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‘And if you keep on taking his side you’ll always be a victim.’
‘Oh, so that’s what you think, is it?’ She was on her feet, catching his arm, forcing him to face her. ‘I am not a victim. I’ve stood on my own two feet since Peter left me, provided for Isaac...’ She took a deep breath. Shouting wasn’t going to do any good, and if there was anyone still in the building they’d be sure to hear them.
‘I know.’ Edward’s rage turned abruptly cold. ‘But this is not your responsibility.’
‘No, it isn’t. But there’s another child, too—a little girl. She’s not my responsibility either, but I still can’t help thinking that somewhere out there that child’s mother is going to be facing the same thing that I did. I might not like her very much, but I can feel for her.’
‘There’s a baby?’
‘Not a baby—a child. She’ll be three years old now.’
He didn’t need to be a genius to be able to do that particular calculation. Peter hadn’t just had someone else while he was living with her, he’d had a child as well.
‘You’ve told my father this?’
‘Yes. I said that he could do whatever it took as far as Peter was concerned, but that I wouldn’t go out of my way to implicate his partner if there’s been any fraud. That’s my decision, Edward, whether you like it or not.’
Warmth bloomed in his face. ‘Most people wouldn’t be so forgiving.’
‘I’m not either. I don’t forgive her, but I won’t hurt her daughter. She’s no more responsible for any of this than Isaac is.’
‘Maybe the best thing you can do for this woman is to show her exactly what she’s got herself into...’
‘That’s what your father said.’
‘Must be right, then.’ A ghost of a grin shimmered on his mouth.
‘I suppose so. But all I really want to do is to be free of Peter. Your father’s agreed to review my divorce papers, to see if there’s anything I’ve missed, and to do all he can to push it through without any hitches. That’s a big weight off my mind.’
He nodded. ‘My dad’s not going to let you down. Once he gets his teeth into something he’s like a dog with a bone, and he won’t let up until he’s got everything sorted out.’
She could smile now. His impassioned rage had shown that Edward didn’t just pity her. He hadn’t shrunk from demanding answers from her, asking the really hard questions.
‘That’s something you both have in common. I appreciate it more than I can say.’
He gave the customary small nod, which said he’d heard. A smile which said he’d understood.
‘I should go now. I need to pick Isaac up soon.’
He shook his head. ‘One more minute.’ His back was against the door and he was leaning on it, his arms folded. ‘I’m afraid it’s no more Mr Nice Guy, Charlotte.’
She swallowed. Edward was getting darker and more dangerous again. She had to admit that she rather liked it.
‘Really?’ She took a step forward, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. If he wanted another confrontation he could have it.
‘Yeah. You can put up a fight if you like, but you and Isaac are staying on with me until this is all sorted out. However long it takes.’
‘We’ve had this conversation before...’
‘And we can have it again if you want. You’ll tell me that you don’t want to impose, I’ll say that you and Isaac are no trouble and that I like having you both around, and then you’ll give me that look...’ He grinned. ‘The one that you’re giving me right now...’
‘And...?’
‘And you’ll say that you and Isaac have managed on your own up till now, that you don’t need anyone.’
‘That’s not quite true...’
‘No, it’s not. You’ll say it anyway, though, just to put me in my place.’
