by Anne Mather
Alex began to massage her spine, a rotary motion which temporarily eased the ache. She found herself moving sensuously against his fingers, absorbed in the sensations he was unknowingly arousing, and he muttered; "Don't, Charlotte!” in a curiously hoarse voice.
His words brought her to her senses, and her cheeks flamed in embarrassment. “Thank you," she said, "It - it's stopped aching.”
Alex’s fingers stopped moving, but they remained where they were, his eyes imprisioning hers by the passion in their depths. Still looking at her, she felt his hand on her stomach, tracing the swelling mound beneath her skirt, his eyes narrowing as a small limb projected a tremor beneath his exploring fingers. Hardly aware of what she was doing, Charlotte put her hands over his, holding them against her, making him as aware as she was of the child between them.
Alex's eyes dropped to her mouth, and her lips parted invitingly. With a groan, he caught her face between his hands, and put his mouth against hers, gently at first, and then with increasing passion as he felt her instinctive response.
"Dear God, Charlotte," he breathed against her lips, "don't send me away. Please, don't send me away! Let me stay I"
Charlotte's involuntary cry brought them apart, and he stared at her with tortured eyes. "What is it? Did I hurt you?"
She shook her head mutely, putting a probing hand to the lower part of her abdomen. The pain had subsided now, but it had been a definite pain. Licking her lips, she looked helplessly at Alex.
"I - I think - I don't know, because I don't have any experience in these matters - but I think I might be going to have the baby," she told him steadily.
"Of course you're going to have the baby — "
"No, I mean - now."
Alex's expression was ludicrous, and Charlotte almost felt like giggling. "But you can't !" he exclaimed. "I mean, it's not due for another six weeks yet!"
“I know." Charlotte moved her head up and down. "But I think I might be."
"God!" Alex flung off the jacket of his suit, running careless hands through his hair. "Where's Maria?"
He stalked out of the room and Charlotte moved to support herself against the back of the couch. Was it possible? Could the baby be coming early? Had her walk across the island been too much for her? .
She chewed anxiously at her lower lip, surprised to discover that she was not at all frightened now. Her main concern was Alex — his reactions. She didn't want him to worry about her.
Alex came back with Maria bustling behind him. "Now, kyria" exclaimed the old servant gently, "don't you think you are imagining it?"
Charlotte shrugged. "I don't know. I had a pain a few minutes ago, and my back has been aching since I got back from Kyria Eleni's."
Maria tut-tutted impatiently; "I knew you should not have gone so far," she exclaimed.
"So why didn't you stop her?" demanded Alex irritably.
He turned to Charlotte. "Oughtn't you to sit down?" he
suggested, with exquisite tenderness, but she shook her
head.
"I'm all right, really. I'd like a cup of tea, though." Alex and Maria exchanged glances, and then, muttering to herself, the old servant went away. Alex stared at his wife for a long, disturbing minute, and then he shook his head.
"Why did you do it, Charlotte? Walking all that way? You must have known it was a foolish thing to do!"
Charlotte turned away from him, resenting the reasons for his concern. "You don't have to worry," she retorted hotly. "Even if the baby is coming, it will be all right. Lots of women have seven-month babies !"
"Do you think I care - " He broke off abruptly, and took her arm. "Charlotte, please, sit down. I want to talk to you." Charlotte allowed him to seat her on the couch he had been occupying earlier, conscious of his nearness when he sat down beside her. But before he could speak, she found herself gripped in another spasm of pain. The doctor had told her that during labour she should take several short breaths to ease the pain, and this she did, gripping the edge of the couch until the spasm passed. By then Alex's face was paler than hers, and she found herself grasping his hands and saying reassuringly: "It's all right ! Oh, Alex, don't worry !"
"How the hell can I do anything else?" he demanded savagely. "I should never have considered you having the baby here. I should have made sure you were in some nursing home on the mainland well in advance."
"Well, I shouldn't have been there yet," remarked Charlotte, with wry logic. "Alex, Maria has everything ready. And I'm sure she's brought as many babies into the world as this nurse you've employed."
