Page 23 of The Wayward Lady (The Wayward Widows of Willoughby Hall #1)

One year later...

Lavender stretched luxuriously, running one foot up the side of her husband’s calf, grinning when he groaned and buried his face in the crook of her neck, wrapping his strong arms around her. “You’ll be the death of me, woman,” he whispered. “I already want you again.”

They had spent the morning making love, enjoying the rare time alone. Genevieve had invited all three children to come to Willoughby Hall to see her new puppy—a decision she’d made after the time she’d spent with Daisy—and the moment they’d all disappeared down the road, Kendrick had taken her hand and led her back up to their attic bedroom. He had remodeled it before they’d married six months ago to give them as much privacy as possible in a house now bursting with children. He had even made a place for her collection of sea glass on the windowsill, where they sparkled in the sunlight, and a cozy little reading nook under the eaves.

She bit her lip, enjoying the kisses he spread along her throat for several moments before pulling back and meeting his gaze. “I want you every minute of every day,” she told him breathlessly. “But I have something to tell you.”

He tensed beside her, then pushed himself up on one elbow and brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. “That sounds serious,” he said solemnly.

“It is,” she murmured, trepidation welling within her. “But I think it’s good news, and I hope you’ll feel the same.”

He cocked his head to one side, his expression suddenly shuttered. “You can tell me anything.” But the look in his eyes told her he feared the worst, and she cursed herself for going about this all wrong.

She pushed up to lean against the headboard and cupped his dear, handsome face. “We’ve been under the impression that I couldn’t have children, so we’ve taken no precautions, but... apparently, the fault in my last marriage was not mine.”

He caught his breath and dropped his gaze to her still-flat stomach. “Are you saying...?”

She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I know that you weren’t expecting another child, that we just got Teresa in school—"

He cut her off with a fierce kiss, silencing her for a very long time. When he finally broke away, a big grin stretched his lips. “I’m thrilled,” he assured her. “Absolutely thrilled. The more, the merrier.”

The anxiety that had been churning in her gut since the doctor had confirmed her pregnancy yesterday dissipated in a surge of relief. She’d desperately wanted to talk it over with Eden, but her friend had finally left for Egypt. “Good,” she breathed. “Because I’m thrilled, too.” She had never even dared to hope this could happen, but it felt very right to be giving Kendrick another child. She hoped it was a little boy with the same dark eyes and hair as his father.

He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “You’re a wonderful mother and an even better wife,” he assured her. “I’m sure the other children will be thrilled.”

“Even Miranda?” she asked hesitantly. “I finally feel like she is warming to me. I would hate her to feel threatened by a new baby.”

“You’ve given her all the love and attention in the world,” he told her. “She loves you just as much as you love her, even if she isn’t always good at showing it. I think she’ll be fine.”

After that first conversation, when Lavender had taken Miranda to the bookstore, they had slowly worked on strengthening their relationship until the girl had seemed just as happy as her brother and sister when Lavender and Kendrick had announced their plans to marry. Ever since, Lavender had done everything she could to be the complete opposite of her own stepmother.

“Good, I’m glad you think so,” Lavender said, the last of the fears she’d harbored about this profound new development fading away like dandelion petals in the wind. “I’ve been so worried about telling all of you.”

He leaned forward and kissed her again, gentler this time. “I love you so much, Lavender. And I will love this new addition to our family. I am the happiest man in the world.”

And as she stared into his dark eyes, she knew that she’d finally found her purpose in life.

THE END