Page 84 of Second Chance Prince

“I’m still not convinced we should have come all this way. I know you want to see your family, but the doctors say it is important you rest.”

Roberta laughed. “The doctors also say I am fit and healthy. There will be plenty of time to rest when we get home. Niki, as much as I love you and my home, and my life there, Imissthem.”

Niki smiled, and this time, she knew it was because she had called Holtswighome. And it was her home now, but there would always be a special place in her heart for Grantham.

“The baby will be born in the castle, don’t worry,” she added, knowing hewasworried. “With all those swansstaring down.” She shuddered. Despite managing to rid herself of a few of the bird replicas in the royal suite, there were still too many.

“The baby? You mean my heir,” he said smugly.

“Or heiress,” she retorted, just to tease.

“Yes, perhaps. If she is like you, then she could rule our country and several others.”

Roberta thought that might be true.

“You don’t think my family will notice, do you?” Roberta asked, cupping her hand over the slight rounding of her belly. She was still small, and her height allowed her to carry the pregnancy without it being obvious.

Niki put his hand over hers. “I love you,” he said quietly. “I love you both.”

“And we love you,” she whispered, and leaned in to kiss him.

Niki tried not to “fuss,” as Roberta called it, but sometimes he just wanted to do everything in his power to keep her safe. If it had been up to him, he would not have made this journey, and he admitted now that it would have been a shame, because Roberta was glowing with happiness. He could not keep her from her family, and he must never try.

“Olivia hasn’t forgiven me for not telling her that our engagement was a sham,” she said with a sigh. “I’m not sure she ever will. She forced it out of me eventually, and shereminds me every time she writes.”

“We all have our secrets,” Niki reassured her.

“I think I know all of yours,” Roberta retorted. “I know that I was the first woman you slept with, and you were a virgin just as I was on our wedding night.”

“You didn’t notice till I told you,” he said smugly.

“Yes,” she teased. “You were so good. So—so flawless.”

He shrugged and shot her a smirk. “I am just a very fast learner,” he said.

“I am glad to know there was never anyone else,” she said, her blue eyes suddenly very earnest. “I like that there has only ever been me for you.”

“And you for me.”

By the time they passed through the Grantham gates and drew up in front of the house, Roberta and Niki had been enjoying some wonderful kisses. Because, as Roberta said, practice makes perfect.

The coach door was opened, and Niki jumped down and held out his hand to help his wife. As Roberta stepped down, she could see her family pouring out of the front doors. Children were running, and Vivienne was trying to catch them, and then they were inundated with Ashtons and their partners. Estelle shrieked with excitement.

It was some time before they could make their way inside, and at once, Roberta went to see her grandmother, who was resting in her favorite sitting room.

In the drawing room, Niki sat and answered questions andtried not to panic with so many of his in-laws in one room. He was better at social engagements than he used to be, but it was always better if Roberta was by his side. Eventually, she returned. Her eyes were a little red, but she was smiling. She sat down beside him, and he took her hand in his.

“You are all right?” he asked softly.

“Yes. Do you know what she said?” Her blue eyes stared into his in wonder. “She said congratulations and to name the baby after her.”

“You told her!” Niki exclaimed, his voice too loud.

“No, I didn’t. She just knew.”

“Told her what?” Olivia demanded, her eyes narrowed.

That was the end of their secret, but it didn’t matter. Now there were hugs, and kisses, and good wishes rained down on Niki and Roberta. And when Gabriel lifted his teacup and proposed a toast to “The Ashtons,” the room rang with cheers.