Page 74 of The Unseen
“Butter, for one.”
“Surely, in moderation, butter is good for the baby.”
“She prefers healthful fats, like olive oil and avocado. Butter is the devil.”
Quinn studied Rhys’s blissed-out expression and smiled. “I’m glad to see you happy, Rhys. You’ll make a wonderful dad. When is the baby actually due?”
“Mid-April. I can’t wait. I suggested we start decorating the nursery, but Haley seems reluctant.”
“Maybe she’s superstitious. Some women are. They think naming the baby before it’s born or preparing a nursery will somehow anger the gods.”
“I haven’t noticed that Haley is particularly superstitious, but she performs evasive maneuvers every time I try to discuss the future with her. She’s been awfully skittish lately, so I try not to upset her.”
“Could it be that she doubts your commitment?” Quinn asked. Rhys was not known for having a good relationship track record, and at nearly fifty, had never been married.
“I’ve assured her time and again that I’m not going anywhere. I’d marry her tomorrow if she didn’t mind getting hitched while pregnant. But Haley is an actress, and she wants to look her best on her wedding day.”
Quinn grinned, reminding Rhys that she had, in fact, got married while pregnant. She’d wanted to marry Gabe so desperately she hadn’t cared if she were in labor during the ceremony. She simply couldn’t bear to wait any longer, especiallyafter what had happened in New Orleans. Looking svelte in her wedding photos had been the least of her concerns, and she was happy she hadn’t insisted on waiting. She and Gabe had shared a warm and loving relationship before they got married, but making things official had actually made their commitment stronger, and their love for each other had grown and matured. She hoped the same would be true for Haley and Rhys.
“There’s no longer a stigma about being unmarried and pregnant. I suppose I can understand her desire to wait. Just be patient with her.”
“I am. I won’t be dragging her to church to stand up in front of a priest. This is the twenty-first century, after all. Whenever she is ready. You know,” Rhys mused, “if we were having this conversation a few hundred years ago, we might have decided to betroth our children. Of course, I’d need Gabe’s approval for the scheme. Your opinion would be completely irrelevant.”
“Gabe wouldn’t agree to an engagement at this time, but he might be open to a play date, perhaps in 2016. I have to get going. My opinion might be irrelevant, but my breasts aren’t. Alex is due for a feeding soon.”
“I’m trying to talk Haley into nursing. She’s not in favor,” Rhys confessed. “She can’t wait to get her body back.”
“I know how she feels.”
“Quinn, I’d like to do a formal interview with Valentina’s daughter, Natalia. Perhaps she can tell us something of Valentina’s early years in England. She might know all about Dmitri’s dealings with her, so her account would lend legitimacy to the program.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“I’ll get it on the calendar and get back to you. And, Quinn, I’d like to get this wrapped up before Christmas.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will. Cheers.”
FORTY-TWO
MAY 1919
London, England
Valentina set the delicate china cups on a tray and added the teapot, the sugar bowl, and a saucer of lemon slices. Dmitri had asked her to take on the household duties for a few days, to bridge the gap between Mrs. Stern and Rachel’s departure and the arrival of the new housekeeper. Once she started in a few days, she would be arriving in time to organize breakfast and then leave after clearing away after supper. Now that Valentina knew Dmitri better, she understood only too well why he no longer wanted live-in help. He liked to keep his affairs private, and with someone constantly in the house, there was always a chance of his secrets being discovered.
Hands splayed on the kitchen table, Valentina closed her eyes and bowed her head. She’d been with Ian Murdoch last night, and she felt battered, both emotionally and physically. She feared the man. There was a suppressed violence in him that could easily erupt at any moment if provoked. He worked out his aggression at the boxing club, but she was in no doubt that he would pummel someone to death if the situation called for it. She needed to know more about the man in order to protect herself, but he never spoke of his real life. He wore no wedding ring, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t married. He might even have children, like her other clients. Daughters who might be close in age to Valentina. Or Tanya.
Valentina trembled with fear when she thought of Tanya. Murdoch had asked about her last night. “I hear you have a sister,” he’d said as he watched her undress. “Quite a beauty, Dmitri tells me. Does she look like you?”
“A bit,” Valentina had squeezed out through clenched teeth.
“Now, there’s a plum that’s ripe for the picking,” he’d said, watching her through narrowed eyes.
She knew he’d been toying with her, tormenting her, but his words had hit their mark. Would Dmitri agree if Murdoch offered him enough money for Tanya? Would he go back on his word?
“Valya, where is that tea?” Elena called out. “We’re parched.”
