“I realize that now. I just needed some time to sort things out.” He lay down next to her and brought her close. “They all love you, Selina. Even then, they wanted you safe from my wrath.”
She let her head rest on his chest. Hearing his strong, steady heartbeat slowly relaxed her. “I’m so sorry, Colin. I really did everything I could at the time.”
“You were sixteen, as my sister reminded me. You had never delivered a child on your own.”
“My first should never have been the duke’s heir,” she whispered.
“All children are important. Your mother should have been the one delivering or at least there to assist you. Not unconscious from the gin.”
In her heart, she had always known that but it still hurt to hear him say it. “I know.”
“Can you forgive me? I never meant to hurt you, Selina.”
“I know,” she said against his chest. “You were taken by surprise with my admission.”
Strong arms lifted her up so her head was next to his. Looking into his beautiful blue eyes, she was struck by the love she saw.
“I love you,” he said quietly. “You forced me out of my staid existence and back to life.”
“I love you too, Colin. I have no idea how I went from completely disliking you and being terrified you would discover me living in your house, to love. I just couldn’t help myself. And I tried so hard not to love you.”
He smiled and kissed her gently. “Why did you try not to love me?”
“You are the Duke of Northrop. I am nobody. I knew there was no reason to think I could be anything but your mistress.”
His lips parted hers again and then he pulled back. “You actually are someone.”
Selina studied his eyes. “Well, yes, I am your wise woman.”
“And according to Mrs. Featherstone, the daughter of the second son of a country squire,” he said and then kissed the tip of her nose.
“Is that why you decided I was acceptable?”
“Sweetheart, I had no idea about your background until after I was shot. If you remember, I had danced three times with you at the ball. I was telling everyone there that not only were you taken, but I was too.”
It hadn’t mattered to him that she was nobody. Her heart swelled so completely she thought she might burst. “Did you ever find Mr. Wells?”
“Yes,” he said and then lay back against the pillows and stared at the white ceiling. “I don’t believe Mrs. Wells was involved but Mr. Wells admitted that he wanted you to feel some of the pain he and his wife felt.”
“What did you do?” she asked fearfully. She knew he had a temper and wondered if he sent the man to prison.
“I told him how you cried in the rain that night. I also told him to find another place to live.”
“You didn’t have him arrested?”
“No.” He sighed. “I understand his pain and even though he acted reprehensibly, I know about going a little mad after losing someone.”
She nodded and looked away. She wondered what they would do next. He hadn’t officially proposed to her yet. Did he mean to go back on his unofficial proposal?
“Selina, do you think you would mind spending time in London with me?”
“After everything that has happened over the past three days, I never want to be without you. I will go with you to London and be your mistress.”
He rolled over with a lopsided grin on his face. “Are you trying to wring a proposal out of me?”
“No, I just said I would be your mistress.”
He stared into her eyes. “I am not looking for a mistress. I want a wife.” He closed his eyes. “I want to try to have children.”
She reached out and cupped his face with her hand. “You know there are risks with having children. I cannot guarantee the outcome.”
“I know. But if you’re willing to take the risk, I can too.”
She moved her body closer until she was up against him. Closing her mouth over his, she kissed him soundly. “I believe if you force me to, I will be your wife.”
“And my duchess.”
“And your duchess,” she added.
Epilogue
One year later
Selina closed her eyes as another contraction washed over her. They were definitely getting closer together now. She hated the idea of putting her husband through this but it must be done.
“Colin?”
“Yes, darling?” He looked up from the paperwork on his desk. “Do you need something?”
She had curled into a chair by the fireplace and now wondered if she should head for the bedchamber. “Perhaps you should send for Mia and her mother.”
“Have you finally decided to tell me you’re in labor?”
“You knew?”
“For the past hour. I sent for Mrs. Featherstone forty-five minutes ago.”
She laughed softly. “I didn’t want to worry you.”
