His Reluctant Bride (14 page)

Katie stared at the doctor in shock as his words sank in making her feeling queasier than normal. How was this possible? She had been taking the pills without fail and had thought she was safe from accidental pregnancy.

“I don't understand. I was taking the pills. How did this happen?” she said quietly as her head whirled with questions and the doctor frowned as he realised that she wasn't as happy about the news as he'd thought.

“I believe you were already pregnant at the time of your last examination but it would have been too early to notice,” he revealed and she closed her eyes against reality as her panicked mind tried to figure out a solution to the mess she was in.

And that was when she had a realisation that shocked her to her core.

She was happy about the baby!

It made no sense to her but against all reason and despite her doubts and fears about the state of her marriage she was genuinely happy about being pregnant. Even now she found it hard to believe that there was a tiny life growing within her and yet it felt like the most normal thing in the world.

“I can't believe it,” she said with wonder as she opened her eyes and her hands moved protectively over her still flat belly, although it felt a little bigger than usual though that could have been her imagination.

A short while later the doctor finally left after going through what she should expect over the next few months and giving her instructions on how to take better care of her health.

Once he'd left, Tariq tracked her down and for once the animosity between them seemed to be missing as he approached with his face full of concern for her and she had a moment of panic at the thought of telling him about the baby. Once he knew there was a child she would never be free and her freedom would be over. She had no doubts that Tariq would do everything in his power to keep his child safe.

“What did he say was wrong?” Tariq asked his expression soft with concern as he approached her and Katie hesitated.

“He said that.... it's nothing,” she said wincing at the lie.

“Nothing?” Tariq repeated incredulously and Katie swallowed nervously. She should come clean and tell him the truth. Except that she found she couldn't.

“Just a stomach bug. He said it should go away on its own,” she lied, hating herself even as she did so. Especially when relief flashed briefly on his face and he caught hold of her and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

Much later when she had time to reflect on everything Katie still didn't understand why she had lied. She knew Tariq would be happy about the baby and she also knew that the baby had to come first now before her own needs. Yet still she held back and couldn't tell him the truth. It said much about the state of their marriage that she couldn't share this news with him yet, if she ever felt she could. Though obviously it wouldn't be long before he would notice anyway.

A few days later when her sickness still occurred Tariq called the doctor again and Katie realised that her lie was coming undone already. Luckily the doctor was discrete and didn't reveal the truth to Tariq though there had been every chance that he could have mentioned it. Something that Katie couldn't let happen.

“I'm afraid there isn't much I can prescribe for the sickness at this stage but if it gets worse or you find yourself losing too much weight there are other things we can try,” he said and Katie smiled gratefully at him.

“I'm sorry for calling you out unnecessarily but I haven't found the right moment to tell Tariq yet,” she said with a smile and the doctor nodded in understanding.

“Naturally, it is big news and don't worry I was already coming out here,” he said and Katie frowned.

“Really?” she questioned wondering who was ill.

“Seems you won't be the only one suffering through your pregnancy,” he commented as he collected his bag and Katie froze while the blood drained from her face. Someone else in the palace was pregnant? Who? Surely her worst fears couldn't be true. She prayed they weren't.

“Thank you,” she offered as the doctor left the room and she waited only a few moments before leaving the room. Just in time to see him enter another. The one person that she had really hoped he wouldn't be visiting. Tears stung her eyes even as she watched Amber's door close shut behind the doctor leaving Katie in no doubt of who was pregnant and she could hazard a guess at who the father was.

Later that night she found herself dining in the formal dining room with Tariq who informed her Amber was feeling too ill to join them which normally would have made Katie happy but was now just a painful reminder of her husband's affair and its consequences.

The meal was lovely but Katie couldn't eat more than a few mouthfuls before her stomach rebelled and she pushed the plate away with a sigh. The silence was more tense than usual and she was aware of Tariq's steady gaze on her though she was careful not to look in his direction.

“You should eat something,” he commanded in an authoritative tone and Katie spared him only a glance as she took a sip of water.

“I couldn't manage another thing,” she replied even as guilt stabbed her that she wasn't taking care of herself and the baby.

“Guilty conscience maybe?” he queried as he pushed his own plate away and observed her in a way that she found unnerving.

“I don't know what you mean,” she said firmly even as her heart began beating quicker and her mouth became dry. Surely he couldn't have found out about the baby.

“Really? Are you sure about that?”

Katie hesitated wondering if she should continue to bluff or whether she could come clean. In the end she was saved from making a decision when Tariq threw something on to the table between them.

“What's this?” she asked picking up the small box and gasping as realisation hit.

“I was hoping you could tell me,” he informed her watching her reaction carefully. Any doubts he'd had of her innocence vanished at the sight of her guilty face.

“I would have thought it was obvious,” Katie informed him with false bravado as she stared down at the pills with a sinking heart.

“It's obvious what the pills are. The question I have is why would my wife be taking them when our goal is to have a child together?” he demanded as fury rose in his gaze and Katie glared at him.

“Maybe I'm not ready for a child. Or maybe I just don't want one with you,” Katie suggested as she placed one hand protectively against her belly and uttered a silent apology to her baby.

“You could have told me you weren't ready. Discussed it,” he informed her angrily and Katie gave a harsh laugh.

