Make Love Not War Read Online Free PDF Page A

now.” Of course his father would start on him straight away. This was going to be the night from hell.
    “I’m not sure how the information leaked out, but I’ve got my suspicions.”  He proceeded to tell his father about Marilyn Francis. “You know how vindictive she can be, turned nasty when I broke off with her.”
    “I don’t know why you bother with such vulgar types,” his mother chipped in, disapproval in her eyes.
    “They do have their uses,” he drawled, just to irritate her. He had never noticed how cold and haughty she was before. Caroline was soft…
    “Don’t be so common and crude. You should be thinking of marriage and settling down.” She warmed to her theme. “You’ve had plenty of time to sow your wild oats.”
    Bryce scowled, knowing what he would hear next. Almost word for word he knew what his father was getting ready to say.
    “My sentiments exactly, dear.”  He took his unlit cigar out of his mouth. “You must think of marrying and producing an heir. After all, once I’m gone, you’ll be the last of the Harringtons. What will become of the firm?  It’s up to you to continue the line. A man doesn’t want to see a lifetime of work and ambition flow down the drain.”
    “I’ve told you before.” Bryce tried to keep his temper in check. “I don’t intend to marry, at least not yet. Why didn’t you have more than one child?  Then you wouldn’t have to force me to do something I don’t want.”
    “Now, I won’t have you speaking in such a disparaging fashion.” His mother’s lips thinned. “I did my duty by your father and gave him a son, now it’s up to you to continue the line. Lady Fontain’s daughter, Ashley, is a wonderful girl. You could do worse.”
    “That empty-headed bimbo? You’ve got to be kidding.”
    “They’re wealthy people. She has relations high up in government. Think what they could do for the firm, especially with these defense contracts coming up. You’re thirty-four. Your father and I were married before we were thirty.”
    “More fool you,” he snapped. “Isn’t dinner ready yet?  I’m hungry.”  What a downright lie. He had lost his appetite. If the arguing continued much longer he would have to get up and leave, before his temper got the better of him and he said something he would later regret.
    Like a magic genie Mrs. Ferguson appeared, saving the situation with her announcement that dinner was served. Alexander took his wife’s arm and, still scowling, Bryce followed them to the dining room.
    The rosewood Regency table was covered with a hand-embroidered lace tablecloth and set with silver cutlery. Anyone would think his mother was entertaining royalty. Bloody farce.
    Mrs. Ferguson served the scallop bisque from a Crown Derby soup tureen and, after a whiff of the aroma, Bryce found his appetite returning. One thing for sure, his parents picked the best domestic staff money could buy. A crown roast, with baked vegetables, cauliflower in white sauce, peas and beans followed the soup. Dessert turned out to be his favorite, chocolate brandy soufflé.
    They retired to the sitting room to drink their coffee.
    “Mother, I forgot to give you your birthday present.”  He pulled out a small, carefully wrapped package and handed it over.
    “Thank you.” She kissed his cheek and then undid the ribbon and unwrapped the present. She lifted the lid of the small jeweler’s box to display a daisy-shaped ring, a black opal center surrounded by petals of rolled gold.
    “Darling, it’s beautiful.”
    He watched her slip it onto the ring finger of her right hand. His mother had a fetish for rings. He thought cynically of the dozens of expensive diamonds locked in the safe upstairs, but felt pleased that she appeared happy with the opal.
    It had been Caroline’s idea.
    “Black opals are lovely. If she doesn’t have many opals it should be perfect,” she had said.
    “Actually, my secretary picked it out for you.”  Bryce smiled at