by Susan Napier;Kathryn Ross;Kelly Hunter;Sandra Marton;Katherine Garbera;Margaret Mayo
Every time he came up here, he must remember the misery of his childhood. She could feel his pain, suffer for him, and yet hadn’t he forced her to suffer too? Was there something of his father in him that reared its ugly head every now and then? Ought she still to be careful?
She heard footsteps and couldn’t help speculating why she wasn’t surprised when Melanie appeared.
‘I wondered who was in here,’ said the other girl abruptly. ‘I hoped it was Oliver.’
‘I’m sorry to disappoint you.’ Anna eyed the blonde suspiciously.
‘Is he with you?’
‘No.’
‘Is he at work?’
Anna had no intention of telling Melanie where Oliver was. It was up to him whether he told her what Rosemary had done. ‘Actually, he has business to attend to. Is there anything in particular you wanted him for? Shall I tell him you called?’
‘I want to know why he is selling this house,’ declared Melanie aggressively. ‘Why he didn’t tell me what he was planning. I did wonder why he was packing all Uncle Edward’s stuff up but I thought it was because he was going to move in himself.’ A scowl creased her brow. ‘I bet it’s all your doing. I bet—’
‘Melanie,’ Anna interrupted firmly, ‘it has nothing to do with me. It was Oliver’s decision. If you have a problem with it then I suggest you ask him.’
‘Oh, I intend to,’ she snapped. ‘Your marriage still isn’t going to work out, you know. He told me he’s getting a little fed up of the way you’re messing him about.’
‘Is that so?’ Anna wondered what Melanie would have to say if she knew that Anna was pregnant. Thank goodness it was too soon for her to show. ‘Then answer me this, Melanie,’ she said coolly. ‘If that’s the way he feels, why did he come after me?’
Melanie shrugged. ‘Oliver’s like that. Actually, no man likes to think he’s been dumped; they like to do the dumping.’
‘I see,’ said Anna stiffly. ‘Thank you for telling me. I’ll bear it in mind, the next time I feel like walking out. And I’ll tell him you called. Goodbye, Melanie.’
With a toss of her long blonde hair, Melanie turned and walked out. Anna shivered. Wasn’t that girl ever going to get the message?
It was way past lunchtime when Oliver returned. Anna had presumed he’d gone straight to the office after visiting Rosemary and she’d accepted that she wouldn’t see him again until evening. She was unprepared for the rush of warmth that enveloped her.
Whether it was because of Melanie’s comments, whether it was because of the kiss yesterday, or whether it was because she really was beginning to forgive him, she wasn’t sure. But whatever, her reaction to him was almost like that in the early days of their marriage.
And it must have shown on her face because Oliver looked at her hesitantly and then took her into his arms. ‘You almost look pleased to see me,’ he said, still not attempting to kiss her, but holding her with the tenderness that only a man in love could.
‘I am. I want to know what’s gone on.’
‘Is that all?’ He held her at arm’s length, but there was no censure in his voice. A smile perhaps, indulgence. ‘First of all, tell me how you are. As a matter of fact, Mrs Langford, now that your morning sickness has passed, you’re beginning to look more radiant with each passing day.’
‘I feel good,’ she admitted. ‘I went up to the Hall this morning. You didn’t mind?’ she asked, as a faint after thought.
‘Not at all. Did we have more viewers? I thought Mr—’
‘No, I just wanted to look at it, to picture you there as a child. I—’
He put his finger gently over her lips. ‘Let’s not talk about that.’
‘I had a visitor while I was there.’
He frowned then. ‘Who?’
‘Melanie.’
And his arms dropped to his sides. ‘What did she want?’ He moved away from her, went to stand by the fireplace where a log fire was burning. Oliver always liked a real fire in the room they used most, despite the central heating.
‘She wanted you.’
‘What for?’
‘I have no idea,’ Anna admitted. ‘I said I’d tell you she’d been.’
‘Right, well, I’ll deal with it.’ He spoke matter-of-factly, as though it were some business matter he was dealing with, but Anna couldn’t help wondering exactly how much Melanie meant to him.