“When would you have ever listened? This whole marriage is about you and what you want. I refuse to bring a child in to this world with you as it's father,” she informed him and his face darkened.

“You think I would harm my wife? My child?” he demanded furiously and Katie paled for she had not meant to suggest he would deliberately harm her or a child.

“It's not about harming us. It's about not listening to what I need or caring what my feelings are,” she said and he frowned at her wording.

“Harming us?” he queried and Katie cursed her slip.

“I meant me and any future child we might have had,” she said trying to correct herself and he observed her for a moment as though weighing her words.

“It doesn't matter what you believe. You betrayed me,” he snapped and Katie stared at him in stunned disbelief.

“I betrayed you?” she said incredulously unable to believe he could accuse her of something like that when he was the one cheating on her and impregnating another woman.

“The moment you started taking these pills you betrayed me and you lied to me,” he confirmed his eyes flashing furiously and Katie's own anger began to burn.

“I didn't lie,” she snapped.

“Well you certainly weren't honest. Either way it doesn't matter,” he concluded and Katie stared questioningly at him wondering how he could go from being so angry to so accepting in a matter of seconds.

“It doesn't matter?” she repeated and he gave a grim smile as he leaned over to remove the pills from her grip.

“From now on you will not be taking these pills and you will be doing your best to get pregnant. We will be announcing your pregnancy within the year. I will make sure of it,” Tariq informed her coldly and Katie could only stare at him for a moment. He didn't even see what he was doing. The hurt he was causing her. And that was what finally made Katie release her temper.

“The hell I will,” she informed him harshly and Tariq looked stunned by her furious outburst.

“What is that supposed to mean?” he demanded and Katie stared him down refusing to look away.

“I will not be having any child of yours. Ever!” she snapped even as the lie ate away at her.

“You dare to defy me?” he asked deceptively quiet and Katie shivered. She didn't think that Tariq would ever beat her for defying him though she knew many who would but she also knew that he wouldn't let her get away without punishment.

“I dare to tell the truth. You don't care what I think or feel. But I can tell you now that I will never carry any child of yours,” she informed him and his mouth tightened in to a thin line.

“And what if I don't give you a choice? If I take away the pills there is a good chance that you will get pregnant with my child,” he informed her coolly and Katie could only stare at him.

“You would do that? Force me to have a child I don't want?” she asked quietly and Tariq ran a hand through his hair as he shifted in his chair uncomfortable with the way their conversation had turned.

“I would do a lot to have my child,” he said wearily and Katie hardened her heart towards him.

“I didn't say you couldn't get me pregnant easily. I said I wouldn't carry your child,” she said and Tariq froze in horror at what she was saying.

“You would harm our child?” he demanded and Katie soothed her hand gently over her belly as she apologised to the baby for what she was saying.

“I would do a lot not to have your child,” she informed him and Tariq had finally had enough.

“I cannot deal with you in this mood. You are being ridiculous,” he told her and Katie glared at him.

“I don't see why you even need me when we both know you have another child on the way,” Katie reminded him and Tariq froze at the accusation.

“And just what is that supposed to mean?” he demanded but Katie had finally had enough of the conversation. She was exhausted and the sickness she was trying to keep at bay was getting worse.

“It means that I have no intention of staying under this roof with you and Amber,” she said warily.

“Fine.”

“Fine?” she questioned hopefully. Maybe he'd finally realised that he couldn't push her in to this. Maybe he was ready to let her go and have her freedom back.

“You don't want to stay here? You can go stay at the village until I decide where we go from here,” he informed her and Katie sighed. At least the village was better than being stuck here and she had some sense of freedom even if she was still a prisoner.

Apparently Tariq had lost his trust in her, Katie realised as she arrived in the village complete with two bodyguards in tow. She might have been shipped away but he didn't trust her to be alone and do as she was told. Smart man.

It was late when they arrived and Katie ignored her bodyguards as they escorted her to her tent and remained outside guarding her from a short distance. Exhaustion overcame her and Katie collapsed on to the bed but found her mind was too active to sleep. She felt guilty for deceiving Tariq and couldn't believe she could have lied about hurting her unborn child. Hugging herself tight she whispered apologies over and over until finally she drifted to sleep that was filled with dark dreams of pain and loss and children judging her with their eyes.

When she awoke with a start the sun was just starting to rise and there were raised voices from outside the tent. Stumbling from the bed she pulled on a robe and approached the entrance cautiously. Peeking out she found herself looking at Jai who appeared to be arguing with the bodyguard.

“What's going on?” she asked and they turned to observe her.

“Katie, you're alright?” Jai asked taking a step towards her only to come to a halt as one of the bodyguards stepped in front of her blocking him.

“I'm fine,” Katie answered as she tried to move the guard out of her way but he refused to move and she found herself having to peer round his back to see Jai who was looking uncomfortable with the whole situation but calmer now he had seen she was alright.

“I just saw the guards and wanted to make sure,” he said with a shrug and Katie sent him a grateful smile.

“I'll be out soon,” she told him and with a nod and one last wary glance at the guards Jai left.

Katie took her time getting ready and she couldn't help looking in the mirror to see if she could notice any changes in her body. Her breasts seemed bigger and were more sensitive and her stomach was slightly larger though not hugely so but that would change soon. She couldn't believe that within her right now her son or daughter was growing and changing.