AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rushing from her room, Megs nearly cannoned into the back—the rather broad back, now that she looked at it—of her husband.
“Oh!”
He turned around at her involuntary exclamation, and she had to tilt her head back to see his eyes. He was close, his chest nearly brushing her bodice.
He glanced down swiftly, almost imperceptibly, at her bosom, and then up at her face. His expression didn’t change at all. He might’ve just glanced at a side of beef.
“Your pardon, my lady.”
“Not at all.” She wasn’t a side of beef, damn it! Inhaling, she smiled sweetly up at him and slipped her hand through his arm. “You’re just in time to escort me down to dinner.”
He inclined his head politely enough, but she felt him stiffen just a bit against her.
Well, she’d never been a quitter. She might’ve had to retire to the country for a bit to recover from the loss of Roger and their baby, but that didn’t mean she was going to lie down without a fight now.
She wanted a baby.
So Megs pressed close to Godric, ignoring his rigid posture, and linked her hands, effectively tethering him to her. “We quite missed you today.”
He’d left the ladies to organizing Saint House immediately after they’d all returned from St. Giles. Presumably he’d spent the day in some type of male pursuit.
His swift glance down at her was incredulous.
Megs cleared her throat. “Sarah and I did come to London to visit.”
“I was under the impression that it was shopping you and my sister were after.” His tone was as dry as the dust the maids had battled all day. “That and upending my house. You travel with a veritable village.”
She felt the heat rise up her neck. “Sarah is your sister and a good friend and we need all the servants.”
“Including the gardener?” Despite his remote countenance, he was careful to match his stride to hers.
“I’m sure your garden will need renovation,” she said earnestly, “if the state I found your country grounds in two years ago is any indication.”
“Hmm. And Great-Aunt Elvina? She rarely seems pleased with anything—including you.”
he hadn’t forgotten the loss. The almost physical ache to feel a babe in her arms.
Megs inhaled, steadying herself. She hadn’t seen her brother’s son since he was a week old—a visit she’d cut short after only three days. It had simply been too torturous for her.
“Does William still have such bright red hair?” she asked wistfully.
Hero chuckled. William had been born with carrot-red hair. “No, it’s begun to darken. I think Griffin is disappointed. He claims he wanted an heir with hair as red as mine.” She touched a finger to her own fiery locks.
Megs felt her lips curve in a smile. “I’m looking forward to seeing my nephew again.”
And she meant it—she’d lost too much time with William already because of the pain it had caused her to see the happy, healthy baby.
“I’m glad,” Hero said simply, but there was a wealth of understanding in her eyes. She was one of the few people who knew the true reason for Megs’s hasty wedding.
There was a smatter of laughter as Annalise reached Her Grace only to have the pug get up and flee. Megs was glad of the distraction to look away from her sister-in-law’s too-perceptive eyes.
Her Grace circled the room, panting, before taking refuge under Megs’s chair.
Annalise stared at the dog, her face beginning to crumple. Temperance bent toward her daughter, but the elder Lady Caire was faster. “There, there, darling. Have another biscuit.”
Temperance said nothing, but Megs caught her rolling her eyes as the elegant, silver-haired older lady gave the baby the offering.
Temperance blushed slightly when she saw that Megs was watching and leaned over to whisper, “She spoils her terribly.”
