Lusty Billionaires Bundle(39)

‘I’ve put all the gifts that have arrived so far into the drawing room; we’ll have to decide where we’re going to display them. It’s a shame you didn’t want a bridal registry—you’ve doubled up on a couple of things.’

‘How many toasters?’ Tabitha’s feeble joke fell flat on its face as Zavier leant back in his chair.

‘None—well, I can only vouch for my side of the family anyway. Mother, just how many toasters have we received from Tabitha’s side?’#p#分页标题#e#

‘Just ignore him, darling.’ Marjory giggled, not remotely fazed by the simmering tension. ‘I do believe he’s getting nervous. How about you, Tabitha?’

‘A bit.’ That was the understatement of the century, but unlike Zavier at least she was trying to sound as if she cared. ‘Still, at least it’s just a small wedding. I couldn’t cope with much more than that.’

‘The only problem with that…’ Zavier’s sardonic drawl at least momentarily forced the attention from Tabitha ‘…is that I’ve a feeling my mother’s version of “small” might differ somewhat from yours. Isn’t that right, Mum?’

Marjory clapped her hands gleefully together. ‘Well, I can’t promise small, but I can guarantee it will be tasteful.’

Zavier rolled his eyes, but smiled affectionately at his mother, and Tabitha noticed how much nicer he looked when he addressed someone he truly loved. Gone was the haughty menacing expression she was becoming so used to, instead his face seemed softer, younger, perhaps, and infinitely more desirable. ‘Why don’t I believe you? No doubt you’ve already put in an order for heaven only knows how many helium balloons and a couple of ice sculptures.’

‘No,’ Marjory said defensively. ‘Balloons are old hat now. I’m sticking with fresh flowers.’

‘Good choice—and how many ice sculptures?’

Tabitha had thought he was joking, but her face dropped a mile when Marjory shuffled uncomfortably. ‘Just the one.’

The groan that escaped Tabitha’s lips was muffled by the guffaws of laughter around the table, though Zavier caught her eye as she sank lower in her seat. For the tiniest second he smiled sympathetically, and she knew then she was forgiven. For that brief instant she was privy to a glance from him that wasn’t suspicious or malicious, and for all the world it felt like a caress. What was it about him? It was as if he had a hotline to her soul—one small look could wrap around her like a warm blanket on a cold night. She felt the colour in her cheeks mount under his watchful eyes, even managing a small smile back.

Maybe Marjory’s ice sculpture wasn’t such a bad idea after all, she thought. At least it might cool her down, though the heat that was radiating from her now would melt it in a flash. Clearing her throat, Tabitha dragged her eyes away, smiling around the table.

‘Marjory, it’s such a lovely night—I wondered if I might take my port out on the balcony?’ The vast dining room seemed stifling now, and the need to escape the oppression of her lies overrode Tabitha’s usual shyness around the Chamberses.

‘Of course, my dear, make yourself at home. It can get rather warm in here.’

Gratefully Tabitha picked up her glass and made her way through the French windows onto the balcony.

It was a beautiful night; placing her glass on the stone wall, she rested her arms and gazed at the magnificent view. The bay shimmered before her, dark indigo as deep as Zavier’s eyes but with flashes of silver as the moonlight hit the waves. The endless water glimmered in parts, and she imagined the couples entwined on the dance floors, sharing romantic meals in the bayside restaurants.

She envied them.

Envied them for the uncomplicated lives they must surely lead compared to hers. Envied these unknown people for the gift of requited love.

‘You seem miles away.’

She had half expected him to join her; in some ways she had engineered it.

‘I was over there, actually,’

Her slender arm lifted and she pointed to a cluster of lights sparkling on the foreshore.#p#分页标题#e#

There was no need for further explanation. He seemed instinctively to understand how her mind had wandered.

His eyes followed to where she was pointing. ‘And were you enjoying yourself?’

Tabitha laughed. ‘Actually, no, the food was terrible.’

‘I’m sorry for earlier.’

She swung around, visibly stunned; never in a million years had she expected any sort of an apology from him. If anyone should be apologising it was her.

‘Sorry for what?’