The Second Bride (24 page)

The following autumn Rufus Grierson came home one evening to a euphoric wife.

'What's all the excitement?' he demanded, kissing her.

Jo returned his kiss with enthusiasm, then dragged him by the hand into the dining room, and pointed to the small stack of hardback novels on the table. 'My book,' she announced, eyes shining. 'In good time for the Christmas sales.'

Rufus gave her a rib-cracking hug, then picked up the book, studying the jacket. An impressionist-type painting depicted two girls running barefoot towards a shadowy male figure on a deserted beach, with storm clouds massing on the horizon. He stared, arrested, and opened the book, gazing down at the page in silence. The title,
Storm Warning,
by Jocasta Grierson, was followed by the simple dedication 'For Claire'.

'Do you like it?' she demanded breathlessly. 'I wanted you to see it first before anyone else did.'

'It never occurred to me,' he said slowly, 'that you'd—'

'Dedicate it to Claire?'

'Not that—though it's a beautiful thought, darling. I was looking at the author's name,' he said, an odd catch in his voice.

'Oh.' She eyed him uncertainly. 'I never thought to ask. Would you have preferred me to use Fielding?'

'Absolutely not.' Rufus took her in his arms, hugging her close. 'Darling, I'm deeply
honoured
.'

'Well, I am your wife,' she pointed out.

He rubbed his cheek against her hair. 'And very happy I am with the arrangement. How about you?'

Jo hugged him close. 'You know I am.' She looked up at him, her eyes dancing. 'Now I know I'm not the wrong bride, I quite like being married to you, Rufus.'

'I'm not so sure I like the "quite" bit,' he said threateningly, and caught her by the hand. 'Let's go to bed. We can eat later.'

'Much later,' she agreed breathlessly as they went upstairs.

'If you're very good to me,' he informed her as they sank down together on their beautiful bed, 'I'll take you out to dinner. At the Chesterton, in
honour
of the occasion.'

Jo slid her arms round his neck. 'I've already booked. I got an advance from Diadem today—
I'm
buying dinner.'

'Are you now?' Rufus laughed, and held her tight, his lips to her throat. 'In that case I'd better be good to you, instead.'

'Better than
good,'
she ordered, smiling. 'Just be wonderful—as usual.'