Chapter 14

Taking a deep breath, he faced her squarely. "She says she is pregnant."

The silence following the statement was so loud it was as if they had both stopped breathing. Hayes rushed to fill it, desperate to clear things up and not cause her any pain.

He had been doing a lot of thinking. If only he had known that she had not deceived him, that she had kept herself pure, he could have done the same. "I always used protection with the women—with everyone except you. I am never without condoms. I cannot see how–"

"She is pregnant." Camelia felt as if she was being tossed around by a particularly turbulent wave that was threatening to overwhelm her.

"That's what she is claiming." He sent her a pleading look. "She gave me the name of the doctor–"

"How far along?"

"Two months. I was going to check the man out, but then you called and said you were on your way to the doctor's office, and I decided to wait. Cammy, I am sure she is lying."

"How can you be certain? She might be telling the truth. Condoms are not one hundred percent effective; there could have been a tear—it might have slipped—" Putting away the half-finished cup of tea, she felt her stomach churning. "I cannot blame you for having a past, but if she is pregnant–"

"She is not!" He wanted to go to her, but the look on her face stopped him. "She is not. This is just an elaborate plan to get money from me."

"Has she asked you for money?"

"No." He shook his head. "But they are drowning in debt. I had them checked out. The museum is not functioning the way it should. Her father, William, has racked up an enormous number of outstanding debts and more than likely needs a way out."

"So, they concoct this plan to do what exactly? Get you to leave me and marry her?"

He shook his head. "That's never going to happen." His hands were clenched on his knees. "I would never leave you, no matter what, and I intend to get to the bottom of this."

"And if she is speaking the truth and she is really pregnant?" Even the thought of it was making her ill. "What then?"

"She is not pregnant," he repeated stubbornly. "I admit, she looked pale when I saw her, and she claims that she cannot keep anything down–"

"But why would she come up with something like that?" Camelia wondered. "Pregnancy is not something that can be hidden. In a few months, she will be showing. And I am assuming you would not be with a woman who is a complete idiot. Why this pregnancy plan?"

"I don't know." Leaning his head back, he dragged his fingers through his hair. "It might be revenge. You said there is no way she took the news that well, and I think you were right. Cammy, I am so damned sorry. But I swear to you that I will deal with this. I will get to the bottom of it, even if I have to drag the truth out of her."

"No." She shook her head.

"What?"

"I don't want you talking to her again."

"I have to–"

"You don't. I think it's time we told your mom about us, about the pregnancy."

He stared at her frowningly. "I thought we weren't telling anyone, and what does this have to do with–"

"She is the best person to deal with Simone Bledsoe, and telling her will make her want to fight for us. She will get to the bottom of it. I am asking you to stay away from her. Can you do that?"

He looked stung. "Of course I can. I only met her because she sounded urgent over the phone."

Camelia eyed him thoughtfully. "And yet she called, and you did not tell me. I thought we were telling each other everything."

"I did not want to worry you."

"For this to work, for us to have a chance to make this work between us, there has to be trust. I broke it when I left without telling you what was going on with me, and it split us apart. I would not like that to happen again."

"It won't." He rose, deciding it was time to bridge the distance between them—all of it. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took her hand in his. "I promise that I will never keep anything from you again.

Please believe me. I want our family, Cammy. I want to be your husband and a father to our baby. I am going to be there for you, no matter what. I just–" he sighed softly. "I never want to hurt you."

"I know," she said softly. "And whatever it is, we are going to get through it together."

"Am I forgiven?" he asked huskily.

"Absolutely."

Toeing off his shoes, he climbed in next to her and pulled her into his arms. "Thank you, darling."

*****

Hillary stared at them in silence for a few seconds, her face expressionless.

"Mother? Aren't you going to say anything?" Hayes asked her mildly. They had decided to leave her place and come to his home so that they could tell his mother the news and find a solution to the problem.

"I am ... surprised." She looked at Camelia. "I thought it could not happen–" Shaking her head, she continued. "That's beside the point." Taking a deep breath, she pressed a hand to her breasts. "You are going to be a father." Her eyes glimmered as she stared at her son. "And I could not be happier. Except that there is this situation with Simone."

Hayes glanced at Camelia. He had apologized several times and she had told him firmly that she was fine, but he still thinks she has an issue with the entire thing and was not telling him.

"Yes," he clipped. "I want it out of the way."

"I understand." His mother made a sympathetic motion with her hands. "I have been hearing rumors in my circle about the Bledsoe's. Bills owed here and there. Commitments not being honored, that sort of thing." Her green eyes swept over Camelia. "I have done you a great injustice, my dear.

When I confronted you that day so long ago, I thought I was protecting my son, protecting my family's name. When you came back, I wanted to do the same thing, but it is clear to me that you are genuinely in love with Hayes.

That's what I want for him, someone who loves him for who he is, not for what he can give them." She took a breath. "I cannot believe that I never noticed it before—Simone and her dad wanted you to be their salvation, a way out of their awful situation and are apparently willing to do anything to accomplish that."

Her expression hardened. "I cannot allow that to happen. Just leave everything to me. I will call up a few friends and make some inquiries and go from there."

