forget me, Mamma,” Francesca laughed, holding up a single white orchid that had separated itself from all the rest. She felt wonderfully happy and alive anticipating the long evening with Grant beside her. He was so completely different from anyone she knew at home. So strong, so straightforward, so self-reliant, full of his hopes and plans. She couldn’t seem to get enough of his company.
“Congratulations, darling,” Rafe murmured in Ally’s right ear. He was smiling sardonically, showing his perfect white teeth. “Possibly it’s to someone you haven’t yet met.”
“Oh, that makes me so cross!” Lainie interrupted, turning round to them. “It’s not as though you even tried, Ally, when I pray for a good husband every day of my life. No joke, Rafe,” she cautioned him, “so stop laughing.”
“Sorry, pet,” he answered lazily. “Catching things was never your strong point but Ally here, was raised as a tomboy. She has an excellent eye.”
“She’s so amazingly beautiful she doesn’t need to catch any bridal bouquet,” Lainie half grumbled, looking up at him with intense helpless delight. Rafe was always charming and agreeable to her but she could scarcely believe someone like Rafe Cameron, so eligible in every way, could ever find her sexually attractive. Not after Ally who was like a bright flame, but—well everyone in the Outback knew their story. The reason for the split up. Ally, like her fabulous, over-the-top aunt, had wanted to become an actress. Simply dumping one of the most gorgeous men who had ever lived.
“How could she do such a thing?” Lainie’s mother had often asked, shocked. “I don’t suppose I should say it, but bolting seems to run in the family.”
Now Ally was a star who won gold Logies for best actress. Lainie loved her show and tried never to miss an episode. Ally was the sort of person, who could easily make the big-time like Cate Blanchett and take on the world. She was lost to Rafe and he had to accept that. Besides, Rafe had started to spend much more time over at Victoria Springs.
“Don’t be modest, Lainie,” her mother had encouraged her. “You’ll make any man a wonderful wife.”
Possibly, but she only wanted Rafe.
So Lainie hoped and prayed and didn’t enter into any other relationship. The worst part, she truly loved both of them. Ally and Rafe. She would have to have a talk with Ally as soon as she possibly could. Find out the lay of the land.
Tumultuous cheering broke out as Rebecca and Brod climbed into the limousine that was to take them to the airport. Everybody began to wave. Ally, hair flying, holding the little flower girl’s hand, ran once more to the car and leant in to land yet another kiss on bride and groom. “Take care, you two. Have a wonderful time! I’ll be expecting to hear from you,” Ally said.
Rebecca smiled at her and her small stepsister. “Darling little Christina! I’ll miss you. I’ll miss you both so much.”
“With me by your side?” Brod, looking unbelievably handsome in a well cut grey suit, laughed at his bride.
“You know what I mean, darling.” She leaned to kiss him, a kiss that tasted of champagne and strawberries.
“It’s a good thing I do.” Brod’s eyes left his bride’s beautiful face for a moment. “Take care, Ally. You’ll be hearing from us often. I’ve asked Rafe to keep an eye on Kimbara. When he can find the time. Ted’s a good man but it makes me happy knowing Rafe is on hand. I’m grateful to him for so many things.”
“So you should be!” Rafe, overhearing, called with affection. “Have the best time in the world, you two. Now take it away.” He signalled to the chauffeur as the bridal party threw more confetti. Fee wiped it laughingly from her own and David Westbury’s clothes then grasped the little flower girl’s hand while Rafe got an arm around Ally’s narrow waist drawing her backwards so he could shut the limousine door.
Heat like an electric charge, rushed up his arm as it came in contact with her body. Heat to his heart, to his head, to his loins. For a moment he almost despised himself with his reaction. This was like a haunting. There had to be some way to exorcise Ally. He let go of her before his whole body dissolved.
They all watched until the limousine was lost to sight then everyone began to walk back to the house, those that weren’t going on to the theatre starting to say their goodbyes although Rebecca’s father assured them they were welcome to stay as long as they liked, an offer a lot took up.
Lainie waited until the powder room cleared before she decided to conduct her own little investigation. She had to find out for sure if Ally still carried a torch for Rafe. She knew in her heart she would find it hard to come between them if they still cared for one another. Though one didn’t hear too much about grand passions any more, thank the Lord. She could talk to Ally. Woman to woman. They went back a long way. Big TV star or not, a member of one of the great pastoral families. Well, a patrician in this part of the world, Ally was very down-to-earth and friendly.
“You look wonderful, Ally. Superb,” Lainie said for starters, her large, soft, brown eyes admiring as she watched Ally make a few minor repairs to her make-up. Gosh, how did she get her eyeshadow like that? It made her slanting green eyes look like emeralds.
“Thanks, Lainie.” Ally gave her lovely smile. “It’s been such a beautiful day. A day I’ll remember with great joy. A little sadness, too.” She began to remove the decorations from a braid. They’d be too much for the theatre. Fran had removed hers, twisting her beautiful hair into a very elegant knot. Maybe she could do the same even if she couldn’t get the same result. Fran’s hair was wonderfully manageable, hers was downright difficult. Ally experimented for a moment until she became aware of Lainie’s expression. “For heaven’s sake, Lainie, why are you staring at me like that?” she asked wryly. “Has my mascara run?”
When it actually came to it, Lainie’s mouth went dry. “Sorry, pal. I apologise. I was staring, I know. You must be used to it, anyway. You’re gorgeous.”
“You’re not too bad, either,” Ally reminded her. “That dress looks wonderful on you.”
“I haven’t been able to eat to get into it,” Lainie freely admitted. “Ally, I just wanted to ask you something personal—I’d never ask if I didn’t think…I mean I’d never…”
“You want to know if Rafe and I still mean something to each other?” Ally had a shot at it.
“Right on,” Lainie sighed in relief. “Please don’t tell me if you don’t want to. I’m not a person who is ever going to be called confrontational.”
“Fairly forthright nevertheless, my girl.” Ally felt she no longer had the energy to fool around with her hair. She would have to leave it as it was. “Lainie, love,” she explained patiently, “you know as well as anyone Rafe and I are an old story.”
“But you were wonderful together.” Perversely Lainie mourned. “Mum thought you had to be nuts.”
“Unfortunately I was.” Ally looked her regret. “But that was years ago. I was younger than you are now. I thought I needed more time before I could face so much responsibility. Rafe was master of all he surveyed. We all know what the Camerons are like. I wanted to find myself, show the world what I could do.”
“Oh, I know, Ally.” Lainie was understanding. “You wanted to be like your aunty. She was very famous though you don’t hear much of her these days. But those
