Page 33 of The Duke’s Sharpshooter (The Duke’s Guard #14)

T emperance followed Maddy into the kitchen in time to see Constance pulling loaves of bread out of the oven. “Let me help you with that.”

The cook shook her head. “I have it, thank you.” Brushing her hands on her apron, she beamed at the two. “Are you ready for your big day?”

Maddy bounced on her toes. “I am.” She leaned close and in a stage whisper confided, “Mum’s nervous.”

Francis entered the kitchen. “Morning, everyone. Are you ready for this afternoon?”

Temperance put a hand to her stomach. Before she could reply, Constance asked, “Maddy, would you and Francis please set the table in the main dining room?”

“We’d be happy to,” Francis said. “Wouldn’t we, Maddy?”

“We would!” Delighted to be asked, Maddy led the way, while Francis carried the tray from the room.

Constance poured a cup of tea and nodded at Temperance. “Sit down and tell me what has you so concerned this morning. You have not changed your mind, have you?”

Temperance bit her lip and sat. “No.”

The cook set the cream next to Temperance. “Fix your tea, have a few sips, and tell me. If you are this rattled, and it’s not even seven o’clock in the morning, you’ll be a complete wreck by noontime.”

Temperance added a splash of cream to her tea and sipped. “I haven’t told Flaherty about my late husband yet.”

“He knows you were married and that your husband passed away. What more does he need to know?”

“It’s been over three years since he’s been gone, and I’m not certain that I can…or will be able to… Botheration!”

Constance reached over to pat Temperance on the hand. “I have an idea of what might be plaguing you…the marriage bed.”

Temperance sighed. “I said vows and have kept them, even after Paul lost his life in that mine.”

“I hope you don’t mind my asking, but is it Flaherty’s being a giant of a man that worries you?”

Temperance shook her head. “My husband was built like Flaherty, and an inch or so taller.”

Constance refilled the cup Temperance did not realize she’d already emptied.

“Well then, a little Maddy-bird told me that she’s seen him kiss you and that you were smiling.

” When Temperance felt the heat rise up from her toes, Constance sighed.

“From the way you’re flushing, I would venture to say that you enjoy his kisses. ”

Temperance rested her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands. “Too much! What if… You see, I’m worried that… I do not want him to feel as if—”

The cook nodded. “This calls for something extra sweet. Here’s the jam and cream I just whipped.”

Temperance eyed the bowls and waited for Constance to set the plate of scones in the middle of the table and sit. “I’m afraid I’ll compare them.”

Constance nodded. “I had a feeling it was something like that.”

“I’m afraid to tell Rory, and at the same time, I’m afraid not to tell him.”

“You do realize that not many widows are lucky enough to find another man who vows to love her and another man’s child?

But you have. Flaherty’s heart is pure gold.

Everyone has noted the way he cannot take his eyes off you every time he sees you.

And we all know that your curly-haired moppet stole his heart.

I hope you won’t feel slighted when I confide that I think he fell for her first.”

Temperance felt the knot in her belly ease. “I do know it, and it warms my heart. Paul never had the chance to meet Maddy. He would have doted on her.”

“Have you ever noticed that men are as prone to gossiping as women?”

Temperance frowned. “I have never been around a group of men before. By the time my husband returned from the mine, he was usually exhausted. It took a bit of time to scrub the coal from him. Then it would be time to eat, and he’d fall into bed exhausted, only to begin again the next day.”

“When the duke and duchess first arrived at Wyndmere Hall, they arrived with the entire guard. Sixteen of the tallest, broadest, handsomest men than I had ever encountered before. Each and every one of those men were charmers. During their shift changes, they would stop in the kitchen and ask if I had a few extra scones for a starving man.”

Temperance laughed. “I can imagine them asking, but cannot envision cooking for that many men at one time—aside from the staff and His Grace.”

“It was a challenge, but at the time Mollie and Francis were helping me.”

“Mollie?”

“She married one of Patrick’s younger brothers, Finn. They are stationed at Penwith Tower on the coast of Cornwall.”

“I see.”

Constance moved the plate of scones closer, and Temperance took the hint and helped herself to one, then added jam and a spoonful of cream on top. As she bit into the delicious confection, the cook regaled her with stories of the men and their antics.

“Sparks flew from the moment Gwendolyn stepped down off the carriage. She was hired to take care of the newborn twins.”

“Sparks, you say?”

