by Brenda Joyce
Nicholas was stunned. "You are defying me? You are defying me and ordering me to leave your home?"
Tears crept into her eyes. She could not recall a sin instance in her life when she had ever disobeyed father. "Yes, Father, I am afraid so."
Slade did not lift his head. "Enter." He flipped through the pages of the file he was reading. When he had finished, he handed them to his assistant. "Run these over to Rob Levine immediately, Harold."
"Yes, sir," the young man said. He hurried past the newcomer and out the door.
Slade looked up. The instant he saw the man he knew, without having to be told, that he was Regina's father. It had nothing to do with the slight resemblance he saw in his features, but it had everything to do with instinct. And the man had an unmistakable aura of power and authority, well-suited to an earl. Slade straightened and cautiously stood. "Mr. Shelton?"
Nicholas's expression was dark. "You are clever, Delanza," he said bluntly. "But then I expected you to be clever. Any man who could talk my proper, intelligent daughter into marriage in the space of a few short days would have to be very clever indeed." Slade prepared to do battle.
"Or did you seduce her?" Nicholas demanded. "She says that you did not, but I have doubts."
"I did not touch her before the wedding," Slade said tightly. "How noble of you."
"When is the hanging?" Slade asked.
"Now," Nicholas shot back. "Make no mistake about that. My sister and brother-in-law told me that you married her for her money. Regina admitted it. Thank God she is not capable of lying to me. I have an aversion to fortune-hunters, Delanza."
Slade gripped his desk until his knuckles were white. If attacked, he was used to fighting back. Yet he did not want to fight with his wife's father. "You're making this very difficult."
"Am I? I should hope so. I want to see you squirm."
"No," Slade gritted. "You do not understand. You're making it damn difficult to be polite, you're making it damn difficult not to get down in the mud with you, dammit."
"Feel free," Nicholas said coldly. "I would relish the opportunity of smashing in your nose."
"But I don't want to smash yours."
"Why not?"
"Because you're Regina's father."
Nicholas studied him. "Even if you do not fight with me, it won't change a thing. I intend to see my daughter divorced from you and married to a man who suits her. If she remains your wife-and you can be sure that I control her inheritance-you won't get a cent. So feel free to try and smash my nose." Nicholas tensed, eyes blazing.
Slade shook his head. "I need money to save my home and it's no secret. And in case she didn't tell you, I was honest with her from the start. Regina knew why I wanted to marry her and she accepted me anyway."
"I find that to be proof of your powers of seduction."
Slade gritted his teeth. "I'm tired of your slander. Chew on this, Shelton: I don't want her inheritance. I've made other arrangements. So feel free to cut her off."
"I don't believe you."
"Five minutes ago I would have cared what you believed, but not now."
"She is going to divorce you, Delanza. I intend to see to it."
Slade hesitated. "If Regina chooses to leave me, I would not stop her."
Nicholas stared. "Why?"
Again Slade paused.
Nicholas was ruthless. "Why? Because without her money she is worthless to you, right?"
"Wrong! I do not want her money! I've told her that! The truth is, Miramar is no fancy English castle. It's a working rancho. There will be no galas and balls, no need for fancy gowns and glittering jewels. It's simple life."
"Jesus!" Nicholas exclaimed. "My daughter will be miserable if she stays with you!"
Although Slade had secretly worried that might be sol he found himself defending their marriage. "She knows what's ahead. I've been honest. She knows the next few years will be tight."
"This is all the more reason for you to allow her a divorce," Nicholas said, quietly now.
Slade just looked at him.
"I will not give you her money to help you out. She will be unhappy. I know my daughter, Delanza. Ever since she was a little girl she's disliked country living and cherished city life. As a woman she loves fine things-couture gowns, jewelry, works of art, French wines, I could go on and on. She is not a woman who would be happy or fulfilled living on an isolated rancho."
Slade found it hard to respond. "I make her happy.” The words were almost a whisper.
"Perhaps you do." Nicholas regarded him seriously. "But for how long?"
Regina's father was verbalizing Slade's own darkest I fears, fears that had been growing uncontrollably ever since his wife had returned to him. "Get out," Slade said.
"If you really care about my daughter, you will let her go. I have already arranged a marriage for her at home to a man who will one day be a duke. Regina might think she is happy now, but she deserves more than you can give her."
"Get out," Slade said again, furious. "Get out!" Nicholas's eyes gleamed with triumph as he strolled to the door, where he turned and paused. "I think you do care for her after all. Then you will have to do what is best for her, won't you?"
Chapter 25
“Madam, Mr. Delanza is here."
