Page 23 of Never Tempt a Widow

“Indeed. I’m sorry we haven’t had better weather for you to explore the gardens and that you’ve been so ill, but it would oblige me greatly if you’d help me set up some hotbeds there. I’m no expert on them, and I don’t think my gardeners are either. Could you assist me with this? I’d love to be able to give Edgar melons and pumpkins when he’s weaned.”

She lifted her head at this, so he pushed on. “We have a stable full of horses here, and there are draught horses on the home farm, so there’s plenty of manure to keep the beds warm. I may have to send to London for seed, but I can get that organised in the shake of a rat’s tail.”

The bright sunlight picked up the blue of her eyes, and warmth suffused his body as he gazed at her rapt face. He’d piqued her interest.

“I suppose I could think about helping with the vegetable garden.”

“It would be a shame to waste the skills you gained during your life as a villager.”

He knew instantly that he’d said the wrong thing. Her chin dipped, and the flame left her eyes.

“I have lost more now than I ever gained.” Her voice was as colourless as her cheeks.

“As your new husband, I could easily be offended by that.” He pulled her against him, tucking her head beneath his chin. “You have gained Edgar. You have gained Morden Hall. You have acquired me—I’d like to think that counts for something.”

He heard her sniffle and immediately hunted for a handkerchief for her.

“No. I’ve lost little Edgar. I’m not his mama now that I can’t feed him.”

Rowland immediately made up his mind that she’d be seeing a lot more of Edgar in the coming days. Tipping her chin up, he pressed his lips against hers—and a heady certainty washed over him, along with a frisson of desire.

What she needed most, whether she knew it or not, was her very own babe to suckle at her breast. And he needed a sibling for Edgar. So, it was vital that he make love to his new wife. The sooner she was recovered from her malaise, the better life would be for them both.