Lifelong Affair by Carole Mortimer Read Free Book Online Page B

said
abruptly. 'And maybe I don't show my emotions as easily as you do, but that
doesn't mean I don't have them. Mark was my young brother, and Glenna had been
a member of my family for two years. Maybe I haven't been showing my feelings
before now, but you and my mother have been displaying enough hysteria for all
of us!' he scorned hardly.
    She
swallowed hard, feeling the chastisement for what it was. Just because the man
gave the impression of being of stone it didn't mean he was without feelings.
'I'm sorry,' she said stiltedly. 'We'll— postpone this discussion then.'
    His
mouth twisted with dry humour. 'Only postpone it?'
    'Your
mother's words against Glenna were pretty insulting.'
    'She's
at breaking point, surely you can see that?' Alex dismissed.
    She
nodded. 'But it's usually when we're under the most emotional strain that we
can dare to say the things we really feel.'
    'My    mother    is    always!—articulate,    he    drawledely.   'Believe me,   she always   says what she Tike you.'
    'And
you,' he nodded.
    Unwilling
humour lightened her features.   'Pretty Mot lot, aren't we?' she mocked. T would say so,' Alex agreed
wryly. 'Now would you if I got on with my work? Hammond Industries,
unfortunately, hasn't ground to a halt, I still have to He was kept very busy
the next three days, so much id that
Morgan rarely saw him. She didn't see too . of Rita Hammond either, as Alex had
persuaded the other woman to stay with her daughter for a while, absence was a
welcome relief to Morgan. She it almost every waking moment with Courtney, soon
lost her nervousness with him, managing to iced, dress and change him with ease
now. And the baby seemed to be coming to know her too, often Mopping his crying
if she should happen to take him in her arms and cradle him, when he wouldn't
stop for Mrs Ford.
    Morgan
came to a halt in the nursery doorway on the third evening when she saw Alex
actually sitting in The rocker in the nursery feeding Courtney his evening
bottle. As far as she was aware he had never done such a thing before.
    As
if becoming aware of her gaze on him he looked up, giving a rueful grimace at
her surprised expression.
    'You're
doing very well,' she smiled, moving further into the room.
    'I
thought I was,' he nodded. 'Until I winded him and he was sick down my back!'
    Morgan held back her laugh with difficulty. 'I had a few
accidents like that to start with, but now I always put a towel over my
shoulder.'
    'I
will in future.' He put the bottle down as it was finished with. 'Here, let
me,' she draped a towel over his shoulder. 'A bit late for that, isn't it?' he
mocked 'Better    late    than    never,'    she    quipped,    wiping Courtney's mouth as he was
a little sick. 'See,' she said with satisfaction. 'He's almost asleep,' she
murmured softly a few minutes later, as the baby's head turned to one side and
his eyes closed.
    Alex
stood up to lay the drowsy baby gently back in his crib. 'I sent Mrs Ford to
dinner and thought I would see what it was that's given you that glow for the
last few days.'
    'Well,
it wasn't having Courtney being sick down my back,' she retorted to hide her
embarrassment. She hadn't been aware of having a glow, or the fact that Alex
had noticed it.
    He
eased the dampness of the silk material from his shoulders. 'God, my shirt
stinks!'
    'So
will you,' she assured him. 'I should get that shirt washed immediately. And
you'll need a shower.' 'And   I   always   thought   babies   smelt of talcum
powder!'
    'Poor
Alex!' she laughed softly. 'Hm,' he grimaced. 'I didn't deprive you of your
nightly treat, did I? Mrs Ford tells me you've been mainly feeding and caring
for Courtney yourself.'
    'I've
enjoyed it.' It also gave her something to do. She was left mainly to her own
devices, Alex either at work or in his study, and she liked being with
Courtney.
    He
nodded, moving out of the nursery and into the corridor so that their
conversation didn't disturb the sleeping