Her attempt did not fool her husband. “You know what. You orchestrated the
whole thing. Why was Christopher supposed to marry that woman?”
“She needed it,” Julia replied simply.
He raised one eyebrow. “And what about him? She's a ruin. How is this
going to be good for him?”
Julia thought about her words carefully. “She's not a ruin, at least I don't think so. She's hurt, to be sure, but I think there's hope. I mean, I've been her friend for the last year. I know she was very shy tonight, but it was probably because you were there. When she's comfortable, she's quite charming and
sweet. There's a real woman there, under the pain. Once she heals a bit, they'll be
quite good together. If I didn't think so, I wouldn't have done this. Besides, Christopher has always been a little… self-centered. He knows how handsome he is, how easily women fall into his arms. It will be good for him to focus on
someone else's needs.”
“What?” he asked, concern hardening to a pointed, narrow-eyed stare.
Oh dear, I didn't suppress that feeling deeply enough. “It's nothing.”
“Tell me, Julia.”
She attempted again to prevaricate, feeding out a partial truth. “Well, he's always been a bit of a rake, you know? The gossips say he had an… indiscretion
with an opera singer a few months ago.”
Adrian shrugged. “And? He's young. These things happen.”
Julia compressed her lips and gave her husband a speaking look. “I don't like
that they do. He doesn't need to cheapen what is best between a man and woman.
It's time for him to grow up and understand how much better love can be.
Katerina has many fine qualities. She'll be as good for him as he is for her.”
Adrian smiled.
She knew that, like his son, he'd sown quite a few wild oats when he was young, but Julia wasn't backing down. The passion between a husband and wife
was so much better than flings with loose women. He'd admitted as much more
than once.
“Come now, love,” Adrian urged, “I won't believe you did this because of a
months-old affair. Tell the truth, Julia.”
“Fine.” Her voice was suddenly fierce. “I want her for myself. I want to be
her mother. I love her like a daughter and…”
“And you've missed having one all these years?” Finally, Adrian understood, if the look on his face was any indication.
“Yes,” Julia admitted, bitter grief twisting her lips and stinging her eyes.
“She would have turned nineteen in March. It's only a few months difference.”
He gave a single, slow nod. “Julia, Katerina can't replace Andrea.”
Her voice wavered as she answered. “I know, but she's special too.”
“And now she can be yours?” he guessed.
“Yes.”
“Are you certain she's capable of becoming the kind of wife he needs?” he pressed, aiming straight at the heart of the matter.
“She already is,” Julia insisted, “and I'm sure she will get better as time goes
on.”
“I hope you're right,” Adrian said in a voice that spoke clearly of his doubt.
A hint of worry flared. “So do I, darling. So do I.”
