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“Does he know?” Megan’s concern sharpened. “You’re not fooling him into thinking...”
“I’m not fooling him about anything. We understand each other very well. Matt wants children, too.”
Megan shook her head. “There must be something wrong with him.”
“Why?”
’Proposing a marriage like this. And so fast. Is he homosexual?”
“What?”
The shock of the question propelled Peta into a wild peal of laughter.
“It isn’t a joke,” her sister said furiously. “I’m really worried about what you’re letting yourself in for. What if he only wants you to give him a family?”
“Believe me...” Peta choked out “...he wants me for more than that. Matt is very, very heterosexual.”
“Have you done it with him?”
Peta instantly sobered. “No, I haven’t. And I won’t. Not until we’re married. I’ll deliver when he delivers. I’m not going to be taken for a ride again, Megan.”
“For God’s sake! You’re making him pay for your own mistake. If you can’t let Giorgio go, you’re going to have one hell of a marriage.”
Peta’s chin came up in fighting mode. “People used to wait for their wedding night. In many countries they still do.”
“Do you want him? I mean does Matt Davis turn you on sexually or do you intend to suffer him for the sake of having children?” Megan flung at her.
Heat flooded up her neck. “Not that it’s any of your business...”
“Someone has to make you see sense!”
“...I won’t mind sharing a bed with him.”
“Mind! If he’s so very heterosexual, do you think he’s going to appreciate lukewarm lovemaking? Let me tell you...”
“Okay! He turns me on,” Peta cried in exasperation. “He’s loaded with sex appeal. Satisfied?”
“Well, at least you’ve got one thing right,” Megan muttered and swung back to the vanity mirror.
Peta simmered w
ith resentment. She and Matt had this marriage all worked out. It was no one else’s business but theirs. She’d come here to help Megan get ready for the christening and the family luncheon afterwards and her sister thought she had free licence to criticise—her younger sister who’d had everything fall beautifully in her lap. It was fine for her, sitting on her pedestal of perfection, everything laid at her feet...
“I’ll get Patrick’s bath ready while you finish your makeup,” she said, walking quickly from the . bathroom, ashamed of the rush of envy. She knew her sister spoke out of caring for her. It was just... Megan didn’t understand. Couldn’t. Her life had been different. And Peta didn’t want to talk about it.
Rob was out on the patio setting up the barbecue for later. He’d probably been told to keep out of the way so Megan could have a heart-to-heart with her off-the-rails sister. Peta strode through the family room, hoping not to draw his attention through the glass frontage to the outdoors area.
She reached the nursery without incident and paused to admire it all over again. Megan had created such a delightful room for her baby, all apple green and white, wonderful mobiles hanging from the ceiling, pretty wallpaper with a border of bunny rabbits, colourful soft toys filling the shelves. Assuring herself she would soon be furnishing a nursery, Peta gently laid Patrick in his bassinette. He was still fast asleep. It was impossible to resist touching his face, running her fingertips lightly over the baby-soft skin.
Taking a deep breath to relieve the tightness in her chest, Peta stepped over to the change table to collect the baby oil and talcum powder for his bath. Megan had already laid out the christening robes which had been used for each newborn child in the family since their eldest brother had worn them for the first time. Peta stroked the exquisite silk and lace layette with a sense of reverence for each new life it had adorned.
Next year, she thought. Next year my mother will bring these clothes to me for my baby. Mine and Matt’s. And by then I will have forgotten all about Giorgio and what he took from me because my life will be filled with love again. True love...
His mother stunned Matt by bursting into tears just as he’d picked up his car keys, ready to leave.
“It’s my fault,” she cried, wringing her hands in despairing anguish. “I know it’s my fault. If I hadn’t nagged you about a grandchild...”
“Mum!” He banged the keys down on the kitchen counter in sheer exasperation. “I’ve heard enough of this ridiculous nonsense. Will you get it through your head I’m doing what I want to do? It has nothing to do with you!”
