Page 84 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

It was on the tip of her tongue to say her baby would be born an Oakhurst. But that was quibbling.

She wanted to tell him she could look after herself. Instead she exhaled slowly, trying to release the tension gripping her.

‘I know you’re trying to do what you think is right.’

But was it right for her?

‘Come to Athens with me next week. I can show you some wonderful galleries and you’ll still have plenty of time to rest. You can meet my family and get a better feel for my life in Greece. One way or another they and I are going to be in your life from now on. This way you get to meet them with no pressure on you. Surely that’s a good thing.’

‘They don’t know about the baby?’

‘I haven’t told a soul. I’d simply introduce you as a friend, visiting from London. Time to tell them about the baby later, when we’ve made some decisions.’

Decisions she was putting off.

Portia plucked at the herb growing beside her hip, releasing a rich, savoury scent into the fresh sea air.

He sighed. ‘If you don’t want to go I can’t force your hand. But don’t be surprised if my sister turns up next week. She often sails from the mainland and is quite capable of arriving unannounced. You could stay in your room and avoid her, but it might be stressful hiding out instead of meeting her.’

Portia stiffened. She wasn’t hiding. She just wanted quiet time to unwind and decide what she was going to do.

You’re hiding. You’ve had a week of quiet but you’re no closer to sorting out a compromise with Lex.

What are you going to do if his sister comes? Lock yourself in your room?

Lex was right. His family was important to her, because they’d have a role in her child’s life. Maybe meeting them would help her decide what to do for the future.

Are you really thinking about migrating to Greece? Even marriage?

She wasn’t thinking about anything but making good choices for herself and her baby, which meant being well informed. Besides she was curious about Lex’s family. Curious about his new life and the man he’d become.

‘Thank you for the invitation. I’ll come to Athens and meet your family.’

CHAPTER TEN

LEXWATCHEDPORTIAsurvey the icon, hands clasped and head tilted, totally enraptured by the old painting.

He couldn’t take his gaze off her.

It had been an inspired choice, bringing her to this small but impressive museum. Art really was her thing.

‘It’s magnificent,’ she whispered.

‘Some people find icons too stylised, a little stern.’

The painting of mother and child, several hundred years old, was both those things.

‘Doesn’t that just show a reverence for the subject?’ she countered. ‘Anyway, the formality only makes her tenderness more moving. You can see it in her eyes and the way she’s holding him. You canfeelthe love.’

He surveyed the icon and nodded, surprised. In the past he’d barely noticed. Now he registered the emotion both in the image and himself.

Because the bond between parent and child had never felt so personal to him? His relationship with his own mother had been problematic.

Is that why Portia was so fascinated by it? Because of the way it portrayed motherly love?

Lex had a vision of Portia holding their baby in just the same way, nestled in the crook of her arm. She’d smile down at it, her expression tender and beguiling and he...

What wouldhebe doing?

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