"Thanks, Mother." Hayes rose and came over to take her hand. "We have had our disagreements and fights, but I am grateful for your help."

"Of course, darling." A smile touched her lips. "You are going to be parents now," her eyes touched on Camelia. "It is a chance to show you how much you are willing to go for your child, no matter how old they get."

*****

"Darling!" Melanie rushed forward to greet her, a pleased look on her face. "It seems like ages since I saw you. And this place–" She looked around the chic restaurant as she settled in the plush chair. "How sweet and cozy."

"It belongs to a very good friend of mine. I took the liberty of ordering us some bouillabaisse, they do serve the best here."

"You know me so well," Melanie gushed.

They discussed unimportant things while they waited for the meal to appear.

"I have been traveling for the past five weeks and it's so good to be back home." Dipping her spoon into the soup and taking a sip in appreciation. "Wonderful. Now darling, I know you have not invited me to lunch just to hear about my completely boring journey. I am a fount of information and that is why I am here."

"Precisely." Hillary picked up the spoon and started on the soup. "You are familiar with William Bledsoe. I heard some time ago that you were involved with him."

Melanie nodded her bluntly cut ash-blonde head. "After my Arthur died, I was drifting. aimless because I had lost the man I loved dearly, my best friend, my soulmate, and it almost destroyed me.

It took me a few years to come out of the funk I found myself in and I met William, and he was charming and sweet and attentive." Putting her spoon down, she drank some water. "I was lonely and wanted someone to ease that loneliness, and he seemed a likely candidate."

Dabbing the napkin at the sides of her mouth, Hillary asked, "What happened?"

"He is a parasite, darling," Melanie told her with a rueful laugh. "It started out simple enough. A loan here and there, nothing much. Just something to take care of an outstanding bill.

Then it became bigger—the museum was running out of money and his darling Simone was in trouble–" She leaned forward. "An indiscretion with a married man, one of substantial standing in society, and the man didn't want to have anything to do with her any longer."

Hillary stared at her with narrowed eyes. "You mean–"

"An abortion. A botched one, I might add. One that rendered her incapable of having children."

"Really?"

Melanie nodded. "I thought you heard about it. I thought of saying something to you when I realized that Hayes had gotten involved with Simone, but she told me she told him everything."

"My God."

"She never did." Melanie shook her head in amazement. "I should have guessed. She came to me crying, almost hysterical about making a mistake that almost cost her everything and how she had revealed all to Hayes and he accepted her despite the fact that she would never be able to give him an heir.

She went as far as telling me that because of what Hayes went through with the DeWinter girl, he was quite disillusioned and was willing to adopt."

"And you believed her?" Hillary gave her an incredulous look.

"I have to admit that, in hindsight, I should have realized she was playing me for a fool. Hayes is now with that young lady from his past?"

"Yes. And that duplicitous young woman is claiming she is pregnant with his baby and even has a doctor sign off on it."

"Oh my." Melanie's eyes glimmered in delight. "How delicious. I suspect William's hand in this. The museum is heading toward bankruptcy, you know."

"So, I heard. But how did she get a doctor to side with her?"

"My guess is she is involved with the poor fool." Melanie eyed her curiously. "What are you planning to do?"

"Set her straight. Now darling, why don't you tell me about your trip?"

*****

Simone almost did not make it to the restaurant. It had been two days since she told Hayes the news, and he had not gotten back to her.

The argument with her dad had escalated last night when he asked if she had gotten a response. Now she was being summoned by Hillary Marsden and it was not something she was looking forward to.

She had dressed carefully for the meeting, making sure not to put any makeup on. The paleness of her face was due more to stress and anxiety than anything else, and she was not pretending to be scared.

She was. In the past, Hillary had always been courteous and friendly to her, seeming to approve of the match between Simone and Hayes. But the woman had not even called since the breakup, which did not bode well.

"My dear, you are very prompt. I respect that. Tardiness has always been a bother to me. sit, please. I am having afternoon Chai tea, it's good for the nerves. I understand you have not been feeling well?" The woman clucked her tongue sympathetically.

"Why don't I order some for you?" Before Simone could answer, Hillary waved over the tidy-looking Ma?tre d' who came bustling forward. "Lin, darling, bring another pot and a plate of those excellent rice cookies."

With a beaming smile, the man bowed and hurried away.

"We will not be disturbed. Lin is a friend, and this restaurant has benefited from our patronage." Her green eyes studied the younger woman. "You do seem pale. How is William?"

"Daddy is fine." Simone forced a smile as she opened her snowy white napkin. "He is busy with the new shipment that just arrived last night."

"And I have taken you away from all that." Hillary paused as Lin came forward with the tea and cookies.

"It's fine. You sounded urgent over the phone."

"I did." Hillary watched as she fussed with the cup of tea and looked everywhere else.

"Hayes broke my heart–"

"Nonsense, darling." Hillary's voice had turned brisk and business-like. "We both know that is not true." She sipped tea and eyed the girl over the delicate cup. "I used to think that you were right for my son.

You played the part, the gracious, seemingly loving young woman who could actually give my son the heirs he needed. But you are incapable of doing so, are you not?"

