A Wedding in Africa (The Africa Series) by Shirley Carnegie Page B

man that Tate believed she’d actually fallen in love with – chosen to marry! What did that say about her choice in men? In people? She shuddered to think what Tate must be thinking of her now. Did he think she shared Mortimer’s values; admired them even? Heaven forbid that she should be judged according to the questionable integrity of a man like Mortimer.
    But then, she told herself sternly, why did she even care what Tate Maddox thought of her? He was nothing to her. Nothing at all. Within days she’d be gone from Matshana. Gone from Tate’s life. And she’d never have to see him again.
So why did that thought fill her with sadness instead of relief? Why did her eyes fill with tears again?
     
What the hell was happening to her?
    And why, oh why was she thinking such horrible things about Mortimer? He was her fiancé for heaven’s sake. He didn’t deserve this. She couldn’t even bring herself to defend him when someone was openly criticising him. What did that say about her love and loyalty? And, more importantly, what did it say about their relationship?
    Right from the start, Lacey had known that she had nothing to gain from examining her true feelings about this match too closely. She knew that this was something she had to do for her father’s sake - to make amends for what she’d done to him. And questioning that selfless decision wasn’t going to help matters at all. She’d made her bed, as the saying went. Now, she was just going to have to lie on it.

CHAPTER SIX
    The following day, Tate was talking to Tilly Du Preez on the phone as Lacey passed by on her way to the swimming pool for her afternoon dip. He was laughing with Tilly, teasing her about some private, shared joke. Lacey noticed how his white, even teeth gleamed when he laughed and made him look even more handsome – if that were humanly possible!
    He winked at her as she went by and even that small, innocent gesture made her heart flutter. He was just being friendly, she told herself sternly. His manners were polished to perfection and there was no way that he’d have ignored her presence – even though he must now seriously question her judgement.
    So why did that friendly wink make her feel all weak and girlish? And, more worryingly, why did Tate’s animated conversation with Tilly make her feel … what exactly? Jealous? Surely not! Surely even she couldn’t be that foolish?
    Blushing furiously, she hurried past, wrapping the Egyptian cotton towel around her as she went. She’d already changed for her swim and was wearing nothing more than a swimsuit and a pair of flip-flops. Hardly the sort of attire that would help her retain any sense of dignity!
    Outside, the African sun blazed against the cloudless sky. Lacey breathed in the fresh air and closed her eyes for a moment. All was still – even the birds had decided to take time out to laze in the afternoon sun. Jabu and Kaya lounged on the veranda, legs still tangled from an earlier scrap that had left them both exhausted. Kaya cocked an eyebrow as Lacey crept past, but decided that it was just too hot to rouse herself to get up and follow.
    Down at the pool, Lacey flung her towel on the sun-lounger and dived into the sparkling water. With gently, easy strokes, she swam up to the waterfall that was cascading over the smooth granite stones. Once there, she stood up and let the water trickle down her back. Once again, she closed her eyes, stretched her arms behind her head and drank in the magic that was Matshana.
    And that was precisely the picture that greeted Tate as he wandered down to the pool to join her. The sight of her standing there stopped him dead in his tracks and he felt his stomach muscles contract so tightly it was almost painful.
    She stood with her back to the waterfall as it flowed over her body. That cute little swimsuit, with its sweetheart neckline, clung wetly to her curves. Her large, full breasts filled the cups to perfection, allowing just a hint of a