JADE STAR by Catherine Coulter

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winced at the sound of her crashing the pots and pans about in the kitchen, each of them probably a substitute forWilkes’s head.

Then Del Saxton arrived, his face grave and worried. He said without preamble, ‘How is she?’

‘She will be fine. I gave her some laudanum just a while ago and she’s sleeping soundly

now.5 ‘I’ve

put a search out for Wilkes. Apparently the man’s not a complete fool. It appears he’s left the city. I also ran into Limpin’ Willie early this morning. He’s ready to spit nails and will get the Sydney Ducks out scouring for him.’

‘Thank you. I had intended to … well, it’s done. Thomas is still asleep.’ He stopped and drank some strong black coffee, offering some to Del.

After several moments, Saint said more to himself than to Del Saxton, ‘Wilkes approached her before, but she didn’t tell me.’ He gave a bitter, mocking laugh. ‘She was afraid he would hurt me. Me! The little fool was worried about protecting me!’

Del studied his friend for many moments. ‘You can thank me for keeping Brent away, at least for a while. He’s of course rather upset with you because you didn’t tell him about Wilkes.’

‘What the hell was there to tell, for God’s sake?’

‘Calm down. Don’t you want your friends to be concerned? No, don’t answer that. I’ve been thinking,’ Del continued after a moment.

‘And you’re going to dose me with your damned advice whether I want it or not!’ ‘Yes, I suppose I am. Listen, Saint, I

assume that Jules is still a virgin. If you’ll remember, you let that fact slip.’

Saint winced.

‘It seems to me,’ Del continued quietly, ‘that there are two ways to protect her. The first is to find Wilkes and kill him. That would be difficult, because he’s gone to ground. The second – and certainly more pleasurable – way would be to consummate your damned marriage and get her pregnant.’

‘Pregnancy doesn’t necessarily follow sex, Del,’ Saint said, trying to make light of his friend’s words. ‘Indeed, if you will recall, Chauncey didn’t become pregnant for a number of months, and I imagine that you kept her quite busy during those months.’

‘True, but beside the point. You’ve got to try, Saint. No matter this weird obsession Wilkes has for her, I can’t envision him wanting to kidnap a pregnant woman.’

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‘No,’ Saint said very softly, utterly serious now.

‘You can’t continue playing the benign father to your wife! Chauncey tells me that Jules is crazy in love with you. What the hell is going on, Saint?’

Saint rose and walked to the fireplace. He looked down into the empty grate. Crazy in love with him? What utter nonsense. A young girl’s infatuation mixed with a strong dose of gratitude – fleeting, ephemeral as the San Francisco fog. He said without turning, ‘Jules has been hurt very badly. Whatever feelings she thinks she has for me, if I tried to make love to her, she would be terrified. I had hoped she would forget, and perhaps . . . ‘He shrugged. ‘Last night, when she regained consciousness, she thought I was Wilkes. If you had seen her face, you wouldn’t suggest such a thing. I will not hurt her. I will not force myself on her.’

Jules looked blankly at the partially open parlor door. She felt dizzy, her head fuzzy. Slowly she tied her dressing gown more closely about her. It was odd, but she didn’t remember thinking Michael was Jameson Wilkes. Had she truly looked terrified? The

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men’s words wove in and out of her mind, fighting with the laudanum. She heard Michael’s low, intense voice, ‘No, no more, Del. I know you mean well, but – ‘

‘You’re my friend, dammit! You of all men leading a celibate life! How much longer do you think you can stay sane living like this? And face it, Saint, you can’t keep Jules a prisoner, and you simply can’t be with her all the time.’

‘I’ll think of something,’ Saint said.

She heard Del Saxton rise from his chair and move toward the door. She pulled herself upright, and wobbled back up the stairs. Her head began to pound again and she curled up under the covers, closing her eyes tightly.

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