Page 45 of Hayes

"My dear, I knocked. I hope I didn't wake you."

Camelia felt the grogginess from sleep fleeing at what she saw. Jumping up, she just managed to haul the covers over her nakedness just as Hillary swept into the room, followed by a maid bearing a tray. "Kindly set it over there, Glenna." She gestured with one hand toward the table in one corner of the room.

"What- Where is Hayes?" Her grip on the sheets tightened as the woman advanced with several newspapers in her hand.

"He had to rush out, a sudden meeting. He told me to make sure you ate and said he didn't want to wake you." She sat on the edge of the bed, green eyes wandering over Camelia's face. "You and my son made the papers."

She spread the magazines over the girl's lap. Dragging her eyes from Hillary's face, she stared at the magazines spread over her lap.

All three of them had glossy photos of them on the dance floor. The pose, the way Hayes was staring down at her, his hands on the small of her back, and the fact that she was gazing up at him and laughing left no doubt as to the intimacy.

The caption varied from: 'High school sweethearts reuniting' to 'Only daughter of disgraced couple looking very chummy with airline giant - Hayes Marsden.'

A quick scan of the article revealed that there were more salacious details of their lives. Pushing the magazines away, she lifted her head to stare at the woman. "Why did you bring me these?"

"For you to see what is being said before you venture out." Hillary folded her hands in front of her. "I know you think I hate you–"

"Don't you?"

"I did not like your mother. She made a play for both my husband and my son and was very loose with her favors., Hillary told her bluntly. "I must admit that I made the mistake of thinking you were the same."

"What changed your mind?" Camelia asked her stiffly. The fact that the woman was right about her mother sent shame spiraling through her body.

"I noticed the way you look at my son. It's obvious you love him very much, and you have been through a lot. I feel sympathy for you. It would not have been easy for you to go through what you did."

"What are you saying?"

"My son loves you," Hillary told her with a sigh. "He doesn't care if you are ever able to bear him a child."

The reminder of that and coming from Hayes' mother sent pain straight to her heart. "I told him it was not a good idea for us–"

"My dear." Leaning forward, Hillary placed a hand over hers. "Hayes is utterly and completely in love with you, and nothing will ever change that. When you left, it almost destroyed him, and I hated you for doing that to him.

That was the reason I wanted him to stay clear of you." She rose. "Eat your breakfast. I think my son said he would pop over to fetch some clothing for you. I am running late for my appointment."

Camelia waited until the doors had closed behind her, before opening the first magazine and started reading. Putting away that one, she started on the second. She was just reaching for the third when he came in.

His eyes went to the magazines spread across her lap before lifting his head to stare at her.

"I saw a copy while I was out –" he stood in the center of the room, not sure if she would welcome his nearness. Holding up the case, he continued. "I picked up some clothing for you. I was not certain what to bring back, and I should have called."

"Your mother brought me breakfast." She nodded to the tray on the table. "Or rather she had a maid bring it in. She showed me the magazines."

His face was pale with strain. "I should have listened to you. They unearthed a hell of a lot of information about you—about us, since last night."

"I suppose there were people there who were willing to share in the spotlight. I saw a number of my parents' acquaintances at the function. A few actresses who were not fans of my mother." Putting away the magazines, she stared at him. "It's fine."

"No." Shaking his head, he moved swiftly toward her. "I was selfish. I wanted things my way and I forced the issue."

"You are forgetting that I was the one who walked over to you and told you that I was through with the secrecy." Holding out a hand, she waited for him to come to her. "The initial shock and dismay have passed, and I am okay now. Or I will be. It no longer bothers me as much."

Lifting their joined hands, he kissed the back of hers, closing his eyes briefly. He had hurried back, expecting to find her gone or upset with him. Now, he could feel the relief coursing through him and relieving the tension that had formed a knot inside his stomach.

"Hungry?"

She nodded. "I think the meal, whatever it is, has gotten cold by now."

"I will ring down for something else," he suggested swiftly.

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