Page 38 of A Lyon’s Promise (The Lyon’s Den)
Three years later…
“I ’m back, you bloody blackguard.” King thought about kicking the massive headstone, but did not relish explaining how he’d broken his foot to his wife. She was dealing with another bout of morning sickness and was surly with it.
He smiled, then turned his head toward the low call of a nightbird. Time to say what he needed to say.
“Our oldest son, Gavin, has an excellent seat and enjoys riding his pony when visiting Earl Lippincott and his family. Our younger son, Tristan, will be two Monday next. He’s growing like a weed and sturdy as an oak, just like his brother.”
He was perversely proud that he not only had given Lucretia babes to love, the first two had been boys.
He knew she was hoping for a girl this time, but Lucretia was glowing, her beauty brighter than normal, the same as with her last two pregnancies—she was going to have another boy.
He vowed this was the last time he visited Montfort’s grave, but knew he’d stop by again to gloat six months from now, when Lucretia safely delivered their third child.
“Lucretia—my wife, the other half of my heart—is expecting again. I shall of course return to share our good news with you.” King turned on his heel and strode away from the grave with a self-satisfied look that would never be erased.
He took one last look over his shoulder and called out, “I hope the devil turns up the heat on your sorry arse!”
Thompson was waiting for him by the carriage King had purchased so his family could travel in safety and comfort, whether or not he was with them. “Did you notice the wisp of a shape hovering above Montfort’s headstone?” he asked.
“No. I was too busy reminding him that he tossed away God’s greatest gift to him.”
“Ah.” Thompson hesitated, then said, “That must be why it almost looked like the wisp raised a fist and shook it at you.”
King smiled. “No ghostly apparition of Monfort bothers me. God has gifted me with the love of my life and two healthy sons—with another on the way. Our jobs are not without dangers, but I believe He understands how much Lucretia still needs me. Not one of us is ever certain how many days He has in store for us. Until that time, I plan to thank Him every day for Lucretia’s love, Gavin, Tristan, and the babe resting under her heart while I do the job He has designed me for.
Leading the equally strong and determined men—yourself included—by my side. ”
Thompson’s grin was evident in the carriage lamplight. “We make a good team.”
“By the by, have you asked Lizzy for her hand yet?”
Thompson climbed up beside the coachman, who was whistling to himself. “Time to take you home before Lucretia rings a peal over your head.”
King was smiling as he entered the coach. “I love it when she’s irritated with me—she always feels compelled to make up for the vexation before she falls asleep.”
“Now you’re bragging.”
“Did I fail to mention your razor-sharp intellect?”
Thompson was chuckling when King closed the carriage door.
Leaning back against the leather squabs, he knocked on the inside of the coach roof.
As the coach rumbled toward home, he knew Lucretia would be waiting up for him.
He intended to make love to her until she cried out his name, which he had come to expect.
Just as she knew he would swallow her cries of ecstasy with his lips until she fell into an exhausted sleep in his arms while their sons dreamed the dreams of the innocent.
Halfway home, he bowed his head to pray. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the strength and cunning to win the love of my life and other half of my heart in the Lyon’s Den.