A Jersey Kiss (Jersey Romance Series) Read Online Free

of it at all. No trace of the Beatrice Porter, of old. “Mel, I’m not sure I can face going out,” she admitted. “I look a mess and…”
    “ And nothing,” Mel interrupted standing up in front of her. “It’s my engagement party.” She held out her hands, displaying the brilliant diamond solitaire. “When was the last time you were invited to celebrate something at Elizabeth Castle? You’re not going to miss a second of it. It’s not often we get on and I want tonight to be special. You’re my sister, well half-sister, and you’re going to enjoy yourself, whether you like it or not.”
    Bea couldn't help laughing. “Poor Grant, he doesn’t have a clue what he’s let himself in for does he?”
    “ No.” Mel nudged her sister and smiled conspiratorially. “He doesn’t, and you’re not going to tell him either.”
    ****
    Bea stepped off the castle ferry that had taken her and other guests to the tiny island in the bay, wishing she’d thought to wear more sensible heels. She gazed up at the turrets from the small docking area, amused that Mel had chosen somewhere so romantic to hold her engagement party. Following the signpost inside to the party area, Bea spotted Shani and Paul by the bar. No surprise there then, Bea smiled, amused to see her two closest friends deep in conversation as usual. How they ever stopped talking long enough to fit in their jobs giving classes at the largest gym complex in town, she couldn’t imagine.
    “ Hi, you two,” she said hugging them both. She looked down at Paul’s blond head. “These weren’t the best idea,” she said lifting her leg to show off the shoes. “I don’t know why I thought they would be.”
    “ Only Mel could insist we all travel to somewhere that you have to get to by boat,” Shani said. “I was hoping it’d be a little cooler in a castle, but these rooms are still hot for some reason.”
    Bea nodded. She’d thought the same thing. She fanned her face with her bag. “I love your hair though, Shan.”
    “ If she has it any shorter everyone will assume she’s had it shaved off completely.” Paul laughed. “If you didn’t have such a girly face you could be mistaken for a bloke. Tall, no boobs, no hair.”
    Shani laughed and elbowed him in the ribs. “Don’t start with me, we might be flatmates, but you know I’m tougher than you’ll ever be.”
    “ You two act like an old married couple sometimes,” Bea said wincing at Paul’s horrified expression.
    “ What a horrible thought.” He shuddered. “Anyway, even if I was interested in women I can’t imagine she’d be my type.”
    Bea shook her head used to their banter and constant bickering. “If people didn’t know you two were so fond of each other they might be concerned by the way you talk to each other.” She pulled a face at Shani, so tall in her heels that she towered over them both.
    “ You’re looking gorgeous,” Shani said. “I can’t believe you’re actually out tonight.”
    Bea nodded towards where Mel was chatting to a group of her friends. “Didn’t have much choice, did I? I wasn’t sure I would be much fun tonight after Simon’s appearance at the house when I was getting ready.”
    Paul narrowed his dark blue eyes. “Bea, sweetheart, tonight is a Simon-free zone.” He put an arm around her protectively. “It’s Mel’s night and however annoying she may be, we’re not going to let that spiteful prat ruin your fun. Bloody hell, it’s a little warm in here, isn’t it?”
    “ Agreed,” Bea smiled, feeling better already. “We’re going to have a great evening.” She glanced around the grand room full of her sister's guests. “Have Dad and Joyce arrived yet?”
    “ Can’t have done, we haven’t heard a drumroll to announce her entrance.” Paul grimaced. “I don’t know how your dad copes with the two of them in that house. Poor man must be a saint.”
    “ Look, there they are. Oh my God, Joyce’s hair looks like a mutation of Margaret