by Shirley Wine
‘A perfectly formed little girl. God, when I watched her on the sonogram I could even see her eyelashes.’ He closed his eyes, but she’d seen his grief and devastation.
‘I’m sorry.’ And she was. ‘So today when I asked for that money—’
‘The past coalesced into the present and you copped my anger.’ He framed her face with his hands. ‘Can you forgive me for what happened earlier in my office?’
She covered his hands with hers as she realised that understanding did have the power to heal the hurt.
‘On one condition,’ she whispered, needing to chase away the shadows in his eyes. His obvious apprehension made her smile.
‘What condition?’
‘Don’t wait too long to do it again. It was so exciting and you did promise me more.’
‘Witch,’ he muttered on a fierce predatory growl as he crushed her close, his mouth closing over hers in fierce hunger.
With one impatient movement, he shoved the suitcase off the bed and she was lying on the covers and then everything faded.
Victoria surrendered her heart and soul to the one man who held the power to rouse her to such tumultuous passion. Her last coherent thought was that in Keir’s arms was where she belonged, where she needed to be.
Afterwards, entwined in his arms, the dew of passion cooling on her skin, she stirred and tried to pull out of his embrace. ‘Your mother, I forgot—’
Keir curved his arm around her and tugged her back against his chest. He lifted a hand and stroked it down her cheek. The tender gesture made the breath catch in her throat.
‘I’m sure she’s figured out we’re otherwise engaged.’
‘I like her,’ she said tentatively.
‘I gathered that when I saw her and Ellison here. Why are they here, Victoria?’
‘I needed someone to cover my back, someone I could trust, so I rang your mother,’ she said in a rush. ‘I couldn’t involve Logan or Caine, and I’m no longer sure it’s safe to trust my father.’
This was an admission that made her incredibly sad.
‘I’ve just come from Darkhaven.’ Keir smoothed back a strand of hair from her forehead. ‘How did you learn about Muriel and Davina?’
She gave him a startled look. ‘You know?’
‘Dad told me,’ he said quietly. ‘They’ve been lovers for years. Muriel’s finally left him and gone to live with Davina.’
‘Your father knew?’
He nodded.
‘And he never said anything to you? Even when you became engaged?’
‘He tried to tell me,’ Keir grimaced, ‘but over the years I’ve become expert at shutting down any conversation with him. More to the point, how did you find out?’
Victoria knew Keir and Caine were estranged, but she’d never guessed their relationship was this bad.
‘I didn’t find out, Dan Smales did.’
Keir sat up on the edge of the bed, his curse low and succinct. ‘That treacherous little weasel. When and how did you meet up with him?’
Victoria bit down on her lower lip, his reaction not exactly unexpected, but she knew it was time for complete honesty.
‘Logan arranged it for me. I asked Dan to find something to shut Davina and her father up. I just didn’t expect what he uncovered.’
An explosive silence greeted this disclosure. ‘Logan? I’ll kick his backside for him, he knows better than to put you at risk.’
‘It’s not Logan’s fault. He didn’t want to, but I insisted.’
‘So why approach Dan Smales?’
Victoria exhaled, the sound overly loud. ‘He’s a friend of my father’s.’
‘Nice company your father keeps.’ Keir raised one patrician brow as he reached for his shirt and shrugged into it.
She winced, but she couldn’t blame him. ‘Yeah, well, it’s taken me a long time to understand that.’
As she reached for her clothes, he covered her hand with his. ‘That’s why you wanted that money?’
She nodded, waiting for his explosion of wrath.
‘Smales blackmailed you?’
‘He threatened to publish all those hideous photos unless I paid up.’
‘I see.’ Keir frowned as he pulled on his trousers and buckled his belt. ‘How did you manage to get rid of the press at Dunstan’s gates?’
‘Garth Ellison went with me to see Dan and made him hand over all his evidence.’ She walked across to the dresser, picked up the cheque Keir had given her and handed it to him. ‘He point blank refused to pay Dan, and instead threatened him with police prosecution.’
‘But Garth wasn’t above a bit of blackmail of his own?’
‘No. When Garth dumped those photos on Strathmore’s desk, I thought Davina’s father would have a stroke.’ She shook her head and laughed. ‘Garth eyeballed the old goat and told him that unless he stopped harassing me, he’d personally buy advertising space and print copies of those photos in a national daily.’
‘And that went down well.’
‘You have no idea.’ Victoria grinned. ‘When we were about to leave, Garth really floored him.’
‘How?’ Keir asked, obviously curious.
‘He told Strathmore that if an amateur could dig up that much dirt, imagine the field day an investigative reporter would have.’
Keir whistled. ‘I’ll bet he didn’t like that.’
‘No. I’m guessing that there are quite a few more skeletons in the Strathmore closet.’
Victoria nodded, relieved that this conversation about her association with Dan Smales and what he’d unearthed was behind her, and that Strathmore’s hacks had backed off. She walked across to the dresser, picked up a comb and ran it through her short hair, a sensation that still felt quite strange.
