male arrogance.
It wasn't like Caine to be so insensitive, and when Alesandra asked him why he wasn't a bit more concerned about his wife's health, his grin widened into a full-fledged smile. Jade, he explained, was pregnant again, ana while she was thrilled over her condition, she disliked her husband hovering over her while she went through the ritualistic morning and evening sickness.
There was a good deal of pounding done to Caine's shoulders. Toasts were given as well, and then Nathan and Colin, with their wives at their sides, went into the salon.
Sara was called above the stairs by Sterns to feed her impatient daughter. Alesandra sat next to her husband and listened to the talk of business between the partners. The topic of the large entry into the company's banking account came up. Nathan wanted to know where in thunder the money had come from. Colin was surprised by the anger in his friend's tone of voice. Alesandra understood Nathan's reaction. She knew he believed Colin had gone back to work for the director.
Colin explained Alesandra's feelings about her inheritance and how she had felt slighted because they had been willing to use Sara's money but not hers.
'The entry is the exact amount Sara would have received if our greedy ruler hadn't decided to keep it for himself,' Colin remarked.
Nathan shook his head. 'Alesandra, your gift for Joanna was quite enough,' he argued. He glanced up to look at the beautiful golden replica of his favorite ship, the
Colin also looked up at the treasure. He smiled because Nathan had placed the gift there. 'It is beautiful, isn't it?'
'You can quit lusting after it,' Nathan countered with a grin. 'We're taking it home with us.'
'I'm pleased you like it,' Alesandra said. She turned to her husband to offer the suggestion that she ask the craftsman to fashion another ship for him, but Nathan interrupted her thought when he told her neither he nor Colin needed any money from her inheritance now. They were financially sound enough.
'Put the money into the town house Colin purchased for you,' he suggested.
She shook her head. 'My husband used the money he received from the insurance contract for a hefty payment, Nathan, and the castle needs very little work. I wish you could see the inside before you leave. It's only a block away from our rental and it's so large and roomy.'
Colin turned his attention back from the ship to look at his wife. 'It isn't a castle, sweetheart.'
'Oh, but it is,' she argued. 'It's our home, Colin, and therefore our castle.'
He couldn't fault that confusing bit of logic. 'So I now have two castles,' he said with a laugh. 'And a princess.'
He stretched his legs out and put his arm around his wife. Nathan wanted to continue to argue about the money, but it didn't take him long to realize Alesandra wasn't going to bend on the issue.
He finally accepted defeat. 'Hell,' he muttered.
'What now?' Colin asked.
'If I'd known about the gift from your wife's inheritance I never would have suggested we sell stock. Have you found out who owns the shares yet? Maybe we could buy them back.'
Colin shook his head. 'Dreyson isn't telling,' he explained. 'He says it would be breaking his client's trust.'
'Let me talk to him,' Nathan suggested. 'Just give me five minutes alone with Dreyson and I promise you he'll tell us.'
Alesandra immediately tried to soothe Nathan's temper. 'Dreyson's extremely ethical. My father never would have done business with him if he hadn't believed he was honorable. I'm my father's daughter, Nathan, and I therefore follow in his footsteps. I also have complete confidence in his integrity. I would wager every coin I have that you would never be able to get him to break a confidence. You might as well give up.'
'Colin and I have a right to know who the owner is,' Nathan argued.
Colin closed his eyes and let out a loud yawn while he listened to the conversation. A comment his wife had just made suddenly gained his full attention.
She was her father's daughter. Colin opened his eyes and slowly turned to look at the ship again.
He was reminded of the castle perched on his father's mantel… and the bit of trickery Alesandra's father had played when he tucked the notes inside.
And then he knew. She was her father's daughter, all right. The stock certificates were hidden inside the ship. Colin was astonished by the revelation. The expression on his face when he turned to his wife showed his surprise.
'Is something the matter, Colin?'
'You wouldn't lie to me, would you, sweetheart?'
'No, of course not.'
'How did you do it?'
'Do what?'
'You don't own the stocks. I asked Dreyson and he told me you weren't the owner. You also told me you didn't own them.'
'I don't. Why in heaven's name…'
She stopped when Colin pointed to the ship. She knew then her husband had finally guessed the truth.
She was well into her sixth month of confinement and getting more awkward every day, but she was still quick when she needed to be. She hastily stood up and started for the doorway. 'I believe I'll see how Sara's doing. I do so love to hold little Joanna. She has the most delightful smile.'
'Come back here.'
'I'd rather not, Colin.'
'I want to talk to you. Now.'
'Colin, you shouldn't get your wife upset. She's pregnant, for God's sake.'
'Look at her, Nathan. Does she look upset to you? She looks damned guilty to me.'
Alesandra let her husband see her exasperation. Nathan winked at her when she walked back to the settee. She folded her hands together and frowned at her husband. 'You better not get angry, Colin. Our baby might become upset.'
'But you're not upset, are you, sweetheart?'
'No.'
He patted the cushion next to him. She sat down and smoothed her gown.
She stared at the floor. He stared at her. 'They're inside the ship, aren't they?'
'What's inside the ship?' Nathan asked.
'The stock certificates,' Colin answered. 'Alesandra, I asked you a question. Please answer me.'
'Yes, they're inside the ship.'
Relief fairly overwhelmed him. He was so damned happy the certificates hadn't been sold to a stranger he wanted to laugh.
A faint blush crept up Alesandra's face. 'How did you do it?' he asked.
'Do what?'
'Are they in my name? I never thought to ask Dreyson that question. Do I own them?'
'No.'
'Are they in Nathan's name then?'
'No.'
He waited a long minute for her to confess. She remained stubbornly silent. Nathan was thoroughly puzzled.
'I just want to talk to the owner, Alesandra, to see if he might wish to sell the stocks back to us. I won't use intimidation.'
'The owner can't talk to you, Nathan, and it really isn't legally possible for you to purchase the stocks-not now anyway.'
She turned to look at her husband. 'I will admit I did interfere just a bit, husband, but I would remind you that you were being very mule-headed about my inheritance at the time and I had to resort to a bit of
