Promise Me Love (Harlequin Treasury 1990's)

by Jennifer Taylor

  ‘Fine. And how about you?’ Maggie laughed, her green eyes sparkling with mischief as she glanced pointedly at Beth’s stomach. ‘Starting to bloom from the look of it.’

  Beth returned the smile, unable to feel uncomfortable at Maggie’s good-natured teasing. David had been right about it being easier for her now that she was married. She could accept her pregnancy so much better. Perhaps it was old-fashioned, but it had been the way she had been brought up and it was difficult to change such ingrained views.

  ‘I feel fine, thank you. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. Most days I feel fine until I look in the mirror and see what I’m starting to look like!’

  Maggie laughed again, slipping a hand through Beth’s arm to draw her away from the crowds milling between the racks of clothes. ‘I know exactly what you mean. What are you now...four...four and a half months pregnant? This is the worst stage, believe me. You’ve reached the point when nothing fits yet you aren’t yet big enough to fill out all those voluminous maternity dresses!’

  ‘Precisely. Still, I suppose I can look at you and hope. You did say that you’d had a baby just a few months ago?’

  ‘I did indeed, and you will get your figure back. Mind you, I’ve still got a few pounds to lose before I’m down to my usual weight. I shall have to try harder to cut out all those tempting little goodies, but not right now. Now I’m going to whisk you upstairs and buy you coffee and a slice of the most sinfully delicious fresh-cream gâteau you’ve ever tasted. And I won’t take no for an answer!’

  ‘Who’s arguing? I’d just about finished here anyway.’ Beth followed the other woman through the crowd to the lift, clutching the paper parcel in her hand.

  ‘Finished? With only one parcel? Matthew would start worrying that I was ill if I went shopping and came home with that!’ Maggie pressed the button to summon the lift, raising an amused brow as she studied the package.

  ‘Oh, I didn’t want to buy much. I can’t afford...’ Beth broke off, colouring as she realised how it must sound. Apart from the household budget she’d not touched a penny of David’s money, not even the salary he continued to pay her for working as his secretary. She was saving all she could to buy things for the baby when it arrived. She couldn’t expect David to pay for any of that, despite what he had said. This child was her responsibility, not his. It surprised her, suddenly, just how much that thought hurt. What would it have been like if she’d been having David’s child, not Andrew’s?

  ‘David is a wealthy man, Beth. He is also one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met. He would be horrified to think that you are skimping on things you need.’

  Maggie’s voice drew her back to the present and thankfully Beth pushed the unsettling thoughts to the very back of her mind. ‘I know. But I want to maintain my independence for as long as I can.’

  Maggie pressed the button for the third floor. ‘I can understand that, but take it from one who knows and don’t make the mistake of trying to be too independent. David needs to be involved with his child from the outset.’

  There was a wealth of sadness in Maggie’s voice, but Beth scarcely heard it, overcome by guilt. Obviously David had still told no one, not even his family, the truth about the baby, so what was she supposed to do? Go along with the lie or confess? He hadn’t invited his brother or Maggie to the wedding. It had been a low-key affair with just a couple of David’s friends to act as witnesses although Beth knew that he telephoned his mother to tell her. Now it put her in an intolerable situation. She could either tell Maggie the truth to ease her conscience, and risk David’s anger, or continue with the deception.

  ‘Shall we sit by the window? There’s a good view across the roof-tops from there.’ Maggie led the way to a free table and sat down, the smile fading as she studied Beth for a moment. ‘Matthew’s mother told us about the wedding, Beth. I was sorry that we couldn’t be there, but you must know that I wish you both all the luck in the world.’

  ‘Thank you. I...I’m sorry you couldn’t be there too, Maggie, but...’ She trailed off, wondering what to say to cover the awkward little moment, but Maggie seemed to understand.

  ‘But things are still fraught between those two pig-headed men of ours. Oh, I understand how it is, Beth. Who better, in fact?’ She reached in her bag for a tissue and blew her nose, a suspicious trace of brightness in her green eyes. ‘One of these days I’m going to knock their silly heads together in the hope that it will knock some sense into them both!’