Regina had been closeted in the parlor for the past hour, ever since the terrible confrontation with her father. She had not moved from the sofa where she had all but collapsed. She couldn't believe what she had done. She had not just defied her father, but ordered him to leave her home.
Upon hearing Brinks's words, Regina shot to her feet. It was mid-afternoon and she thought that Slade had decided to come home early to be with her. How she needed him now!
But it was Rick Delanza who walked past Brinks and into the salon, followed by Victoria.
Regina's face fell. Quickly she composed herself. "Rick, Victoria, how nice to see you."
Victoria gave her a skeptical look, then glanced disdainfully around the small salon. Rick enfolded her in a bear hug. "I'm sure glad to see you here, gal."
Regina recalled the last time she had seen Rick, when she had been furious and intent on divorcing his son. In the next breath it occurred to her that the last time she had seen Victoria she had been masquerading as Elizabeth Sinclair, and that the other woman had been well aware of it. Her eyes turned to Victoria.
Victoria's smile was cold. "Hello, Regina. What a pleasant little home."
Regina stiffened. Rick shot his wife a warning glance. "I came up here to visit you and Victoria insisted on coming. We both are happy to see that you and Slade have worked things out. Aren't we, honey?"
Victoria's eyes darkened but she nodded.
Regina almost laughed. They had barely begun to forge a solid relationship, much less work thi
ngs out. The numerous pitfalls besetting them did not generate optimism. In fact, she felt perilously close to tears.
Rick studied her. "We're family now, remember?" He threw his arm around her. "You can tell me what’s bothering you. Someone die?"
His kindness and loyalty were so unexpected that Regina was overwhelmed. And in her distress, his strength was so welcome. "No. No one died."
"Can't be that bad then." He gave her an encouraging smile.
Victoria said, "I think the honeymoon is over. If it ever began."
Regina was furious. But she remained calm, tamping down her temper with great will. '’Victoria, do sit down. It is so nice of you to pay a pleasant social call. Would you like some tea?"
Victoria sat, shrugging.
"What time does Slade get home?" Rick asked.
"He'll be late tonight. But you can find him at the office."
"Actually, I didn't come here to see him. I saw him last week. I came to see you." Rick smiled. "We both did. We want to know when the two of you are coming home."
"I don't know. We haven't really discussed it."
"Perhaps they'll stay here in the city," Victoria interjected. "There's a rumor going around that Charles Mann gave the two of you an incredible mansion for a wedding present. Is it true?"
"It's true." Regina saw Rick flinch. "But we won't be staying there, we won't even be opening up the house.
Slade intends to return to Miramar, I just do not know when."
Victoria stood. "I cannot believe you-a Bragg princess-would be happy living as a ranchero's wife."
"Cut it out, Victoria," Rick warned.
Regina also stood. "I am happy with Slade, wherever he is, whatever he does."
"You do not seem happy to me."
Rick whirled. "I thought you said you wouldn't start."
Victoria ignored him. So did Regina. "Did you know who I was before the wedding, Victoria?"
She smiled. "You may have fooled everybody else, but you didn't fool me."
Regina glanced at Rick briefly before responding. "Was it you who went through my things?"
"Yes, it was. Your locket ultimately gave you away." There was no mistaking the cool triumph in her eyes.
"If you ever invade my privacy again, you will be sorry."
Victoria laughed. "You accuse me of wrongdoing? You were the one playing a charade, my dear. And it wasn't very noble of you, either."
"Why didn't you say something?" Regina asked.
"Because although I knew you weren't Elizabeth Sinclair, I did not know you were a Bragg heiress. I thought you to be nothing more than a fortune-hunting impostor! Unfortunately, I was wrong."
Regina seethed. But Victoria was Rick's wife, and the two of them were going to have to get along if they were to live together in the future. "Victoria, you cannot change who I am, no matter how you might wish you could. We are going to have to put our differences behind us. Can you not agree to that?"
"No, I can't," Victoria snapped. "And maybe I can't change you, but I probably don't have to. Once you get smart you'll realize that you belong here in the city, not on the rancho. Why don't you and Slade just move into your fancy mansion and live it up on your money?"
'’That is not possible, Victoria," Regina said. "You see, I know that Miramar is Slade's passion. And I love Slade so much that I am determined that we live there for the rest of our lives. It cannot be any other way."
Openly angry, Victoria stormed from the room. Regina stared after her. She had forgotten Rick was present until fee spoke up.
"She'll come around. You okay?"
"I'm fine."
Rick smiled. "You have more spunk than a body'd ever know. Don't you go worrying about her. She's mostly bark and little bite."
