Just Me - M J Marlow (reading strategies book .txt) 📗

now you have a little person growing inside of you,” Rosemary smiled gently, “who will remind you of your late husband for the rest of his or her life. How does that make you feel?” “Are you an obstetrician or a psychiatrist?” I asked the woman bluntly. “How am I supposed to feel?” I got to my feet and went to the window. I always felt better when I was looking out at a view. This one was quite lovely. I could see Saint Paul’s Cathedral from her office. “I lost the man I had grown to love only to find he left me alone with his child growing inside of me.” I was being quite honest now. “I am angry and I am hurt and I am frightened.” I looked over at Daphne. “I want to go back to Briarton, Mother.” “And we shall, Kerrigan,” Daphne nodded as she came to stand next to me. “Once the will has been read and you are feeling a bit stronger.” She looked at Rosemary. “The doctor will write some prescriptions for you and then we will join Maxine and Cheryl at the Savoy.” I nodded and remained at the window. I saw a man standing out on the street below and something about him sent terror flooding through me. His blue eyes met mine and my hand went to my abdomen. I turned away quickly, fighting the fear he’d instilled in me. I was so tired of being afraid. “Daphne,” I asked as I turned from the window and stepped out of the line of imaginary fire, “how soon before we can leave?” “The reading is this afternoon, Kerrigan,” Daphne replied. “If you’re feeling strong enough, we can leave in two days.” She saw my look and wished then she could make it sooner. “There are arrangements that need to be made, darling.” I nodded and we left the medical building and went to the Savoy where Maxine and Cheryl were waiting. I told Cheryl what I had seen and she assured me that someone was keeping an eye on me. The rest of the lunch was spent happily discussing the pregnancy. Maxine and Daphne were doting grandmothers and Cheryl was already in full-blown big sister mode. We went to the lawyer’s office in Daphne’s Rolls and walked in to find James waiting for us. “Now that the heirs are all present,” the lawyer nodded, “we will begin the reading of the will of Nathaniel Nicholas Layton, Earl of Sotherby.” I was so stunned by this claim of nobility that I wasn’t listening fully to the will as it was read. Layton had told me he had left me everything so I wondered why we were even bothering with a reading. “As for Layton Industries, it is my wish that James Kellogg stand as my wife’s representative. The townhouse at St James Place shall be available for his use but remain the property of my wife, Kerrigan Grady Layton, Lady Sotherby.” I paid attention then and looked over at James who was looking back at me for approval. I knew why this had been done. James was going in to clean house and I wished him every success. I nodded to him and he looked relieved. Had he really thought I would fight him on this move? I heard the rustling of papers and turned to the lawyer, who was pulling a briefcase out from under the desk. “Lady Sotherby,” he smiled at me gently. “Inside this case you will find all the deeds and other documents pertaining to your inheritance. I am certain you will wish to look them over at your leisure.” He pushed a paper towards me. “This is your acceptance of the inheritance and the conditions for your receiving it.” “Conditions?” I looked at him in confusion. He must have covered that while I was not listening. I looked at the paper and I saw what Layton had set as the conditions. “1) Follow your instincts, 2) Do what makes you happy, and 3) Remember I loved you.” I burst into tears and found myself in James’ arms. He stroked my hair as I sobbed, wondering how it was possible for me to have any tears left after this last week. When it was over, I signed the document happily and left the office with my friends. Four hours later, I was getting ready to board the corporate jet to return to Briarton when a car pulled up. He handed me a large envelope as two very large burly men carried several boxes on board the jet. Inside of them, according to the letter accompanying yet more documents and a listing of contents, was Layton’s personal and childhood property. According to his wishes, he wanted his child to have what was inside of them when they were old enough to enjoy them and left that timing to my discretion. As boxes of every shape and size were put into the cargo hold, I sank down on the steps into the jet. “Lady Layton will be visiting you soon,” the lawyer continued in his kind but brisk manner, “to go over the remainder of this bequest with you. I believe she wishes to assure herself that you and her grandchild are safely settled in your home in Briarton.” I nodded numbly and watched him leave. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Joseph standing there. I laid my hand on his and smiled weakly. I had a feeling my life was never going to be what it had been. I went aboard, praying that it would at least be free of the violence that had touched me over the past several months. I could see from the looks on Maxine and Joseph’s faces that they were determined to do whatever was necessary to make that happen for me. James stood on the tarmac watching the jet leave. He did not move when a man with intense blue eyes moved up next to him, holding a chauffeur’s cap in his hand. This was the same man who had been watching me from the street outside of the obstetrician’s office. “You’re certain you had to go this far, old friend?” he asked as they watched the jet until it disappeared. “I can’t do what needs to be done if I’m worrying about her, James,” Layton said simply. “Everyone believes I am dead now and they will leave her alone. I’ll be able to move freely.” He laid his hand on James’ arm. “Take care of her for me.” “You can count on that,” James nodded. He saw the look in his friend’s eyes. “Ready to go to war?” “More than ready,” Layton nodded. He went into servant mode in a blink. “Your car is ready, sir. Where to first?” “The office,” James replied. “No sense in wasting time.” “Very good, sir.” Imprint

Publication Date: 01-11-2010

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