The Bridesmaid's Wedding

She should have married Rafe years ago when she’d had the chance, instead of fleeing his powerful aura. Rafe, like her brother Brod, had inherited wealth, power, responsibility. A life of service to the land. She understood it, bred to the same heritage, but she couldn’t pretend she had the same dedication. Now years later she would give that dedication gladly. Her career had brought her public admiration, the respect of her peers, but it hadn’t brought her either happiness or fulfilment. It had brought her a good deal of hard work, terrible hours, and increasingly a level of anxiety she had never remotely anticipated. There was a high price to pay for fame.

“Ah, well, it’s all in the past,” Rafe was saying gently without sounding remotely friendly. “I propose we leave it there instead of raking over the dying embers. You know that. So do I. Although it seems a pity your great career isn’t as fulfilling as you thought?”

With an abrupt movement she took a little step back from him, raising her chin. “Who told you that?”

He wagged a finger at her. “Ally, Ally, because I can match you step for step, beat for beat, word for word. I know you as well as you know me. You’re not happy in your make-believe world. You used to say you couldn’t breathe in the city. And because I liked you the way you were,” his gaze moved down over her, deceptively silky, “I have to tell you you’re way too thin.”

“Great! I look awful?” she mocked. She knew without vanity how good she looked even if stress was taking its toll.

He considered the question briefly, golden head, metallic in the sunlight, to one side. “Well, put it this way. You’re not quite as much woman as you used to be. There’s not an awful lot on top.” He glanced meaningfully at her fitted strapless bodice. “But you look beautiful. The sort of woman one can’t take one’s eyes off. Totally desirable. Which makes me wonder why there’s never any affair of yours splashed over the cover of the women’s magazines?”

“Somehow I still believe my private life is my own. Anyway, since when have women’s magazines appealed to you?” She spoke sweetly, aware as Rafe must be, they were the focus of many eyes. A splendid affair gone wrong like Scarlett and Rhett.

“Ever heard of women friends?” His dry tone glittered. “I was over at Victoria Springs only the other day, submerging myself in old issues with Lainie. The two of us went through them together. Lainie has always been one of your greatest admirers. Four pages of Ally Kinross wears seductive separates, that was in Vogue. Mercifully you put them together. I figured you could have worn a bra with the see-through number, Lainie predictably thought you looked fabulous. There was Ally Kinross acting up a storm; Ally Kinross tells us about her working life. No wonder you’ve lost weight, but no mention of your love life, though. I say that’s odd. Neither of us is getting any younger.”

Which was true. “Perhaps you’ll show me the way,” she retorted with a spark of anger. “You and Lainie share the same tastes. Very establishment, very conventional and so forth.” Was she so jealous? Of Lainie, their friend?

He made a soft, jeering sound. “To hell with that! You’re talking nonsense.”

“Am I? It seemed to me the relationship has flourished,” she commented, believing it to be true, “so don’t look down your ridiculously straight nose at me. Though at five-seven, allow a couple more inches for heels, not a lot of people do. But you can.” Rafe, like her brother Brod, stood an impressive six foot three.

“I expect being a tall woman has its problems?” he said, a lazy smile to his so sexy mouth.

“You found your way around them.” Despite herself she sparked again. “You’ve changed, Rafe. You never used to be sarcastic.”

“Forgive me. I’m so sorry.” He seemed to find that amusing. “Anyway, that’s the least of your problems.” He saluted a passing guest who didn’t make the mistake of butting in. Rafe’s and Ally’s unique relationship was known to all of them.

“I didn’t say I had any problems,” Ally began to realise she and Rafe had stood a little too long talking. Everyone was moving off to the huge white marquee erected in the grounds, among the guests an attractive young woman in an exceptionally pretty flower-printed chiffon dress with a sparkling ornament securing her cascade of long, thick, fair hair. Lainie Rhodes from Victoria Springs Station. Lainie, although a couple of years younger than Ally, had been part of everything from childhood. “So you’re not admitting you’ve turned up the heat on your friendship with Lainie?” Lainie wished it was otherwise but she couldn’t control her need to know. Her eyes followed Lainie’s high-spirited progress, arm in arm with Mark Farrell, the groomsman.

“It sounds like you don’t care for that?” Rafe countered very dryly, trying to blanket out his own warring emotions. Lainie was a nice girl. He was fond of her, but he hadn’t gotten around to seeing her as more than “the girl next door.”

