“Fight-Fight,” Henry squealed, and plucking them from Patience’s hand, he wandered off and sat down to play.
The moment he was occupied, Godrick, collected Patience’s elbow, and guided her over to a seat. “I can do things like pick up my son and seat myself. Though I do appreciate your concern,” she said, gentling that rebuke. “I’m with child, Godrick,” She struggled onto the sapphire-upholstered sofa. “I’m not infirm.”
He hurried to claim the seat beside her. “I’d still have you rest. It will not be long before the babe arrives.” His stomach muscles contracted. And then there’d be the agony of watching her as she delivered that babe. Oh, God. His palms went damp, and moisture beaded his forehead.
Patience cupped his cheek and murmured, “What is this? Worry not, husband. I’ll be fine.”
Lifting her fingers to his lips; he dropped a kiss atop her knuckles. “I never doubt it. I just hate knowing…” He couldn’t manage to even speak the words aloud.
“That I’ll be in pain? The memory of it is short, when one holds the prize at the end,” she said softly.
Godrick rested his brow against hers and laughed softly. “A boxing analogy, even in this?”
She tweaked his nose. “Always.”
They shared a smile.
Henry banged two toy soldiers together; the pretend dialogue he spoke between those tiny little metal figures, adorably incoherent.
Patience brushed the perspiration from Godrick’s brow. “It is at least three months.”
He pounced. “Precisely. Very soon. As such, I’d have you rest.”
She laughed softly. “You are outrageously stubborn.”
“We are a match in that,” he said, passing a gaze over her beloved face.
And he took in the details he’d thought were a result of the babe she now carried: the drawn lines at the corner of her mouth. Another crease between a puckered brow.
All his nerves instantly went on alert. “What is it?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t need to.” Their thoughts had always moved in harmony.
Patience hesitated, and then reaching inside the pocket of her white apron, she drew a note out.
With a frown, Godrick immediately took the page, unfolded, and proceeded to read:
A Fallen King and an Heir Battle for their Place…
He froze.
“He… is in trouble.” Patience took the sheet back. “And I know I’d accepted that he is no longer part of our life, and yet—”
Godrick touched a finger to her lips. “You needn’t justify your concern… he is your brother.”
Her lower lip trembled, and she caught that flesh between her lips. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“And you needn’t thank me. I love you,” he said simply.
Leaning over, Patience claimed his mouth in a kiss. Heat burned to life between them, as it always had, and still did.
“Bang-Bang-Bang,” Henry piped in, slamming his two soldiers down on the mahogany end-table, and effectively breaking Godrick and Patience’s embrace.
Distractedly, she glanced down at the page on her lap. “It’s a ridiculous way to bill it. A king and an heir? Why, he’s the older brother.”
“You know it’s more about putting spectators in the seats.”
“Yes, this is true.”
She went silent.
“Hey,” he murmured, and brushing her knuckles along her chin, he brought her gaze back up to meet his.
“He wants you to train him for the match,” she blurted. “I wouldn’t have gone to him, but Ruth did, and I don’t know exactly what she said to him,” All her words rolled together quickly. “but… he asked Ruth if she could speak to me, and if I could speak to you. And I know you’re probably of a like opinion that he should have come himself to ask you, but he is proud and embarrassed and—”
“I will help him.”
She stared wide-eyed at him.
“That is what family does, Patience,” he said. He and Edwin had oft been at odds, and he’d forever struggled to forgive the other man for leaving Patience and their siblings to her devices. But he also knew spirits changed a man… as would the injury Edwin had sustained… and at Godrick’s hand, no less. “Family helps one another. And I love you… and your siblings.”
When she still just continued to stare dumbstruck at him, Godrick frowned. “Did you truly believe I would reject your brother’s plea for help?” He didn’t allow her to speak. “Never,” he said with a quiet insistence, willing her to hear that. “I would never reject any of your siblings.”
Tears filled her eyes; a single drop slipped down her cheek. Followed by another and another. Each tear, Godrick brushed away. “I love you,” she whispered.
“And I love you.”
“I love youuuuu.” They both looked over as Henry came hurtling over. He threw himself at Godrick and Patience, and as one, they drew their son close, and from over the top of his golden curls, they caught one another’s eyes—and smiled.
Other Books by Christi Caldwell
“The Spinster Who Saved a Scoundrel”
Book 5 in the “Brethren” Series by Christi Caldwell
The death of her father leaves Miss Francesca Cornworthy… alone, and with one last wish to fulfill—that she marry a safe, respectable gentleman. She sets herself on a course to honor that request. That is until she crosses paths with Mr. Lathan Holman—the very opposite type of gentleman her father wished her to wed.
After one mistake earned him the title of traitor, Lathan Holman has no interest in reentering society. Then he meets a quick-witted, sharp-mouthed spinster. His dark past clouds his present and future. He’d been certain he’d never laugh or smile again… but it isn’t long before he finds himself doing both with Miss Francesca Cornworthy… and wanting more.
