Page 38 of The Duke’s Sharpshooter (The Duke’s Guard #14)

Five years later…

F laherty and Temperance stared down into the face of their newborn son. “He looks just like you, Rory.”

The knock on the door had him rising to his feet. He bent and kissed his wife’s forehead and then their son’s. “That’ll be Emily with Maddy with the twins.”

Flaherty opened the door and smiled at their newest stable hand. “Thank ye for escorting Mrs. Garahan and me girls, Tommy. Will ye wait and escort Mrs. Garahan back home?”

“Aye. Though I’m to bring her back to Mrs. O’Malley’s house. We dropped her boys off there before coming here.”

“Ye’re a good man, Tommy. I’ll be sure to put in a good word for ye with Garahan.”

“I appreciate it. Ready, Mrs. Garahan?”

“I am.” Emily hugged Maddy and her little sisters, then kissed Flaherty on the cheek. “Congratulations. Tell Temperance I’ll visit tomorrow.”

“Walk slowly and mind yer step,” Flaherty reminded her.

“Yes, Flaherty. I’m ready, Tommy. Bye, girls!”

“Bye, Aunt Emily!” the lasses called in unison.

Flaherty smiled at his daughters. “Are ye ready to meet yer new brother?” They cheered, and he grinned and put a finger to his lips. “Quiet now—yer ma is exhausted, and so is the babe. I’ll lift ye onto the bed, but don’t be touching or jostling yer brother now. Ye hear?”

Their chorus of “aye, Da” warmed his heart.

Maddy waited until Rose and Honey were on the bed before scooting in next to Honey, whose fingers were twitching to touch the babe. “Did you and Mum decide on his name?” she asked.

“We’ve talked about calling him Donal.”

“After your da’s favorite uncle,” Temperance added.

Flaherty smiled watching their daughters stare at their newborn brother with awe. “But,” he said, “I’ve been thinking Donal should be his middle name.” He watched his wife’s face for her reaction. “Paul will be his first name.”

Maddy smiled. “Would you really?”

Flaherty smiled back and, with a nod from his wife, replied, “After all, I asked permission from him to marry yer ma. He gave it, and I don’t think a powerful guardian angel such as himself would mind adding a fourth babe to watch over.”

Maddy reminded her sisters, “My papa is your guardian angel, too.”

Flaherty stared at his wife and the picture she made with the babe in her arms, and their three little girls surrounding her on the bed. “I’m thinking we’ll name our next son after me other favorite uncle—Patrick. He’s been watching over our brood since I married yer ma.”

Temperance sighed. “Rory, you do know that I love you, don’t you?”

“Aye, lass.”

“If you continue to talk about me having another babe hours after I just gave birth, I will have to hurt you.”

Maddy frowned. “Mum, don’t hurt Da. He loves you. He loves us.”

“That I do, mo chroí ,” Flaherty said.

“Uncle Aiden and Aunt Emily have sons,” Rose added.

“Three of them!” Honey piped up.

“And we have three darling girls—and a son,” Temperance said.

“That’s enough talk for now, girls,” Flaherty interrupted. “Maddy, will ye read to yer sisters while I speak with yer ma?”

“Yes, Da.”

He helped the twins off the bed and scooted them to the other side of the cottage, then waited until they were settled on the settee and listening intently while their older sister read them a story about a princess and a castle in the air.

He walked back and sat on the edge of the bed. “That glint is still in yer eye, lass. It has me thinking I shouldn’t close me eyes tonight. Should I remind ye that ye love me?”

Temperance leaned against him. “I love you to distraction, Rory. Paul Donal takes after you with broad shoulders.”

He winced. “I’m sorry the birthing was hard on ye, lass.”

“The twins were smaller. This time our babe had more room to grow.”

“Rest against me, lass. I’ve got ye both.” He pressed his lips to her temple and inhaled the faint scent of roses and raindrops. “Ye’re braver than meself, lass. Closer yer eyes now and sleep.” He’d rather be surrounded by a host of blackguards wielding blades, cudgels, and pistols than give birth!

Nestled in his arms, their babe fell asleep first, then his brave and courageous wife.

Flaherty silently said a prayer of thanks for his wife, his children, and his life.

He was surrounded by family, and had the honor of working for a man he admired.

The duke had had the foresight to understand that his men’s wives were of equal value to his own… and above all, in the eyes of the Lord.

Listening to the lilting sound of Maddy’s voice as she read to her sisters soothed Flaherty. The delicate snore of his wife and the tiny sounds from their new babe warmed his heart and had him praying for just one more son—after Temperance fully recovered from giving birth.

Nine months later to the day, Temperance gave birth to healthy twin sons. And, much to his delight, she agreed to name them Patrick andAiden.