"Brian, Amanda - Womb For Rent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Brian Amanda)

(bm) Womb for Rent


Amanda Brian

Hard Shell Word Factory




To Randy, Amanda and Brian,
for all those late dinners while I worked feverishly to finish one more (bm) Chapter.

To Nancy, Lisa and Marianne, the "Critiquettes" for their wisdom, laughter and chocolate,
but most of all for their unwavering friendship.




Copyright 1999 Patti Shenberger
ISBN: 1-58200-858-2

Published May 1999 by
Hard Shell Word Factory
PO Box 161
Amherst Jct. WI 54407
Cover art Copyright 1999, Dirk A. Wolf
[email protected]
http://www.hardshell.com

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatever to anyone bearing the same name or names. These characters are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.



(bm) PROLOGUE

The wedding was perfect in every sense of the word. Soon to be heralded as the "Talk of the Town." So as not to miss anything going on around her, the local gossip columnist, an old and dear friend of the bride's parents, scribbled notes as fast and furiously as she could. Four hundred wedding guests milled inside the Covington Ballroom. The room was filled to capacity. Opulent bouquets of white roses adorned each table setting. Crystal candelabras graced the tables, their flickering flames twinkling off the champagne flutes beneath them.
The elegant red-haired bride stood smiling at her many guests, resplendent in an exquisite white satin gown, yards and yards of train cascaded down the winding mahogany staircase to pool at her petite white satin covered feet.
The groom exuded confidence with his every stride as he crossed the ballroom. Exuberant congratulations and hearty back slapping followed in his wake. Women stared openly in lust at him, while every man in the room wished he could command that kind of silent respect. His tuxedo fit snugly across his muscular chest, the inky blackness mirrored his ebony eyes. The bride was indeed a very lucky woman.
Waiters wove their way silently through the throng of wedding guests, their emerald green bow ties and cummerbunds a glaring contrast to the pristine white tux's they wore.
Champagne flowed down a three-tiered fountain to cascade into priceless champagne flutes placed in readiness. Caviar surrounded the base of the fountain, their tiny beads reminiscent of red and black jewels under the soft glow from the chandeliers. No expense had been spared for this event.
The bride and groom met at the center of the lace-covered bridal table. Lifting Lydia's fingers to his lips, Derek Cameron brushed a gentle kiss across her knuckles as his ebony eyes caught and held her own soft gaze.
"Happy darling?"he inquired coolly, his eyes searching her face.
A bit confused, Lydia smiled shyly at her new husband and nodded.
Sterling silver spoons chimed against Baccarat crystal to draw the guest's attention forward, as Gary Brooks, Derek's best man, held up his champagne flute in celebration.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention please. As best man and longtime friend of both the bride and groom, I would like to propose a toast." He turned to smile at Derek and Lydia. "May the stars be your guide as you ride off into the sunset to find your happiness."
Derek involuntarily choked as a sip of champagne went down the wrong way at Gary's choice of words.
Lifting their glasses high, a resounding chorus of hear - hear's filled the room.
Derek lowered his glass and faced the crowd before him. "Honored guests, I would like to thank you all for coming today, but unfortunately there will be no happy ending to this marriage. On Monday, I'm having it annulled." He set the flute on the table and surveyed the room.
Horrified gasps echoed throughout the ballroom. Whispered words mixed with shocked murmurs flew rampant.