The Gift of the Marquess
Page 12
“We have a son.” He was glad his voice didn’t sound as shaky as he felt. He lifted her hand and kissed the back before tucking it against her side. Leaning down, he kissed her dewy forehead. “As long as I live, I will never do anything as miraculous or spectacular as you did today.”
She laughed. “I can’t say I disagree with you.”
Mrs. Fisk appeared at his side. “My lord, may I present your son.” She handed him the swaddled babe, his pink face scrunched and crying. “I do think he may be hungry.” She turned to attend Poppy, but Gabriel was now entirely focused on his son.
He touched the boy’s tiny button nose. His cries faded, and his eyes opened. They were blue with a bit of gray—like his mother’s, though he’d heard they might not stay that way. He decided they would. Of course they would.
Love, fierce and all-encompassing, assaulted Gabriel, nearly stealing his breath. He’d loved this child for months, but this was different—richer and more complete. He now understood how Dinah had completely changed her mind the moment she’d held Nicola.
“Her ladyship is ready for him.” Mrs. Fisk took the babe and put him into Poppy’s arms. Mrs. Fisk had arranged her so that her breast was exposed and began to show her how to nurse their son. It was the most beautiful thing Gabriel had ever seen.
Enchanted, he watched tears track down Poppy’s face, her smile soft and adoring as she cradled their son. She stroked his cheek and whispered words of love. Words that echoed deep in Gabriel’s heart. He wiped a hand over his wet eyes, grinning.
A few moments later, he realized they were alone in their bedchamber—just the three of them. He could scarcely believe it.
“Thaddeus, I think,” she said, her gaze locking with Gabriel’s. They’d discussed several names that meant gift, for that’s what this child was.
Gabriel thought of the other names they’d considered but agreed he looked like Thaddeus. “Yes.”
A while later, Thaddeus dozed upon his mother’s breast, and Gabriel sat, weary but content, in a chair beside the bed. He was fairly certain Poppy was asleep, her eyes closed, her breaths deep and even. All was well. For now.
Stop it.
He refused to worry or be afraid. The birth had gone exceptionally well according to Dr. Fisk. Even so, he’d agreed to stay with them for three days to alleviate Gabriel’s concern.
“I know I can’t protect you from everything, but I will do my best,” he whispered, gazing at his beloved wife and son. “Always.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and her mouth curved into a smile. “I know you will. And we’ll be right here doing the same for you.”
“I made something,” he said, his pulse quickening with anticipation. “I’ll be right back.”
He went into the sitting room and found what he sought—one of the footmen had brought it up earlier in the day. Hefting the piece of furniture, he carried it into the bedchamber and set it next to the bed.
Poppy gasped when she saw the cradle. “It’s beautiful. When I asked if you planned to make something, you said you would…later. I thought you were afraid,” she said softly.
“I was, but I told you I wasn’t going to surrender to fear.” He’d crafted the piece with love and hope. Made of oak, he’d carved greenery and mistletoe into the wood.
“It reminds me of Christmas,” she said, smiling.
“The season of joy and hope.” Gabriel leaned down and kissed her, his lips lingering softly against hers. The future stretched before them—bright and long. A peace settled over him.
“Thank you, my love,” she whispered. “This is the most perfect gift.”
He shook his head in gentle disagreement, love coursing through him. “No, that would be you and our son.”
* * *
Find out what happens with the St. Stephen’s Day party and why Calder is such a Scrooge in Joy to the Duke! Coming November 12, 2019!
Thank you so much for reading The Gift of the Marquess! It’s the second book in my Regency holiday series, Love is All Around. I hope you enjoyed it! Don’t miss the final book in the trilogy, Joy to the Duke!
* * *
Would you like to know when my next book is available and to hear about sales and deals? Sign up for my VIP newsletter at https://www.darcyburke.com/readergroup, follow me on social media:
* * *
Facebook: https://facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans
Twitter at @darcyburke
Instagram at darcyburkeauthor
Pinterest at darcyburkewrite
* * *
And follow me on Bookbub to receive updates on pre-orders, new releases, and deals!
