'You look beautiful!' He came forward to take her hands in his. T have something for you.'
'For me?' Her eyes brightened.
'Yes, he smiled at her enthusiastic response, sliding a hand into the hip pocket of his dinner jacket, bringing out a small ring box. He flicked open the lid, revealing a delicate gold ring with a diamond and emerald setting. 'Your engagement ring. If you like it. If you don't '
'Of course I like it!' She was still staring at the beautiful ring. 'You chose it for me, so of course I love it. It's really beautiful. Put it on for me. She held out
her hand, the nails painted the same vivid red as her lip gloss.
It was slightly loose on her finger, but not so loose it would fall off.
'I'll get it made smaller while we're on our honeymoon,' Alex promised.
'Oh, it doesn't matter '
'Do you want to lose it?'
Considering that it looked as if it cost a fortune she certainly didn't want to do that. She shot her head. 'Okay. But it stays where it is until I have the plain gold band to take its place. It is going to be plain gold, isn't it?"
Alex chuckled as he opened the car door for her. 'When you aren't losing your temper you're quite bubbly, aren't you?' he teased.
'I don't get engaged every day of the week, Mr Hammond!'
'Believe it or not, neither do I,' he said dryly, driving the Mercedes with his usual skill.
'Have you ever been engaged before?"
'No.'
'Married?'
'No,' he derided.
'Well, Glenna never mentioned it, and I was—I was curious.' And now she knew that he hadn't actually made any commitment to the woman who had hurt him so badly. That was encouraging at least.
'Well, don't be,' he taunted. 'I've never been engaged, married, or into serious relationships for any long period of time.'
'Neither have I,' she told him lightly.
'No?' he mocked.
Morgan shot him a sharp look, not liking his tone at all. 'I refuse to argue with you tonight, Alex, not when we've just become engaged.'
'Why should you want to?'
"Because I think you just insulted me!'
'I did?
Tou know you did,' she said crossly. 'But you'll see, Alex, you're wrong about me, so very wrong.'
His eyes were glacial, his jaw rigid. 'Am I? I doubt it' He heaved a deep sigh. 'As you said, let's not argue tonight. I hope you like the restaurant I've chosen,' he firmly changed the subject.
'I'm sure I shall!'
His mouth softened. 'Don't be angry with me, Morgan. There are thirty-eight years of cynicism and scepticism that you have to deal with.'
Her eyes flashed deeply green. 'And there are twenty-six years of independence and honesty you have to deal with!'
Alex touched her cheek gently. 'I'll cope.'
'So will I!' she vowed determinedly.
The restaurant was very full, although they were somehow shown to one of the best tables in the place, a secluded table in one corner of the room. The restaurant was styled like an old country inn, the service friendly and intimate, the lighting a soft red glow.
I like it,' Morgan told Alex once they were seated.
T hoped you would.' He nodded briefly to the waiter as he arrived with their champagne. 'To us,' he toasted her minutes later.
'To us,' she echoed fervently.
Alex sipped the bubbly wine, looking at her speculatively. 'That sounded very intense!'
She met his gaze steadily. 'I'm a very intense person.'
'I've noticed!'
'And I don't just mean my temper,' she glared at him.
'Let's order,' he suggested gently.
'Are you always going to shut me up by feeding me or kissing me?' she asked in a disgruntled voice.
ioNo,' he told her softly once the waiter had left with their order. 'Once we're married I'm going to use a much more effective method. The way I remember it, you're a silent lover—except for those deliciously spine-tingling noises you make in your throat.'
'Alex!' For all her sophistication colour flooded her cheeks, and she looked about them self-consciously.
'Indeed, Alex,' he drawled. 'What have you done to me, Morgan McKay? I've never been known to engage in conversations like this before.'
'You were never going to be married before, she teased, loving him so much she ached for him. 'But you said earlier that I wouldn't be sharing your bedroom when we're married/ she reminded him with a frown.
He shook his head. 'I said you wouldn't be moving into my room at the house, and you won't be. I thought we could go and look at houses tomorrow if you're feeling up to it after your flight.' He quirked dark brows questioningly.
Morgan frowned. 'Houses .. .? You mean, of our own?' she gasped her surprise.
'Of course.'
'Just the three of us?'
'And a housekeeper, and possibly a maid or two. I trust you have no objection to someone else doing the cooking and cleaning while you take care of Courtney?' he mocked.
'No. But—Your mother?' she frowned.
'Doesn't like the idea at all,' he confirmed drvly.
