Tommy had become the worst of her problems. He had grown very demanding since Philip’s arrival. He constantly pressed Christina to set a date for their marriage, although so far she had avoided doing so.
But today, Christina had finally found something to rejoice about.
Kareen came into the dining room while Christina was eating a late lunch.
“Estelle has finally decided to go home—she’s upstairs packing right now,” she said.
Christina said nothing, although she felt like jumping for joy.
“Even though she is my sister and I love her dearly,” Kareen continued, “I don’t mind admitting I’m glad she’s leaving. But it puzzles me why—and she won’t tell me. Only yesterday I tried to talk her into leaving, and she was flatly against it. Then she went riding with Philip this morning, and when she returned just a little while ago, she stated angrily that she wouldn’t stay here another minute. It’s better this way, for I know she was heading for a big letdown, but I still don’t understand it.”
Neither did Christina. But it didn’t matter why Estelle was leaving—so long as she left. Now Christina wouldn’t have to suffer seeing another woman clinging to Philip’s side. But Philip might leave now that Estelle was going Suddenly Christina didn’t feel quite so happy.
With his hands clasped behind his head, Philip reclined on the big brass bed listening intently to the sounds coming from the room next to his. He glanced at the antique clock on the mantel above the fireplace. Five minutes to ten—he wouldn’t have much longer to wait.
Philip grimaced when he recalled what had happened that morning. He had tired of the game he was playing with Christina and Estelle, and had been trying to think of a way to end it. Estelle’s boldness had provided the solution to his problem.
Estelle had cornered him after breakfast and asked him to take her riding. Philip saw no reason not to, since Christina was upstairs feeding Philip Junior. But after they had ridden some distance from the house, Estelle had dismounted under a large oak tree. She had sat down under the tree and taken off her riding hat, shaking her thick black hair loose, and beckoned to Philip seductively.
“Estelle, get back on your horse. I have no time for playing games,” he had said harshly.
“Games!” Estelle had cried. She had scrambled to her feet and faced him, her arms akimbo. “Do you intend to marry me or not?”
Philip had been surprised, but had seen the answer to his problem. He could end it all by saying no.
“I have no intention of marrying you, Estelle, and I’m sorry if I’ve led you to believe I would.”
“But you said you desired me!” she had retorted angrily.
“I had a selfish reason for telling you that. Besides, it was what you wanted to hear. There’s only one woman I will ever desire or want to marry.”
“And she’s engaged to someone else,” Estelle had laughed bitterly. She had thrown herself onto her horse and galloped off toward Wakefield Manor.
At dinner that evening, Philip had been amused to find that Tommy Huntington was extremely agitated. The younger man knew that with Estelle gone Philip would have more time to devote to Christina. Philip wondered how he would react if the situation were reversed—if his fiancée’s former lover were living in the same house she was, and he were helpless to do anything.
Well, he felt no pity for Huntington. Indeed, he hated the younger man. He couldn’t bear to think that Huntington would soon be Christina’s husband. He would have the right to hold her and make love to her. Philip shook the thoughts away. He would be damned if he’d let that happen! And if Tommy Huntington had already lain with Christina, he would kill him!
Knowing that Christina slept in the next room with only a thin wall between them was driving him beyond endurance. Hearing her move about her room, listening to her sweet voice—he wouldn’t be able to stand it much longer. He must win her back before her wedding day, or kidnap her again. He would rather live with her hate than without her.
Philip heard the maid finally leave Christina’s room. He opened his door and saw that the dimly lit corridor was empty. John and Kareen’s bedroom was at the opposite end of the house, and he hoped they were already asleep.
He walked the few feet to Christina’s door and opened it quietly. She was taking her bath before the brightly lit fireplace, unaware of his presence. He stood for a long moment watching her as she raised a sponge and let the water dribble down her arm. Her back was to him, and all he could see was the soft white contour of her shoulders above the rim of the large tub. Her hair was pinned up into countless ringlets shining like liquid gold, and the fire-light danced around her.
Christina’s towel and robe were lying on the foot-stool next to the tub. Philip edged his way over to them and picked them up. Christina gasped.
“What are you doing here?” she cried, sinking lower into the tub. She glanced angrily at his amused expression, then down at the robe and towel he was holding. “Put those down, Philip. Now! And get out of here!”
“What, these?” he asked teasingly, the firelight dancing in his gold-flecked eyes. “Anything you say, madam.” He tossed the articles onto her bed, far from her reach.
He walked around the tub and over to the chair in the corner of the room. She stared stupidly at her robe and towel on the bed. Then she swung her head around fiercely and glared at him. He was sitting in the chair watching her, his legs spread out before him and his hands clasped across his middle.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, Philip Caxton? Damn it! Are you trying to get yourself thrown out of this house? Do you need an excuse to leave now that Estelle is gone? Is that it?”
Philip chuckled without taking his deep-green eyes from her angry face.
“I don’t wish to leave this house, Christina, and I wouldn’t need an excuse if I did. If you will kindly refrain from raising your voice, no one will be the wiser and I won’t be discovered.”
Confusion overcame her. Philip was partially hidden in the shadows, but Christina could still see the smoldering look in his eyes. He wanted her, of that she was sure, and a tingling sensation coursed through her body. She wanted him with all her heart, but she knew their love would be only for tonight. Tomorrow he would be as cold and indifferent as before, and she wouldn’t be able to stand it.
