by Ann Cristy
"She's the doctor," Misty pointed out softly.
"I'll talk to her in the morning."
Misty argued with him, but nothing she said shook him from his stand. They were still discussing the subject as they cleared the table and did the dishes. As they finished, the doorbell rang.
"That must be my mother and father," Luc said, smiling.
Misty turned to him in astonishment. "You let them drive all the way in here from Long Island tonight?" she accused.
He shrugged. "I only said they were going to be grandparents. I didn't tell them to come."
"But you didn't dissuade them either." Misty gave an irritated shake of her head, but he just grinned, unrepentant, and followed her to the door.
"Darling!" Althea Harrison burst into the foyer. "A baby! It's so exciting." She hugged Misty and then her son.
"Congratulations, my dear," Luc's father said more quietly but no less happily, if the light in his eyes was any indication.
Althea sailed into the living room, the others following in her wake. "I called everyone, and, of course, they're all delighted. Alice insists that we make a formal announcement at a special little party."
"There's no need," Luc said, his laughing glance going to Misty, who was staring in amazement in response to Althea's suggestion.
"But we must do something," Luc's mother wailed.
"We could put it in the morning's listings on the stock exchange. They go worldwide," James Harrison suggested.
"Could we do that?" His wife's eyes glittered.
"No, of course not. Dad's teasing you." Luc laughed at his mother's crestfallen expression.
"Well, I'll think of something," she declared.
"No doubt," her husband murmured, winking at Misty.
"Now, dear, tell me how you're feeling. Who's your doctor? Will you go to a hospital or have the baby at home? Are you going to continue to work?"
The last question brought Luc's head up. He stared at his wife, waiting for her answer.
"I think I'll work for a little while longer," she said hesitantly.
"All right, darling," he agreed, "but I reserve the right to take you off the job if I think you're getting too tired."
"Luc, I'll be fine." She smiled at him, feeling even more relaxed in response to his concern. She turned to her in laws. "You will stay the night, won't you? It would worry me to have you travel back to the Island so late at night."
Althea glanced at her husband, who nodded, "Of course, we will, dear. It's so kind of you to offer."
"That will be great, Dad," Luc interjected. "You can come to the office tomorrow. You said you wanted to take a look at the Gennser plan."
"Good idea." James grinned at Misty.
Althea rolled her eyes. "I should have known he would insist on going to that foolish bank."
"I could go to that foolish bank every day if I wanted to, my dear. Have you forgotten that there are branches all over New York State, including several near us?"
"Yes, but it's always been the main branch that drew you. 'That's where all the action is,' you used to say."
"Ummm. Did I say that?" he mused, grinning.
Misty was delighted to watch Luc's parents interact.
When his mother described Luc as a boy, she had to laugh. "My dear, he was the original enfant terrible. He took a frog to dancing class, and seven mothers called me to complain. Oh yes, you laugh now, but you'll have to be on your guard with your own child. Those same awful genes may be passed on," she pronounced in mock funereal tones.
For Misty, Althea's teasing revived very serious fears. What if she did pass on bad genes to her child? She caught Luc watching her and gave him a shaky smile.
He relaxed visibly. "I like to see you smile."
James Harrison set his brandy glass down on an inlaid rosewood table next to his chair. His shrewd gaze remained on Luc for long moments before going to Misty.
Luc grinned at his father. "She's beautiful, isn't she?"
"Yes," James Harrison agreed, nodding solemnly.
"Stop it, both of you," Althea said tartly. "You're making Mystique blush."
Luc rose from his seat and pulled Misty to her feet, wrapping an arm around her. He sank back into his wide chair and pulled her onto his lap. "Is my darling blushing?" he asked softly.
"Luc, for heaven's sake." Misty pushed against his chest with one hand, trying to keep her blouse from riding up with the other.
James laughed. "Relax, my dear. A man always likes to hold the woman he loves. Occasionally I still chase Althea around the house."
