SARA WOOD - Second-Best Bride

‘I mean love, ’ she said in reproach. ‘Not physical attraction.’

‘I hadn’t finished. Sexual attraction is an important part of what I feel for you but it’s not enough to make me rush into marriage.’

‘What is?’ she asked, her throat dry.

‘Work it out,’ he teased. ‘I’m thirty-five and I’ve been around a bit. I’ve known many women and I’ve had a couple of serious affairs. Suddenly I decide to get married.’ He bent and dropped a light kiss on her nose, smiling with a loving exasperation. ‘Doesn’t that tell you anything, idiot?’ he asked affectionately.

‘Not really. You could have married me for all kinds of reasons,’ she hinted.

‘I did—dammit, just wait, will you?’ he yelled at the photographer, and everyone laughed when Trader took her in his arms and kissed her stiff mouth very thoroughly, softening it despite her determination not to be coaxed. ‘I’ve married you because you’re reserved, quiet, unassuming and tough,’ he said huskily. His mouth claimed hers again. ‘Because you’re restful to be with and I feel as if I’ve known you all my life. Because we both like silence and remote places and these past few weeks have been the happiest of my life.’

‘Really?’ she asked hopefully.

‘Really,’ he murmured against her soft lips. ‘It’s been wonderful to find peace away from the hurlyburly of life and to be with you. I love you, Claire. Let that be engraved on your heart.’

Dizzily she let him peel her fingers from his chest and blushed as everyone clapped in delight at their sheepish faces. And she held his declaration in her heart and let it comfort her, vowing to think positively about their marriage.

He held her close on the way to the reception at the hotel and she felt content to be in his arms. As various people hugged and congratulated them, she knew her face was glowing with happiness—and so was his.

‘Feel all right now?’ he smiled, as they made their way to their seats at the table. ‘Not worried you’ve married an ogre?’

‘No!’ She smiled back and wanted to explain. ‘But you are a stranger to me and you can’t blame me for wondering if I’ve done the right thing. All I know is that you drink your coffee black and strong, you never eat cake and you’re crazy about sunsets!’

‘Not a bad inventory. You also know I like crispy bacon and fried eggs for breakfast——’

‘Nothing for lunch and that you have a passion for seafood and good wine,’ she said slowly, arranging her dress with care as she sat down on the chair he held for her. She looked up at him thoughtfully. ‘It’s not much to go on, is it? Only a fool would get married knowing so little about someone!’

‘But perhaps it’s only fools who fall in love,’ he said, smiling into her eyes. ‘Common sense vanishes when your heart is committed to someone. Don’t you think it’s exciting to want to be with someone so badly that you’ll risk putting your life in their hands?’

A shiver went up her spine and he must have seen her tremble, because he placed his warm hand on her cold one and massaged it gently.

‘It’s scary,’ she said solemnly. ‘I’ve never taken a risk before.’

‘Look forward to our exploration of each other,’ he said. ‘You know we’re right for each other. Look into my eyes and see the love I have for you. Look into your heart and read what’s written there. You’ll find my name.’

Claire relaxed and kissed him, overwhelmed by the strength of his love. She would trust him because she wanted to. And so she began to enjoy herself, letting her doubts recede and allowing her happiness to shine through.

It seemed that she floated on a cloud all through the meal and the speeches, even when her father rose to speak and Trader sat stiff and tense till he’d finished.

But the strain left his face when the dancing began and Claire was delighted to discover that he seemed reluctant to ever leave her side.

‘People will talk!’ Claire grinned happily, her eyes flirting with Trader as her partner was gently shouldered aside. ‘I finish a dance and you materialise from nowhere—if you haven’t cut in on my partner already!’

‘I don’t want you talking to strange men,’ he said smoothly.

She laughed as he took her in his arms. ‘Well, you’re a strange man—and I’m talking to you !’ Her arms went around his neck. ‘Luke,’ she said reproachfully. ‘I married a Luke Benedict! You fraud! I thought I was getting a guy called Trader!’

He smiled a little thinly. ‘Thank your lucky stars it wasn’t Albert!’ He nuzzled her cheek. ‘If you were surprised,’ he murmured, ‘so was I. When the vicar told me to repeat, “I, Luke, take thee, Claire,” I almost turned around to see who you’d got lined up in the queue behind me!’

Claire laughed delightedly. ‘Then my father had a coughing fit and you scowled at him! Perhaps he thought you were someone else, too!’

‘I think, for a minute, he did,’ Trader murmured drily.

A balloon banged into her head. She turned around, laughing and saw Phoenix smiling at her so she batted the balloon back and Trader quickly whisked her away.

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