Page 45 of Captive Bride

Philip had changed since Christinaa??s disappearance a week ago. He no longer bantered with her, but treated her coldly and politely. He never mentioned the past, which unnerved Christina, for she was continually waiting for some biting remark that didna??t come.

She tried to avoid being alone with Philip, but was always left alone with him in the nursery. Christina insisted that Johnsy stay with her, but as soon as Philip walked into the nursery, Johnsy would make some lame excuse and depart quickly.

However, Philip seemed interested only in his son, and he kept his distance from Christina. He watched her bathe Philip Junior, or played with him on the soft, carpeted floor. But whenever it was time for his feeding, Philip left tactfully. And that completely baffled her.

Tommy had become the worst of her problems. He had grown very demanding since Philipa??s arrival. He constantly pressed Christina to set a date for their marriage, although so far she had avoided doing so.

But today, Christina had finally found something to rejoice about.

Kareen came into the dining room while Christina was eating a late lunch.

a??Estelle has finally decided to go homea??shea??s upstairs packing right now,a?? she said.

Christina said nothing, although she felt like jumping for joy.

a??Even though she is my sister and I love her dearly,a?? Kareen continued, a??I dona??t mind admitting Ia??m glad shea??s leaving.

But it puzzles me whya??and she wona??t tell me.

Only yesterday I tried to talk her into leaving, and she was flatly against it.

Then she went riding with Philip this morning, and when she returned just a little while ago, she stated angrily that she wouldna??t stay here another minute.

Ita??s better this way, for I know she was heading for a big letdown, but I still dona??t understand it.a??

Neither did Christina. But it didna??t matter why Estelle was leavinga??so long as she left. Now Christina wouldna??t have to suffer seeing another woman clinging to Philipa??s side. But Philip might leave now that Estelle was going Suddenly Christina didna??t feel quite so happy.

With his hands clasped behind his head, Philip reclined on the big brass bed listening intently to the sounds coming from the room next to his. He glanced at the antique clock on the mantel above the fireplace. Five minutes to tena??he wouldna??t have much longer to wait.

Philip grimaced when he recalled what had happened that morning. He had tired of the game he was playing with Christina and Estelle, and had been trying to think of a way to end it. Estellea??s boldness had provided the solution to his problem.

Estelle had cornered him after breakfast and asked him to take her riding.

Philip saw no reason not to, since Christina was upstairs feeding Philip Junior.

But after they had ridden some distance from the house, Estelle had dismounted under a large oak tree.

She had sat down under the tree and taken off her riding hat, shaking her thick black hair loose, and beckoned to Philip seductively.

a??Estelle, get back on your horse. I have no time for playing games,a?? he had said harshly.

a??Games!a?? Estelle had cried. She had scrambled to her feet and faced him, her arms akimbo. a??Do you intend to marry me or not?a??

Philip had been surprised, but had seen the answer to his problem. He could end it all by saying no.

a??I have no intention of marrying you, Estelle, and Ia??m sorry if Ia??ve led you to believe I would.a??

a??But you said you desired me!a?? she had retorted angrily.

a??I had a selfish reason for telling you that. Besides, it was what you wanted to hear. Therea??s only one woman I will ever desire or want to marry.a??

a??And shea??s engaged to someone else,a?? Estelle had laughed bitterly. She had thrown herself onto her horse and galloped off toward Wakefield Manor.

At dinner that evening, Philip had been amused to find that Tommy Huntington was extremely agitated.

The younger man knew that with Estelle gone Philip would have more time to devote to Christina.

Philip wondered how he would react if the situation were reverseda??if his fianc??ea??s former lover were living in the same house she was, and he were helpless to do anything.

Well, he felt no pity for Huntington. Indeed, he hated the younger man.

He couldna??t bear to think that Huntington would soon be Christinaa??s husband.

He would have the right to hold her and make love to her.

Philip shook the thoughts away. He would be damned if hea??d let that happen!

And if Tommy Huntington had already lain with Christina, he would kill him!

Knowing that Christina slept in the next room with only a thin wall between them was driving him beyond endurance.

Hearing her move about her room, listening to her sweet voicea??he wouldna??t be able to stand it much longer.

