She closed her eyes in recognition that she was green with envy, and she dreaded having to meet these disgustingly happy people.
They’d know it wasn’t all hearts and roses between her and Piers. For that matter, she was sure Piers had told them the entire truth and that they were marrying because of a one-night stand and a faulty condom.
She stared back at her reflection in the mirror and tried to erase the glum look from her face. The dress she’d chosen for the occasion was a simple white sheath with spaghetti straps. The material gathered gently at her breasts, molding to her shape then falling over her belly where it strained and then hung loose down her legs.
She’d debated on whether to put her hair up or leave it down, but Piers had seemed to delight in her hair the night they met and so in a moment of sheer vanity, she brushed it until it shone and let it hang over her shoulders.
And now she procrastinated like the coward she was, knowing everyone was downstairs waiting for her.
Still bereft of the courage needed to walk down those stairs, she walked to her window to look down over the gardens. The sky was overcast and light fog had descended over the grounds. A perfect fit to her melancholy mood.
For how long she stood, she wasn’t sure. A warm hand slid over her bare shoulder, but she didn’t turn. She knew it was Piers.
Then something cool slithered around her neck, and she did turn her head.
“Be still a moment,” he said as he reached under her hair to fasten a necklace at her nape. “My wedding gift to you. There are earrings to match, but I honestly couldn’t remember if your ears were pierced or not.”
She put a hand to the necklace and then hastened to the mirror so she could see. A gasp of surprise escaped when she saw the exquisite diamond arrangement.
“Piers, it’s too much.”
He smiled over her shoulder. “My sisters-in-law inform me that a husband can never do too much for his wife.”
She smiled back. “They sound like smart women.”
“There, that wasn’t so bad was it?”
Her brow crinkled. “What?”
“Smiling.”
Her eyes flashed in guilty awareness. He held out the box with the earrings, and she gazed in wonder at the large stones twinkling back at her.
“Are your ears pierced?”
She nodded. “I seldom wear earrings, but they are pierced.”
“Then I hope you’ll wear these today.”
She took them and quickly fastened them in her ears. When her gaze returned to his, she found him watching her intently.
“Speaking of my sisters-in-law, they’re anxious to meet you.”
“And not your brothers?” she asked.
“They are a bit more reserved in their welcome. They worry for me. I’m afraid it’s a family tradition to try and ruin the nuptials of the others,” he said dryly.
She didn’t know whether to laugh or feel dismay. Finally laughter won out. “Well at least you’re honest. For that I’m grateful. It will keep me from making a fool of myself in their presence.”
He shrugged. “You have nothing to be reserved about. You are to be my wife and that fact affords you the respect you are due. Theron is the soft touch in the family anyway. You’ll have him eating out of your hand in no time.”
She couldn’t imagine anyone related to Piers being a soft touch.
“Are you ready?” he asked as he slipped his hands over her shoulders. He squeezed reassuringly as if sensing her deep unease. “We have just enough time for you to be introduced to my family before the minister is due to arrive for the ceremony.”
Inhaling deeply, she nodded. He took her hand firmly in his and led her out of the bedroom and down the stairs. As they neared the bottom, she heard the murmur of voices in the living room.
Butterflies scuttled around her stomach, and the baby kicked, perhaps in protest of her mother’s unease.
When they rounded the corner, Jewel took in the people assembled in the living room with a bit of awe. The two men were obviously Piers’s brothers. There was remarkable resemblance. Both were tall and dark-haired, but their eyes were lighter than Piers’s, a golden hue while Piers’s were nearly black.
The two women standing next to his brothers were as different as night and day. Before she could continue her silent perusal, they looked up and saw her.
The brothers gave her guarded looks while the two women smiled welcomingly. She was grateful for that at least.
“Come, I’ll introduce you,” Piers murmured.
They closed the distance, stopping a few feet from the two couples.
“Jewel, this is my oldest brother Chrysander and his wife Marley. Their son, Dimitri is with his nanny for the day.”
Jewel offered a tremulous smile. “I’m happy to meet you.”
Marley smiled, her blue eyes twinkling with friendliness. “We’re happy to meet you too, Jewel. Welcome to the family. I hope you’ll be happy. When are you due?”
Jewel blinked and then returned her smile. “I’m a little over five months along.”
“Hello, Jewel,” Chrysander said in his deep voice.
She swallowed and nodded her greeting to Piers’s oldest brother. Intimidating. How could anyone stand to be around the three of the Anetakis brothers at the same time?
Piers turned to the other couple. “This is my brother Theron and his wife, Bella.” Piers’s entire expression softened into a fond smile when he touched Bella’s arm. She smiled mischievously back at Piers and then looked up at Jewel.
“We’re both happy to meet you, Jewel,” Bella said. She nudged Theron with her elbow. “Aren’t we, Theron?”
“Of course, Bella mou,” he said in a teasing tone. It was as if all attempt to maintain a serious air went out the window when he looked at his wife. Then he turned his attention to Jewel. “Welcome to our family. I’m not sure whether to offer my congratulations or my condolences on marrying my brother.”
Jewel smiled at his attempt at humor, and Piers snorted.
“If you’re quite through insulting me, I’ll offer everyone a drink to celebrate the occasion. The minister should be here at any moment to perform the ceremony.”
The others watched her curiously as Piers left her side to collect a chilled bottle of champagne. He passed glasses to everyone and then popped the cork.
When he came to her, he handed her a glass of mineral water instead. She was touched by his thoughtfulness and smiled her thanks.
Chrysander cleared his throat, and Marley slipped her arm into his. “Our best wishes for a long and…happy marriage,” he added after a slight pause.
They raised their glasses in a toast, and for a moment, Jewel wished, oh how she wished that it was all real, and that this was her family and that she and Piers were in love and expecting their first child with all the joy of a happily married couple.
She dreamed of Christmas celebrations, birthdays and get-togethers just for the heck of it and a loud rambunctious family, loyal to a fault.
Tears pricked her eyelids as she bade goodbye to that dream and embraced her reality. She hastily gulped her water in an effort to regain control of her emotions.
Piers stood at her side and bent his head low to her ear. “What is it, yineka mou? What has upset you?”
“I’m