Read Online Lovelink by Tess Niland Kimber - Free Book Online

past. If she bought the dress she knew she’d be in some small way defying the past and Peter. It wasn’t quite the sort of thing she was used to buying but then she’d never been invited to a function quite like this before. She was certain there’d be dozens of women in a similar style at the party. After all, the horse-racing world was noted for its glamorous figures. Even she knew that much. No, she decided, the dress was perfect. And just at the back of her mind was the thought that in a dress like this she’d be able to give Lucinda Dayton a run for her money.
    She left the boutique and went over to a nearby café for a cup of tea. Sitting at a window seat, with her purchase carefully stowed beside her, she studied the ever-changing street scene.
    It was then that she saw him!
    No, it couldn’t be, she thought. Utterly flustered she looked quickly away and then when she dared to glance up again he’d disappeared, deep into the crowd of busy shoppers.
    Vicky felt shaken. She’d thought she’d recognised the tall, fair man in the crowd. There’d been something terribly familiar in the angle he held his head, his stride. But she’d only seen him for a second. Didn’t it just go to prove that the eye played tricks on the mind? No, it wasn’t possible that Peter was here in Churchton.
    By the time Saturday evening arrived, Vicky had all but convinced herself that it couldn’t have been Peter she’d seen in Churchton. He was hundreds of miles away in York. She concentrated instead on pampering herself, getting ready for the evening at Nuneton House.
    With her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, it partly hid the fact that the dress was backless, showing off her honey gold tan to perfection. She lightly made up her face, drawing emphasis to the green of her eyes. With a final spray of her favourite perfume, Vicky surveyed the overall effect in the mirror. She smiled. For once, even she was pleased with her appearance.
    Caroline drew up outside the cottage promptly.
    â€œVicky, you look terrific!” she said as they met on the driveway.
    Noting the pale pink dress her friend was wearing Vicky said, “Thank you, Caroline. So do you.”
    Rolling her eyes, she said quietly to Vicky, “You wouldn’t believe all that’s happened to Marcus and me today. How we got back here in time for the party tonight I’ll never know.”
    â€œWhy, what happened?”
    â€œEarly this morning I went to the races with Marcus. He said it would be the best thing for me to be miles away from Nuneton today. Everything was ready for tonight and if I was here I’d only fuss. It was a great idea until the Land Rover broke down on the motorway and took hours to be fixed. We only got back an hour ago.”
    â€œGod, how awful,” Vicky agreed as Caroline introduced her to the couple in the back of the car who she’d already collected in Churchton.
    They were Joseph and Sheila Parker who had a part share in one of the thoroughbreds Marcus trained. They were a pleasant, jovial couple and the four of them chatted happily until they reached Nuneton.
    The driveway at Nuneton was full of cars. It was noisy with shouted greetings and car doors slamming. Vicky was pleased to note that she’d chosen just the right dress for the occasion after seeing all the designer dresses the ladies were wearing.
    Everyone was congregating in the main dining room and Nuneton was bubbling with activity. Caroline handed Vicky a glass of champagne and then, apologising, said, “Sorry but I’ll have to circulate. You’ll be all right with Joe and Sheila?”
    â€œOf course, I’ll be fine.”
    Sipping her wine, Vicky was conscious of only half listening to Sheila’s conversation. Her eyes were busy scanning the crowd for a glimpse of Marcus. When finally she saw him, so tall his head was above the others in the crowd, she felt her breath