Page 32 of Family Honor
“I apologize for assuming. Have you told him yet?” Georgiana asked.
“No. I’m only becoming certain myself.”
Georgiana reached over and took Catherine’s hand. “Let’s be in this together. Stay in touch so we can share.”
Moved beyond words, Catherine felt tears well in her eyes.
“We’re off for cricket in the park.” Will had approached without notice. His voice fell on the last word and alarm came next. “Is something wrong, Catherine?”
She wiped her eyes and cheeks. “Merely sentiment. Nothing to worry you. I seem to be a watering pot lately.”
“Cricket, Cath. We’re going to take on Charles, his lordship and Jamie,” Freddie exclaimed striding up. “Do you want to play.”
Will grinned. “Georgie used to be a fair player, but of course,” he waved a vague hand in Georgiana’s general direction. The women grinned back.
Freddy gazed from one to the other impatiently before glancing at his brother and the others hurrying off. “Will you play, Cath?”
“I think I’ll just visit with Lady Georgiana. We’ll come and watch.” She raised a questioning brow.
Georgiana nodded. “I’ll fetch a straw bonnet. They’ll need fair judges. You can count on it.”
Will helped Georgiana to her feet, extended a hand to Catherine, and kissed her cheek when she rose. “See you outside.” He winked and hurried after Fred.
Two nights later Will lay awake, sated and happy, watching his beloved sleep. He spooned against her back, gently, reluctant to wake her. He brushed her glorious hair back from her neck and set his nose against it, breathing in the earthy scent of herbs and Catherine, his joy, and let his mind wander over the past few days.
Catherine had wept when the boys and their baggage were bundled into carriages off on their great adventure with Glenaire and Jamie as chaperones. She had wept when she hugged Georgiana and said farewell to the Mallets, promising to attend the little one’s christening. Lord Arthur, standing with them on the steps shot Will a pointed look, shook his head, and went back inside.
There was more. For the first time since their marriage, she had no interest in his attentions when they woke. She hurried to her dressing room instead, her sickness obvious. His darling must think him dense. She must be unaware he knew her body so well that the subtle signs of change were apparent to him, too.
Will’s lips, against the back of her neck, stretched into a smile of pure bliss, and he settled down to sleep.
Catherine sighed and rolled over to nestle her head against his shoulder, let him pull her close, and raise her mouth to his for a kiss.
Moved even as he was aroused, Will ran a hand down her naked body to settle on her belly. He kissed her again. “When do you plan to tell me? I need a warning so I can act surprised.”
Catherine jerked upward onto one elbow. She didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “How can you? I only knew for certain the past few days!” She couldn’t hold on to her indignation. “Oh Will! We’re going to be parents. Isn’t it the most wonderful thing?”
He pulled her back into his arms, thinking the baby inside her was the second most wonderful thing after Catherine herself. He kissed her in earnest and ran his hand down her middle again. The act of loving this woman, already profound and pleasurable, had deepened beyond his most precious hope.
A few months later Catherine, glowing in her own impending motherhood stood next to Will as godparents for Richard Aeneas Mallet in Cambridge. A few months after that, the friends gathered once again to welcome Arthur William Landrum, Viscount Rochlin. The next generation was well on its way. Catherine could not imagine the adventures they would see, but she rejoiced that they and the older boys would always have Will, fond father and wisest of uncles. With his guidance and that of his friends, every child raised by them and their wives would be well prepared to uphold the family honor.
