had with the duke this morning.”
Nell daintily wiped her serviette against her mouth. “Please do.”
“He received a letter from your father informing him that the budget the duke and I have drafted is quite adequate to meet your parents’ needs.” James cupped her cheek with one hand. “After the payment arrangements I made with the creditors, I’m happy to say that your father has been on time every month with payments.”
Nell let out a sigh of contentment. The duke and James had sent for her father and had been honestly blunt with what they expected of her parents after Nell and Christa had married into the family. Neither her mother nor father were ever to approach their daughters again with their financial woes. If they did, then the small monthly stipend James gave them to supplement their income would permanently disappear.
It had been one of the most serene moments of her life when her husband had taken all her worry in hand about her parents’ financial scandals. Masterfully, he’d created a budget and payment plan they could all live with.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you for that.” Nell squeezed his hand with hers.
“Darling,” he said in that deep voice that never failed to make her body shimmer in anticipation. “You never have to thank me.” He studied their clasped hands and brought them closer. “I love you, and I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”
“And what about our daughter?” she asked.
He waggled his eyebrows then stood and extended his hand for her to take. “The only way to make her happy is to take you to bed and sleep with you.”
“Now?” she asked.
“Indeed.” He nodded once, his face serious. “And you should be prepared to be completely ravished as we ‘sleep.’”
Her eyes widened. “What about your meeting with Harry?”
“If I’m late arriving at Harry and Christa’s house this morning, I dare say they won’t even notice. Harry’s probably already finished his morning work. He’s relishing his position as the duke’s new assistant estate manager.” James glanced at the longcase clock. “I’d even venture that they’re probably ‘sleeping’ as well.”
“James,” she scolded.
“What?” he said playfully as he led her from the table. “They’re in love just as we are.” When Nell leaned against him, he stopped and took her into his arms. “Shall we tell your daughter that her wish may already be granted?”
Nell looked into his deep gaze. Her devotion to him grew every day and portended a future filled with love and celebrations of all life’s perfect moments.
He must have seen the same reflected in her eyes. He whispered her name and took her in a kiss that promised that all her dreams would come true.
The truth was…they already had. This man had given her his daughter, his son, and his heart. She poured all of her soul into that kiss so he’d never doubt what she felt for him—a love that was never-ending.
“James,” she whispered as she looked deep into his eyes. “I don’t know if I’m carrying.” She smiled shyly. “However, I’m pretty certain.” Her body was changing just as it had when she was first carrying Andrew. “I pray that it’s true. I want nothing more than to have another baby with you.”
He pressed his lips against hers, and Nell felt a smile spread across her lips.
“As I’ve always said, practice makes perfect.” He tugged her toward the bedroom. “Let’s go practice ruining each other, shall we?”
He wouldn’t have to ask again. “I’ll ruin you any time,” she quipped.
“And I you.” He pressed a kiss to her lips that made her want to curl her toes. “Do you know what else I always say?”
She shook her head.
By then, they were ready to enter their bedroom.
“Two ruins make a right.” He flashed a smile that made her want to melt into him. “Prepare to be ruined.” He pressed another kiss to her lips as he swung open the door. Before she could answer, he swept her into his arms and carried her over the threshold, then closed the door with his shoulder. “Completely.”
Want to know more about Janna MacGregor?
Award-winning author Janna MacGregor pens romance novels with “Austen’s spirit” (Entertainment Weekly) from her dual residences in the fast-paced Twin Cities and her native home in the Kansas City. But she spends most of her time in Regency England, the setting for her beloved Cavensham Heiresses books and A Duke in Time, first in the new Widow Rules series with St. Martin’s Press. Crediting