Keir came up behind her and pulled her back against his chest, meeting her eyes in the mirror. ‘Where were you going?’
‘Your mother invited Connor and me to stay with her.’
‘I see.’
‘Do you?’
Keir sighed softly. ‘I went out and saw Dad and finally asked the right questions.’
Victoria lifted her hands and covered his, well aware that Keir’s relationship with his father was also very painful territory for him, and she was grateful she’d had a very enlightening conversation with Elizabeth.
‘Before you were seventeen and met her, your mother never knew you’d been told she was dead.’
His arms tightened and she saw the flicker of pain he couldn’t disguise.
‘So I discovered,’ he said on a heavy sigh. ‘After you left, I went out to Darkhaven and asked Dad for the unvarnished truth about him and Mother. I also apologised to him about my misguided intention to ruin him.’
‘How did Caine react?’
‘He’s pleased to know that I’ve grown up enough to ask for the truth and I’m man enough to apologise,’ Keir said with wry humour. ‘He admitted to bowing to Muriel’s pressure to have Mother declared an unfit parent, a move so successful the court denied her even basic visitation rights.’ Victoria winced hurting for him, although she’d guessed this.
‘Dad knew he should never have even tried, but once it was done, there was no way he could rectify the situation.’
‘So what will happen to the Donovans shares that Strathmore holds?’ Victoria asked, giving Keir a troubled look.
‘I’ve already had an intermediary approach him about buying his shares.’
‘Do you think he’ll sell?’
‘I’m hopeful that if I sweeten the deal, Strathmore will decide it makes prudent business sense to quit any contact with Donovans.’ Keir grimaced, meeting Victoria’s gaze, his expression sober. ‘His daughter is living with my stepmother so I’m picking Strathmore will cut a deal rather than risk the fallout of another scandal should those photos ever surface. Besides, Muriel has already asked Dad for a divorce so there’s no way their break-up will remain quiet.’
‘Those photos were pretty explicit.’ Victoria grimaced in dis
taste. ‘All this is bound to set the tabbies’ tongues buzzing.’
Keir winced. ‘For sure, this is Cambridge and gossip is the lifeblood of the town.’
Victoria smiled and squeezed his hands. ‘Whatever happens, Keir, we’ll deal with it together.’
Their gazes met and held in silent communion.
‘I like the sound of that, sweetheart,’ he murmured, bending down to kiss her neck. ‘We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. Together.’
Epilogue
Together.
Victoria never realised the power or the promise in one small word until two hours ago when she’d stood before the minister, her hand in Keir’s, as they promised to love and cherish each other forever in front of their families and a few very close friends.
They’d opted to be married in a ceremony in the conservatory at Dunstan. It was the only place where they could be guaranteed privacy from prying eyes.
Keir had looked down at her, his eyes filled with equal parts love, humour and gratitude, and she’d seen home and togetherness there. For the first time since the summer when her mother had died, Victoria was filled with the simple but profound feeling: Yes this is good, this is right.
Now, Victoria toyed with her simple yellow diamond-studded wedding band, the outward symbol of their commitment to each other.
Keir came up behind her and slipped his hands around her waist.
‘It was a lovely ceremony.’ His deep voice was a husky rumble that trembled right through her. ‘And you are beautiful.’
She melted, looking up at him and suddenly shy. ‘No regrets?’
His arms tightened and she emerged from his crushing embrace laughing. ‘You got any more foolish questions?’
‘I wouldn’t dare.’
‘I’m glad we decided to get married here,’ he murmured against her cheek. ‘I’m all for creating good memories.’
‘Me too. Is today the first time your parents have been together in the one room since they separated?’
He held her so close she felt the tension her question generated. He sighed softly and she felt a flutter of nerves. She’d insisted that they invite his mother, stepfather and his sisters as well as his father, but Keir had been ambivalent, not wanting any tension to spoil their day.
Eventually he’d capitulated and insisted she invite her father and Daphne.
‘I guess it must be.’ He nuzzled her neck.
Victoria was fast becoming friends with his sisters and his mother. Beth and Elizabeth had helped her shop for her wedding gown, a slim and elegant satin sheath, with a guipure lace bodice and a short scalloped train.
‘Your father was subdued,’ he murmured, nuzzling her neck.
‘Daphne was furious when she discovered he’d withheld your letter years ago, and she warned him that unless he was on his best behaviour today, he’d be sleeping in the barn for the next month.’
‘True?’
She nodded, grinning. ‘And she’d do it, too. She’s got his measure; she’s the best thing that ever happened to Dad.’
‘You like her?’
‘I do. She’s not my mum of course, but then she’s never tried to be, and I admire her for that.’
‘I’m so glad we don’t have a barn.’
She giggled. ‘You’re quite safe. I prefer you to keep my bed warm.’
‘You are beautiful, Victoria, inside and out. Have I told you how much I love you?’
‘Not in the past thirty minutes.’
Caine came to find them, Connor at his side and talking a mile a minute.
‘We’re off now,’ Caine said, holding firm to his grandson’s hand.