“The Minx Who Met Her Match”
Book 4 in the “Brethren” Series by Christi Caldwell
Duncan Everleigh, barrister, widower, father. Accused murderer… Found innocent in the death of his wife, Duncan’s reputation is ruined, his law practice is nearly destroyed, and his daughter hates him. He’s content living for his work. Until one day he meets…
Miss Josephine Pratt… Her life is in tatters. Her oldest brother has brought them to financial ruin. Her betrothed has broken their engagement. Looking to escape, Josephine loses herself in her real passion—her other brother’s law books. A chance meeting in the London streets soon finds her employed by the last man she should, the barrister who’ll be opposing her brother in court.
Soon, Duncan and Josephine, two people who have vowed to never love again, find the protective walls they’ve each built, crumbling. When past secrets threaten to destroy their future, they’ll have to decide if love is enough.
“The Rogue Who Rescued Her”
Book 3 in the “Brethren” Series by Christi Caldwell
Martha Donaldson went from being a nobleman’s wife, and respected young mother, to the scandal of her village. After learning the dark lie perpetrated against her by her ‘husband’, she knows better than to ever trust a man. Her children are her life and she’ll protect them at all costs. When a stranger arrives seeking the post of stable master, everything says to turn him out. So why does she let him stay?
Lord Sheldon Graham Whitworth has lived with the constant reminders of his many failings. The third son of a duke, he’s long been underestimated: that, however, proves a valuable asset as he serves the Brethren, an illustrious division in the Home Office. When Graham’s first mission sees him assigned the role of guard to a young widow and her son, he wants nothing more than to finish quickly and then move on to another, more meaningful assignment.
Except, as the secrets between them begin to unravel, Martha’s trust is shattered, and Graham is left with the most vital mission he’ll ever face—winning Martha’s heart.
“The Lady Who Loved Him”
Book 2 in the “Brethren” Series by Christi
Caldwell
In this passionate, emotional Regency romance by Christi Caldwell, society’s most wicked rake meets his match in the clever Lady Chloe Edgerton! And nothing will ever be the same!
She doesn’t believe in marriage…
The cruelty of men is something Lady Chloe Edgerton understands. Even in her quest to better her life and forget the past, men always seem determined to control her. Overhearing the latest plan to wed her to a proper gentleman, Chloe finally has enough… but one misstep lands her in the arms of the most notorious rake in London.
The Marquess of Tennyson doesn’t believe in love…
Leopold Dunlop is a ruthless, coldhearted rake… a reputation he has cultivated. As a member of the Brethren, a secret spy network, he’s committed his life to serving the Crown, but his rakish reputation threatens to overshadow that service. When he’s caught in a compromising position with Chloe, it could be the last nail in the coffin of his career unless he’s willing to enter into a marriage of convenience.
A necessary arrangement…
A loveless match from the start, it soon becomes something more. As Chloe and Leo endeavor to continue with the plans for their lives prior to their marriage, Leo finds himself not so immune to his wife—or to the prospect of losing her.
“The Spy Who Seduced Her”
Book 1 in the “Brethren” Series by Christi Caldwell
A widow with a past… The last thing Victoria Barrett, the Viscountess Waters, has any interest in is romance. When the only man she’s ever loved was killed, she endured an arranged marriage to a cruel man in order to survive. Now widowed, her only focus is on clearing her son’s name from the charge of murder. That is until the love of her life returns from the grave.
A leader of a once great agency… Nathaniel Archer, the Earl of Exeter head of the Crown’s elite organization, the Brethren, is back on British soil. Captured and tortured twenty years ago, he clung to memories of his first love until he could escape. Discovering she has married whilst he was captive, Nathaniel sets aside the distractions of love… until an unexpected case is thrust upon him—to solve the murder of the Viscount Waters. There is just one complication: the prime suspect’s mother is none other than Victoria, the woman he once loved with his very soul.
Secrets will be uncovered and passions rekindled. Victoria and Nathaniel must trust one another if they hope to start anew—in love and life. But will duty destroy their last chance?
“Her Christmas Rogue”
Lady Winifred Grisham has been in love with her brother’s best friend, Lord Trent Ballantine, more years than she can remember. The only problem is, Trent is a notorious rogue who doesn’t dally with the respectable. Except, Winnie doesn’t want a dalliance—she wants his heart.
Born to a miserable family, Lord Trent has found joy and comfort in the folds of his best friend’s family. Except, over the years he’s begun to notice something. Winnie, who he’d always seen as another sister is, in fact, something more—a captivating woman. Now, loving Winnie as he does, Trent knows she deserves more than a rogue in her life. With Winnie’s mother rushing her off to try and make a match at Lady Weston’s annual Christmastide house party, Winnie has but a few days to show Trent that all she needs is his love.
Is this the Season where anything can happen?
“Rogues Rush In”
A Regency Duet by Tessa Dare & Christi Caldwell
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors Tessa Dare and Christi Caldwell come together in this smart, sexy, not-to-be-missed Regency Duet!
Two scandalous brides…
Two rogues who won’t be denied…
His Bride for the Taking by NYT Bestselling author Tessa Dare
It’s the first rule of friendship among gentlemen: Don’t even think about touching your best friend’s sister. But Sebastian, Lord Byrne, has never been one for rules. He’s thought about touching Mary Clayton—a lot—and struggled to resist temptation. But when Mary’s bridegroom leaves her waiting at the altar, only Sebastian can save her from ruin. By marrying her himself.