The cook put her hand over her heart. “Oh my, yes. And of course his brothers had something to say. It was as if they knew he was smitten with the nanny and were pushing him to declare himself. Once things settled down, and the duke’s extended family were added to those the men were to protect, the duke decided to divide up his men and assign them to his properties, and those of his distant cousins, the viscount and the baron. ”

Nibbling on her second scone, Temperance asked, “Did the men stop talking about one another?”

Constance laughed. “They became more obvious. When the men in the duke’s guard fall in love, they fall hard and fast. Which is a blessing, because with their duties, they do not have a lot of time to spare.”

“I see—and you believe Flaherty really cares for me too?”

“I’ll tell you after you answer a question honestly. How do you feel when he kisses you?”

Temperance bobbled her teacup, but caught it before it crashed onto its saucer.

The older woman smiled. “I thought as much. My best advice to you is to tell Flaherty how you are feeling and what has you worried.”

“And you do not think he will be angry with me for even suggesting that I might be thinking of my husband while we… Before we… When—”

“Since it has you tied up in knots, yes, you should. From what I know of the Flahertys and their cousins, I suspect he would see it as a challenge to ensure that you think only of him when you are in your marriage bed.”

Temperance could not feel the top of her head, and was grateful for the anchor Constance provided when she grabbed hold of her hand.

“The Irish are passionate men.” Constance winked at her. “Be very grateful that you’ll be married to one.”

When Temperance found her voice, she rasped, “I believe I will.”

Constance rose from her seat, put her arm around Temperance, and gave her a hug. “Trust me, I know that you will. I’m certain those two are finished setting the table by now. Will you tell them it is all right to come back in the kitchen?”

“Oh, I did not realize they were waiting.”

“You needed to share your worry, and I am always happy to listen. Now, off with you. Fetch those two so we can have breakfast ready for the staff and Flaherty.”

“What about the other men in the guard?”

“They’re married and have their first meal of the day in their cottages with their wives. Last night, the duke asked me to prepare a special basket with your evening meal to be delivered to your new cottage.”

“Flaherty mentioned the duke and duchess’s overly generous gift.”

“His Grace gifted each one of the men and their wives a cottage when they married. The cottages are not far from here, on the road leading to the tenant farms.”

“And you’re certain there is one for Flaherty, Maddy, and me?”

Constance sighed. “Quite certain. Now then, tonight and for the next three days, the duchess would like Maddy to stay with Francis to give you and Flaherty time alone.”

“I’m overwhelmed by their generosity and that of everyone here at Wyndmere Hall. Not one person has made Maddy or me feel as if we are interlopers.”

“No one thinks that, Temperance.” Constance smiled. “Flaherty is due to return from his dawn patrol to the village any minute. You don’t want him to get the wrong impression on your wedding day, if he sees your eyes welling with tears.”

Temperance wiped her eyes and looked up in time to see Flaherty striding into the kitchen. “Lass, what’s wrong? Is it Maddy? Whatever’s happened, tell me, and I’ll take care of it.”

Constance leveled a look at Temperance, as if to say, I told you so . Temperance wanted to say something, but suddenly Flaherty had her by the hand and was pulling her along behind him. “Excuse us, Constance. I’m thinking the lass needs privacy to tell me what’s happened with Maddy.”

Alone in the hall with Flaherty, Temperance had no idea where to start.

Should she begin with her worry about tonight, or ask him if he meant for them to seal their vows and then go on to lead separate lives?

They had not talked about expectations for their marriage—or even babes. Did he want them? Did she ?

It only took a few seconds for her to decide. Yes, she did want Maddy to have brothers and sisters. Heaven help her, she wanted a marriage with all of the trimmings, and she hoped Rory did too!

He tipped up her chin with a knuckle. “Now then, lass. Tell me what’s happened. Where is our wee cailín ?”

The intensity in his crystal-blue eyes scorched her. For the life of her, she didn’t want to spend the time to wonder what he was thinking. She could not think past what he’d just said.

“Our?”

*

Flaherty frowned. “I already think of her as ours. The vicar will make it official this afternoon. Were ye thinking to keep our daughter all to yerself?”

“No, but—”

“Are ye thinking I wouldn’t want to adopt her?”

“Well, I—”

“How could ye think that I would not want to give her the protection of me name, too?” His frown was fierce when he asked, “Are ye thinking to tell me ye want a marriage in name only?”

“Rory—”