His Wedding-Night Heir(18)

Those were the words that had set off reverberations in her mind. That lingered.

Indicating—

what, exactly? That there might come a time when she'd be expected to surrender her rights to her own child? Virtually give up her baby for adoption by a man rich enough to pay for his slightest wish to be fulfilled, and sufficiently powerful to fight anyone who stood in his way?#p#分页标题#e#

Was Nick really capable of being that uncaring—that ruthless? Or would he simply say that the end—somehow— justified the means, and believe it?

Oh, dear God, she thought achingly. Please—please don't let it be so.

Yet he'd told her frankly that marriage wasn't for him. That once she'd fulfilled his terms she'd be free to leave. But he hadn't mentioned the baby.

If, of course, there was a baby...

She'd always assumed that one day she'd be a mother. After all, it was the next natural progression from being a wife. But, like so much in their relationship, she and Nick had never actually discussed the possibility.

And it had certainly never occurred lo her that he regarded her as some kind of brood mare.

Her pregnancy, she thought wretchedly, should have been one of the crowning moments of their love. Except that the love had never existed, and now one of the supreme joys of a woman's life was being reduced to the status of duty. Transformed into an obligation.

For the past year she had been alone. But in the next months she seemed fated to learn the true nature of loneliness itself.

And how could she bear it?

Cally slept at last, exhausted by the weary treadmill of her thoughts.

When she awoke, she lay for a moment, feeling disorientated, wondering where she was. Then memory prompted her, and she turned her head slowly, looking with trepidation at the bed beside her. But it was empty, only the rumpled pillows and the covers tossed back revealing that the space had ever been occupied.

And, as if on some silent cue, Nick emerged from the bathroom, immaculately shaved, dark hair still damp, fastening links into the cuffs of his shirt.

'Good morning.' His tone was brisk. 'The bathroom's all your’s, and I've ordered breakfast in fifteen minutes, so I suggest you get a move on. We have things to do, and I want lo be back at Wylstone by early afternoon."

'You're planning lo return there today—taking me with you?' Cally was astounded.

'Naturally.' His brows lifted. 'Just as soon as the Gunners Terrace business is completed.'

'But you have lo give me some leeway here,' she protested huskily. 'You can't expect me simply to— abandon everything and leave.'

He said icily, 'I didn't expect it last time, sweetheart, but you managed it all the same. And you've had a year of ducking and weaving since then to perfect your technique.' He paused allowing dial to sink in, then added, 'Now, get dressed—unless you want me to help you?'

'No.' She bit her lip. 'I can manage.'

The shower seemed to be working better this morning. Nick had probably given it an executive order, she thought rebelliously, as she zipped herself into the yellow dress, ran a curvy brush through her hair, and went to join him in the other room.

A trolley had just been brought in, and Cally saw grapefruit, croissants with dishes of butter and preserves, and a t all pot of coffee.

Nick rose. 'Come and sit down,' he said, indicating the sofa beside him, and she reluctantly complied.

He put a hand under her chin, surveying her critically. 'I have to say that you don't look particularly rested."

'I hardly slept at all,' Cally said curtly, jerking her head away. 'I'm not used to sharing a bed— particularly with a man.'

His mouth twisted sardonically. 'Just one of many new experiences waiting for you, darling.'

She said slowly, 'I hoped—I prayed—that when I woke up this morning it would all be just a bad dream. Or a cruel joke.' She swallowed. 'Nick-please tell me that's all it was. Say that you didn't mean any of the things you said last night. Because I— I think I've been punished enough.'#p#分页标题#e#

'It's straightforward enough,' he said, pouring the coffee. 'And I meant every word. Give me a child, and in return you'll get your divorce. What part of that do you not understand?'

She said in a low voice, 'I can't understand how you can bear to do this to me. It's barbaric'

'Your own behaviour, of course, being so civilised,' Nick returned mockingly. "Have some coffee, and spare us the cliché of saying it would choke you.'

Those very words had been on the lip of Cally's tongue, but, chagrined, she bit them back, and accepted the cup he held out to her in smouldering silence.

The coffee was surprisingly good, black and strong, putting heart into her and enabling her to say eventually, 'When we reach Wylstone I'd like to move back into the courtyard flat— at first, anyway.'