‘Cassie aborted her baby?’ Leon interrupted in a voice that said this was news to him.
‘Yes,’ she whispered, feeling decidedly shaky on her legs all of a sudden.
‘And you think,’ he persisted slowly, as if he was having trouble taking it in, ‘that I would have expected you to do the same?’
No! Oh, God—no! she thought, and shuddered in horror at her own vile words. How could she accuse him of something like that? She knew—knew he was not that kind of man!
‘I’m sorry,’ she apologised huskily. ‘Of course I never thought that of you.’
His chest moved harshly. ‘Well, that is something, I suppose,’ he muttered, yet still flaying her with a contemptuous look.
‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered again, feeling so guilty that she wanted to cringe.
‘Oh—sit down!’ he ground out, and it was only when he took hold of her arm and helped her into a nearby chair that she realised how badly she was trembling.
‘Good God,’ he muttered, ‘you barely look fit enough to support yourself, never mind the child you carry! How the hell have you let yourself get into this state?’
‘I’ve been ill,’ she mumbled distractedly.
‘Sick with your own deceit, I should imagine,’ he muttered unsympathetically.
‘Who—who told you about the baby?’ She asked the question which had been burning at her brain since he had arrived, distinctly unsurprised by her pregnant state.
He was glaring at the floor, and for a moment Jemma thought he wasn’t going to answer her, then he glanced up and grimaced. ‘Your flatmate, who else?’ he said, and watched what colour she had left leave her face at this ultimate betrayal.
‘She was supposed to just deliver my note,’ she whispered painfully.
‘Which is exactly what she did do,’ Leon nodded. ‘Only fate happened to take a hand in things. I arrived home—early, since I had managed to catch an earlier flight—to find her at my door. What happened next is between myself and your friend,’ he stated grimly. ‘Except to add that she is more of a friend than you deserve. We will, of course, invite her to our wedding.’
That thoroughly shook her, bringing her head up sharply to stare at him. ‘But I can’t marry you, Leon!’ she cried.
‘And why not?’ he demanded haughtily. ‘You have other crimes to lay at my feet, maybe? Other sins I am to be found guilty of without trial?’
She flushed. ‘No, of course not. But—’
‘Then perhaps it is a sin of your own which makes you stare in horror at the idea of marrying me?’ he suggested. ‘Maybe there is more to this than even your best friend divulged to me? Something, perhaps, to do with the man you were on your way to meet tonight when I—surprised you with my arrival?’
Man—what man? She frowned, having no idea what he was talking about.
‘The man your note spoke of,’ he illuminated for her. ‘The man you informed me you are heavily involved with.’
Oh. Jemma flushed and lowered her eyes as enlightenment dawned. She had forgotten all about the lie she had made up for not wanting to see him.
‘Maybe,’ he went on grimly, ‘this man is the father of your child, hmm? Who is he?’ he demanded. ‘Anyone I know? Is he a better lover then I? Is that why you dropped me for him? Regarding your condition, I must also presume that you met him long before we parted!’ He eyed her narrowly. ‘Could it be that your flatmate and I have jumped to too many conclusions all round?’
‘Stop it!’ she choked, unable to bear any more. ‘You know I’m not like that! When did I ever give you the impression that I could be?’
‘Devious, you mean?’ he asked. ‘A liar and a cheat?’
She went white at his words, the sickness beginning to crawl up inside her. ‘I w-want you to leave,’ she whispered, coming shakily to her feet.
‘You don’t like these accusations?’ he asked. ‘They offend you as deeply as your accusations offended me?’
So that was it. He was simply getting his own back on her in the most insulting way he could think of. ‘I s-said I was sorry,’ she murmured. ‘What else do you want me to say?’
‘You can tell me whose child it is you are carrying.’
‘Yours!’ she choked out wretchedly. ‘You know it’s yours!’ Then she turned and made a dash for the door.