A Matter of Time: Book 4 of The Thistle & Hive Series
Page 26
“The city of San Francisco sounds like a place that I’d like to see,” Lady Catherine announced, after hearing descriptions of the city’s beauty and all the wondrous things that could be found there.
“You’d like to time travel?” Angelina asked in surprise.
“Yes. I believe it would be a great adventure.” Lady Catherine sat up straighter in her chair, gazing up at the ceiling as if she could spy San Francisco up there. “Anything is possible, as you always say, my dear.”
Angelina giggled. The more she’d gotten to know her, the more Angelina appreciated the strength Lady Catherine must have shown to deal with her husband Matthew for all those years. She was as much a free spirit as Angelina, but they both had to keep that secret when they were around anyone who didn’t know them well. They had talked long into the night, discussing San Francisco, time travel, the wedding and many other topics. Lady Catherine must have been exhausted, as she began to yawn heavily. “I’m off to bed, my dears. I will see you in the morning.”
She left them alone by the fire. Richard placed some cushions on the floor and they abandoned their chairs to wrap themselves in each other’s arms on the floor. Angelina rested her head on Richard’s shoulder and sighed contentedly.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Very,” she replied.
“Angelina, I don’t think I have ever properly asked you to marry me. I just assumed we would be together.” He lifted her chin so he could see her face.
“I always assumed we’d be together too. It seemed only natural that we would be married.”
Richard tucked a finger beneath her chin and turned her face gently to his. His dark eyes were filled with love. “Angelina, will you marry me?”
“There was never a need to ask, but now that you have, my answer is yes.” She kissed him soundly, which stretched into another kiss and then another.
“We should go upstairs, my love,” Richard said, his voice husky with desire. He took her hand and helped her up from the floor.
“You know, it’s a good thing we’re getting married soon, Richard.” She had started up the stairs and turned to face him.
He gazed up at her expectantly. “And why is that, love?”
“Because there’s going to be a little baby Jefford joining the family in about eight months.”
Richard stopped on the bottom stair, his mouth agape. “What?”
Angelina smiled happily. “I’m pregnant.”
Richard lifted her from the stairs and twirled her around. Angelina had never seen him so animated. “I’m going to be a father!” he shouted.
“Shhh… We can’t tell anyone yet. Remember, we’re not married. It has to be our little secret for the time being.” Angelina touched her finger to his nose and giggled. “I never believed this would happen for me. I always thought I would live my life alone and now I’ve got you and your family, and our baby to be. I’m a lucky girl.”
Richard swept her up into his arms and began to walk up the stairs. “No, my love, ’tis I who am the lucky one.”
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THE END