'Then why-- '
'I'm not marrying to please my mother, Morgan. Far from it!' he rasped, revealing more than words the pressure he had been under during her week of absence to change his mind about marrying her. 'But I remember the problems you said you had facing you, and buying our own house would solve two of them—
seeing too much of my mother and living in I bouse as her. You've chosen for us all to r England, so obviously you feel you can cope with tba. The last problem I am unable to do anything about,' be finished harshly.
That they didn't love each other! No, they didn t, but she loved him, and she was going to do her damnedest to make him fall in love with her. 'Tell me some more about the houses, she encouraged huskily. He gave her a searching look. 'You like the idea, he said at last.
'I love it!' she smiled. 'Although not too far Irom your mother, so that she can visit Courtney whenever she wants to.'
'After the way she's treated you that's very generous
of you,' he said stiffly.
'She's his grandmother,' she explained simply.
They had an enjoyable meal together, in fact it was a long time since Morgan could remember enjoying herself like this. Perhaps she never had; she had never been in love before.
'Nightcap?' Alex queried huskily when they got back to the house, a silent house where the servants had already gone to bed.
She was very conscious of the fart that there was no malignant presence of Rita Hammond upstairs tonight just waiting for their ascent, and that fact alone made her feel almost lightheaded. Or perhaps it was the champagne doing that? She didn't care what it was, she loved the feeling. 'I'd love one.' She followed him into the lounge, where a fire had been left burning for their return, as the September evenings were very cool.
'Brandy?'
'Fine,' she nodded. ' I had a lovely time tonight, Alex.'
'So did I-' The admission seemed somehow to be forced from him 'We'll have to do it often when we're married. I trust you'll have no objection to leaving Courtney with a reliable housekeeper on the occasional evening?'
Not at all,' she smiled. 'After all, I'll be your wife too, not just Courtney's mother.' She became suddenly serious. 'Will we adopt him as our own, Alex?'
He handed her her brandy, sitting down beside her on the sofa. 'I thought we might.'
She nodded. 'I think that when he's older, and we tell him the truth about his parents, knowing we cared enough to make him legally ours will make him feel more wanted and not as if he's ever been a burden to us. Especially when he has brothers and sisters to contend with.' She gave Alex a sideways glance, waiting for his reaction.
'Brothers and sisters?' he repeated slowly.
'Oh yes, I've always wanted a family. Both Glenna
and I--- ' she broke off, her face suddenly blanching.
'It's all right, Morgan.' Alex's arm came about her shoulders as he held her close to him. 'I still feel the pain of losing them too.'
She buried her face in his chest. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spoil the evening.'
'You haven't.' He took the glass of brandy out of her shaking hand and put it beside his on the coffee table, tilting her chin to wipe away her tears with his thumbtips. 'You're a warm and loving woman who cares deeply for people.' He kissed her gently on the lips. 'I think a family sounds a wonderful idea. After all, I have the best pan,' he mocked.
'You think so?' she teased him.
'I know so.' He moulded her body against his. 'We have the house to ourselves, Morgan,' he prompted softly.
She stiffened, sobering completely, the effects of the champagne a thing of the past. 'We don't really.' She moved away from him with a light laugh. 'Symonds and the other servants are in the house, aren't they?'
He nodded. 'In their owm quarters.'
'We'll be married in three days, Alex,' she dismissed. 'Besides, I'm tired tonight.'
His mouth twisted sardonically, and he moved to pour himself another glass of brandy. 'You're using that excuse before we're married,' he taunted. 'What comes afterwards, the headache?'
'I think you're being insulting '
'Believe it,' he bit out grimly, staring sightlessly at the fire. 'I've already told you, I will not be controlled by the physical attraction I feel for you.'
'I'm not--- '
'Go to bed, Morgan,' he ordered roughly. 'You said you were tired, so go.
'Alex--- '
'Go!'
'What are you going to do?' she asked anxiously.
'Finish my drink and go to my own bed, of course,' he derided.
She paused at the door. 'Will we still go and look at houses tomorrow?'
He nodded distantly. 'If you wish.'
'I do. Alex . ..?'
He didn't even turn. 'Yes?'
She sighed. 'I wish I could explain—You'll soon understand the reason for my reluctance now.' There was pleading in her voice.
'I understand it already,' he scorned. 'The longer you keep a man waiting for your body the more he's going to want you. Woman's logic!"
'Not at all, Alex.' She could see there was no talking to him tonight, especially when she didn't intend telling him the whole truth. Not yet. 'I'll see you in the morning.'