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Hector must have sensed that she was approaching him with a purpose in mind because he managed to free himself from the children’s grasp to meet her halfway.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly, taking her hands in his.

Warmth spread over her from beneath his touch, and Juliet nodded, pleased to find out she was still as affected by him as she had been when they first married.

“I am fine, darling. But I believe that I need some time away from the party and the people.”

“Ah, of course. Let us go,” he agreed immediately.

Juliet withheld a smile as he led her away from the garden and the people gathered there and strolled into the house.

He took them to his study and settled onto the chaise there, pulling her onto his lap quickly as though it had become second nature to do so.

“You are truly a vision. Do you know that?” he grinned at her.

“Yes, husband. Only because you tell me every day,” she replied easily.

“And I mean it.”

Juliet felt her heart melt, and she leaned in to kiss him, short and sweet.

“I know. I love you…There is something I wish to tell you, Hector.”

He nodded slowly, obviously curious but not wanting her to feel as though he was acting too seriously, even if he was.

“I…” Juliet inhaled deeply. “I am with child, Hector.”

They had talked about it before, how he had been scared to father children of his own because he was worried he would be as poor a parent as his own father had been.

Juliet had told him not to think that way because he was already a much better person than his father. Nothing would go wrong if they were together.

“Are you truly?” Hector asked, eyes wide with hope.

Juliet nodded, becoming teary-eyed.

“Yes. I really am.”

Hector cupped her face tenderly and guided her closer for a kiss. She sighed into it, immediately craving more, and curled a hand at the back of his neck.

His kisses turned insistent as his hands roamed her body, tracing the curves and dips he now knew by heart.

Juliet tugged at his necktie as his hand slipped under her skirt, her nimble fingers undoing the buttons of his shirt, so she could run her hands over his chest.

“Hector,” she gasped breathlessly as he slipped his fingers into her, stroking her wet heat.

She shook her head, and he stopped immediately.

“What is wrong?” he asked in concern.

With burning cheeks, Juliet stated quietly, “I want you. I want to feel you now, Hector. Please.”

Hector was silent for a moment then unbuckled the clasp of his breeches.

“Like this?” he mumbled, equally breathless.

He made a point of bracing both hands over her hips and pulling her close, so she would understand what he meant, and he was pleased when she immediately nodded.

The moment he thrust past her entrance, Juliet moaned, her hands finding purchase on his shoulders as he bucked upward, his length stroking her walls perfectly and filling her up.