The Secret Mother - Lee Wilkinson

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and dainty child, her skin with the bloom of a peach, her dimpled cheeks still babyish, her long-lashed eyes an exquisite blue-green.

      For long moments they looked at each other without speaking. Then in a clear, childish treble, Caitlin asked, ‘Do you want to come and look after me?’

      Caroline found her voice and said huskily, ‘I certainly do. You see, I’ve been looking after two little girls who have to go away, and it would be lovely to have another little girl to take care of.’

      After considering this for a second or two, Caitlin turned and trotted away, to return almost immediately with a large brown bear wearing a red and green striped scarf and a pugnacious expression on his heavy-jowled face.

      ‘This is Barnaby.’ She thrust the bear into Caroline’s arms.

      ‘Well, hello, Barnaby.’

      ‘He’s a boy.’

      ‘And a bear of character, I can see. Would he mind if I hugged him?’

      Leaning against Caroline’s knee, Caitlin confided, ‘He likes to be hugged.’

      ‘He also likes a mid-morning nap,’ Matthew suggested, with a glance at his housekeeper.

      ‘Well, come along, me darlings.’ Mrs Monaghan obediently gathered up the child and the bear. “Time for a little sleep.’

      As the trio departed Matthew put a hand beneath Caroline’s elbow and helped her to her feet.

      ‘Thank you.’ Trying to hide her desolation, she added.

      ‘I’d hoped to have a little more time with Caitlin.’

      ‘You’ll have plenty of time with her once you’ve moved in.’

      Hardly daring to believe her ears, with a wildly beating heart, she asked, ‘You mean...?’

      ‘I mean Caitlin liked you.’

      ‘How can you tell?’

      Just for a second his green-gold eyes warmed into laughter. ‘Only the people she really likes get to meet Barnaby. So, if you want the job...?’

      Filled with joy and excitement, she breathed, ‘Yes... Yes, I do.’

      ‘Then as soon as we’ve had some coffee I’ll drive you over to the Amesburys’ to pick up your things. That way you’ll have the afternoon and evening to settle in before you start work tomorrow morning.’

      After so much heartbreak, Caroline could hardly believe her good fortune. But even as she rejoiced the voice of caution warned that she mustn’t let gladness blind her to the danger of being here.

      Every minute spent in Matthew’s company added to the risk of betraying herself, so she must stay out of his way as much as possible, and pray that he never suspected who she really was.

      CHAPTER TWO

      CAROLINE finished tucking Caitlin and Barnaby into bed and said softly, ‘Goodnight and God bless.’

      ‘Is Daddy home yet?’

      Matthew, who had been away on a business trip for almost two weeks, was due back tonight, just in time for Christmas.

      ‘No. he won’t be home until quite late. But if you go to sleep like a good girl, when he gets here I’ll ask him to come in and give you a kiss.’

      ‘Tell me the toad story?’ Caitlin pleaded. She was getting tired, and her long silky lashes kept drooping.

      Heart melting with love, Caroline agreed. ‘All right, if you close your eyes while you listen.’

      Obediently the child’s bright eyes closed, and a small thumb went into her mouth.

      Sitting on the edge of the bed, in the pool of golden light cast by the bunny lamp, Caroline began the fairy story that during the last month had become Caitlin’s favourite.

      ‘Once upon a time there was a handsome prince...’

      ‘What was he called?’

      ‘He was called Matthew...’

      This part had become a familiar routine, with the same question, the same answer, and the same giggles because, on the first occasion, when Caroline had asked, ‘What do you think he was called?’ Caitlin had unhesitatingly chosen the name Matthew.

      ‘Now, poor Matthew had been turned into a toad by a naughty witch, and the only way to break the spell was for a beautiful princess to kiss him. One fine morning, when he was hopping through the forest...’

      The story was one from her own childhood, and Caroline knew it off by heart. The words were soothing, familiar, allowing her thoughts to wander...

      It seemed incredible that it was only about a month ago since Matthew had insisted on driving her to Morningside Heights to pick up her things.

      While he had talked to Lois Amesbury she had packed—her few clothes and possessions going into a single suitcase—and said goodbye to the twins. With the prospect of having Caitlin to take care of, leaving the family hadn’t proved to be the wrench it might have been.

      Mrs Monaghan had been kindness itself, and Caroline had settled into the penthouse well. To her very great relief there had been no mention of Matthew’s former fiancée, and the days had been filled with the kind of happiness she had never expected to know again.

      But, while she gave Caitlin all the love and attention the child needed, Caroline was trying not to make the little girl too dependent on her. Always, at the back of her mind, was the knowledge of how uncertain the future was.

      It was a blessed relief—or so she’d told herself—that after the first few days she had seen very little of Matthew.

      At first he had watched her as relentlessly as a cat watches its potential prey, then, observing that she had won the child’s trust and affection, he had left her to it and set about catching up on a huge backlog of work before heading for Hong Kong.

      Without his dynamic presence the apartment had seemed curiously empty, devoid of life and warmth and excitement.

      While she admitted that she ought to feel safer when he was away, part of her longed to see him, to hear his voice and know he was close at hand...

      ‘And the beautiful princess said, “Little toad with crooked leg, open quick the door I beg...”’

      Seeing Caitlin had fallen asleep, Caroline stopped speaking and, rising softly to her feet, took the child’s hand from her mouth and tucked it beneath the duvet, before stooping to kiss the rosy cheek.

      As she switched on the monitoring system and turned to the door the tender smile lingering on her lips gave way to a gasp of fright.

      The tall, shadowy figure, lounging in the doorway straightened. ‘I’m sorry,’ Matthew murmured mockingly, ‘did I startle you?’

      Wondering how long he’d been standing there listening, she stammered, ‘I...we...weren’t expecting you home so early.’

      He was still wearing his dark business suit. His lean face looked a little strained, she thought, as though even his magnificent stamina had been tested by such an intensive trip.

      She felt a rush of tenderness, a longing to open her arms to him and welcome him back.

      But even as she wished she had that right she saw that his eyes held a glint, a dangerous sparkle that made warning bells ring.

      As he moved into the room she attempted to slip unobtrusively past him, her heart thudding, when he caught her wrist. ‘Don’t go...’

      Ignoring her sharp intake of breath, he stooped to touch his lips to Caitlin’s forehead before leading the way out of the nursery and into the playroom, where a single shaded night-lamp burnt. ‘We have some unfinished business.’

      ‘Unfinished business?’

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