The Price of Honor (18 page)

“No. Our baby will
always
be loved and wanted.”

“I will buy you a stable of your own in the States or Europe. Wherever you prefer to raise the baby. You choose the property. I will provide financial support and cover the salary of the best nanny available so that the
bébé
can travel with you when you return to the career you love—riding.”

A stable of her own had been a far-off dream of Megan's for years, but she'd never expected to be able to afford one. Xavier was offering her everything and more than she had ever wanted. “What's the catch?”

“There is none. You were right. It is not the money, the power or the prestige that matters in life. It is the people. I regret that my father went to his grave with me cursing him for bringing shame to the Alexandre name by abandoning what I felt was his duty. But he was not wrong. I was. He did not shame the family. He honored them by following his heart rather than greed. He married my mother and gave me his name. I cannot apologize to him or make things right with him. But I can with you. I am sorry for the distress I have caused you, Megan.”

“This is a pretty huge change of heart for you, Xavier.”
And totally out of character—so much so she didn't know what to make of it.

“I was—” His voice broke, stunning Megan. She had never seen him lose composure. His face reflected his struggle. “I was wrong. I n-need you in my life.”

Emotions welled inside her, blocking her throat. She gulped and wheezed a breath into her tight chest. “You know there's only one way that's going to happen. End your engage—”

“I have. I am not going to marry Cecille. There is no honor in marrying for money or property.”

Jubilation fizzed inside her. “And Cecille?”

“Is relieved. Her father and I have worked a deal. She will be the spokesmodel for Parfums Alexandre-Debussey and she does not have to marry me to get it.”

“Alexandre-Debussey?”

“I bought the company outright.”

“What about the Alexandre Estate?”

“You once told me a home is no good without a family to share it. The estate would not have been a home. It would have been just another possession. Debussey wishes to keep it for sentimental reasons. That was the home he shared with Cecille's mother and where he claims he was the happiest.”

Something fluttered deep inside her—something besides the baby now kicking like a bucking horse. She reached for Xavier's hand and covered the little jabbing feet. “I think junior approves.”

Xavier jerked as the baby kicked her stomach beneath his palm. His breath shallowed and excitement lit his eyes. “He or she is a fighter.”

“Like his or her parents.” She stepped out of reach so she could think, then took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts. As difficult as it might be, she had to do what was
right for her and her baby. “Xavier, as much as I appreciate your generous offer, I'm going to have to decline.”

“Why? I do not understand. I am offering you what you want.”

“No piece of land is worth living without love or under a feeling of indebtedness. The only thing I've ever wanted from you is free. Your love.”

His stupefied face would have been comical if she'd been in the mood to laugh about anything. “Have my actions not proven I care for you?”

Care. Not love. That hurt. So, so much. She shuffled backward toward the door, determined to get inside and tend her wounds in private before the tears stinging her eyes broke free.

Xavier caught her hand, his grip firm, strong and warm. “Megan, the stable, the money, everything I offer is yours with no strings attached whether or not you choose to allow me to be a part of your life or a part of our child's life. I want what is best for you. I want you to be happy. Only you know whether that includes me.”

Her feet and heart stalled.

“I will not lie,
mon amante.
I would very much like to be by your side for the remainder of our days. To grow old and gray with you. You are the only woman to whom I can fathom making such a promise. You have the courage to fight for what you believe in. And I am hoping somewhere in your heart you have the capacity to forgive me for being such a blind ass.”

Her lips quivered. She hid them behind her fingers. What he said was too good to be true and she was afraid to believe in the fairy tale again because she couldn't survive losing it again.

“What do you want from me, Xavier?”

“I want you to love me like you used to.” He lifted a hand and cupped her face. “To love me as I do you.”

She gasped. Tears puddled in her eyes. He'd said
the words.
The absolutely perfect words. But…

“This is not because of the baby, is it?”

“No,
mon amante.
This is because I am lost without you. I eat, work, sleep—badly—but my days are empty without you in them. Come home with me. Rocky Start misses you. I miss you, Megan.”

She saw the truth in his beautiful green eyes. He loved her. Loved
her.
“I've never stopped loving you, Xavier. Believe me, I tried. I gave it everything I had and I failed.”

His lips—the lips she adored—curved in a smile. “I rejoice in your failure. I have one more request, but you have my love regardless of your answer,
tu comprends?
”

Curious, she nodded. “I understand.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out something small, narrow, shiny and silver. He held it between his fingers and offered it to her. It was a band. With bas-relief turtles between the raised edges.

“The ring is platinum. The jeweler who designed it for me assures me it is practically indestructible. And the smooth edges should prevent it from snagging on anything or getting in your way. Marry me, Megan. Wear this wedding band on your finger and let us spend the rest of our lives loving each other.”

