The Marriage Secret by Kim Lawrence

Author:Kim Lawrence [Lawrence, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2001-01-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Finn froze. “Oh God, yes, I forgot.”

Forgot…?

“You were talking as if you’d never been married before.” As much as Emily would have liked to wipe out those years he’d shared with Maeve, she couldn’t pretend they hadn’t existed; and Finn had never behaved as if he wanted to. “Three years is quite a long time.”

“Perhaps I’m a slow learner.”

Emily’s confusion deepened as his eyes slid warily from hers.

“I wasn’t talking about being married to Maeve,” he said softly. “I was talking about being married to you.” Hands pressed against his muscular thighs, he drew himself upright in one lithe motion.

“How different could it be?” she blurted out without thinking. If he thought she was requesting some sort of compare and contrast thing, she’d die!

“More different than you could ever believe.”

“You know how much I hate it when you’re cryptic.” Her faint smile faded when there was no answering glint of humor in his own face. “How different can it be?” she repeated. Instinct made her grab for his shirttail as he made to turn from her.

“Just different.”

“Why are you being defensive?” she challenged.

“I am not being defensive.”

“Yes, you are—defensive, secretive, furtive…”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Emily, I just don’t want to discuss my previous marriage with you.”

The combination of ice and impatience in his face and voice made Emily see red.

“For God’s sake, Finn!” she exploded. “I’m not asking for details of your sex life.” Her eyes narrowed. “You really shouldn’t play poker, darling.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning you look as guilty as sin, and don’t you dare refer to my pathological suspicions!” she yelled.

It wasn’t easy to fight on equal terms with someone who was towering over you, so Emily unhooked her ankles from around the barley-twist legs of her oak chair and made to get to her feet. She was halfway through the simple procedure before she realized she couldn’t feel her right foot. Had Finn not seen her dilemma and caught her, she’d have fallen.

“What is it?” he demanded, turning her face up to him.

Emily blinked as his blue eyes raked her face. They looked incredibly brilliant against a complexion that had become unnaturally pale and strained.

“Speak to me!” he demanded hoarsely.

The soundless little gasp that escaped her parted lips as her body grew limp in his arms didn’t soothe his alarm. He was no medical expert but even he could tell her breathing had changed perceptibly, getting shallow and worryingly rapid. He swore softly under his breath as her eyes half closed.

“Emily!” He shook her slightly and was relieved when her dark lashes lifted off her cheek. “Are you ill, sweetheart? Shall I call a doctor—ambulance…? Oh, God, it’s not the baby?”

“No, no—the baby’s fine, I’m fine.” she managed to breathlessly reassure him. “A numb foot—must have been sitting awkwardly. Pins and needles now.”

“Well, you don’t look fine,” Finn responded with a suspicious frown.

Emily felt the prickling heat that already bathed her body rush up to her neck, and it didn’t stop until her whole face was burning.

“That, you stupid man, is because you’re too…” She threw him an exasperated look as he shook his head.

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