  It sounded such an unlikely remedy that Beth laughed out loud. ‘If your Matthew is anything like David then I doubt even that would achieve anything! Still, if it’s any consolation David did say something about it being time to end this feud so maybe they will get around to it soon.’

  ‘Did he indeed? Well, that is encouraging.’

  ‘Yes. He seemed to think marrying me could help although I have no idea why.’ Beth waited, holding her breath to hear what Maggie might say, but all she did was smile a trifle sadly.

  ‘I think it will take more than that unfortunately. They need to talk to each other and finally straighten things out, but neither of them will take the first step. The old Kane stubbornness raising its ugly head as usual. They would hate me for saying it, but deep down they are so alike!’

  ‘What does Matthew do? Is he in business too?’

  ‘He’s a barrister. He runs the family law firm.’

  ‘Law? But David told me that he used to practise law. Did they work together?’ There was open curiosity in Beth’s voice at the unexpected revelation.

  ‘They did. It was expected of them that they would follow in their father’s footsteps, but David was never truly happy in that environment. When...when something happened that made it impossible for them to continue working together, he left and started his furniture-design business.’

  ‘I see. And this thing that happened, is that what caused this rift between them?’

  ‘Yes.’ Maggie smiled with a touch of apology. ‘Don’t ask me about it, Beth. It’s not something I can tell you about. You must ask David.’

  She picked up the menu and reluctantly Beth let the subject drop, although it was impossible to dismiss it from her mind. It should have been enough that she had the security of a home and a job, a means of support for herself and the baby, but in her heart she knew it wasn’t. She wanted to know how David’s marrying her would ease a situation that had apparently existed for some time. Perhaps if she could understand that then she could start to share in his life more fully.

  It was a tantalising thought, one that stayed with her while they drank their coffee and chatted. When they left the coffee bar they took the lift to the ground floor, stopping to one side of the revolving doors to say their goodbyes.

  ‘Thanks for the coffee, Maggie. I enjoyed it and the chat.’

  ‘So did I. We must do it again, in fact. Or, better still, make arrangements for you to come and meet my two horrors.’

  ‘I’d love that, but...’ She tailed off uncertainly. ‘Would it be a good idea though? I mean, what would Matthew have to say about your inviting me round?’

  ‘I have no idea, and frankly I don’t care! It’s time this was resolved once and for all. Look, Beth, I was planning on asking this anyway, but now seems like the perfect time. Elizabeth is being christened in a couple of weeks’ time and I want you to stand as one of her godmothers.’

  ‘Me? I don’t know what to say.’ Beth was touched by the request, but how would David react to the idea?

  ‘Say yes. You’ve said that David wants to start healing this rift so it’s the perfect opportunity.’

  There was something in Maggie’s voice, an eagerness which seemed out of all proportion. The quarrel was between David and Matthew. Why was it so important to Maggie also that the feud be ended? However, before Beth could question her, she heard the other woman’s gasp of surprise.

  ‘David! What are you doing here?’

  ‘Business. Hello, Maggie...Beth
. You never told me that you were coming into town today to meet Maggie.’

  There was accusation in his deep voice and Beth flushed almost guiltily.

  ‘She didn’t tell you because she didn’t know. We met by accident, didn’t we, Beth?’ If Maggie thought her reaction odd she hid it well, but Beth sensed a certain curiosity in the look the other woman gave her. Suddenly, it annoyed her intensely that David should have the temerity to speak to her in such a manner.

  She met his eyes defiantly. ‘That’s right, but even if it hadn’t been an accident I don’t see why it should be a problem. I didn’t realise that I had to give you a list of my comings and goings, David.’

  His face tightened, his eyes boring into hers for a moment before the smoothly urbane mask slid into place. ‘You’ll have Maggie thinking I’m some sort of a tyrant, Beth, playing the heavy-handed husband.’

  ‘I shall do no such thing! I’m sure you are just concerned about her. Isn’t that right?’ Maggie appeared blissfully unaware of the tension, but Beth wasn’t. Temper rose inside her, hot and swift, and she glared angrily at him, but he ignored the look in a way that made her long to do something to shake that infuriating composure of his.