Yet. The hard fact was he had a responsibility to get married. Produce an heir for Opal. It was imperative he find a solution to Ally. A good woman to combat her.

Knowing him so intimately Ally picked up on his wavelength. “Lainie is one of us,” she said almost in quiet resignation. “We used to compete in the show ring. She’s fun and very loyal.”

“Totally different from you.” It was cruel. A bitter accusation he couldn’t prevent from rushing out.

Cut to the heart, Ally, the accomplished actress, turned her response into provocative banter. “You mean, I don’t remind you of a friendly puppy?”

But Rafe, too, had recovered his equilibrium. “I meant that in the nicest way possibly.” He wasn’t at all fazed by Ally’s reminding him of a chance remark he had once made about Lainie. There was a time she had practically leapt into his lap every time she saw him, which was the way her teenage crush seemed to take her.

“Obviously.” Ally nodded in agreement. “May we expect an announcement?” Though she continued to speak breezily it was taking all her training. She felt she couldn’t bear an answer that suggested a growing involvement.

“Ally, darling, let me set you straight.” Rafe reverted to a sardonic drawl. “My private life no longer has a great deal to do with you. No offence. Just a simple statement of fact. What we had I’ll remember all my life, but it’s over. Something that happened at another time. To different people. Ah, here’s Grant and Francesca coming our way,” he exclaimed like a man granted a reprieve. “I’m sure you’ve noticed they get on amazingly well, though don’t read anything into that. The Lady Francesca has her own brilliant life in London.”

“She might like to change it.” Ally, too, watched her cousin Francesca and Rafe’s brother Grant walking arm in arm towards them. Francesca of the glorious titian hair looked ravishingly pretty in her jacaranda blue bridesmaid’s dress, not even reaching to Grant’s broad shoulder. Grant, like Rafe, was outrageously handsome. He and Fran looked wonderful together, their laughter spinning out to reach them. Happy, carefree laughter. The sort of laughter one wants to hear at a wedding. Ally was enormously fond of her cousin, Lady Francesca de Lyle. The idea of having Francesca around all the time had immense appeal.

Not apparently to Rafe.

“Don’t say that!” he murmured, half amused, half alarmed. “I don’t want to see my brother’s heart broken, as well.”

Her breath seemed to leave her. As well? “Are you admitting you still have some feeling left for me?” She held his eyes, eyes that had once been infinitely loving. Eyes that still had such power over her.

“I’m saying I did, until you got bored and ran away.” His marvellous body relaxed. “Sometimes it seems a pity your spell lost its potency, Ally. I might never feel that kind of heat again. Ah, the feverishness of youth!” His voice was light with nostalgia. “Such a dangerous time.”

“At least it gave you a good excuse to hate me.”

“Hate you?” He stared at her in mock shock. “I can’t get stuck with that one, Ally. I’d never dream of hating you. What do they say about one’s first love? Never mind.” He extended a courteous arm to her. “Why don’t we join up with brother Grant and your Francesca? Most people have made their way to the marquee. I want to see all the delectable things to eat. I let lunch go so I’d have plenty of space. I just love weddings. Don’t you?”

CHAPTER TWO

THE reception had been arranged as a buffet with long tables, covered in white linen cloths that had been given a deep lace edging, laden with delicious food: glazed ham and turkeys, great platters of bay oysters on beds of crushed ice, luscious seafood of all kinds—crab, prawns, lobsters, crayfish, scallops, silver trays of whole smoked salmon and capers ringed by the old favourite, quartered boiled eggs. There were fish dishes done in mouth-watering pastry, succulent slices of roast beef and lamb, pasta dishes, chicken dishes, mountains of piping hot rice and a variety of garden salads to refresh the palate. But the greatest fanfare was the dessert table. Guests stood looking at it transfixed. Some of the younger ones even started to applaud.

There were cheesecakes, shortcakes, splendid gateaux, tortes, mousses, trifles, the much loved meringues, their snowy peaks running passion fruit, or for the more sophisticated the meringues were filled with hazelnut cream and drizzled with chocolate, the delectable whole dominated by a four-foot-high fruit and chocolate brandy wedding cake, like some wondrous sculpture. The Corinthian pillars were perfect in every detail as were the garlands of handmade flowers and lace work. As the guests continued to exclaim at the ravishing effect of decor and food, waiters in black trousers and short white jackets began to circulate, offering the finest champagne.

