Estel continued to gaze at him, her emotions vacillating between hesitation and an almost overpowering urge to accept Michael's request. Because it was the first sign he'd given in days that he felt anything more for her than complete disinterest. She was willing to forego her doubts and use this first opportunity to get to know him more intimately. Her common sense told her that it stemmed only from Michael's sexual nature and not from anything meaningful. She couldn't fathom the change in his attitude. Still, she would use it to get to know him more personally. However, her throat began to close up when she tried to say yes. As a result, she only nodded her head and proceeded toward his bedroom on feet that appeared to barely touch the earth. Her belongings were in his room, and Estel breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that Michael wouldn't make her return to her old room, as she had a nagging suspicion that he might. A situation like that would have made her job much more

Estel entered Michael's office carrying a tray of coffee while he was studying, replacing the telephone on its hook. Michael's attitude was detached and rather gloomy as he performed this action. Estel remarked matter-of-factly, "What's the matter?" as she set the tray on the coffee table and sat down to pour the tray's contents. "Bad news?" Estel's query coaxed Michael reluctantly out of his thoughts, and he looked at Estel for the first time as he responded with a question of his own: "What?" He went around his desk and moved to join her, settling beside her on the sofa and stretching his hand for his cup. "Oh, you mean the telephone call?" he said as he moved around his desk. "Yes," Estel responded with a grin as she allowed her eyes to wander over him with a sense of contentment. "You look as though whatever was said disturbed you. Who was it?" Michael responded, "Henrick," somewhat curtly, and his tone lacked the humorous fondness that he often gave to his editor. "He wants me

Estel was overjoyed to see that her efforts had unquestionably been effective as Michael gave her first a fleeting look, then returned his sight to her a second time, his eyes widening with admiration as he took in the image she produced. Michael had arrived late and had to rush to get dressed. When he walked in, she was striking a nonchalant stance in front of the windows, even though her heart raced with panic. Her manner, however, was calm and collected. The shell-white, body-hugging dress was silky and flowed over one shoulder, revealing the milky tan. The garment clung closely to her shape and emphasized her curves. The only other jewelry she wore was a pair of gold earrings that dangled from her ears and a gold slave bracelet that she wore on the naked right side of her wrist. Her tresses were pulled away from her face and rolled into a complete roll at the back of her head. The light hanging above brought out the shimmering highlights in her hair. She was aware that she was be

Dr. Jill's tone was tense and insistent as he said, "For the love of God, why not?!?" "Without honesty, a marriage is not good for much, Estel. Your husband has the right to know that you're not the type of woman to be so callous, and you have the right to his unstinting regard. Why are you refraining from honest communication?" As Estel closed her eyes, she pondered how to explain the situation, even though she wasn't entirely sure of the cause. "For one thing," she said as she opened her eyes and walked aside to peer into the dimly lit garden, "the child was his." She took a momentary pause and looked back at Dr. Jill, during which she noticed a dawning of comprehension in his eyes. She stated this with a delay in her voice that made it clear, at least to Dr. Jill, how profoundly the pain of that hatred had affected her. "He hated me when he found out I'd aborted his child," she added. "For all that I know, he probably still does," she said with a softer tone. Dr. Jill was about t

After a little pause in which they were both silent and Estel made no effort to break it, Mrs. Jensen proceeded, her tone more forceful and her stance more upright. "Fortunately, in those days, it wasn't easy to find someone willing to break the law that way, and I ended up going to a midwife who was less than effective." She cracked a wry grin without amusement. "When I stepped into that room and saw the primitive, unsanitary conditions..." She simply chuckled. "Well, I turned right around and walked out again. And I've never regretted doing so." After that, she shifted her attention to Estel while sitting in her chair with a thoughtful expression. "I tried to be a good mother to Michael, and I did love him, but he was always such an exuberant, affectionate boy, and I've never let my feelings show. Perhaps he interpreted my reserve as indicating that I didn't love him. But it wasn't and isn't true. The trouble is, I don't know how to let him know that since I find it as difficult now