  ‘Of course. I like to know where Beth is just in case there’s a problem and she needs help.’

  ‘I happen to be pregnant, not mentally deficient! If I need help then I am more than capable of finding it for myself!’

  ‘I’m sure you are, but occasionally situations can arise when even you are glad to let someone else help you.’ There was little inflexion in his voice, but Beth’s face flamed. Since they had met, David had done nothing but help her, even to the point of marrying her, and suddenly, irrationally, she hated him for reminding her of the fact. She hit back unthinkingly in a way that she knew would shake him.

  ‘Of course. Still, let’s not quarrel about it now.’ She gave a tinkly little laugh, seeing the way his eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he could never have foreseen what she was going to say in a million years. ‘It doesn’t seem appropriate right now, not when Maggie has just asked me to be Elizabeth’s godmother. We don’t want to give her the wrong impression by arguing, or she might change her mind!’

  ‘I see. And do I take it that you have agreed?’ There was no mistaking the anger now—she could hear it in his voice, sense it emanating from him, and her heart leapt with alarm, but she refused to back down.

  ‘I was just about to when you arrived.’ She turned back to Maggie with a strained little smile, surprised to see that the other woman seemed unaware of what had been going on. When had she, Beth, become so sensitive to David’s every mood that she could tell how he was feeling? She had no idea, but it alarmed her that it should be so.

  ‘Then that’s settled. Thank you, Beth. I can’t tell you how pleased I am.’ Maggie hugged her, her face alight with pleasure as she looked from Beth to David. ‘I have to go now, but I’ll ring you soon and let you know all the details. All right?’

  Beth nodded, murmuring goodbye as she watched her leave the shop, then drew in a shaky little breath, all too aware of the silence. She shot a look sideways at David and felt her heart contract at the fury on his face.

  ‘Damn you, woman, what gave you the right to start interfering in my life? Who gave you permission to meddle in things you know nothing at all about?’

  ‘I...I’m your wife, David. Surely that gives me some rights?’ Her voice shook, her whole body trembling as she held herself rigid against the bitter attack.

  ‘Wife?’ His grey eyes ran over her, cold as steel and filled with contempt. ‘You’re that all right and at this moment I wish with all my heart you weren’t! Marrying you, Beth, must have been the biggest mistake I’ve ever made!’

  He swung round on his heel and strode away, leaving her staring after him half blinded by tears. If he had made a mistake then so had she: a mistake agreeing to marry him, a mistake imagining for a moment that it could ever work out, a mistake letting herself believe that David Kane was the sort of warm, compassionate man she might come to love! Now all that was left was to rectify the mistakes as fast as she could.

  * * *

  The suitcase was heavy. Beth eased it off the bed then looked round the room to check she’d left nothing. It had taken longer to pack than she’d thought it would, her actions hampered by the stupid tears which kept blurring her vision. But now she was ready and there was no reason to linger.

  She walked into the hall, straining against the weight of the case, then felt her heart lurch when she heard the sound of a key in the lock. She glanced wildly at her watch, desperately trying to reassure herself that it couldn’t be David yet, but then the front door opened and he stepped inside.

  He stopped when he saw her in the middle of the hall with the suitcase in her hand, his eyes taking in the scene with one swift, all-encompassing glance before his mouth curled derisively. ‘You don’t waste much time, do you, Beth? I must get you to do my packing next time I take a trip abroad. I could never have accomplished so much in such a short time!’

  Her face flamed at the cold mockery and she looked away, desperate to avoid yet another confrontation, but it seemed it wasn’t to be.

  ‘Well, aren’t you going to tell me where you’re off to?’ He looked round, feigning puzzlement. ‘I can’t see a note. Where did you leave it...in the sitting-room, or the study? Or didn’t you bother to write me a note?’ Suddenly the mockery disappeared to be replaced by a cold fury which made her take an involuntary step back.

  ‘I...no. I didn’t write you a note. I didn’t see the need.’