"It's true," Luc's mother admitted readily. "But we never cavort in front of the hired help," she added sternly. She beamed at Misty. "Don't worry, my dear. You only have day help."
"See?" Luc said in dulcet tones, his eyes alight with amusement as he looked down at her spread across his lap.
Helpless laughter assailed Misty as she clung to him, taking in the indulgent glances of her in-laws. "You shouldn't encourage him," she told Althea.
"Too true. The Harrison men need very little encouragement to be arrogant." Althea lifted a stubborn chin and nodded insistently when the men protested.
"And no crowing from you, mama-to-be." Luc kissed Misty's hair and held her closer.
The evening was one of the happiest and most carefree Misty could remember.
That night after she and Luc had gone to their room, she undressed while Luc did some paperwork in his study. Wrapped in a silk robe, she peeked in to see how he was doing and decided not to disturb him, since he seemed to be completely absorbed.
Feeling restless, she went down to the kitchen to get a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator. But when she opened the kitchen door, she saw that the light was on.
"Come in and shut the door," Luc's father greeted her. He was wearing Luc's maroon robe, and his hair was still damp from a shower. "Althea's asleep, or I wouldn't be down here. She's trying to break me of my nocturnal eating habits." He chuckled and, sticking his head inside the refrigerator, brought out two plastic-wrapped packages. "Turkey, chicken, or ham?" he offered.
Misty chuckled. "Actually, I'd rather have some mineral water and unsalted crackers."
James nodded. "Ah, yes. Easier on the digestion."
"But I've always enjoyed raiding the refrigerator." She refrained from telling him that scrounging for food at night when her parents were sound asleep had been the only way to avoid the constant carping that had become habitual during mealtimes in the Carver home.
"Good." James Harrison paused, then grimaced. "My dear, forgive me. I've been rude. This is your home, and I've encroached. My children are used to my eccentricities, but you—"
"I want you to feel completely at home," she assured him, taking the meat packages from his hands, then retrieving pickles and other condiments from the refrigerator.
James kissed her cheek and gently pushed her into a chair. "I'll be the waiter."
When they settled down at last, they had a table full of food from which to choose, plus milk and mineral water to drink.
"Mystique," James began, swallowing a bite of a chicken sandwich, "I have never seen my son so relaxed and carefree. I noticed in the last few years that he'd become colder and more cynical. I didn't think he would ever find the happiness he's found with you." He patted her hand.
Misty flushed with pleasure. "I didn't think we would be so happy, either." She shrugged. "We seemed poles apart at first."
She and her father-in-law chatted easily on a variety of subjects. Misty was pleased to have this chance to get to know James better. In some ways he was so like Luc; in other ways he was very different. Comparing the two men fascinated her.
They had just finished eating when a voice said from the doorway, "So here you are." Luc was standing there, glaring at his father. Now what was wrong? Misty wondered.
James chuckled. "Feathers ruffled?"
"A little," Luc admitted, going behind Misty's chair and leaning over her. "I di
dn't know you were hungry, darling."
"Want a cracker?" she asked.
He took the cracker she offered him, then pulled a chair up close to hers.
"I thought your wife might enjoy a little intelligent conversation," James told his son. "I don't imagine she gets much, living with you."
Misty laughed and Luc glowered as his father rose from the table and leaned over to kiss her on top of the head. "My dear, we will do this again. I enjoyed it."
"Don't count on it," Luc retorted.
"Thank you," Misty said simultaneously.
"Good night." James was chuckling softly as he left the kitchen.
Sudden silence filled the room. Misty couldn't control the giggle that escaped her. Luc stared at her, then lifted her hand to nibble on her pinky finger. "All right, so I was jealous."
Stunned, Misty stared at him. "You were not!"
He moved his mouth to her next finger and nodded without looking up. "Yes, I was. Why do you think Dad was enjoying himself so much? He knew."
"Luc." Misty was confused.
