Emma Darcy - The Wedding

It was time out of time ...

First, Tessa discovered her fianc in bed with anotherwoman. Then she arrived at work to discover shed been assigned to go on athree-day conference with the managing director.

It would be a miracle if she didnt melt into a heapat his feet. If ever there was a man made for female fantasies, Blaize Callaganwas it!

And if ever there was a time Tessa needed to indulgein fantasy, this was the time.

THE WEDDING

BY EMMA DARCY

MILLS & BOONPTY LIMITED

SYDNEY AUCKLAND MANILA LONDON TORONTO

First published in Great Britain 1992

Australian copyright 1992

New Zealand copyright 1992

Philippine copyright 1992

Emma Darcy 1992

ISBN 1 86386 229 3

ISBN 9780783812410

HOW COULD HE?

How could he!

The refrain hadpounded through Tessas head all night. It had punctuated the rattle of thetrain trip to North Sydney from her sisters home in Chatswood. It was stillthrobbing through her mind as she entered the huge CMA building that housed theheadquarters of Callagan, Morris and Allen, the engineering and architecturalcompany that claimed her services as a secretary.

That any manbutmost particularly a man who said he loved hercould do such a thing! It wasbeyond Tessas comprehension.

Tears pricked hereyes again. She determinedly blinked them back as she strode across the foyer.No more tears for Grant Durham. He didnt deserve them. He didnt deserveanything from her, ever again!

She entered anempty elevator and jabbed the button for her floor. As the doors closed shevehemently vowed she would close the door on Grant Durham and never let himback into her life. Never!

She had issued theultimatum last night. Out! And if Grant was not out of her apartment by thetime she got back after work today, she wouldshe would... Well, she didntknow what she would do, except the scene that would follow would be dreadful.

Her stomachtwisted. Her heart ached. Her mind reeled weakly for a moment, then clutched atan even fiercer self-determination.

The elevator reached her floor and Tessa stompeddown the wide corridor to Jerry Frames executive suite of offices, stokingresolution with righteous and furious indignation as she reviewed the degradinghumiliation of the previous evening. No more pain, she told herself. No moreanguish over him. Grant Durham was finished. FINISHED! In her minds eye theword looked better in capital letters. No forgiveness. Not for any reason.Never. Four years of her life she had wasted on him, on and off, but this wasTHE END! Not another day more!

She threw open thedoor to her own little office and hurled it shut behind her. That made her feelbetter. She needed to give some vent to the churning emotions she had beentrying to contain. Converting pain into anger was very good therapy. Tessatried a bit more of it.

She threw herweekend bag into the corner beside the filing cabinet. She opened the largebottom drawer of her desk, dropped her handbag in, kicked the drawer shut. Sheopened the top drawer, snatched up the keys to the filing cabinet and bangedthat drawer shut as well. She unlocked the top file drawer, withdrew the folderof reports to be processed and slammed the drawer in. The loud metallic crashwas very satisfying.

Not happy thismorning?

The mild inquirycame from the doorway to the executive office. It startled Tessa for a moment.She hadnt expected her boss to be in. The Japanese conference started today,and normally the executives of the company would be meeting in the boardroombefore flying off in the company helicopters. She pasted an extra bright smileon her face and swung to greet him.

Jerry Fraine was abig man with the kind of looks that suggested a cuddly, comfortable bear. Hehad frizzy grey-brown hair that stood out like a halo and a plump genial facethat invited friendly confidences. He also had a razor-sharp mind, which couldnegotiate around the trickiest deals and land them. This made him the envy ofthe other ambitious executives of Callagan, Morris and Allen. All of whom hadone ultimate ambition: to impress the managing director, Mr. Blaize Callagan.

Tessa liked beingJerry Fraines secretary. He was appreciative of her skills, he was kind andconsiderate, and he had a dry sense of humour that made working with him apleasure. He didnt try to lord it over her, and most importantly, he washappily married and not the least bit addicted to any playful slap-and-ticklearound the office, thank heaven! It made for an easy relaxed atmosphere betweenthem.

Tessa took a deepbreath. Never been happier, she tripped out airily. Overflowing with buoyantspirits. Gods in His heaven and alls right with the world. But if there wasany justice, a bolt of lightning should hit Grant Durham right where it wouldhurt most!

Jerry grinned atthe flaring glitter in her tawny gold eyes. The tigress in her was certainlyrunning rampant today. Good, he thought. That should liven up proceedings.Perhaps it might even draw a little blood from Mr. Blaize Almighty Callagan.Although Jerry was careful not to let that thought show.

Tessa Stocktonmight be pocket-sized, but she was feisty, high-spirited and in Jerrys mind,utterly delightful. A lovely woman. A real thoroughbred. Whose sharp wit was anamusing bonus to her sharp efficiency.

He observed, insecret amusement, that she was in a force-ten hurricane over something. Herlong glossy brown hair was pulled tightly into a ponytail, a sure sign offurious impatience. Her tip-tilted nose was scenting battle. Her very sweetlycurved mouth was stretched thin over a row of small white teeth that looked readyto bite. The delicate pointedness of her chin was decidedly thrust forward in amost aggressive manner this morning. Her long neck was stretched taut. Herexquisitely feminine body was quivering with tension.

A slight twang ofpre-wedding nerves? he teased.

The wedding,Tessa said through her teeth, is off. O-F-F off!

Jerrys eyebrowsrose above his gold-rimmed spectacles. His mouth pursed. Its quite normal,you know. Little tiffs do happen in the final rundown to the marriageceremony.

Tessas heartcramped. Infidelity was not a little tiff! It was on the tip of her tongue tosay exactly that but she bit the words back at the last moment and clamped hermouth shut.

No need to sayanything. No need to go public yet. No need to castigate Grant Durham for whathe had done. Although he certainly deserved every bit of castigation he couldget. To Tessas mind, castration was probably better than castigation!

The humiliationsearing her soul was too painful to discuss with anyone. She hadnt even toldher sister when she had taken refuge there last night.

Perhaps a littleseparation will help cool things down, Jerry went on smoothly.

Tessa gave him ablast with her eyes. The thick dark fringe of her eyelashes did nothing to fanthe heat of molten gold.

Contrary to hisown expectations, Jerry Fraine was not fried on the spot. He did a hastyreappraisal. He didnt relate to anger, and he liked to run a smooth ship. Whatemployees did away from work was none of his business, and right now he had aproblem. Which had to be addressed without further delay.

He relaxed,projected geniality, a soothing composure. We have an emergency situation,Tessa.

She paused inmidstep between the filing cabinet and her desk. She looked at him, reallylooked at him for the first time this morning. When Jerry Fraine put on thatbland face and used that quiet voice, Tessa knew it was serious business. Hermind instantly changed gears; anger pushed out, concentration forced in.