  ‘Didn’t you? Not even for the sake of good manners? And I thought you were such a well-brought-up young woman. Yet you didn’t see any reason to put pen to paper just to say thank you and goodbye?’ He moved closer, his eyes like quicksilver in a face carved from stone. ‘You were going to walk out of here and leave me guessing, weren’t you?’

  It was an effort to stand and face him, but she did. ‘Yes!’ She took a deep breath, feeling her chest aching from the pain as all the hurt welled up. ‘You don’t give a damn what happens to me, David Kane, so stop pretending. You made your feelings plain before, so plain that I don’t owe you either thanks or explanations! Now please get out of my way. I have a taxi booked and I want to be downstairs when it arrives.’

  ‘But I don’t intend to get out of your way, Beth. What sort of husband would I be if I let you walk out like this?’ He took the case from her hand and tossed it carelessly aside so that it hit the wall.

  ‘Stop that! How dare you?’ Beth went to push past him, but he caught her arms and held her.

  ‘Oh, I dare all right. I dare do anything when you have the gall to plan on walking out without a word!’ He shook her, not hard, not roughly, but with sufficient force to make her breath catch. ‘Imagine how I would have felt if I’d come back and found you’d packed your things and left. Damn it, Beth! Don’t you owe me anything at all?’

  ‘Owe you?’ She pulled away, rubbing her arms, but it was impossible to rub away the tingling imprint his fingers had left on her skin. ‘I suppose I do owe you something. You’ve housed and fed me for some weeks now, haven’t you? That must be worth quite a lot at London rates.’ She pushed past him and walked over to the small table and pulled her cheque book from her bag. ‘Let me write you a cheque to cover the costs. I’m afraid it won’t be for the full amount as I’m a trifle low on funds right now. Maybe you can make up the shortfall by claiming the rest against your tax. I believe there is an allowance given for donations to charity, and that’s what I’ve been for the last few weeks, isn’t it, David? Your own personal charity case!’

  She scribbled a cheque and handed it to him, her mouth set into a rigid smile to hide the pain. He accepted the paper and glanced at it, then slowly and deliberately tore it in half and let it drop to the floor.

  ‘Are you deliberately trying to insult me, Beth?’

  ‘Insult you? I was merely offering to pay for my keep.
Lord knows you’ve gained little else from this arrangement so it’s the least I can do. But if you won’t accept payment then that’s that. It just seems a shame that this “mistake” you made by asking me to marry you has cost you so much!’

  ‘I was angry when I said that before. I won’t apologise because you were in the wrong to start meddling in something you don’t understand.’

  ‘Understand? No, I don’t understand any of it, David, and why? Because you don’t want me to! But don’t worry about it any more. It won’t make any difference one way or another now. Goodbye.’

  She swung round and wrenched the door open, hurrying through it towards the stairs, half blinded by tears.

  ‘Beth!’

  David shouted her name, his voice filled with such urgency that instinctively she glanced back over her shoulder just as she went to take the first step down. Her foot slipped on the edge of the tread and with a cry of fear she reached desperately for something to save herself, but there was nothing but space beneath her seeking hands. Pain knifed through her as she crashed against the metal handrail then rolled to the bottom of the stairs and lay in a crumpled heap. Seemingly in the distance a man was calling her name, repeating it over and over again with a desperation that vaguely surprised her, but then the darkness rose and claimed her and she heard nothing more.

  CHAPTER SIX

  THE hospital was quiet, the faint sounds of a trolley being wheeled along the corridor barely disturbing the silence in the small side room.

  Beth lay in bed, her eyes closed, her face as white as the pillows. Her hands lay on her stomach, pressed lightly against the flatness, as she tried to come to terms with the knowledge that there would be no baby now. The doctors had been kind and patient as they’d quietly explained that everything possible had been done to save the child, but that in the end nature had taken its course. Now all she felt was a strange emptiness, as though part of her had been torn away. Somewhere during these few, too brief months she had come to love the child which had been such a shock when she’d first learned about it, but now she would never hold it in her arms, never touch it, care for it, watch it grow and learn to love her in return. If she could have cried then maybe it would have helped, but the grief she felt went deeper than tears.