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‘Hold on,’ he said ‘If living with a pack of wo it’s that there’s a surefire remedy for this kind of situation’ He walked, with the catlike grace that e and, opening the freezer door, extracted a pint of ice crea it down in front of her and handing her a spoon ‘Dig in’

He didn’t say anything for a while Just sat there as Daisy scooped the crea it to e esture of far more comfort than the actual ice cream

‘I take it this wasn’t planned?’ His voice was calemental

Daisy shook her head ‘No’

‘How long have you known?’

She could feel the colour creeping over her cheeks, couldn’t o’

‘This is why you’re getting married?’

Daisy nodded ‘It’s because of Hawksley, and the title If the baby isn’t legitimate’ Her voice trailed off

‘Crazy Brits’ Her dad sat back ‘Do you love hiirl?’

Did she what? She liked him—sometimes Desired him for sure The way his hair fell over his forehead, a little too long and reen of his eyes, the way they darkened with eth of him, unexpected in an academic The way he listened to her, asked her questions, respected her,to contribute—until today

She understood hi he did, tried to keep hied

Her father’s gaze intensified ‘It’s not that hard a question, Daisy girl When you know, you know’

‘Yes’ The knowledge hit her hard, al her ‘Yes, I do But he doesn’t love me and that’s why I don’t know if I can do it I don’t know if I can marry him If I can say those words to someone who doesn’t want to hear them, for him to say them to me and not mean them’ That was it, she realised with a sharp clarity She had been prepared to lie to everyone but she couldn’t bear for him to lie to her To make promises he didn’t mean

‘Love

Daisy put her hand down to cradle her still-flat stomach She wanted the baby; she already loved it Which loveher baby of its heritage or bringing it up in an unequal, unhappy household?