Bride at Briar's Ridge Page 17
Silence around the table. Aldo rolled his bottom lip over his top one, considering.
‘Of course it’s only an idea,’ she said hurriedly. ‘I thought a theme would be nice. Maybe the great lovers of history, literature, grand opera?’ she suggested. ‘I so want this great occasion to be truly memorable for you both.’
‘It’s brilliant!’ Linc suddenly declared, with Daniela not far behind. How could he pass up the opportunity of seeing his Daniela as a ravishing Renaissance promised bride? He didn’t know if he could manage the tights but, hell, there was nothing wrong with his legs—and Lucia had given the guys an out.
As it turned out, the engagement party was a night to be remembered by everyone who attended. The young men had entered fully into the spirit of the occasion, hiring costumes that, even if they weren’t absolutely Renaissance, certainly allowed them to cut dashing figures. In fact they looked amazing! This added greatly to the general excitement. And the twenty young women—a group that included Alana Radcliffe, who had finally returned from her honeymoon—looked ravishing. Lyrical figures from the past. All of them had taken great care, searching for just such a costume that would make them appear at their most magical. The results were truly wonderful, and the gala evening was given an extra charge.
It was an engagement party to dream of. The food was superb, and the wine, the music. The room had the fragrance of roses. Roses for love. The marvellous glass light fittings above the tables lent young faces and flesh a most tender bloom.
Daniela, wearing a seriously beautiful and extravagant long dress in gold silk with a train, moved a hand over her beautiful engagement ring, letting it still over the dome of the central diamond, a large flawless stone flanked by more diamonds of a carat and more. She thought it the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.
Linc, who was getting enormous pleasure out of seeing her constantly doing this, bent his face to her, a smile in his brilliantly glimmering eyes. ‘I’m thrilled you love your ring, my love. Other precious stones are lovely, but to me the diamond is the jewel of jewels! As you are mine.’
Very gently, exquisitely, their lips met. ‘It’s perfect,’ she murmured, gazing lovingly into his eyes.
‘And I’ve never seen you looking more beautiful,’ Linc spoke again, piercingly aware he had never felt happier in his life.
‘All for you,’ Daniela whispered back. ‘Mamma’s idea was a coup. Everyone looks so marvellous. Ordinary evening dress couldn’t have made such a spectacle. I almost feel like I’m back in the Renaissance. I’m so proud of what my family have done for us tonight.’
‘My family, too, now,’ Linc said, happy it was true. ‘You look ravishing.’
At the naked look of love and desire in his eyes she let her blond head, piled into an elaborate coiffure set with jewels, fall gently onto his shoulder. Tonight he wore an ornate velvet jacket, sleeveless, ruby-coloured, heavily embroidered in gold, over a splendid white flounced shirt with black moleskins. Not for one moment had he appeared uncomfortable in such flamboyant garb. He looked stunning.
Beautiful—all beautiful! Daniela thought. She couldn’t wait until she and her father were walking up the aisle, with her beloved Carl waiting for her at the altar. His brother Charles, who was to be their best man, was here tonight with his sweet-faced companion, a lovely young woman called Louise. And a wedding invitation had been sent to Carl’s father which naturally had had to include Cheryl. They had readily accepted. No doubt Cheryl had convinced herself her trip to Briar’s Ridge had been a harmless piece of fun, Daniela thought. But none of that mattered any more. They had invited Rose Denby and her Simon to the party, but Rose’s two older sisters had made things easy by removing themselves to Sydney. Daniela was on Cloud Nine with happiness, and wished everyone in the world well.
‘Love…’ Linc’s wine-scented breath caressed her cheek. ‘It’s the doorway to heaven,’ he pronounced.
He was right, of course.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2294-0
BRIDE AT BRIAR’S RIDGE
First North American Publication 2008.
Copyright © 2008 by Margaret Way Pty., Ltd.
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