by Day Leclaire
“I guess we’ll find out when it hits the newspapers.”
Her air of calm evaporated. “You’re not going to tell him yourself?”
He bared his teeth in a grin. “Trust me. It’ll be more fun if we do it my way.”
He didn’t give her time to argue the situation. Instead he dropped her and Isabella off at an exclusive little boutique with instructions to the proprietor to dress his bride-to-be in the most romantic gown available, and to make sure that his niece wore something that matched. The blank check he offered to make certain everything was completed on time ensured satisfaction on behalf of both parties. Much to his private amusement, he left Isabella glowing and Annalise glowering.
The next morning Derek had surprised him by showing up on his doorstep with Taye McClintock in tow.
“What the hell…?” Jack greeted his two best friends with a broad grin.
“Fine greeting that is,” Taye griped. “I fly in all the way from Singapore—”
“I thought you were in Paris.”
“That was last month.” Taye paused, and his angel’s face assumed a wicked expression. “Doesn’t really matter, does it? I couldn’t miss your wedding, could I?”
Jack spared Derek a brief glance. “You told him?” he asked.
“About the wedding, yes.”
“About the reason for it, no,” Taye contributed with the comfortable brazenness of an old friend. “But I can make a fairly good guess. And I’m guessing that it has something to do with Isabella and that ongoing fight you’re having with CPS. Am I right?”
Jack started to agree, then for reasons he didn’t dare analyze, he hesitated. “Isabella’s part of the reason,” he grudgingly admitted.
He couldn’t explain his reluctance to go into the finer points, but suspected it had something to do with Annalise. Even though Derek had drawn up the prenup that spelled out every last detail of their forthcoming marriage, he felt a bone-deep urge to protect his bride from his two best friends, which struck him as vaguely ludicrous. Even so, he didn’t want them to think she was marrying him for financial gain, mainly because he knew that wasn’t her true reason. Like him, she was simply putting Isabella first, and that fact had to be protected and celebrated.
Derek’s eyes narrowed. “Well, well. Who’d have thought?”
“Thought what?” Jack asked defensively.
“That the great Jack Mason has been brought to his knees by his nanny.”
“Stuff it, Fletcher. It isn’t like that.”
“Huh.” Taye appeared intrigued. “I think it’s exactly like that. I don’t doubt Isabella is a big part of the reason for the hasty marriage, but I think you have a thing for your bride-to-be.” Before Jack could argue the point, he added, “But, the more interesting question is why the hell would she marry you, Mason?”
Jack felt his anger stir. “If that’s the attitude you two are going to adopt, you can support me on my wedding day by taking off.”
Taye chuckled. “Oh, yeah. I can definitely see the appeal now.”
“You know…” Derek chimed in, “Taye raises an interesting point. I thought she was marrying you for the obvious reasons.” He and Taye exchanged a knowing look and chimed in together, “Money.”
“You don’t think she is?” Taye asked.
“Guys—”
Derek shrugged. “I’m not so sure. When I met with her yesterday, I didn’t read ‘gold digger,’ if you know what I mean.”
Jack lost his patience. “That’s because she isn’t.”
“Which brings us back to Taye’s point.” Derek lifted a sooty eyebrow. “Precisely why is she marrying you, Jack? For Isabella’s sake? Fast work, that. What in the world would prompt a woman to sacrifice two years of her life for a child she barely knows?”
“Unless it was for money.” Taye slipped the suggestion in again with far too much cynicism. But then, he had cause, as Jack knew all too well. A small case of been there/done that. “If it wasn’t for the money…” Taye allowed the comment to trail off.
Jack shrugged uneasily. “She cares about Isabella, just as I do. She plans to get her master’s over the next two years, and this will provide her with the perfect opportunity to set herself up for the future while helping Isabella.”
