The Texan Quartet (Books 1-4) Omnibus
Page 33
Chris wasn’t sure he agreed with her. There was nothing decent about the sheerness of Imogen’s slip. He avoided looking at her and instead focused on Libby. “Reporting for duty,” he said.
She laughed and stood up. Like Kate and Piper, she was wearing a kimono, hers white and silver. “I hear you haven’t had much sleep lately. I could say I’m sorry, but I’m glad you enjoyed the books.”
“They were great,” he said honestly. “Kate tells me the next in the series arrived this week.”
“And you definitely deserve an early copy,” Libby said. She took his hands. “Thank you for offering to walk me down the aisle.” Her eyes watered.
“Oh, no. Don’t you cry. Any crying and I walk – not to mention Imogen will kill me.” He smiled as he said it and it had the desired effect of making her laugh. Over Libby’s shoulder Imogen gave him a smile like a supernova. His heart thudded painfully in his chest.
The doorbell rang.
“That would be my cue to leave,” Chris said, giving Libby a hug. “I’ll see you later.”
He disappeared before his body could have any other inappropriate responses to the woman he was determined not to like.
***
Doorman duty was a piece of cake. By the time everyone had arrived, there was no hint of a photographer – aside from the one Libby had hired to shoot the wedding.
Chris locked the front door and went to check on Libby. “Everyone’s arrived,” he said as he walked through the door, but any other words he could have said, died in his throat. Imogen had turned around and Chris saw what was now covering the decent slip. It was a dress of the palest pink, and it floated around her as though there was a constant gentle breeze in the room. Her matching pink heels gave her an extra two inches in height and she’d done something to her face to accentuate those dark brown eyes.
It was the pixie brought to life again.
She was beautiful.
Her lips moved but Chris had no idea what she said. Mentally shaking himself he said, “What?”
“We need another five minutes. Are the guys ready?”
“I’ll check.” Eager to be out of there, he fled the room.
Adrian and George were still sitting where he’d left them but there was some evidence they’d moved because George was hoeing into a packet of chips.
“They’ll be ready in five,” Chris said as he walked in.
Adrian shot to his feet. “Great. Let’s go.”
George put down the bag of food. “Hang on, let me clean up.”
Adrian tapped his hand on his thigh. “How does she look?” he asked.
Chris had no idea. He’d not noticed Libby or Piper when he’d been in the room, only Imogen.
“No, don’t tell me. I’ll see for myself in a minute.”
George came out of the bathroom. “Let’s play ball.”
***
Imogen took her seat next to Piper’s family. She wasn’t sure what to make of Christian’s offer to walk Libby down the aisle. It was a beautiful gesture and it made it difficult for her to stay indifferent to him. She knew Libby equated walking down the aisle by herself with no one loving her. Piper had told Imogen about Libby’s parents and their lack of affection for their youngest child as well as the issues with Libby’s previous boyfriend. Imogen could understand her friend’s feelings even though she’d been lucky. Her father might frustrate her at times, but Imogen never felt as if she were unloved.
As the music began, everyone turned to watch Kate walk down the aisle. She positively beamed as she demurely sprinkled red rose petals along the path. Following her came Piper, absolutely stunning in the blue dress Imogen had designed for her. Then finally Libby entered with Christian by her side.
Imogen had never seen a bride so lovely. Libby glowed with happiness as she walked down the aisle.
Christian smiled as he walked and whispered something to Libby to make her grin. At that moment he captured Imogen’s attention. His smile reminded her of their time together as teens, the way she’d felt so special to have his focus on her and how she was sure this boy was going to be the one.
He looked stylish in a charcoal suit with a crisp white shirt underneath and a matching charcoal tie. A small fluttering started in the bottom of her stomach and she squashed it down. She couldn’t have nice feelings about Christian: he’d proven he wasn’t the least bit interested in her.
Christian and Libby had reached the front, where Adrian was waiting. Adrian’s gaze was fixed on Libby and he had the biggest smile across his face.
Imogen’s heart squeezed, and as they swapped their vows she reached for a tissue, but realized she’d left them inside.
“Here,” Piper’s mother whispered and handed her one.
“Thank you,” Imogen mouthed back and dabbed at her eyes.
This was the type of love she secretly longed for. The type that made you smile, and feel secure, and made you realize you were never truly alone. The type where the person you married was also your best friend.
She imagined her parents had had that kind of love, because after her mother had died, her father had never found anyone else. It was as if he could never love another woman as much as he had her mother.
The celebrant announced Libby and Adrian as husband and wife and they kissed while the crowd cheered. Imogen got to her feet as Adrian and Libby walked past, both of them grinning from ear to ear. While the others joined the receiving line to congratulate the happy couple, Imogen whisked around to make sure the caterers had everything organized. There were going to be canapés and finger food while the bridal party had some photos and then a sit-down meal at tables set up around the garden.
