Chapter 21

In the eight weeks that Skye had been with Randolph, her life had changed dramatically.

She had practically moved into his home, had stopped talking to Bo, and had little or no contact with the rest of the Dukes or any of her other friends.

Matt dealt with his sister's new life by throwing himself into his work. He spent long weeks away from Hazzard, working in surrounding counties, and occasionally other cities. To Skye, it seemed as if he would rather be as far from her as possible. The siblings had barely had a decent discussion since Matt discovered who Skye was moving in with. When he did talk to her it was usually ruined by a drawn out lecture on why she shouldn't be seeing Randolph and that her relationship was only going to end in pain. Every time she saw one of the Dukes in town she was reminded that her lover was the father of the woman who had tried to pass her child off as Bo's. Never mind the fact that the man she was with was old enough to be her own father.

It seemed that the Dukes and Matt knew more about what was best for her than she did, and their well-meaning advice riled her. Even though she hadn't talked to Bo since that night at the motel, she was well aware that he was keeping tabs on what she was doing, and his thoughts on her relationship often got back to her through other members of his family. Skye also knew that Bo and Matt had been talking a lot about her situation. If Matt could have sent her away to a prison somewhere he would have done it in a heartbeat, and Bo would have helped him plan it. On a more embarrassing note, Skye had discovered that Bo had indeed told Matt everything about the night he found her and Randolph together. She couldn't recall a more uncomfortable conversation she'd had with Matt than the one that had occurred the night he arrived back at the house to find her packing to leave. One thing that Matt hadn't discussed with her was her knowledge about being adopted. Maybe he didn't know. Or maybe it didn't matter to him. She never thought that her brother would see her any different if he knew the truth about her parentage.

What worried her was the fact that the things people were telling her held a strong ring of truth. And that was why she was so defensive against them.

She had to admit, to herself at least, that her relationship with Randolph was more that a little one sided. Randolph and his wife had been forced to agree to a separation, due to the fact that she had found a gentler soul to love. Skye had thought that this would mean that Randolph would be willing to make their relationship more official. However, she very quickly learned that was not to be the case. She never went anywhere with him. Whenever he was invited to something he would always tell her that it wasn't the kind of thing that a woman would enjoy. Yet, she knew that he always attended these functions with some other woman on his arm. And he didn't just stick to one. She knew of at least three different "dates" he took to various things.

Skye hadn't feeling like a mistress being hidden from the world, but there was little she could do to escape the fact that that was what she had become. As most of their time together was spent in the bedroom, it was obvious that Randolph saw her as nothing more than a warm body to come to at night. She would never reveal how humiliated that made her feel. There was a lot of pride involved to. She had almost wrecked her relationship with her brother to be with this man. She no longer spoke to a man she had once considered her best friend. And she was now alienated from the few other friends she had. She felt used, foolish, hurt and angry. But she would never admit it or let anyone else see it.

A few days later, Skye finally had a reason to think that her relationship would not only work but also become a more permanent one. She'd been feeling ill for a week or so, and a regular visit to her GP had confirmed that she was six weeks pregnant. As soon as she had been told, she was sure she could feel the tiny life of her child deep inside her. Six weeks along meant that she would have gotten pregnant that first night at the motel with Randolph. She couldn't wait to tell him that out of so much pain had come something so amazing. Now her brother and her friends would have to take her relationship seriously. She was sure that Randolph would be thrilled. This would be the opening she needed to convince him that it was time to split ties with his wife and marry her instead. Her romantic heart was already imaging how he would sweep her into his arms, profess his undying love and propose to her. They would be a family of their own. She would be the best wife and mother. He would never have reason to doubt her or be annoyed at her lack of class. She promised herself that she would not make the same mistakes that his first wife had made. If she had to, she would even learn to get along with Trish. She shuddered at the thought as she entered Randolph's house. A smile stayed on her lips though as she wandered to the bedroom and dressed in her best summer dress. As she mental went through the menu for this evening's dinner she thrilled at the thought of finally belonging to a man who loved her no matter what. She checked her watch and wished Randolph would hurry home. Like a kid at Christmas, she practically skipped to the kitchen to start dinner; sure that tonight would be the start of a whole new beginning.

