“Well, who is she? What is her family?”
“They’re publicans,” he said, suppressing the pleasure he got from rattling his own mother that way.
“Publicans? You mean, as in, they run a pub?” Her face blanched visibly.
He nodded. “And Imogen works in childcare.”
“Childcare!” She shook her head, her fingers dropping to the table top where they beat a steady rhythm. “How in the world did this happen?”
Theo’s expression was droll. “I should have thought the ‘how’ is self-explanatory.”
“Stop it, Theo. I mean how did you meet her? How did you decide her a suitable mother to the heir of the Trevalyen fortune?”
“I don’t think it was a conscious decision,” he said with a gruff laugh. “But nonetheless, that’s what she’s going to be.”
“I see.” Only Elena didn’t. None of it made sense. At thirty-four, her son had the world at his fingertips. He was rich, handsome, successful, and came from one of the most distinguished families in England. “And how did Marie take the news?”
Theo’s frown was natural. “I don’t suppose she is aware of it,” he said after a moment. “Why should she be? We no longer have anything to do with one another.”
“Don’t be absurd,” Elena saw the future evaporating before her eyes. “She is the love of your life.”
He laughed; a low sound of disagreement. “She is my ex-wife. Ex, mother. As in, in the past. I know you care for Marie, but she has nothing to do with this …situation.”
“She still loves you,” Elena said urgently. “And you still love her.”
A muscle jerked in his cheek. After what Marie had done to him, he doubted either statement was true. In fact, he was pretty sure it never had been. Marie hadn’t loved him, and he could certainly never forgive her.
“It’s over.”
“So, what? You’re going to have a baby with this … this …”
“Imogen,” he supplied, a kernel of sympathy for Elena expanding in his chest. “Yes.”
“And do I get to meet the woman who’s planning to raise my grandchild?”
“Would you like to meet her?”
“It would seem sensible.”
“Fine.” He shrugged. “I’ll speak to Imogen and arrange a time for you to come over.”
“Cove over where?” Elena’s eyes narrowed at the casual invitation.
“To my place.”
“And she’ll be there too?”
Theo’s laugh was a rumble. “She lives with me now.”
Silence dropped onto the table. “Did you just say she lives with you?”
“It seemed to make sense,” he nodded. “I want to be involved in every aspect of this baby’s life – including the pregnancy.”
Elena swore in an uncharacteristic show of emotion. “You’ve lost your mind, Theo.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re inviting some gold-digging…”