Alex got to his feet to pace restlessly about the room. "You can't seriously think that I would allow Maria ..."
"What else can you do?"-she asked gently. "Alex, I'm not frightened, honestly. I'm young - and healthy. And you can hold my hand."
"Oh, Charlotte !" He squatted down beside her, taking her hands and raising them to his lips. "You know I'd do anything for you, don't you?" His eyes lifted to hers. "Will you let me be there - when our child is born?"
Charlotte nodded her head. "If that's what you want."
"It is," he said huskily. "If I had my way, I'd never leave you again."
Maria came in then with the tea, and Charlotte had no time to ponder that remark. Besides, she had another spasm, and Maria gave a resigned sigh.
"Should I fetch Eleni?" Alex asked, looking from his wife to the servant, and then back to his wife again, but Charlotte shook her head.
"Why worry her?" she asked, quivering a little because Alex was still holding her hand. "We can manage, can't we?"
Alex sprawled on the couch beside her, his expression vaguely self-derisory. "I hope so," he murmured ironically. "I really hope so."
Charlotte's son was born at seven o'clock the next morning. He was a healthy six and three-quarter pounds, and lost no time in letting everyone know that he had a strong pair of lungs. Alex himself was there at the delivery, and it was he who laid their son in Charlotte's arms.
Charlotte stared down at the baby, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and achievement, touching his rosy cheeks and stroking the silky dark hair which lay close against his head.
“Why, he looks like you," she murmured, raising her eyes to Alex's face, and he grinned whimsically.
"Who did you expect?" he asked, gently teasing, coming down beside her on the bed and looking critically at his son. "Do you really think he does?" He wrinkled his nose. "Do I screw my face up like that, and don't I have any lashes?"
"That is only because the baby is a few weeks premature," Maria exclaimed, pausing in the process of tidying the bed. "You know very well he is exactly like you."
Charlotte looked up into Alex's eyes with their thick fringe of black lashes, and her lips parted to allow the tip of her tongue to appear. "You know, you looked tireder last night than you do this morning," she said wonderingly. "And you haven't had a wink of sleep."
"Nor have you," Alex reminded her softly, but she shook her head.
"I slept yesterday evening. I must have been unconsciously preparing myself for the ordeal."
"Was it? Such an ordeal, I mean?" Alex regarded her doubtfully, but she shook her head, poking her little finger into the baby's fist, and smiling as she felt his tiny fingers closing round hers.
"It wasn't an ordeal at all," she admitted with a sigh. "Oh, I feel tired now, but it was a tremendous experience. I wouldn't have missed it for the world."
"Do you mean that?" Alex continued to look at her, and she nodded her head.
"Of course." Then she looked up at him again. "You were marvellous, too. Thank you. I don't know how you could stand it."
Alex made a teasing face at her. "I must admit, there was a moment when I felt like keeling over," he admitted. "But it was worth it And when I saw him coming ..." He shrugged expressively. "My son! Oh, yes, it was worth it."
Charlotte sighed again, and Maria came bustling up. "It is time you were settling down for a sleep, kyria" she said firmly
, glancing reprovingly at her master. "And you need some sleep too, I think," she added.
She bent down and lifted the baby from Charlotte's arms, and with a regretful smile, Charlotte let him go. Then, as Maria carried him across to the hastily contrived cot, made out of one of the dressing table drawers, Alex bent his head and found Charlotte's parted lips with his mouth. He caught her unawares, and almost without thinking, she lifted her hands and put them behind his neck, holding him closely.
"Charlotte!" he muttered thickly, having to raise his arms to free himself. "Please!"
Charlotte sank back among the pillows, momentarily content, but a trace of anixiety darkened her eyes when, after another brief look at his son, he left the room. He could afford to be generous, she thought uneasily. He had every reason to be delighted with her. At the first attempt, she had produced the son he so desperately wanted. He must know that her part of the contract had been fulfilled to his satisfaction
But what about her? She would have been inhuman if she had not felt some emotion at the feel of her baby in her arms. And how would she ever be able to leave her son's upbringing to someone else?
