Innocent Wife, Baby of Shame

by MELANIE MILBURNE

  ‘I will not accept that child as mine until I have proof,’ he said.

  Keira felt her control slipping. ‘I can’t believe you’re being so heartless,’ she said. ‘Do you realise what this is like for me?’

  ‘I realise you are worried about your future.’

  ‘This is not about money, for God’s sake!’

  ‘Then what is it about?’

  ‘It’s about us…you and me and…and the baby.’

  ‘You have got it all mapped out, haven’t you?’

  She turned away in anger. ‘It wasn’t supposed to be like this…That’s why I waited as long as I could to tell you. I wanted to tell you when things had settled down…I wanted you to be pleased…I wanted you to be happy…’ I wanted you to love me and our baby no matter who its father is, she added silently.

  ‘You are asking too much, Keira,’ he said coldly.

  ‘Yes, I am, aren’t I?’ she said through glittering tears. ‘You don’t love me any more and you never will.’

  Patrizio watched as she turned away and left the room, the words to call her back sticking like thorns in his throat.

  ‘Signor Trelini left a message for you,’ Marietta said later that day. ‘He said he had to fly to Sydney on business and might not be back until after your exhibition opens.’

  ‘Oh…’

  ‘Don’t be too disappointed, Keira,’ Marietta said. ‘He will show his support in some other way, I am sure.’

  Keira wasn’t so sure about that. ‘The least he could have done is tell me himself,’ she said dispiritedly.

  The housekeeper tilted her head at her. ‘Have you told him you are expecting a child?’

  Keira blinked at her in surprise. ‘How did you know I was pregnant?’

  Marietta folded her arms in a smug pose. ‘I have had four children. You think I do not know the signs by now? Besides, your sweaters were in such a mess I had to refold them all. I found the test.’

  Keira let out a long sigh and sat down. ‘I’ve told him but I don’t think he’s taking the news all that well.’

  ‘He is probably nervous about being a father,’ Marietta said. ‘My husband was the same, but do not worry, he will be overcome with joy once it hits home.’

  She gave the housekeeper a strained smile. ‘I certainly hope so.’

  Marietta patted her on the shoulder. ‘He just needs a bit more time. Be patient with him.’

  Keira read something in the older woman’s gaze that alerted her to the fact that Marietta knew more about Patrizio than she did herself.

  ‘He loves you, Keira,’ the housekeeper said. ‘He just does not realise it yet.’

  Keira felt her heart swell with hope. ‘You think so?’

  ‘I know he does,’ Marietta said with that same smug smile in place. ‘Why else would he fly to Sydney on business and stay away longer than necessary? He is, how you say it…regrouping? He has to recharge the batteries of his resolve to keep you at a distance. He does not want to make another mistake but he will realise soon the biggest mistake he made was to let you go.’

  ‘So you’ve known all along that our reconciliation is a sham?’

  ‘Listen, Keira, I am the wife of an Italian man and the mother of his four sons. What I do not know about Italian men isn’t worth knowing. Signor Trelini is very proud. He refused to mention what happened back then, even though it was all over the papers day after day. He gritted his teeth and carried on as if everything was normal but inside he has been simmering with anger. Having you back in his life has forced him to confront his feelings. He is not going to give in without a fight, let me tell you.’

  ‘What do you think I should do?’ Keira asked.

  ‘Love him,’ Marietta said. ‘That is all you can do. Love him to bits.’

  Keira smiled in spite of her sagging spirits. ‘You really are much more than a housekeeper, aren’t you?’ she said.

  Marietta’s dark brown eyes twinkled. ‘You had better believe it.’

  ‘Guess what?’ Harriet Fuller rushed up to Keira on the opening night of the exhibition.

  ‘What?’

  ‘All of your paintings have a sold sticker on them,’ Harriet informed her excitedly. ‘Every single one.’

  Keira’s startled gaze went to where her works were displayed. It was true. Each one had been sold. She swung her gaze back to her friend. ‘Do you know who bought them?’ she asked.

