Chapter 1
"Alice are you awake yet?"
Vanessa knocked lightly on the door and, without waiting for a reply, entered the room carrying a tray laden with buttery croissants, freshly squeezed orange juice and strong, hot coffee.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked.
Alice shook her head sleepily. In spite of the fact, she was currently lying in the most comfortable bed in Mara Lodge's best room, she hadn't slept well at all. She had spent the night tossing and turning, contemplating the events of this day, the day she was finally going to become Mrs. Daniel Trevanion.
"Come on sleepy-head!" Vanessa teased, a glint in her eye, "You've got to eat something, you've got to keep your energy levels up for……………. tonight!"
In direct response to the cheeky comment, Alice swiped Vanessa playfully with the nearest pillow. She smiled at her friend, her best friend and Matron of Honour. It was strange really, less than two years ago they had been bitter rivals for Danny's affection. All the hurt and jealousy that had occurred during that time had long been forgotten. Alice was about to marry Danny and she was sure it wouldn't be much longer before Vanessa tied the knot with her brother, Rowan.
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Today was Danny Trevanion's third wedding day. He'd lost both of his previous wives in tragic circumstances: Miranda had died of breast cancer; Sarah's death was caused by a terrible fire, here at Leopard's Den, just over two years ago.
Danny sat perched on the end of the bed, clutching a picture he had retrieved from a dusty box in the wardrobe. The young blonde-haired woman stared at him from the photograph. He was silently willing her to give him a sign of approval. At that very moment, Jana (the family's pet cheetah) appeared by his side and began to nuzzle his arm. Jana, the very animal that Sarah had sacrificed her own life to save.
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Vanessa completed the final touches to Alice's hair with the curling tongs. She smiled at Alice, impressed by the finished results.
"You look stunning!" Vanessa exclaimed, "Danny won't believe his eyes when he sees you. He'll be the proudest and the most envied man in the whole of South Africa. You certainly made the right choice with that dress!"
Alice stared open-mouthed at herself in the mirror for what seemed like an age. She looked very different from her usual self (little or no make-up, hair tied back in a pony-tail, vest top, shorts and Timberland boots). She could hardly believe it was her.
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