Slowly he shook his head, reaching for her hand.
Was that a flare of shock in his eyes when she didn’t pull back? Guilt swirled at how far she’d withdrawn from him. But not anymore. She moved her fingers, feeling the steady pulse at his wrist.
‘I’ve absolutely no doubt about that.’ That deep voice curled around her, the most enticing caress. ‘Greer—’
‘Conall, I—’
A lopsided smile curled his mouth, and a long, enticing dimple grooved his cheek. ‘You first.’
She bit her bottom lip and his eyes narrowed on her mouth, making her breath stutter, but she pressed on. ‘There’s no time now, but later, maybe tomorrow, I’d like to talk. About the baby.’
His tightening hand and the light in his eyes signalled pleasure. ‘Whenever you’re ready.’
The way he looked at her made her feel strong. Special. Maybe she could be that woman again, strong and confident. She felt that way tonight.
‘What were you going to say?’
‘Just that I had something you might like to wear to the party.’
He looked down, his expression turning sombre. She followed his gaze to their linked hands, his thumb rubbing her empty ring finger.
A sharp ache started up behind her ribs. Regret? This afternoon she’d thought again about those beautiful rings he’d given her, imagined slipping them on, a sign that she believed their marriage had a future.
She’d had an epiphany today, yet that didn’t mean she’d been wrong about their convenient marriage.
But you need to give it and the pair of you a chance.
‘Something to wear? That’s intriguing.’
The smile dancing in his eyes chased the shadows from his face. ‘Says the woman who complains my gifts are too lavish.’
He released her hand and pulled a small leather box from his jacket pocket.
Greer swallowed. Conall’s giftswerelavish, especially to a woman from a humble background. That engagement ring had stolen her voice. As had the surprise trip by private plane last winter to one of New Zealand’s most exclusive private ski resorts.
She loved his gifts. But they reminded her how different their lives were. They didn’t just come from different sides of the track but from beyond a social and financial chasm that felt almost uncrossable.
Tonight, for instance, he’d be completely at home in a gathering of some of the world’s richest people. All she knew about that milieu was what she’d gleaned from her work, liaising with their staff.
Her thoughts atrophied as he opened the box. He’d bought her hair clips, she decided after a stunned moment gawping. They were identical, each with a row of stars that winked and shimmered with the blue-white fire of diamonds. The design was delicate and utterly beautiful.
‘Antique?’ she murmured when she found her voice.
‘Yes. They were made for a princess.’
‘You bought them in Singapore?’ When had he found the time? Until this afternoon their schedule had been full of meetings.
‘No, I bid on them at an auction. They were delivered when I returned from my last trip.’
His last trip. The day she’d miscarried. Her head jerked up. Conall met her stare and this time she saw the emotion in his features. Emotion he didn’t try to hide. Regret. Concern.
Maybe he thinks you’re going to reject his gift, the way you’ve rejected him.
Greer swallowed hard, emotions brimming. She hadn’t treated him well. She vowed to make it up to him.
‘Thank you, Conall. They’re beautiful. Utterly extravagant but stunningly beautiful.’
Heat blazed in those dark eyes. The way he looked at her made her heart sing. ‘No more beautiful than you.’