Victoria moved out of Keir’s embrace and crouched down in front of her son, taking his hands in hers.
‘You be good for Poppa, Connor. No climbing into high cupboards or places you shouldn’t be. No flying off sheds in Superman capes, okay?’
His lower lip protruded and dark brows descended in a frown. ‘You know I won’t.’
‘And how would I know that?’ she asked on a bubble of laughter.
Keir crouched bedside her and put a finger under his son’s chin, making Connor meet his eyes.
‘You heard your mother, Connor?’ His tone made the child’s eyes widen. He nodded, brown eyes solemn. ‘Your mother doesn’t want to spend the week worrying about you, okay?’
‘I’ll try and be good,’ he said with a heavy sigh that made everyone smile.
Caine chuckled softly. ‘He’s a pistol but don’t worry, mama, I have his measure. He comes by his daredevil nature honestly.’
Keir grinned as he exchanged looks with his father.
‘Remind me to tell you about some of your dad’s escapades, Connor,’ Caine chuckled. ‘About the time he sat up all night waiting to trap Santa as he came down the chimney.’
Keir groaned.
‘Now that I have to hear,’ Victoria said as she tried to muffle a giggle.
‘Say goodbye now, Connor,’ Caine said, chuckling again, and with a flurry of goodbyes they were gone.
The house was theirs.
‘He’ll be okay,’ Keir reassured her. ‘Dad’s great with kids and Connor’s good for Dad. He’s taken Logan’s disappearance hard.’
This was the only sad spot in her day. Victoria sighed softly.
Without warning, or a word to anyone and for no apparent reason, Logan Sinclair had packed a duffel bag and walked away from Darkhaven, and the horse stud he’d helped build, without a backward glance.
‘I wonder why he left.’ She worried her lower lip. ‘And where he went?’
‘I have a team working on it,’ Keir nuzzled a kiss on her neck. ‘I have a gift for you.’
‘Another one?’
‘This one’s special.’ He lifted his head from where he was nibbling her neck. ‘I wasn’t sure if it would be finished so soon.’
Intrigued, she pulled away from him. ‘What have you bought now?’
He was always showering her and Connor with little gifts.
‘Come with me.’ He caught her hand and led her down to his office. In the centre of his desk was a small oblong box. He picked it up and handed it to her. ‘Careful, it’s fragile.’
Curious, she rested against his desk, put the box on it and opened the lid. The breath left her lungs in a resounding whoosh as she stared at the contents.
‘Keir? Is this—’
‘Mandy? Yes. I had the packers search for every piece of her and I sent her away to be repaired.’
Tenderly, with reverent fingers, Victoria lifted the doll from the box. ‘She looks like she’s new.’
‘As good as. Her clothes were beyond repair, so I commissioned the restorers to source replicas of the original clothes she would have worn when she was given to you.’
‘Thank you so much.’ She smoothed a trembling finger over the doll’s hair and looked up to him, her vision blurred with tears. ‘My mother gave her to me when I was five. I never thought I’d see her again.’
‘It was my fault. I should have acted on instinct and had all your things packed and put in storage immediately. I, better than anyone, should have anticipated that break-in at your apartment.’ He gripped her shoulders tightly. ‘We’ll never be able to replace all your beautiful china. And for that, I’m sorry.’
Victoria laid the doll on the desk. She lifted a hand and laid it on her husband’s cheek. ‘They were only things, Keir, and not important. Now, Connor and I?’ She shook her head. ‘We’re safe. It could have been so much worse.’
‘I’ll always try to keep you safe.’
‘I know.’ A little smile played around her mouth. ‘And I have a present for you.’
She picked up Keir’s hand and splayed it over her belly, her hand on top of his. ‘In about seven months Connor’s going to have a baby sister or brother.’
‘You’re pregnant?’ Keir’s expression was thunderstruck.
Victoria nodded.
Shock, surprise and then pure delight cros
sed his face. ‘You’re sure?’
‘We’re going to have a baby,’ she said, just for the sheer joy of being able to say the words again.
Keir let out a wild whoop, picked her up and whirled her around in a circle. ‘We’re going to have a baby.’
‘Let me go, you clown.’
‘Never.’ He set her feet on the ground and with surprising dexterity he began to undo the many, many buttons on the back of her gown.
‘Haven’t we a flight to catch?’
‘It can wait,’ he murmured as the gown whooshed down around her feet. ‘I can’t wait to introduce our child to its father.’ He gathered her in his arms and joy shuddered through her. ‘I love you.’
‘And I love you,’ she murmured, melting into his kiss.
Together!
After the long, lonely years, Victoria knew she would never take Keir’s love for granted.
Thanks for reading Tell Me No Lies. I hope you enjoyed it.
If you’d like to know more about me, my books, or to connect with me online, you can visit my webpage www.shirleywine.com, follow me on twitter @ShirleyWine1, or like my Facebook page ShirleyWineAuthor.
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You’ve just read a book in my Prodigal Sons series. The other books in this series are Ask Me No Questions and Give Me Some Answers (coming soon!).
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