“You didn’t expect it to go easily, did you?” John asked.
“Nothing is ever easy where Christina is concerned,” Philip replied, and followed her up the stairs.
She waited for him at the door to the nursery. She felt tense and angry, and when Philip reached her, she could no longer control her temper.
“What do you expect to gain by staying here?” she said harshly. “Haven’t you caused enough misery as it is?”
“I’ve already told you, Christina. I came here for my son.”
“You can’t be serious! After what you did to me, you expect me to hand over my son? Well, you can’t have him!”
“Is he in this room?”
“Yes, but—”
Philip opened the door and walked past Christina into the nursery. He went directly to the bassinet and stood there looking down at his son.
Christina came up beside him, but she didn’t say anything when she saw his proud smile as he gazed at Philip Junior.
“He is a handsome lad, Tina—thank you,” Philip said warmly, and Christina melted again at the softness in his voice. Philip picked up his son gently. Surprisingly, the baby didn’t cry, but stared curiously at the stubble of whiskers on his father’s face. “What did you name him?”
Christina hesitated and averted her eyes. What could she tell him?
“Junior,” she whispered.
“Junior! What kind of name is that for my son?” Philip stormed, and Philip Junior began to cry.
She quickly took her baby from Philip’s arms, as he stood there helplessly. “Hush, darling, it’s all right—mama’s here,” she soothed. He stopped crying immediately, and Christina glared at Philip. “The name was my choice, since you weren’t here. Oh—why did you have to come?”
“I came here with good intentions, but then I overheard you agreeing to marry your lover,” Philip returned, his eyes dark and menacing.
“My lover!”
“Oh, come now, Christina—spare me your denials. I of all people know what a passionate woman you are. After all these months, I expected to find you in another man’s arms.”
“I hate you!” Christina cried, her eyes turning a dark, shadowy blue.
“I am well aware of how you feel about me, madam. If you hate me so, why do you wish to keep my son? Every time you look at him, you will see me.”
“He is also my son! I carried him for nine months. I suffered the pain of bringing him into this world. I will not give him up! He is a part of me, and I love him!”
“There is another matter that puzzles me. If you hate me so, why did you go to Victory to bear my son?”
“I didn’t know it was your home until after I arrived. I didn’t want to stay here, and so Johnsy, my old nanny, suggested I go to her sister, who happens to be your cook. I went to Victory. How was I to know it was your estate?”
“That must have been quite a surprise,” Philip sneered. “Why didn’t you leave when you found out the truth?”
“Emma insisted I stay. Now I don’t want to discuss it any longer,” she replied. “You will have to leave now, Philip. It’s time for his feeding.”
“Then feed him. It’s rather late for false modesty on your part, Christina. I’m well acquainted with the body hidden underneath your dress.”
“You are impossible! You haven’t changed one damn bit.”
“No—but you have. You used to be more honest.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She walked toward her bedroom door. “I suggest you have someone show you to your room. You may see your son later—if you wish.”
She sat down in a chair in the far corner of her room and rested Philip Junior on her lap while unbuttoning her bodice. But she still felt Philip’s presence and looked up to see him leaning against the doorframe, watching her intently.