Emotions overwhelmed her. Xavier was offering more than she'd ever dreamed of, more than a fantasy. A home. A family. A man who loved her as much as her parents had loved each other. One who was willing to travel the show circuit with her so that they would not have to spend long weekends apart.

“I would love to marry you, grow old with you and raise children with you, Xavier. Yes, I'll marry you.”

Xavier drew a deep, slow breath.
“Merci, mon amour.”

And then he pulled her into his arms and held her, just held her, close enough that their hearts pounded against each other. He leaned back slightly and brushed her lips with a kiss so tender and reverent a tear slipped from her eye.

He lifted his head. Happiness and love glowed in his eyes.

Laughter she couldn't contain bubbled up her throat. “The ring is perfect. Turtles.”

“Please tell me the significance of the reptiles. You have them everywhere. And while I would love for you to remove your panties to distract me, it won't work this time.”

It was a secret only Hannah knew. “When I lived here after my family died and my uncle rode my case, I used to withdraw. Hannah always called it pulling into my shell. Like a turtle.”

Alarm crossed his face. “Then the ring brings back bad memories? I am sorry—”

“No. Turtles are hard on the outside. They can withdraw and protect themselves when necessary. And then when the threat has passed, they move on with their lives. They're strong and resilient, and no one touches their tender core.”

He threaded his fingers through her hair. “And you are very much like the turtle. Strong and resilient.
Oui.
I see it. But I promise you, I will give you no cause to disappear into your shell.”

He kissed her again, but this kiss was different than any they had shared before. It not only held passion. It overflowed with love.

D
on't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

Megan blinked furiously as she studied herself in the mirror of the cathedral's anteroom. She'd never expected to see this day and her heart was so full it was ready to burst.

“Stop that. You'll ruin your makeup,” Hannah chided gently over Megan's right shoulder as she slipped another hairpin into the rope of pearls holding Megan's veil.

Nellie tsked on Megan's left. “Hush, Hannah Faith. It wasn't long ago you were crying into your wedding bouquet. Happy tears are always welcome. It's a body's way of making room for more joy. Here's a tissue, honey.”

Megan carefully dabbed her eyes and looked at the faces of the women she loved, her family, reflected back at her. “Thank you. Both. For everything.”

Nellie gave her a gentle squeeze. “You girls are like daughters to me. Megan, I'm honored to have you wear
my wedding dress, and I know my mother is smiling down from heaven on you right now. You look absolutely stunning in her gown.”

A vintage wedding dress—something Megan had never expected to wear—that had not one, but two happy marriages behind it. When Nellie had offered Megan her gown, Megan had been moved to tears.

Nellie patted Megan's rounded belly. “And maybe one day this little girl will wear it.”

Her daughter. Hers and Xavier's. They'd found out yesterday when the doctor had done the follow-up ultrasound. They would start their new family in the New Year by welcoming a baby girl.

“Nellie's right. You look beautiful and radiant.” Hannah fluffed the veil. “My mother's veil matches Nellie's dress perfectly. With that empire waist no one can tell you're seven months pregnant, and the beaded scoop neck bodice makes the most of your…enhanced assets. Cousin, I do believe Xavier is going to love your cleavage.”

Megan's cheeks warmed. She stroked a hand down the heavy ivory satin skirt. “I feel like a princess. A very pregnant princess, but still…”

“I can't believe Xavier pulled this together so quickly.” Hannah, her own baby belly just beginning to show, passed Megan her bouquet, a beautiful, lavish collection of Megan's favorite flowers.

“When something matters to him he can work miracles.”

“Your wedding obviously matters. This cathedral, the reception at his estate, the horse-drawn carriage to take you from here to the reception… Megs, the man has a romantic streak a mile wide. Have you seen the flowers decorating the sanctuary? I'd say your perfumier knows his blooms. It smells heavenly out there.”

“I take it you don't hate him anymore?”

Hannah shook her head. “How could I? He bought Haithcock Farm and donated the stables and the pastures to my horse rescue operation, and he plotted with Wyatt behind my back to do a major fundraiser for Find Your Center. I knew he and Wyatt were working on an advertising campaign for the distillery, but I had no clue they were doing something so huge for me.

“I'll be able to help so many more horses and disabled riders now. Best of all, he's keeping Haithcock house as a vacation home so you can visit me whenever you want, and our children will get to grow up as close as we were.

“But more than that, Megan, how could I possibly hate a man who makes you this happy?”

“Good point.”

A knock sounded on the door. Hannah opened it to reveal Wyatt. The newlyweds shared a quick kiss before Wyatt pulled back.

“Showtime, ladies.” He offered an elbow to Nellie. “As soon as I seat the most beautiful woman in the room, I'll meet the bride and her matron of honor at the other end of the aisle. Get a move on, ladies. The groom wants this knot tied fast and tight.”

Nellie blushed. “Land sakes, girls, both of you found charmers full of blarney. But he's right. Let's get this show on the road.”