The moving ceremony over, the festivities began.

The idea was for the guests, all known to one another, to mingle freely, moving from table to table as the mood took them, the whole atmosphere wonderfully relaxed. Only the bridal party had defined seating at the top table.

Stage one was the feasting that everyone enjoyed tremendously, then came the speeches. The next stage was the dancing, balloon and glitter-throwing. Someone even threw two or three plates before they were reminded it wasn’t actually a Greek wedding.

Later on, after the bride and groom had left for their flight to Sydney where they would spend a night in a luxurious hotel before embarking on the first leg of their trip to Europe, the rest of the bridal party and some of the younger guests were going on to the theatre with supper after if anyone possibly had room for it, and there was talk of continuing on to Infinity, the “in” nightclub. No one wanted such a glorious day to end.

When it was time for the bride to change into her going-away clothes, Ally went up to her room to help her.

“This has been the most wonderful day of my life!” Rebecca announced, smiling emotionally through her tears. “Brod to share my life. I adore him. You’ve been wonderful to me, too, Ally. I’m so grateful for your friendship and support. You played a big part in bringing us back together. You’re such a generous spirit.”

“As I should be.” Ally took charge of Rebecca’s beautiful wedding gown. “I’ve taken over the role of sister.”

“That’s true!” Rebecca laughed shakily, stepping into the skirt of her fuchsia bouclé wool going-away suit. “I know you’re going to be the best sister I could have.”

It sounded so heartfelt, so full of gratitude, Ally stopped smiling. She went forward to kiss Rebecca’s cheek. “Thank you for that, Rebecca,” she said gravely. “Thank you for becoming part of my family. You’re going to change Brod’s life in the most wonderful way. Give him such love. Family. That’s what he needs.”

“And you, Ally?” Rebecca looked at her new sister-in-law with her great shining eyes. “You must be happy, as well.”

“I’m going to try, love.” Ally was amazed her voice was so steady. “But I don’t think Rafe is ever going to change his mind about me.”

“You still love him.” It wasn’t a question but a sad statement of fact. There were no secrets between the two young women. They’d shared many a heart-to-heart discussion.

“I’ll always love him.” Ally went to the wardrobe to hang up Rebecca’s dress. “That’s just the way it is. I’ll continue to love him even if he marries someone else.” She closed her eyes in involuntary pain.

“You don’t think your friend, Elaine…?” Rebecca asked tentatively. She couldn’t help noticing Rafe had danced with Lainie Rhodes a number of times, Lainie staring adoringly into his eyes.

“Anything’s possible, Becky,” Ally was forced to admit. “Lainie’s really nice. Warm and kind. Not a major brain perhaps but competent. She’ll develop beautifully, too. She’s a country woman above anything else. She knows how to continue a tradition.”

“And you don’t?” Rebecca turned to scrutinise her new sister-in-law, loyalty in her eyes.

“I think Rafe has convinced himself I’m another Fee,” Ally explained sadly. “God knows I love Fee. We all do. It’s hard not to. But Fee always took care of herself and her career above every other concern. Fran must have been a very sad and lonely little girl, for all her father tried to make it up to her. I suspect her life now isn’t as glamorous as it’s supposed to be, any more than mine. To love and be loved is a woman’s greatest joy. Children her greatest achievement. And my biological clock is ticking away.”

“And mine.” Rebecca sounded as though she had just the right plan to stop it in its tracks. “I had to avoid falling pregnant with my previous husband Martyn, our life being what it was, but Brod is my dream come true.” She picked up a silk cushion and hugged it. “I feel today my life begins with him. My real life with me functioning the way I am, not keeping everything locked up inside. My love for Brod has invaded every aspect of my life. Loving has taken away the pain.”

“I can understand that.” Ally nodded. “You’ve been wonderful for him, too. Brod and I have also had our bad times. Now,” Ally paused, seeking to lighten the conversation, “what are you going to do with your hair?” Rebecca had removed all the ornaments.

“I’d thought I’d leave it long,” Rebecca picked up a brush, whisking it vigorously through her waterfall of hair. “Brod likes it this way.” Finally she turned. “What do you think?”

“Beautiful,” Ally smiled, handing Rebecca her fuchsia jacket.

‘I mustn’t forget my bouquet.” Rebecca looked back at the exquisite arrangement lying on top of a small circular table. “I want my chief bridesmaid to catch it.”