“I know. But I will worry no matter what.” He rose and walked toward her chair. “Do you want to go upstairs now?”
“Not really,” she replied, standing up next to him. “My mother used to get her new mothers to walk until they couldn’t stand any longer. Would you walk with me?”
“Of course.”
“Oh my,” she said as another contraction slammed into her. “That one came much faster and harder.”
Colin glanced down at his watch, praying Mrs. Featherstone would get here soon. When he had noticed his wife making slight moans and clutching the arm of the chair, he had immediately sent for Hart’s wise women.
“They will be here in time,” Selina said as she walked across the room with him. “Let’s go on the terrace and get a breath of air.”
They walked the length of the terrace twice before she stopped as another contraction hit her. She breathed in and out in deep breaths.
“That one hurt,” she admitted. “Perhaps it’s time to go to the bedchamber.”
“Shall I carry you?”
“I need the walk.”
As they reached the steps, the front door opened and Mrs. Featherstone and her daughter arrived. “Why isn’t she in bed yet?” Mrs. Featherstone demanded.
“That’s where we were going,” Selina replied, unaffected by Mrs. Featherstone’s harsh tone.
Colin helped Selina up the stairs to their bedchamber.
“And this is where you leave, Your Grace.”
“I need to stay.” He couldn’t leave her alone.
“Your Grace,” Mia said softly. “You will only be in our way and a distraction for Selina. She needs to work very hard over the next few hours to get your baby out. Please go to your study. Hart is down there waiting for you.”
“Colin, wait,” Selina said after changing into a nightgown. She put her arms around him and kissed him softly. “I love you. Please try not to worry. Everything will be all right.”
“I love you, Selina.” God, he couldn’t lose her.
“Go, Your Grace,” Mrs. Featherstone said as she helped Selina into bed.
He closed the door behind him as Selina let out a loud moan. This would be the longest night of his life. He walked down to his study and found Hart pouring two glasses of brandy.
“Here,” he said, handing one to Colin. “How do they do this?”
“I have no idea.”
The men barely spoke as the night wore on. A few times, Colin could have sworn he heard Selina’s screams. Five hours later, Mia came into the room. “Your Grace, my mother would like to see you.”
Oh, God. It was just like nine years ago when the maid had told him that Mrs. White needed to speak to him. He looked over at Mia’s pale and drawn face. Dread filled him. It felt like hours before he finally reached their bedchamber. It was too quiet in there. He knocked lightly on the door.
“It’s about time you got up here,” Mrs. Featherstone said, opening the door for him. “You wife has someone for you to meet.”
“What?” He glanced over at the bed and found Selina propped
against the pillows holding a baby wrapped in a white blanket.
“Go to your wife, Your Grace.” She picked up her bags. “Selina, I shall call on you in the afternoon to see how you are doing.”
“Thank you again, Mrs. Featherstone.”
She closed the door behind them, cloaking them in privacy. Colin walked to the bed and stared down at the perfect infant.
“Meet your son, Your Grace,” Selina said with a smile. “He looks just like you with all that dark hair and those blue eyes.”
Colin sat down on the bed and Selina placed their son in his arms. “He’s beautiful.” He reached out a finger and his son grabbed on. “Ten fingers.”
“And ten toes. I counted.” She leaned forward and kissed their son before kissing Colin. “Did you manage? I tried to hurry things along, you know.”
He stared at the wife he loved and then moved his gaze to his newborn son. “I have everything I ever wanted.”
Have you read these other fantastic
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About the Author
Award-winning author Christie Kelley was born and raised in upstate New York. After seventeen years working for financial institutions in software development, she started writing her first book. She currently writes regency historical romances for Kensington and now lives in Maryland with her two sons. Come visit her on the web at www.christiekelley.com.
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Copyright © 2012 by Christie Kelley
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ISBN: 978-1-6018-3028-9
First Electronic Edition: December 2012
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