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“And what about the children issue?” her friend pressed.
“We’ve discussed it, and I know where he’s coming from. That’s all I can say on the matter.” She bit her lip. “The bottom line is, I want to be Nick’s wife, and he wants to be my husband. We’ll work the rest out,” she said philosophically.
Her friend regarded her silently with shrewd green eyes, her elfin like, no-nonsense face serious. Then after taking a sip of her drink, she said, “You know what? I believe you. You’re not the same half-broken girl I helped pack for Nawaka two months ago. For his sake, I hope Nick knows how special you are. But never fear, I’ll be around to remind him just in case he forgets. And Ishallbe armed with a very fat stick. Now, do you want to tell me what the half-dozen-bodyguard thing is all about? I read a little about the guy who ’napped you. Surely you don’t think he’ll try anything here?”
The reminder that the danger wasn’t over put a damper on her happy day. “It’s not quite over yet. But I’m determined to enjoy my anniversary.” She summoned a bright smile.
By the time they reached the spa, the easy camaraderie that had made them best friends despite their starkly different personalities had been restored.
Belle arrived back home with two hours to spare before the party started. Shutting the door behind her, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Bertrand, who appeared from the kitchen to relieve her of her bags, appeared tense. Her trepidation increased.
“We have a visitor,Madame. Monsieuris in his study with her.”
“Her?” Nick hadn’t told her he was expecting anyone.
“Oui, she gave her name asMadameBravington.”
Belle nodded but then saw Bertrand was still frowning. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
She forced herself to stay silent as the butler wavered. “If I may say,Monsieurwas not very happy to see her.”
“Thank you, Bertrand. I can take it from here.” She waited until he’d disappeared down the hall before walking toward Nick’s study. As she approached the door, she bit her lip, in two minds whether to interrupt.
In the end, her peace of mind didn’t give her a choice. She knocked and entered.
The woman who sat with quiet composure facing a stone-faced Nick across his desk appeared to be in her early sixties. With blonde hair worn in stylish shoulder-length layers and a superbly cut pink skirt suit that screamedhaute couture,she held herself in almost regal elegance. One hand was folded over the other in her lap, and Belle saw a huge pink diamond on her ring finger.
It only took a second to take all this in and focus on the face that turned when Belle entered. It took another second to see the resemblance and realize this woman was none other than Nick’s mother.
Nick got up, his movements jerky and unlike his usual graceful, sexy walk as he came toward her.
“Tinkerbelle, I wasn’t expecting you until—” He paused and glanced at his watch, his face registering surprise at the time. Leaning down, he placed an uncharacteristically chaste peck on her cheek before reluctantly turning to the other occupant in the room.
“Let me introduce you to my mother, Amanda Bravington. Mother, my wife, Belle.” The clinical precision with which he made the introduction made Belle cringe. Before she couldrespond, the other woman came toward her, both hands outstretched.
“Belle, I’m so pleased to finally meet you. I’ve been waiting so long to meet Nick’s wife, and now that I have, I curse myself for waiting this long.” Taking both Belle’s hands in hers, she kissed her on the cheek, and when she straightened, her lashes simmered with tears.
Emotion clogged Belle’s throat as she fought for a response. “It’s good to meet you, too, Mrs. Bravington,” she responded, aware of Nick’s stiffness beside her.
Gray eyes similar to Nick’s sparkled with genuine warmth. “Please, call me Amanda. And I’m so glad to see you well after what you went through. I came as soon as I heard.” She cast a quick glance at Nick, a glance filled with pain and uncertainty.
Nick’s face remained granite-hard, and she felt a rush of sympathy for the other woman. Despite what had happened, and despite Nick’s opinion of her, it was clear the woman loved her son.
“Thank you, Amanda,” Belle replied, then to break the awkward silence which ensued added, “Will you be staying? I’m sure Bertrand can prepare?—.”
“No, she won’t be staying. In fact she was just leaving, weren’t you, Mother?” Cold eyes demanded only one answer from his parent.
Sighing, Amanda dropped Belle’s hands, stepped back, and went to pick up her purse. “Yes, I was just leaving. But before I do, I’d like to give you this.” She came back toward them, holding up a small package to Nick. “I know today’s your first anniversary, and I hope you’ll accept this small gift.” Her lilting voice held tremulous hope as she looked at her son.
He regarded the present, and Belle prayed he wouldn’t refuse it. After a tense moment, he took it from her. “Thank you. We appreciate it.”
Belle smiled, hoping to ease the harshness of Nick’s curt response. In silence, they walked to the door, and with a murmured goodbye, Amanda left.
Belle turned to Nick as soon as the door shut behind her.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I didn’t invite her here, you know. She just turned up,” he said.