Page 72 of The Earl's Brazen Bargain
He leaned back on the pillow and closed his eyes. Laura had come into his soulless life and changed it beyond imagining.
She stirred beside him, and he reached out to stroke a wisp of hair from her cheek.
Laura opened her eyes and gazed at him with drowsy-eyed love.
“I love you, darling.” His voice hitched as he pulled her warm body against his and breathed in her scent, enfolding her in his arms.
Epilogue
Beechley Park, Five months later…
Laura entered thegunroom in search of her husband. She found him oiling a gun, the not-unpleasant smell permeating the room. “Here you are,” she said, going up to slide her hands around his waist. “Escaping the hubbub going on in the house.”
He wiped his hands on a cloth. “Now I know why I never wanted to host a crowd for a house party. Fifty people to be fed and entertained for three days!” He eyed her. “I hope you don’t exhaust yourself. You should rest. You are carrying my son.”
“Or daughter,” she said with a lift of her eyebrows.
A young girl of twelve came to the door. “Lady Debnam, I’ve arranged the flowers for the drawing room. Mrs. Brandt thinks they will suffice. Will you come look?”
“I’ll be there in a moment, Mary.”
Mary disappeared.
“You know, my love, your brother warned me about your tendency to nurture every small animal or human in need who came within your purview. I laughed, but by God, he was right.” Brendan gathered her to him and whispered against her hair. “It’s my hope that your children will fulfill this need.”
“Until then, we will try to give Mary a good life,” Laura said. “After all, you saved her life in the river.
She drew away and looked at him. “You know, Mary began writing to me when her mother, Mrs. Joyce, died. Her aunt didn’t want her and mistreated her. I couldn’t in good conscience ignore her.” She gestured to the room. “And we have so much space here.” She narrowed her eyes. “You know you like Mary. You are teaching her to play chess.”
“Out of the need for a partner, madam.” He bent his head and kissed her as Hunter scampered in, followed closely by Tibby.
“Come on, boy. Let’s escape the madhouse and walk over to the stables.”
Laura picked up the cat and hugged him as she watched Brendan walk over the lawn with the gun over his shoulder and the dog following. She put a hand to her stomach as their son stirred and moved his long limbs to poke at her. Laura planned a daughter next, God willing.
