Page 83 of Sincerely, the Duke
“Wait, no,” he said, holding the baby stiffly around the chest as if he were afraid to touch him. “You know I am not good at this. I’d rather wait until he gets a little older to hold him.”
Edwina smiled. “Nonsense. He’ll be walking soon and following you everywhere. You learned how to be comfortable with Emmeline and you will with him too.”
Stone made a sound or two as if to cry. Rick started bouncing his knee and soon his son found his mouth with his fists again. It didn’t take much to make the little fellow happy.
“He’s too thin,” Rick suggested, touching around his son’s chest area with his fingers. “I feel his ribs. Are you sure he’s healthy?”
“Of course. Stop worrying. It will be twenty years before he’s as tall, strong, and handsome as you.”
Rick gave her a knowing smile and reached over to kiss her again.
“I do wish Eileen would write more often,” Edwina complained.
“She is busy with writing her notes about the stars.”
“I have many things to do too, but I manage to send her a short missive at least once a week with news of the family.” Edwina broke open the seal. “Would you like for me to read out loud?”
“Why not?” he said, his knee continuing to bounce. “It will take my mind off the slobber that is running down my hands and soaking my trousers.”
Edwina laughed and then read, “‘My dearest Edwina, we have had many beautiful, clear nights this summer and have finished numerous calculations and charting of movements in the sky. My head is full of such luxurious moments of discovery too perfect to put into words. And so goes the way of my heart.’”
Edwina felt a chill run down her spine. She stopped and looked at Rick. “Heart?”
He shrugged. “Read on.”
“‘I would like for you and the duke to make a visit as soon as you can. There is a gentleman who recently started working with us and I want you to meet him.’”
Edwina jerked toward Rick again. “Did you hear that?”
“Of course, my darling,” he said patiently. “Has she ever mentioned a gentleman to you before?”
“Never. And not her heart either. Not even at Stone’s baptism.” Edwina anxiously lowered her eyes back to the page, wanting to make sure it said what she thought it had.
“‘I shan’t tell you more for I fear you won’t hurry to come to me if I reveal too much in a letter. But I can’t wait for you to meet him. All my love to you, dearest sister, and everyone, Eileen.’”
“I don’t know what to think,” Edwina said while searching the letter for unwritten clues. “Rick, do you think this means she has fallen in love and is thinking of marriage?” Her heart pounded with the possibility of it being true.
“I don’t know, my love, but you probably shouldn’t get your hopes up about anything until you talk to Eileen.”
“But I feel so anxious. She’s never asked us to come visit her before. She’s always come to stay with us.”
“Only look at this as she wants us to visit and nothing more,” he advised. “I don’t want you to read too muchinto her words and be disappointed.” The babe gurgled and squirmed. Rick started moving his knee again.
“But it is a good sign that she is actually thinking about something other than the heavens, and I do think we should make plans to visit her soon, don’t you?”
“We’ll visit,” he answered, sounding completely uninterested in the conversation as he struggled to keep his son happy with both knees bouncing.
“Thank you.” Edwina smiled at him sweetly. “When do you think we should leave?”
He looked at her and grinned. “Tomorrow. I’m as anxious as you to find out who this gentleman is.”
“Oh, Rick!” She threw her arms around him and kissed him so fast it scared Stone and he started crying.
Rick tried to hand him over to Edwina and he cried harder. Emmeline ran over. “What’s wrong with him? What did you do to him?”
“Nothing,” Rick said, giving his little girl a smile while wiping his wet hands on his trousers. “He’s fine.”
Edwina called the governess over and told her to take the children inside. It was important to Edwina to spend time with Stone and Emme as her father had with her and her sisters, but time alone with Rick was even more important.
