Prince Nadir's Secret Heir(82)

                Or was it anxiety? Was it because everything had turned out so perfectly in the end? Or nearly perfectly. Nadir had not told her that he loved her but he cared for her and she believed that he would always do the right thing by her and their children.

                Imogen pressed her hand to her belly. Could they have created another life together this week?

                A knock on the door startled her and she knew it was Nadir. She hadn’t missed that searing look he had given her from the courtyard or what it had meant. The butterflies in her stomach flexed their wings. He wanted her, that much was obvious, but still a little gremlin of doubt managed to insinuate itself into her mind. What if he’d changed his mind...? What if—?

                Mentally slapping the negative thoughts away, she marched over to the door. Even though she knew she shouldn’t see him again before the ceremony, she didn’t care. She needed the reassurance of his touch.

                ‘Minh!’

                Imogen burst into tears the minute she opened the door and saw her friend standing on the threshold dressed in a bespoke suit and tie, which he’d always said he would never wear.

                ‘Imogen—’ Minh stopped smiling and strode inside ‘—what’s wrong?’

                All the pent-up emotion of the last week spilled over and, even though she told herself not to cry because it would ruin her make-up, she couldn’t seem to stop.

                ‘Imogen, tell me what’s wrong. If that bastard hurt you I’ll deck him.’ Minh took her into his arms and she shook her head to say that she was fine and buried her face against his chest. It was stupid to cry like this and she gave a hiccup and lifted her head, her smile tremulous. ‘I’m sorry...I don’t know what came over me. I’ve been waiting for you to get here and...oh, Minh, I’m just so—’

                ‘Happy?’

                Hearing Nadir’s deep voice behind her, Imogen reared back from Minh and stared at Nadir. His face was closed. Hard. He raised an eyebrow. ‘Ecstatic, even?’

                Well, yes. She wiped beneath her eyes and her fingertips came away black. Oh, she must look a fright! ‘I didn’t hear you knock.’ It was a stupid thing to say but the tone of his voice had thrown her mind into a spin.

                ‘You left the door open.’ His steely gaze scared her and then he cut his eyes to Minh. ‘I need to speak with Imogen. Alone.’

                ‘What have you done to her now?’

                ‘Minh, don’t.’ Imogen had a sense of déjà vu but she knew by the expression on Nadir’s face that something was very wrong. Had he received bad news about Zachim?

                ‘I don’t like this, Im. I told you—’

                ‘Please, Minh. I’m sure this won’t take a minute.’

                Minh’s reluctance to leave was as palpable as it had been back in London.

                He threw Nadir a warning glare. ‘I’ll be right outside.’

                Imogen breathed out when he closed the door behind him. She turned back to find Nadir by the arched windows, staring out. ‘Nadir, what’s wrong? Has something happened? Nadeena—’

                ‘She’s fine. I left her with Zach.’

                ‘Oh, then he’s back!’