Velvet frowned. ‘I’m sorry,’ she shook her head. ‘I don’t understand.’
Sarah smiled. ‘I knew who you were straight away.’
‘You did?’ her tone was puzzled.
‘Oh yes,’ Sarah nodded. ‘Velvet is such an unusual name. He told me all about you just after his father died.’
Velvet bit her lip; this was something she hadn’t expected. ‘He did?’
‘You mustn’t mind,’ Sarah squeezed her hand. ‘Jerard rarely tells me anything about his private life, so when he told me about you I knew you were very special to him. His father’s death was hard on him,’ she sighed. ‘And then we found out Tina was ill. The poor boy was pulled two ways, between longing to go to you and between what he felt he owed Tina and Vicki. In the end he had to choose the latter—Vicki needed him desperately at the time. And so he lost you.’
‘Sarah—’
‘I don’t blame you in the least,’ the other woman assured her. ‘Tina was very ill, possibly terminally, but we had no way of knowing that at the time, or that it would only be eighteen months before she died. The letter Jerard wrote to you was the hardest thing he ever had to do.’
Velvet paled. ‘Letter?’
‘Yes, dear. The one he wrote to you explaining his predicament—his moral obligation to Tina, his concern for Vicki as she witnessed her mother’s suffering. He went through the blackest mood I’ve ever seen him in when he read of your marriage a few weeks later.’ She shook her head. ‘Still, that’s all in the past,’ she smiled brightly. ‘You’re going to be married now, and really that’s all that matters, isn’t it?’
‘Yes,’ Velvet agreed hollowly.
She knew nothing of any letter from Jerard! Not that she was likely to remember it, but surely it should still have been with her personal papers? She felt sure she would never have destroyed such a letter. So where could it be? Simon had known about the existence of Jerard, so maybe he would know about the letter too.
‘All right?’ Jerard kissed her lightly on the lips when she and his mother returned from their shopping trip.
He had taken to giving her these light undemonstrative kisses since the night she had agreed to marry him and they had made love so passionately.
‘We got Velvet the most beautiful dress,’ his mother told him.
‘Is it beautiful?’ His deep blue eyes probed Velvet’s pale face.
She felt numb, had been this way since his mother had told her about the letter he had written to her two years ago. What had it said? Could he have made their separation sound so final that she had gone ahead and married Anthony anyway?
‘It’s very beautiful,’ she confirmed unenthusiastically. ‘It’s—’
‘You mustn’t tell him about it, Velvet,’ his mother chided. ‘It’s bad luck, you know.’
‘Of course,’ she gave a jerky smile. ‘Has Tony behaved himself.’
‘He always behaves!’ Vicki was indignant on her soon-to-be brother’s behalf.
‘Not always,’ Velvet smiled. ‘But I take it he has today.’
Jerard was still frowning, his narrow-eyed gaze never leaving her face. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ he asked her again.
She gave him a bright smile, one that didn’t reach the shadows of her eyes. ‘Of course.’
‘Not having second thoughts?’
‘No,’ she shook her head firmly.
‘You look pale.’
‘She’s tired,’ his mother excused. ‘We all are. A month isn’t long enough to organise a wedding.’
‘Is that what’s wrong?’ Jerard held Velvet in front of him, demanding an answer. ‘Are you tired?’
‘A little,’ she nodded.
‘Your work is nearly finished now, isn’t it?’
She had kept to her decision to give up modelling. ‘Nearly. Just another few days. I—Would you mind if I went home for a while? I think I’d like to lie down.’
‘Lie down here,’ he suggested instantly.
‘No! No, I—I’d rather go home. Anyway, I have to change for this evening.’ They were going out to a party; Sarah was looking after the children for the evening.
‘Would you rather not go?’ Jerard asked concernedly.
‘I’m sure I’ll be fine later.’
‘Leave Tony here now,’ Sarah suggested. ‘That way you can have your rest in peace.’
Velvet looked at her son as he played contentedly with the toy telephone Jerard had bought him. He was so at home with these people now that she knew he wouldn’t mind staying here with them. Besides, it would be easier to talk to Simon without Tony’s distracting presence.
‘Well, if you’re sure …?’
‘Of course,’ Sarah nodded.
‘I’ll walk out to your car with you,’ Jerard offered.
‘There’s no need—’
‘There’s every need—I don’t want to kiss you in front of an audience.’ The sharpness eased in his voice. ‘Especially such a nosey one,’ he ruffled Vicki’s hair teasingly.
‘I like to see you kissing Velvet,’ his daughter announced happily.
‘Well, you aren’t going to “see” this time,’ he told her firmly.
Velvet was very aware of his arm about her shoulders as they walked out to her car. In a week’s time they would be man and wife. The thought made her tingle all over.
Jerard frowned, sensing her shiver. ‘You aren’t cold, are you?’
It was blazing sunshine. ‘No,’ she gave a breathless laugh. ‘I—I was just thinking about the wedding.’
‘Are you sure you aren’t having second thoughts? I’d rather know now than on the day,’ he said harshly.
‘I’m just nervous, Jerard. All brides are nervous.’
‘Were you this nervous when you married Anthony Dale?’ he rasped.
‘I don’t know,’ she shrugged. ‘Anyway, it isn’t the same, is it?’
‘In what way?’ His arm tightened painfully about her shoulders.
‘I was younger then, probably starry-eyed—’
‘Probably?’ he repeated savagely. ‘Don’t you know?’
‘You know I don’t! How many times do I have to tell you that part of my life is a blank to me? What will it take to convince you?’ she choked.
‘You’ll never convince me.’ He pushed her away from him, his expression one of disgust.
‘If you won’t believe me, will you believe Simon?’
‘Your brother?’ he asked suspiciously.
‘Yes, my brother. He could tell you it’s the truth. Ask him! He’ll tell you exactly the same thing I have.’
‘It isn’t that important,’ Jerard dismissed harshly.
‘It is to
