Isabel stood up and her laughter caused her breasts to shudder.

‘If you were the man of the house, Henry, indeed any kind of man, we would not be having this conversation!’ With that, she walked past him and opened the door wide.

‘Goodnight, Henry. I’ll keep you informed of what’s happening.’

He walked from the room. As he sat on his own bed drinking a large brandy, it occurred to him that she had won again. She would bring the gutter brat’s child into his home and he was powerless to stop her. Her strength of purpose was terrifying to him. Never had he felt so powerless, so utterly powerless.

He lay back and closed his eyes. Seeing Briony in his mind, he shuddered. He would not be in this predicament if it hadn’t been for her. Well, he had a long memory and a lot of money. He would wait for his chance and get his own back on her eventually.

Happier now he had a fixed goal in mind, he waited for a drunken sleep to claim him. But the light was already sneaking in at the chinks of the curtains before it came.

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Briony sat on the park bench waiting for Tommy. She shifted her position slightly as she had a dull ache in her back. The child had dropped inside her and her stomach felt as if it was lying on her knees. She was wearing a large silk cape to hide the enormous bulge that seemed to be quivering and turning constantly. She took a deep breath as she felt a stabbing pain go through her body. She closed her eyes until it passed. Isabel had been right, she should not have left the house today. But the thought of seeing Tommy had been too much of a draw for her and after nearly having an argument with the nervous woman she had finally got her own way. Now, though, she wished she had heeded the advice and stayed home. The last couple of days she had been possessed of a great energy, feeling as if she could climb a mountain if she wanted to. In the space of an hour that feeling had been replaced by one of a dull lethargy.

She felt Tommy sit beside her and opened her eyes.

‘You look ill, girl. Are you all right?’

Briony stared into his face and shook her head. ‘I think it’s on its way.’

Tommy saw her eyes widen as she sat forward, clasping her stomach with both hands.

‘Oh Tommy ... Tommy ... I’ve wet meself!’

The boy jumped from his seat in panic. ‘Stay there and I’ll get someone... I’ll get the doctor!’

Briony laughed despite the pain. ‘Just get me to the cab and back to the house, as quick as possible.’

Her voice had a strength in it that calmed the youth in front of her.