Night of the Condor (23 page)

She captured his straying fingers. 'But first there's something we have to settle.'

'Settlements?' His brows lifted. 'But surely that is something my father should discuss with yours?'

She was momentarily diverted. 'Of course—I'd forgotten I was marrying money. But that isn't what I meant. Rourke, you have to withdraw your resignation from Peruvian Quest, or—or I won't marry you.'

There was a silence. Then, 'You're crazy,' he said slowly. '
Dios
, Leigh, you've been there—you know what it's like. As a novelty, perhaps you could stand it, but to live there day in, day out for months at a time—no, I couldn't ask it of you.'

'But you didn't ask me,' she said simply. 'Darling Rourke, I know what I mean to you now, but I would never ask you to make such a sacrifice. If being with you means living at Atayahuanco, then that's where I'll be. After all, the project's just beginning to take off. They need you.'

He cupped her face between his hands.' And I need you,' he assured her unsteadily. 'And it is you who would be making the sacrifice.'

'Then I make it gladly. Now, promise me you'll radio Doctor Willard tomorrow and tell him you're coming back.'

'But only for a limited period.' His tone brooked no argument. 'I want children from you, my wife, and a proper home with you. Nothing can mean more than that.'

'Oh, we'll argue the precise details another time.' Demurely Leigh replaced his hand in the vicinity of her shirt buttons. 'Now, where were we?'

He frowned. 'I have a terrible memory.'

'Then I'll have to jog it for you.' Her own hand was straying with delicate sensuality to do just that, when she sat bolt upright with a gasp. 'My God, Daddy!'

'I don't see him.' Rourke undid several more buttons.

'I mean he'll be here any minute for tea.' She saw he was shaking his head. 'Darling, I mean it. He has tea with me here each day around this time.'

'But not today.' Gently, Rourke slid the shirt from her shoulders. 'I told him I wanted to be alone with you.'

'And he agreed?' asked Leigh faintly, amazement that her formidable father should meekly accept instructions from his future son-in-law warring with the havoc that his fingers, stroking her bare skin, were wreaking.

'Of course. So we shall not be interrupted.' The clasp of her bra proved no opposition for him whatever. 'Unless you'd prefer to have tea?'

'I'd prefer to have you,' she said unevenly.

'And so you shall,
querida
, for as long as we both live.' He removed his signet ring and once more put it on her finger. 'Whatever ceremony we go through is for our families. This, my love, my life, is our real wedding.'

'Yes,' Leigh said with a little sigh. 'Oh, yes!' And after that she said nothing more for a very long time.