Hanchart Land (13 page)

"When are you planning to announce our news?"

Luke started pulling on khaki pants. "Linda has already spread the word, but I'd still like to discuss it with the family first. Then Granddad wants to announce it later to everyone else."

He pulled on a short-sleeved knit shirt and tugged it into place. Susan continued to stare at him. The white of the shirt accented the golden bronze of his skin, giving him a masculine appeal that could steal a woman's breath.

Her sudden silence and riveted attention caught his. "You have a problem with what I'm wearing?"

The defensiveness of his tone startled her, making her eyes go wide and curious. He'd mentioned Shane's good looks on several occasions. Was it possible he thought himself less attractive than his cousin?

"You have to know how gorgeous you are," she admonished, blushing wildly.

The laugh he barked held no humor. "If I've suddenly become gorgeous, you must really be taken with the sex."

His rebuff of her shy compliment hurt, and she reacted with anger, snapping back at him.

"Do you really think women prefer pretty-boy handsome to men with soul-deep, sexy eyes and features with real character? If you do, then don't lump me with anyone that simpleminded," she grumbled, her voice rising.

He'd hit a nerve by mentioning her newly discovered fascination with sex, so she lambasted him for that, too. "I know what I like, and if it's sex related, it's only because you have a body to die for. And I'm sure I'm not the only woman who ever told you so."

Her little tirade brought more hot color to her cheeks. She realized, belatedly, how possessive she sounded, but she was already dreading sharing him this evening with old girl friends and ex-lovers. There were bound to be some at the party.

Luke had gone very still, his eyes narrowing as her agitation increased. Susan turned abruptly, fled to the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.

Then she leaned against it and drew in a deep, steadying breath while dragging her hands through, her hair. Dear God, what had gotten into her?

She was sounding like a shrew after less than twenty-four hours of marriage. She couldn't believe she'd actually yelled at him. He'd think he married a lunatic. Nerves. It was just the tension, she decided. Her nerves were strung tight, and she was almost sick with worry over the ten-day wonder their marriage would cause. She just wanted it behind her. She'd apologize for the loss of composure. Later. When they could be alone again and say to hell with the rest of the world.

After a few minutes, she heard Luke leave the bedroom and managed to get herself into the shower. The spray stung some of the areas that had received the abundance of his attentions last night, sending a new wave of desire over her.

For a woman who'd had very few sensual thoughts in the past, she was making up for it in spades today. She had to get her act together.

It took less than an hour for her to bathe, shampoo, dry and curl her hair, then get dressed for the coming evening. The outfit she chose included a dress from her college days. It was a deep turquoise that looked good with her fair hair and light tan. Neither too dressy nor too casual, it seemed perfect for the party.

Her mother had thought it too short and tight back then, but her loss of weight made a difference. Now the soft cotton and A-line style just skimmed her figure, enhancing, but not hugging too tightly.

The dress had a scooped neckline with a rolled collar that folded into narrow straps on her shoulders. Susan added a small gold chain around her neck and a matching gold bracelet adorned her wrist.

Her hair hung heavily to her shoulders and the ends were curled to add body. She wanted to avoid her usual scraped-back look, but wasn't used to having it around her face. As a compromise, she slid gold-toned combs into each side of her hair to pull it above her ears and was satisfied with the results.

It had been so long since she'd worn makeup she was a little hesitant, applying it sparingly. A touch of eye shadow, mascara, and lip-gloss. Blusher wasn't necessary. She was sure she'd have a natural blush most of the evening, either from embarrassment, frustration or anger.

The heavy sense of dread didn't lighten, even when she knew she was looking her best. Mentally chiding herself, she reasoned that the night wasn't going to be over until it had begun. There was no use stalling any longer. It was half past six already.

A pair of strappy, high-heeled sandals matched the dress, but Susan decided not to wear them. She'd be on her feet all night and wasn't used to the heels. A pair of flat sandals would have to do. She slipped her feet into the shoes and headed downstairs.

