Page 53

A year later…

Miles returned after spending the morning meeting with Grant, Evan and Henry at the Grant Hotel, discussing the near return of the ship in which they’d invested. A missive had arrived that the ship was due back any day.

They would all become very rich men, once the precious cargo arrived. Already every bit of it was sold and all that needed to happen was for it to arrive safely.

Although already wealthy in his own right, Miles was glad to have secured even more of a stable future for his wife and future family.

He looked up at the townhouse, shaking his head as he recalled Siobhan’s reluctance to move to a larger home. Even now as he considered approaching her once again about the subject, he wondered what her response would be.

Upon entering, he had to admit the townhouse was nothing like it had been before marrying. The drapery was now a pale gray, and there were bright flowers visible through the windows in what had been a small garden with only shrubbery. His once very bachelor bedroom drenched in dark greens and browns had been redecorated, the walls papered in flower patterns, the bedding in shades of rose, and thankfully for his masculine senses, a soft gray.

He noted that Siobhan was absent from the parlor, so Miles asked Jones, “Is my wife napping?”

“No sir, she stated that she had plans outside the house, today. Firtha tried to dissuade her, but she and Leena left right after you.”

Immediately he realized it was Saturday, and his heart sank. “Where did she say she would be going?”

Just as Jones was about to answer, the door opened, and a bright-faced Siobhan walked in. Both she and Leena’s arms spilled over with bundles. She bustled into the parlor, smiling brightly.

“Oh pooh, I’d hoped to beat you home.” She allowed his kiss, blushing prettily. “I spent most of the morning with Wren and the new wee bairn. You should see him, Miles. He is so beautiful.”

Since Wren had delivered, just a week prior, Siobhan had found every excuse to visit. She’d fallen in love immediately with Grant’s son, a healthy boy named Byron.

“First I lose you to Henry’s little girl and now to another wee one,” he teased. “How are mother and son faring?”

It was heartwarming to see how easily Siobhan had warmed to children now that all his friends were fathers. Henry and Hannah had been blessed with a beautiful baby girl they’d called Helena, Evan and Felicity were expecting their second child, the first being a boy.

When Siobhan straightened, her hands went to the small of her back and she pressed into it with a groan. As she arched, the round mound of her swollen midsection became evident.

Approaching the subject with care, he smiled indulgently at his beautiful wife. “The doctor advised that you should not be out and about so much this far into your pregnancy.”

Siobhan frowned. “I am young and strong. It makes little sense to sit about all day. I am not ill, Miles. I am expecting a child, a most natural thing.”

Pushing away from him, she sat down and motioned for him to join her on the settee. “You must see the beautiful things I’ve purchased for our wee one.”

It was a long while before every item was displayed for his perusal. By the end, he’d begun praying for there not to be more than one item in each bundle.

After his wife and Leena left the parlor to take the items to the nursery, he stood to pour a glass of brandy.

Despite both their mothers asking that they live at one of the larger estates to await the arrival of the bairn, a very stubborn Siobhan had insisted she’d rather have their child at home. He’d been charged by his mother to approach the subject again.

“Miles,” Siobhan appeared in the doorway. “I believe there are items missing from the nursery.”

“I am sure there are not. Perhaps Firtha rearranged them. You should ask her.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Have your mother or mine been here?”

It was the best time to tell her. “Yes, both Mother and Penelope were here. I am sure they enjoyed seeing the nursery.”

“Why would they come when I wasn’t here?” Siobhan walked into the parlor and paced. “Are they up to something?”

Just as he was about to tell her they were moving to the Johnstone estate until after the birth, Jones appeared.

“My Lord, a constable is here.”

“Stay here.” He hurried to the door, where a man in uniform stood. Behind him two others held a familiar man who struggled to get free.

The constable introduced himself, his eyes moving from Miles to behind him, where he knew Siobhan hovered in spite of his orders to remain where she was. Spirited woman, his wife, driving him mad with desire at times and just plain mad at others. He rolled his eyes to himself, and bit back a grin.