"I'm not," Regina said truthfully. She had too much on her mind to dwell on Victoria's animosity, however misguided it might be.
"Honey," Rick said, grimacing, "let's sit down." Curious, Regina settled down on the sofa, wondering what Rick was about to reveal. He coughed. "I got a confession to make." She did not move.
"You know, I like you, I like you a lot, and I have from the moment I laid eyes on you. I don't have to go an' tell you this." He shifted. I sort of knew the truth too, right from the start."
"Sort of?"
"Okay, I knew who you were, your chaperone told me before she died."
"Oh, Rick."
"Honey, it’s not as bad as it sounds!" He held up his hands. "I mean, I was motivated at first by the thought of how an heiress like you could save the rancho. But then I saw how you looked at Slade-and how he looked at you. I mean, if ever two people were meant for each other, it was the two of you."
Regina bowed her head, moved.
"What's wrong? Are you angry with me?"
She shook her head. "I cannot be angry with you, Rick. I like you, too, I always have." She managed a smile. "And I believe you, because I know how much you love Slade."
He reddened. "Yeah, well… now that Victoria's gone, why don't you tell me what's really going on?"
Regina was almost ready to confide everything in her father-in-law. He could be a difficult man, but she was seeing another side of him, one that was genuinely compassionate. However, Slade would not be pleased if she shared their problems with his father, and she owed him her loyalty, so she shook her head. "It's nothing, really."
Rick appeared disappointed, perhaps in her lack of trust.
Regina changed the subject. "Xandria Kingsly and Charles Mann are having a gala in honor of my and Slade's marriage this Friday. Will you be coming, Rick?"
Rick scowled. "Is that an invitation?"
"It most certainly is."
"Yeah, well, I'm not going to any gala."
Regina's smile died. "Why not? Can't you stay in town for a few more days?"
"I could but I won't. I didn't come here to argue about some damn gala."
"Why did you come, Rick?"
He took a breath. "Regina, I'll be blunt. I want you and Slade to come home. I'm asking you to come home."
Regina was motionless. Her heart sped. No matter how worried she might be about the unresolved issues between her and Slade and her and her father, she was thrilled with what Rick was saying. He wanted his son to come home. "You must ask him," she said firmly.
"Hell, you're his wife. Tell him it's time for him to return home, where he belongs."
Regina sat very still. Gently she said, "You must tell him that you want him to come home, Rick."
Rick looked uncomfortable. "I didn't ask him to leave in the first place. I sure as hell can't ask him to come home. But you can."
Regina shook her head. "I will not ask him for you."
Rick was on his feet. "Are you a stubborn little thing, too?"
"I can be. I sincerely hope that pride is not what is standing in the way of your having a decent relationship with your son."
Rick gasped. "Missy, you are out of bounds!"
"Perhaps I am."
Rick was incredulous. "I am not about to beg him to return! He left of his own free will. Not just once, mind you. Sometimes I think he hates my guts! Even if I did miss him-and I'm not sayin' that-I would never tell him!"
Regina stood, greatly perturbed. "I think you had better start being honest, Rick. First with yourself, then with your son."
"You're a meddler, you know that?" Rick's eyes flashed angrily.
"Someone obviously has to meddle here. Why won't you come to the party Friday? Your son is the guest of honor. I am sure he would be pleased that you came. He might pretend otherwise, but deep inside, I am sure he would be thrilled."
"I wouldn't set foot in Charlie Mann's place for a million dollars!"
Regina realized then how threatened Rick was by Slade's relationship with Charles Mann. He was hurt and he was angry. She wondered how long he had kept his feelings hidden. Slade had left home ten years ago. She hoped that Rick had not allowed his emotions to simmer for that length of time.
"Rick." She took his hand. "Charles Mann is not Slade's father. He is only a good friend. You are his father and that is not ever going to change. Slade cares about Charles, but that doesn't mean he doesn't need you and your love."
Rick was livid. "That boy doesn't know the meaning of family or love! Just like his damn mother never knew it either! You know his mother was a whore? She was so beautiful I thought if I married her and took her home I could turn her into some kind of lady. Hah! She didn't have one ladylike bone in her body. When she took off, I didn't beg her to come home, and I'm not begging him. He is just like his damned mother!"
Regina was pale with shock. Yet she knew that Rick's words were not true. Slade was a moral man, unlike his mother. She shook her head, unable to speak, thinking too vividly of how Slade seemed determined not to let her into his heart. Perhaps his determination had something to do with his being abandoned as a baby by such a woman. The realization overwhelmed her with purpose-purpose to stick by her husband no matter what.