Luke was coming up the hallway as she reached the bottom of the stairs. He halted at the sight of her. Every muscle and nerve in his body leapt to life; reacting to her femininity, loveliness, and the innate sensuality he hadn't had nearly enough time to explore. The looks she’d given him earlier had kept him in a state of semi-arousal that was damned annoying. He hadn’t felt so randy since high school. All he wanted to do was strip off her clothes and bury himself in her tight, hot body.

The physical reactions irritated him. It was one thing to desire her in his bed, but altogether different to be bombarded with cravings every time she was near. She looked shy and unsure of herself. Whether it was real or faked, it brought out protective instincts he didn't want to feel.

He'd felt the same way after her parents died. He'd felt the same wild, inexplicable cravings coupled with an intense desire to protect her. Look where those emotions had gotten him. Two years of sheer hell. For two years she’d been his cousin’s wife, and there hadn’t been a thing he could do about it. During that time, he thought he’d buried those emotions as deep as they could be buried. Now they were back with a vengeance.

Susan's heart raced when he stared without saying anything. The tightness of his expression made her uneasy. "Is this all right?" she asked self-consciously, running her hands down the sides of the dress.

His eyes smoldered for an instant, and then became hooded. His tone was clipped. "You'll do fine."

She grimaced inwardly. He was still annoyed with her, or he didn't feel like wasting words on compliments. Her morale could have used a boost.

"The family's all in my office." Well, that was enough to make any man frown she supposed. "I'm sorry I wasn't down here to greet them."

"It doesn't matter," he assured her, pulling one of her hands through his arm to escort her down the hall. “It's better to face them with a united front."

Her stomach was churning, and she suddenly wished she hadn't eaten anything. He sensed her increased tension. "Just remember you're my wife now," he reminded. "You don't need their approval. If anybody offends you, tell them to go to hell."

Easy for him to say, she thought. He was used to being the rule of the roost. He'd proven his ability to be in charge of the family's vast holdings and wealth. He'd earned respect in the family and community with hard work, dependability, intelligence and strength. She'd yet to prove herself worthy of him. She didn't want their marriage to incorporate blind acceptance of her. She wanted to earn it, to deserve it.

When Luke swung the door of his office open, he ushered her inside and slid an arm around her waist. She welcomed the gesture when conversation ceased in the room and everyone turned toward them.

Linda was as beautiful as ever in a blue silk pantsuit. With fair complexion, hair and eyes, she and Shane had looked so alike people sometimes mistook them for twins, despite their difference in age.

Her beauty was somewhat marred by the resentment in her pale green eyes. "Nice of you to join us."

Luke started to speak, but Susan interrupted a reprimand that was certain to start a full-scale battle.

"Hello, Linda," she replied calmly. "I apologize for keeping everyone waiting."

Next she greeted Dan, a tall, thin, attractive man with dark hair and eyes who was normally congenial unless his wife was upset. As a banker and pillar of the community, he was as socially conscious as Linda.

She greeted Brad and Lynette by name, and then added. "It's nice to see you all."

"We hear you have some news," Brad cut to the heart of the matter. He was her favorite of Luke's cousins, almost an outcast on his own side of the family because he'd never allowed Linda to control him.

"Susan and I were married last night," Luke explained without expression. "We didn't invite anyone because we wanted to keep it simple and uncomplicated."

"From the sound of it, you had quite a celebration," injected Linda. "You might have given us some advance warning so we didn't have to learn of it through gossip."

"Granddad stood up for me, and Rosa for Susan," Luke continued. "You know Rosa can't do anything without making a party of it and feeding people."

"Well, we can at least add our congratulations," declared Lynette, moving toward them. A slender, dark-eyed brunette, she was often a mediator for family disagreements. "I wish you all the best of luck," she added, giving them both a hug. They returned her hugs with sincerely felt thank-yous.

"I second that," said Brad, offering a hand to Luke. The two men were a lot alike in size and coToning, except for their eyes. Brad's were green like the others on his side of the family.

