Scott Harper’s fiancée? She saw how he had won the Cup. His was a powerful determination and maybe she was next on his list? Only time would prove her right.
Meanwhile he was making her feel decidedly odd. It was as if she were someone else. She couldn’t allow that. She had to be herself, yet the feel of his arms around her had deep chords resounding within her. His hand on her back could even be playing her like a master musician. What was he really thinking?
‘You look very beautiful,’ he said. His voice, which was resonant and deep, had considerable emotional power.
Carrie took a quick breath, thinking she wasn’t going to give him any help.
‘Harper is a lucky man.’
Now she tilted her head to stare into his eyes. ‘What went wrong between you two? It seems strange—you were both so young when you moved away, yet I sense a history between you and Scott. An animosity that still clings.’
The flash in his eyes was as blue as an acetate flame. ‘Scott Harper used to like to scare me when I was a kid.’
She felt shame on Scott’s behalf. ‘It still matters?’
He shrugged. ‘You saw how your fiancé was. I’m sure he’ll be right with us any moment now. Do you mind that most of the guys here, though they’re dying to dance with you, are keeping their distance?’
That hit home. ‘I do realise,’ she said, more severely than she had intended, ‘but Scott is my fiancé.’
He nodded. ‘A pity’
‘A pity he’s my fiancé?’ Now she was really on the defensive.
‘How do you know I don’t want you for myself?’ He unfolded a slow smile, keeping his tone light.
Hectic colour swept into her cheeks, enhancing her beauty. ‘I’m sorry, Clay, but I’m taken.’
‘Have you set a date for the wedding?’ he asked, with interest.
‘Why aren’t you married?’ she countered, aware something potentially dangerous was smouldering between them.
‘Because I believe a man has to be able to provide for a wife before he embarks on matrimony.’
She realised she was becoming agitated. She had to rein herself in. ‘The rumour around town is you’re looking for a wife. Could that possibly be right?’
His smile was self mocking. ‘You might very well see me on the doorstep of the Bulletin some time soon. I understand you’re Pat Kennedy’s right hand woman. You can help me run an ad. “Bush Bachelor Seeks A Wife!” You could advise me what to say, maybe help me read through what replies come in.’
‘You’re joking!’ She felt an odd anger.
Clay’s blue, blue eyes were alight with what? Devilment? A taunt? He was still holding her lightly but she was starting to feel she couldn’t breathe.
‘I couldn’t be more serious,’ he replied. ‘I want a wife beside me. I want children. I’ve been so flat-out working all my life, I’ve had little time to play the courting game. Besides, eligible young women aren’t all that easy to find. I thought an ad might work. It would certainly speed things up.’
He was obviously waiting for her response.
It came out soft but tart. ‘Why don’t you simply walk up to one of the girls here?’ Carrie challenged him, wishing she was older, taller, more experienced. As it was she was a little afraid of him.
He wasn’t smiling. ‘Forgive me, but it’s hard to see past you.’
That transfixed her. She, so light on her feet, a lovely dancer, missed a step, nearly causing him to tread on her toe. ‘Must I remind you that I’m taken?’ she said as though he had broken a strict rule.
‘So you are!’ His voice was deeply regretful.
What should she do? Walk away? Abandon him on the dance floor? She didn’t want to. At the same time she knew she had to.
Run, run away! Far from temptation!
‘Give yourself plenty of time to make sure it’s going to work.’ He steered her away from a whirling couple.
‘Is that a warning?’ This man was deliberately casting a spell on her. To what end?
‘I don’t see the two of you together,’ he said.
‘How can you possibly judge?’ Despite herself she began to compare him with Scott. It was something she couldn’t control. ‘You don’t know me and you don’t know Scott. We have a fine future ahead of us.’
‘Why, then, the fright in your eyes? If he’s the love of your life?’
There was such a whirring inside her. It was as though some part of her hitherto not properly in working order, suddenly sprang into life. ‘Why are we talking like this, Clay? It’s getting very personal and private.’ Not to say out of order.
‘I told you. I don’t have much time. Besides, I feel I could talk to you far into the night.’
‘You’ve just told me why.’ She pointed out, not without sarcasm. ‘You’re lonely.’
‘It’s possible that’s part of it,’ he agreed smoothly.
Carrie sucked in her breath; waited a moment. ‘I must tell you I wouldn’t have agreed to marry Scott if I didn’t love him.’ Now her voice sounded stilted.
‘As I said, Harper is a very lucky man.’
This was too much. Just too much. She couldn’t play this game if that’s what it was. Dancing with him wasn’t the same as dancing with Scott. Or any other man for that matter. She could feel the blood beating in her throat, in her breasts, in the pit of her stomach. She had never been so breathtakingly conscious of her own flesh.
The same tipsy couple almost careened into them. Clay’s arm tightened around her as he swiftly drew her out of harm’s way.
She knew it was well past the time to break away, but she made the excuse to herself that would only draw attention to them. So change the subject quickly! ‘You’re not planning to leave, then?’
‘Caroline, I’ve just arrived,’ he replied, mock-plaintively.
‘Everyone calls me Carrie.’ She spoke as if to correct him when in reality the sound of her name on his lips was like a bell tolling inside her.
‘I’m not everyone,’ he said quietly. ‘Carrie is pretty. Caroline suits you better.’
‘What if I say I want you to call me Carrie?’
‘All right, Carrie.’ He smiled. ‘I’ll call you Caroline whenever I get the chance.’
It was totally unnerving how dramatically he was getting to her. ‘I used to think when I was little that Jimboorie House was a palace.’
‘So
