by Jean Wilde
“Think of how lucky the child will be,” Horatio had said. “He or she will have three loving and doting parents.”
Piers had returned to Newcastle with Horatio five months back after he’d completed his project in London. Their reunion had been intense and passionate. She’d worried at first that he might feel differently about her. They’d been apart for so long, and her body had changed after childbirth. She was thicker around the waist, and her breasts sagged a bit after months of nursing. He hadn’t seemed to notice, however. He’d taken her with a frenzied passion that left her both elated and sore—in the best possible way, of course. He’d sought out her company during the day and took her over and over again in her bed at night. She’d been relieved that the yearning she’d been feeling for this man was so clearly reciprocated.
Horatio hadn't joined them until a week after their return, and they’d easily slipped into their threesome bedsport and sleeping arrangements again. She couldn’t help wondering, though, if things would change between them once Piers finally moved into the dower house. It was a moderate-sized home, sparsely furnished, and in need of several repairs to be made livable again. Since there was still work to be done in the West Wing as well, she and Horatio had invited Piers to remain in his old guest chamber in Delaval Hall. He’d agreed without hesitation and had been staying with them at the mansion ever since.
As she straightened from her garden seat, she could see her husband and lover approaching her from the stables. They must have finished inspecting the broken fences that Horatio had been discussing with his steward the other day.
She moved to meet them, and when they came within hearing distance she asked, “Well, what’s the damage? Should I post footmen around the gardens to protect my roses from any wayward livestock?”
Horatio chuckled. “No, your roses are quite safe. Those animals are far too fat and lazy to attempt an escape. I’m more concerned with keeping predators out.”
“Mr. Cross will have to be the one supervising the repairs, however,” Piers added. “I have to ride into Lancashire next week. A Sir Hughes wishes to add an entire wing to his estate and is considering hiring me for the job. I think I’ll take Mr. Hill with me too.”
“Oh my, that would be an impressive commission,” Caroline exclaimed, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice. She was happy for him, of course, but a project like that meant he’d be away from them for months. Her heart squeezed at the idea of him missing the birth of her second child—their child.
He reached for her and gave her hand a reassuring pat. “I haven’t accepted the job yet. Even if I do, I promise I’ll be here when you need me.”
She nodded, knowing that he meant it.
“That’s the peril of getting involved with a famous designer,” Horatio interjected. “We have to share you with the rest of the world.”
Piers laughed. “Hardly the world. This corner of England is good enough for me. Although, next time I receive a request from London I insist that you both accompany me to town. It’ll give you a chance to check on Jane Mayfield as well. You haven’t seen her in months.”
Caroline tilted her head studying him. “You’re still adamant that you had nothing to do with the Countess of Digby inviting my cousin to stay with her in London?”
He smirked at her. “I don’t know why you’d think a lowly decorator like me would have any influence over a countess’s guest invitations.”
She snorted but refrained from commenting. Piers had done her cousin a big favor, whether he knew it or not. Jane loved London and enjoyed being away from her mother even more. Caroline wasn’t the least bit worried about her—she was in safe hands. Isabelle Gilbert had proven herself to be a good, trustworthy friend. Besides, she owed the woman so much for bringing Piers into their lives.
“If you accept this job in Lancashire, it would put off the repairs you had planned for the dower house,” Horatio pointed out.
“How terribly inconvenient,” Piers replied gravely. “You’ll just have to put up with me sleeping beneath your roof for an undisclosed period of time. By the way, Hori, did you know that your valet has taken it upon himself to rearrange my wardrobe?”
Her husband chuckled as he motioned for them to start walking toward the terrace leading into the library. “Evans has a fondness for fine clothing, and since you’ve refused his services more than once, it seems he’s decided to take matters into his own hands.”
“I think the servants think of you as a permanent fixture in Delaval Hall,” Caroline put in.
It was true; none of the staff members spoke of Piers as a guest. His chamber was referred to as ‘Mr. Benson’s room,’ and the dining table was always laid out for three, except when he was away on business. Even Cook kept a diligent account of his favorite dishes and strove to include them in her weekly menu. Caroline wasn’t sure what her servants thought about their peculiar arrangement. She felt no animosity or resentment, though. Piers had gotten along well with them from the start. Unsurprising really, since he treated everyone with the same friendly, easy-going manner. The fact that Hori’s valet felt comfortable enough to stake a claim on Piers’s wardrobe was a good sign. He’d been accepted into the fold, and while the servants might gossip among themselves, they wouldn’t carry stories outside Delaval Hall.
Upon entering the library, Caroline made her way toward the couch, but Piers forestalled her. His strong arms circled her waist as he kissed her brow. “I don’t want you to worry, love,” he said softly. “I promise to be here when our child is born.”
Horatio joined them, hugging her from behind. “Good, since we’ll both need you here. It’s our job—you and I—to keep the mother happy, so that the babe thrives.”
“Pleasing Caroline is the most gratifying task I can think of…other than riding you, Hori,” Piers added with a wink.
Horatio chuckled into her hair, and Caroline melted into their embrace. Being held firmly in the arms of the two men she loved with her son playing in the nursery upstairs, she felt a bone-deep contentment. Theirs was a complicated relationship—they’d had their challenges and would undoubtedly have more in the future. But the one thing she knew for certain, they would face them all together.
THE END
About The Author
Jean Wilde
Jean Wilde is a Canadian author of historical romance. She fell in love with the world of Regency London when her mother introduced her to the work of Georgette Heyer at the age of 12. She likes to write strong, flawed characters with an abundance of common sense. No necessary miscommunication or drama, thank you very much. When not caught up in something book-related (reading, writing or listening) she can be found spending quality time with her husband and maddeningly lovable twins.
Books By This Author
A Gentleman's Bidding
What can a desperate lady do to save her family from financial ruin? Auction her virginity.
Emily Price is in desperate need of funds. With her family estate mortgaged and her brother not yet of age, it falls to her to save her family from financial ruin. What is a lady with no money or connections to do? Auction her virginity in London's most elite and notorious brothel.
Heir to a baronetcy, James Hughes has always taken his role seriously. To secure his family's position in society, he knows he needs to marry well. But when he finds himself by chance at an auction in the infamous Scarlet Salon, he throws ambition to the wind to bed the lovely Miss Price.
After their affair goes public in the biggest gossip rag in town, Emily must choose whether to cast her feelings aside and leave James to pursue his social ambitions, while James must decide if family and duty are worth giving up his chance for love.
An Eye for an Earl
Hell hath no fury like a lady of society scorned
Isabelle Beaumont may be the most sought-after courtesan in London, but once she’d been a highborn lady of society. Betrayed by her loved ones, she was cast out of her home and consigned to a life on
the streets. Falling under the protection of an unlikely ally, Isabelle has done more than just survive.
A twist of fate has made Francis Gilbert the heir to a title, along with the debt-ridden estate that goes with it. As the new Earl of Digby, he’s determined to live up to his responsibilities. The last thing his reputation needs is to be linked to the mysterious Belle Beaumont.
As unsuited as they are, attraction sizzles between the pair of them. Isabelle is captivated by the straight-laced earl who refuses to bend to her will. Her game of seduction turns into an affair of the heart, one that puts them both in danger. Isabelle realizes too late that her once silent ally isn’t willing to let her go. To what ends will he go to keep her all to himself?
Demons of the past battle with hope and redemption. Can love replace Isabelle's burning desire for vengeance? Journey back in time to a world of class and hidden passions.
