A Scandalous Portrait (The Rose Room Rogues #1) - Callie Hutton Page 0,64

at a lovely spot with trees surrounding a grassy area next to a brook. “This is beautiful,” Diana said.

“Yes. I’ve never stopped here but passed it many times. I think this is perfect for our purpose.”

Diana spread the blanket on the soft warm grass while Hunt unloaded the portrait and the basket. Cook had sent cold meat, cheese, bread, and apples. Hunt poured the wine.

Once they finished, Hunt searched the ground for small kindling sticks, which he made into a pile. He lit a few sticks, blew on the pile, and once he had the fire going well, he threw on larger pieces of wood.

And then, finally, the painting.

They’d taken it out of the frame which they’d given to one of the servants, and then sat back against a tree, watching the portrait burn while they finished the wine.

Once the portrait was burned beyond recognition, Hunt cupped Diana’s chin and turned her face toward him. “Only one more thing will make this trip perfect.”

Diana felt her heartbeat pick up and flutters in her stomach. “What is that?” she whispered.

“I think it’s time we made love outdoors.” He nuzzled her neck. “This is a very isolated place and, if we walk farther into the wooded area behind us, we will be invisible.”

“Is that right, my lord?”

He grinned and stood, reaching out for her hand. She accepted and, with their arms wrapped around each other’s waists, they made their way into the cool forest area.

They didn’t return for quite some time.

Epilogue

Nine months later

London, England

“Hunt, I really prefer to have this baby at our country estate. I can’t help but think the air and noise is not good for either of us.” Diana shifted in her chair, attempting to get comfortable. Comfort near the end of one’s pregnancy was generally hard to find, she’d discovered.

“Darling, we’ve been over this,” Hunt said as he scanned the newspaper. “The best doctor is right here in London, and I want the best for you and the baby.”

“Ha. I believe you’re telling yourself that because you want to be here for Parliament, so you can meet with all your friends and pretend you’re serving the country.”

Hunt lowered the newspaper and stared at his wife. With messy curls hanging from her topknot and the scowl on her face, she looked like an adorable toddler annoyed at not having her own way. He couldn’t help but grin.

“Don’t laugh at me!”

‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t mean to laugh, it’s just that you know in your heart Dr. Reading is the best doctor in London for delivering healthy and happy babies. You selected him yourself.”

“I know.” She shifted again. “I do need to get out of the house. I hate that a pregnant woman out and about is scandalous.”

Hunt folded the newspaper and placed it alongside his empty breakfast plate. “We shall go out, then.”

“Really?” Her eyes reflected the joy in his statement, causing a bit of guilt to rest in his chest. He had been spending too much time on business and Parliament, neglecting his beautiful wife who was growing close to her time to give birth.

“Yes. I shall order the carriage brought around, and we will take a leisurely ride around Hyde Park. Then we will make a stop at Gunter’s and order ices brought to our carriage. How does that sound?”

“Wonderful!”

He groaned inwardly when tears pooled in her eyes. She’d been so prone to bouts of weepiness of late that he always had a handkerchief at the ready. Which he promptly removed from his pocket and handed to her.

“Thank you.” She patted the corners of her eyes. “When shall I be ready?”

“I think after luncheon. The air will be warmer so the ices don’t freeze us to death.”

“Well, look who’s still lollygagging at the breakfast table. Don’t you have work to do?” Dante entered the breakfast room, Driscoll right behind him. “At least that’s what you always tell me when I’m on a well-deserved break at the club.”

His brothers pulled out chairs and sat. Dante reached for a slice of toast and the jar of jam to top it with. “How is my favorite sister-in-law feeling today?”

“Tired. Bored. Ready to have the baby.” She smiled at the two men who had made almost as much a fuss over her as Hunt did.

“I do have work, in fact. I have to check over the financial statements you sent me,” Hunt said.

“Ah, don’t trust your own flesh and blood, eh?” Driscoll took an orange from the middle of the table