Читать книгу His Band Of Gold - Melissa McClone, Melissa Mcclone - Страница 9

“You know what this means, don’t you?” The beaming princess bride, Her Serene Highness Christina Armstrong de Thierry of San Montico, didn’t give Kelsey time to answer. “You’ll be the next one to get married.”

“No.” Kelsey Armstrong Waters stared at the breathtaking all-white royal bridal bouquet in her hands. The sweet scent of the roses tickled her nostrils as if the flowers got the joke. The last thing she’d intended to do was to catch the damn bouquet, but before she knew what was happening she had. Her first thought had been to let it fall to the ground, but as maid of honor—not to mention a wedding consultant herself—she couldn’t allow that to happen. Nor would she allow herself to buy into that silly myth. Not even for her favorite cousin. “I won’t be getting married.”

“You say that now.” Christina gazed longingly at her handsome husband, Prince Richard de Thierry, and her smile widened. “Just wait until you meet Mr. Right. Trust me, you’ll change your mind. Fast.”

Kelsey didn’t want to spoil her cousin’s perfect wedding day so she held her tongue. The institution of marriage might be perfect for Christina and many others, but it would never be for Kelsey. “Why don’t you toss it again so someone else can catch it and not ruin any…traditions?”

“You won’t be able to stop this tradition from coming true.” Christina was practically floating three feet off the ground in the crowded ballroom. Given her fairy-tale romance and royal wedding, no one could blame her, including Kelsey. It was hard for even the most cynical not to get caught up in the magical atmosphere. No doubt this was one couple who would live happily ever after. Christina sighed. “There’s something about the magical power of love…”

Magic was one thing, but love? Forget it. Kelsey knew firsthand that the majority of marriages failed. Her parents and many of her clients were nothing more than statistics. Marriage was as easy as saying “I do,” but divorce was even easier. All it took was an “I don’t.” A sad but true fact of life. And one she never wanted to be a part of. Ever. “I only caught the bouquet. I didn’t get the royal engagement ring stuck on my finger like you did.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

As Christina waved her left hand in the air, the enchanted ring that had brought her and her prince together acted as a prism, sending a colorful spectrum of light flashing. The sparkles landed on wedding guests as if the ring were spreading its magic on all it touched. Kelsey took a step back to avoid being hit, but the light still managed to flash on the bouquet in her hands. Better the flowers than her.

“You won’t have any choice,” Christina continued. “One day your own Prince Charming will enter your life and the next thing you know you’ll be married.”

That only happened in fairy tales. And for Christina. Kelsey couldn’t help but smile at her favorite cousin’s good fortune. But she was another story.

Kelsey might want a boyfriend, but a husband?

Forget it.

Too much hassle.

Too much trouble.

Too much heartache.

She tightened her grip on the bouquet. “Don’t forget, I’m never getting married.”

“Never say never.” Christina grinned. “Trust me on this one, okay?”