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'Spoilsport,' she shouted back cheekily, regaining her equilibrium and shooting him a flirtatious glance over her shoulder.
Justin tossed back his black head and laughed out loud. 'Hold the thought till later, darling, when I have time to do it justice, hmm?'
His parting words filled her with confidence as she stood in front of the cheval-glass, turning this way and that, a complacent grin lighting her face. So much for a Dresden doll, she thought triumphantly. Tonight no one would be in any doubt she was all woman.
The black dress was like nothing she had ever owned before—a sophisticated designer original with tiny, narrow straps supporting the pure silk bodice. She wore no bra because the back was non-existent except for a very broad, sequin-encrusted belt in gold, which nipped her tiny waist and pushed her firm breasts higher— almost empire-style—revealing the curve of the milky white orbs and a tantalising shadowy cleavage.
The skirt was straight to her ankles and figure-hugging, with a teasing fish tail at the back. Matching four-inch- heel satin sandals on her feet gave her an illusion of height, as did the heavy sweep of her blonde hair piled up on the top of her head in a chignon, a few strands of hair pulled free to curl enticingly around her face and the back of her neck.
She did not need foundation, simply a good moisturizer and the lightest trace of blusher to add colour to her fine pale skin. She had paid more attention to her eyes, and, with the careful use of a coloured eye shadow and the addition of a browni
sh-black mascara to her long lashes, she knew she had never looked better.
'My God! What on earth are you wearing?'
Justin's horrified cry broke into her reverie. She turned slowly around and spread her arms wide. 'Don't you like it?' she asked as she pirouetted again, then stopped in front of him, grinning wickedly up into his stunned face.
He looked magnificent in a black dinner-suit, white silk shirt and black bow-tie—all elegant, sophisticated male—and for once Zoe thought she matched him. But, if the look in his dark eyes was anything to go by, maybe she was wrong. She saw the muscle in his strong throat move as he swallowed hard. 'Justin?' she queried.
'Like it. . .? It's indecent. You will give every man in the place a heart attack—me included.' His dark gaze lingered on her shadowy cleavage. 'Why not wear the romantic thing you wore on Valentine night?' he suggested hoarsely.
'Don't be so staid,' she teased, adding, 'In any case, it's too late to change now.' She slipped her arm through his. 'Let's go down; we can't keep our guests waiting.'
'Wait.' He closed his large hand over hers and turned her towards him. 'I have something for you.' His eyes dipped to her breast and then returned to her face. One dark brow arched sardonically. 'Though I didn't have a neckline like that in mind when I bought it,' he said drily, slipping his free hand into his jacket pocket and withdrawing a long jewel case. He held it out to her.
She opened the box and gasped. 'It's unbelievable,' she cried, her eyes dazzled by the blaze from a magnificent diamond choker set with sapphires falling like tear-drops all around—a perfect match for her engagement ring.
'Happy birthday, Zoe.'
She looked up into her husband's dark, serious eyes, her own filling with moisture. How could she have ever doubted that he loved her? she thought wryly.
'I love it, Justin, as I love you. You darling man.' And, reaching up, she kissed the highest point she could reach—his chin. He pulled back almost as though he was embarrassed by her show of emotion. 'Please put it on for me,' she said in a voice that was not quite steady as she lifted the necklace from its bed of velvet and held it out to him.
He took it, his smouldering gaze intent upon her small face, then, moving behind her, fastened the necklace around her slender neck. Turning her back to face him, he said with arrogant certainty, 'I knew they would match your eyes.'
She put a hand to her throat. 'Thank you,' she murmured, her heart bursting with love.
'There is more,' he said softly, a tender grin quirking the corners of his sensuous mouth as he delved once more into his jacket pocket and withdrew a smaller case. 'From Bertie.'
She swallowed the lump that rose in her throat. 'How?' she whispered, taking the proffered box.
'He sent for the jeweller two months ago and chose it himself. I promised I would give it to you at the appropriate time.'
She opened the box and lifted out a delicate gold watch of startling beauty. The time markings on the face were etched in diamonds and the surround was encrusted in diamonds and sapphires. 'I wish he could have been here,' she whispered, fastening the watch around her slender wrist and raising tear-drenched eyes to her husband.
'He is in spirit, love.' Justin pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick hug. 'Dry your eyes and let's go.'
Ten minutes later Zoe, once again in control of her emotions, followed her husband into the formal drawing- room. 'I feel guilty allowing you to arrange all this for me—the party, the caterers.' She glanced at the watch on her wrist; any moment now the guests would be arriving. 'The guests.' And she stopped, her mouth falling open. She had forgotten to tell Justin. . .
'Justin, I—er—I hope you don't mind but '
She glanced at him leaning negligently against the French marble fireplace, the epitome of the sophisticated male animal, and hesitated.
'But what?' He arched one dark brow enquiringly.
'You know when I worked at Magnum Advertising? Well, I have kept in touch with some of the staff—an occasional lunch in town—and she took a deep breath '—a few of them are hiring a minibus and coming to the party,' she finished in a rush.
'Why not? Your uncle insisted on inviting everyone from the doorman at chambers to the Lord Chief Justice—a few more won't matter.' In two lithe strides he was beside her. 'Stop worrying. It is your party— enjoy it.'
