A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,128
could have a lovely embrace from her husband?
With his other hand, he ran it gently over her rounded middle. “And how is she?”
“He is fine,” Kat answered with a smile.
“You’ll make a glorious mother.” His face softened in the glow of the morning light, making him even more handsome than the day before.
“And you a wonderful father,” Kat replied.
Christian placed a sweet kiss against her lips as he reached into his waistcoat pocket. “Is this what you’re looking for? I hope it meets with your approval,” he whispered, running his lips across her cheek until he found her earlobe and gently nipped.
She tilted her head to give him greater access. That’s when she saw it, the most glorious orange rose she’d ever seen. “It’s beautiful,” she said in awe. “It looks like a harvest moon.”
“It’s the Katherine,” he said proudly.
“Oh, Christian,” she said as tears threatened. “You’ve been working on that for years. It’s perfection.”
He smiled broadly. “Only a flawless rose should be named after my wife.”
“I can’t wait to show it to Constance, Beth, and Helen. They’re coming over tomorrow for tea. Constance is bringing the baby.” Her fingers trailed the perfect petals. “This is the best present ever.”
His eyes immediately brightened. “Would you come to the workshop with me today? Reed thinks your design for the new beds and bedframes will be popular. He wants to build a prototype.”
“Of course. Let me change.”
A jaunty lopsided grin tugged at his lips. It always made her heart skip a beat. He inspected her dress, then slowly leaned close. He trailed his lips across the skin of her neck until he kissed that tender spot beneath her ear. “You look ravishing in that lavender brocade and silk gown. Don’t change.”
“Thank you.” She’d never have enough of this man.
“Speaking of ravishing, I could ravish you now.” Christian nipped her skin gently, then soothed it with another kiss.
“Hush,” she playfully chided. “We’ll shock the staff with such actions if they see us out here. I think they heard us the last time we were in your study. Wheatley hasn’t looked me in the face for two days.”
“Indeed.” Christian waggled his eyebrows. “Yesterday, he actually blushed in front of me.”
Kat pressed a kiss against his lips, then murmured, “I want to show you a room I discovered this morning. It’ll be perfect for my work area.”
Christian shook his head decisively. “What about the connecting room next to my study?”
“It’s too small.” She straightened his cravat. “I’ve decided that we’ll need a larger room if we’re going to be looking at wood and fabric samples for the furniture. Plus, I want a display area for my soaps.”
Christian pulled her closer to him and exhaled. “I suppose you’re right, darling. I find it amazing how busy we’ll be in the next couple of months. Men from the Ninety-Fifth Regiment have already been applying for positions in the new factory. We have orders from Helen and Abbott for new beds.”
“Ahem, Your Graces,” Wheatley called out as he walked toward them.
“I swear I’m going to dock his pay one of these days,” Christian growled.
“No, you can’t,” she whispered. “When Wheatley auctioned off Meriwether’s erotic statuary, he raised five thousand pounds for the charity.”
“Good point. My wife, always the diplomat.” Without letting her go, Christian answered their butler. “What is it, Wheatley?”
“Another bequest from Lord Meriwether. A prized Hampshire boar,” Wheatley said matter-of-factly.
“Put it in the stables. We’ll send it to Roseport.” Christian smiled, then turned to Kat. “At least, it’s something useful.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but the bequest is for Her Grace,” Wheatley said with a smile.
“For me?” Then as if the baby thought it funny, it started to kick nonstop. Kat placed a hand over her belly. “What am I going to do with a pig?”
“Bacon is always a sound choice,” Christian said.
“Sir, based upon its pedigree, this hog is worth a fortune,” Wheatley informed him.
“Will you put it in the stable for me?” Katherine asked with a smile.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Wheatley said with a bow.
Christian watched their butler leave. “I wonder what that’s about?”
Katherine tucked herself closer to her husband. “I don’t know. I didn’t think your brother left me anything.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Christian rubbed his nose against hers in a show of affection, then pressed a tender kiss against her lips. “I love you, wife. Always and forever.”
“And I you.” Tears welled in her eyes at the sincerity and love on his face. Never did she think she’d be this lucky to find the