Page 42 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)

Two months later . . .

“S top the carriage!” Eden cried.

Val quickly rapped on the roof with his cane before throwing the door open and jumping from the vehicle. He grabbed her by the waist, swinging her to the ground—and not a moment too soon.

She retched on the side of the road, and once more, her queasiness fled.

Her husband took her by the elbow, gently turning her. His eyes were filled with sympathy as he asked, “Better now, love?”

She nodded, allowing him to dab his handkerchief against her mouth.

“We can walk a bit if you would like,” he offered.

“No. We are both eager to get home. We cannot be far now.”

“I would say another half-hour or so.”

“Really, I am much better. It just strikes so suddenly.”

Val took her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it tenderly. “Just as love does,” he teased.

He handed her back into the carriage and took a seat beside her, knocking on the vehicle’s roof once more. The carriage began rolling along the road again.

Eden was ready to get home to Millvale. They had been gone almost six weeks now, spending almost a week at each of Val’s properties scattered about England.

He had said the roads were at their best during summer, making travel slightly easier.

She had not expected a honeymoon, but that is what it had turned out to be.

Time for them to be alone together. She had proven to be adventurous when it came to lovemaking.

They had coupled in the carriage on several occasions.

In gardens and various rooms throughout the houses they visited.

Even in an abandoned cottage one afternoon.

She could not seem to get enough of her husband, and he obviously felt the same about her.

But this sickness, because of the babe growing inside her, was driving her mad.

She had begun experiencing it in the mornings when she awoke, and Val had learned to always have a crust of bread or a few bites of cheese on a nearby table.

He would feed it to her in small bites, helping her nausea to subside.

She hoped the entire time she was increasing did not affect her so.

When they made the turn and drove up the lane to the house, her heart sped up.

She was still getting used to the fact that she was a duchess and that she lived in a grand house.

Eden had yet to see Val’s London townhouse, but she would do so next spring when they went to town for the Season.

She thought she had become with child the first time they coupled, which would mean the babe would be born sometime in March.

Next year’s Season would begin about a month after she gave birth.

While Eden would have preferred staying home, she knew Val needed to be in town.

Lia’s and Tia’s come-outs had already been delayed a year, thanks to their father’s death.

Both girls were eager to make their debuts into Polite Society, and Val would be the anxious brother, watching over them, helping them to arrange their matches.

If she decided to stay in the country with their babe, he would never go to town.

She determined to give birth and then go to town the next month.

Naturally, they would bring the babe with them.

She agreed with Ariadne and would always bring their children to town with them.

She was glad they had stopped in Surrey at Aldridge Manor before making their way back to Millbrooke.

Ariadne had been incredibly sweet and kind to Eden, and she had fallen in love with little Penelope.

Even Julian, who was quite possessive with his daughter, allowed Eden to hold Penelope.

It had also been good to meet Lucy and Judson, who lived but a couple of miles from Aldridge Manor.

They had visited them for a day at Huntsworth.

Lucy was also increasing and would likely have her babe near the beginning of March.

The Huntsberrys were looking forward to a visit from Lucy’s sister.

Dru was scheduled to arrive early next week.

Con had gone home to Somerset to escort his sister to Surrey.

While it would have been nice to also meet Dru and see Con again, Val had told Eden they could visit in a month or two.

He was as eager as she was to return to Millvale.

The carriage stopped, and the door to the house opened. Out poured all four girls, with Her Grace and Lady Traywick not far behind them. The girls squealed and waved, and Justina even jumped up and down in excitement.

Val departed the carriage first, handing Eden down, and she was swarmed by the four young ladies, who all proclaimed how much they had missed her.

“I cannot wait to hear about your travels, Miss Snow,” Verina said before quickly covering her mouth. “Oh, I am sorry, Your Grace.”

She took her former charge’s hand. “Please. You are to call me Eden.”

“I do like your name,” Verina said, “but it is hard to think of you as anything other than Miss Snow.”

“Frankly, I feel the same way,” she confided.

Eden moved to greet her mother-in-law and former employer. Both women embraced her warmly, and the dowager duchess said, “Tea is almost ready. Come to the drawing room.” She slipped her arm through Eden’s, and that gesture alone made her feel so very welcomed.

In the drawing room, she poured out alongside her mother-in-law since she outranked Lady Traywick. It felt right, however, to be acting as a hostess. After all, this was now her home.

“Tell us about your journey,” Lia encouraged.

She and Val entertained them for an hour, talking of the places they had been and what they had seen. Then she looked to her husband and nodded imperceptibly.

“We have some other news,” she began.

“We are going to be aunts!” cried Tia. “I knew it. I could tell from Val’s face.”

“Yes, a new little Worthington will make an appearance sometime in March,” Val said. He took her hand. “If Eden feels like it, we will go to town for the Season.”

“I would stay home,” Lady Traywick advised. “The Season will always be there.”

“But would my sisters agree to delay their come-outs yet again?” Val asked.

“No!” both cried in unison.

“It is important that Val be in town,” Eden said. “The sisters to a duke will be highly sought after. Val wishes to inspect Lia’s and Tia’s suitors carefully.”

He kissed her fingers. “And I would never dream of leaving my beloved wife and child in the country. We will go to town together. Mama, you and the girls are free to go earlier. I know you will have modistes to see. Hats to try on. That sort of thing.”

“Won’t Dru be old enough to make her come-out then?” Lia asked.

“Yes, she will,” Eden said. “We called at Aldridge Manor on our way home. Not only did we see Ariadne, but we also saw Lucy. She shared that Dru is coming to visit her and Judson in a few days.”

The two older women looked at one another, and Her Grace said, “We have some news ourselves. Now that you are home again, we all will be leaving in the next day or two.”

Val frowned. “Where are you going, Mama?”

“It is time Lia and Tia saw something beyond Millvale. Agnes has invited us to return to Cumberland with her, Verina, and Justina,” the dowager duchess shared.

“We shall travel with them and stay for an indefinite period.” She smiled at Eden.

“This will give you time to settle in as the Duchess of Millbrooke, my dear. Your rooms are already waiting for you. You will be able to decide how you wish for the household to be run without interference from me. I can always go to the dower house when we return.”

“No, Your Grace. I do not want that. Neither would Val. While I kindly thank you for turning over your rooms to me, you are family. Tia and Lia will be in the house with us. We want you here with all of us.”

Her mother-in-law smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Eden.”

They finished tea and discussed the trip to Cumberland for another hour. Lady Traywick, Verina, and Justina shared what Traywick Manor was like, and even Eden chimed in upon occasion, thinking she would miss her former home, but she was so happy she had a permanent one here with Val.

When tea ended, her husband asked, “Shall we go stroll in the gardens and cool off a bit?”

“I would be happy to do so.”

She took his arm, and they left the house, entering the gardens.

“I cannot help but think of the wonderful hours I spent here with you before our marriage,” he told her. “I know we will share many more happy times here together.”

They stopped at the bench where they used to meet, taking a seat next to one another, and Val slipped his arm about her. She rested her head against his shoulder, and he placed a palm against her belly.

“I cannot wait to meet our child,” he told her. “I hope they have your hazel eyes.”

She glanced up at him. “And I wish they might get your chestnut hair. Oh, Val, will we always be this happy?”

He lifted his hand from her belly and cradled her cheek. “I believe we will be happier with each passing day.”

Her husband kissed her, and Eden knew total bliss.