Page 51 of Suzanna's Surrender
“Just the attitude I’ve come to expect,” Bax said as he walked through the open front door. Jenny’s arms tightened around Suzanna’s neck, but Alex turned and threw out his Calhoun chin.
“We didn’t like the dumb party, and we don’t like you, either.”
“Alex!” Her tone sharp, she dropped a hand on his shoulder. “That’s enough. Apologize.”
His lips quivered, but the stubborn gleam remained in his eyes. “We’re sorry we don’t like you.”
“Take your sister upstairs,” Bax said tightly. “I want to speak with your mother in private.”
“You and Jenny go in the kitchen.” Suzanna brushed a hand over Alex’s cheek. “Aunt Coco’s there.”
Bax took a careless swipe at Fred with his foot. “And take these damn mutts with you.”
“Chéri?” This from the svelte brunette who continued to hover in the doorway.
“Yvette.” Keeping her arms around the children, Suzanna rose. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”
The Frenchwoman waved distracted hands. “I beg your pardon, it’s so confusing, I see. I just wondered—Bax, the children’s bags?”
“Have the driver bring them in,” he snapped. “Can’t you see I’m busy?”
Suzanna sent the frazzled woman a look of sympathy. “He can just leave them here in the hall. If you’d like to come into the parlor... Go see Aunt Coco,” she told the children. “She’ll be so happy you’re back.”
They went, holding each other’s hand, with the dogs prancing at their heels.
“If you could spare a moment of your time,” Bax said, then cast a glance up and down her work clothes, “out of your obviously fascinating day.”
“The parlor,” she repeated and turned. She struggled for calm, knowing it was essential. Whatever had caused him to change his plans and bring the children home a full week early was undoubtedly going to fall on her head. That she could handle. But the fact that the children had been upset was a different matter.
“Yvette”—Suzanna gestured to a chair—“can I get you something?”
“Oh, if you would be so kind. A brandy?”
“Of course. Bax?”
“Whiskey, a double.”
She went to the liquor cabinet and poured, grateful her hands were steady. As she served Yvette, she thought she caught a glance of apology and embarrassment.
“Well, Bax, would you like to tell me what happened?”
“What happened began years ago when you had the mistaken idea you could be a mother.”
“Bax,” Yvette began, and was rounded on.
“Get out on the terrace. I prefer to do this privately.”
So that hadn’t changed, Suzanna thought. She gripped her hands together as Yvette crossed the room and exited through the glass doors.
“At least this little experiment should have rid her of the notion of having a child.”
“Experiment?” Suzanna repeated. “Your visit with the children was an experiment?”
He sipped at the whiskey and watched her. He was still a striking man with a charmingly boyish face and fair hair. But temper, as it always had, added an edge to his looks that was anything but appealing.
“My reasons for taking the children are my concern. Their unforgivable behavior is yours. They haven’t any conception of how to act in public and in private. They have the manners and dispositions of heathens and as little control. You’ve done a poor job, Suzanna, unless it was your intention to raise two miserable brats.”
“Don’t think you can stand here and speak about them that way in my house.” Eyes dangerously bright, she walked toward him. “I don’t give a damn if they fit your standards or not. I want to know why you’ve brought them back this way.”
