Rob tried to be quiet as he stumbled into their bedchamber in the wee hours, but Fiona was awake. “Sorry, love. I didn’t mean to make so much noise.”
“You didn’t,” she said, slipping out of bed to assist him in undressing. She laughed as she untied his cravat and the slight tug on the fabric made him tip toward her. “Can you stand up straight?” she asked as he planted a kiss on her forehead.
“I don’t think so. I keep tilting toward you. It’s that magnetic attraction.” He hiccuped, realizing he might have imbibed a littletoo much. “Do you know that you grow more beautiful with each passing day? Gad, you’resobeautiful.”
“I did not know that.” She smiled and helped him out of his shirt.
“Well, you do. And you are.” He kissed her on the nose. “Because you are my fairy princess and I love you.”
She had him sit on the bed and helped him off with his shoes. “I love you too.”
“I know.” He hiccuped again. “I’ve never been happier. Have you?”
“Never happier, my love. I have something to tell you. I’m not sure you will believe it. I’m not sure I can believe it myself. Are you sober enough to listen? Perhaps it is best left to tomorrow.”
He took gentle hold of her hand and drew her onto his lap. “I’m sober enough. What is it, love? Something troubling you?”
She let out a shaky breath. “I’ve been counting the months.”
“Since we married?” He groaned. “Gad, have I missed our anniversary?”
She laughed. “No, that’s not for another two weeks yet.”
“I knew that… Yes, I did. Happiest day of my life.” He kissed her again to prove it, only realizing as he ended the deep, sloppy kiss that his breath must reek of brandy.
But Fiona was looking at him in that magical way and smiling.
Lord, he loved her.
“Happiestday,” he insisted, and kissed her yet again because she did not seem to mind that he was a little drunk, and willingly kissed him back with heartfelt sweetness. He gave her another kiss, this one tender. “What is it, love?”
“It has beenthreemonths, Rob.”
He blinked.
“Three months since my last monthly courses,” she explained as tears filled her eyes. “Rob, can it be possible? I had to tell you. I’m so excited and yet so afraid I might be mistaken.”
He inhaled sharply. “How do you feel, Fiona? Any unsettled stomach issues?”
“Only a little. Nothing like Margaret experienced.”
He shook his head, completely sober now. “Oh, love. Everyone is different. Whatever happens, we’ll work through it together. It is early days yet, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “And it might just be a mistake, just my being very late.”
“No mistake. You have been looking particularly magical lately. Glowing. And your bosom…” He cupped a breast, holding it lightly to show her how it filled his hand more than usual. “Is it tender?”
She nodded again.
He laid her gently on her back and stretched out beside her, placing an arm under her shoulders with exquisite care and drawing her into his embrace. “I noticed, and yet dismissed the cues.”
“Me too. Assuming there are any and I am not misreading everything.”
“You aren’t. Your body doesn’t lie. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. We are in this together no matter the outcome,” he said with a soft growl, turning toward her to caress her cheek.
She nestled against him. “I love the way you look at me with your gorgeous panther eyes.”
“How could I not? You’ll always be my fairy princess.” He kissed her softly on the lips, then grinned. Was it possible that chunk of lapis he’d kept in his undergarment drawer all this time had worked its magic?
