Page 30 of Joy to the Earl

“Come in me,” she whispered, writhing as incredibly, another orgasm built. “I want to feel you come in me, Jack. I want…your child.”

His hips jerked, and with a guttural roar he came, spurting long streams of hot seed deep inside her so powerful that they almost felt like another caress. Surrendering to the pleasure, she fell forward, her head resting on his shoulder, and they held each other tightly as the brutal, wracking spasms eased and they sank back onto the bed.

Eventually he lifted her slightly and pulled out, then settled behind her, his chest against her back. “A part of me doesn’t want to leave here. But I’d like to take you and Felicity with me to Wakefield House in the morning. We can make plans. Our little captain and Wellington can inspect the nursery.”

Rosalind laced her fingers with his. “Are you sure? Lady Lynthorpe is not going to like that.”

“Her ladyship doesn’t have a say in the matter. She will be dowager countess and getting very closely acquainted with the dower house soon enough. I don’t want her anywhere near us or our children.”

“I cannot believe what she did, Jack, or the way she spoke to you. It made me ill.”

“I know. Is it wrong that I am looking forward to seeing the expression on her face when we share the news of our impending nuptials?”

She laughed. “It will be a sight, I’m sure. But not just our nuptials, I expect. How long until we receive a wedding invitation from those two young lovers? I wager by the end of the Season.”

Jack nuzzled her neck, making her sigh. “That long? Chisholm might reluctantly accept that, to work on wearing down her parents, but I wager Annie takes matters into her own hands to ensure a result much sooner.”

“Why do you keep calling Lady Marianne that?” said Rosalind curiously.

“She told me to. Said that was what her brothers and sisters called her…I think that was the moment I knew for sure that she felt the same complete lack of physical attraction for me as I did for her, and my relief was so strong I nearly cheered. She is very nice, and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

Laughter bubbled. “You call me sweet, but it is you who truly is.”

“Incorrect, madam,” he growled. “I am fierce, rough, and warrior-like.”

“In bed, most assuredly,” she said sleepily, cuddling closer to Jack as weariness overcame her.

Only to be woken hours later by a banshee shriek and a gray-striped cannonball leaping onto her chest.

“Mama! You did it! You fetched Jack home! Jack, wake up, Jack! Come and play tin soldiers with me and Wellington! Come onnnn!”

Rosalind stifled a giggle at Jack’s unintelligible muttering about dawn ambushes and attack kittens as Wellington draped herself around his head and began to purr loudly. Then she turned to her daughter. “We cannot right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because we must get dressed and eat breakfast. We are going on an outing today for a very special reason. You must wear your best regimentals.”

Felicity’s eyes widened. “As special as that?”

“Indeed.”

Limping around the bed, Felicity scooped up her kitten, then left the chamber as fast as she was able. “Hurry up, Mama! I will be ready in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

Almost in unison, Rosalind and Jack both saluted, then turned and looked at each other, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

“It felt appropriate,” said Jack as he climbed out of her bed and ambled toward the washing stand. “I’m already on shaky ground as a new recruit.”

“Hardly. Now that Wellington has given you the human cushion seal of approval, your place in the family is nearly assured. The only other test to pass is Uncle Donald inviting you to keep a watch for Napoleon from a sturdy tree branch with him.”

“I look forward to the day,” he said over his shoulder.

After a hearty breakfast of toasted bread, coddled eggs, and bacon, they wrapped up warmly and climbed into Rosalind’s carriage to make the short journey to Hanover Square.

When the carriage pulled up in front of Wakefield House, Felicity’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Mama! This is a very, very, very big house.”

“Yes, it is,” said Jack gravely. “Far too big for one man. What it really needs is a family. The addition of a lovely lady, a little captain, and a brave kitten would be perfect.”

“That sounds just like Mama and me and Wellington. Do you want us to live with you in the big, big house? What about Uncle Donald and Aunt May?”