As she reached the catering section her footsteps slowed. It appeared Christian had had the same idea. He was already talking to the head chef.
Imogen hesitated a moment too long and the caterer noticed her and smiled, which caused Christian to turn around.
He scowled. “Checking I’m doing my job?”
“What? No, I was going to check the caterers had everything they needed.”
“Which is what Libby asked me to do.” The look he gave her was pure contempt.
It hit her in the chest like an arrow. Did he have to be so different from the boy she remembered? “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I’ll leave you to it.” She turned and hurried away, joining the line to congratulate her friends. She needed to remember he was not the boy she’d met; he was a man who had had experiences in the time since that had changed him.
When Libby and Adrian had gone to have photos, Imogen glanced around for a place to sit. There was an older man standing apart from everyone, as if he didn’t know anyone. Something about him was familiar and Imogen tried to think where she’d seen him before. He wandered over to admire a flower in the garden and that’s when it hit her. Mr. Barker.
Christian’s father.
Delight filled her and she rushed across the grass, slowing as she got nearer to him, wondering whether she would get the same reaction from him as she had from his son.
There was only one way to find out.
“Mr. Barker?” she asked.
The man turned and frowned and then recognition lit his face. “Little Imogen!” He stepped back to have a better look. “You’ve grown up.”
There was something about his manner, something about the way he said her name that brought memories flooding back, of all those days as a child when she’d snuck out to the garden to follow him around and learn about plants. She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
He seemed shocked at first and then hugged her back. “Well now,” he said when she let go. “It’s mighty fine to see you too.”
Imogen wanted to pepper him with questions, ask him where he’d been, why they’d left in a hurry, why her father’s private investigator hadn’t been able to find them, but now was not the time.
“Do you know many people here? I can introduce you to Piper’s family.�
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“That’d be swell. Chris is busy helping out.”
At that moment Christian appeared next to her.
“Chris, you remember Imogen Fontaine?”
He nodded curtly. “We met the other day.”
His father frowned and Imogen didn’t want him to make things worse so she said lightly, “I had to remind him who I was. It’s been a long time. When you left so suddenly I thought you must have been abducted by aliens.” She laughed to keep the mood friendly.
Christian grunted. “Calling your father an alien now?”
Mr. Barker shot Christian a warning look that told him to shut up and Imogen frowned. “What do you mean?”
Christian shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
Her brain tried to make the connection. Her eyes widened. “Are you saying Papa had something to do with your disappearance?”
“It’s not important, Imogen,” Mr. Barker said. “It’s water under the bridge.”
The hair rose on the back of Imogen’s neck. There was clearly something important that she didn’t know. “Not to me it isn’t,” Imogen replied. “I want to know what happened.”
Christian’s face turned a dull shade of red. “Don’t pretend you don’t know. Your father sacked Dad and kicked us off the property because you didn’t want us there.”
He might as well have punched her in the stomach. All her breath left her. “That’s not true.”
“It is,” Christian said angrily. “Your father came over and gave me a letter from you saying you didn’t want to see me again.”
Imogen could see pain in his eyes.
“Chris – ” his father began.
“He kicked us out, left Dad without a job or references.”
Imogen shook her head. “No. I cried for weeks after you left. I made him hire a private investigator to search for you. He wouldn’t have done that to me.”
Christian gaped at her. “A private investigator?”
She nodded. “I wanted to find you, to make sure you were all right. You left so quickly I thought something terrible must have happened.”
“Imogen, your father loves you very much,” Mr. Barker said, stepping forward and placing a hand on her arm. “He didn’t think we were a good influence on you so he sent us away.”
The man didn’t appear to hold any grudge against her father.
“But why?”
“We were too poor for you,” Christian said quietly. “He said no one of my status would ever be acceptable for his daughter.”
There was something in his tone, some hint of caring.
Confusion flooded her mind. All this time she’d thought Christian had disappeared and it turned out her father had caused it?
She had to find somewhere quiet to sit. Somewhere she could think things through. She didn’t want to ruin Libby’s wedding by causing a scene.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said. “I need a minute.” Her voice caught on the last word.
“Imogen.” Chris put a hand out to stop her but she shrugged him off.
“Give me a minute,” she whispered and headed toward the house, smiling and waving hello at guests but making sure she looked like she was on a mission. Which she was.
A mission to get the hell out of there without crying.
She headed to the room where they’d got ready and closed the door behind her. There were clothes strewn about the place and her makeup kit was spread over one of the tables. Needing something to do with her hands she tidied up, picking up clothes and folding them.
Her father had sent Christian away.
She couldn’t quite comprehend it but yet it rang true. Her father had always approved the friends she was allowed to socialize with. It was one of the reasons her clandestine meetings with Christian had been so exciting – her father hadn’t known.
Now it made sense that the private investigator had turned up no trace of Christian and his father: he had been paid not to. Or not hired at all. Imogen had wondered how they could have disappeared so completely, and now it appeared they were living in the same city all of this time.