‘Tell me about Rosemary.’ Anna sat down and tucked her legs beneath her in a corner of the settee.
Oliver dropped into an armchair but he couldn’t relax. He sat forward, legs parted, hands linked between them, staring at the pattern on the carpet.
He had felt bad enough about accusing Anna but now that he had absolute, positive proof that she hadn’t taken the heirlooms he felt a hundred times worse. How was he ever going to face her again? How was he ever going to make amends?
‘She stole a key,’ he said shortly. ‘My father was a creature of habit; he kept them in the same place as thirty years ago. And then she enlisted Melanie’s help to get us both out of the house.’
‘Oh! That was the day I went to see Chris the day—’ She stopped abruptly.
‘The day I thought you’d had the opportunity to take them. Yes, I know.’ He shook his head, his shoulders bowed. ‘How could I have got things so dreadfully wrong, Anna?’
‘I suppose it was a natural conclusion.’
And how could she be so understanding after the way he’d treated her? Admittedly, she hadn’t yet totally forgiven him, but she was definitely weakening. When she responded to his kiss yesterday, he had felt as though he’d won the lottery. Not the big win, but a very satisfying win nevertheless.
‘No, it wasn’t a natural conclusion,’ he admitted unhappily. ‘It was like firing a gun without looking at the target. It was insanity.’
‘We’re supposed to be discussing Rosemary, not me,’ she said firmly. ‘What was her reaction when you said you weren’t going to press charges? I hope she was properly grateful.’
‘I don’t think she even thought it would get as far as her being charged,’ he confessed unhappily. ‘She was busy trying to convince the officers that the jewellery was rightfully hers because she was still legally next of kin to Edward.’
‘Did it work?’
‘Not when I said he’d left her precisely nothing in his will and that it had been thirty years since they’d lived together. But, much as I despise Rosemary, I couldn’t let her go to prison. So long as I get the stuff back, then I’m prepared to take it no further.’
‘She’s very lucky.’
Oliver shrugged. ‘Surprisingly, I feel sorry for her. She made a big mistake when she walked out on my father and me and I think she realises that now. She’s left with no family and only a handful of friends—if she can even call them that. It’s not exactly an inviting picture for her old age.’
‘So she wanted to make sure she had a little nest egg, is that it?’
‘I guess so.’
‘Was she planning to sell the stuff?’
‘Yes.’
‘I think I feel sorry for her as well.’
Anna was magnificent, decided Oliver. Only the very purest person could forgive a woman who had unwittingly caused her a great deal of hurt. He desperately wanted to go to her, to hold her, to never let her out of his arms again—ever.
But he had to be careful, he still needed to take things one step at a time. Too much pushing now and he would be back to square one. In fact, it could push her away altogether.
‘I told her about the new house,’ he admitted. ‘I told her she was welcome to visit any time she wanted.’
Anna lifted her brows in surprise. ‘That was very generous of you.’
‘She is my mother,’ he admitted with a wry twist of his lips.
‘Most men would turn their back on her, especially after this latest episode.’
‘Maybe I would have done, once. You’re the one who’s made me realise that it is possible to forg
ive, no matter how bad the crime.’
Anna didn’t answer and he didn’t blame her. Instead she jumped to her feet. ‘I’ll go and ask Mrs Green to make us a pot of tea. Have you had lunch? There’s some excellent chicken soup that—’
‘I’m not hungry,’ he interrupted. ‘Just the tea—or coffee, I think. Whatever you’re having.’
Anna smiled. ‘Camomile tea, then?’
He groaned and clapped a hand comically to his brow, having forgotten that she’d gone off ordinary tea. ‘Not that stuff, please. I’ll have coffee.’
When she’d gone, he leant back in his chair and closed his eyes. His talk with Rosemary had drained him, but he was glad that they’d reached some sort of compromise. He didn’t particularly want to be close to her—he didn’t want her taking advantage of him—but on the other hand no mother deserved the cold shoulder from her son, no matter what she had done.