It sounded weak, even to his ears. As though sensing his concern, his friends exchanged meaningful looks and deliberately changed the subject. Jack listened with half an ear. Now that he stopped to consider the matter, he had to admit that his plan to circumvent CPS had fallen into place with impressive ease. Granted, he’d always had a knack for getting his own way and making things come together to his advantage. This was just one more example of that, right? But he couldn’t stop the question from fomenting in the back of his mind.
Why had Annalise really agreed to marry him? Was it for Isabella’s sake, as she claimed? Or did she have a very different agenda?
The wedding itself took place late that afternoon in the serenity of his backyard, with Taye and Derek at his side. Annalise and Isabella walked together across the lawn toward him, hand in hand, while a string quartet played softly and a photographer worked discreetly in the background. His bride paused halfway to the makeshift altar and stooped to adjust his niece’s hat. Dappled sunlight framed them, capturing them within a golden glow. And just like that, his heart stopped.
In that moment, his wife-to-be had to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Her hair had been pulled back from her face and allowed to tumble in an abandoned riot of curls down her back. Her wispy veil was anchored in place by a circlet of gold and silver, the craftsmanship of the leaf-and-diamond-encrusted piece drawing attention to her vivid eyes. Her ivory gown was perfectly suited to her tall, lean figure, the bodice fitted, the sweeping skirt complemented by a long flowing train. She looked like a fantasy creature from another era, and yet he knew just how real she was.
Isabella also wore an ivory gown with lace insets that matched the trim on Annalise’s wedding gown. As far as Jack was concerned, his niece resembled nothing more than a small angel. Instead of a veil, she wore an adorable wide-brimmed bonnet that framed her apple-cheeked face. Gold-tipped brown ringlets peeked out from the edges and bobbed in the gentle breeze. She beamed with excitement.
Instead of carrying her Nancy doll—something he rarely saw her without—she held a basket full of ivory and blush-pink roses. Then, much to his amusement, he noticed the doll perched at the base of the tree near where he was standing. He grinned. His adorable niece had dressed the doll for the occasion in a gown and bonnet that, even to his untrained eye, appeared identical to the one Isabella wore.
An instant later, the two joined him beneath the weighty fuchsia blossoms of a crape myrtle, and the minister spoke the traditional opening words that would soon join them together as husband and wife. The ceremony took no time at all. One minute he was a man who’d sworn never to take a wife. The next instant he was married to a woman who gazed at him with such a wealth of emotion that it took every ounce of self-control to keep himself from sweeping her into his arms and carrying her off to where they could spend the next twenty-four hours in uninterrupted seclusion.
That wasn’t part of the plan, he reminded himself. This marriage had nothing to do with his new bride and everything to do with the child standing at their side. And he’d do well to remember that.
The minister cut across his thoughts, speaking the timeless words to conclude the ceremony. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Jack didn’t require any further prompting. He cupped Annalise’s face and tilted it upward. Her veil fluttered like a flag of surrender, while her curls shivered in protest. But her eyes, those glorious honey-gold eyes, gazed at him with undisguised want. Was she even aware of how much they gave away? He doubted it. If she had the least suspicion, she’d have done everything in her power to tuck the truth away behind that serene facade she clung to with such determination. He hoped Taye and Derek didn’t notice her expression. That was his, and
his alone, something he refused to share with anyone else.
Slowly he lowered his head and captured her mouth. Her lips were softer than the roses in Isabella’s basket and tasted of sunshine and warmth. He filled his hands with the glorious weight of her hair and the silken curls twined around his fingers, anchoring them together. She sighed against his mouth, the sound one of sweet surrender. If he could have gathered up all the various scents and sounds and tastes and preserved them for all time, he would have given his fortune to do so. But moments like this didn’t last, and their kiss was no exception.
From the direction of the house a great booming woof broke the spell and the ground shook beneath their feet. Madam erupted from the kitchen and spilled onto the patio. Catching sight of the three of them, she gave her widest, most delighted grin and charged across the lawn.
