The only people to stay were Peggy and Clive, and they were in separate quarters at the back of the house. Upstairs, she and Tate found Peggy’s daughter on the floor playing with Nathan. It was a lovely picture, but as soon as Nathan saw them, he quickly crawled toward them.
Tate met him halfway and scooped him up. “Hey there, little man.”
Gemma was happy to see father and son together, but she couldn’t help feeling a little weird. With the whirlwind of a wedding, she hadn’t had the chance to think about Tate moving in on her territory. It had always been she who had scooped up Nathan. She who had received the first cuddle. Well, the only cuddle, really. There hadn’t been any competition before.
Peggy’s daughter left them to go back downstairs with her parents, and Tate’s gaze flickered over Gemma’s wedding gown. “I’ll keep an eye on Nathan while you change.”
She nodded and left the room. Last week he’d paid for the delivery of a wardrobe of expensive clothes. Thankfully, the sort of things she liked herself. Of course, what woman would say no to a new wardrobe? Especially when her clothes had been starting to wear thin.
Going into the other room, Gemma closed the door between them. Her hands shook as she changed into black slacks and a knit top, the quality of which couldn’t be denied. They were so different from the blue jeans and T-shirts she’d always slipped into when she got home to her apartment.
Home was now with Tate.
Lord help her.
All at once she was aware of Tate’s deep voice as he talked to his son in the other room. His voice alone used to make her knees wobble. Just as they were wobbling now.
His brief, detached glance didn’t calm her nerves when she stepped back into the other room to find the two males playing on the floor.
Tate pushed to his feet and headed for the door. “I’ve got a couple of things to do. Call through to the kitchen when you’re ready for dinner. Peggy will be happy to stay with Nathan if he’s still awake.”
Cold feet got the better of her. “Wait!” She swallowed as he stopped. “Thank you, but I’d prefer to eat in my room tonight, if you don’t mind.”
His eyes turned frosty. “But I do mind.”
“Tate, look.” She tried to think. “Can’t you let me have some time to myself? It’s been a hectic day.” It was an excuse, but it was a valid one.
“I’d be glad to leave you to it, but my mother arranged for Peggy to cook a special dinner in the small dining room, heaven knows why. So you’re going to come down and we’re going to eat it together. We start as we go on. Right?”
She could see he wasn’t about to relent. She nodded. “Right.”
“I’ll see you downstairs at seven. If you want anything, call Peggy. She’ll make sure you and Nathan have whatever you need.” He twisted on his heels and left the room—and left her wondering how she would get through the evening.
At seven, Gemma went down to the smaller of the dining rooms, having changed into a dress for the occasion. Oh, she was going to be such a good little wife…in that respect anyway, she thought with a touch of cynicism. She’d follow instructions as necessary, and in public she’d be accommodating whenever it came to putting on a wifely show, but that was as far as it went. He’d coerced her into this marriage. She wasn’t going to pretend to be happy about it.#p#分页标题#e#
Tate’s eyes reflected fleeting approval, but all he said was, “He’s asleep?”
“Yes.” It had taken a while to get Nathan settled, but she had the baby monitor with her now and didn’t have to worry about him waking up without her hearing. “He settled down. He just needed to have a cry.”
“Don’t we all,” Tate mocked as he held out the seat for her.
Her heart lurched. The newness of her wedding ring suddenly weighed down her finger. She took a quick peek at his ring finger. Did he feel it as heavily?
The heated food warmers held an array of steamed vegetables and roasted meats, and a delicious-looking dessert. “It looks delicious,” she said. Soft music played in the background, but it wasn’t soothing.
“My mother thought we could do with something substantial after today.” He sat down opposite her and poured some champagne. “Clive tells me there was barely any food in your apartment.”
The words took her by surprise. She didn’t want him to know how little food she had on hand. She’d lived on canned goods and bread. It was amazing what a person could do with a can of beans.
“He only mentioned it in passing yesterday,” Tate added.