’ Zeke dropped his bag to the ground again. Apparently this was going to take a while.
‘I don’t want you out of my life.’
Zeke’s breath caught in his chest—until he realised what she was actually saying. ‘Thea, I can’t. I can’t just stick around and be Uncle Zeke for Christmas and birthdays. You were right; I need a fresh start. A clean break. Besides...’ I can’t watch you live happily ever after with my brother when I’m totally in love with you myself.
But Thea was shaking her head. ‘That’s not what I mean.’
‘Then what, Thea?’ Zeke asked, exasperated. He’d so nearly been done. So nearly broken free for good. And here he was, having this ridiculous conversation with Thea in her underwear, when she was supposed to be getting married right now.
Unless...
‘I’ve spent all day listening to people tell me what I should do. What’s best for me. Where my place is. And I’m done. You were right—but don’t let it go to your head. I need to make my own decisions. So I’m making one right now. I’m choosing my home, my place in the world. And it’s the only choice that’s going to matter ever again.’
She stepped closer, and Zeke’s hands itched to take hold of her, to pull her close. But this was her decision, and she had to make it all on her own. And he had to let her.
‘I’m choosing you,’ she whispered, so close that he could feel the words against his lips. ‘For better or worse, for mistake or for happily-ever-after, for ever and ever.’
Zeke stared into her soft blue eyes and saw no doubt hiding there. No uncertainty, no fear. She meant this.
‘You’re sure,’ he said, but it wasn’t a question. He knew.
‘I’m certain. I love you. More than anything.’
Thea’s hands wrapped around him to run up his back, and the feel of her through his shirt made him warmer.
‘I should have known it sooner. You’re my place. You’re where I belong.’
‘I can’t stay here, Thea,’ he said. ‘Maybe we can come back, but I need some time away. I’m done obsessing about the past. It’s time to start my own life.’
‘I know.’ Thea smiled. ‘I’m the one who told you that, remember?’
‘I remember.’ Unable to resist any longer, Zeke dipped his head and kissed her, long and sweet and perfect. ‘I love you. I thought when I came back that I was looking for the girl I’d known—the one I loved as a boy. But I couldn’t have imagined the woman you’d become, Thea. Or how much more I’d love you now.’
Thea buried her laugh in his chest. ‘I’m the same. I thought it would kill me, saying goodbye to you last time. But the thought of living the rest of my life without you...’ She shook her head and reached up to kiss him again.
‘Unacceptable.’ Zeke finished the thought for her. And then he asked the question that had echoed through his mind for eight long years, hoping he’d get a different answer this time. ‘Will you come with me?’
Thea smiled up at him and said, ‘Always.’
And Zeke knew, at last, that it didn’t matter where they went, or who led and who followed. They’d always be together, and that was all he needed.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed Thea and Zeke’s story look out for Helena and Flynn’s, early in 2015!
Keep reading for an excerpt from CROWN PRINCE, PREGNANT BRIDE by Kate Hardy.
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CHAPTER ONE
SHE WASN’T SUPPOSED to be there.
OK, Lorenzo knew that tourists were important. Without the income they brought when they visited the house and gardens of Edensfield Hall, his old school friend Gus would never have been able to keep his family’s ancient estate going. Even keeping the roof of the house in good repair ate up huge chunks of the annual budget, let alone anything else.
But there were set times when the estate was open to the public. Right now wasn’t one of them; the house and gardens were supposed to be completely private. Yet the woman in the shapeless black trousers and tunic top was brazenly walking through the grounds with a camera slung round her neck, stopping every so often to take a picture of something that had caught her eye. At that precise moment she was photographing the lake.
Strictly speaking, this was none of his business and he should just let it go.
But then the woman turned round, saw him staring at her, and snapped his photograph.
Enough was enough. He’d insist that she delete the file—or, if the camera was an old-fashioned one, hand over the film. He was damned if he was going to let a complete stranger make money out of photographing him in the grounds of Edensfield, on what was supposed to be private time. A couple of weeks to get his head together and prepare himself for the coronation.
Lorenzo walked straight over to her. ‘Excuse me. You just took my photograph,’ he said, not smiling.
‘Yes.’
At least she wasn’t denying it. That would make things easier. ‘Would you mind deleting the file from your camera?’
She looked surprised. ‘What’s the problem?’
As if she didn’t know. Lorenzo Torelli—strictly speaking, His Royal Highness Prince Lorenzo Torelli of the p
rincipality of Melvante, on the border between Italy and France—was about to inherit the throne and start governing the kingdom next month, when his grandfather planned to abdicate. There had been plenty of stories about it in all the big European papers, all illustrated with his photograph, so no way could she claim she didn’t know who he was. ‘Your camera, please,’ he said, holding his hand out.
‘Afraid not,’ she said coolly. ‘I don’t let people touch the tools of my trade.’
That surprised him. ‘You’re actually admitting you’re a paparazzo?’
She scoffed. ‘Of course I’m not. Why would the paparazzi want to take pictures of you?’
She had to be kidding. Did she really not know who he was? Did she live in some kind of bubble and avoid the news?
‘I don’t like my photograph being taken,’ he said carefully. ‘Besides, the estate isn’t open to the public until this afternoon. If you’ll kindly delete the file—and show me that you’ve deleted it—then I’ll be happy to help you find your way safely out of the grounds until the staff are ready to welcome visitors.’
She looked at him and rolled her eyes. ‘I’m not doing any harm.’
Lorenzo was used to people doing what he asked. The fact that she was being so stubborn about this when she was so clearly in the wrong annoyed him, and it was an effort for him to remain polite. Though he let his tone cool by twenty degrees. ‘Madam, I’m afraid the house and grounds simply aren’t open to visitors until this afternoon. Which means that right now you’re trespassing.’
‘Am I, now?’ Those sharp blue eyes were filled with insolence.
‘The file, please?’ he prompted.
She rolled her eyes, took the camera strap from round her neck, changed the camera settings and showed the screen to him so that he could first of all see the photograph she’d taken, and then see her press the button to delete the file from her camera’s storage card. ‘OK. One deleted picture. Happy, now?’
‘Yes. Thank you.’
‘Right.’ She inclined her head. ‘Little tip from me: try smiling in future, sweetie. Because you catch an awful lot more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.’
