And he loves me. And I love him.”
Father waved his hand at her and turned his head to face the wall. “You might as well send for transport so I can return to my home. At least I can die in peace.”
It was quite hard for her not to laugh because she never knew Father to be dramatic. But she was seeing more and more how he’d been manipulating her all her life. But no more.
Her heart lifted and she felt stones lighter. Now she had to find Edwin and tell him of her decision. She flew down the corridor and up the stairs, actually giggling to herself.
Before she reached the door to her bedchamber the front door opened.
“Rayne!” Edwin stomped through the doorway looking like a warrior from times past, about to throw her over his shoulder.
“Here, Edwin.” She made her way back down the stairs on feet as light as air.
He pointed his finger at her. “You will not marry Faulkner-Jones.”
“I know.”
He walked in a circle, slapping his fist into his hand. “He is devious, a wanted criminal and he certainly doesn’t deserve you.”
“I know.”
He swung back and pointed at her again. “No matter what your father says, you will marry me.”
“I know.”
He widened his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. “I will have Berkshire obtain a special license which we will use immediately.”
“I know.”
He finally stopped raving and blinked. “What?”
“I said, I know.”
He shook his head, as if trying to unscramble his brain. “You agree?”
“Yes, Edwin. I agree. I have already informed my father. I will not marry Mr. Faulkner-Jones. I will marry you. As quickly as you can get a special license.”
He pulled her into his arms and blew out a deep breath. “Well, that was easy.”
“Don’t think the rest of our life will be that way, however.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you Dr. Stevens.”
“And I love you, Lord Sterling.”
“Ballocks!” Came an exclamation from the infirmary, sounding very much like her father.
They both ignored it since they were busy kissing.
“Ah. I just love a happy ending, don’t you Walter?” Mrs. Foster said.
Walter grunted.
Epilogue
Ten months later
Country Estate of Lord Sterling of Plaistow
“I’m not saying I don’t trust Dr. McNeil. I just don’t believe everything he says. I know my body better than he does.” Rayne shifted on the sofa trying to get more comfortable.
By the doctor’s calculations she was seven months along in her pregnancy. Her body had been a reasonable size until the past week when her middle had all but exploded. “Most women don’t grow this large this far along, and I don’t believe I’m carrying twins. I would know if I was. I know I am further along than he says.”
“As a mother, or a doctor?” Edwin grinned at her.
“Both,” she snapped back.
She knew she’d been unreasonably cranky lately and felt bad for poor Edwin who was only trying to make her feel better. One would think with her medical experience, this pregnancy should be a breeze. It seems her body had other ideas.
Apparently trying to distract her, Edwin asked, “When is your sister expected to arrive?”
“Any day now. I’m still concerned about the note she sent. Although Milton’s death had been a surprise to me, it might not have been for Natalie. She’s not usually so closed-mouth, but I found the dwindling letters from her over the past two years troubling.”
Rayne rested her hand on her stomach and smiled. “Here, feel this.” She reached out for Edwin’s hand and placed it where the child was apparently practicing swimming.
Edwin sucked in a breath. “I’m always amazed at this. How does it feel to have something alive inside your body?”
She grimaced. “It depends on the day.”
“My lord, my lady, Mrs. Natalie Garfield and her daughter, Miss Donna Garfield have arrived.”
“Already?” Rayne shifted to rise from the sofa but had to depend on Edwin to pull her up. “Stop grinning,” she said as she left the room to meet her sister.
“Natalie!” Rayne walked as fast as she could to where her sister and niece were removing their outer clothing and handing it off to the butler, Davis.
Rayne tried very hard to hide it, but her sister did not look well. She’d lost weight since she’d seen her last—which to her way of thinking was about three years before. They wrote back and forth, but her husband, Milton, didn’t allow for visits.
She also had dark circles under her eyes. But her smile was the familiar Natalie smile.
Rayne embraced her, alarmed at