He must win her back before her wedding day, or kidnap her again.

He would rather live with her hate than without her.

Philip heard the maid finally leave Christinaa??s room. He opened his door and saw that the dimly lit corridor was empty. John and Kareena??s bedroom was at the opposite end of the house, and he hoped they were already asleep.

He walked the few feet to Christinaa??s door and opened it quietly.

She was taking her bath before the brightly lit fireplace, unaware of his presence.

He stood for a long moment watching her as she raised a sponge and let the water dribble down her arm.

Her back was to him, and all he could see was the soft white contour of her shoulders above the rim of the large tub.

Her hair was pinned up into countless ringlets shining like liquid gold, and the fire-light danced around her.

Christinaa??s towel and robe were lying on the foot-stool next to the tub. Philip edged his way over to them and picked them up. Christina gasped.

a??What are you doing here?a?? she cried, sinking lower into the tub. She glanced angrily at his amused expression, then down at the robe and towel he was holding. a??Put those down, Philip. Now! And get out of here!a??

a??What, these?a?? he asked teasingly, the firelight dancing in his gold-flecked eyes. a??Anything you say, madam.a?? He tossed the articles onto her bed, far from her reach.

He walked around the tub and over to the chair in the corner of the room.

She stared stupidly at her robe and towel on the bed.

Then she swung her head around fiercely and glared at him.

He was sitting in the chair watching her, his legs spread out before him and his hands clasped across his middle.

a??Just what the hell do you think youa??re doing, Philip Caxton? Damn it! Are you trying to get yourself thrown out of this house? Do you need an excuse to leave now that Estelle is gone? Is that it?a??

Philip chuckled without taking his deep-green eyes from her angry face.

a??I dona??t wish to leave this house, Christina, and I wouldna??t need an excuse if I did. If you will kindly refrain from raising your voice, no one will be the wiser and I wona??t be discovered.a??

Confusion overcame her. Philip was partially hidden in the shadows, but Christina could still see the smoldering look in his eyes.

He wanted her, of that she was sure, and a tingling sensation coursed through her body.

She wanted him with all her heart, but she knew their love would be only for tonight.

Tomorrow he would be as cold and indifferent as before, and she wouldna??t be able to stand it.

a??Get out of my room, Philip. You have no right to be here.a??

a??You look exceptionally beautiful tonight, Tina,a?? Philip murmured. a??You could tempt a man to do anything you wanteda??except leave you.a??

He laughed heartily.

She turned around in the tub. She couldna??t bear to look at him, his jet-black hair tousled and his crisp white shirt open to the waist baring his bronzed chest with its curls of black hair.

He was the temptation! She was hard pressed not to go to him, soaking wet, and make love to him!

It was what she wanted, it was what he wanted, but she couldna??t.

She couldna??t bear to love him and then face his hatred again in the morning.

Twenty minutes passed. Philip said nothing, nor did Christina. Her back was to him, but she knew he still watched her.

a??Philip, pleasea??this water is getting cold,a?? she pleaded.

a??I suggest that you get out of it,a?? he replied softly.

a??Then leave so I can!a?? Christina snapped.

a??You amaze me, Tina. Ia??ve watched you bathe a hundred times and emerge naked. You werena??t shy then, so why do you pretend to be now? We even made love once lying on the hard earth beside the bathing pond. It was you who came to me that day anda??a??

a??Stop it!a?? she cried, slamming her fist down into the water. a??Therea??s no point in talking about the past, Philip. Ita??s over and done with. Now leave this minute before I catch cold.a??

a??Was your body marred in giving birth to my son?a?? Philip asked. a??Is that why you refuse to stand before me?a??

a??Of course not! My figure has regained its former shape!a??

a??Then stand up and prove it, Tina,a?? he murmured huskily.

Christina almost took the bait and started to stand up, but then she sank back down in the water even lower than before, cursing Philip under her breath.

The soap bubbles had all dissolved, leaving her body open to view.

Her only hope was that he wouldna??t come near her, but leave!

If he so much as touched her, she knew she would give in.

Just then they heard footsteps in the corridor, and Christina froze when a light tap sounded at her door.

a??Christina, I must talk to you. Christina, are you awake?a??