"It's stupid, I know, but I didn't want him feeding you down here. I wanted to do it."
As Misty stared at his scowling face, a surge of love swept over her. "Your father was already here when I arrived," she explained. "I came for some mineral water and crackers." She leaned forward and kissed him on the nose.
Before she could pull back, he slid his mouth over hers. "Do you want more crackers?" he whispered.
"No," she whispered back.
"Good." He stood up and pulled her from her chair. "Shall I bring the mineral water upstairs?"
"Not unless you want some," Misty murmured, leaning against him.
"No, I'm fine. But the next time you want something, tell me and I'll get it for you," he insisted, a mulish look returning to his face.
"That's fine with me." Misty felt kitten-comfortable cuddled to his chest, yet she was tingling with excitement because she knew Luc was going to make love to her when they returned to their room.
CHAPTER TEN
It was the evening before the event that Luc, his father, and his brothers-in-law had begun calling "the Stampede," the coming-out party for Misty's sisters. Misty had been deliriously happy all day. She and Luc had met with Dr. Mellon for two hours, and she'd begun to hope that her fears regarding motherhood might someday be put to rest. She intended to continue to meet with the doctor at least once a month during her pregnancy.
She'd been flattered and surprised by the reactions of Luc's family to her pregnancy. Alice had insisted on planning a baby shower to be held at the family's Long Island country club.
"With three hundred guests, you can be sure," Ted had whispered to her.
Her sisters had been thrilled to learn about the baby. They, had come to New York to visit and dragged her to F.A.O. Schwarz, where they'd tried to talk her into buying a six-foot-tall stuffed bear. She'd laughed and shaken her head.
"I suppose Misty is right," Celia had finally conceded. "It might scare, the baby."
For some time now Mrs. Wheaton had been preparing meals according to the diet Luc and Dr. Wagner had worked out together, despite Misty's protests.
Dr. Wagner had taken Misty aside. "Indulge him on this, Misty. He's so worried about you."
"But I'm as normal as can be."
"I know, but he's so used to being in control, and having this baby is one thing he can't control. He needs to feel he's taking part somehow."
"Not Luc!" Misty was incredulous.
"Oh, yes, Luc," Dr. Wagner had insisted, laughing.
Now, as Misty packed their clothes for a weekend on Long Island with his family, she smiled to herself.
"You'd better be thinking about me," Luc murmured directly behind her, making her jump. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him. "That dreamy expression had better be for me."
"It is. But I didn't expect you home for another two hours."
"I know. But I started to miss you and decided to come home and help you pack."
Misty turned in his arms and lifted a hand to his cheek. "We're only going for the weekend. There isn't much to pack."
His arms closed around her. "You aren't supposed to do any lifting. Yesterday Mrs. Wheaton said she found you cleaning the bathroom."
"Luc, I was only wiping around the tub after my shower."
"That's what we hire people to do. A cleaning woman comes in three days a week."
Misty stared up at his truculent expression and laughed. "I love your little-boy look."
He leaned closer, his nose rubbing hers. "I like hearing you say things like that." He stared at her for a moment, his eyes going over her face and hair before returning to her mouth. "I don't suppose you love the little boy behind the little-boy look."
"I don't love the little boy," Misty agreed, seeing a flicker of emotion in his eyes, "but I do love the man." She finished in a barely audible voice, feeling as if the few remaining barriers between them had abruptly fallen away.
Luc's arms fell to his sides, and a muscle in his mouth twitched.
"Luc," Misty whispered, feeling the blood drain from her face. He must be angry with her for saying those words, for threatening to destroy the casual rapport they shared by declaring her love.
But to her relief he touched her chin with one finger and said, "And will you stay with me always?"
"You told me only ninety years," she said.
"Now I want ninety-five."
"Is this a bargain?"
"Yes. I love you, Mystique Harrison, and I never thought it would mean so much to hear you say you love me. You did say that, didn't you?"
