The Scarlet Thread Read Online Free Page A

“Oh, I know—he loves you, he wants to marry you.” She hesitated and then said, “I’m sorry, but I’m going to be cruel. You’ll hate me for saying this, but I think it’s all pie in the sky. He’ll sail off with the invasion fleet, and that’ll be the last you’ll ever hear of him. And you’ll have buggered up your life for nothing.”
    â€œI won’t get rid of it,” Angela said slowly. “You’re not right, Christine, but even if you are, I won’t kill my own child. So don’t mention it again, will you? I’m seeing Steven tonight. I’ll tell him.”
    â€œYou do that,” Christine said grimly. “And if you change your mind, just let me know. But it’s got to be soon. I’d want nothing to do with it at three months. Now I’d better get back to the ward. I’ll say you’re asleep.” She went out and closed the door hard. It was as near as she dared go to slamming it with frustration.
    Angela stubbed out the cigarette. It wasn’t a comfort anymore. She felt no sign of the change taking place in her body, just a sudden revulsion from the remembered stench in the lavatory and the acrid taste of tobacco in her mouth. For a moment she put a hand on her stomach. She wasn’t afraid of what was to come. Tough, practical Christine couldn’t understand that total lack of fear. She thought it was irresponsible, unrealistic.
    â€œFor Christ’s sake,” she’d insisted. “It’s not a baby; it’s not much bigger than a pinhead!”
    Angela hadn’t even tried to explain to her that this was not the point. It was Steven’s child, conceived on the hillside or on the hard little bed in the room above the café. She didn’t know, and it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the intensity of her love for him and of his love for her. She had no doubts about that love. That he couldn’t marry her didn’t matter either. They’d find a way to be together when the war was over. The invasion of mainland Italy was very close. She didn’t believe he would be killed. She lay back and closed her eyes for a moment. She would tell him. She would choose the moment when they lay together after making love.
    She got up, put on her cap and apron and went back to the ward.
    The head nurse looked up briefly as she reported back for duty. “You’re sure you’re better, Nurse? Good, there’s plenty to do.” She watched Angela while pretending to read through some charts on her desk. Actually, the ward was only half full now; the worst casualties had died or been sent to the base hospital. Angela had never been sick before. If it was food poisoning, she wouldn’t have recovered so quickly. Everyone knew about her affair with the American captain. He was always hanging around outside, waiting for her. She was a good nurse, and the Sister hoped she hadn’t made a fool of herself.
    He held himself above her; the single light bulb flared over their heads. His body glistened in the heat. Angela reached up and ran both hands from his shoulders to his belly and down to his thighs.
    â€œI want you,” she said. “I want you so much it hurts me.…”
    â€œ Cara bella, bella ,” he groaned, and came down on her. The love talk was silenced as her mouth reached up for his. Her cry was fierce and brought him to a turbulent climax that left him collapsed and emptied, his head cradled between her breasts.
    Angela stroked his hair. It’ll be a dark child , she thought, and smiled with happiness. His weight pressed on her, and she said softly, “You mustn’t lie on me, darling.”
    â€œWhy not? I like to feel you next to me.… You like it too.”
    Angela ran one finger down the side of his face, tracing the line of his brow, to the prominent cheekbone around the curve of his jaw. For a moment the tip of her finger teased