In Name Only by Roxanne Jarrett Read Free Book Online Page A

of the nightgown, the use of her credit came easier. While she was still in the lingerie department, she bought some brief bras with bikini panties, scant nighties, even a pair of embroidered mules in pearl satin. The purchases piled up. She delivered them to the cloakroom to be picked up later, and called the limousine service for four o'clock. It was coming easier now, but Jill was too busy to be excited.
    She looked at and bought some velvety leather bags and shoes from Italy. From the luggage department she chose lightweight canvas bags with a designer initial, all at a price that would have paid her rent for a couple of months.
    It's not Jill Carteret doing this, she told herself. It's some other person. It's Mrs. Simon Todd, a lady of very extravagant habits, established over a lifetime of being rich, terribly rich.
    Jill had dreamed, but never imagined she would really be able to purchase a Burberry raincoat, yet there it was, beige, of smooth poplin with minute detailing, the essence of foreign intrigue.
    "I'll take it," she told the saleslady breathlessly, more delighted with that purchase than anything.
    When she met the chauffeur at 4 p.m., sliding into the back seat of the limousine, she found herself the object of the curious stares of passersby. She supposed she did look an odd sight in her old coat and knit cap.
    On Thursday, Jill repeated her trip downtown, putting together an attractive wardrobe of expensive, simple warm weather clothes.
    It was late Thursday afternoon when she realized that there were still two things she had neglected to buy. She was sitting at a lunch counter in Saks, eating a pastry, when she remembered.
    "Oh my goodness," she said out loud, "my wedding dress."
    The waitress, pouring her a cup of coffee, paused and looked up. "Excuse me?"
    "I forgot to buy a wedding dress."
    "Oh."
    "I mean I'm getting married tomorrow."
    The customer sitting next to her laughed. "Congratulations."
    Jill grinned. "Thanks. It's too complicated to explain."
    "Congratulations, anyway."
    There was something else she had to do, too. It had come to her in the middle of the night. A ring for Simon. She was going to buy him a wedding ring. During the wedding ceremony she was going to slip it on his finger whether he wanted it or not. It was that simple. He would have to take it. That simple. She sighed. Jill Carteret had an odd feeling that nothing about Simon Todd would ever be simple.

    "I've no idea at all about size," said Jill. She stood at the Saks ring counter, a tray of wedding bands set before her. She thought of Simon's hands, strong, with long shapely fingers and how he had held her hand, palm side up and touched his lips to it. The salesman slipped the ring she pointed to on his finger. "This look the right size?"
    "I'm not sure." Jill shrugged. "He's sort of tall and rugged. His hands are, well, they match his size, I guess."
    The salesman smiled. He was small, his hands small. He reached for another ring. "Tall, rugged gentlemen have been known to buy this size." He showed it to her. "Can't you bring the young man in?"
    "He's out of town," she said quickly. "Why don't I err on the large side? We can always have it made smaller."
    The salesman dipped into his tray. "This one is about right, I'd say, if we err on the large side." It was the slim, gold, inconsequential circlet she wanted, one he could not object to wearing.
    "Would you like it inscribed?" the salesman asked.
    With what, Jill wondered. Initials entwined? Vows of eternal love in a few short words? "I don't think I have time," she said.
    "Ah, of course. You can always have that done later. You've a lifetime ahead of you."

    The purchase of Simon's wedding ring was simple, compared to the apprehension she felt when she stopped in front of the Bridal Department. She realized, seeing the lacy gowns displayed, that she had somehow all her life, expected a formal wedding, a gown, long and filmy, a garden hat dripping ribbons and flowers.
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