"I did."
"Angel..." His voice broke. "Would you like to renew our vows in a church?"
Misty blinked. "Oh! I never thought... Well, yes, I would."
"Good. I want to be married five times—in three churches, one chapel, and a garden," Luc said lazily, not taking his eyes from her face.
Misty felt the power of his passion like a physical force that threatened to overwhelm her. "Luc, sometimes I'm frightened by the intensity of our feeling for one another."
"But you trust me, don't you, darling?"
"In every possible way."
The brilliance of his smile dazzled her. "We're getting there, aren't we, love?" he said. "Step by step, word by word?"
She nodded, too filled with emotion to speak. Feeling suddenly shy, she sought to direct the conversation to a lighter subject. "Do you think my sisters will have a good time tonight?"
He let his hands fall to her waist but didn't pull her closer. "Yes, I think the girls will have a good time. My sisters will have invited every eligible young man of a suitable age in the whole county for them."
"Ummm. No one ever did that for me," she quipped, glancing flirtatiously up at him. It surprised her to see irritation cross his face. "Can't you take a joke?" she chided.
"Not about you, I can't."
"Silly." She stretched up to kiss his chin.
Being sure of his love gave her such confidence. She felt completely at ease with him. And all of a sudden she wanted to tell him everything about her past. They would have no secrets from each other ever again—nothing but complete honesty from this day forward.
"Luc," she began, "you once told me you didn't want to know anything about Richard and Leonard, but I want to tell you about them now. I don't want to hurt you, but I do want to settle once and for all any doubts you might have about me because of them."
Luc's expression was unreadable. "I don't have any doubts about you."
"Please, Luc. It would make me feel better."
He regarded her uncertainly. "All right," he said at last. "Tell me."
She gathered her thoughts. "I want you to understand that I didn't get involved with them out of love. I didn't know what love was. I thought it was an illusion, a fancy name for need, desire, lust. When I got involved with first Richard and later Leonard, I just wanted to be happy. I
knew I didn't love them, and I didn't think they loved me. I neither wanted nor expected such an emotion." She lifted a palm to either side of Luc's face and didn't flinch at his intense gaze. "Sex with them meant nothing to me. It wasn't even very pleasurable."
Luc's taut muscles seemed to relax. "It wasn't?"
Misty shook her head and smiled. "If you want to know the truth, I felt more sensually aware while taking a hot mineral bath than I did when I was in bed with either man."
Luc chuckled. They grinned at each other in a silent sharing of intimate secrets.
"I didn't know anyone like you existed," Misty resumed. "Until you started making such a pest of yourself at the Terrace Hotel. Thank goodness you're a persistent man, Luc Harrison." She grew more serious. "At first I thought that what I felt for you must be an illusion. But it grew stronger and stronger every day, blowing apart all my preconceived notions about commitments and relationships." She laughed. "I have to admit that, in the beginning, I expected you at any moment to turn from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde."
"I noticed," he murmured.
"I didn't want to love you."
"I know."
"But you wouldn't leave me alone." "I was fighting for my life," he said, massaging her waist with strong fingers. "Am I your life?" "Yes."
"But how can you love me?" As soon as the words fell from her mouth, she bit her lips. "I didn't mean to sound self-deprecating, but all the newspapers in New York said you would marry someone from your own social set. That made sense to me." She clutched his shoulders. "Even though, now that I have you, I won't let you go."
"Feel free to chain me to you, love," Luc murmured against her cheek. "And as for my set, as you call it, you are my set. You fit in perfectly with my family, and they all love you."
"They do?" Misty felt herself swell with pleasure. "Oh, Luc, I'm getting so conceited being married to you."
"Not true. You've just gained a sense of your own worth. You're beginning to realize how much you mean to me, how important you are. That realization has given you confidence."
She rubbed her cheek against his shirt. "I do feel better about myself."
"Good. And are you beginning to believe that you and I will make good parents?"