The minister uttered a word that Jack was fairly certain couldn’t be found anywhere in the Bible he held and scurried behind the nearest tree. The string quartet grabbed their instruments and made a beeline for the gate exiting from the yard, toppling chairs in their haste to escape. Taking a cue from them, the minister made a speedy departure, as well. Only Taye, Derek and the photographer didn’t budge. While his friends burst into shouts of laughter, the photographer simply kept snapping pictures as the beast joined in the festivities.
With a thundering bark of excitement, Madam reared back and lunged at Jack, felling him with one blow. Unfortunately, his hands were still anchored in Annalise’s hair. She tumbled onto the grass beside him, in a tangled heap of silk and lace. Isabella launched herself at Madam, attempting to pull the dog off them. It was like watching a kitten attempt to subdue a moose. She ended up riding Madam like a pony, her bonnet turned half sideways, her dainty skirts hitched to her knees.
Beside him he felt Annalise’s shoulders tremble and a muffled sound escaped, something that sounded suspiciously like a sob. “Are you hurt?” He tried to find her through all the lace, satin and tulle. “Sweetheart, please don’t cry. It’ll be all right.”
She managed to push aside her veil and a heavy swath of curls, revealing eyes swimming with tears. But they weren’t tears of sorrow or anger. She tilted back her head and burst out laughing. His mouth twitched. And then he was laughing, too.
“So much for a traditional, elegant affair,” he muttered.
“Considering ours isn’t exactly a traditional family to begin with, it seems quite appropriate to me.” Annalise attempted to twitch her skirts into place, skirts that had ridden up high enough to reveal—Lord preserve his sanity—a tantalizing glimpse of a sexy lace garter and a hint of creamy thigh. “And, I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not really cut out for elegant.”
Jack leaned in and kissed her, a brief, thorough kiss that left her cheeks glowing and her eyes sparkling. “Do I look disappointed?” He shoved at the dog. “You two are now officially forbidden from sneaking Madam any more treats. She’s getting so fat, she’s practically waddling. And as for you two—” He shot his friends a glare that only served to increase their amusement. “Thanks for your help.”
Derek offered a broad grin. “Anytime.”
“My pleasure,” Taye added.
Jack gained his feet and helped his bride to hers. With one stern command, he had Isabella removed from Madam’s back and the dog sitting calmly at his heels. The photographer stepped forward.
“Would you like a few formal shots?” His mouth twitched. “I think all the informal poses are covered.”
“But we’re a mess,” Annalise protested.
Jack shook his head. “You look beautiful.”
Her amusement faded, replaced by concern. “You wanted this to look good,” she explained in a low voice. “I know how important it is.”
“It’ll be fine. Here, just a few minor adjustments…”
Gravely, he finger-combed her unruly curls into a semblance of order—but not too orderly. He liked how they rampaged down her back in exuberant disregard. Then he centered the circlet on her brow and straightened her veil. He brushed the bits of grass and debris from her skirts and then nodded in satisfaction.
Isabella tugged at the tails of his tux and regarded him with a worried expression. “Your turn?” he asked gently.
At her solemn nod, he adjusted her bonnet, retying the ribbon beneath her dainty chin. He took his time removing every blade of grass from her skirts and then turned her in a slow circle. He nodded in satisfaction.
“Picture perfect,” he said approvingly.
He winked at Annalise, surprised to see tears in her eyes again. This time they weren’t from joy. There was bittersweet quality to her expression. Forcing a smile to her lips, she stepped forward to join them. The next half hour passed in a flurry of camera shots, some with Madam, some without. By the time they were finished, afternoon had faded into evening. Taye and Derek made their farewells, shaking Jack’s hand with impressive formality, and kissing the bride with far too much enthusiasm.
“What next?” Annalise asked, once they were alone. She attempted to hide her nervousness with only limited success.
“Sara’s prepared a formal dinner for us. I didn’t think it wise to go to a hotel in case Isabella has a problem, so we’ll be staying here. I’ve arranged for Mrs. Walters, just in case.”
“Oh.” To his intense fascination, color came and went in Annalise’s face. “Is that really necessary?”
