And the Bride Wore Black by Helen Brooks

Author:Helen Brooks [Brooks, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Adult
ISBN: 0373033508
Google: bdJsj1DLs3oC
Amazon: 0373033508
Goodreads: 6374933
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1993-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

‘IT’S beautiful, Alex.’ Fabia stood awe-struck in the doorway of the main drawing-room, her eyes wide with wonder as she looked up at the magnificent seven-foot tree towering above her, its sweet-smelling pine branches covered in red ribbon, glittering white stars and small delicately formed candles in red and white twists. ‘I’ve never seen such a gorgeous tree.’

‘I get one each year for Isabella,’ Alex said quietly as his eyes stroked her glowing face, a warmth in their gold depths that caused her breath to shudder in her throat. ‘In Italy, when she was a child, each house couldn’t afford a tree with decorations and presents so all the villagers would get together and bring a tree down from the mountainside for the village square. I know the story by heart and you’ll be hearing it soon, no doubt.’ He smiled slowly. ‘Each family would give what trimming they could, a ribbon there, an ornament here; she pines for those times now she’s alone.’

‘She has you,’ she said softly, meeting his gaze, before her eyes were drawn to the mass of gaily wrapped parcels piled around the huge terracotta pot filled with earth in which the tree’s roots were embedded.

‘Isabella assures me the adults made sure even the poorest child had a gift on the Saviour’s birthday. There aren’t too many barefoot little ragamuffins round here but we donate the presents to the children’s ward at the hospital on Christmas Eve.’ He shrugged lightly. ‘It’s become something of a tradition.’

‘I think that’s lovely.’ She smiled up into his watching eyes and for a moment he looked as though he was going to say more, but then he turned away dismissively.

‘I have my moments of weakness,’ he drawled with mocking sarcasm, and she flushed at the taunting note in his voice. She had woken that morning deep in the luxurious warmth of the big bed and decided that the only way she was going to get through the next week was to take each day as it came. No more heart-searching, no more dissecting things that were better left alone. She was nothing to Alex, she had to remember that; he could have as many girlfriends as he liked, it was absolutely nothing to do with her. He was used to sophisticated worldly women to whom love affairs were merely pleasant diversions for a limited time. She knew that...so why did the picture of a tall dark-haired woman with pouting red lips keep flashing into her mind in taunting ridicule?

They ate alone in the large breakfast room—Isabella never rose before lunchtime—and just as they finished the doorbell rang. The morning was filled with visits from friends and relations and several of the women, Fabia noticed wryly, put great enthusiasm into greeting Alex. He remained his normal charming self, acting his part magnificently as he drew Fabia to his side time and time again, dropping a kiss on her fair head or hugging her close in a swift embrace. ‘You don’t

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