  ‘That man over there,’ she said, pointing to a man of about forty or so who was signing a credit card slip. ‘Do you know him?’

  Keira hadn’t realised how much she had hoped it was Patrizio who had bought her paintings until she saw that it was not. The man was totally unfamiliar to her. ‘No,’ she said, turning back to Harriet. ‘I don’t know him. What is he, an art collector or something?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Harriet said. ‘But who cares? You’ve caused such a sensation the press want an interview and the arts council representative wants to do a feature article on you in their next newsletter.’

  Keira couldn’t help but be caught up in the excitement but as the evening went on she began to flag with tiredness. She scanned the crowd several times, hoping for the sight of a tall, dark figure but was disappointed each time.

  ‘Didn’t your husband or parents make it?’ Harriet asked towards the end of the evening.

  Keira shook her head sadly. ‘No. Patrizio was called away on business. And, as for my parents…Well, this is definitely not their scene. My father would be concerned that he was going to be mingling with drug addicts or something and thereby permanently tarnish his reputation.’

  ‘Better not tell him about Devlin Prosserton, then,’ Harriet advised, jerking her head towards one of the more infamous students, who had a reputation for partying rather hard.

  ‘Yes, I guess not,’ Keira agreed and, blowing out a sigh added wearily, ‘I’m bushed. I think I’ll head home and sleep for a week.’

  ‘Well, at least you can sleep knowing there’s money in the bank,’ Harriet said. ‘Just think—you won’t have to die after all. You’re already famous.’

  Keira stretched her mouth into a smile. ‘Yeah, how about that, so I am.’

  ‘You have a visitor, Keira,’ Marietta announced the following day. ‘She is waiting in the lounge.’

  Keira went downstairs to find her mother sitting on the edge of one of the leather sofas, her fingers twisting the strap of her handbag agitatedly. ‘Mum, what a surprise. I was going to visit you today as I wanted to tell you—’

  ‘Keira…’Robyn got to her feet. ‘Wait, please, I have something to tell you first.’

  Keira put a hand up to her throat. ‘Is Dad OK?’

  ‘Yes…yes, of course he is. He’s fine…just fine…’

  ‘What, then?’

  Robyn removed yet another layer of coral lipstick from her lips with a nervous movement of her tongue. ‘Keira, I have a confession to make.’

  Keira stood very still, her palms moistening in mild panic. Her mother’s normally well groomed figure seemed to have an element of disarray about it; her shoes and handbag didn’t match and Keira noticed that one of her mother’s painted nails was chipped when she put her hand up to her throat in a gesture of discomfiture.

  ‘I have been so critical of you with regard to your affair with Garth,’ Robyn said with a grimace of remorse contorting her features. ‘It’s very hypocritical of me because I once did the very same thing to your father when we were first married.’

  Keira’s eyes opened wide. ‘You did?’

  Robyn nodded, her cheeks going pink. ‘I had a brief fling with an old friend…He was an artist.’

  This time it was Keira’s turn to moisten her dry lips. ‘You mean…you mean I’m not Dad’s daughter?’

  ‘You are his daughter, Keira, there’s no doubt about it,’ Robyn said. ‘I must admit I was a bit uncertain at first but after a while I just knew you were his. Your father was furious with me, as you can imagine, but he took me back and
nurtured me through a very difficult pregnancy. I will always love him for that.’

  ‘But he doesn’t love me.’

  ‘That’s not true,’ Robyn insisted. ‘Oh, he’s a stubborn old goat, of course, and it took him years to accept you were his, which meant he was often a little distant towards you. He realised his mistake when Jamie was born. You were so alike, but I guess by then it was too late. He didn’t know how to be a loving father to you. He wasn’t used to being affectionate towards you.’

  Keira frowned. ‘Why are you telling me this now?’

  ‘I wanted to clear the air between us,’ Robyn said. ‘I know we haven’t had the greatest mother-daughter relationship there is, which is probably more my fault than yours. I felt so guilty about what I’d done that it made it hard for me to stand up for myself all these years. I didn’t stand up for you either. I was so very grateful to your father for not divorcing me that I didn’t want to rock the boat. But I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately. I guess that’s really why I am here telling you this now. I don’t want you to make the same mistake with Patrizio that I made with your father. Patrizio’s a strong man and a very determined and proud one.’

