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‘See you...’ She shook her head. ‘But why were they clapping for you?’
‘They were clapping for us. For our marriage.’ But Milly hadn’t quite got that feeling. They had been looking at Alex, not her. It had felt more personal than mere congratulations. But her husband clearly was not in the mood for answering questions, for he took her by the hand and led her towards the waiting car. She climbed in, and Alex followed, then Anna. In silence Yiannis drove them away.
‘So congratulations,’ Anna said brightly once they’d left the chapel, the car hurtling down the hill towards home. ‘That was a beautiful service.’ She beamed at Alex, who looked entirely nonplussed, as well he should. Anna was acting far too cheerful. ‘I hope you’re going to celebrate today.’
He slid Milly a guarded look. ‘I hadn’t thought of it.’
‘Well, I have,’ Anna announced. Surprise flickered across Alex’s face and then was gone, replaced by a cold, closed look Milly already knew well.
‘Have you?’ he remarked in a neutral tone.
‘Yes. It’s not much, but you are married and I think you should celebrate.’ She gave him a challenging look, which Alex met, and Milly wondered how to intervene. How to keep her sister from spinning fairy tales, and annoying her husband.
Yesterday, when Anna had asked her if she loved Alex, Milly had spun a tissue of lies about how she’d fallen in love with him as soon as she’d been hired, gazing at him from afar until he’d asked her to marry him for business reasons.
She’d told Anna she’d said yes to his proposal because she wanted to be with him so badly, and she hoped he’d return her feelings in time, as he got to know her. Anna had bought the whole silly story from first to last, her eyes starry as she’d exclaimed how romantic it all was, while Milly had felt more and more wretched for lying to her sister.
‘He must have some feelings for you already, Milly,’ Anna had exclaimed. ‘Why else would he ask you, you and not some socialite, to marry him?’
‘I was convenient.’ Already Milly had seriously regretted spinning the stupid story, but how could she tell Anna the truth? Her sister would feel horribly guilty that she’d forced Milly into a loveless marriage, even if Milly had been the one to make the choice. And it was her choice. She wouldn’t let herself regret it.
‘Still. He will fall in love with you, Milly, in time. Head over heels.’ Anna’s eyes had sparkled. ‘I’ll make sure of it.’
‘Anna...’ Milly had started in warning, but her sister had been on a romantic roll, determined to make the day special when Milly knew it wasn’t—and her husband-to-be didn’t want it to be. That morning Anna had insisted on going into Halki so Milly could buy a wedding dress and flowers.
Amazingly in the tiny village they’d found a wonderful dress in a dark and narrow little shop, one that fitted Milly perfectly, and felt like fate. When he’d heard about the wedding, the local grocer had picked flowers from his garden and given them to her for free, kissing her on both cheeks as he’d wished her health and happiness.
Milly had been torn between getting caught up in others’ excitement, and a growing sense of dread that Alex wasn’t going to like any of these romantic details. In fact, he’d probably hate them.
He’d seemed dangerously nonplussed by Anna’s breathy sighs and approving smiles during the short ceremony, her sister clearly imagining a fairy tale where there so glaringly was none.
Now the truth of their marriage was being revealed, as Alex stalked towards his study. He’d already plucked the laurel crown from his head and tossed it aside carelessly as Milly watched him, trying not to feel hurt even though she knew she’d save her crown, as well as her bouquet. No matter how businesslike their arrangement, it was still a wedding, and most likely the only one she’d ever have.
Alex disappeared into his study, closing the door behind him with a final click. So much for their celebrations. Anna gave her a sympathetic look, which only made her feel guilty.
‘I think I should change,’ she said as brightly as she could. ‘And then we’ll have something to eat.’
‘But you’ve barely worn your wedding dress,’ Anna protested. ‘And you can’t be acting as housekeeper on your wedding day of all days.’
‘And who else will?’ Milly answered with an attempt at a laugh. This felt like the least celebratory wedding day ever.
‘I will,’ Anna returned with spirit. ‘You can’t cook and clean today, Milly. I told you, we’re having a celebration.’
‘Anna, it’s really not that kind of marriage,’ Milly protested. ‘Not yet,’ she added, hating herself for continuing with the lie that she was madly in love with her boss—and now her husband. A tremor ran through her at the thought. What if Alex found out about the tale she’d been spinning? What if he believed it, and was horrified?
Anna’s lower lip jutted out as she folded her arms. ‘And what about tonight, Milly? Your honeymoon—’
‘Anna.’ Milly couldn’t keep from blushing. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about that with her sister, or with anyone. She couldn’t even think about tonight. Not yet.
‘I’m fourteen, Milly,’ Anna chided. ‘And you’re married. It needs to be special.’
‘I really don’t want to talk about this—’
‘Fine. We won’t.’ Anna shooed her away. ‘Go get changed. I’ll take care of everything.’
‘What?’ Milly practically spluttered. She could not begin to imagine what Anna was thinking of doing, or what Alex’s reaction would be. ‘Anna, seriously, let’s just relax, okay? There really doesn’t need to be any fuss. Alex won’t want there to be...’
‘Don’t worry,’ Anna answered, half pushing her towards the stairs. ‘You won’t have to do a thing. I’ve got it all under control.’
