Page 78 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘I’m fully aware of that, Portia. I’ve never met a woman so completely determinednotto ask anything of me.’

She couldn’t help it. Immediately she began to wonder about the women who’d wanted his support. Were they friends, workmates, lovers? What had he felt for them?

‘I’m not trying to make you dependent, or clip your wings. But sometimes it’s good to know you’re not alone. To have someone to back you up. Is that so hard to accept?’

Strangely, itwas.

Portia had friends but none as close as she’d once been to Lex. There were friends who’d do a favour if they saw her struggling or if she asked. But none who’d be there for her and her baby no matter what. None as close as family.

Her breath was a shocked snatch of air.

Lex was the closest thing she had now to family.

She blinked and fixed her eyes on the pavement as they walked side-by-side. She’d never met the distant cousin who’d taken over Cropley Hall.

Lex was no relative and his suggestion of marriage brought with it so many unresolved feelings that she couldn’t imagine ever agreeing to it.

But he was related to her baby.

Of course he wants to be there if you need him. He’s excited by the idea of fatherhood. If he looks after you, he’s also looking after his child.

Portia didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.

But the woman who’d made her own way as a teenager with nothing but a small backpack, a meagre amount of hard-won pounds and a determination never to look back, told her not to be stupid. His offer of support was genuine. She didn’t have the luxury to be disappointed that his focus was the child, not her.

She’d be foolish to want that. Lex’s ‘love’ for her had been unreliable, dying at the first test. But she knew his commitment to their baby was different. A neglected child himself, he’d do everything to ensure their baby had all he’d lacked.

She remembered the doctor’s advice. That she needed plenty of rest and sleep. That she should accept help when it was offered if it meant reducing her stress.

Her lips twisted in a grimace. Surely there was stress involved in accepting Lex’s help?

But she didn’t want to wear herself out then find she’d endangered her child.

He might have read her mind. Or perhaps he’d been biding his time, not wanting to rush her straight away. ‘Have you thought anymore about coming to Greece?’

Portia drew a deep breath. ‘Actually, I think that would be good.Justfor a week or two.IfI can get time off.’

His sudden grin and the feel of his hand grasping hers made her heart leap and a rush of longing course through her. ‘You won’t regret it. I think you’ll enjoy it there. And if nothing else, you’ll come back refreshed.’

She told herself he was right. This was the sensible thing to do.

But deep within stirred a premonition that she’d taken an unwary step, setting in motion things over which she had no control.

CHAPTER NINE

LEXTOOKPORTIA’SHAND, helping her from the helicopter, enjoying her look of dazzled delight.

He’d wondered if the flight to Athens would tire her. There were still smudges of shadow beneath her eyes, but her pleasure as the chopper took them over Athens then across the Saronic Gulf had eased his concern.

‘I never realised the sea could be so blue. And to see the Parthenon from the air...’ She smiled at him and his fingers tightened reflexively around hers. That smile. ‘It’s brilliant. Thank you, Lex.’

She’d said she’d never been in a helicopter before. He was glad to be able to give her that experience.

Gladder still to be the recipient of that stunning smile. He reminded himself that his focus was getting her to relax and, in time, agree to his proposal.Thatwas why her happiness made him feel good.

‘I’m pleased you like it.’

In her pale trousers and vivid red top she looked like the vivacious girl he’d fallen for all those years ago. In this moment there were no doubts or boundaries, just pure joy.

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