And so Ally did, though Lainie was powerfully disappointed. She, who had manipulated herself into a good catching position, saw the bouquet sailing right for her, but somehow at the very last minute, never mind how, misjudged her timing. The bouquet cleared her outstretched hands though she was sure she stood on someone’s toe to get it and landed against Ally’s flawless, infinitely sexy, breast.

The irrepressible Aunt Fee, who was too much, Lainie and her mother had always thought, burst out clapping in a kind of triumph. “Isn’t that great?” she demanded of the tall silver-haired man, exuding Englishness, who had certainly never left her side the entire afternoon. “You know what that means, Ally, don’t you? You’re next.”

“Don’t forget me, Mamma,” Francesca laughed, holding up a single white orchid that had separated itself from all the rest. She felt wonderfully happy and alive anticipating the long evening with Grant beside her. He was so completely different from anyone she knew at home. So strong, so straightforward, so self-reliant, full of his hopes and plans. She couldn’t seem to get enough of his company.

“Congratulations, darling,” Rafe murmured in Ally’s right ear. He was smiling sardonically, showing his perfect white teeth. “Possibly it’s to someone you haven’t yet met.”

“Oh, that makes me so cross!” Lainie interrupted, turning round to them. “It’s not as though you even tried, Ally, when I pray for a good husband every day of my life. No joke, Rafe,” she cautioned him, “so stop laughing.”

“Sorry, pet,” he answered lazily. “Catching things was never your strong point but Ally here, was raised as a tomboy. She has an excellent eye.”

“She’s so amazingly beautiful she doesn’t need to catch any bridal bouquet,” Lainie half grumbled, looking up at him with intense helpless delight. Rafe was always charming and agreeable to her but she could scarcely believe someone like Rafe Cameron, so eligible in every way, could ever find her sexually attractive. Not after Ally who was like a bright flame, but—well everyone in the Outback knew their story. The reason for the split up. Ally, like her fabulous, over-the-top aunt, had wanted to become an actress. Simply dumping one of the most gorgeous men who had ever lived.

“How could she do such a thing?” Lainie’s mother had often asked, shocked. “I don’t suppose I should say it, but bolting seems to run in the family.”

Now Ally was a star who won gold Logies for best actress. Lainie loved her show and tried never to miss an episode. Ally was the sort of person, who could easily make the big-time like Cate Blanchett and take on the world. She was lost to Rafe and he had to accept that. Besides, Rafe had started to spend much more time over at Victoria Springs.

“Don’t be modest, Lainie,” her mother had encouraged her. “You’ll make any man a wonderful wife.”

Possibly, but she only wanted Rafe.

So Lainie hoped and prayed and didn’t enter into any other relationship. The worst part, she truly loved both of them. Ally and Rafe. She would have to have a talk with Ally as soon as she possibly could. Find out the lay of the land.

Tumultuous cheering broke out as Rebecca and Brod climbed into the limousine that was to take them to the airport. Everybody began to wave. Ally, hair flying, holding the little flower girl’s hand, ran once more to the car and leant in to land yet another kiss on bride and groom. “Take care, you two. Have a wonderful time! I’ll be expecting to hear from you,” Ally said.

Rebecca smiled at her and her small stepsister. “Darling little Christina! I’ll miss you. I’ll miss you both so much.”

“With me by your side?” Brod, looking unbelievably handsome in a well cut grey suit, laughed at his bride.

“You know what I mean, darling.” She leaned to kiss him, a kiss that tasted of champagne and strawberries.

“It’s a good thing I do.” Brod’s eyes left his bride’s beautiful face for a moment. “Take care, Ally. You’ll be hearing from us often. I’ve asked Rafe to keep an eye on Kimbara. When he can find the time. Ted’s a good man but it makes me happy knowing Rafe is on hand. I’m grateful to him for so many things.”

“So you should be!” Rafe, overhearing, called with affection. “Have the best time in the world, you two. Now take it away.” He signalled to the chauffeur as the bridal party threw more confetti. Fee wiped it laughingly from her own and David Westbury’s clothes then grasped the little flower girl’s hand while Rafe got an arm around Ally’s narrow waist drawing her backwards so he could shut the limousine door.

