Husbands Of The Outback. Margaret Way

dear, sweet, beautiful, Genevieve, it’s the day my brother will give you away forever.”

      Hilary was still sitting there feeling slightly shaky, but thrilled to have dispensed with the fleeing Genevieve, when Blaine suddenly materialised beside her, almost making her jump out of her skin.

      “Isn’t that Genni?” he demanded in the kind of voice that demanded a straight answer.

      It took a tremendous effort for Hilary to pull herself together. How could she deny it? That white-gold rope of hair, the model figure, the grace of movement. “Yes, she just popped in to say hello.” She tried a blithe smile, thinking fast.

      “Damned odd.” Blaine looked like he was about to take after her, such a restless radiance about him.

      “Not really.” Hilary rose, grasping her stepbrother’s arm. “She and her bridesmaids were having a girl’s night out. That was Genni’s BMW parked out the front. Not supposed to do it, of course, but trust Genni to pull it off. A pity. You just missed her.”

      “And how was she?” Blaine bent his light lancing glance on his stepsister.

      “Oh, lovely! Deliriously happy.” Hilary turned an innocent face to him. “I’ve never seen a girl so much in love.”

      “The little fool!” Blaine’s hard, handsome mouth tightened. “He’ll never make her happy.”

      “But he will, Blaine,” Hilary insisted, hugging her brother’s arm. “She’s the love of his life!”

      And we’re finally free of her.

      “Don’t,” Blaine warned, his voice so strange Hilary stared at him vaguely terrified.

      “Where’s Sally?” she asked in an effort to divert him.

      “She went home an hour ago.” Blaine was still frowning, looking more formidable by the minute. “Surely you knew? We went right past you and your friend.”

      “I must have missed you,” Hilary lied. “Sally’s a darling. Mum and I are delighted she’s the woman in your life.”

      “Don’t be so dim-witted,” Blaine responded impatiently, his eyes silver chips in his arresting dark face. “Your mother thinks no such thing. As for you? A bit of wishful thinking. Are you sure that’s all Genni wanted?” he insisted. “To say hello?”

      “What else?” Hilary wanted to turn and bolt, instead she lightly punched his shoulder. “She’s on top of the world. I am family.”

      “So why did you turn down the role of bridesmaid?” Blaine challenged, giving her that lancing look that always made her feel so exposed.

      She tried to make a joke of it. “You know. Genni’s so tall. So are her friends. I didn’t want to be the little pipsqueak in the middle. Genni understood. Come and join us for a minute.” Hilary had a powerful nervous urge to draw her stepbrother away.

      “No thanks.” Blaine glanced down at her. “I want to leave a message at the desk. Goodnight, Hills. Sweet dreams.”

      She stood on tiptoe to kiss his lean cheek. “You, too, brother mine. It’s going to be a wonderful day tomorrow. Like Genni, I can’t wait.”