Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I urged Knight forward, suddenly anxious to see my family. As I approached the manor, I smiled, seeing my wife and children outside, no doubt waiting for me. Andrew was playing in the grass with a ball, his little sister not far from him, her arms in the air, and I assumed, demanding the ball and his attention.
Our daughter, Charlotte Rose, favored her mother in looks, but she had my dark eye color. Maddie insisted she had my temperament, and I feared she was correct. Tiny scowls and insistent demands were regular occurrences with my little girl. She expressed her displeasure with a stare that looked far too familiar. I had seen it in the mirror often. Maddie laughed, on occasion citing her sympathy for the man Charlotte fell in love with.
“He will have his hands full,” she murmured. “I fear your daughter will be a hurricane.”
“Is that a personal observation, Maddie mine?” I asked, linking my arms around her waist and pulling her back to me. “A comparison to her sire?”
“She will charm him the way you charmed me,” she replied. “And he will spend his life trying to keep up.” Then she patted my arm. “And be in heaven every day, besotted with her.”
I had to chuckle. Maddie often commented on my lack of patience and how I preferred things done “my way.” I had assured her it was a trait of being a marquess. She had informed me it was my own personality and nothing to do with my standing.
I hated to admit that she was correct.
Andrew doted on Charlotte—we all did. And she was a loving child. Clever like her brother, and already walking, she was going to be the handful Maddie feared.
And I adored her.
Maddie shaded her eyes, seeing me approach. I pulled Knight to a stop close to them and dismounted, laughing as Andrew ran toward me, his arms outstretched.
“Papa! Papa!”
I bent and caught him, tossing him above my head, my heart warm as his laughter filled the air. I set him down, after accepting his wet kisses on my face. I would never deny my child affection, no matter what.
I knelt to scoop up Charlotte, kissing her plump cheek as she prattled on in her baby voice. Not quite two, she was already a beauty. She accepted my kisses then squirmed away, needing to be close to her brother. I set her down, swatting her little bum gently as she crawled away, too impatient to try to walk.
I held out my hand for Maddie, drawing her close. “Hello, my wife. I have missed you.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You have been gone but two hours, my love. Hardly enough time to miss me.”
“Ah, but there you are wrong, my love. I miss you every second you are not next to me.”
I rested my hand on the swell of her stomach. “Are you well?”
She covered my hand with hers. “Very. Your child has been moving quite a bit all morning. I believe they are anxious to join us.”
I laughed, bending and pressing a kiss to the linen covering her stomach. “Give your mama a moment to breathe, my child. We are anxious to meet you as well.”
“Did you accomplish your errands?” she asked.
“Indeed.”
She peered behind me. “Did Mr. Hughes have any of those chocolate conserves your unborn babe has been demanding?”
I chuckled. “Yes. I procured some for you and some barley sugar and lemon drops for the children.”
“Oh, they will love such a treat!”
“I thought perhaps a picnic tomorrow. It promises to be a fine day. Edward and Lydia could join us.”
Maddie smiled. “How lovely.”
I leaned close, my lips to her ear. “We cannot partake of the joys we used to seek on our picnics, Maddie. Our clothing must remain on, and you must be on your best behavior.”
She scoffed, swatting my shoulder. “I believe you have that wrong, sir. Your old age is showing. You are, and always have been, the impertinent one.”
I chuckled and kissed her neck at the juncture, smiling as she shivered.
“Old age, madam? I shall have to endeavor to change your mind of that notion later.” I caressed her large belly. “I do not believe old age has yet rendered me un-impertinent.” I bit down lightly. “Or unable to bring to you an earth-shattering cli—”
She covered my mouth. “Alexander,” she admonished. “We are not in private!”
I kissed her fingers, grinning at the way her eyes had darkened. She was still responsive and always passionate, and I love to tease her and claim her at the most unexpected moments.
“We could be,” I murmured.
She shook her head and gathered her skirts. “Children, I believe Cook has a treat waiting. Come with me.”
I pulled the small sacks from Knight and handed him off to a waiting stable hand. I had a feeling the children weren’t the only ones about to have a treat.