  ‘Yes…yes, he is.’

  ‘You are happy with him, aren’t you, darling?’ Robyn asked. ‘I’ve been so worried about you. I don’t want you to get hurt.’

  ‘Oh, Mum,’ Keira said, hugging her mother to her tightly. How she wished she could tell her she was in a similar situation with regard to her pregnancy!

  Robyn began to shake with sobs. ‘I have been such a terrible mother to you. I can’t seem to get it right, no matter what I do.’

  ‘It’s all right, Mum.’ Keira stroked her mother’s back. ‘I’m just glad we’ve been able to talk about it now.’

  Robyn dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. ‘You told me you had something to tell me,’ she said, stuffing the tissue up her sleeve. ‘What is it?’

  Keira took an unsteady breath and announced, ‘I’m pregnant.’

  ‘Oh, my darling girl,’ Robyn said, reaching for her again. ‘I am so happy for you. It’s exactly what you and Patrizio need to bring you even closer together. Have you told him yet?’

  ‘Yes, she has,’ Patrizio said from the door.

  Keira turned from her mother’s embrace to look at him. ‘I—I didn’t realise you were coming back today…’

  ‘Come here, cara, and give me a kiss,’ he commanded. ‘Your mother will not be offended, will you, Mrs Worthington?’

  ‘Of course not and please do stop calling me that,’ Robyn said, flushing slightly. ‘Robyn’s my name.’

  ‘Robyn, then,’ Patrizio said and bent down to press a brief but firm kiss to Keira’s mouth. ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Fine…’

  ‘I’d better get going,’ Robyn said. ‘Kingsley will be wondering where I’ve got to.’

  ‘I’ll walk you out,’ Keira said.

  ‘No need to do that, darling,’ her mother said. ‘You and Patrizio need some time together. I’ll see myself out.’

  Once her mother had left, Keira eased herself out of Patrizio’s hold. ‘You should have told me you were coming home today,’ she said. ‘I gave Marietta the night off. There are only leftovers to eat.’

  ‘Shouldn’t you be eating more than leftovers?’ he asked.

  ‘I thought you would be happy if I faded away to a shadow,’ she said. ‘That would make things easier for you, wouldn’t it?’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘You could be rid of me and the baby. That’s what you want, isn’t it?’

  ‘You seem to be very certain of that.’

  She looked at him searchingly. ‘Have you changed your mind?’

  He held her gaze for several moments. ‘I have been doing some thinking while I was away,’ he said. ‘I am prepared to continue with our marriage indefinitely for the sake of our child.’

  ‘So you’re admitting there’s a very real possibility it could be yours?’ she asked.

  ‘I would prefer to have it confirmed but I realise this is a difficult time for you and I am offering my support, particularly as Merrick is leaving the country within a week or so.’

  She thinned her lips and swung away. ‘You won’t let it go, will you?’

  ‘I am sorry,’ he said after a tense pause. ‘I should not have said that, especially when I know for a fact you have not seen Merrick while I have been out of town.’

  Keira turned around to look at him. ‘How do you know I haven’t seen him?’

  His dark, unfathomable gaze secured hers. ‘Because I have had someone tailing you while I was away.’

  ‘You’ve what?’ she choked.

  ‘It was within my interests to make sure you were not tempted to stray,’ he said. ‘I wanted to see if you were as good as your word.’

  Keira began to seethe with rage, and clenching her fists, glared at him. ‘How dare you? How dare you put me to the test like that?’

  ‘I dared because I want to make sure you are as committed to this marriage as I am this time around,’ he said. ‘And I will continue to keep tabs on you until such time as trust is re-established.’

  ‘It will never be re-established as I’m not going to be a part of such a farce,’ she threw at him furiously. ‘Once this week is over and the boys are through their exams I’m leaving and I’m never coming back.’

  His mouth tightened. ‘You will not be going anywhere without my permission,’ he said intractably.