In truth, he couldn’t clearly remember her from his childhood. He recalled a vague figure who always smelt nice and wore sparkling earrings, but that was all. It was his father’s attitude that had kept alive his resentment—and, now Edward had gone, what was the point in remaining hostile?
But his thoughts didn’t remain with his mother for very long. Anna was his main concern, Anna and the baby. He couldn’t begin to describe how he felt about the fact that he was going to become a father.
It was a scary thought as well as an exciting one. He knew nothing about bringing up babies, or even about children in general. He’d always steered well clear of them. It was probably his own experiences that had done this to him, but the time had come for him to learn.
He’d already said he would go with Anna to her antenatal classes but he really wanted to learn more. Or did being a father come naturally? Perhaps a book on child care would be beneficial?
‘What are you thinking?’
He hadn’t heard Anna re-enter the room. He opened one eye. ‘About being a father.’ And closed it again quickly.
‘You think it’s not manly to think about it?’
‘It frightens me half to death.’
‘Me too,’ she admitted.
Immediately he opened both eyes and looked at her. ‘You’ve nothing to be afraid of. I’ll be there for you every step of the way.’
And to his enormous pleasure she came and sat on his lap. The first time she had voluntarily come to him. It almost took his breath away and he had to force himself not to read too much into it, not to smother her with love and kisses, not to scare her away again.
‘I know you’ll look after me, Oliver,’ she said in a breathy little whisper.
‘For ever,’ he assured her.
And they sat like that in quiet, reassuring silence. He was afraid to do more than hold her gently, and also afraid she would feel his response to her nearness. He felt on fire, everything throbbing, everything wanting. Hunger so intense that it hurt. He didn’t know for how long he could carry on being a gentleman, but he didn’t want to be the first to break away.
It was a bittersweet relief when Mrs Green came in with their drinks. They both sprang guiltily apart. Though why, he didn’t know except that’s how he felt. Guilty. It was probably because his housekeeper knew full well what their sleeping arrangements were. What would she make of this?
The woman said nothing but her smile was broad as she looked at him. ‘Here we are. Your favourite fruit cake as well.’ And there was a lift to her step as she turned and went out.
‘She thinks we’re back together,’ said Anna.
‘It’s a nice thought.’
‘But a premature one. Cake, Oliver?’
The interlude was over. The first tiny step taken. She was not going to let him overstep the mark. But he nevertheless felt more hopeful than he had in a long time.
Chapter Fourteen
OLIVER held out his hand. ‘I’m pleased to meet you at last.’
The other man shook it firmly. ‘Me too. I’d begun to think it would never happen.’
They eyed each other squarely—two tall men, both broad-shouldered and good-looking, one dark haired, one blond. Anna kept her eye on Oliver, but there was no hint of suspicion. Oliver truly was pleased to meet her brother and she could tell by the warmth of his smile that he now accepted Chris without reservation.
‘I’m glad also that you’ve met at last,’ she said, her voice fired with enthusiasm. ‘You spend so much time away from home these days, Chris, that you’re difficult to track down.’
He shook his head in dismissal. ‘You can always get in touch with me, sis, you should know that. It’s a big contract I’ve landed in France; I can’t afford to neglect them.’
‘Of course not,’ commented Oliver. ‘Business is business. What would you like to drink? Scotch? Gin? Vodka?’
‘Scotch, please, with just a dash of water.’
‘And a mineral water for you, Anna?’ he asked, his eyes softening as he looked at her.
‘Please.’
‘Have you told your brother our good news?’
She smiled and nodded happily, and Chris said, ‘I’ve already given Anna my congratulations. I’m happy for you both.’
‘We’re happy, too,’ agreed Oliver as he busied himself at the drinks cupboard. ‘It’s the best thing that could have happened to us.’ He threw a meaningful look at Anna as he spoke and she felt a quick surge of pure pleasure. She knew that he was trying to tell her that if she hadn’t gotten pregnant they might easily have gone their separate ways.
‘My sales team tell me that your ad campaign and your attention to detail has been second to none, Chris,’ said Oliver handing him his drink. ‘Business is booming as a result of it. Good man.’
