“I couldn’t sleep,” she said, drawing his attention back to her, “so I did a rough sketch and finished it this morning while you two were enjoying your time together.”
“It’s beautiful,” he murmured, shifting Elizabeth so he could cradle her in one arm and wrap his free one around Lilly. He drew her to his side. “You were not worried about Henry, were you?”
“My cousin? No, why?”
“Well, since I made it clear he couldn’t sell your house and if he ever tried to come near you again, I would make sure he regretted it, he has not been seen. You know I wouldn’t let him harm you again, do you not?”
“I do. And I don’t fear him. He is a coward, Evan, and with the loan sharks after him, I doubt we shall ever see him again. Justice for my father shall likely be served without my having a hand in it.”
“At least we were able to salvage some of your father’s business when it was sold off.”
She beamed up at him. “Yes, I should like Lizzy to know something of her grandfather.”
“And it is turning a fine profit, which never hurts. It shall go some way to funding the final preparations for the school.”
“I do hope we get to visit it soon.”
Evan let slip a smile. It was not the first time his wife had mentioned her wish to visit the house in Scotland that they were now turning into a woman’s college. With the help of the lady he had first helped, preparations were well under way.
“A trip to Scotland shall have to wait a small while. Neither you nor Elizabeth are up to such a long journey.”
“Nonsense,” she scoffed and pressed herself against his side. “Have I not proved to you I am more than capable of... energetic pursuits?”
The way she dropped her voice set sparks off in his brain. Elizabeth might have disturbed them last night but they had enjoyed plenty of nights together since the birth of their daughter. Flashes of naked skin and Lilly’s parted lips seared his memory and he groaned as he felt the inevitable tightening in his trousers. Elizabeth stirred and he scowled.
“Now see what you have done.”
“She will be fine. Why do you not set her down and we shall take a stroll through the gardens? I’ve asked Mary to keep an eye on her.”
“The gardens you say? And what could interest you about the gardens?”
“I have had many fine moments in gardens,” Lilly replied with a wide grin. “I kissed a marquess in a garden once I believe.”
“Oh indeed, and did you enjoy this kiss?”
“Hardly. He was a vain and arrogant man.”
Evan pinched her side causing her to yelp. “I seem to recall a similar moment and I believe the woman involved was quite enthusiastic.”
“Appearances can be deceiving,” she admitted and peered up at him. “I suspect deep down he was really quite soft-hearted.” She went onto tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “He gave me more than a kiss in the gardens in the end. He gave me everything I didn’t even know I wanted.”
Evan coughed and forced away the tingling sensation in his eyes. “Come then, let me put this little one down and we shall see if we cannot find you another marquess to kiss in the gardens.”
Lilly smiled and kissed Elizabeth. The child merely released a tiny sigh and Evan had to swallow hard to force the knot in his throat down.
“Come and find me,” she said with a tilted smile. “Maybe the marquess shall receive more than a kiss if he is lucky.”
He shook his head as he carried Elizabeth out of the drawing room and up the stairs to the nursery. That woman would be the death of him but what a sweet, sweet death it would be. Mary greeted him in the nursery and held out her hands to take the child but Evan shook his head and laid her down himself. He watched her for several moments as she stretched and settled, her pudgy arms coming to rest above her head.
Who could believe such a small and delicate thing could command him so easily? Funny to think of the effect she and Lilly had over him. To be certain his wife still enjoyed riling him but he found himself better able to manage his temper now he had two beautiful women in his life.
He slipped a finger into Elizabeth’s open hand and relished the natural flex of her tiny fingers. “I have great expectations of you, you know,” he whispered. “Perhaps you shall be the first Hawksley woman to become a doctor. Though” —he withdrew his finger from hers —“I suspect I shall be proud of you no matter what you do.”
Satisfied she slept on, Evan straightened and tried to ignore the soft look Mary gave him. “Be sure not to let her sleep past noon,” he said in his sternest voice. The child became irritable if she missed her midday feed.
“Of course, my lord.”
Knowing his daughter would only give them a short amount of time together, Evan hastened downstairs and out into the gardens. He scanned the ground and saw a flutter of pale blue. The damned minx was toying with him. He raced after her and caught her behind the box hedging that lined the pathway. Evan snatched her arm and thrust her up against the topiary. Lilly giggled and attempted briefly to push him away before relenting and allowing him to capture her mouth.
“Is she sleeping?” she asked breathlessly between kisses.
“She is, so we have a very short while together.”
“I am sure it shall be more than enough time for what I have planned for you, my lord.”
“And what would that be?”
She wriggled out from his hold and scampered off, calling to him, “Follow me and you shall find out.”
Evan groaned and gave chase, knowing full well he would follow the woman he loved anywhere.
The End
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To Dream of a Highlander (Book 2 of the Highland Fae Chronicles)
To Avenge Her Highland Warrior (Book 3 of the Highland Fae Chronicles)
Alrek (Viking Romance)
Contemporary
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