The Bride of Windermere
Page 29
“Next, we must bid my cousin, Nicholas, Viscount of Thornton, farewell,” Wolf said. There were calls of protest from the lower tables, but Wolf went on. “It is time for him to claim his title and take his estates in hand. I have selfishly relied on him long enough.” Wolf picked up a parchment from the table where he’d sat for the meal. “Besides, I recently received this missive from our grandfather in Bremen. It warns that if the bastard grandson does not soon claim what is his, King Henry will surely come to his senses and revoke what was given. He urges you, Nicholas, to get to Thornton in all haste.” A great deal of laughter accompanied Rudolph Gerhart’s warning, and Wolf noticed the look of shock in Kit’s eyes.
“Did I ever mention that my uncle never wed Nicholas’ mother?” Wolf asked Kit.
She shook her head, still stunned.
“Nick’s worth is greater than all the legitimate cousins I’ve ever had, and I love him well,” Wolf remarked. His voice was loud enough for Nicholas and everyone at the duke’s table to hear. “We have been as brothers these twenty years and will continue another forty.”
“Hear, hear!”
“Lastly,” Wolf began, “I invite all of you to return in the month of May for the christening of our firstborn child.”
At this, a cheer went up, and Kit looked at Wolf with her jaw agape. He knew! He winked at her, grinning.
“Of course, I cannot give you an exact date, but the birth will occur in the spring.”
Later, after the candles were out, a cozy fire had been banked in their room, and they were snuggled together in their big bed. “When did you realize I was carrying our babe?”
He smiled. “I think it was the morning when you finished your own porridge, and then started on mine.”
She poked his ribs.
“Or was it that day a couple of weeks ago when you slept till noon, had a nap and then retired just after dark?”
“Rascal!”
“Oh, Kit, how I love you.” He laughed and gathered her into his arms. “I know that your monthly courses ceased soon after we arrived at Windermere. That means you’ll bear our child late in April. It would please me if she were born on the anniversary of the day I took you from Somerton.”
“She?”
“Of course,” Wolf said. “I want a daughter exactly like you. She will have a father who loves her and dotes upon her.”
“And what of sons?”
“You may have as many as you like,” he said, grinning, “as long as you give me my daughter first.”
Then he turned and unfastened the ties of her gown. He kissed her mouth, then her throat and shoulders. Kit shuddered, overcome by feelings of warmth, security and love.
“I love you, Wolf.”
“I know,” he said.
“My life would have been nothing if Philip had—”
“Hush, love,” he said, easing her down onto the bed. “You rescued me, and all is well.”
“Better than I’d ever hoped...”
“Feel free to rescue me any time,” he murmured and showed his wife that she was well and truly loved.
ISBN : 978-1-4592-5068-0
THE BRIDE OF WINDERMERE
Copyright © 1999 by Margo Wider
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