Jane flushed. ‘I know you don’t think it important, but I happen to think it is. I remember the way my mother and father objected to some of my boy-friends when I was younger,’ she smiled in reminiscence.
‘Did it stop you going out with them?’ Lauri teased, glad that she had momentarily diverted her aunt’s attention from the emotional state she was in.
‘Usually the opposite,’ Jane admitted ruefully. ‘Although when they did approve that approval was hardly ever misplaced. In fact,’ her voice hardened, ‘I think it only ever happened once.’
‘Do you think they would have approved of Robin?’ Lauri asked curiously.
Jane seemed to give this some serious thought. ‘They would have liked him,’ she answered finally. ‘But not as a husband for me.’
‘But you’re willing to risk it?’
‘They were wrong once, they could be again.’
Lauri didn’t think they would be in Robin’s case. But who was she to cast aspersions—look at the man she herself had fallen in love with, someone completely unsuitable for her. ‘As long as you’re happy, Jane.’
‘I think I will be. There’s a lot more to love than sexual desire, fever-pitch excitement. It may not be quite what you have in mind for your life, but for me quiet security is just fine.’
‘The one time Grandma and Granddad were wrong?’ Lauri probed gently.
‘Yes.’ Jane looked down at her clenched hands. ‘But I don’t even want to think about him,’ she said determinedly. ‘Not on the day I’ve agreed to marry Robin. You do like him, don’t you?’
Well, Lauri didn’t dislike him. ‘It’s what you feel for him that matters,’ she evaded.
‘No,’ Jane frowned. ‘As you’ll be living with us you have to like him too.’
Lauri looked startled. ‘Living with you? But I shall be staying here.’
‘So will we. Robin has agreed to move in here when we’re married.’
‘Here?’ Lauri looked even more startled. ‘But surely you’ll want to be just the two of you. You’ll be newly married, surely you won’t want Steve and me underfoot?’
Her aunt looked firm. ‘I’ve brought you and Steve up since you were children.’
‘All the more reason—’
‘It’s all settled, Lauri. I only agreed to the marriage on condition that you would always have a home with us.’
‘But what if Robin hadn’t agreed?’ Lauri was aghast.
‘Then I
wouldn’t have accepted his proposal. If Steve would prefer that we didn’t live here then we’ll buy a house of our own, but whatever happens you’re going to live with us.’
‘Because I made a fool of myself over Alex Blair,’ Lauri said dully.
‘Not at all,’ Jane denied sharply. ‘Because I love you, and I—I’ve always taken care of you.’ She gave a shaky smile. ‘Habits like that are hard to break.’
‘So I’m a habit now, am I?’ Lauri teased.
‘A nice one,’ Jane smiled. ‘Now, what happened with Mr Blair this weekend?’
‘Not a lot,’ Lauri lied. Too much had happened for her to be able to take it all in. ‘But I’m not going to see him any more. And I’m handing my notice in at Blair’s.’
‘Isn’t that a little drastic?’
She shook her head. ‘If I could I would make it impossible for him ever to find me again.’ Or the man who claimed to be her father!
‘Well, at least make sure you have another job first,’ Jane advised.