Chapter 3 #2
She laughed softly. "You do know my grandfather, don't you?
Nothing and no one changes his mind. I figured after the meltdown I had at my brother's place, I will be going into this thing with my eyes wide open.
" She shrugged. "The relationship quota in my family is woefully depressing.
At least, we have mutual dislike for each other. "
He glanced over at the couple and shook his head. "He's gorgeous."
One tapered brow lifted. "Are you implying that I will not be able to restrain myself?"
He grinned. Taking her left hand, he kissed her knuckles lavishly.
He was a very good friend who had been a lover at one point a very long time ago.
He had fallen in love with another lawyer and had got his heart broken in the process.
Now he was concentrating on his career. He was her plus one, whenever she needed a date or just someone to talk to.
"Two people living in the same house?"
"Separate suites. That's a given."
He studied her thoughtfully and wondered fleetingly why they never did it for each other. She was smart and intimidating, which put most men off and she was all about the job. Nothing meant more to her than that. Except her brother and the pitiful excuse for a daddy.
He glanced over at the couple again, expression thoughtful. It looked like McCreary was saying goodbye to the actress. The woman looked close to tears. A smile touched his lips as he wondered how they were going to navigate this very strange arrangement.
"Let's see how long that lasts, shall we?" He grinned at the dirty look she threw at him and decided to keep tabs.
*****
The ceremony was cold and impersonal. They were married at the manor with only family witnessing the marriage. By the time the two weeks had elapsed, the rumors and speculations had spread far and wide.
Heartthrob Kyle McCreary to tie the knot with Ingrid Ryder.
Was it a merger? Surely it could not be love.
The groom had recently been involved with violet eyed actress Carly Jennings and even up until a week ago, they were seen dining in one of Kelly Takahashi's exclusive uptown restaurants.
One might be led to wonder if the couple were going to pick up right where they left off after the ceremony.
Ingrid read the piece with distaste. It further proved to her that Kyle McCreary was shallow, entitled and nothing more than a spoiled brat.
Now standing before him as they exchanged vows, she had to force herself to appear cool and collected.
This man, this stranger was her husband for better or worse.
They would be sharing the same accommodations.
She had given up her apartment and moved into a six-bedroom suite on Lowery Road, a gift from both grandparents.
It did not appease her to realize that it was one of her very special designs. She would be sharing it with someone she disliked.
As soon as the ceremony was finished and he gave her the obligatory kiss, a mere brush of his lips on hers, she was ready to find somewhere she could be alone. The McCreary's chef had prepared a sumptuous meal, one she was certain would be wasted on her.
Her mother wearing strawberry colored silk was flirting with Jason McCreary and it was plain the poor man was trying to find a way to get rid of her.
"I think your dad needs rescuing." Plucking the champagne from the catering staff, she gave her new husband a deceptively sweet smile. "Why don't you take her off his hands? After the way you two were behaving, I'm sure she would appreciate picking up where you left off."
His winter blue eyes flared. He was nursing his glass of champagne and brooding. He was married, he thought bitterly. Surely this was the worst day of his damn life.
"Shouldn't you be mingling?" He countered sarcastically. "As the bride, isn't that what one of your duties are?"
Determined not to allow him to get under her skin, she sipped the vintage and did a slow sweeping survey of the Great Hall.
Someone had bothered to put up some decorations and the balloons and flowers, dozens of chrysanthemums and baby's breath made a beautiful backdrop. There was a fire glowing in the hearth.
Her father was chatting with Jessica McCreary Sweeny while her husband lounged in a chair, looking bored and out of place.
Matthew had loosened his tie and was on his second glass of scotch. She caught his eyes, and he lifted his glass in a mock toast. He had told her bluntly that as soon as it was prudent, he would be leaving.
The entire thing was a farce. It was Thanksgiving Day, so she could not go to the office. In fact, they had both been told that they were not to be seen there for a week.
"You're newlyweds and will need some time alone." Her grandfather had told her firmly. That was something she had no intention of agreeing to. She had pledged her life to a loveless match and that was as far as she was prepared to go.
