Miri pulled back and stared at Brandt in horror. “No. No, that’s not possible.”
He swept her hair from her damp face. “It’s quite possible. We made love two and a half months ago without protection.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Were you on the pill at the time?”
Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, she shook her head. “No.”
“And since we made love?” he pressed. “Has there been any indication you might not be pregnant?”
“I…I can’t remember.” What a liar she was. She knew full well she hadn’t had a period since that amazing night. But that didn’t mean she was pregnant. Desperation goaded her to debate the issue. “I’ve always been irregular. Stress can cause that sort of reaction. And so can the recent weight I’ve lost.”
“As can pregnancy, or so the rumor goes.”
“Oh, very funny.” The tenderness with which he regarded her had tears flooding her eyes again. “I’m not pregnant. I can’t be.”
“It’s a far more likely cause than either stress or weight loss.” Leaving her side, he rose long enough to dampen a washcloth with warm water before joining her on the floor again. “Damn, Miri. Don’t cry,” he murmured as he rinsed her face. “It’ll all work out.”
“There’s nothing to work out,” she argued tearfully around the washcloth. “You have your life and I have mine. Problem solved.”
He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “It’s too late to do anything about this tonight. I’ll call the doctor first thing in the morning and have him fit you in for an exam. I promise, he’ll be discreet.”
That dried her eyes. She pulled away from Brandt and stood, annoyed to find her legs weren’t as steady as she’d have liked. “Don’t interfere in this, Your Highness. I’ll make my own doctor’s appointment.”
He gained his feet, as well. “As soon as possible, please.”
Did he think her a complete idiot? “I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the baby’s health—assuming there is a baby.” Her hand stole downward, splaying across her abdomen. Did a child rest there? A child Brandt had given her? His eyes narrowed at the telling gesture. “Of course, I’ll see a doctor as soon as possible.”
“Why haven’t you before this?”
It was an excellent question. She opened her mouth to tell Brandt it was none of his business, but one look at his face convinced her of the wisdom of a candid reply. “I went back to Mazoné after…after Alyssa’s abduction,” she admitted reluctantly.
“Staying clear of the line of fire?”
“It seemed a smart choice,” she muttered.
“A very smart choice.” An odd expression glittered in his eyes, something hard and predatory that mingled with a lingering anger. “I’m not sure we’d have dealt well together those first few days after I found out the true identity of my bride.”
Miri froze beneath that look. Brandt had always kept his emotions under tight control. Observing him now, she realized that control had evaporated when he’d learned of her identity. What would he have done if she’d been closer at hand? She shivered. Probably best she didn’t know, and even better that she hadn’t found out at the time.
“I stayed on Mazoné until right before Lander’s wedding.” They’d been long, hideous days of endless regret. But if the days had been bad, the nights had proven worse, plodding by, each interminable hour filled with a painful yearning. “To be honest, I lost track of time. I’d just begun to suspect something was out of kilter when I returned to Verdonia.”
He nodded in perfect understanding. “I’m guessing it would have raised a few eyebrows if you’d run out to the corner druggist and picked up a pregnancy test.”
“Something like that.” More like it would have swept across Mt. Roche within the hour. And then all hell would have really broken loose.
He handed her a toothbrush loaded with toothpaste and waited until her mouth was full of foam before continuing. “I know you don’t want me interfering. But if you’re pregnant, it’s with my baby. Just so we’re clear about this, I plan to involve myself in every aspect of the birth and rearing of our child.”
She rinsed her mouth before turning to confront him. “You only suspected I was pregnant two minutes ago and you’re already planning the delivery and parenting of our baby?” She lifted an eyebrow, struggling to present a strong front when all she wanted to do was pull the covers over her head and cry herself to sleep. “You can’t even be certain it’s yours.”
He didn’t hesitate. “If you’re pregnant, it’s mine.”
Exhaustion stole the fight from her. “Fine. It’s yours. Now, back off, Brandt. You’re crowding me.”
He ignored her, sweeping her into his arms. “I’ll back off once I’m sure you’re able to stand without help.”
Unable to resist, she dropped her head to his shoulder. “I just need some sleep.”
“I’ll make sure you get it.”
He lowered her to the bed and she turned her back on him, curling into a tight ball. Padding across the room, he opened the windows and an instant later a soft breeze swept through the room, carrying with it a rain-swept freshness. He returned to the bedside and she caught the rustle of his clothing as he stripped, before the mattress depressed beneath his weight. An instant later he wrapped her in the warmth of his arms.
“Close your eyes, love. We’ll deal with all this tomorrow.”
“I think I’d be more comfortable sleeping in my own bed,” she whispered. “I can’t do this. Here. With you.”
“You don’t have to do anything, sweetheart. Just sleep.”
“You won’t…You aren’t—”
“I won’t. I’m not. Not until you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
He didn’t answer, just spooned her more tightly against his chest and she realized she’d been wrong. Horribly wrong. She wouldn’t be more comfortable sleeping in her own bed. Having him with her, holding her again, was a pleasure just this side of heaven.
