Princess's Secret Baby(79)

                ‘Why would I laugh when I think that is the nicest thing you                     could do for me. You are disappointed it’s a girl though...’

                ‘I am beside myself with happiness that we’re having a girl,’                     James said, and his voice had her again believing him. She felt his hand on her                     stomach, caressing her the way she had wanted him to at the scan. ‘I thought I’d                     lost you both. I thought you were on your way home...’

                ‘I would never keep you from your baby, James,’ Leila said, and                     he nodded as she finally excised that dread forever.

                ‘I’ve messed up, Leila. Manu was furious about the photo and                     told me off for touching you in public. She says it will offend not just your                     family but you. You were right—she wasn’t worth it. I should have spoken to                     you.’

                ‘You should have, for your touch has never offended me,’ Leila                     said. ‘Well, once, and I think you registered my displeasure.’

                ‘I did.’

                ‘You haven’t made things worse with my family, James. It was                     terrible already,’ Leila said, and started to cry again. He saw the pain and                     agony and he knew he hadn’t caused all of it.

                ‘Maybe they’re grieving...’ James attempted, because he knew                     the school of thought about not criticising another’s family, but then Leila                     told him there was more.

                ‘I’m too ashamed to tell you.’

                ‘Never be ashamed with me,’ James said.

                ‘She’s never loved me...’ And he didn’t pat her on the shoulder                     and say of course she did. He just listened in silent horror as he found out                     that Leila’s mother wouldn’t even touch her. ‘The maids fed me,’ Leila said.                     ‘She hated me so much that she could not bring herself to give me her milk. Even                     the maids thought me greedy. The night I left she finally told me that she                     wished it had been me who had died instead of Jasmine. When I called she asked                     if you said you loved me before or while I parted my legs...’

                ‘I said that I loved you here, Leila.’ James pointed out. ‘I                     would never look you in the eye and say that I loved you if I didn’t.’