CHAPTER TWELVE
ELENI arrived to see her great-grandson at lunch time, just after Doctor Leonides and his nurse had arrived in the helicopter. Vittorio had been sent to the mainland in the launch during the night to Fetch the doctor and his assistant, and after they were safely landed, he flew back to Athens to collect the nursery equipment waiting at a department store.
Nurse Hani was a middle-aged woman, with an air of friendly efficiency. After Doctor Leonides had examined both Charlotte and the baby and announced them in good condition, she took charge of things, organising the household with gentle bat firm competence. By the time Eleni arrived, Charlotte had been bathed and changed, the bedding renewed and the room sweetly smelling of the flowers Maria had brought in from the garden.
Alex appeared, while Eleni was ensuring that Charlotte was quite recovered from her labours, bathed and changed into beige corded pants and a cream silk shirt. He had obviously slept for a while, and Charlotte was amazed at the change in him after last night Gone was the look of weary defeat, the lines of tiredness and exhaustion. He looked vibrantly alive and masculine, and his eyes went straight to Charlotte's, exchanging with her a look of mutual experience.
"You realize walking across to see me was responsible for this, don't you?" Eleni exclaimed, as Alex walked into the room, "I told her she should not have come."
Alex came to the bed, looking down at his son nestling in his mother's arms, already turning that small mouth towards Charlotte for sustenance. "You should be flattered, yaya," he responded almost absently, putting out a finger and stroking a small wrist. "Not every girl would walk four miles in Charlotte's condition-just to visit an old woman."
Eleni made an indignant sound. "And you should have been here to ensure she didn't do such a thing!" she countered hotly. "I trust you will be staying now."
"Oh, yes," Alex nodded, his stroking finger prohing his son's tiny chin. "I shall be staying now, shan't I, Charlotte?"
Charlotte didn't know how to answer him. She didn't honestly know what he was saying. Unless he meant that as she would be leaving, he would be bound to remain. At least until someone could be engaged to take care of the child. Her heart lurched sickeningly. Oh, God, she thought desperately, she didn't want to go ! She wanted to stay. Whatever he had said, whatever he had done, whatever her motives for agreeing to his infamous contract, she wanted to stay. This was her home - this man was her husband. And she loved him.
"Well, Charlotte?" Eleni was challenging her now. "Will Alex be staying or won't he?"
Charlotte licked her dry lips. "I - that's up to him, I suppose. It's his decision, not mine."
Eleni tutted irritably. "It seems to me that you both have a responsibility to your son!" she stated forcefully. She got to her feet. "I'll leave you now. It's obvious you're in good hands." She touched the baby's head, "Congratulations to you both I"
Alex escorted his grandmother out to where Yanni was waiting with the donkey cart, and when he came back, Nurse Hani was with his wife. His presence was obviously unwanted, and with a regretful shrug in Charlotte's direction, he left them.
In truth, Charlotte was still very tired, and she slept for most of the day. Then, after a light supper, the nurse gave her a sedative to see her through the night. Consequently, it was morning again before Charlotte discovered that Alex had slept in the dressing room.
Nurse Hani was eager to get Charlotte interested in feeding her baby, and although Charlotte was doubtful as to the advisability of making him dependent upon her in this way, she could not deny the thrill of emotion she felt when his little mouth fastened on to her breast and began to sock, greedily. It was a painful experience in no way eased when Alex came to watch her, a curiously satisfied expression on his lean dark face.
During the next few days, they had little time alone, and those occasions when no one else was present, Alex loath to discuss personal things. Charlotte was quite willing to allow him the delay. She did not feel strong enough to face -what might be to come.
Within a couple of days she was up and walking about, much to her husband's amazement. He had obviously expected her to spend at least a week in bed, and her independence evidently did not please him. Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do about it, particularly not as Nurse Hani seemed well pleased with her patient.
