The Duke's Bride (30 page)

Roderick’s face contorted. “You have bought a school
without my permission?”

Jane scowled. “Now, Roderick, control yourself. George
should not hear you raise your voice.”

“I am not raising my voice,” he said, eyeing Milli.
“Am I?”

Milli chewed her lip. “I daresay you need a little
more time in bed to recuperate.”

Roderick’s lips thinned. He shifted a suspicious gaze
between the two women. “How much is the captain involved?”

Roderick swung his bare legs around the bed and sat
up. Milli blushed.

Jane’s brows dipped into a frown. “Roderick, a lady is
present. You are in your dressing gown.”

His eyes danced with mischief. “I know. Now, let me
hold our son.”

Jane stared at him. “Say his name, please.”

“George,” he said, his eyes narrowing.

The ladies laughed, and the baby was placed in Roderick’s
arms.

Jane watched as Roderick’s entire face lit with joy
when two little gray eyes peeped back at him. A warm glow spread through her.

“Hello there, George,” Roderick said in a soft voice. The
baby curled its little hand around Roderick’s finger and let out a soft little
mew.

Jane looked on as Milli’s eyes glistened with tears.

Roderick lifted a tender gaze toward Jane. “Duchess,”
he said, clearing his throat. “You can have anything you want in the world.”

Jane let out a light laugh. “I was wondering when you
would get around to that.”

Milli giggled. “Goodness, I wonder if Marcus will say
the same thing when I tell him I am going to have a baby. Well, at least that’s
what I think is happening.”

Roderick’s eyes widened in surprise. “Marcus will—”

“Ah, do I hear my name?”

Marcus strode into the room, grabbing Milli by the
waist. “Is my little wife causing trouble already?” he replied, laughing.

Roderick’s eyes gleamed with laughter. “Trouble? Milli?
Of course not. Is she causing trouble, Jane?”

Jane tilted her head, her smile widening. “I do not
believe buying a school in Bath is trouble.” She stared at her son. “And I
certainly do not believe having a baby is trouble. But what do you think,
Marcus?”

Marcus’s dark brows knitted into a frown as he shifted
a wary gaze back to his wife. “You bought that school?”

Milli grabbed his arm and walked toward the door.
“Now, dear—”

Jane watched Roderick’s eyes widen in shock at the way
Marcus was quieted by the tiny female.

“Give it thirty seconds,” Jane said to him. “They have
been married more than a few months. Marcus will come around.”

Roderick smoothed his hand over his son’s soft hair.
“I think Marcus will be—”

“A baby!” Marcus’s shout made George flinch.

Roderick glanced warily at Jane.

Milli ran into the room and rang the bell pull. “He
fainted. I think he just needs some water. No need to worry. I can handle
this.” She ran out again, closing the door behind her.

Jane fell onto the bed, laughing.

“Oh, Roderick,” she giggled. “I do love your family.”

Roderick stood and placed their son in a small cradle
beside the bed. He kissed George and went back to Jane who couldn’t stop chuckling.

“And my dear wife, I love you too.”

He sank into the bed and kissed her with a hunger that
made the room tilt. A wave of fiery passion flowed through her veins. Her body
ached for him, and her husband knew it.

She could barely catch her breath. “Roderick, the
baby.”

He lifted a wicked brow. “Perhaps he will have a
sister who can attend that school you just bought.”

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I think that
would be a very good idea. Did you know that Lord Vexfield’s daughter might teach
there?”

“That little mouse?”

“Rebecca is not a little mouse. She’s just…shy.”

“If you say so,” Roderick said, slipping his arms
around his wife. “Thunderation, sweetheart. I love you more each day.” His lips
traced a lazy path down her neck.

She fell against him, breathing softly into his ear. “And
I love you.”

A moment later, the door flew open and Marcus marched
into the room. Jane wanted to scoot off the bed, but Roderick held a hard hand
to her waist and glowered at his brother. “You, my man, have your nerve!”

Marcus didn’t seem to hear him or even care that Jane
was there. He pulled up a chair and stared at the baby sleeping in the cradle
beside them.

“The thing is, Roderick. I think, well, Milli thinks,
I am going to be a father.” Marcus put his hands to his face and groaned. “I am
going to be a father! Can you believe it?”

Jane blinked at her husband, then shifted a confused
gaze Marcus’s way. “You do not wish to be a father?”

Marcus looked up, his face twisting in agony. “That is
not it at all. If Milli is correct, then there is no two ways about it. I am
going to be a father. But the thing is, Milli is going to be the mother.”

“I should hope so,” Roderick said somberly.

Jane pinched him on his backside. He yelped.

Marcus’s head snapped toward them. “You do not understand!
Milli is going to be the mother. I love my wife to distraction. But good grief!
What in the name of the king am I going to do if I have a daughter?”

Jane’s brows dipped. “You do not have to provide an
heir. So, why are you worrying?”

“Why am I worrying?” Marcus exclaimed in a
high-pitched voice. “The child will be Milli’s daughter. A beautiful,
mischievous elf!”

Roderick frowned. “Jupiter and Zeus. I see your
point.”

“Exactly,” Marcus said with a grim nod. “Do you know
how many men will be knocking at my door?” Marcus banged his head against the
bed frame. “I have been on the battlefield, but by Jove, I do not believe I can
handle this.”

Roderick stared at Jane. “Sons are easier, Duchess. I
hate to tell you, but daughters will be too much trouble.”

Jane shook her head and laughed, kissing her husband
with all the passion she held in for months.

Marcus mumbled something and excused himself.

“Very well,” Roderick finally said, his eyes gleaming
with purpose. “You, my lovely wife, may have any type of baby you want.”

