There was wistfulness and not a small amount of sadness in his voice. Colin wondered at that. Maybe Gabriel was dealing with his own problems. He had already hinted at that the other day. Should he probe?
“I don’t.” Colin said in reply to the other man’s suggestion.
Gabriel frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Our agreement was that once I had an heir, we would go our separate ways. She just announced a few days ago that she is pregnant. I have no bloody reason to make love to her.” Colin bit out. “And if the child is male, she has no reason to come back to me. Ever.”
Gabriel stared at him for two seconds before he exploded with more vehemence than Colin thought possible.
“Fuck the agreement! She is your wife, and she is carrying your child. You go and claim them both!”
“Would you have me break the promises I made to her? Force her to remain with me against her will?” To his everlasting shame, the idea held great appeal.
Gabriel made an impatient gesture and stood to pace. “I’m not saying you should force her to do anything. Seduce her. Fight for her. At least you have that chance. You have the right.”
Colin frowned, staring at Gabriel. There was definitely something bothering his friend. He should probably ask, but the old bitterness came flooding back.
“It’s not that easy. In case you have forgotten, I’m a freak. A hunchback. Women don’t find me irresistible. Before my marriage, I used to pay for my pleasure as most women can’t even tolerate my—.”
“Bollocks.” Gabriel interrupted.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. That’s pure codswallop wrapped up in self pity. You are no freak. Your back deformity has little influence on your appearance, and I suspect many ladies would find you attractive if you were not always scowling.”
“I’m not always scowling.”
“You are now.” Sardonic amusement colored Gabriel’s voice. “Look man, I’m just saying your wife wouldn’t have married you if she found you objectionable. Whatever it is you think is the problem between you two, fix it and fight for her. She is your wife, damn it. She is going to have your baby. They are yours Colin! You have the right... no, the duty to fight for them.”
Colin sat back and studied his friend’s face. He had come to talk about his heartbreak and frustrations, but now it seemed Gabriel was dealing with demons of his own. He looked like a man in hell.
“Gabriel, are we still talking about my problems? I don’t wish to pry, but if there’s something burdening you, you know you can trust me with anything.”
Gabriel collapsed back in his chair, tilting his head back and swallowing a hefty amount of whisky.
“I know. Sorry for snapping at you. It’s just... I so wish I were in your position. I envy you. In your circumstances, I would fight for the woman I love. But I can’t even fight.”
Gabriel looked so defeated. So heartbroken that for the moment, Colin put his own problems aside.
“Why not?” He asked in a low voice.
Gabriel just shook his head and Colin thought the other man would not say more, but then he whispered, almost as if the information was being torn from his chest.
“There’s a woman... I love her. And she is carrying my child. I want them both. But I can’t claim them. Neither her nor the child. She is not mine.” he made a horrible sound that sounded like laughter, but not quite. “I was just the stud.”
Colin sat back, flummoxed. “Damn.”
Gabriel’s mouth twisted without humor. “That I am.” Lifting the bottle of whisky he offered, “More?”
“Certainly.” Because what else was there to do but get mind-numbingly drunk?