After a week, Doctor Leonides asked to be flown back to the mainland. He had other patients requiring his attention, and it was obvious that Charlotte and her baby were progressing satisfactorily. Nurse Hani stayed on. She had been employed for a month, and Charlotte was glad of her assistance. There seemed so much to do, and although Maria had taken charge of the extra laundry, she seemed to be constantly employed with something. Feeding the child naturally took the most time, and those midnight and early morning calls prevented her from getting more than three or four hours' sleep at a time. It was draining her strength, but she was still shocked when he heard Alex having an argument with Nurse Hani in the room which had been designated the nursery.
" - and I say the child could be bottle-fed," he was saying grimily. He spoke in Greek, but Charlotte was able to understand him.
"If Mrs. Faulkner can only feed him for three or four weeks, it will serve the purpose," Nurse Hani insisted quietly. "There is no substitute for - "
"Don't tell me - mother's milk!" Alex interrupted her shortly. "I don't believe it. Tests have proved that in some cases, bottle-fed babies are healthier !"
"I was not going to say 'mother's milk'," replied the nurse, steadily. "There is no substitute for the sense of protection the baby receives in his mother's arms. It has also been proved that breast-fed babies are better adjusted children generally."
Charlotte didn't wait to hear any more. Breathing chokingly she went down the steps into the hall and stood trying to calm herself. Of course Alex would want the baby to be bottle-fed. So long as she was feeding him, her presence here was ensured, and Alex would not want that. Not now he had got what he wanted. But why couldn't he have said something to her - not the nurse!
The next time Nurse Hani brought the baby to her to be fed, Charlotte took him reluctantly, and as she unbuttoned her dress, she said: "Don't you think we could start putting him on to the bottle, nurse?"
Nurse Hani made an impatient sound. "Has your husband been talking to you, Mrs. Faulkner?"
"No." Charlotte could speak truthfully. "Why?"
"He has said much the same thing to me. Very well, if that's what you both want. The child is sixteen days old. I don't suppose it will do him any harm."
Charlotte felt the tears pricking at her eyes as she looked at the contented expression on her son's face. His small fist was balled against her breast, his eyes half closed as he eagerly took the milk from her. It was true, she was feeling rather weary, but she would miss these occasions. At moments like these s
he could almost convince herself that he could not do without her.
The child took easily to the bottle, and it mean that Charlotte could get a good night's sleep. Nurse Hani dealt with the night-time feeding, and gradually he began to sleep for longer periods.
And still Charlotte had had no conversation with Alex other than of a very lightweight variety. George had arrived a few days ago, and since his arrival, she had seen little of her husband. And then two days before Nurse Hani was due to leave, another young woman arrived. Her name was Glenda Francis, and she was English, and Charlotte was horrified when Akx introduced her as the new nanny. A nanny! It seemed to confirm her belief that gradually Alex was making her presence on the island unnecessary.
But what about her? What about her feelings? Not least for the child? There had been no discussion as to what he was to be called, so far as she knew he had not even been registered. Her part in the affair seemed to be over, and slowly bat surely she was being manoeuvred into the background.
Part of her wanted to rebel, wanted to insist on staying on the island, at least until the child was a few months old. But reason told her that this was foolish. The longer she stayed, the harder it would be to leave. Already she was convinced that the baby recognized her, and once he had started sitting up and taking notice
She paced restlessly about the bedroom, torn by emotions she had not known she possessed. To think she had spoken so carelessly of leaving after the baby was born, to think she had actually wanted to get away !
With a determination born of desperation, she went to see Alex. She found him in the library. George was with him, but he rose at her entrance, and after a brief word of welcome left them. Charlotte's eyes strayed uneasily across the table where they had been working, and suddenly her attention was caught by a legal document pushed carelessly to one side. It was a copy of the contract Mr. Falstaff had given to her, and weakness strengthened into indignation.
"What are you doing?" she demanded. "Drawing up the final agreement ? The -clause which releases me from this contract? What has George to do with it? Do you discuss it with him?"