Her Wealthy Husband. Margaret Mayo
Kellerman,’ she said sharply.
Immediately his smile faded. ‘I can assure you that wasn’t my intention, Lara. I thought it would be fun. But if—’
She shook her head, instantly regretting her harsh words. ‘You don’t have to change your plans. It’s just that it wasn’t what I expected.’ Or was it that she was afraid of spending so much time alone with him? She had thought there would be other people around, no chance for quiet, intimate conversations such as they’d had last night.
‘Good, we’ll get going, then.’ There was a grimness to his mouth now as though she’d annoyed him with her suspicions. And in the car he hardly spoke.
She had no idea where they were when he drew up at the water’s edge, reversing expertly down the ramp. He kicked off his shoes as he let the boat slide into the water, and only then did he speak. ‘Do you think you could hold the boat steady while I park the car?’ he asked with exaggerated politeness.
Lara nodded, wishing she’d said nothing of her suspicions because already it was spoiling the day.
Soon they were out on the harbour, the boat bouncing over the waves as Bryce opened the throttle, and Lara loved every minute. She wished she could tell him. But his face was still set and he didn’t look once in her direction.
Or so she thought. As she smoothed sun cream on her arms, legs and face, Lara was unaware that Bryce watched, that his smoky grey eyes were grave in their appraisal, that his fingers tightened on the wheel.
When Harbour Bridge came into view Bryce slowed down and they cruised gently into the harbour. It looked different from the water, the sails of the Opera House appeared first beneath the bridge, then Centre Point, the Post Office tower, the towering office blocks. It was an exciting skyline.
And then they were off again. Sometimes Bryce took his time; sometimes he skimmed the waves at breakneck speed.
The silence between them lengthened and Lara deeply regretted her earlier outburst. What should have been a pleasurable day was proving most uncomfortable. Bryce was polite but that was all. He wasn’t friendly and funny and entertaining like he had been last night. And it was all her fault.
Unable to stand the tension any longer, she said quietly, ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’
He looked at her then, and he slowed down, let the engine idle. ‘When I said I wanted you all to myself it was a figure of speech. I had no intention of forcing you to do anything you didn’t want to do. I thought it would be a pleasure.’ His nostrils flared as he spoke, a tough mask over his face. ‘I was forgetting that you think all men are control freaks.’
Lara winced. ‘Maybe not all men.’
‘But you’re not prepared to give anyone else a chance.’ His eyes were hard and condemning. ‘If that’s the case then I see no point in us continuing our—er, friendship.’ He hurled the word contemptuously.
‘It’s not that,’ she protested. Why, oh why, had she opened her mouth? ‘I do want to be friends with you, Bryce. I guess I’m on edge because Roger phoned my mother yesterday.’
‘Your ex?’ The news brought his head up with a jerk.
Lara nodded, grimacing as she did so, letting him see how unhappy she was.
‘What did he want?’
‘For us to get back together.’
There was a sudden stillness about him. ‘And?’
A tiny shrug lifted her slender shoulders. ‘I was supposed to phone my mother back this morning. I can’t believe I forgot.’ She could only blame the excitement of getting ready to spend a day with Bryce! And it was true, she had been excited. She’d dithered for ages about what to wear, trying on outfit after outfit, finally settling on navy cotton shorts and a navy and white top. Helen had said she looked very nautical.
He glanced at his watch. ‘She’ll be in bed now. I’ll remind you when we get home. Did she tell him where you are? Will he make a nuisance of himself?’
Lara hadn’t even thought along those lines. Now she frowned contemplatively. ‘I shouldn’t think so.’
‘What makes him think there’s a chance that you’d go back to him?’ His voice was harsh and disapproving. ‘Is there something you haven’t told me?’
Lara turned her mouth down at the corners, not wanting to discuss Roger with this man. It was none of his business. But she had to say something. ‘He didn’t want the divorce, to tell you the truth. He couldn’t understand why I felt as I did. He couldn’t see anything wrong in his behaviour.’
‘There’s none so blind as those who don’t want to see,’ he said scathingly.
‘You’re telling me,’ she declared fiercely. ‘He seemed to think that because he bought me nice things, because we had a comfortable home, because we entertained his friends on a fairly regular basis, that I had a good and fulfilling life. He didn’t realise that I’d have liked my own friends around me, that I’d have liked a say in some things. He had no idea how stifled I felt.’
‘It’s a shame he’s spoilt your holiday,’ said Bryce. ‘Last night you began to relax. Today you’re as uptight as when I first met you. You’ve rebuilt the wall. I’m an outsider.’
Lara gave a rueful smile. ‘I didn’t mean for that to happen. I appreciate the trouble you’ve gone to on my behalf. I’m enjoying today.’
A dark eyebrow quirked upwards. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely.’ She had only herself to blame for the tension that had settled over them like a thundercloud.
‘Are you ready for lunch?’
Lara looked around at all the water surrounding them. ‘Where are you suggesting we eat?’
‘You have two choices,’ he said, his smile warmer now. ‘We could go to Doyles at Watsons Bay—you’ve heard of our famous fish-and-chip restaurant? Or we could drop anchor and eat right here. I have a hamper in the cabin.’
‘I think I’d like the picnic,’ Lara decided. She no longer wanted to be surrounded by other people. She was enjoying Bryce’s company too much.
‘You’re not afraid of me any more?’ he asked, eyes narrowed.
‘It was silly of me to be wary,’ she said with a wry, apologetic smile. ‘I should have known differently.’
And so out came the cool-box filled with thick slices of ham and chunky chicken portions, with salads and cheeses, with bread rolls and wine, and for dessert a mango already sliced, glossy plums and finger bananas, as well as several different flavoured yoghurts. Far too much for them, but all utterly, utterly delicious.
‘This is wonderful,’ she said more than once. ‘You’re certainly doing me proud today.’
‘I would always do you proud if you were mine,’ he said seriously. ‘I would never treat you like a possession.’ Although his eyes were grave they managed to send sensual messages at the same time. Her skin grew warm; her fingers clenched around the wineglass, and so that she didn’t need to look at him she swallowed what was left in one gulp.
Immediately he refilled her glass, his own too, and they sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. Other craft moved past them, their occupants either waving or calling out a greeting—he seemed to know many people—but they didn’t intrude on their privacy.
‘You’re not thinking of going back to Roger?’ he asked at length.
‘Goodness, no!’ she exclaimed. ‘It’s the last thing I want.’
‘Sometimes men like your ex wield a power that a woman finds hard to resist.’
Lara shook her head. ‘Getting away from that marriage was the best thing I ever did.’
Eventually