Lord Heartless
Page 15
“This was not the way I wished to tell you.”
“Tell me?”
“I am with child. Our child, Landon.”
His eyes widened. He placed his right hand over her belly. “Our child,” he repeated, and she nodded. Landon looked back at the doctor.
“Is she well?”
The doctor smiled. “Oh yes, she will be fine. I have given my card to the countess. I would be more than happy to take care of your wife when her time comes.”
“Thank you, Doctor, thank you.”
“I will call for your carriage,” the duke said, a look of relief upon his face. “I look forward to hearing about his birth.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Juliet said. “Thank you.”
She rested her hands upon her husband’s face and he leaned against her palm.
“I thought I had lost you,” he said.
“Never.”
“I love you, Juliet.”
“Oh, Landon, I have waited so long to hear those words from your lips.”
“Then I shall say them every day from now on until I die. I love you. More than I have ever loved before.”
“Let no one call you heartless ever again,” Juliet declared as he bent down to claim her lips.
***
Landon shifted the large arrangements of roses to his other hand and knocked upon the door. “May I enter?”
“Come,” Juliet called.
He pushed the door open and watched Alexander scramble from the chair beside the bed to help him. “More flowers, Father?”
“Not from me this time.” He handed his wife the card.
“The Duke of Norfolk. How lovely, he and his wife are such dears.”
“They are coming next month to see you and Gil,” he replied, his eyes moving to the little bundle that lay sleeping in her arms. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Not today,” Juliet replied.
“All right my little country mouse, I love you.” Landon reached into his coat pocket and withdrew the jeweler’s velvet.
“Landon?” She gasped as he opened the box for her to see a dazzling blue sapphire surrounded by square-cut diamonds. He took it from the box and she held out her hand to slide it into her finger. “Only one other has worn this. Not my mother, nor my father’s mother before her. They say the Montague Sapphire was given by Henry the Seventh to one of my great grandfather for his help in the War of the Roses and, according to legend, destined for only the woman brave enough to snare a Montague’s heart. That woman has now arrived.”
Her eyes widened as she gazed down at the bobble gleaming on her finger. “Landon, this is worth a king’s ransom.”
“It is nothing compared to being able to win your heart. Juliet, my sweet, Juliet. Your name lingers on my lips like the first taste of the morning dew, sweet, unforgettable.” He took her hand and slid his finger against the gold band as he pulled her close and administered a soft kiss upon her cheek. “What was it Shakespeare said? ‘You are the sun’ and I worship you?’”
“Come here, Alexander.” Landon watched his son move toward him and he took the seat next to his wife’s bed and pulled his son onto his lap. “You are to be a great man, did you know that? You shall have the special job of helping young Gil grow into manhood. As firstborn, you have been granted my title.”
“But what about Gil, Father? He is more your son than I.”
“Never, Alexander.” Juliet reached out and he put his hand in hers. “You are both our children. There is no half, only whole. You have already been granted your name and title. Gil will have my father’s title, and is to be master of Holly Grove.”
“May I ask a favor?”
“Of course, Alexander.” She smiled.
“May I too call you mother?”
“Always, my sweet, always.” She patted the bed and opened her arms for Alexander to climb against her.
“See that, Gil,” he said to the sleeping babe. “We are brothers.”
And to no one’s surprise, the infant in Juliet’s arms seemed to smile.
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Growing up in Virginia, Tessa loves nothing more than to be immersed in a good story. She would often rewrite books that didn't end as she imagined. Finally with the nudging of friends, she decided to create her own wonderful worlds to share. Tessa lives on a five acre farm with her husband, one child, a spoiled bovine, a cat, and dog.
Life is never dull.
You can visit Tessa at:
http://tessaberkley.wix.com/tessaberkleyromance
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