Page 73 of The Rakish Duke and His Bride

“Good.” The older woman nodded. “Now, what color would you like to have the nursery painted? Or would you rather have wallpapers put up instead?”

Discomfort settled in Nancy’s chest, and she found herself shaking her head. “Not yet. I… I do not want to prepare this room alone. I’d like to do it with my husband. Is that all right?”

“Of course, it is, Your Grace. You have a lot of time to ready the nursery. All you need to do is inform me when you would like preparations to commence, and I will handle the rest,” Mrs. Silverstone assured her gently.

And so, Nancy continued to dance around the issue, pondering over and over how she should tell her husband. She couldn’t understand the obsession with a perfect revelation, but it felt important to her, and she did not want to ignore it.

Eventually, Richard noticed she had grown a lot less talkative and began to fuss over her.

“Did I do something wrong, my love? If I have, I am sorry. Will you tell me what I’ve done, so I do not make the same mistake again?”

Nancy stared at her husband for a moment, a little taken aback by how remarkable the man before her was, suddenly struck by how silly she had been all this time.

“No, Richard, you have not done anything wrong. I have just been thinking a lot. About you, actually.”

He blinked, surprised. “Me? Are you sure I have not done anything wrong?”

“No, my love.” Nancy laughed. “You have been perfect. I was just thinking of how much I love you. And how excited I am to live by your side forever.”

“Why does this sound as though you had a momentary doubt about your decision to be with me?” Richard frowned.

“I did not, Richard. I promise. I just… felt reassured. Of your love. I never doubted it, but it is always nice to be reminded of it,” she assured him.

“Oh. I shall remind you every day, then.”

With her mind made up, she cupped his cheeks and pulled him closer for a kiss. “I have no doubt you will.”

* * *

The very next morning, when she had woken up, she donned a dressing gown and went to sit in the sunroom for a while, admiring the view of the estate from the windows.

Richard had gone straight to her as soon as he woke up, pouting as he approached her.

“Why did you leave our bed so early?” he complained.

She smiled up at him. “I wanted to take a walk. Would you accompany me? There is something I need to tell you.”

“Of course.” He nodded, holding a hand out and helping her rise to her feet. “Would you like me to fetch you a cloak? It is quite cold this morning.”

“No.” She shook her head. “It’s all right. We’re not going outside.”

He was clearly confused, but still, he followed her all the way to the room two doors down from theirs. She opened the door and led him inside, noticing the puzzled expression on his face immediately.

“Has this room always been empty?” he asked.

“No. I had the staff clear it out… because there is no nursery. And we will need one, soon.”

It was a testament to how precious he was when his frown deepened.

“We will?” he asked.

At that moment, all her concerns felt even more ridiculous, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yes, Richard. I am with child.”

For a moment, he did not move or speak. Then he stepped closer to her and pulled her gently into his arms for a hug.

“Are… Are you sure?” he asked, looking deep into her eyes.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she nodded.

“I don’t… Oh my. We’re going to be parents.Parents. Is it all right that I feel equally excited and terrified?”

“I think a little bit of fear is normal. I was terrified, too, when I found out. I do not know if we’re ready. I do not know if we’ll ever be. But I am very happy that I’ll get to raise this child with you. I think… No, I grow certain with each moment that we will make it work, somehow.”

Richard pressed a kiss to her temple. “We will. I promise you that we will. Thank you for trusting me.”

Nancy held him tighter, her heart swelling in her chest. “Thank you for loving me.”

The End?