Sleep had just started to lay claim when she felt his hand shift, his fingers spreading wide and low across her belly. Her breath escaped in a trembling sigh. “I may not be pregnant,” she murmured.
“But if you are…” His hand warmed her through the thin cotton of her nightgown. “Our baby sleeps here,” he marveled. “A son or a daughter.”
“Or twins. Fraternal twins run down my mother’s side.”
He laughed and she could feel the rumble reverberate down the length of her spine. “Heaven help us if they’re as impulsive as you.”
She could picture it, picture it as clearly as though her children stood before her. A daughter with her father’s dark hair and eyes and serious nature, calm and logical and brilliant. And a son whose mischievous eyes were the same green as her own, who caused his parents fits with the trouble he seemed to generate as easily as breathing.
Her eyes squeezed closed. If she listened hard enough, she could almost hear them. Their laughter. Their sweet voices calling to her. Their unique scent when she enfolded them in her arms. She wanted that. She wanted those babies more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life—with one exception.
Brandt. It wouldn’t be the same without him. Her life would be full, but missing the most important ingredient if he weren’t at her side. It didn’t matter what had come before, did it? Not if they worked together to create a new life. They had a chance, right now, if they could only put the past behind them and move forward.
She slipped her hand on top of his, lacing their fingers together across their future. “What will we do if I am pregnant?”
“What we’re doing now. We’ll create a life for ourselves.”
It was almost a mirror image of her own thoughts and she smiled. “And if our marriage is annulled?”
“If that happens, I plan to drag you in front of the nearest official and have us wed within the hour.”
“And if I refuse?”
“You won’t refuse. You wouldn’t do that to our children.” His hand tightened on hers. “You wouldn’t do that to us.”
“A baby isn’t going to solve our differences. Nor will marriage.”
“No. There’s only one thing that will do that, and that’s time for us to work things out.” He feathered a kiss across the top of her head. “Sleep now, sweetheart. You need your rest. Everything else can wait until the morning.”
Miri closed her eyes and allowed sleep to claim her. And as she drifted off her last thought was one that put a smile on her mouth. Morning. When morning came she’d be where she most wanted—safe in Brandt’s arms.
Brandt hung up the phone and swore beneath his breath. Shoving open the doors that led onto the private balcony off his study, he crossed to the balustrade and folded his arms across the top railing. He drew in a deep breath, struggling to regain his control. The mountains were alive with birdsong and a soft, cool wind swept down the hillside, filled with the scent of cedar and wild grass. Nature at its best and yet it did nothing to soothe his temper.
“Brandt?” Miri joined him on the balcony. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She broke off, instantly picking up on his fury. Crossing to his side, she gripped his arm. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“I’ve just been informed that our marriage has been invalidated.”
A slight frown touched her brow, but she shrugged it off. “We expected that.”
“True.” His mouth twisted to one side. “Just not so soon. I’d hoped to have more time. But apparently your family isn’t interested in giving us that time.”
“They’re involved in the dissolution?” she asked, shocked.
“Lander called, personally. He’s instructed me—” Brandt released a harsh laugh. “Hell, why be diplomatic? He ordered me. He’s ordered me to return you within twenty-four hours or he’ll make the abduction public knowledge. He’ll also be—and I quote—obligated to act. No doubt Merrick’s security force is planning the takedown as we speak.”
“I came to tell you my doctor’s appointment is tomorrow. Once we announce I’m pregnant, they won’t interfere if we choose to remarry.” She hesitated, seeming to force out the words. “Unless…unless you’d rather end our relationship. If it’s become a roadblock—”
A roadblock? Where the hell had that come from? Did she really believe they’d be better off apart? The mere thought of losing her left Brandt wild with possessive fury. He struggled to gather it in, to keep from exploding from the intensity of it. “No.” Just that one word, pushed from between his teeth, but her reaction was instantaneous.
With an exclamation of relief, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with unstinting generosity. The last time she’d kissed him of her own accord—freely and openly, as herself—had been on Mazoné, and he didn’t realize how desperately he missed her spontaneity, her initiating, not just responding. If he’d had their wedding night to live over, he’d never have been fooled into thinking he held Alyssa in his arms, that it was her mouth slanted beneath his. Miri put everything into her kisses and he realized she always had. She’d never been one for half measures.
He threaded his fingers into her hair, wanting a slow, thorough kiss. She gave him hot and greedy. He tried for gentle and sedate. With one teasing nip, she tumbled him into fierce and rapacious. She moaned into his mouth, the sound slamming through him, piercing straight to his heart.
When he finally lifted his head, he found her gazing up at him as though he’d just finished hanging the sun. His kiss had bee-stung her lips into plump, ripe berries, damp and parted and begging for more. He couldn’t resist. He took her mouth again, only to be thrown off kilter when she gave him what he’d tried for originally. Very slow, and very thorough.
After endless minutes, she pulled back with a reluctant sigh. “Do you realize that by this time tomorrow we’ll know if I’m pregnant?” Her eyes widened, filling with joyous tears. “Oh, my gosh. I might be a mother.”
