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‘Your dad was worried about you rushing into this wedding, so he asked me to use my contacts at the force to do a background check on Megan.’
Zac shot his father an angry look. ‘Why would you do that?’
Chris looked unapologetic. ‘We were concerned you were making a mistake.’
Zac shook his head. ‘And you think that gives you the right to investigate my fiancée? There’s nothing you can tell me about her that will make a difference. I love her. I know all there is to know about her, she’s told me everything.’
Zac’s grandfather cleared his throat. ‘Has she told you she’s already married?’
Zac stilled.
A collective gasp from the extended family was followed by another deathly lull.
A lull that was only broken when the photographer returned from her car and yelled, ‘Okay, nice happy smiles, please! This is a wedding, after all!’
Chapter Twenty
After the mayhem of make-up artists, hairdressers and manicurists filling the bridal suite with beauty paraphernalia and electrical gadgets that kept tripping Beth up, it was a welcome relief when the team finally finished applying various fixing sprays and perfumes, and packed up and left.
Opening the sash window, Beth took in the fresh Cornish air, enjoying the feeling of the billowing voile curtains tickling her skin. The weather had finally cleared and the views across Bodmin Moor were stunning. No longer a treacherous muddy bog to be feared and conquered, but a glowing lush landscape, green and sparkling in the morning sunlight.
The bathroom door opened and Megan appeared, wearing her bridal underwear – a see-through sheer corset that left nothing to the imagination. With her sun-kissed skin, her dark hair curled into seductive waves and her face immaculately made-up, she looked like a Victoria’s Secret model.
‘Do you want to get into your dress?’ Beth checked the time on the bedside clock – they had ninety minutes before the ceremony.
‘Not yet, I’m too hot,’ Megan said, rummaging through the contents of the ornate dressing table. ‘Where’s my necklace? I thought I’d left it on the side.’
Beth went over and immediately located the jewellery. The bride was getting jittery. Understandable, under the circumstances. ‘Sit down, I’ll put it on for you.’
Megan perched on the stool in front of the mirror, skittish and nervous, unsure of what to do with her hands. It was odd to see her so rattled, she normally relished being the centre of attention.
‘Keep still.’ Beth fixed the necklace in place. ‘There, perfect.’ She rested her hands on Megan’s shoulders. ‘What do you need? Water? Valium? Gin?’
Megan gave a half-hearted smile. ‘An annulment would be good.’
Beth sighed. ‘Bit late for that, I’m afraid. Are you having second thoughts about the wedding?’
Megan shook her head, making her dainty silver drop earrings sway. ‘Not really, I just wish I didn’t have this lie hanging over me – it’s taking the edge off the excitement. It’s funny, I didn’t think it would bother me. I was certain that keeping quiet was the right thing to do, but now I’m not so sure.’
‘Do you want me to fetch Zac? Maybe if you confessed, it might ease the guilt and enable you to enjoy the day.’
‘And spoil his wedding? I couldn’t do that to him, he’d be devastated. This is my problem, and I need to take ownership of it.’ Megan glanced up and their eyes met in the mirror. ‘You look nice, by the way. The dress isn’t what I expected, but I like it. It’s very sexy.’
Beth ran her hand over the bronze dress with the cut-out back, suddenly self-conscious. ‘Are you sure it’s not too much?’
Megan laughed. ‘Only you could worry about looking too good.’ She stood up and turned to Beth. ‘You look gorgeous. Especially, minus those hideous glasses. I can see your eyes for once.’
Beth gave a little shrug. ‘I can’t help being short-sighted.’
‘You could wear contacts more often. How do they feel?’
‘Fine at the moment, but I doubt they’ll last all day.’ Beth had tried numerous lenses over the years, but she’d always reverted back to wearing glasses. She liked the barrier, felt safer behind frames. ‘Are you sure my hair wouldn’t look better up?’
‘I’m sure.’ Megan brushed Beth’s loose curls away from her shoulder. A few tendrils were pinned up at the side and decorated with gold flowers. ‘You look perfect. Stop fretting and enjoy the moment.’
Loud banging on the bedroom door startled them both, followed by more banging… accompanied by the door handle rattling. ‘Megan! Are you in there?’
It was Zac. He sounded distraught.
