‘He will?’ Falkner looked surprised, knowing how much she enjoyed those daily rides out on Storm, often joining her on his own mare, the stallion seeming to have accepted that this man was now a permanent fixture in his mistress’s life. At least, he no longer tried to bite Falkner!
‘Yes.’ Skye smiled shyly up at her husband. ‘Of course I’ve explained to him that it’s only until after the baby is born.’ She held her breath as she looked up to gauge Falkner’s reaction to her news.
The two of them were so happy together, enjoyed being together so much, that the subject of children had just never arisen. But she had had her suspicions for the last couple of weeks, and a visit to the doctor that morning had confirmed those suspicions: she and Falkner were to have a baby in the spring.
A little boy, she had wondered dreamily on her drive back from the doctor, with Falkner’s blond hair and aristocratic features. Or maybe a little girl, with Skye’s own red flaming hair.
‘Skye!’ Falkner cried ecstatically as he gathered her fiercely into his arms, instantly slackening his hold as he realized he was crushing her. ‘Is it true?’ His eyes glowed with pleasure. ‘Are you sure?’
‘The doctor is—which is more important.’ She relaxed into his arms, having no doubts now that his reaction to her news was definitely positive.
‘I never thought—I can hardly believe—’ He shook his head. ‘Skye, I didn’t believe I could possibly be any happier than I am already, but this! Are you pleased?’ He looked down at her concernedly.
‘Ecstatic,’ she assured him unhesitantly. ‘I can imagine nothing more wonderful than having our child,’ she added emotionally.
‘Neither can I.’ Falkner gathered her into his arms once more. ‘If it’s a boy we’ll call him Connor, after your father.’
Skye felt that familiar emotional lump in her throat as she thought of her beloved da.
Thank you, Da; she again offered up a silent prayer. Thank you for giving me Falkner. And thank you for giving me to Falkner.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3434-9
HIS BID FOR A BRIDE
First North American Publication 2009.
Copyright © 2004 by Carole Mortimer.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.eHarlequin.com
His Bid for a Bride Page 16