"How's the actress? I thought you would have invited her to the ceremony.
" Her eyes gleamed maliciously. "Or would it have been too much for her to bear?
" Leaning forward as if disclosing a secret, she continued.
"Please don't let me stop you from going to her tonight.
We both know that's what you would prefer. "
"Damn right." His lips curled contemptuously as he returned her gaze. "I would prefer to be anywhere else but here."
"The feeling is mutual. If you would excuse me, this bride will be drowning her sorrows with a shot of whiskey."
His eyes glowered as he watched her stroll over to stand next to her brother. Tossing back the drink, he seriously considered leaving. He was about to do just that, when his father, who had managed to get away from Iona, touched his arm lightly.
"Don't be foolish."
"What?"
"Whatever you're planning, think about what you'd be risking. Your grandfather is watching," he added in an undertone. "He has the power to make things very bad for you and that young woman you've been seeing. If nothing else, think about her."
He glanced up, startled by his father's sudden presence.
The older man's expression was stern but not unkind, as if he saw something in Kyle that no one else did, or he simply recognized the exhaustion of a man wrestling with choices he never wanted.
"This is your wedding day, son. Whatever you're feeling, don't make a scene you'll regret tomorrow.
" His voice was low, meant only for Kyle, but the warning was clear.
"How the hell are we supposed to live together when we cannot even stand the sight of each other?" The bitterness was heavy in his voice. "She thinks I'm beneath her."
"I'm sure that's not true." Jason felt the weariness invading his very soul. Even though he knew this was just a business arrangement and nothing like his own wedding to Kyle's mother so many years ago, it had brought back memories that seared his soul.
"She has such an exalted opinion of herself." Kyle commented caustically, his gaze tracking over to her. Two things struck him like a blow to his system. The first was the fact that he never noticed that for her size and height, she was a beautiful woman.
He was near enough to notice the dimple peeking out when she laughed at something her brother said.
Her complexion was smooth and reminded him of the caramel candy he used to love as a kid.
The other thing was the dynamics between brother and sister.
It was obvious they loved each other. The two seemed to have excluded everyone else in the room, especially him.
He looked over to where his sister was sitting like a stick in the soft blue cushioned chair, a pinched expression on her face and realized not for the first time they were not close, had never been. And she was terribly unhappy.
Jessica was overlooked. Even as a child, no one had bothered to pay her any mind, except their mother and after her death, she had slid into obscurity. She was part of the company, had some glorified title, but she had no real power. He felt his gut twisting as he continued to stare at her.
She was so different from his bride. Whereas his sister was a shrinking violet, Ingrid was like a charging bull, mowing down everything and everyone in her path. She was fearless and intimidating.
Yet beneath Ingrid's fierce exterior, there were hints of vulnerability that few ever saw.
While she commanded respect from those around her, it was clear that she used her intensity as armor, shielding herself from disappointment and heartache.
Her ability to brush off criticism and forge ahead was both admirable and isolating, leaving little room for genuine connection with anyone who dared to get close.
His phone vibrating in the pocket of his black tuxedo trousers brought him back to the present. He did not have to slide the phone out to know who was calling.
Lifting his head, he met his father's questioning gaze and raised his chin.
"I'm not going to apologize for talking to her and neither am I going to avoid her."
"She's aware that this is your wedding day and is still calling." He pointed out.
"Yes, dammit, I hurt her." Punching the green icon, he strode from the room and answered the call.
Her voice was husky, tremulous and made him feel like the lowest form of life. Selecting a small parlor, he slipped inside and closed the door.
"Darling, I know I'm intruding."
"Never." Striding to the window, he yanked the heavy drape aside and gazed at the dull looking day. It reflected his mood, he thought heavily. "It's over."
She heaved a sigh. "And here I was hoping it was just a bad dream."
"I'm sorry Carly. You have no idea how sorry I am."
"I know darling. It's one of the things that's keeping me from screaming and ranting. It was supposed to be us."
"Yes, it was." He spun around as the door was pushed open to see his bride marching into the room.