Outback Man Seeks Wife

Her heart jumped. Agree and there’d be trouble. Big trouble.

‘Look at me,’ he invited quietly. ‘Not away. Would you come, Caroline?’

A back-up singer in the band launched into a romantic number. ‘How do you see me?’ she countered. ‘As someone whose freedom is being curtailed?’

‘Is it?’ He studied her so intently he might have been trying to unmask her.

That put her on her mettle. ‘I’d be delighted to come,’ she said shortly, consoling herself she had been driven to it.

‘Good. I confess I find a woman’s views necessary.’

‘Is it your intention to put in your ad that Jimboorie House is falling down?’ She met his eyes.

‘Certainly. It’s the right thing to do,’ he replied smoothly. ‘But it’s not in the utter state of decay it appears to be from the outside. The best materials were used in its construction. The finest, stoutest timbers. The cedar came from the vast forests of the Bunya Bunya Mountains. The house itself is built of sandstone. There is a tremendous amount of restoration to be done—I can’t deny that—but somehow I’ll get around it.’

‘Perhaps you should say in your ad that you’re looking for an heiress?’ she suggested, bitter-sweet.

‘Now that’s a great idea.’ His face broke into a mocking smile.

Unnoticed by either of them Scott Harper, who had been further detained by two of his father’s friends wanting to know if he thought his team could continue their unbeaten polo season, was quickly canvassing the crowd.

The blood flooded into his face the moment he saw them together. He drew in his breath sharply, catching his bottom lip between strong teeth and drawing blood. How could Carrie possibly do this thing? She knew how he felt about Clay Cunningham. All his childhood antipathy had returned but one hundred times worse. He made his way towards them, threading a path through the dancers, some of them, marking his expression, getting out of his way.

Just look at her, Scott inwardly raged, his jealousy violent and painful. Her beautiful blond head was tipped right back as she stared up into Cunningham’s eyes.

This is wrong, all wrong. Let her go!

His progress was stopped when a woman got him in a surprisingly strong arm-lock. ‘Scotty, you’re not ignoring me are you, darling?’

He swung, catching the hateful expression of malice on Natasha’s face. ‘You can’t let your dewy little fiancée have a bit of fun, can you?’ Her voice dropped so low he could barely hear her. ‘And she is having fun, isn’t she?’

‘Let go, Natasha,’ he rasped. If she’d been a man he would have hit her, so tense was his mood.

‘Sure. One dance and we’ll call it a night.’ She stepped right up to him, a stunning figure in violet banded in silver, putting both hands on his shoulders. ‘Don’t make a fool of me now, Scotty,’ she warned. ‘I’ve kept my mouth shut up to now, but things can change.’

‘You’re a real bitch! You know that?’ he muttered, contempt built into his voice. Nevertheless he retained enough sense to draw her into his arms.

‘You don’t say that when I’m making you happy.’ Natasha, a tall woman, stared with hard challenge into his eyes.

‘I should never have started with you,’ he said.

A shadow fell across her blue eyes. ‘You told me once you were in love with me. I’m still in love with you.’

‘Why don’t you get over it?’ he suggested harshly.

‘Easier said than done, Scotty. Don’t get mad at me. I’m your friend. I’ve loved you far too much and far too long. You’ve made a big mistake getting yourself hitched up to Carrie McNevin. You haven’t got a damned thing in common. And how ridiculous is that virgin bit?’ Her lips curled in a sneer.

‘Shut up,’ Scott hissed violently, in the next minute thankful the dance music had changed to something loud and upbeat. Why had he ever told Natasha about Carrie and himself? He was a thousand times sorry.

‘Watch it!’ she warned, an answering rage in her eyes. ‘You don’t want people to see how jealous you are my cousin is fascinating your beloved little virgin. I have to admit he scrubs up pretty well. That’s the Cunningham in him, of course. Why don’t we sit this out for a while? Or we could go outside?’

‘Forget it,’ he said bluntly.

Her expression was both wounded and affronted. ‘What is it she’s got? I’m beautiful, too. Is it the hunt? The thrill of the chase? Once you’ve had her you won’t want her anymore.’

‘You don’t understand anything,’ Scott said, shaking his head as if to clear it. ‘Carrie appeals to the best part of me. When I’m with her I remember I have a soul.’

That affected Natasha more than the cruellest rebuff. ‘You fool!’ she said.

Scott gave up. In the middle of the dance floor he dropped his arms from around her and walked away, leaving Natasha feeling hollowed out, gutted. Why did she love Scott Harper? It dismayed and humiliated her. She was well aware of his character flaws, which that little innocent Carrie wasn’t. Living through this engagement was a long nightmare. She knew Scott had used her up—she had let him, was still letting him—but damn if he was going to throw her away. Maybe it was about time she had a little talk with darling Carrie even if she risked having her own life torn apart.

Carrie danced twice more with Clay Cunningham. It was driving Scott crazy, but he couldn’t seem to do a damn thing about it. Cunningham set the pace. Other guys lined up to dance with her. He was drinking too much and he knew it. Alcohol was flowing like water from a bubbling fountain. His mind swirled with crazy thoughts.

Get Carrie on her own.

She had denied him for far too long. They were engaged now. It was his right to have her whether with her consent or not. In his experience girls said no all the time when what they really meant was yes, yes, yes! He could have any girl he wanted. Natasha Cunningham. Why did he want Carrie so desperately? There was even a strong chance she didn’t go for sex. That would be a disaster. Sex was as essential for him as breathing air.

It didn’t take him long to come up with an idea. He could tell her he had something for her in the SUV. A little present. Women loved being given presents, though to be honest, Carrie was no gold digger. But couldn’t she feel his pain, his desire? No, she was oblivious to everything except remaining a virgin. Scott’s anger turned ugly, a red mist swirling before his eyes. He remembered the expression on her face as she’d looked up at Cunningham. What was it exactly? Curiosity, a deep interest? More than that. A craving for something she had never had. Scott only knew she had never turned such a gaze on him. His face darkened.

Finally he had her to himself. They crossed the street with Scott holding her firmly by the arm. ‘No, I won’t tell you. It’s a surprise!’ he said in a playful voice he dredged up from somewhere.

She turned to him, puzzled. ‘Why did you leave it in the car, Scott? Is it big?’ She laughed a little although she was uneasy, concerned Scott had had far too much to drink. Not that he was the only one. The whole hall was filled with tipsy people, singing, dancing, chanting, full of high spirits that would last through until dawn. She couldn’t worry about them but she was afraid Scott might make something of a spectacle of himself with his father around. Bradley Harper just wouldn’t understand. Usually Scott held his drink well, but tonight was different. He was slurring his words. He never did that.

It was dark under the shadow of the trees that ringed the town park. The gums were smothered in blossom. There was a lovely lemony scent in the air. A little way in the distance she could see couples strolling arm in arm through the park, their bodies spotlighted by the overhead lighting. Others had moved off to cars either to catch a nap or indulge in a spot of canoodling. The big question was, why didn’t she want Scott to make love to her? Saying he’d had too much to drink wasn’t answer enough. She was going to marry him in three months time. My God, she should be ravenous for his lovemaking. She was so perturbed tears sprang to her eyes.