  She gave him a mutinous glare. ‘You just watch me.’

  His hands came down on to the tops of her shoulders. ‘You are the most maddening woman I have ever met,’ he growled. ‘I came back determined to set things right between us and you are doing everything in your power to ruin what we have.’

  ‘What is it we actually have?’ she asked. ‘Bitterness, regret and not much else.’

  ‘That is not true,’ he argued. ‘We still have the attraction we have always felt for each other.’

  ‘But it’s so empty without love to sustain it,’ she said. ‘Don’t you see that?’

  ‘You claim to love me. Perhaps, in time, I will learn to love you again.’

  ‘There is no guarantee you will though, is there?’

  ‘Life does not come with a whole list of guarantees, Keira,’ he said. ‘No one can predict the future. If anyone had told me even five weeks ago that I would be standing in front of you tonight, desperate to make love to you, I would have laughed in their face, but here I am, fighting not to drag you into my arms and have you right here on the floor at our feet.’

  Keira felt her chin give a little wobble. ‘You really mean that?’

  He smiled and pulled her into his arms, burying his head into her wavy hair. ‘I have been thinking of nothing else for the last seven days,’ he said. ‘I have missed you so much, tesoro mio.’

  ‘I’ve missed you too,’ she said into his chest. ‘I was hoping you would make it back for my exhibition but…’ She let out a despondent sigh.

  He looked down at her. ‘I intended to get back in time, in spite of the message I left with Marietta, but at the last minute one of the accountants found a slight discrepancy in the figures in the report we were looking over so I had to see to it right then and there. I am sorry I wasn’t back in time but I sent someone on my behalf, did he not tell you?’

  Keira blinked up at him once or twice. ‘No…should he have?’

  ‘I instructed him to buy everything you had painted,’ he said. ‘The very least he could have done was to tell you so.’

  ‘Oh…so it was you…’

  ‘Of course it was me, cara,’ he said. ‘I have a lot of luxury homes to decorate, no? I thought it would be a good way to get your name out there.’

  ‘It was very good of you, considering how you feel about me…’

  He brought up her chin with one finger. ‘And do you know how I feel about you?’ he asked.

  She let out a shaky sigh. ‘I’m not sure I want
to even think about it in case I’m disappointed.’

  ‘I feel like holding you in my arms for as long as I can,’ he said. ‘I want to breathe in your scent, to taste you, to feel you convulsing around me. I have been thinking about it the whole time I was away. No one completes me the way you do.’

  But you don’t love me, Keira thought as she gave herself up to his kiss. But then she recalled the housekeeper’s words: Love him. Love him to bits.

  That would be the easy part.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  ‘HOW do you think your last exam went?’ Keira asked Jamie at the end of the following week.

  ‘I’m just glad they’re all over,’ he said, rotating his straw in his milkshake.

  ‘How are things with Bruno?’ she asked.

  ‘He’s been really good the last few days,’ he said, still looking at the movements of the straw. ‘As soon as he heard you were pregnant, he kind of figured things must be on the level with you and Patrizio.’

  ‘That’s a relief,’ she said. ‘But I still can’t work out why you didn’t say something earlier about what was going on between you both. Why didn’t you?’

  He gave her a shamefaced look and twirled his straw again. ‘We-ll…’

  Keira gave him a probing glance. ‘What’s going on, Jamie?’

  ‘I’m not supposed to tell you.’

  ‘Tell me what?’

  Jamie met her gaze, a rueful smile twisting his mouth. ‘It’s true Bruno and I had a bit of a cooling off when you and Patrizio first broke up. Bruno said some pretty horrible things about you but then so did I about his uncle. But we sorted it out after a while. We weren’t as good mates as before, I guess, because we both felt a conflict of loyalties but we were never really feuding, or at least not enough to get expelled.’

  Keira’s mouth fell open. ‘You mean it was all an act?’

  He gave her a sheepish look. ‘Yep.’

  She sat back in her seat. ‘Whose idea was it? Yours or his?’

  ‘Neither,’ he answered.