“You’re already a good mother, Juliette.” He embraced her, and she tried to push away the fears, imagining the joy of a second baby. One she could keep forever. One who would have his father’s smile.
The fear was still there, lurking. But she forced herself to dwell upon the joy instead of the uncertainty. There was time enough later to worry. For now, she wanted to enjoy this moment with Paul.
“If I am going to have a baby, then there’s no harm in making love to me,” she whispered to Paul, trying to pull him up.
“Aye,” he promised. He parted her legs, his hand moving between them. The moment he touched her, she grew wet, and his caress made her catch her breath.
“You’re sensitive here, too, aren’t you?” This time, when he explored her flesh, she couldn’t stop the soft moan. He delved inside her, and she shuddered against the invasion.
“Yes.” She trembled against him, and when his thumb brushed the nodule of her arousal, a delicious warmth poured over her.
He continued to touch her, his hand stroking and coaxing her higher. Gently, he lowered his mouth to her nipple again, his warm breath hardening the tip. She couldn’t stand it any longer and lifted one leg over his hip, guiding his length inside her.
The moment he filled her, the motion set her on edge, pushing her toward the aching release she craved. It took only a few strokes before she arched back, her nails digging into his shoulders. She squeezed him inside her, welcoming his easy thrusts as her body trembled with the unexpected fulfillment.
“That didna take long,” he teased, withdrawing slightly and entering her again. “But I’m not finished with you yet.”
She was quaking against him, her body welcoming his invasion. “You can do anything you wish to me.”
For it didn’t matter now. The damage was already done, and she fully intended to enjoy this aspect of marriage.
Over and over, he penetrated, his hands splayed over her hips as he thrust. She couldn’t stop herself from shaking, the exhilaration rushing through her.
“More,” she begged, and he quickened the pace, driving against her until perspiration broke over her skin.
She gripped him with both legs around his waist, and he thrust deeply, staring into her eyes as he murmured, “I love you, Juliette. And always will.”
“I love you, Paul.” She met his hips with her own, watching as he began to come apart, his body growing harder as his thick length merged with her flesh. She saw the moment he gave a cry, flooding her with his seed.
And she smiled, loving the feeling of his body inside hers. This was right, always meant to be.
She could only pray that these months remaining would not be their last.
Seven months later
“Have I told you how beautiful you are? Especially with ink-stained fingers?” Paul closed the door to his study, admiring his wife.
Juliette sent him a half-smile as she looked up from the desk. “I’ve been sorting through the accounts, and everything is in order. All the bills have been paid, as well as the taxes. I have a listing of the profits, and if you’ll look—”
“I don’t really care,a chrìdhe,” he said, moving closer. “The accounts are yours to do with as you wish.”
Her body was distended with the pregnancy, her hair tucked in a neat chignon. When he moved to kneel beside her, he saw that her shoes were off and her feet were swollen.
“You should look at the ledgers,” she insisted. “I’ve done what I could to ensure that the estates are successful.”
He knelt at her feet and pressed a kiss against her womb. No longer did she have the smooth curve of pregnancy; now there were sharp edges where the child’s elbows or knees poked out. It would not be long now, and he didn’t like the way she was anticipating the worst.
“How are you feeling?” he murmured, massaging her ankles.
“Afraid.” She touched his face, pulling him up to kiss her. “I want to hold our baby in my arms. I want to be there every moment as he grows older.”
“You will be fine,” he promised. Not only had he been trained to deliver babies, but he’d also sent for his mother a fortnight ago. As a midwife, Bridget had seen many labors, and her practical knowledge was welcome. Then, too, he’d spoken to his colleagues at the medical college in Edinburgh, studying every case of childbirth that had gone wrong. He’d spent late nights poring over the books, learning everything he could.
“I’m glad we had this time together,” she admitted. “And I pray that all will be well with our child.” She reached out to take his hand, saying, “I’ve had a letter from Charlotte. Matthew is running around now and has begun to talk.”
Though she spoke the words in a neutral tone, as if sharing news of the weather, Paul knew how much it meant to her. “After our bairn is born, I’ll take you to London. You’ll want to see Matthew.”
Thankfully, there was no longer any threat in Juliette visiting Matthew from time to time. Although Strathland had eventually been found in the Highlands, he’d nearly starved to death. In the meantime, the unentailed property in Scotland and all the sheep were sold off to pay his massive debts. The last they’d heard of him, Strathland had gone into seclusion, and there were whispers that he’d gone mad after the experience. Months had passed, and Paul took satisfaction in knowing that the earl would never again bother them.
