Page 113

The celebrations at Braemore Castle stretched well into the evening, and the joyous atmosphere that filled every corner of the grand hall was all in celebration of Fiona’s marriage.

Yet, amidst the ambience, Yvette could feel the weight of exhaustion settle over her, her body weary from days of preparation and emotional intensity.

The wedding had been everything Fiona had dreamed of, and more—but now, Yvette was ready for peace. The day had been long, but there was one more thing she needed to do before she could truly rest.

She wasn’t sure how she had managed to keep this news to herself for as long as she had. The excitement had bubbled within her from the very first moment she realized it, but there had always been something else that needed her attention first.

Fiona’s wedding had demanded her focus, and now that it was over, Yvette felt a moment of clarity that made her realize it was finally time to share her secret with Killian.

For weeks, she had planned this surprise, and though exhaustion had weighed heavily on her, she could barely contain her excitement.

Yvette knew that Killian was still downstairs with Edward and Lachlan, reveling in the festivities. But she had prepared for this moment, and nothing would keep her from seeing it through.

“Kindly fetch my husband for me. Have him meet me in our bedroom,” she told the first maid she saw. The young girl hurried outside, and Yvette smiled.

While she waited, Yvette sat by the window, her gaze drifting to the celebrations below.

Through the open window, she could see the twinkling lights from the dancers, Fiona and her new husband in the midst of a waltz, Georgiana laughing joyfully as she clapped along.

The sound of music floated up to the bedroom, and a content smile tugged at her lips. The scene below was a reflection of everything she had hoped for Fiona: happiness, love, and celebration.

Despite the scene unfolding just outside her window, Yvette’s mind was focused on the task at hand.

Earlier, Daisy had carefully dressed her in a fine silk nightgown, the fabric soft and luxurious against her skin.

The gown came with a robe, which Yvette had left untied, allowing it to fall open and reveal the delicate lace edging of her nightdress. She had been dressed so elegantly for the occasion, but now, she felt nervous.

She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice the door creak open or the soft sound of footsteps entering the room.

It wasn’t until she felt the warmth of Killian’s arms wrapped around her waist that she startled, momentarily caught off guard by his presence. But the moment she recognized him, her tension melted away, and she relaxed into his embrace, a sigh escaping her lips.

“A splendid job ye did today, Duchess,” Killian whispered against her ear, his voice low and warm, filled with pride.

Yvette smiled, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “I tried my best, although I can’t deny I cried a lot during the process,” she admitted with a laugh, her fingers curling around the fabric of his sleeve as she leaned into him.

Killian chuckled, his breath warm against her skin. He gently turned her around so he could look into her eyes, cupping her face tenderly in his hands.

“Ye’ve been the heart of this entire celebration. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” he murmured, his gaze searching her face, as though trying to absorb every detail of her expression.

The silence between them was comfortable, but Yvette’s mind was racing. She knew what she had to do, and she wanted it to be a moment just for them, free of distractions. The festivities downstairs could wait; this moment was hers and Killian’s alone.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Yvette spoke. Her voice was steady but filled with the excitement she had been holding in for weeks.

“I wanted to give us a private moment,” she said, her eyes never leaving his. “Something just for us.”

Killian’s brow furrowed slightly, sensing the change in her tone.

“What is it, love?” he asked, his voice thick with curiosity.

With a quiet breath, Yvette took a step back from him, a smile tugging at her lips as she raised a hand to rest over her stomach.

She looked up at him, her heart beating faster than it ever had before.

“I’m pregnant, Killian,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with joy as she spoke the words that had been lingering in her heart.

For a moment, Killian was frozen, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. He blinked several times, as though trying to process what she had just said.

The room seemed to hold its breath as he stepped closer to her, his expression slowly turning from confusion to utter joy. His lips parted, and for a heartbeat, he said nothing—he simply lifted her off the ground, spinning her around in his arms as he let out a joyful laugh.