“How—how can you act as if nothing has happened? Christina, how could you do this to me? You know I love you. I wanted to marry you. I’ve been waiting patiently here for you and counting the days until your return. From the looks of you, you married as soon as you got to that damn country! How could you? How could you marry another man so soon?”
“I’m not married, Tommy—I never was,” she said calmly. “Now do sit down. You’re making me lose my appetite.”
“But you’re pregnant!” he exclaimed.
“Yes,” she laughed. “Very much so.”
“But I don’t understand.” And then he gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry, Christina! If John hasn’t killed the man, I’ll find him and see justice done!”
“Oh, stop it, Tommy! I was not married, and I was not raped. I was abducted and held captive for four months. I fell in love with the man who kidnapped me. He doesn’t know I carry his child, and he will never know. But understand this, Tommy. I will keep my child, and raise him and give him all my love. I am happy, so don’t feel sorry for me.
“You asked me to marry you a long time ago, but I never said I would, Tommy. And now, of course, it is out of the question. I’m sorry if I have hurt you, but I would still like us to be friends if—if you can forgive me.”
“Forgive you! I loved you, and you gave yourself to another man. I wanted you for my wife, and you’re going to bear another man’s child. You ask my forgiveness? Oh, Lord!” He slammed his fist down on the table and stormed from the room.
“Tommy, don’t go like this!” she called after him, but he was already gone.
Johnsy came into the room, her brow wrinkled with concern. “I waited until I ’eard ’im leave. Did ’e take it badly?”
“Yes, I’m afraid I’ve hurt him terribly,” Christina sighed. “I didn’t ask for any of this to happen to me.”
“I know, love. It’s not your fault, so don’t be blamin’ yourself. It’s that Philip Caxton’s fault. But Master Tommy will get over it. You and ’e ’ave ’ad many a disagreement before, and you always made up afterward.”
“But that was when we were children. I don’t think Tommy will ever forgive me for this.”
“Nonsense! ’E just needs time to get used to the situation. You mark my words—’e’ll be back. But you finish your meal now. Would you like it warmed up a bit?”
“No. I’ve lost my taste for food right now,” Christina replied, and got up from her chair.
“You sit yourself right back down there. You’ve no longer just yourself to think of. Your baby needs food whether you do or not. You want ’im ’ealthy an’ strong, don’t you?”
“All right, Johnsy, you win.”
After Christina finished the cold meal, she went straight out to the stables. As soon as she walked through the open doors, Deke, the stable master, came running to greet her.
“I knew you’d be coming here before the day was out. It’s good to have you back, Miss Christina.”
“It’s good to be back, Deke. But where is he?”
“Now who might you be referring to?”
“Come on, Deke!”
“Might you be referring to that big black stallion in the last stall?”
“That I might.” Christina laughed gaily and rushed to the end stall.
When she saw the big black horse, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, gaining a snort in response.
“Oh, Dax—I’ve missed you so!”
“Aye, and he’s missed you, too. Hasn’t been ridden since you left, Miss Christina, although we’ve kept him busy. He’s sired four fine colts, with another one on the way. But I can see he’ll still have to wait for that ride,” Deke said bashfully.
“Yes, but not for very long,” Christina replied. “Bring him out, Deke, and put him in the corral. I’d like to see him move.”
“Aye, he’ll do that, all right. He’ll strut and prance and put on a fine show.”
After Christina left Dax, she walked through the woods in back of the stables until she came to the small pond where she and Tommy used to swim. It was a peaceful place, shaded by a tall oak whose limbs reached halfway over the water.