In eleven years, he’s never laid a finger on his best friend’s sister. Now he’s going to take her with both hands. To have, to hold… and to love.
His Duchess for a Day by USA Today Bestseller Christi Caldwell
It was never meant to be…
That’s what Elizabeth Terry has told herself while trying to forget the man she married—her once best friend. Passing herself off as a widow, Elizabeth has since built a life for herself as an instructor at a finishing school, far away from that greatest of mistakes. But the past has a way of finding you, and now that her husband has found her, Elizabeth must face the man she’s tried to forget.
It was time to right a wrong…
Crispin Ferguson, the Duke of Huntington, has spent the past years living with regret. The young woman he married left without a by-your-leave, and his hasty elopement had devastating repercussions. Despite everything, Crispin never stopped thinking about Elizabeth. Now that he’s found her, he has one request—be his duchess, publicly, just for a day.
Can spending time together as husband and wife rekindle the bond they once shared? Or will a shocking discovery tear them apart… this time, forever?
“Five Days with a Duke”
Book 5 in the “Heart of a Scandal” Series by Christi Caldwell
Years earlier, Connell Wordsworth, the Duke of Renaud, gave up the woman he wanted for the responsibilities thrust upon him. After loss upon loss, he heads to London for a new home with no memories, no staff, and the only thing he wants in life… to be alone. He’s managing that feat quite nicely until…
Lady Constance Brandley has a secret. She and her family don’t have two farthings to rub together. A spinster, long past the age of either love or marriage, she finds herself presented with a unique opportunity that could improve her circumstances. Except, that opportunity also brings the unlikeliest of gentlemen into her life—her best friend’s former betrothed, the Duke of Renaud.
Thrown together with the notorious scoundrel, it isn’t long before Constance discovers there’s far more to Connell, the Duke of Renaud than the world sees. And soon she finds herself longing for everything she shouldn’t—the heart of a duke.
“His Duchess for a Day”
Book 4 in the “Heart of a Scandal” Series by Christi Caldwell
It was never meant to be…
That’s what Elizabeth Terry has told herself while trying to forget the man she married—her once best friend. Passing herself off as a widow, Elizabeth has since built a life for herself as an instructor at a finishing school, far away from that greatest of mistakes. But the past has a way of finding you, and now that her husband has found her, Elizabeth must face the man she’s tried to forget.
It was time to right a wrong…
Crispin Ferguson, the Duke of Huntington, has spent the past years living with regret. The young woman he married left without a by-your-leave, and his hasty elopement had devastating repercussions. Despite everything, Crispin never stopped thinking about Elizabeth. Now that he’s found her, he has one request—be his duchess, publicly, just for a day.
Can spending time together as husband and wife rekindle the bond they once shared? Or will a shocking discovery tear them apart… this time, forever?
“A Matchmaker for a Marquess”
Book 3 in the “Heart of a Scandal” Series by Christi Caldwell
She lived by a strict set of rules…
Meredith Durant believes those who won’t marry, should matchmake, and she’s made a notable career for herself helping young women find the perfect mate. Having suffered a broken heart years before, she’s quite content in her work and determined to never fall prey to love again. Her most recent job finds her working for the unlikeliest of households, never expecting her assignment would be her best friend’s younger brother, Barry—who’s not so little anymore. He’s a grown man who leaves her breathless and wishing just may
be this time she could have a happy ending. But how can that happen when, once her job is done, she must watch him wed another?
He’s decided to break her rules:
Barry Aberdeen, the future Duke of Gayle, knew his days of freedom were numbered. With his sister recently married, his mother turned her marital aspirations to him. She’s even gone as far as to hire a matchmaker. Worse, the matchmaker is a childhood friend—Meredith Durant. Only the rigid, serious creature is not the carefree girl he remembered. If he’s going to be saddled with a matchmaker, he’s going to have fun loosening Meredith’s too-tight chignon. What he doesn’t expect is how entranced he’ll be when those strands come falling down around her shoulders.
“A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart”
Book 2 in the “Heart of a Scandal” Series by Christi Caldwell
Honor demands he give her up—
Heath Whitworth, Marquess of Mulgrave and heir to a dukedom, is honorable to his handsome bones. When his mother insists he spend the holidays dancing attendance on Lady Emilia Aberdeen, he has no choice but to do the gentlemanly thing. For years, Heath has harbored feelings for the lady, but he knows exactly why his best friend jilted Emilia years ago, and that secret makes a happily ever after for Heath and Emilia an impossibility.
Love demands she follow her heart—
Heartbroken after the man she loved ended their betrothal, Lady Emilia Aberdeen, is quite content to live a spinster’s life penning an anonymous column that offers guidance to young ladies. Except, the more she is thrown into Lord Mulgrave’s company, the more she sees that the proper, always-aloof gentleman is also charming, clever, and inconveniently attractive. Emilia discovers maybe it is possible to love again but with secrets between them, Heath will face his greatest challenge yet: loving Emilia Aberdeen or letting her go.
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