Page 52

TWO MONTHS LATER

A dinner party at Oakmere Hall no longer sounded like something one must endure. These days, it was a way for close friends and family to come together to be grateful for everything that had transpired.

While nothing was surprising about Dominic sitting at the head of the table, it was certainly good to see him relaxed while Serafina sprawled across his lap.

The hounds dozed near the hearth, content with the company. The sisters were there, and so were Olivia and Simon. The most notable addition was Daniel, who had recently returned from his travels abroad.

“To His Grace, the Duke of Oakmere,” Daniel toasted, his tone conveying both his gratitude and an underlying mischief. “To my brother-in-law, who served as protector of my sisters, tamer of animals, and a recent pugilist. Thank you.”

Dominic grunted in mock humility, lifting his glass toward the younger man.

“You missed all the excitement, Dan.” Simon chuckled.

“I’m here now, am I not? I don’t imagine the excitement will come to a halt.”

“We did love some of the chaos, darling,” Olivia agreed, elbowing her husband playfully. “My dear Simon might have gotten a few scars here and there. Very fashionable.”

“I have enough from childhood, but yes, fashionable,” Simon said, puffing out his chest and wiggling his eyebrows. Then, he rubbed his wife’s belly. “Of course, with a little one on the way, I will slow down my foray into physical fights.”

“Linpool?” Daniel prompted as the hilarity died down.

“Serving a life sentence,” Dominic replied.

“Word has it that he tried charming the prison warden,” Simon added. “He got punched in the jaw. Good for him.”

“And Father is abroad?” Daniel asked. “On business?”

Dominic simply nodded. The man was, after all, in some sort of business.

The chuckles turned into worries. Wilhelmina’s brow creased with apprehension.

“What is it, Mina?” Marianne inquired.

“I received a letter from Mother.”

The room quieted down.

Nobody talked about Lady Grisham much—the woman Lord Grisham had married after his first wife had died, and the natural mother of Wilhelmina and the twins. She was merely an inconvenience nobody else wanted to think about.

“She’s returning to England,” Wilhelmina added. “She wants to oversee my debut. What if she ruins it?”

“Don’t fret. She won’t,” Marianne reassured her firmly. “You have all of us behind you.”

“If she tries anything, Mina,” Dominic added, “we can always unleash Perseus.”

As if they all agreed, Perseus bleated, Serafina purred, and the two hounds barked.

The laughter that followed proved how everyone present had become part of a big, happy family.

“You’ve definitely gone soft,” Simon said as he leaned close to his friend, his eyes glinting mischievously.

“I’m not denying it,” Dominic grumbled.

“I remember when you used to hunt wild boar with your bare hands, or singlehandedly take down three partridges within one hour.”

“I still hunt. I have to get carrots for Perseus.”

“That’s called gathering or gardening, my love,” Marianne reminded him. “He hasn’t looked at a hunting rifle in weeks!” She then kissed his bearded cheek, adding, “You’re certainly my gentle giant. By the way, can you go on a stroll with me? I believe I’m stuffed.”

Simon mouthed, “Soft,” but Dominic did not care. He rose to accompany his wife for whatever stroll she needed.

“I had to get you away from the rest, just for the moment,” she confessed once they were out of earshot in the gardens.

“I understand. Simon can be annoying,” he said.

“While I am proud of what I’m about to say, I want to tell you first. Just you, for now,” she continued.

“What is it?” he asked, alarmed. “Are you not well?”

“On the contrary,” she replied. “I am very much well. So well that I am healthy enough for the little one I am carrying.”

Her hand gently caressed her still-flat belly.

Dominic reached out in wonder and placed his hand on hers. They rubbed circles.

“Are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?” he asked after a moment.

“Of course, I am! Dominic, we will soon have a child. Are you ready?”

“If I can endure your zoo and mine, of course I am ready for a baby,” he said, blinking back tears.

“Oh, and there’s another thing I need you for,” she whispered, her voice growing husky. He looked into her heavy-lidded eyes and knew what she meant right away. “Because I am carrying a child, I feel more, uh, you know…”

“I believe I know. Can I relieve it anytime soon?”

And he did. Over and over. He let her rise over him, riding him hard as he filled his hands with her full breasts.

She was life. She was everything.

The End?