He held her gaze with his. “Without question.”
She spared a brief glance in Isabella’s direction. His niece was sitting beneath the tree with her Nancy doll. Madam hovered nearby. “I assumed my room would be adjacent to Isabella’s and we wouldn’t need Mrs. Walters any longer. After all, that’s why I’m here.”
“You’re my wife now. You’ll share my room.”
Alarm flared to life. “Jack, this isn’t a real marriage,” she whispered. “We shouldn’t be sharing a bedroom.”
“This is a real marriage and we will share a bedroom and a bed.” He caught her hand in his and drew her closer, keeping his voice low and reassuring. “CPS will notice if we’re not living as husband and wife. So will Sara and Mrs. Walters. Even Isabella will sense that something’s off. She’s too young to understand what, but I want her to feel safe and secure on every level. Having two parents who act like parents will help her do that.”
“We never discussed this aspect of our marriage,” she protested. “I assumed—”
He smiled. “You assumed wrong.”
“How far do you plan to take this?”
“Take what?”
She regarded him with naked apprehension. “Take our relationship.”
“As far as you let me,” he answered calmly.
“And if it’s not as far as you’d like?” she shot back.
“You draw the line, Annalise, wherever you want it. The real question is—” he snatched a quick kiss that had Isabella giggling “—what will you do when one of us steps over it?”
Dinner that night passed on wings, filled with laughter and delicious food, while the conversation flowed with surprising ease. It wasn’t until afterward that time slowed and stuttered. Much to Jack’s amusement, Annalise did her best to drag the evening out. Still dressed in their wedding finery—at Isabella’s insistence—they played games until bedtime, at which point Mrs. Walters came to collect his niece.
There was a moment of concern when she protested being escorted to bed, but Annalise stepped in with surprising firmness, and Isabella gave them a reluctant hug and kiss before retiring. The instant they were alone, Jack scooped his bride into his arms and carried her to their bedroom.
“This isn’t necessary,” she protested.
“Indulge me. It’s not every day a man marries.”
“Jack, please.”
“I intend to please you.”
He shouldered open the door to the master suite and stepped across the threshold before gently setting his bride on her feet. She stood, unmoving, examining her surrounds with
a combination of curiosity and nervousness. He tried to see the room through her eyes.
The furnishings were sturdy pieces with clean, simple lines, stained to a deep golden sheen. They weren’t overwhelmingly masculine, yet they were a bit stark. The candles helped, giving the room a warm, welcoming glow. Sara had provided a few romantic touches of her own by scattering a pathway of ivory and blush pink rose petals from the doorway to the bed, as well as across the duvet covering the mattress. Two crystal flutes stood at the ready alongside a bottle of champagne that rested in a bucket of ice. He studied the scene with an uncertainty he’d never experienced in the business world, concerned about Annalise’s reaction.
For more years than Jack could count, he’d lived in an emotional wasteland. His father had been a cold bastard and still was, and he treated his son as little more than a commodity.
His mother had left him, though he didn’t doubt it had been against her will. Not that it had changed those lonely years of his childhood. And Joanne…God, how he missed her. He’d survived her loss, of course. Barely. But ever since his parents’ divorce, he’d learned to keep tight control over all aspects of his life. To hold people at a distance. He had no intention of ever being deserted, physically or emotionally, again.
As though sensing the dark direction of his thoughts, Annalise offered him a tentative smile. “This is lovely,” she said. “Like something out of a fairy tale.”
With the gift of one simple smile, warmth flooded through him and the cold and dark faded. This was his wife. His woman. It didn’t matter how or why they’d come to exchange those vows. In this moment, they belonged together and he’d do whatever necessary to make this night one she never forgot.
“I’m glad you like it.” He gestured toward the champagne. “Would you care for a glass?”
“I don’t drink,” she confessed.
He tilted his head to one side. Interesting, considering Derek’s report. “Not at all?”
Her mouth twisted. “I had a small run-in with alcohol when I was sixteen. It didn’t agree with me.”