* * *
Need more Regency romance? Check out my other historical series:
* * *
The Spitfire Society - Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one…
* * *
The Untouchables - Swoon over twelve of Society’s most eligible and elusive bachelor peers and the bluestockings, wallflowers, and outcasts who bring them to their knees!
* * *
Wicked Dukes Club - six books written by me and my BFF, NYT Bestselling Author Erica Ridley. Meet the unforgettable men of London's most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough...
* * *
Secrets and Scandals - six epic stories set in London’s glittering ballrooms and England’s lush countryside, and the first one, Her Wicked Ways, is free!
* * *
Legendary Rogues - Four intrepid heroines and adventurous heroes embark on exciting quests across Regency England and Wales!
If you like contemporary romance, I hope you’ll check out my Ribbon Ridge series available from Avon Impulse, and the continuation of Ribbon Ridge in So Hot.
* * *
I hope you’ll consider leaving a review at your favorite online vendor or networking site!
* * *
I appreciate my readers so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Author’s Note
One day last spring I thought it would be fun to write a Christmas trilogy and base the stories on classic holiday tales. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a lovely story and served as the inspiration for The Gift of the Marquess. This was my first foray into writing a romance where the hero and heroine had already fallen in love and were married. As someone who’s been married for nearly twenty-eight years (as of this writing), I can attest to the fact that marriage does not end the conflict—or the romance! It was very rewarding to write Poppy and Gabriel’s moving journey.
The Institution for Impoverished Women is something entirely of my own creation. It’s based on workhouses of the time, but I didn’t want a “real” workhouse which separated men and women (and children—they didn’t see their parents often) and was typically more like a prison.
Thank you Julie Kenner for the countless phone calls it took to get this just right.
I hope you enjoyed this inspired story! And Merry Christmas. :)
Also by Darcy Burke
Historical Romance
Love is All Around
(A Regency Holiday Trilogy)
* * *
The Red Hot Earl
The Gift of the Marquess
Joy to the Duke
* * *
The Spitfire Society
* * *
Never Have I Ever with a Duke
A Duke is Never Enough
A Duke Will Never Do
* * *
The Untouchables
* * *
The Forbidden Duke
The Duke of Daring
The Duke of Deception
The Duke of Desire
The Duke of Defiance
The Duke of Danger
The Duke of Ice
The Duke
of Ruin
The Duke of Lies
The Duke of Seduction
The Duke of Kisses
The Duke of Distraction
* * *
Wicked Dukes Club
* * *
One Night for Seduction by Erica Ridley
One Night of Surrender by Darcy Burke
One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley
One Night of Scandal by Darcy Burke
One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley
One Night of Temptation by Darcy Burke
* * *
Secrets and Scandals
* * *
Her Wicked Ways
His Wicked Heart
To Seduce a Scoundrel
To Love a Thief (a novella)
Never Love a Scoundrel
Scoundrel Ever After
* * *
Legendary Rogues
* * *
Lady of Desire
Romancing the Earl
Lord of Fortune
Captivating the Scoundrel
* * *
Contemporary Romance
* * *
Ribbon Ridge
* * *
Where the Heart Is (a prequel novella)
Only in My Dreams
Yours to Hold
When Love Happens
The Idea of You
When We Kiss
You’re Still the One
* * *
Ribbon Ridge: So Hot
* * *
So Good
So Right
So Wrong
The Jewels of Historical Romance
The Jewels are my sisters in historical romance: New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors who sparkle! Download our two boxed sets for just 99c each so you can meet the rest of the Jewels…
Fabulous Firsts: The Blue Collection - 6 novels for just 99c
Fabulous Firsts: The Red Collection - 6 novels for just 99c!
Enter our monthly contest at:
JewelsofHistoricalRomance.com
* * *
And join the Jewels Salon on Facebook!
About the Author
Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at https://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.
* * *
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene. They’re a crazy cat family with two Bengal cats, a small, fame-seeking cat named after a fruit, and an older rescue Maine Coon who is the master of chill and five a.m. serenading. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge. Visit Darcy online at https://www.darcyburke.com and follow her social media: Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/darcyburkefans, Twitter @darcyburke at https://www.twitter.com/darcyburke, Instagram at https://www.instagram/darcyburkeauthor, and Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/darcyburkewrite.