Page 56 of The Unforgiven
“I suppose it’ll go to you.”
“Me?”
“You are the next in line. The family name will die out, but not the family. So, there’s hope.”
“There’s time, George. You and Amelia are still young.”
He shook his head. “There’ll be no more babies, Maddy. Dr. Holbrook said that Amelia is not strong enough to suffer another loss. Three miscarriages in four years have taken their toll. I won’t put her through that again.”
George went silent and stared out the window into the darkness beyond. They remained quiet for the remainder of the journey, each lost in their own thoughts.
THIRTY
MAY 2014
New Orleans, Louisiana
When her ringtone interrupted Quinn’s vision of the past, she reluctantly set aside the fan and reached for her mobile, her mind still on Madeline and George. The bitter atmosphere in the carriage permeated Quinn’s own mood, making her less than eager to speak to Seth, who had no doubt found another great place to take her to for dinner or a jazz performance that couldn’t be missed. She appreciated his zeal but would be happy with a sandwich and an early night. And a phone call from Gabe.
“Hello, darling. How’s my girl today?” Seth asked. He was always pumped in the mornings. He said it was because he was a morning person, but Quinn strongly suspected it had something to do with the triple espressos Dolores brewed for him as soon as he got up.
“I’m well. And you?”
“Super. Listen, I hope you won’t be too upset with me, but I’ve planned a party for this Saturday. In your honor. I don’t have much family besides a few cousins, but I want to introduce you to my friends and business associates. I hope you don’t mind. It would mean a lot to me.”
“No one’s ever thrown a party in my honor before,” Quinn replied. In truth, a party was the last thing she wanted, but she couldn’t bear to disappoint Seth. He seemed so excited, and so eager to make her happy.
“I’ve even invited Kathy. She’s eager to meet you, and I think we can put our differences aside for one night. She’s gladthat Brett has a sibling. What say you? Will you attend and allow me to show you off?”
“Of course. But, Seth, I must return home soon. I’m going to book a flight for next week.”
“Aww. Must you go? We’re just getting to know each other.”
“This time with you has been very…eh, special, but I have commitments at home. I’m getting married in a few weeks, and my fiancé seems to be missing in action.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m sure he’s fine. Probably planning his bachelor party,” Seth joked.
“Probably,” Quinn agreed, impatient to get off the phone.
“Want to meet for lunch?”
“Actually, I already have plans for today. I’ll see you later, if that’s okay.”
“Of course. Have fun, whatever you’re doing. I’ll check in with you before I leave the office.”
Quinn rang off and called Gabe again. The automated voice informed her that his mailbox was full. “Damn you, Gabe. Where are you?”
She swung her legs off the bed and headed for the bathroom, hoping a cool shower would refresh her. She’d had a lingering headache for the past two days, and her normally trim ankles looked swollen. She’d missed her prenatal appointment at the clinic in London and would have to reschedule as soon as she returned home. And now she’d have to find a dress for the party. She hadn’t thought to bring anything smart to wear, assuming that her meeting with Seth Besson would be casual and brief, but since she’d stayed longer than expected, she’d had to buy several new outfits to accommodate her busy social schedule as well as her expanding waistline.
“Are you all right in there?” Quinn asked the baby as she stood naked in front of the bathroom mirror. She turned sideways to examine her belly. It had noticeably rounded over the past week, the little bump firm and the skin sensitive to the touch. Her breasts were fuller and crisscrossed with bluish veins, like rivers on a map, while her nipples had grown darker and larger. Quinn laid a hand over her stomach and waited. Some expectant mothers said they felt movement as early as sixteen weeks, but she was close to twenty and hadn’t felt anything yet. She longed for confirmation that her baby was well. There was no reason to think otherwise, but she hadn’t been feeling well the past few days. Perhaps it was the food, or the humid New Orleans weather that she couldn’t get used to. Her face looked flushed, even in an air-conditioned bathroom.
Quinn stepped into the shower and allowed the water to cascade over her shoulders. They felt stiff with tension. She pressed her forehead to the cool tiles to try to alleviate the headache that had been building instead of improving. She wished she could just take a day to rest, but Jason Womack would be meeting her in the hotel lobby at ten, so she had to get ready. He’d gotten in later than expected but had sent a text to schedule their meeting. It’d be a long day.
When she got out of the shower, Quinn checked her mobile again and found a voicemail from Gabe. Finally.
“Hello, love. Sorry I haven’t been around. Hope you’re having a grand time with your dad. Talk to you soon. Love you.”
Quinn tried calling Gabe back, but the call went to voicemail again. This wasn’t like him. Even his message sounded odd. He had a deep, melodious voice, but he sounded almost breathless, as if he were nervous. What was going on? Quinn was about to call Phoebe when the room phone trilled.
