Pride & A Pregnancy Secret by Tessa Radley

Author:Tessa Radley [Radley, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Diamonds Down Under, Category
ISBN: 9780373768493
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2008-02-12T00:00:00+00:00

The dress that Jessica had chosen from the selection ZinZin sent over was soft and feminine. The wraparound style made her confident that the thickening waist only she knew about didn’t show.A soft mix of palest apricot and rich creams, the gown hung to the floor in fine pleats and emphasized the lustrous glow of her skin. She’d put her hair up. A pair of flawless diamond studs that Ryan had given her last Christmas twinkled in her ears. She knew she looked good. Picking up a small sequined bag and the pashmina wrap that ZinZin had matched with the dress, Jessica made for the door.

Downstairs, Ryan was waiting for her, wearing a white dinner jacket and a black bow tie.

For an instant his sheer male beauty took Jessica’s breath away and she stilled, then she moved forward. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

“No. I’m staying in the hotel as well.”

“Here? At the Ascot?”

Ryan nodded. “Kim and Ric are staying at the apartment. There’s really not enough space for me there, too.”

Jessica could imagine that Kim and Ric’s renewed closeness might cause Ryan to feel like a spare part. While the apartment was undeniably luxurious, it was a lover’s retreat. Jessica had wondered in the past if Howard Blackstone had bought it as a lover’s nest to share with his latest “secretary.”

“You’re staying here because of the ball?” It was highly unlikely that Ryan had chosen to stay here because of her, Jessica told herself. Ryan couldn’t have known—or cared—where she was staying.

His gaze shifted away. He held out an arm. “Come, we don’t want to be the last to arrive.”

And thereby attracting even more speculation than their arrival together already would.

The St. Valentine’s Diamond Ball was held in the ballroom of the Ascot, a vast room lit with dozens of brilliant chandeliers. Silver cutlery glittered on the round tables, which were covered with snowy white tablecloths and adorned with sprays of ivy and tall elegant white candles.

They made their way to the main Blackstone table where Kim and Ric, Briana and Jake and a host of familiar faces from the Melbourne Blackstone’s Jewellery store were already seated.

After greeting them, Briana said, “That dress looks stunning, Jess. I knew ZinZin would find something perfect for you.”

“It was perfect advice.”

“You look almost—” Briana paused “—voluptuous tonight.”

Jessica gave a self-conscious little laugh. But apprehension stirred. She couldn’t afford for Briana to guess….

“I guess I’ve picked up a little bit of weight lately.”

“It suits you.” Briana’s eyes scanned her face. “You’re glowing.”

“I noticed that, too.” Ryan leant forward. “You’re growing more beautiful every day, Jess.”

Even Briana looked startled by this observation.

“Flatterer,” Jessica exclaimed quickly, and resisted the urge to place her hands over the barely noticeable curve of her stomach hidden by the artful pleats of the soft fabric.

“You’re not talking about Ryan, are you?” Kim entered the conversation. “My brother never wastes time on flattery. What did he say?”

“Never mind.” Jessica could feel herself flushing.

Kim’s gaze grew knowing. Jessica grew even hotter.

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