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Epilogue
It was a warm day. Summer had not yet let go so autumn could take control of the weather. Francesca had been miserable for the entire summer in the later stages of her pregnancy, and she thought she might expire from the heat. Matthew had been wonderful throughout her misery. He’d done whatever he could to help her find some comfort. They had opted to stay in London instead of retiring to his country estate and they were grateful when the baby was born a few weeks early.
That had not made his mother happy though…
The dowager duchess had hoped to be there for the birth of her first grandchild. Of course, she hoped it would be a boy. Francesca only wished for a healthy child, boy or girl. Matthew would need an heir, but they could have more children if the first was born female, and she’d told the dowager duchess that through correspondence.
“Have you written your mother yet?” Francesca asked Matthew. “She should hear it from you about the birth of her grandchild.”
“I decided it would be better for her to hear it through the Times.” Matthew grinned, and it had an evilness to it. “I made sure to have the announcement sent directly to her.”
“You didn’t,” Francesca frowned. “That’s just…wrong.”
“She’s going to have a fit and you know it,” he said. “This way it is more fun.” His grin widened. “We might even hear the screams all the way from Lindsey Castle.”
Matthew held the baby against his chest and rocked back and forth. The baby was almost a month old now, and they had barely slept since she’d given birth. Their little darling had a set of lungs and was not afraid to use them.
“You are rotten,” she told him. “I don’t understand why she was so insistent on a boy.” Francesca frowned. “She’s acting as if this will be our only child.”
“In my mother’s world it would be.” Matthew frowned. “She was grateful I was a boy and then refused to join my father in his bed again. It didn’t matter that a spare might be needed. She hated carrying me and refused to do it again when it wasn’t necessary.” He sighed and rocked the baby again. “My parents didn’t have a happy marriage.”
“Well, isn’t it lucky that we are not them.” She met his gaze and smiled. “We can start working on adding to our family once I’m fully healed.” She winked. “The doctor said it might be another couple of weeks. I tried to lessen that, but he said if I wanted to enjoy making love to my husband I needed to wait.”
“I agree with the doctor,” he told her. “I want you in my bed again too, but I won’t hurt you.” The baby whimpered. “What is it sweetheart. Tell daddy and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Francesca rolled her eyes. “Do not start making promises like that now. We’ll have a spoiled child on our hands, and then you’ll have misery of your own making.”
“It will be worth it.” He grinned. “I will not be the type of parent that has nothing to do with his children. I’d like a relationship much like the one you have with your parents.”
Francesca smiled. Her parents had come to adore Matthew. They forgave him for stealing her away, and not asking permission to marry her. They were ecstatic to be new grandparents. Matthew was taking to fatherhood quite well too, and he often spoke to her father about what he should or shouldn’t do. He really wanted to do everything right, and it warmed her heart how much he tried. If she didn’t love him before, she would have fallen for him after witnessing him with their baby.
She shook her head. “You are already a great father.” She sighed. “However, you’re a rotten son. We should visit your mother and let her meet her grandchild. Especially, after the way you are informing her. What exactly did you put in that announcement?”
He walked over to a nearby table and grabbed the Times, then flipped it to the front page. There was a large announcement there.
The Duke and Duchess of Lindsey wish to announce the birth of their first child. They welcome a daughter; Lady Robin August Finley Grant was born the last week of August. She is also the first grandchild of the Marquess and Marchioness of Blackthorn, and the second great grandchild, of the Duke and Duchess of Weston. Lady Robin is loved by her entire family, and they all welcome her with joy. She is a blessing they will cherish always…
Francesca snorted. “You failed to mention she’s the first grandchild of your mother.”
“I didn’t see the point,” he said dryly. “My mother wanted a grandson.” He smiled down at his daughter. “I personally hoped for a girl. She’s too precious for words. Aren’t you sweetheart.” He cooed at Robin and she blew bubbles at him as if she understood.
Francesca sighed. “Why don’t you give her to the nurse. It’s past time for her nap.”
“Why are you spoiling my fun?” He lifted a brow. “I’m having an important conversation with our daughter.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s too bad. I did hope you would take a nap with me.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “We might not be able to make love, but I do believe there are other things we can do to pass the time.” Francesca sashayed to the doorway. “But if you’d rather spend the afternoon with Robin I understand.”
Heat filled his gaze and his mouth tilted upward into a sensual smile. “I won’t be long,” he promised, and carried their daughter to the nursery.
She laughed as she raced up the stairs, anticipation racing through her. Their relationship hadn’t been conventional, but she didn’t regret one moment of it. Sometimes easy wasn’t always best. They appreciated each other, and their love grew stronger every day. He was her everything, and now they had Robin to make their lives more complete. The announcement had been correct. They truly were blessed, and Francesca would always be grateful for loving her wicked rogue.
