To Be a Husband by Carole Mortimer

Author:Carole Mortimer [Mortimer, Carole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0373120435
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Gaye knew she must have checked her appearance half a dozen times as she waited for their guests to arrive!

She didn't want to appear in the least businesslike, so a blouse and skirt had been vetoed from the first, but she wasn't sure the neat black fitted dress she had finally chosen to wear, with its short length, was right either. . .

Her mother, when Gaye had entered the kitchen fifteen minutes earlier, had told her she looked 'beautiful'—and then promptly suggested she wear her hair loose about her shoulders rather than secured at her nape with a black slide, because she looked 'prettier' with it that way!

She had followed her mother's advice, not because she wanted to look prettier, but because she hadn't been at all sure of the severity of her hairstyle herself. But now she wondered if she looked too much as if she wanted to be found attractive!

Her nervousness about this evening wasn't helped by the fact that she was positive Jonathan had picked up this morning on her dislike of his friend apparently being female. . .!

She hadn't been able to help it. She was fast learning to care for Jonathan Hunter, enjoyed his company, had enjoyed those brief times she had been in his arms even more. But caring for Jonathan could be even more disastrous to her life than her feelings for Richard had turned out to be. . .

'This is just like old times, isn't it, darling?' her mother enthused as they put the finishing touches to the avocado and prawns they were serving as the starter to their meal, then put the elegantly prepared plates in the refrigerator to keep cool as they concentrated on the main course.

Gaye looked across at her mother now. This was the first dinner party they had given, the first time they had entertained at all, since— 'Not quite, Mummy,' she returned huskily.

Her mother returned her gaze blankly for several seconds, and then she smiled brightly. 'I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful success, darling,' she pronounced before turning her attention to the individual beef Wellingtons they had decided to cook with baby potatoes, peas and carrots. 'And I do like your Jonathan,' she added teasingly, smiling affectionately at Gaye.

She could feel the hot colour enter her cheeks. 'He isn't my Jonathan, Mummy,' she answered more sharply than she intended. 'He's just a friend,' she amended less tensely.

'If you say so, dear,' her mother accepted vaguely. 'Would you just like to check the table one more time to make sure we haven't forgotten anything?'

Gaye was glad of the excuse to leave the kitchen, although she knew it was completely unnecessary for her to check the dining table; her mother wouldn't have omitted anything. Gaye still found it so odd that her mother continued to function normally on every level except the part of her that refused to acknowledge the man she loved was dead. . .

Gaye stood in the dining room, staring sightlessly at the table.

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