Somehow, we wound up in a golf cart, headed out into the rain. The sound of the rain was deafening on the top of the small cart. I thought maybe he wanted to go back to the barn, but instead, we stopped at the garden house. Surprised, I hesitated before I jumped out of the golf cart to follow him, and ran in the door, unsuccessful in my attempts to keep dry. The rain was coming down so hard that I couldn't see the barn in the distance.

Walking in the garden house made me feel sad. I guess this location held many wonderful memories of Savannah for him, and he would draw strength from those memories in telling me goodbye. Mother had been so gleeful when she told me about all the times Nathan and Savannah had spent there, lost in their incredible love for each other.

I was so tense my body ached, but I needed to hear what my husband had to say. I walked over to the fireplace, and leaned one hand against the fireplace mantel. I waited for Nathan to begin.

"Darby, there's something I need to tell you, and it won't be easy for you to hear." He paced back and forth on the dark, gloomy floor.

Nathan seemed to have difficulty meeting my eyes. I pulled up a chair and sat down close to the fire, bracing for the blow. Nathan surprised me further by fussing with the fireplace. He seemed intent on building a fire.

"You are damp in those clothes, and it is getting chilly. This storm will bring even more cold air, so the day will only grow colder as we go."

I thought he was stalling, not willing to face me and ask for a divorce. I watched him build the fire, and my fear that he was leaving me grew.

"Nate, I love you. I know you are still in love with Savannah. I understand that. I'm asking that we try to move forward together, and build a partnership the best we can. I want to be with you, even if you are in love with her." I gripped the arms of the chair, and leaned forward.

I felt nauseous and fought it back. Now wasn't the time to do something embarrassing, like puking all over the floor. My nerves were getting to me again. I tried to remain calm. At least my voice sounded strong and confident. That was something to hold on to during this stressful conversation.

Nathan stared at me, mouth open in surprise. This wasn't the reaction I had been hoping for from him.

Nathan sat down in a chair opposite me. He began to speak. I closed my eyes, and leaned my head back, concentrating on his deep tones, and fighting a wave of panicked dizziness.

"I have to explain several things to you. Some of this I should have told you long ago. I knew Savannah for many years. We met as children, and most people assumed we would marry one day, my mother especially. But Savannah was wild and dated many men for a long time. I thought she was attractive, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to be one of the many men she slept with."

That was unexpected. I lifted my head, opened my eyes, and stared at him.

"We started dating because it was expected of us. Soon we were sleeping together on a fairly regular basis, but we were both seeing other people. It didn't feel like a significant relationship. The sex was okay, I guess. Honestly, it was nothing special.

I continued staring at him, not really comprehending the words I was hearing. What was he saying?

I gathered myself. “Why did you marry her if your relationship was nothing special? If it didn’t feel like a significant relationship?”

"She told me she was pregnant with my baby..."

I gasped.

Looking away from me, staring into the fire, he began to tell me the story of Nathan and Savannah.

"Nathan, we are going to have a baby. Aren't you excited?"

Savannah smiled rather coldly and crossed the library to stand in front of me. She ran one red-tipped fingernail down my chest and stomach, headed for my cock. I grabbed her wrist to stop her path. She was getting on my nerves. Again.

I did want a baby, but not with her. I was anxious to be a father, that much was true, but I couldn't picture Savannah as my child's mother. She was a cold-hearted bitch, not the nurturing mother I wanted for my children. Now it sounded like the decision had been taken out of my hands. That was what I got for thinking with my dick, I guess.

Well, my mother would be excited. She had been pushing for this marriage for two years now.

"How do I know I'm the baby's father, Savannah?" I tried to keep my voice calm and even.

I thought it was a valid question. Savannah spread her legs for whoever looked interested.

"Do you really think I would be careless with birth control when I was fucking some man I met in a bar? Don't be ridiculous."

She laughed and turned away. I wanted to slap her smug face. I watched her settle on the couch, and she inspected her manicure before continuing.

"I have no intention of being knocked up with a poor man's bastard. Now, you, on the other hand, you have plenty of money. You also have status and power. Peacock Alley is a stunning home, and I can take it over. I see myself living there. And I had noticed you seemed in no hurry to propose, so I thought a baby would move things along nicely."

My jaw clenched as I realized I had been trapped by a ploy as old as time.

Nathan stopped speaking, and I stared at him, shocked at his revelations.

"She got pregnant on purpose?" I couldn't seem to take it in, and understand what he was telling me.

I couldn't imagine that went over well. I felt angry and panicked just hearing the story. My poor Nate actually lived it.

Nathan laughed, and it was a bitter sound.

"Oh, there's more, Darby. A lot more."