Startled as much by the realization that her husband had returned so swiftly from his daily inspection of his vineyards as by his obviously foul mood, Raine altered her path and entered the study.
As always her heart gave a tiny leap at the sight of the man who had changed her life. Even casually attired in buff breeches and a worn jade jacket he appeared more a god than a mere human.
For a moment she simply allowed herself the pleasure of watching him pace across the room with short, jerky steps. A warm, delicious desire swirled in the pit of her stomach. Good heavens. She would never, ever tire of walking into a room and finding Philippe awaiting her.
With a happy sigh, she forced herself to move forward. She hoped whatever was troubling her husband would not take long to soothe. They had a few hours to spare before the local children would arrive for their English lessons. Hours that could be nicely spent upstairs in their private chambers.
“Good Lord, Philippe, whatever is the matter?” she teased.
Philippe held up the sheet of paper he had gripped in his hand.
“I have just received word from Mr. Boland. That ridiculous buffoon has the audacity to refuse my request to come to the estate and remain until the baby is born.”
Raine gave a shake of her head. She had been adamantly against Philippe’s determination to bring London’s most celebrated surgeon to the island. She far preferred the local doctor, who was not only a sensible man, but one who had delivered hundreds of babies over the years.
“I did warn you that a doctor of his reputation would hardly be willing to give up his practice for weeks merely to have the honor of bringing your child into the world,” she said.
“Our child,” he corrected as he moved to stand directly before her, his hand reaching out to lightly touch her stomach. It was a habit he had developed from the moment he had discovered she had conceived. “And, as I offered him a bloody fortune, he should damn well be grateful.”
Gently she lay her hand over his. “Obviously he is not nearly so intelligent as you thought him to be.”
He offered a sour grimace. “Obviously not.”
“Do not fret, love. I have told you over and over I am perfectly satisfied with our local doctor.”
His expression darkened, his eyes shimmering with concern. “Perhaps we should return to London until after the babe is born.”
Raine stiffened in alarm. It would take a bloody battalion to force her from her home.
“Absolutely not,” she said in a tone that defied argument. “I would be miserable waddling about in that cold, damp air. Besides, I want our baby to be born here. This is our home. The place where we will raise our family, surrounded by people we love.”
“But if something were to go wrong…” His features softened with the adoration he now revealed without hesitation. “I could not bear to lose you, Raine.”
She reached up to lay her hand on his cheek, her heart nearly bursting with happiness. “Nothing will go wrong, but even if it should, I would trust someone I know rather than a stranger. I will not budge on this, Philippe.”
Her tone was soft, but Philippe knew her well enough to realize when he had been beaten. Heaving a sigh, he wrapped his arms about her waist.
“Have I ever told you just how remarkably stubborn you are?”
“At least once every day.” She sent him a coy glance. “But, I shall forgive you as long as you also tell me you love me every day.”
An intelligent man, Philippe was not slow in responding to her subtle hint.
“Every day? You are a greedy little thing. Still, I suppose for the sake of our children I can be forced to give in to your demands.” With a smooth motion he had her swept off her feet and was carrying her swiftly toward the door. “Of course, I do have a few demands of my own.”
Raine chuckled as her body readily melted with need. “It was your demands that made this situation, if you will recall.”
“Hmm.” His head lowered to nuzzle at her neck. “I am not certain if I entirely recall. I think perhaps you should remind me.”
She wrapped her arms about his neck. “Do you know, Philippe, I truly do believe this must be paradise.”
He smiled with a tender warmth. “Until you arrived it was merely another house on a pretty island. You have made my home a paradise, meu amor. And you are my very own angel.”
ISBN: 978-1-4603-0826-4
A DARING PASSION
Copyright © 2007 by Rosemary Rogers
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