The Eleventh-Hour Groom by Kathryn Ross

Author:Kathryn Ross
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2001-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

IT WAS surprising how quickly the afternoon passed once Jay had left her.

As she unpacked she discovered clothes in the back of the wardrobes that she had forgotten about. Beautiful designer dresses that were well cut and designed to get a woman noticed. She pulled them out, holding them in front of her and looking in the mirror. Remembering each one as if they were old friends, and recalling the occasions she had worn them. Some brought back happy memories, others, like the long black strapless dress, made her wince.

She had been wearing that dress the night she had discovered Jay was cheating on her. They’d been at a function at the polo club and she’d overheard the conversation in the ladies’ room. From that time on, everything had changed.

‘I think I’ve fallen in love,’ the woman had said dreamily. ‘No one has ever turned me on the way he does. Sex is just incredible.’

Elizabeth had recognised the voice immediately. She’d heard it often enough over the phone. It had been Jay’s secretary, Lisa.

‘And does Jay feel the same way?’ her companion had asked.

‘I don’t know. All I do know is that he doesn’t love his wife. Well, she’s hardly in his league, is she? She’s a bit of a plain Jane.’

‘Which one is his wife?’

‘Long dark hair, a bit on the weighty side. She’s called Beth.’

‘Oh, I didn’t realise she was his wife.’

‘Well, they’ve only been married for about six months.’

‘Six months! They should still be on their honeymoon.’

‘Yes, I suppose so, but he’s not happy. Well, he can’t be, can he? Otherwise he wouldn’t be playing away. That marriage is just a sham. Jay probably got a tax break or something by marrying her. He’s very well off in his own right and I suppose so is she. These moneyed types usually stick together, don’t they?’

‘So you don’t think he’ll leave her, then?’

Lisa had laughed at that. ‘It’s all very well Jay being pragmatic about a relationship in theory; it’s quite another putting it into practice. He’s a hot-blooded, passionate guy. I think he will leave her, if not for me then someone else. It’s just a matter of time.’

Beth put the black dress down on the chair, trying to close out the memories. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, remembering the shock. She’d felt numb for days, too upset to feel anger, too upset even to cry. Behind her, the reflection of the huge double bed mocked her. She had continued to sleep with Jay for a while after that, but she hadn’t been able to stand for him to touch her. She’d frozen when he had come too near. And yet she’d still wanted him, and that had torn her in two.

Then had come the evening when he had been very late home. He’d been working long hours at the yard, but eleven-thirty had been pushing it, even for him.

She’d got into her car and had driven over there. She hadn’t stopped to

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