“Foryourson!” Christina screamed, springing from her chair. “But you never wanted him. Why do you want him now?”
“I’m afraid you misinterpreted what I told you long ago, Christina. I told you that I hadn’t brought you to my camp to bear my children. I never told you I wouldn’t want a child if you happened to conceive,” Philip replied calmly.
“But I—”
Christina was cut off when John came to the door. “What is all this yelling about?” he asked sternly. Then he saw Philip standing just inside the door, and he smiled warmly. “Philip—I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. But I’m glad you decided to accept my invitation to visit us. Estelle will be delighted to see you.”
“Good Lord! Has everyone here gone crazy?” Tommy blurted out. “Don’t you know who this man is, John? He’s the father of Christina’s child!”
John’s smile faded. “Is this true, Christina?” he said.
“Yes,” she whispered tensely.
John slammed his fist into the wall. “Damn it, Christina! I became friends with this man! You told me your child’s father was an Arab!”
“But Philip is half-Arab, and I told you he had another name!” Christina yelled back at him.
“Andyou!” John stormed, turning to Philip again. “You come with me.”
“John!” Christina screamed. “You gave me your word!”
“I well remember the promise you extracted from me, Crissy. I am just going to talk with Philip privately in my study,” John said more calmly, and they left the room.
John poured two brandies and handed one to Philip. Then he sank into his black-leather desk chair.
“Why did you come here? Good God, Philip! I have every right to call you out for ruining my sister!”
“I hope it will not come to that,” Philip replied. “I learned about my son from my brother, and I came here to marry Christina and take her and the boy to my home in Benfleet. But I overheard her accepting that belligerent puppy’s proposal, so marriage is now out of the question. But I still want my son.”
“Christina will never give up her child!”
“Then I must ask that you let me stay here to try to persuade her otherwise. You can understand how I feel. The boy is my heir, and I am a rich man. He would have more to gain if I raised him.”
“I just don’t understand it. You are a gentleman, yet you kidnap a lady and keep her as your mistress. How could you do such a thing?” John asked.
Philip was amused that John asked the same thing his own brother had asked.
“I wanted your sister more than I have ever wanted a woman before. She’s so beautiful, you can hardly blame me. I am used to taking what I want, and I asked her to marry me when we first met in London. When she refused, I had you sent to Egypt, my father’s land.”
“Soyouwere the one!”
“Yes, and you probably know the rest.”
John nodded. He was amazed at the lengths to which this man had gone to obtain Christina. He would probably go just as far to get his son. So Crissy was wrong—Philip did want her and the child, and he had come here to marry her. John felt guilty for persuading her to marry Tommy. He might have ruined Crissy’s one chance for happiness. But if he let Philip stay here, he and Crissy might be able to work things out between themselves. John decided not to interfere again.
“You may stay here as long as you like, Philip, although it will probably cause quite a commotion. As you know, Estelle is also here, and she fancies herself in love with you. I don’t know how you feel about her, but please handle the situation carefully—for Christina’s sake.” John stood up and walked to the door. “I’m sure you want to see your son now. I’ll try to explain things to Tommy Huntington while Christina takes you to the nursery.”
“I am grateful for your understanding,” Philip returned.
Standing outside the study with Philip beside him, John called Christina, and she appeared in the hallway, her face a mask of trepidation.
“I’ve decided to let Philip stay for a while,” John said.
“But John—”
“It’s already settled, Crissy. Now take Philip up to the nursery. It’s about time he met his son.”
“Oh!” She turned and started for the stairs, not waiting for Philip.
