He swore under his breath and stood roughly, stalking across the office and staring out of the enormous window. It was a bitterly cold, grey day; it matched his mood perfectly.
His phone rang and he thought about ignoring it, but then, there was hope.
The hope that maybe Imogen would be on the other end. He snatched it up impatiently, barking a harsh ‘hello’ into the receiver.
“Mr Trevalyen?”
His heart dropped. “Yes. What is it?”
“Sir, you’re in the paperwork as next of kin.”
His body flooded with adrenalin. He was both hot and cold. He gripped the edge of the desk, his view unwavering. “Yes?”
“Imogen Harper was brought in an hour ago.”
He hadn’t vomited since he was a boy, but he felt the rise of bile in his esophagus now. “Is she..?” The words came out as a horrible croak. The thought of harm befalling Imogen was impossible to bear.
“She’s fine. About 8cm dilated so it should be any time now. Though of course, you never know. Babies are stubborn little creatures, coming of their own accord. But if you want to be here for her, I’d suggest you make your way to us sharpish.”
“What?” He sat down in the chair, the after-effects of shock making his fingers tremble. “You’re saying …”
“She’s about to have the baby, sir.”
He disconnected the call and stood in one swift motion, grabbing his jacket as he jogged out of his office.
*
“I’m sorry, sir. You’re not to go in.”
He had never hit a woman in his life. Hell, he’d only hit a man once, in college, and the bastard had hit him first. But staring at the matronly nurse with her bright red hair and pink painted lips, he wanted to shove her aside, or roar in her face. Anything to remove the impediment the woman was creating.
“I just got called and told to come down.”
“Miss Harper has been quite adamant on this point,” the nurse softened the words with what Theo presumed to be an attempt at a smile. The lipstick had smudged onto her two front teeth.
“Tell her I’m here,” he said th
ickly. “Please.”
“Sir, have you ever had a baby?” The nurse spoke slowly, as if he was dim-witted.
He compressed his lips in a gesture of impatience that came across as pure arrogance.
“Because, let me tell you, it’s not the time to start questioning what a woman wants. If Miss Harper says she wants to do this alone, then that’s what’s going to happen.”
“Please, would you at least tell her I’m here. That I … I came as soon as I heard. Please, tell her that. Please tell her we need to talk.”
The nurse’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t I know you?”
Theo groaned. “No,” he shook his head. “We’ve never met.” Then, wondering if his loose claim to fame might actually work in his favour in this instance, he relaxed. Tried to smile. “I’m Theo Trevalyen.”
“I thought you were,” she nodded. “Okay, Mr Trevalyen…”
He held his breath, waiting, hoping. Refusing the childish impulse to correct her with his title, Lord Trevalyen.
“I’ll let her know you’re here. Take a seat in the waiting room.”
Mentally, he swore every single curse he knew in every single language he spoke. “Tell her now. If there’s even a chance she wishes I was in there with her… I’d never forgive myself. Please.”