Innocent Wife, Baby of Shame

The housekeeper tilted her head at her. ‘Have you told him you are expecting a child?’

Keira blinked at her in surprise. ‘How did you know I was pregnant?’

Marietta folded her arms in a smug pose. ‘I have had four children. You think I do not know the signs by now? Besides, your sweaters were in such a mess I had to refold them all. I found the test.’

Keira let out a long sigh and sat down. ‘I’ve told him but I don’t think he’s taking the news all that well.’

‘He is probably nervous about being a father,’ Marietta said. ‘My husband was the same, but do not worry, he will be overcome with joy once it hits home.’

She gave the housekeeper a strained smile. ‘I certainly hope so.’

Marietta patted her on the shoulder. ‘He just needs a bit more time. Be patient with him.’

Keira read something in the older woman’s gaze that alerted her to the fact that Marietta knew more about Patrizio than she did herself.

‘He loves you, Keira,’ the housekeeper said. ‘He just does not realise it yet.’

Keira felt her heart swell with hope. ‘You think so?’

‘I know he does,’ Marietta said with that same smug smile in place. ‘Why else would he fly to Sydney on business and stay away longer than necessary? He is, how you say it…regrouping? He has to recharge the batteries of his resolve to keep you at a distance. He does not want to make another mistake but he will realise soon the biggest mistake he made was to let you go.’

‘So you’ve known all along that our reconciliation is a sham?’

‘Listen, Keira, I am the wife of an Italian man and the mother of his four sons. What I do not know about Italian men isn’t worth knowing. Signor Trelini is very proud. He refused to mention what happened back then, even though it was all over the papers day after day. He gritted his teeth and carried on as if everything was normal but inside he has been simmering with anger. Having you back in his life has forced him to confront his feelings. He is not going to give in without a fight, let me tell you.’

‘What do you think I should do?’ Keira asked.

‘Love him,’ Marietta said. ‘That is all you can do. Love him to bits.’

Keira smiled in spite of her sagging spirits. ‘You really are much more than a housekeeper, aren’t you?’ she said.

Marietta’s dark brown eyes twinkled. ‘You had better believe it.’

‘Guess what?’ Harriet Fuller rushed up to Keira on the opening night of the exhibition.

‘What?’

‘All of your paintings have a sold sticker on them,’ Harriet informed her excitedly. ‘Every single one.’

Keira’s startled gaze went to where her works were displayed. It was true. Each one had been sold. She swung her gaze back to her friend. ‘Do you know who bought them?’ she asked.

‘That man over there,’ she said, pointing to a man of about forty or so who was signing a credit card slip. ‘Do you know him?’

Keira hadn’t realised how much she had hoped it was Patrizio who had bought her paintings until she saw that it was not. The man was totally unfamiliar to her. ‘No,’ she said, turning back to Harriet. ‘I don’t know him. What is he, an art collector or something?’

‘I don’t know,’ Harriet said. ‘But who cares? You’ve caused such a sensation the press want an interview and the arts council representative wants to do a feature article on you in their next newsletter.’

Keira couldn’t help but be caught up in the excitement but as the evening went on she began to flag with tiredness. She scanned the crowd several times, hoping for the sight of a tall, dark figure but was disappointed each time.

‘Didn’t your husband or parents make it?’ Harriet asked towards the end of the evening.

Keira shook her head sadly. ‘No. Patrizio was called away on business. And, as for my parents…Well, this is definitely not their scene. My father would be concerned that he was going to be mingling with drug addicts or something and thereby permanently tarnish his reputation.’

‘Better not tell him about Devlin Prosserton, then,’ Harriet advised, jerking her head towards one of the more infamous students, who had a reputation for partying rather hard.

‘Yes, I guess not,’ Keira agreed and, blowing out a sigh added wearily, ‘I’m bushed. I think I’ll head home and sleep for a week.’

‘Well, at least you can sleep knowing there’s money in the bank,’ Harriet said. ‘Just think—you won’t have to die after all. You’re already famous.’