Opposites Attract

tradition . . . and the pomp,” Asher added with a smile.
    “Seeing the second generation here is good for the soul.” In a courtly gesture he lifted her hand to his lips. “My best to you, Miss Wolfe.”
    “Jerry, how are you?”
    A stately woman in silk brocade swept up to them. Lady Mallow, Eric Wickerton’s sister, was, as always, elegant. Asher’s spine stiffened.
    “Lucy, what a pleasure!”
    She offered her fingers to be kissed, sending Asher a brief glance as she did so. “Jerry, Brian’s been searching for you to say hello. He’s just over there.”
    “Well then, if you ladies will excuse me.”
    Having dispatched him, Lucy turned to her former sister-in-law. “Asher, you’re looking well.”
    “Thank you, Lucy.”
    She gave Asher’s simple ivory sheath a brief survey, thinking that if she had worn something so basic, she would have blended in with the wallpaper. On Asher, the muted color and simple lines were stunning. Lucy gave her a candid stare. “And are you well?”
    A bit surprised, Asher lifted a brow. “Yes, quite well. And you?”
    “I meant that as more than small talk.” Lucy’s hesitation was brief, as was her glance to determine if they could be overheard. “There’s something I’ve wanted to say to you for a long time.” Stiffening, Asher waited. “I love my brother,” Lucy began. “I know you didn’t. I also know that throughout your marriage you did nothing to disgrace him, though he didn’t return the favor.”
    The unexpected words had Asher staring. “Lucy—”
    “Loving him doesn’t blind me, Asher,” she continued briskly. “My loyalty is with Eric, and always will be.”
    “Yes, I understand that.”
    Lucy studied Asher’s face a moment, then she seemed to sigh. “I gave you no support when you were my brother’s wife and I wanted to offer my apologies.”
    Touched, Asher took her hand. “There’s no need. Eric and I were simply wrong for each other.”
    “I often wondered why you married him,” Lucy mused, still searching Asher’s face. “At first I thought it was the title, but that had nothing to do with it. Something seemed to change between you so soon after you were married, hardly two months.” Asher’s eyes clouded for only a moment under Lucy’s direct gaze. “I wondered if you’d taken a lover. But it became very obvious in a short time that it was Eric, not you, who was . . . dallying. Just as it’s become obvious that there’s been only one man in your life.” Her gaze shifted. Asher didn’t have to follow it to know it rested on Ty.
    “Knowing that hurt Eric.”
    “Knowing that, Eric should never have married you.” Lucy sighed again, a bit indulgently. “But then, he’s always wanted what belonged to someone else. I won’t speak of that, but I’ll tell you now what I should have told you long before—I wish you happiness.”
    On impulse, Asher kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Lucy.”
    Smiling, she glanced over at Ty again. “Your taste, Asher, has always been exquisite. I’ve envied it, though it’s never been right for me. It’s time I joined Brian.”
    As she turned away, Asher touched her hand. “If I wrote you, would you be uncomfortable?”
    “I’d be very pleased.” Lucy moved away, silks rustling.
    Smiling, Asher realized she had been right. Wimbledon was her turning point. Another layer of guilt had been lifted. She was coming closer to discovering who she was, and what she needed. Feeling a hand on her arm, she turned to smile at Ty.
    “Who was that?”
    “An old friend.” Asher lifted a hand to his cheek. “Dance with me? There’s no other way I can hold you until we can be alone.”

Chapter 9
    Asher knew she had made great strides when pressure from the press no longer tightened her nerves. Her habitual terror of saying the wrong thing, or saying too much, faded. She still had secrets. Before coming to Australia she’d promised herself a moratorium. Whatever decisions had to be made would wait. For the moment she wanted to concentrate on happiness. Happiness was Ty—and tennis.
    There were good memories in Australia—wins, losses. Good tennis. The people were relaxed, casual. The friendliness was exactly what Asher needed after the tension of England. Aussies remembered The Face, and welcomed her. For the first time since her comeback Asher found the winning taking second place to her enjoyment.
    The change in her was noticeable even during the early rounds. Her smiles came