She went directly to the cradle, her long golden curls streaming down her back, and Philip Junior stopped crying as soon as he saw her.
“Good morning, my love, You let mommy sleep late this morning, didn’t you? You’re the joy of my life, Philip. What would I do without you?”
Philip was warmed by her love for the child. But it puzzled him why she’d named the boy after him.
Christina turned suddenly, sensing Philip’s presence in the room, but said nothing when she saw him standing beside the door. She turned back to Philip Junior, lifted him from the cradle, and sat down in a blue-cushioned rocker in the corner of the room. She slowly unbuttoned her night-dress.
Philip became irritated by her silence. He would rather she shout at him than ignore him.
“It didn’t take you long to lose your modesty again,” he remarked cruelly.
“You made your point yesterday, Philip. I have nothing to show you that you haven’t already seen,” Christina said calmly, giving him a half-smile that didn’t reach her remarkably blue eyes.
He laughed. He wouldn’t be able to make her lose her temper this morning. He watched his son suck greedly on Christina’s breast, and felt deeply moved by the sight. This was his child and the woman he still wanted. He refused to accept defeat. He would find a way to have them both.
“He has a strong appetite. You don’t need a wet nurse?” Philip asked.
“I have sufficient milk to satisfy his needs. Philip Junior is well cared for,” she said tensely.
Philip sighed heavily. It seemed he didn’t have to search to find a biting remark to make her angry—a simple question did the trick.
“I didn’t mean to insinuate that you’re not a good mother. Indeed, motherhood seems to suit you, Christina. You’ve done exceedingly well with my son,” Philip said softly, lifting a stray lock of her hair that had fallen behind the chair, and rubbing it delicately between his fingers.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Where did you have him baptized?” Philip asked conversationally. He didn’t want to leave, and thought he should say something or he would make her nervous just standing behind her.
“He hasn’t been baptized yet,” Christina said.
“Good Lord, Christina! He should have been baptized one month after birth. What have you been waiting for?” he stormed, coming around the chair to face her.
“Damn it—stop yelling at me! I just didn’t think about it, that’s all. I’m not used to having children,” she replied just as angrily, her eyes turning a dark, sapphire blue.
With long strides, Philip reached the nursery door, but turned to face her again, his body stiff with rage.
“He will be baptized today—this morning! Prepare yourself and my son, and be ready to leave in an hour.”
“This is my home, Philip, not your camp in the mountains. You can’t tell me what to do here.”
“Be ready, or I will take him myself.” Then he turned and left the room.
Christina knew he meant every word. She calmed herself down and finished feeding Philip Junior, then she put him down in his bassinet and called one of the upstairs maids to help her get ready. She couldn’t trust Philip to take her son out alone—he might not come back.
She threw her robe onto the bed, and noticed that it was her black Arab one. She had unconsciously picked it up when Philip Junior started crying. Christina wondered if Philip had noticed. But no—he probably didn’t even remember it, or he would have made some sly remark.
Christina pinned her hair up into a mass of curls, then hurriedly chose a plain cotton lilac dress with long sleeves and a high-collared neck that would be appropriate for the occasion. With time to spare, she slowly dressed Philip Junior, and an hour later descended the stairs.
Philip was waiting alone and took his son from her arms.
“Where is John?” she asked nervously.
“He left early this morning to go into Halstead on business. He said he’d try to be back before noon,” Philip replied, and started for the door.
“But—we’re not going by ourselves—are we?”
“Oh, come now, Christina,” he laughed. “I will not kidnap you again if that’s what’s bothering you. Although the thought did cross my mind.”
Oh! How could he lie so easily, she thought angrily. “The next time you plan an abduction, Philip, your victim will probably be Estelle!” Christina snapped.