‘Without my little sister’s generosity, I’d never have made it,’ Chris answered firmly. ‘I have something for you, Anna.’ He withdrew an envelope from his inside pocket and handed it to her. ‘A cheque for the full amount of the loan. I was going to wait until the end of the evening, but since we’re talking business I think you should have it now.’
‘Thank you,’ she said quietly. ‘There was no rush.’ And she would rather he hadn’t done it in front of Oliver, although she guessed that it was deliberate. She had the feeling that Chris was trying to goad Oliver into apologising again.
And it worked.
‘You make me feel the world’s biggest heel, Chris,’ he said with a short laugh. ‘It’s a pity I didn’t meet you when we were first married. I’d have known then that I had nothing to worry about. I somehow got you confused with Anna’s ex-fiancé.’
‘Tony?’ Chris raised his eyebrows. ‘I saw him the other day, did I tell you, Anna? He’s married a rich, young widow. Her husband owned a growing chain of supermarkets. He had no relatives, so she became the very wealthy new owner. Tony’s having the time of his life.’
Anna felt Oliver watching for her response, but all she did was laugh. ‘So he’s got his money without working for it. Amazing. He’s someone else who attaches importance to money. It should never enter into relationships. I know when I met…’ She tailed off, looking at Oliver from beneath her lashes. ‘Forget I said that. It’s not important.’
Chris frowned as he looked from one to the other. ‘Is there something I’m missing, here? I thought all was hunky dory between you two again.’
‘Not quite,’ admitted Oliver. ‘Your sister’s playing hard to get, these days.’
‘With a baby on the way?’ Chris lifted a questioning brow at Anna.
‘It makes life less predictable,’ she said with a light laugh. ‘Shall we go through to the dining room? I’m sure Mrs Green has everything ready.’
Chris had been going to bring his new girlfriend along tonight but at the last minute she’d been unable to come, so Anna was landed with the two men. A few weeks ago it would have been unthinkable, unbearable, but gradually she and Oliver had drawn closer until she was now almost ready to forgive him.
Almost but not quite.
Next week it was
Christmas. Maybe the best Christmas present ever would be to give herself to him. Finally and irrevocably.
She smiled at the thought, and felt a swift surge of longing deep in her stomach. Could she really wait? The way she was feeling at the moment she wanted to jump on him the second her brother left. She wanted to share his bed, to experience once more a magical night of lovemaking.
‘You’re looking mighty pleased with yourself, all of a sudden,’ Oliver said, glancing at her across the table. ‘Are you going to share whatever’s brought that smile to your face?’
He never missed a trick. He was always watching her, even when she wasn’t aware of it. And quite often he anticipated her needs. He loved her so much, and he wasn’t afraid to show it, that she sometimes felt guilty for still keeping him at arm’s length. Thank goodness he didn’t know exactly what she was thinking.
‘I’m just happy my brother’s here,’ she said lightly, hugging the warm glow that enveloped her. ‘I’m glad you two have met at last. It’s a pity Laura couldn’t come. We’ll have to meet her some other time, Chris.’
And she remained happy and excited for the whole of the meal. Oliver and Chris got on well, making Anna realise that if business crises hadn’t kept the two men apart, her marriage problems would have been solved a whole lot earlier.
On the other hand, she and Oliver had now earned each other’s trust; their ups and downs had been a learning curve, one more step on life’s difficult staircase.
When Chris finally left, she and Oliver made themselves comfortable in the sitting room. It was Anna’s favourite room with its deep armchairs and cosy fire. Even in the summer she liked it because of the glorious views over the open countryside.
‘I’m glad you and Chris got on well,’ she said, leaning her head back, and folding her hands over her slightly swollen tummy.
Oliver inclined his head. ‘He’s a good man. Brilliant brain. It would have been a shame if his business had gone under.’
‘That’s what I thought,’ she said, covertly studying him from beneath almost closed eyes. He was so gorgeous, so sexy, so desirable—nothing had changed.
