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Once the register was signed they made their way back down the aisle and into the sunshine and the array of photographers all pressing forward for the perfect shot.
The reception soon followed and after a couple of glasses of champagne Hayley tried to fool herself into believing every part of the day was for real and for ever. There was no other way to survive it without bursting into tears of despair.
Jasper was silent for most of the time. His one-word responses to the questions some of the guests fired at him made Hayley brood with anger that he had insisted on her playing the part of the besotted bride while he moped about looking as if his life had suddenly come to an end.
Finally it was over and Jasper escorted her to the limousine he had waiting. She sat stiffly in the seat once they had left the cheering guests behind and sent him a blistering glance. ‘Well, thanks for making me look a complete idiot back there,’ she said crossly.
He loosened his tie as if it were suddenly choking him. ‘What are you talking about?’ he asked.
‘You could have at least sounded and acted like you were enjoying yourself. Half the time you looked as if someone had a gun pressed to your head.’
‘Yeah, well, that’s what it felt like,’ Jasper remarked with a wry grimace as he rubbed at his temple where a bullet-hole of pain was boring into his skull. ‘It was a big week, a lot to organise.’
Hayley could just imagine what sort of mischief he had got up to on his so-called business trip. He hadn’t even told her where he’d gone. ‘How was your business trip?’ she asked, feigning an interest she wasn’t sure she really felt.
He leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. ‘You don’t have to play the loving bride now, Hayley; no one’s watching.’
She frowned at his tone. ‘There’s no need to be so rude. I was only trying to make conversation.’
‘I have the mother of all headaches, if you must know,’ he said, opening one eye to look at her. ‘I just need a couple of hours of sleep and I’ll be back on my feet.’
‘You should have told me.’ She gave him a suddenly contrite look. ‘We could have left much earlier.’
He waved her concern away with a flick of his hand as he closed his eyes again. ‘I’ll be fine.’
But he wasn’t, Hayley realised as soon as they arrived at his house a short time later. His features had turned a ghastly shade of grey and his legs gave a distinct wobble as he got out of the car.
‘You don’t look so good,’ she said, taking his arm.
He removed her hand and began to walk towards the house but within a couple of metres his legs gave way and he stumbled to his knees.
Hayley rushed to his aid but he brushed her off with an irritated growl. ‘Leave me alone. You’ll get your dress filthy.’
‘I don’t care a thing about my dress,’ she said, and grabbed his elbow and hauled him to his feet with a strength she’d had no idea she possessed. ‘I’m taking you to bed right this minute.’
He looked at her through bloodshot eyes. ‘What a time to tell me that,’ he said with a rueful twist to his mouth.
She rolled her eyes and half led, half lugged him to the front door, putting her arm around his waist.
‘You’re not going to carry me over the threshold, are you?’ he asked, swaying on his feet. ‘That’s supposed to be my job.’
‘If I have to I will,’ she said and proceeded to drag him through to the nearest bathroom.
He sagged against the toiilet, his face ashen. ‘You can go out now,’ he groaned.
‘You must be joking,’ she said, reaching for a towel and dampening it at the basin. ‘This is no time for modesty, Jasper. You’ve obviously picked up some sort of nasty bug.’
‘Which you will catch if you come near me.’
She ignored his hand as he held it to ward her off and pressed the folded towel to the back of his neck. ‘You’re burning like a furnace,’ she said. ‘I think I should call a doctor.’
‘Don’t you dare.’ He gripped the edge of the bath to drag himself upright and, taking the towel off her, buried his face into its cool dampness.
Hayley bit her lip in concern. ‘Jasper, I’ve never seen you ill before. What if it’s serious? Like appendicitis or something?’
‘I told you I’m fine. It’s just a headache.’
‘It must be a migraine,’ she said.
