LITMIR.BIZ

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“Then it was always her fantasy?”

      “Always.”

      “What about your father’s?”

      “Naturally he wants me to settle down and be happy. But just so you know, the choice of bride has always been up to me.”

      His hand resting on the seat behind her dug into the leather upholstery. Any hope he’d held out that Andrea might go along with his plan was fading fast.

      “How about viewing me as a simple man who would love to be a father, and can see a way to helping himself and you at the same time?”

      “There’s nothing simple about you.”

      He leaned closer to her. “Is that the overwhelmed mother-to-be talking? The widow who’s still in mourning for the husband she’ll always love? The girl-woman who never felt she belonged? The student of the world wishing she had her degree? The grieving daughter who never knew her parents? The woman who’s on her own for the first time in her life and is afraid she likes it?”

      A minute must have passed before she turned her head to look at him. “Touché.”

      “Would you be willing to take the plunge with me into unknown waters and see what happens? With my money, you’ll never have to worry about going to work. Your child will always have my name and protection. Best of all, you’ll be able to be a full-time mother to your baby, and I’ll be there to give support.”

      A troubled sigh escaped her lips.

      “What else is on your mind?” he prodded. “Now is the time to unearth it.”

      “I didn’t say anything.”

      “Yes, you did,” he whispered. “Let me ask you a question. Do you trust me?”

      She lowered her head. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have come out to dinner with you, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

      The tight band constricting his chest burst, allowing him to go on breathing. “Then let it be your answer. Promises are only just that anyway. You and I will be going where neither of us has gone before.

      “Your sense of adventure is as great as mine, or you wouldn’t have come to Brittany a second time. For the sake of the baby, let’s agree to make the most of every second of it.”

      He felt in his suit jacket pocket. “Give me your hand.” When she didn’t react fast enough, he reached for it. She trembled as he slid the engagement ring on her finger without problem.

      “I bought it this afternoon. The minute I saw the pear shape of the stone, it reminded me of the lake where we met. What do you think?”

      She spread her fingers in front of her eyes. “I think it’s the most exquisite diamond I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine how you got the fit right.”

      “After telling the clerk your height and weight, I added that you were pregnant. He figured out the rest.”

      In spite of the tense moment, her mouth curved in a seductive smile if she’d but known it.

      “After the baby’s born, you can get it resized so you don’t lose it,” he added.

      “The stone’s so large, it would be impossible to miss.” New energy hovered around them like a livewire. “But I can’t accept it.”

      The breath froze in his lungs. “So your forgiveness of my sins stops short of matrimony, even if it’s for the baby’s sake.”

      “No, Lance. That isn’t what I meant.”

      His guts clenched. “Then explain it to me.”

      “This is the kind of ring you give the woman you love. I’d prefer something more modest.”

      A shudder of relief passed through his taut body. “If that’s the only thing bothering you, do me a favor and wear it until I can get you another one.”

      Afraid she’d take it off and break the enchantment of the moment, sending him back to the black hole where he’d been living for so long, he started to turn on the engine. That’s when he saw something move at the edge of the pond.

      “Andrea—” he murmured. “Don’t make a sound. Just turn your head slowly toward the water.”

      She did his bidding.

      One of the things he enjoyed most about her was her acceptance of the unexpected. She had an inner calm, no matter her shock or fear. Not many people possessed that enviable trait.

      He had trouble tearing his eyes from her long enough to watch the stag who’d come to the pool to drink. The woman at his side drew in her breath, letting him know how much the scene delighted her.

      They watched for a few minutes. Then Lance heard the sudden hoot of a nearby owl. It startled the stag who threw back his head and pranced off into the foliage.

      “I’ve never seen a deer with such a huge rack, and yet he was so graceful. Majestic …”

      “That one’s been around a long time.”

      “To think I’ve been trying to get a picture of the animals, and tonight I’m without my camera.”

      “We’ll come tomorrow night about this same time and wait for him.”

      “He was beautiful.”

      So was she …

      If he stayed here with her any longer and did what he felt like doing, he could frighten her off.

      “Let’s go home. If my father’s still up, we’ll tell him our plans. Otherwise it will have to be tomorrow.”

      “I think it would be better to wait until he’s had a good night’s sleep.”

      “Then that’s what we’ll do.” Now that she’d agreed to marry him, he wasn’t about to argue a minor point.

      Once they were headed back to the château he turned to her. “While I was in Rennes the other evening, I bumped into Helene Dupuis who often plays hostess for Papa. She wants to give me a homecoming party. I’ll tell her to go all out since we’re already engaged and want it to be our wedding reception.

      “I’d like to schedule it soon. To wait any later in your pregnancy might not be wise. I wouldn’t want to endanger your health. Two to three weeks ought to give your aunt and uncle time to come.”

      “Oh, I don’t know about that. I’m afraid they wouldn’t be able to afford the plane fare.”

      “I don’t expect them to pay for anything. That’s my privilege. I want your friends to come, too. Anyone on the faculty you feel close to.”

      “Lance—”

      “This will be my one and only wedding. I’d like to meet the people in your life. So will my father. Your family did an outstanding job of raising you. If your parents were alive, there’d be no question of their coming.

      “Don’t be concerned about other social engagements. Because of your pregnancy, we’ll limit the number of parties to our wedding day and the christening. When you and I get better acquainted, you’ll learn I’m not a social animal like my father.”

      “I already know that about you.”

      “Do you mind?”

      “No. Richard and I had to attend a lot of functions, but I must admit that most of the time I would have preferred to do something alone with him.”

      “I’m a homebody myself. Once the baby comes, we’ll have our hands full.”

      They’d reached the château. He pulled around the side and shut off the engine.

      “My uncle liked to be home. He was a family man.”

      “I’m looking forward to it myself.” Lance undid his seat belt.

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