“Why, thank you, Your Grace. I will keep that in
mind.”

Laughter bubbled from Roderick’s chest. “Come here,
you sneaky little thing.”

A teasing light smoldered in those gray eyes, and
Jane’s lips quivered with mirth. “I am sneaky, am I not?”

His gaze captured hers. “Come here, wife.”

His command was more of a caress, stoking the glowing
embers of their love, transforming it into a blazing flame. He leaned toward her
and pulled her to him. Her entire being felt intoxicated by the sweetness of
his touch.

 Although he was still recovering, he still made passionate
love to her, bringing them together where no marriage license or government documents
from the Crown could define their union, only God.

Minutes later, she snuggled against him and sighed in delight.
“I love you, Your Grace.”

“I believe you said that,” he smiled. “But I love you more,
Duchess.”

Yawning, she straightened her gown and rubbed her eyes.
“I must get up. I have so much to do, but if I could just rest here for a few
minutes…” She sank into her pillow, lowering her lashes against her cheeks.

George let out a whimper.

Roderick glanced toward the baby, giving the cradle a gentle
push. “I love you too,
George
.”

His son opened his light gray eyes and stared at
Roderick. They held each other’s gaze for a few silent seconds, then the baby
closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

Roderick stared at his sleeping wife, feeling his
chest tighten with love. His throat clogged with emotion. He would not be able
to control everything in his son’s life, but with God’s help, and Jane’s of
course, he would direct the child the best he could. After all, George would be
duke some day.

He swallowed hard, catching sight of the family bible
sitting on his nightstand. Jane had read to him every day the past week.

He stretched out his hand and touched the holy book,
letting his thoughts drift upward in thanks for his beautiful family.

With a peaceful sigh that eased into a smile, he went straight
to sleep.

Beside him, Jane looked up and wiped the tears from
her eyes. Careful not to wake her husband, she reached over him and placed his hand
back on the bed.

George looked up at his mother and cooed.

“I agree, little one,” she said with a smile, sinking
her head against her husband’s arm. “He is a wonderful man, and we are blessed
to have him. But you must not wake him. Your papa needs his rest.”

Without warning, Roderick turned and flipped her onto
her back. “I am also a strong man too. Did you tell him that?”

Jane laughed hysterically. “No, but I love being the duke’s
bride. Did I tell you that?”

Roderick smiled as he glanced at George. “You have
told me in more ways than I can count, sweetheart.” With a chuckle, he sank
against his pillow, pulling her close. “I am a fortunate man. A fortunate man
indeed.”

Suddenly the door whipped open and Agatha marched into
the room.

Shocked at the intrusion, Jane jumped from the bed,
straightening her gown.

Roderick scowled. “Madam, do you know how to knock?”

Agatha waved her parasol in the air. “Knock? Who cares
about knocking on a door? You are a sick man, are you not?”

Jane pulled the wayward strands of her hair behind her
ear. “Agatha, he needs he rest.”

The older lady looked at Jane and smiled. “Ah, yes. I
can see that.”

Jane blushed.

“La, never mind,” Agatha snapped. “We have another
problem on our hands.”

“Problem, you could say that again.” Roderick pointed
toward the door. “You may leave. Now!”

Ignoring him, Agatha took a chair beside his bed. “The
problem is with the captain. I fear he may never marry. Since he saved your
baby, I believe we owe him. Jane, Emily and I have talked about this, but we
need your help.”

Roderick growled. “Madam, if you do not leave, I
will—”

The parasol slapped the bed, making Roderick flinch.

Jane held back a smile as she addressed the older lady.
“Perhaps we should save this conversation for the drawing room.”

“Perhaps,” Agatha said, eyeing Roderick. “However, I
thought you said he had changed. But he is still the stubborn, domineering duke
I remember. And what’s this about the king being godfather to George? I do not
think I can bear being a godmother with that man! The last time—”

“You, the godmother?” Roderick shouted, interrupting
her.

Agatha smiled. “Thank you, Roderick. Perhaps you have
changed. Jane did mention it was your idea.”

Roderick stared at Jane as she walked around the bed
and pinched his toe.

Roderick gritted his teeth and smiled back at Agatha.
“Of course, you can be the godmother.”

Agatha stood with tears in her eyes. “Well, then. I
will take my leave. I hear there is trouble at your new school. I believe the
captain is making his way to Bath now. He has quite recovered from his mishap.
But I was hoping we could decide on a bride while he was still here.”

Roderick’s eyes went wide. “You want to find him a
bride without his knowledge?”

Jane frowned. “I had no idea there was trouble at the
school.”

Agatha ignored Roderick’s comment and made her way toward
the door. “I suppose I can speak with Jane in the drawing room. Yes, Jane,
dearest. The more I think about it, the more I realize your husband will be of
no help to us at all. Oh, and Roderick?”

He pursed his lips as he looked her way. “Yes?”

“Your siblings are all having babies, did Jane tell
you that?”

Roderick blinked. “What?”

Agatha frowned. “Jane, explain it to that duke of
yours. Sometimes men can be so dense, it boggles the mind.”

Smiling, Jane turned to Roderick just as Gabby ran
into the room.

“Hello Uncle Dukie!” the little girl shrieked with glee.
“I brought you Mr. Picklehammer to make you happy!” She hurried to his bedside,
holding her cat.

Roderick turned to Jane. “There is a lock on my door,
is there not?”

“Oh no!” Gabby said, leaning against the bed. “There
is no lock! I broke it before you came home! But that doesn’t matter because I
can leave Mr. Picklehammer here to guard you and George. You don’t need a lock!”

Roderick sighed and closed his eyes. “
Mr.
Picklehammer,
” he muttered.