His eyes widened, and for a moment pure unadulterated happiness shone on his gaze, mirroring her feelings. But then, a shadow seemed to enter his eyes and even though nothing changed on his face, his smile seemed to lose a little brilliance, becoming more forced.
“I am so glad, my dear. Truly, you have been most efficient.”
“Well, as for that. You had something to do with it, too.” She replied with a bashful smile.
He chuckled, but the sound was not as happy as it should be. “Very true. How do you feel?”
“I feel great! I always wanted a child and had almost resigned myself to... well, not having a family. But now it happened so fast! I couldn’t ask for more, really.” She came around the desk to stand in front of him. Placing her hands carefully on his chest, she stared up into his face. “Are you truly happy?”
His arms came immediately around her, gathering her against his chest. “Of course. I’m elated.”
His embrace was so tender. She felt him place a kiss on her head. She basked in his warmth, melting into him.
“You need not worry that I am going to importune you at this delicate time.”
“What?” Her befuddled brain was having trouble making sense of his words. What did he mean by importuning her?
“I... won’t make any husbandly demands. It is what we agreed upon when I proposed, isn’t it? You have fulfilled your part of the bargain splendidly. I will uphold mine. Now you must take excellent care of yourself and the baby.”
His words were like a dousing of cold water.
“But...” What? What could she say to that? He was being considerate, even protective. He was holding her so tenderly.
“Yes, yes, of course.” She had no cause for complaint. She should even rejoice, right?
Why then did she feel like she had just lost something precious?
***
SHE WAS CARRYING HISchild. And he didn’t know how to bloody feel about it. On the one hand, he was delighted. They had created a life together! He wanted a child. A family. He had been alone for so long. Ever since his mother died, almost ten years ago. Now he had a wife, a sister, a stepmother, and soon he would have a child.
But his wife didn’t love him. Theirs was a marriage of convenience. After this child, she may choose to live apart from him. His sister would eventually marry and have her own family. But this baby. His child. That would be his forever. His own blood. Yes, he was ecstatic to have a child.
But he thought he would have had more time with her. More time to make her fall in love with him. More time to enjoy the passion, the pleasure, the feel of her in his arms.
But he didn’t have more time. Nothing good in his life lasted. He was a fool to think he could find love and companionship. Something so simple, really. And yet, so unattainable.
He strode from his study. He needed physical exertion. A pity he didn’t have his gym set up in London. But they had brought the mats, and he could set them up in the ballroom. He would spar with Wang. His teacher would give him a good grubbing if he wasn’t sharp, for Wang wasn’t one to hold back. He smiled grimly. At the moment, he didn’t care if he had the stuffing beaten out of him, he just needed to vent this frustration.
“Please ask Mr. Wang to meet me in the ballroom. And help him bring the mats,” he told a footman he found in the hallway. His blood was boiling for a good fight.
Half an hour later, Wang was unceremoniously flipping him onto the mat. For the fifth time in a row.
“Damn” Colin couldn’t control the expletive.
“You are distracted, Colin. You must focus in order to fight well. Have to master your mind in order to master your body,” Wang said with infuriating calm.
He rolled to his feet immediately. “I don’t care about fighting well. And I can’t focus right now. I have too much on my mind.”
“Then we shouldn’t spar.” Wang reproached, stepping back out of the mat. “Kung Fu is not a way to vent anger.”
“I know. I just need the exercise. The exertion.” He said, putting his hands on his knees and stretching his back. Something he only did in the presence of his trusted friend.
“Maybe you should tell me what troubles you.” The older man's eyes were kind. Wise.
“I am going to be a father. My wife is pregnant.”
A slow smile lit up Wang's face. “Congratulations, my friend! A child is a great blessing.”