Simone's eyes darted quickly to the cup in her hand, and she felt her heart pounding inside her chest. "I don't know what you mean. I am pregnant, and I have only been with Hayes–"

"Enough." The authoritative voice had her stuttering to a stop. "I am friends with Melanie Causwell. Very good friends, to be precise." A smile curved Hillary's lip. "She has all the latest gossip, because she always has her ear to the ground." The smile vanished to be replaced by wintry displeasure.

"I love my son, my dear. His father and I had an excellent relationship. You see, we were in love, wonderfully so, and we wanted the same thing for Hayes. He had found his one true love, and when he was a teenager, we were frightened that the intensity was too much for him.

But they have found each other again, and they are getting married." Leaning forward, she pinned the girl with a cold look. "You are not pregnant, of course, and if you go away quietly without causing any more fuss, I will not rain the fire of hell down on you. Am I clear?"

Simone sucked in a shaky breath. "It was Daddy," she whispered. "He made me do it. We are hurting for money, and he thought–"

"You could both trick my son into doing what exactly?"

"I never wanted to do it, but he threatened me. You don't know what it's like." She stretched forth a pleading hand, pulling back when it did not make an impression. "He threatened to kick me out, take away my allowance–"

"You expect me to feel sorry for you?" Hillary raked her with a contemptuous glance. "You are beautiful, young and cunning. I am certain you can find some old fool to fall for your dubious charms. I understand Douglas Creary is looking for a bride."

Simone blanched. "He is a hundred years old!"

"He is seventy and has never had children. He also has a fortune and is very fond of younger women, much younger women. My dear, you are only a victim if you make yourself into one. If your father is as cruel as you claim he is, then it is in your best interest to do whatever it is to survive."

*****

"I think you should stop working."

Glancing up from the article she was editing, she stared at him with a frown.

"How long have you waited to come up with that?"

They were in his bedroom after having a meal in the informal dining room with his mother, who had imparted the news that Simone would not be a threat anymore.

"You were spotting, and we would not want that happening again. It's not like you are going to need the money. " Tugging his sweater over his head, he walked over to sit on the sofa where she was.

"I have to work."

"Tell me why."

"It gives me a sense of independence, and it reminds me that I am not with you for the money. I lost everything that I thought I had when the tragedy happened to my parents. Their lifestyle was extravagant.

Mother did not wear the same dress twice. They threw lavish parties and spent money as if they had an endless supply of it. I hated it—hated the fact that being accepted in so-called society meant more to them than anything else."

"I am not like that."

"I am not saying you are," she countered softly. Putting away her device, she turned to face him. "I love writing, enjoy the challenges of creating a story and turning it into something the readers can enjoy. I have money saved up, it's not much, but I was determined to live a very simple life."

"Now that's changed." Taking her hand, he linked their fingers. "My lifestyle is not simple. I am the CEO of one of the top airlines in the world. I travel a lot; I also entertain quite often. I am responsible for thousands of employees all over the world as well as my board members. I want you by my side."

"As what? A decorative wife?"

"As my partner. Do your writing remotely. Pick a room, any room in this house, and I will have decorators come in to design it to your taste. We are visible, more so, because of what happened with your parents. People will be watching us, the press will want to know what we are up to, hoping for a story. I am not saying this to scare you–"

"And yet you have accomplished that."

He lapsed into silence as he gazed off over her left shoulder. "I will support you in whatever decision you make, you know that very well."

"I do."

"But I just want to keep you safe."

"By having me stay inside the manor until you are by my side," she surmised.

Sighing softly, he used his free hand to rub the side of his face. "I don't want to lose you."

She gave him a knowing look. "You keep expecting me to run off again."

"It's not–" Blowing out a breath, he shook his head. "I keep expecting that something someone says will trigger the need for you to get away. Christ! I hate that I am so damned insecure that I want to lock you up and throw away the key."

"What I did, damaged us," she acknowledged quietly, fingers tightening on him. "I was a scared seventeen-year-old girl who had just lost her parents and not just in a normal way. I had the run pulled out from beneath me, and I ran. Hayes–" Lifting a hand, she cupped his jaw.

"I am not that girl anymore. I am a woman who is in love with a man who is going to be my husband and the father of my child. I would never run away from you again. I couldn't."

"It's not only that," He whispered. Turning his face into her palm, he kissed the soft flesh gently. "You want this baby so much that I am afraid that if something happens–"

"I am going to leave again." her dark eyes wandered over his face. "You want this baby as much as I do."

"But nothing would ever compel me to leave you."

"You think it's not the same for me," she guessed.

"It's not that darling. I keep waking up in the middle of the night just to ensure that you are sleeping next to me. I want to be able to shake the feeling of doom, but it's taking its time."

"You are still not sure about me staying. Hayes, I want to marry you, I want this baby, your baby and I want a family with you." Taking their joined hands, she pressed it against her stomach. I want both those things more than anything else in the world.

And if you think I should work from home, then I will consider it. If it means keeping our baby safe, then by all means, that is exactly what I will do."

"I know I am crowding you–"

"No." Shaking her head, she drew him to her. "Never, darling."