Only, it didn't quite turn out that way.

When Randolph arrived home he was certainly pleased with the effort his young lover had gone to. He imagined a night of long, lazy loving as he sipped the wine and ate the excellently cooked ham. As he gazed at her gracefully moving around the room, he thought her look of adoration meant that she was entertaining the same ideas for the night that he was. It had always been this way with her. She was like a piece of candy that he couldn't get enough of. Lately she had been making noises about him not taking her out anywhere, and he had attempted to placate her by telling her that he was worried his reputation may take a hit if he was seen in public with another woman so quickly after his separation. He thought that she had understood his stand on not making their relationship permanent. He just wanted a little fun. The atmosphere she had created for the evening told him that she had accepted things his way and was happy about it.

He was about to be bowled over by the worst news possible.

"You're what?" he exploded when she shared the happy news.

"Pregnant. About six weeks. That means the first night we were back together, we made a baby."

She smiled dreamily at him, oblivious to how red his face was turning with fury.

Randolph jumped from his seat. He was sure this had to be a mistake. There was no way she could be pregnant. He ran a hand through his hair. This could ruin everything! He turned and looked at her. She was still sitting at the table, still smiling like she'd accomplished something wonderful. Maybe in her mind she had. He took in the scene before him. The lavish dinner, the wine, the candles glowing softly, the dress she was wearing. She knew that dress was his favorite, that he could never resist her in that thing. It fit her like a second glove; screaming at him, "Look at me!"

"I know your shocked Randy, but this is perfect"

"For who?" he bellowed

"For us"

"And how do you figure that?"

Skye's smile slipped just enough for Randolph to see that she now wasn't sure of herself.

"This is what I've always wanted, Randy" she said, leaving the table and walking to him. "A man who truly loves me and a baby we created together out of that love"

He took her hands from his chest and squeezed her wrists so tight, she flinched.

"Randy, you're hurting me"

She tried to back away but his grip was vice like.

"Why'd you have to do it?" he asked, putting his face almost in hers. "Why"

As Skye desperately tried to pull her hands away her feet slipped from underneath her. Randolph fell forward with her sudden backward motion. Together they hit the floor.

Though Skye had the wind knocked out of her, she was unhurt, though she was sure Randolph would now come to his senses and be apologetic. She was, again, wrong.

He leaned over her, his face still contorted with anger, his body taunt.

"Why Skye?" he continued to rail.

"I thought you'd be happy" she panicked, trying to get to her feet.

"What on earth would give you that foolish idea?"

As Skye struggled to process the situation, she went on the defensive.

"You gave me the idea, Randy. You told me you didn't care who knew about us, you just wanted me with you"

Still gripping her wrists, Randolph dragged her to her feet and shook her.

"You little fool" he seethed. "I wanted you with me but not a damned baby! You've ruined everything now"

He paused and looked her up and down with near disdain. A sudden thought occurred to him. "You didn't think that I would divorce my wife and marry you, did you?"

Skye flinched. "Of course not" she lied, but the truth was in her eyes, damming her to his mercy.

"You silly little fool" he spat again, pushing her away from him.

Skye had never seen him so angry, but she still believed she could win him over.

"We can make this work" she said, rubbing her wrists. "I know we can"

Randolph shook his head.

"It's too late Skye. You've put me – us – in a position that will just ruin everything"

"Randy" Skye pleaded, desperate now. "I love you. You know that. I'll do anything to make this right for us. Anything"

It appeared that he was going to turn away and ignore her, but at the last moment he turned back and looked at her thoughtfully.

"You do love me, don't you?" He walked to her, putting his hands on her shoulders and stroking gently sown her arms.

"Of course I do. More than anything"

Randolph suddenly smiled down at her, a predatory light now in his eyes as he moved his lips to her jaw. The kisses he placed between her jaw and ear had her hypnotized.

"And you would do anything for me" he whispered.

"Anything" she reiterated, shivering under his sensual assault.

He moved his lips to her ear. She expected words of love, undying devotion, an acceptance of their child.

What she got was a dose of harsh reality.

"Then get rid of it!"