“There was none. I only met him twice, once at a dinner party at David Sturmack’s house, and once at a cocktail party at the Beverly Hills Hotel, a charity thing.”
“I guess that’s all I have to ask.”
“My turn, then.”
“All right.”
“First of all, I want to tell you about the beginning, when I was supposed to come sailing with you. I had begun to believe that you were never going to make any kind of real commitment…”
“I was going to ask you to marry me when you got to St. Marks.”
A tear spilled down her cheek. “Boy, my timing was great, wasn’t it? I guess I was kind of hurting, more fragile than I thought, and Vance made me feel better. The more time we spent together the better it got, and after I came back to L.A. with him, well, I guess I became infatuated. I thought I was in love with him.”
“Aren’t you still?”
“I haven’t entirely figured that out yet, but I intend to. I’m certainly very fond of him, and I have great respect for him as a man.”
“Even after you were kidnapped, and he didn’t get you back right away?”
“I knew he was doing everything he could, and he’s explained his actions to my satisfaction. I don’t hold anything against him for what happened—I believe it was completely beyond his control.”
“He told you he’d be moving here with you while we sort everything out?”
“Yes, but I’m not staying.”
“Arrington, this isn’t over; we have to protect you.”
“I’m going back to Virginia; Betty Southard is arranging a chartered jet right now, and there’ll be some security people to meet me at the other end.”
“Why are you going back?”
“Vance told you I was pregnant, didn’t he? I figure that’s the only way he could have gotten you out here.”
“Yes, he did.”
“Don’t you have any questions about that?” she asked.
“I think I’ll just let you tell me what you want to.”
She smiled. “That’s like you, Stone; you were always a good listener.”
“Thank you.”
“You didn’t give away much, but you did listen.”
Stone said nothing.
“I am pregnant. I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to figure out who the father is, but my periods have been irregular for months, and I honestly don’t know; it could be either of you.”
“I see,” Stone said, because he couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“So here’s what I’m going to do about it,” she said. “I’m going back to Virginia to be with my family and to have my baby. Vance has agreed to submit to a blood test, and I want one from you, too.”
“All right,” Stone said. “I want to know
as much as you do.”
“If the baby is Vance’s, I’ll come back to California and be the best wife and mother I can. I know I don’t love Vance as deeply as I’ve loved you, but I think we can still make a good marriage of it, and a home for the child.”