A Marriage of Convenience

by Miller, Fenella J

  Eleanor scooped up the baby and held her at arm’s length. ‘You’re going to hurt yourself, my darling child, if you continue to throw yourself from Papa’s arms like that. One day he may not be quick enough to catch you.’

  Leo leant down and kissed his wriggling daughter. ‘I’ll never let you fall, little one, and your Mama knows it.’ He put his arm around Eleanor’s shoulders and gathered them close.

  She lifted her head to receive his kiss.

  Both were smiling when they stepped apart knowing there was no urgency, they had the rest of their lives to share their love. Isabel wriggled so vigorously Eleanor was forced to put her down which was exactly what the baby wanted. She balanced, swaying a little, then with a determined expression, reminiscent of her father, she cautiously moved one small bare foot then the other.

  Eleanor dropped to her knees on the other side of the Persian mat and held open her arms. ‘Look, at her, Papa, she’s walking. Come on, clever girl, come to your Mama.’

  To their mutual satisfaction the little girl managed to stagger across the carpet before collapsing happily into her mother’s waiting arms. ‘Leo, Isabel has walked one day before her first birthday, I’m sure that’s very advanced for a child of her age. I’m glad I won’t have to carry her around for much longer.’

  He had been staring out of the window; his head whipped round, his eyebrows raised.

  ‘Yes, my love, we are expecting a little brother or sister for Isabel, next spring.’

  ‘Are you happy about this, darling? Isn’t it too soon?’

  She laughed. ‘It’s too late to repine, Leo. But yes, I’m delighted; spring is the perfect time to have a new baby.’

  He reached down and removed his daughter from her lap. ‘Come to Papa, little one; your Mama mustn’t exert herself.’

  ‘Nonsense, Leo. I’m as strong as a horse. You must learn not to worry so.’ She grinned. ‘After all, I think it likely I’m going to find myself in this condition on a fairly frequent basis.’ She cocked her head and pouted provocatively. ‘Unless you’re intending to remove to another bedchamber, my love?’

  ‘Baggage! My place is by your side, unless of course, you request me to sleep elsewhere.’

  ‘Never! I love you, and a large family is the happy consequence of a loving relationship.’ She picked up the disregarded letter. ‘Mary and John are happy too; married life is agreeing with them. It’s a pity they’re past the age when they can expect to have children themselves.’

  ‘I’m sure they will be content as they are. They have a busy life running Wenham Manor. The extra employment provided by the workshops they’ve set up is making the village more prosperous. And if Mary is intending to start a school for the children; as you said, she will be too busy for anything else.

  ‘You were generous to give them Wenham for their lifetime. I do miss Mary dreadfully, and John of course, but it’s good to know they’re happy, and the estate is returning to the well-ordered, prosperous place, it used to be.’

  Their conversation was interrupted by the furious barking of their two dogs. Leo hurried to the window. ‘It’s the duke; he has made good time.’ His eyes glowed. Isobel had seen the carriage. She started bouncing up and down in his arms, waving wildly at the carriage.

  ‘Ossy! Ossy!’

  ‘Yes, sweetheart, they are horses. Shall we go out to see them? Your Grandpapa has come. You’re a lucky girl, are you not?’

  Leo carried their daughter out to greet his father; the sound of the baby’s cries of joy when she was allowed to reach out and pat the sweating neck of the lead horse could be heard through the open window. Smiling Eleanor tucked Mary’s letter away in her pocket and went out to greet her father-in-law. She sent a heartfelt prayer of thanks to her Aunt Prudence who had, by her peculiar will, made her the happiest woman in England.

  If you enjoyed a Marriage of Convenience by Fenella J Miller then you might like to try her other Regency books.

  The Duke’s Dilemma

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  The Duke’s Deception

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  The Duke’s Challenge

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  To Marry a Duke

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  Bride for a Duke

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  The Duke’s Reform

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  Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley

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  You might also like to try something different.

  Barbara’s War

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  Hannah’s War

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