“And so are you, my friend. I see how the earl looks at you. He dotes on you, Emmie, and he will do more…as soon as you tell me your good news. You will tell me when it’s time, won’t you?”
Emily blushed. “Wilma, Harry is waiting for you at your carriage. He’s been pacing alongside it for almost a quarter hour, so you had better not worry him much longer. Gavin is with him, trying to keep him calm.”
“Until we see each other again, I will miss you, Emily,” Willy said, hugging her friend. “And, dear girl, I am so very happy that we met again after those missing years. It’s wonderful, isn’t it, too, that we were both so fortunate to find our heart’s desire?”
* * * *
Several weeks after the Porters left, Emily still remained content to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Town. Gavin had alerted Emily when he came across a very brief article in London’s notorious gossip rag, The Tattler. Eustace Dancy, once accused as a spy and traitor against the King and later exonerated, had been found guilty and convicted of several other nefarious crimes. He had been transported to one of England’s penal colonies. It never stated which one, and neither Emily nor Gavin was interested enough to find out.
Gavin and Emily would return to London in October when Parliament reconvened. Emily would be presented to the Queen. With both Gavin and Wilma calming her anxieties about that bit of business, Emily felt more at ease. Both promised to help her through the intricacies and rigmarole when she became officially Countess Leathem—and Lady Emily Fielding.
One lovely day in mid-September, Gavin disappeared into the Four Towers’ huge attic to rummage for something. He wanted to go fishing. He located an ancient wicker creel and several long bamboo fishing poles. He suggested to Emily that they enjoy a picnic at their stream. Of course, Emily agreed and ordered a basket lunch from the estate’s kitchen.
Gavin tethered his carriage horse in the shade, letting the gelding nibble at grass while Emily spread the ground cloth. She anchored the picnic basket in one corner, then sat down on another and relaxed. She sighed contentedly, inhaling the balmy breeze as it brushed across her shoulders. Visions flashed in her head about their first, passionate lovemaking here in the grove. She smiled dreamily and looked across the sun-spattered glade, watching gurgling water in the stream rush by as it splashed over some large, half-submerged boulders in the stream. Gavin stood on the bank whipping a fishing rod back and forth, a brightly feathered lure attached to the line. Emily giggled, seeing him frown. He was not getting a bite, not even one, as he threw the lure across the water. He looked miffed. Not one lowly trout seemed anxious to snatch at his lure.
“Maybe all the fish swam upstream, Gavin,” Emily teased, calling out to him. “Why not stop and eat something? You can try later. Maybe some fish will swim downstream to meet you.”
Gavin shrugged his broad shoulders. “I always catch at least one bloody fish right at this spot,” he grumbled. But he bent down and propped two fish poles against a fallen limb, holding them down with a heavy rock. The two lures twirled, dancing a jig in the foamy waters of the stream.
Meanwhile, Emily emptied the basket of their lunch. She laid out plates and utensils, a bottle of wine, two glasses, and cloth-wrapped sliced beef, ham, roast chicken, several cheeses, a fresh loaf of bread, and a tub of creamy butter.
After they ate their fill, Gavin sighed and stretched out full length next to her on the ground cloth. “What did you bring for dessert?”
With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, Emily leaned close and whispered, “Me.”
Not sure he heard her correctly, Gavin sat up fast.
“You?” An arching eyebrow curled upward. His low burst of laughter sounded wicked. “Well, now,” he responded. “Dessert sounds delectable. I’m looking forward to it.”
Stretched out full-length on the blanket, Emily winked up at him.
“Vixen,” he murmured, lowering himself over her.
Gavin made love to his new wife slowly, tenderly, and thoroughly. Afterward, they lay side by side, satisfied and half sleepy, gazing idly up through the branches of the towering maples circling the glade.
“What about the fish? And your fishing poles?” Emily asked drowsily. “Did you forget them?”
“Fishing was an excuse to get you here where I could ravage you in private,” he answered, his lips twitching into a sly, masculine grin.
She smiled back at him dreamily. “I think I should tell you something.”
“Hmm…tell me what? Don’t say I didn’t please you. Or, even if I didn’t,” Leathem offered, “we can always try again. As a matter of fact, we can do it again right now.”
Emily laughed girlishly. “No, not now, because…well, I have a surprise for you.”
Gavin’s brow wrinkled. “A surprise, you say? Hmm? And what kind of a surprise would that be? A gift? Did you buy me something I don’t already have?”
“No.” Emily grinned, and sat up. “Well, not exactly. But first I must thank you, Gavin, my love, for the extraordinarily beautiful necklace you gifted me with at breakfast this morning. I shall treasure it always, m’lord.” She hesitated again, frowning just a little. “Umm…unfortunately, you will have to wait for yours. I’m sorry about that.”
“How long must I wait?”
“Seven months or there about…”
His eyes popped wide as he spun around and sputtered, “No!” Gavin grabbed Emily’s shoulders. “Bloody hell, Emmie! My God, do you mean…you’re…I’m…?”
“I believe I’m increasing.” Her crystal eyes almost matched his wild-eyed expression. She jumped up, and looked down anxiously at her flat belly. “Oh, good grief, Leathem, I hope you wanted this child, because I can’t do anything about it!”
Gavin leapt up beside her, and with a lithe move pulled Emily into a tight embrace, covering her worried face with small, ardent kisses. “Oh, my darling girl! Glad? I’m ecstatic!”
Emily’s heart leapt with joy. She pressed her lips against his as he bussed her, his expression very happy and proud. His voice grew husky. Surprise, happiness, and wonderment shaded his raspy baritone. His dark eyes gleamed. He reached a broad, warm palm out between them, smoothing his hand across her stomach. Then suddenly, he went down on one knee, gripped her hips, and kissed her on the abdomen, his nose tenderly nuzzling against her. “God, how can I thank you, Emmie? For everything, my love. You’ve given me more happiness than any man could wish or hope for.” His warm breath penetrated her muslin gown. “I love you, Emily Fielding, my darling, and I will cherish you with all I am until the end of time.”
“Oh, Gavin…” Emily pushed fingers through his silky hair. “Please don’t ever stop loving me. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t married my perfect hero—my wonderful, shining knight!”
The End
Publisher’s Note
Please help this author’s career by posting an honest review wherever you purchased this book.
About Blaise Kilgallen
Blaise is a-dyed-in-the-wool New Jerseyite. Born and raised there, she says she will probably die there. She currently resides in rural Sussex County, in the northwest portion of the “Garden State” on three and a half acres of untamed yard. She kept riding horses on her property for years, but last year her aged thoroughbred mare had to be put to sleep at the age of thirty-one.
“Tinkerbelle,” a new, flashy, pit bull terrier, is a sweet, very affectionate puppy she rescued after her boxer, Tiki, died unexpectedly in her living room. It was quite a shock.
Blaise has had over a dozen romance novels published during the past decade—some in print—some only in electronic format. She continues to write daily—historical and contemporary novels—and has also written a few erotic short stories.
Blaise is a prolific professional artist and enjoys working in several other venues. Currently she paints watercolors (and sells them). She has also created romance covers for other e-publishers during the past five
years.
Connect with Blaise Kilgallen at:
My web site.
Facebook
Other Titles by Blaise Kilgallen
A Reckless Affair
Wild Knights
Shocking Summer
The Reluctant Duke
The Plumber’s Helper
Carnal Pleasures
The Marriage Bargain Page 35