A Wish and a Wedding Read Online Free PDF Page A

degree.”
    â€œAnd she was doing so well.”
    â€œShe’s never held down a job. We know she’s clever, but she should be making something of herself—not leading this mindless life that can only get her into big trouble.”
    â€œCan I tell you, dear, why she didn’t finish her degree?” Philippa interrupted gently.
    â€œPip, I already know. Tori can’t put her perfectly good mind to anything.”
    â€œSome of the other students—”
    â€œNot the boys?” he jeered.
    â€œWell, no, not the boys. The male of the species loves her. But some of the girls gave her a hard time. She had her hangers-on, of course, but some of the young women who were jealous of her beauty and brains, spread some pretty nasty rumours behind her back. No substance in them, of course. Envy is one of the deadly sins, after all.”
    â€œSo she quit uni,” Haddo said, his expression still severe, “and probably hasn’t read a book since. You still haven’t told me what Lucinda expects me to do. Though I’m no stranger to her pleas for help. There was never any hope of a quiet life with Tori. She’s on a quest to pour as much questionable experience into her young life as humanly possible.”
    Philippa sighed. “Lucy loves Tori dearly, I know, but she’s an ineffectual sort of person.”
    â€œThat’s because she’s always had everything done for her,” Haddo replied. “But on the plus side, Lucinda is a good woman—and she is Tori’s grandmother. Tori wasn’t safe with that sleazy Barry around.”
    Philippa pulled a fastidious face. “Livinia has made a career out of marrying the wrong people. Tori still believes it was her grandmother who brought pressure on Livinia to let her go.”
    â€œLet’s keep it that way,” Haddo said. “I don’t want her to know it was me. Does Lucinda want me to go to Sydney to read Tori the Riot Act?”
    â€œReading between the lines, I’d say Lucy wants you to bring Tori back here. Personally, I think it’s a great idea. It will keep her out of harm’s way, and allow any adverse publicity to die down. You can give the dear girl a job.”
    Haddo’s laugh was short. “That’s the thing missing in Tori’s life,” he said dryly. “A job.”
    â€œSo there you are. You’re the boss. Give her one. You were bred for being the boss, Haddo dear. Nothing comes easier.”
    Haddo’s chiselled mouth compressed. “Don’t mention easy and Tori in the same breath. Actually, there is something she could do,” he said musingly. But he was not sure it would work. It would certainly help them all out if it did, but he didn’t know what Tori would think about becoming schoolmarm to more than a dozen station kids, plus the really little people—the four-year-olds.
    â€œ I know.” Philippa aware of everything that went on at the station, read his mind. “She can take over from Tracey.” Mallarinka being so isolated had its own one-teacher school. Tracey Bryant was the teacher in residence, and had been for the past two years.
    â€œThat’s what I was thinking,” Haddo said.
    â€œAt least until Tracey is over her morning sickness and the pregnancy is well established.” Philippa regarded him with a pleased expression. Tracey was now the wife of Mallarinka’s leading hand, Jim Bryant. Hired as a teacher for the station school, she had fallen in love with the very attractive Jim and quickly snaffled him up. Her first pregnancy, sadly, had ended in a miscarriage.
    â€œTori might have other ideas,” Haddo said. “But it’ll be a real coup getting her out here.”
    â€œYep—well, you’re the man to do it,” Philippa replied with conviction.
    Â 
    The study was in darkness. Haddo flicked a switch, flooding a room that was larger than most people’s