Heat like an electric charge, rushed up his arm as it came in contact with her body. Heat to his heart, to his head, to his loins. For a moment he almost despised himself with his reaction. This was like a haunting. There had to be some way to exorcise Ally. He let go of her before his whole body dissolved.

They all watched until the limousine was lost to sight then everyone began to walk back to the house, those that weren’t going on to the theatre starting to say their goodbyes although Rebecca’s father assured them they were welcome to stay as long as they liked, an offer a lot took up.

Lainie waited until the powder room cleared before she decided to conduct her own little investigation. She had to find out for sure if Ally still carried a torch for Rafe. She knew in her heart she would find it hard to come between them if they still cared for one another. Though one didn’t hear too much about grand passions any more, thank the Lord. She could talk to Ally. Woman to woman. They went back a long way. Big TV star or not, a member of one of the great pastoral families. Well, a patrician in this part of the world, Ally was very down-to-earth and friendly.

“You look wonderful, Ally. Superb,” Lainie said for starters, her large, soft, brown eyes admiring as she watched Ally make a few minor repairs to her make-up. Gosh, how did she get her eyeshadow like that? It made her slanting green eyes look like emeralds.

“Thanks, Lainie.” Ally gave her lovely smile. “It’s been such a beautiful day. A day I’ll remember with great joy. A little sadness, too.” She began to remove the decorations from a braid. They’d be too much for the theatre. Fran had removed hers, twisting her beautiful hair into a very elegant knot. Maybe she could do the same even if she couldn’t get the same result. Fran’s hair was wonderfully manageable, hers was downright difficult. Ally experimented for a moment until she became aware of Lainie’s expression. “For heaven’s sake, Lainie, why are you staring at me like that?” she asked wryly. “Has my mascara run?”

When it actually came to it, Lainie’s mouth went dry. “Sorry, pal. I apologise. I was staring, I know. You must be used to it, anyway. You’re gorgeous.”

“You’re not too bad, either,” Ally reminded her. “That dress looks wonderful on you.”

“I haven’t been able to eat to get into it,” Lainie freely admitted. “Ally, I just wanted to ask you something personal—I’d never ask if I didn’t think…I mean I’d never…”

“You want to know if Rafe and I still mean something to each other?” Ally had a shot at it.

“Right on,” Lainie sighed in relief. “Please don’t tell me if you don’t want to. I’m not a person who is ever going to be called confrontational.”

“Fairly forthright nevertheless, my girl.” Ally felt she no longer had the energy to fool around with her hair. She would have to leave it as it was. “Lainie, love,” she explained patiently, “you know as well as anyone Rafe and I are an old story.”

“But you were wonderful together.” Perversely Lainie mourned. “Mum thought you had to be nuts.”

“Unfortunately I was.” Ally looked her regret. “But that was years ago. I was younger than you are now. I thought I needed more time before I could face so much responsibility. Rafe was master of all he surveyed. We all know what the Camerons are like. I wanted to find myself, show the world what I could do.”

“Oh, I know, Ally.” Lainie was understanding. “You wanted to be like your aunty. She was very famous though you don’t hear much of her these days. But those challenges lost you Rafe.”

“You don’t have to sound pleased about it,” Ally said reproachfully.

“Oh, I’m not pleased.” Lainie’s reply was genuine and hasty. “I feel sad. Like everyone else did. We thought we were guaranteed a huge wedding on Kimbara. You might even have chosen me for a bridesmaid.”

That really shook Ally. It could have been a possibility. Now she was looking on Lainie as a possible successor.

“Are you still in love with him?” Lainie wanted everything made clear to her.

“What do you want me to say?” Ally held out a hand for Lainie to get up. It was time to go. “Rafe will always have a place in my heart. The Camerons and the Kinrosses are almost kin. We grew up together. But things happen. Rafe and I have changed. We’re different people now. I have my career. It’s no secret I’ve had movie offers.”

Ally stayed a hand as Lainie’s pretty mouth framed “What?” “Rafe is wedded to Opal Downs. Like Brod, his inheritance is his life. We’ve moved on as people.”

Lainie’s cheeks flushed as wild relief swept her. She clasped Ally’s hand tightly. “So you don’t mind if…?”

“You have my blessing, Lainie.” Ally freed herself gently from Lainie’s surprisingly strong grip. “But I should add some sisterly advice. I don’t want to see you hurt, either. Rafe has any number of women clamouring for his attention. At least four of them are probably waiting patiently for us outside the door.”