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“It won’t be my first time.” She lifted her head for a kiss and he quickly complied.
“Perhaps we should retire to my room and get an early start on this baby issue.”
~*~
That evening Jack led Tessa into the dining room, which was filled with the entire family, including Georgiana. His sister-in-law looked flushed with the excitement of a healthy infant and the relief of knowing she had finally given her husband the son he wanted.
“Have you two finally forgiven each other?” Grandmamma asked as soon as they entered the room.
“Yes. In fact, Tessa has agreed to be my wife.”
A loud cheer erupted around the table. “Finally, I shall have a sister!” Georgiana said as she scraped back her chair and gave Tessa a hug.
“Should you be out of be
d?” Tessa gave Georgiana a worried look.
“I am perfectly well and quite ravenous. Sit down so we can eat.”
“When will you have the wedding?” Jack’s mother asked once everyone had taken their seats.
“We haven’t discussed it yet,” Jack replied with a glance toward Tessa. “Would you like to have it here?”
“Yes, and with just our families.” Tessa smiled over at him.
“Excellent. I shall get a special license and we can marry as soon as your family can arrive.”
Tessa worried her lower lip. “Is a special license necessary? They are terribly costly.”
“I will manage,” he said staring at his plate. After all the money he’d spent on her prison cell, he wasn’t sure how he would pay for a special license.
“I also have an announcement to make,” his grandmother said with glee. “As you all know, I am not getting any younger. But after two marriages, I have quite an excess of money and houses. Therefore, on the occasion of your betrothal, I have decided to set aside an allowance for you, Jack. I do believe five thousand a year will enable you manage Westleigh Park. Quite convenient to your brother’s home, is it not?”
Jack could only stare at his grandmother. “Why now?”
The older woman smiled. “You always forget that I can see the future. You never would have met Tessa if I had given you your inheritance sooner. Besides, I couldn’t have the gossipmongers saying my grandson was a fortune hunter, now could I?”
Jack slid a glance to Tessa who’d covered her mouth to smother a giggle. With her love, he could have accepted being a fortune hunter except no one would realize that her love was the fortune.
EPILOGUE
Two years later....
“Happy Christmas, Louisa,” Tessa said from the threshold of her dining room.
Louisa watched Tessa and Jack suspiciously as they entered the room for their Christmas breakfast after church. All during the service, they had been giving each other odd looks as if they had a secret. After almost two years of marriage, she would have thought their love might have dimmed but instead, they seemed more in love with each other than ever. “Happy Christmas.”
“Mamma said she would be down soon.”
The front door opened with a blast of snow and three excited children raced into the house. “Happy Christmas!” they chorused. Sadie and Winnie held their brother’s hand as he toddled into the dining room.
“Girls, you must remove your coats in the hall, not in the dining room,” Lady Bideford called.
Soon the dining room was crowded with Jack’s family and then Emma and Mamma. Glad tidings spread across the table as everyone greeted each other. Louisa couldn’t help but stare at Jack and Tessa as they smiled at their nieces and nephew. She knew how badly Tessa longed for a child of her own but after two years of marriage, Louisa suspected her sister might be barren.
A knock on the door signaled the final guest had arrived. Louisa watched as her father slowly entered the room. Prison had aged him dreadfully as he walked into the room with his cane and a slight limp. He’d been out of prison for over a year but continued to stay in Cornwall living a simple life. Tessa sent him money for his expenses every month but Louisa had only seen him twice since his release. After kissing Tessa and Emma’s cheek, he took the empty seat next to her and leaned in for a kiss on the cheek. Louisa leaned closer to Emma, avoiding his kiss.
“Now that everyone is here,” Jack started, “Tessa and I want to thank you all again for joining us on this beautiful holiday. And we have some news to finally share with you.” He looked down at Tessa and then held out his hand to help her stand.