How could he have done that to her?
When Christian had disappeared she’d run to her father, telling him about their time together and telling him he needed to find her friend. Her father had listened and been oh so sympathetic and promised to do whatever he could for his bichette.
He’d lied to her.
She wanted to call him immediately, accuse him of this crime and discover what he had to say for himself, but there was no point. Her father did not respond to accusations, tantrums or temper. Not from her.
She would have to speak to him when she was calmer.
But God, it hurt.
She’d trusted him. She snatched a tissue from the dressing table and dabbed at her eyes. She was a mess. Her eyes were red and her cheeks streaked with tears.
Outside she heard cheers and it reminded her she was at a wedding. She had no time for self-pity.
Determined to put it aside, she took a couple of breaths and then cleaned up her face, reapplying makeup where she needed to. She walked back out of the house and spotted Christian immediately. It was as if he’d been watching for her and he headed her way, but she shook her head and went to talk to Piper’s brother and parents.
She wasn’t ready to face him yet.
***
Imogen managed to avoid Christian until after dinner, which she considered to be a success. She’d had photos with the bridal party and been introduced to George’s family and Kate’s aunt, uncle and cousins, and had even had a conversation with Libby’s parents, though that hadn’t been much fun. As soon as they had realized she was the daughter of Remy Fontaine, founder of Tour de Force, they were all over her, asking whether she’d like to donate something for a charity auction they were organizing. Imogen promised to discuss it with her father and excused herself with a lie about having to check on dinner preparations.
Now, however, the mood was relaxed. The sun had gone down and thousands of fairy lights lit the garden with a flickering elegance. Everyone had eaten and the band was playing mellow tunes.
Adrian and Libby got to their feet and had the first dance. It was lovely to watch them sway to the music, caught up in the moment and each other.
When the song was done, Piper and George joined them and then Kate and Christian danced together. It brought a smile to Imogen’s face to see them dance, with the big difference in their heights, but Kate was obviously having a ball, and so, it appeared, was Christian.
Someone sat down next to her and she turned to Mr. Barker. She smiled. “I apologize for my behavior earlier,” she said. “I was surprised about what Christian said.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Mr. Barker said. “I’m sorry the news upset you.” He sighed. “You were such a lonely child.”
Imogen stared at him. She’d never really considered herself lonely. There was always plenty to do at Chateau Fontaine, from the tree house, to the gardens, to the pool, and the cinema inside the house. But then she hadn’t had anyone aside from her father to share those things with, which was possibly one of the reasons she’d enjoyed spending time with Mr. Barker in the garden.
“I argued with your father when he wanted to send us away. Fought not just for my job, but also for your right to choose who your friends were. Your father did not listen. He threw money at me to make me go away and never return.” His expression was sad. “I took the money from him, even though you and Christian had something special. I had to think of my own child. The money put him through his undergraduate degree and his first year at law school.”
Imogen gaped at him. She didn’t blame him for taking the money, but the fact her father had been willing to pay so much so she didn’t see Christian again was unbelievable. Did she know her father at all?
Christian was suddenly at her side and from the shock on his face, he’d heard what his father had said. “You took money from him to go away?”
Christian frowned. “I never realized.”
“You didn’t need to.”
Christian was obviously still processing the information, figuring out if he was all right with that. It was then Imogen realized Christian had been as betrayed as she had. His attitude toward her made sense now. Perhaps she could help to right things.
She got to her feet, deciding to take a risk. “Would you like to dance?” she asked Christian.
He blinked at the hand she held out. Then a smile crossed his face. A smile she remembered from that summer; her heart warmed.
“Sure.”
His palm enveloped hers as she led him to the dance floor. The music was soft and slow, almost dreamy. It soothed Imogen as Christian pulled her into his arms and they too swayed together, not speaking.
Christian was taller than she was, and even with her two-inch heels she had to tilt her head a little to look him in the eye. She wrapped an arm around his neck and clasped his other hand in hers. His arm encircled her, drawing her close enough for her to brush the lapels on his jacket.
They fit together well, not talking, lost in their own thoughts. What would things have been like if her father hadn’t sent Christian away, if they’d been allowed to continue a friendship that had held so much promise?
She sighed. As Mr. Barker had said, it was all water under the bridge now. There was no point thinking about could-have-been.
Christian chuckled.
Imogen glanced up. “What’s so funny?”
“You still have the same sigh,” he said. “I remember you sighing like that when I told you I didn’t like the boy band you were so keen on.”
Imogen smiled at the memory and then realized what he’d admitted to. “You do remember!”
He spun her around but his smile was tinged with sadness. “Yeah. It was the best summer.”
Imogen stopped swaying and stared at him. “But you pretended you didn’t remember me when we met.”
“Hardest thing I’ve ever done. I was still mad at you for dumping me, even after all these years.”