Bride of Desire by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online

mother warned me, of course, that she was a born manipulator.’
     
      Well, the pair of you should know, Allie countered silently.
     
      ‘Well, let’s agree to disagree over that too, shall we?’ she suggested quietly.
     
      ‘And French houses don’t have proper damp-proof courses.’ Grace tried a new tack. ‘Tom might catch a chill.’
     
      Alice leaned back in her chair. ‘He doesn’t stay still for long enough. And I don’t want him wrapped in cotton wool all the time. He’s a little boy, for heaven’s sake.’
     
      ‘Yes, he is, and I’m not sure you realise just how important he is to the future of the Marchingtons.’
     
      ‘On the contrary. I’ve had it drummed into me that he is the future of the Marchingtons, God help him.’ Alice said shortly. ‘Before, during and after he was born, God help me.’
     
      There was a silence. Then Lady Marchington said, ‘ Alice , listen—please.’ She looked older suddenly, and weary. Almost scared. ‘You can’t possibly go back to that place. It would be madness.’
     
      There were two heartbeats of silence as Allie looked back at her. Her voice was even. ‘In what way—madness?’
     
      Her mother-in-law put up a hand to smooth her already immaculate hair. ‘Well—perhaps madness is a slight exaggeration. All the same, you must see why you shouldn’t go back there. And I’m sure your mother would agree with me.’
     
      ‘I don’t doubt it,’ Allie returned quietly. ‘But it makes no difference to my decision.’
     
      Lady Marchington took a deep breath. ‘If Madelon genuinely wishes to see Tom, perhaps—arrangements could be made for her to come toEngland .’
     
      ‘Except that it isn’t right to uproot someone of her age,’ Alice said quietly. ‘Particularly when she’s unwell, and I’m young and healthy and can make the trip perfectly easily.’
     
      What am I saying? Why am I making all these arguments for a case I’d already decided to lose? Because it’s too late to say so. Because, by this totally unwanted and unwarranted intervention, Grace has backed me into a corner, and if I’m ever to establish any independence for myself I cannot give way over this issue. And, as a result, I now have to go back to Les Sables d’Ignac, even though it’s the last thing I want in this world.
     
      I have to. There’s no choice now. It’s make or break time…
     
      Oh, God, why couldn’t she have kept quiet? Given me the chance to find some kind of valid excuse for staying away. For escaping this nightmare?
     
      ‘ Plymouth to Roscoff overnight,’ she added with a shrug, forcing herself to sound casual. ‘Then a leisurely drive down to Les Sables. Tom will love it.’
     
      ‘You can’t take Tom,’ Grace said harshly. ‘If you insist on going, it must be alone.’
     
      ‘You mean that after deserting my husband on the last visit, I should desert my son this time?’ Allie asked ironically. ‘Imagine the gossip that would cause. And I don’t choose to feature as a neglectful mother. Besides,’ she added squarely. ‘It would give me the chance to really be with Tom for once. To spend some real quality time with him on my own, so that we can get to know each other properly.’
     
      ‘On your own? But you’ll have to take Nanny.’
     
      When hell freezes over…
     
      Aloud, ‘Thank you,’ she said politely. ‘But I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m perfectly capable of driving my own car, and caring for Tom like any other mother. In fact, I’ll love it. Besides,’ she added practically, ‘Tante has no room for another guest at the cottage, and it’s the holiday season over there.’
     
      I want my life back, and I want my child back too, she thought. And if this is the only way, then I’ll take it.
     
      Grace clearly realised she had lost the advantage, and her mouth was a slit. But her voice was composed again. ‘I see. So, when are you thinking of