Lord Hathaway's New Bride
Page 13
A touch on his arm had him opening his eyes to find Emily and his mother standing before him. The expression on his mother’s face told him that despite her attempts to calm his nerves, she’d also been concerned.
“It will be over soon,” his mother said.
Emily’s face was pale, and for once, she wasn’t her normal jubilant self.
“I had no idea childbirth could go on for so long or that it was so painful. I’m glad now that I wasn’t allowed inside the room with Sarah. As it is, I don’t think I’ll want to have children… not if the screaming is any indication of the pain I’ll have to suffer.”
Emily shuddered and his mother laughed. “You’ll forget all about Sarah’s screams after you’ve held the baby.”
Emily looked doubtful, but the bedroom door opening prevented her from replying.
Mrs. Bryers beamed at him. “You have a healthy son.”
“Sarah?” he asked, holding his breath.
“Her Ladyship is tired, but she, too, is well. She wants to see you now.”
James needed no further prodding, brushing past the midwife and making his way to Sarah’s side. His wife was gazing down at the baby in her arms, an expression of wonder on her face. After tearing his gaze from her face, he realized she was feeding the baby at her breast.
He lowered himself onto the bed beside her, ignoring the bustle of movement around him. “You look beautiful,” he said, cupping her cheek.
Her laugh warmed his heart. “You are decidedly prejudiced. I’m sure I look a fright.”
She looked down at their son and he followed suit. He couldn’t resist moving his hand to cradle the baby’s head, marveling at his warmth. His son continued suckling, ignoring his touch.
He had no words in that moment. He wanted to tell Sarah what she meant to him, but the words lodged in his throat—that he would never again doubt her or their life together. That he would do everything in his power to make her happy.
Fortunately, his wife knew him well enough that no words were necessary.
“I know,” she said, leaning forward to brush a kiss against his lips.
The squawk of protest from their son had her leaning back, frantically trying to reattach him to her breast. James’s heart swelled.
There, in front of him, was everything he’d ever need.
Thank you for reading Lord Hathaway’s New Bride. If you enjoyed this book, you can share that enjoyment by recommending it to others and leaving a review.
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To read more about the author’s books and learn where you can buy copies, you can visit the “Books” page on the author’s website: http://www.suzannamedeiros.com/books/
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Book 3 in the Hathaway Heirs series, The Captain’s Heart, is available now. For a sneak peek, turn the page…
Excerpt—The Captain’s Heart
When the man who saves his life during the Battle of Waterloo dies from wounds that were meant for him, Captain Edward Hathaway must live with the guilt of having survived and is determined to fulfill that man’s dying wish.
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Grace Kent only accepted her childhood friend’s proposal of marriage so he wouldn’t go off to war with a broken heart. But while she still grieves for her friend after learning of his death, she cannot resist her attraction to the handsome Captain Hathaway.
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He is determined to discharge his duty at the expense of his own happiness. She wants only one taste of true passion. Together, can they overcome the guilt that continues to haunt them both?
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The Captain’s Heart is a Hathaway Heirs novella and was formerly available in The Incomparables box set.
Grace moved silently through the house and exited by means of a window in her father’s study. Helen had already gone to bed, exhausted from having risen early that morning and spending hours in a carriage. That left Grace free to slip out of the house shortly after the sun went down. She couldn’t risk trying to saddle a horse herself and being caught, so she set out on foot in the direction of the village.
It took her three quarters of an hour to reach the cottage the captain had mentioned he’d be renting for the remainder of his stay in Somerset. When she finally arrived, her stomach was in knots. She could very well imagine what Hathaway’s servant—surely he’d have at least one with him—would think when he found an unescorted woman paying a call after dark.
She almost sagged with relief when the door was opened by Hathaway himself. Surprise, then delight, lit his face when he saw her. He glanced over her shoulder and his smile turned into a frown.
“Please tell me you didn’t arrive on foot?”
She couldn’t resist the urge to dip into a deep curtsy, saying, “It is very nice to see you too, Captain.”
For a moment she thought he was going to lecture her about safety, but in the end, his good humor won out. He opened the door even wider, and she stepped into the hallway.
“I’d offer you refreshments, but…” He gave a small shrug. “I only have my valet with me and he has gone out.”
Hathaway’s words set one small part of her mind at ease. At least he didn’t have scores of servants who would immediately brand her a trollop.
They were alone in the house, and her pretense was now at an end. Grace took a deep breath to steady her nerves and met his gaze. There was no point moving to the small sitting room she spied on the right. Once he learned the truth, the captain would give her Freddie’s letter, and she would be on her way again.
“I am here to let you know my sister arrived this afternoon.” She hesitated, dreading what she must confess now.
Hathaway nodded. “I’ll call tomorrow then.”
Somehow she had to tell him the truth. “About that, there is something I must tell you. I—” She froze when Hathaway placed a finger over her lips.
“Let me speak first.”
The way he was looking at her, the fact that his hand had moved and now he was cupping her face, rubbing his thumb over her lower lip, left her bereft of speech. She could only nod.
“Once my duty here is discharged, I will be leaving.”
She waited, knowing he wanted to say more.
“I don’t want to waste what little time we have together talking about your sister. I would much rather talk about you and me.”
He stepped closer so their bodies were almost touching and she found it difficult to breathe. She could see the heat in his eyes as he gazed down at her, trying to tell her without words just what he wanted from her.
She wanted the same thing.
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©2015 Suzanna Medeiros
About the Author
Suzanna Medeiros was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her love for the written word led her to pursue a degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree, but graduated at a time when no teaching jobs were available. After working at a number of interesting places, including a federal inquiry, a youth probation office, and the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario, she decided to pursue her first love—writing.
Suzanna is married to her own hero and is the proud mother of twin daughters. She is an avowed romantic who enjoys spending her days writing love stories.
She would like to thank her parents for showing her that love at first sight and happily ever after really do exist.
To learn more about Suzanna’s books, you can visit her website at
http://www.suzannamedeiros.com
or visit her on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSuzannaMedeiros.
To learn when she has a new release available, you can sign up for her new release mailing list at
http://www.suzannamedeiros.com/newsletter.
Books by Suzanna Medeiros
; Dear Stranger
Forbidden in February (A Year Without a Duke)
The Novellas: A Collection
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Landing a Lord series
Dancing with the Duke
Loving the Marquess
Beguiling the Earl
The Unaffected Earl — Coming Soon
The Unsuitable Duke — Coming Soon
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Hathaway Heirs series
Lady Hathaway’s Indecent Proposal
Lord Hathaway’s New Bride
The Captain’s Heart
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For more information, please visit the “Books” page on the author’s website:
http://www.suzannamedeiros.com/books/