He hugged Susan, and she gave him a warm smile. Then the other couple stepped aside.

Linda offered no congratulations, and her husband followed her lead. "I guess the two of you think you've made a good match, but I think you'll live to regret your hasty marriage."

The circumstances created by Shane's will were no secret to the family or the community, so everyone would know the marriage was one of convenience. There was no sense trying to refute the truth. Susan regretted the fact, but couldn't change it, so she didn't comment.

When no one else spoke, Linda's eyes welled with tears. "Shane's barely been dead six months. I don't know why he left things the way he did, but certainly you could have waited a more respectable length before remarrying. What will people say?"

"They'll say the same thing they said when Susan lost her parents and then her brother," supplied Luke, his tone and expression uncompromising. "They'll say she has to get on with her own life."

The pronouncement effectively put an end to verbal complaints, but Linda's eyes were still misty and accusing. Susan couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Regardless of her own feelings for Shane, she knew his sister had adored him, had been stunned by his will, and was still trying to cope with his loss.

"Shane wasn't the type who'd appreciate a long mourning period," Lynette offered. "He enjoyed life to the fullest and wanted everyone else to. I'm sure everyone will understand that no disrespect was intended."

Susan threw Lynette a smile of gratitude for coming to their defense without hurting Linda's feelings even more.

"There may be a few single ladies and their hopeful mothers who get ticked off because Luke finally married," Brad teased, trying to lighten the mood. "But I figure they'll get over it."

Luke gave him a grin and then glanced at Susan. Her brows were furrowed at the mention of other women.

"Have you told Caroline?" asked Linda, relishing another angle of attack against her cousin.

Caroline Adkens was Linda's best friend. She and Luke had dated occasionally. She'd made no secret of the fact she wanted him for husband number three.

"I had no reason to tell her," he stated flatly. "If she comes tonight, she'll hear about it along with everyone else."

Susan's eyes were troubled as they darted between Linda and Luke. She knew he'd dated Caroline in the past, but Linda made it sound as though they had an ongoing relationship. Just how close were they now? Were they lovers? Luke's tone and words denied any sense of obligation toward the other woman, but Susan wondered if Caroline felt the same. Would she try to make trouble? Worse yet, would she try to persuade him he'd made a mistake?

Before anything else could be said, a knock at the door announced four impatient youngsters who didn't like being excluded from the adult conversation. With an invitation from Luke, they poured into the room and demanded hugs and kisses.

Brad's two preschoolers were dark-haired pixies who adored their cousin Luke. They both vied for his attention and were simultaneously scooped into his arms. They planted noisy kisses on his cheeks and began talking a mile a minute.

Susan watched his face soften and his eyes warm with affection. Her chest constricted at his gentleness. He was such a good man. He'd hate being called sweet, yet he had a soft spot for children and animals. Probably because they were so vulnerable, and he was so strong.

Watching him with Tami and Paige made her all the more aware of his gentle, caring nature. He was endlessly patient with them and would make a wonderful father. A wave of love washed over her, making her heart ache with longing. She silently prayed she could give him children of his own.

She wasn't aware that everyone else in the room was watching her watch Luke until she finally shifted her gaze and encountered four other watchful pairs. Was she wearing her heart on her sleeve? Did she look like a lovesick bride? The idea flustered her, making her more self-conscious. Then she reminded herself that it was important they know her true feelings.

"Did you really marry Luke?" asked Molly, a thin, sensitive ten year old who was a pale shadow of her mother.

Susan smiled and hugged the impressionable child. "Yes, I really married Luke."

 "Are you still my aunt?" she asked with a serious tone and expression.

She didn’t want to discourage Molly. "I can be your aunt or cousin or friend, or all three if you’d like.”

"I would have been a bridesmaid," declared the little girl. "My friend, Tonja, was a bridesmaid once, and she taught me everything she had to do." Linda quietly scolded her daughter, but Susan wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders in support. "If we'd had a big wedding, I would have been honored to have you as a bridesmaid. But we decided to have a very small ceremony."