Page 7 of Now & Forever
“What I think ofthatis beyond my prerogative. You’ve already asserted that you see her as a life-partner. That, James, is not what I am worried about.”
“Then what? Worried that she would not make an appropriate stepmother for your grandson?”
“I wouldn’t know. She’s never come to visit him.”
“Is that the issue, then?”
“Would you please let me finish?” Sarah checked her exasperation.Can’t be too unladylike, even in front of me.“I’m worried about the rumors swarming about you two like busy little bees. Don’t suppose you’ve noticed, but there are many whispers that you two are facing a difficult time in your relationship.”
“That is our business.”
“So you do not refute it?”
James leaned in across the table. “Rather hard to maintain tranquility in one’s relationship when bombs are dropped upon you like it’s London in the ‘40s.”
“I suppose that makes us the Nazis.”
I mean, in a way…Did eugenics play a part in the creation of Patrick Merange? “Gwen has been taking the news of my sudden parentage rather hard. It can’t be that shocking that she’s having trouble adjusting. The woman had her trust in me completely shaken. For five minutes, she thought I had an affair behind her back. As a woman, I’m sure you can understand…” He stopped, laughing. For a few minutes,hehad forgotten that Sarah Welsh knew all about extramarital affairs!
“Is something funny, James?”
“You mean besides this whole situation?”
“I think you would want to do the right thing for the boy you think so highly of.”
“He’s definitely a little squirt.”
“Yes. Quite.” Sarah sipped more of her tea, thoughts formulating behind her bright hazel eyes. “Let me cut to the chase, James.”
“Finally.”
“I think it would be in Patrick’s best interest if you and Ms. Mitchell finally parted ways. Clearly, it is no longer a healthy relationship, and my grandson deserves to be surrounded by only the…”
James interrupted with what shereallymeant. “I suppose if I break up with Gwen, then I have the perfect opportunity to be with the mother of my child, yes?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You thought it.”
“What mother doesn’t want her daughter to be happy?”
James stood up. “Trust me, Madam, I will take your suggestion to heart. Now, if it’s all right with you, I have that obligation to attend.”
He had to leave before his anger got the best of him. The most painful thing? Knowing his son was locked away in his nursery, and he wouldn’t see him again for a few days.
Yet he could go home to Gwen. That was his primary obligation.
