“She thinks he’s hiding a broken heart. That’s why he’s so cynical about love and romance.” Constance gave her husband another insolent grin. “There is something about a man with a secret.”
“She may be willing, but Ranulf? He always claims he’ll never love any woman well enough to wed.”
“And you have no idea why?” Constance asked with a puzzled frown.
Merrick kissed the tip of her nose. “If I knew, I’d tell you, but I don’t. Even Henry can’t get him to say anything more than that.”
“Well, if he’s not willing, what about Henry?” she suggested. “I think I’ve been very wrong about him.”
Her husband sighed and his expression grew troubled. “As was I. I fear Henry’s never going to forgiveme for accusing him of betraying me and trying to do you harm.”
“I’m sure he will, in time.”
“I’ll live in hope,” he said as he sat on their bed. “I wish I’d told both my friends the complete truth long ago.”
“I wish you’d told me sooner,” she said as she sat beside him. “It would have saved me much distress. Promise me there’ll be no more secrets between us.”
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I promise.”
“So now I’ll tell you my secret.”
Worry darkened his features. “Your injury isn’t more serious than Brother Paul—?”
“I’m with child.”
Merrick stared at her incredulously.
“You’re going to be a father,” she said, smiling with all the happiness she felt.
His eyes bright with joy, Merrick cried out her name and hugged her close. “I can’t believe it!”
She pushed him away a bit so she could breathe. “Have we not made love often enough?”
“Yes, but…oh, Constance, my love, my heart! I don’t deserve this, too!”
“Of course you do,” she replied, pretending to be indignant. Then her expression softened, and so did her voice. “You deserve to be happy, husband, for the sake of all that you’ve endured, the burden you bore, the pain you suffered. I’ll do all I can to help make you happy, God willing, for the rest of my life.”
“God be praised, you’ve already given me more than I ever hoped to have. Constance, this is wonderful! I’m so happy. And you—are you well? Should we send for Brother Paul? Or a woman skilled with such things? A physician?”
She put her fingertips against his lips to stem his anxious questions. “I’ve never felt better or happier,” she assured him, smiling and loving him with all her heart. “I’ve found such love and contentment as I never hoped to have. Now, please, stop talking, my dearest, and make love to me.”
His deep, full-bodied laugh filled their chamber. “That’s the first time in my life I’ve ever been asked to be quiet.”
Then his voice dropped to a low, intimate whisper as he leaned close to kiss her. “Since I want nothing more than to please you, I’m eager to obey both requests, my most beloved lady.”