His arms tightened around her. “And I,” he added with intense satisfaction, “will be a father.”
Best of all, when her pregnancy had been confirmed, he’d be in a position to deal with the Montgomerys, once and for all. And then he’d make Miri his legally wedded bride, no matter what it took or who he had to go through in order to make it happen.
“I am sorry, Your Highness.”
“So am I,” Miri replied. She attempted a smile, but failed miserably. “I was so certain…Brandt and I, we both were.”
The doctor touched her shoulder. “You’re young. There’s plenty of time to start a family. I should warn you, though. With your history of irregularity, it may take a little longer than the average couple. Just be patient. Watch your diet. Your body needs a little more weight than it’s currently carrying if you want a healthy pregnancy. And try to eliminate stress from your life.”
She nodded. “No more fake marriages and abductions. Got it.”
The doctor’s eyebrows shot skyward. “I beg your pardon?”
“Sorry. A poor attempt at a joke.” She held out her hand. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“With luck, you’ll be back again in a few months and I’ll have better news.” He showed her to the door. “And my congratulations and best wishes to you and Prince Brandt. I hadn’t heard that you were married.”
“No, not many people have,” she agreed absently. “It was a bit of surprise to everyone. Even to him.”
“I see.” She could tell from his confused expression that he didn’t see at all, which was just as well. “Once again, Your Highness, I am sorry. I wish I had better news for you.”
“So do I.”
Miri left the doctor’s office and crossed the parking lot to where Brandt’s right-hand man, Tolken, waited with the car. Nerves skittered up and down her spine. “Thank you,” she murmured as he opened the door.
She climbed into the car, fighting back tears. She’d been in a state of shock while with the doctor, but the hard, cold facts of the situation were rapidly setting in. She pressed a hand to her abdomen, feeling an emptiness there that reverberated straight to her heart. It wasn’t as though she’d lost her child, she tried to reassure herself. There’d never been one to begin with. But it felt like a loss.
How would Brandt react to the news? He’d been so pleased at the thought of a baby, so considerate and tender. What would happen once he learned she wasn’t pregnant after all? Would he be disappointed, or secretly relieved? Maybe it was just as well they hadn’t been sexually active since their wedding night. This way they could make decisions about their future without having to add a baby into the equation. But she couldn’t help but wonder…once the truth came out, would he still want to marry her?
Or would he decide to end the relationship?
The thought leapt to her mind, unbidden. Yet the more she considered it, the more likely it seemed. It wasn’t as though they were really married. Not any longer. Granted, he’d come after her that day in the parking garage, had wanted her without suspecting she might be pregnant. But what if the abduction had been out of anger? Maybe he’d wanted revenge for all she’d cost him, and it wasn’t until he’d believed her pregnant that those plans had changed, that he’d considered making their marriage a real one.
She covered her face with her hands. She didn’t know what to think anymore. There was only one way to find out what he intended. She’d tell him the truth. She’d tell him she wasn’t pregnant and see how he reacted. And then she’d know whether she had a chance at a future with him.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I wish I had better news for you.”
“So do I,” Brandt replied with impressive calm.
“I have a full staff of accountants and lawyers ready to assist you. Say the word and we’ll do everything we can to get this straightened out. How anyone could possibly believe you were working in collusion with Lauren DeVida to steal Verdonian amethysts and sell them on the black market is beyond my comprehension.”
“I appreciate the support.”
“Your Highness!” His man of affairs sounded shocked by the comment. “Of course we support you. We know you’d never be guilty of such an outrageous crime. It’s just the timing. The timing is quite unfortunate.”
Now there was an understatement if he’d ever heard one. Brandt suppressed a laugh, not that it would have held any amusement. “The timing isn’t unfortunate. It’s impeccable.” Too impeccable. “If you’re a Montgomery.”
There was a moment of appalled silence. Then, “I see. I’ll get someone on this right away.”
“Thank you, Maitrim.”
Brandt hung up the phone with a grimace. He suspected that any number of “someones” could be put on the problem and it still wouldn’t be resolved. Not until after the election. And maybe not even then.
He poured himself a drink while he considered his options. But instead of sipping the single malt, he stared into the amber liquid as though it held the answers to his questions. If it weren’t for Miri’s pregnancy, his decision would be a simple one. Honor. Duty. Responsibility. Sacrifice. It was his duty to protect the baby he’d created, equally his duty to protect Miri. Unfortunately, the two had just become mutually exclusive.
In order to protect his child, he had to marry the mother. In order to protect Miri, he had to send her away. So, who held the greatest claim to duty and responsibility? He swirled the whiskey in his glass. He knew what his grandfather would say. The baby was his top priority because it was the most helpless and innocent. If it weren’t for the child…He downed his drink in a single swallow. Thank God for the pregnancy, because it narrowed his choices to one. If it weren’t for the baby, he’d be honor-bound to protect Miri from the coming storm.
It would be his duty to sacrifice what he desired most.