I looked helplessly at the chamberlain, but he did not meet my gaze. I had no one to tell me what I should do. Indeed, I had never been in this position before and did not know how to go about it. “Ah, husband,” I said, tentatively stepping closer. “If I might have just a moment…”
“Can’t it wait?” he asked in a voice that told me it would, regardless of my desires.
“Oh, of course. Forgive me for having disturbed you,” I murmured. I turned to leave and had gone only a few steps when I thought of my mother. She never would have been so easily dismissed and as her daughter, neither should I allow myself to be. I stood taller with my sudden resolve and spun around, walking toward him, emboldened by my determination. “Actually, I require a word now, if you please.”
“Damn it, Cecily!” He slammed his balled fist on the table as his head jerked up. “What is it?”
His hardened tone and narrowed eyes almost made me lose my nerve, but I swallowed hard and faced him. “Alone, please.”
His jaw tightened and I knew that he was well and truly annoyed with me. He scowled and did not take his eyes from me as he barked the order: “You heard the duchess! Out, every one of you!”
Well?” he demanded impatiently the moment the doors closed behind us.
“I thought you should like to know… well, that is… I’ve not had my bleeding this month.”
“And?” he snapped, rather peevishly.
“My courses have not come. I am carrying your child, husband.” I waited tensely for his reaction, but it was slow in coming. I’d hoped he would be happy to have an heir, perhaps even feel some tenderness toward me as a husband should for his wife. When I’d first discovered the news, I’d had the forlorn hope that things might return to what they’dbeen before we’d pledged our troth. Perhaps this would make him love me. Judging from the expression on his face, however, his feelings hovered somewhere between annoyance and confusion. “Well,” I gave him a faint smile, “I thought you would like to know.” I turned to leave and had gone perhaps a step or two when I heard him moving behind me. In the next instant, I felt my waist being seized, felt myself being turned to face him.
His face had been transformed, eager excitement alight in his eyes, his face aglow with the news. “You are certain?”
I was quite caught off-guard by the sudden change in him and didn’t know what to make of it. “Ah… I have written to my mother. She is certain, my lord.”
He let out a roar that shocked me so I feared I would faint, but then his arms were around me, holding me close, hugging me tight. “How can this be?” he asked, his voice full of delighted awe. “How can this be, a child so soon? Surely, God favors our match, Cecily. Surely, this is a sign.”
I laughed, eager to join him in rejoicing. “It is wonderful,” I agreed eagerly.
“Oh, yes. My darling wife, my sweet duchess,” he cooed, his finger trailing down my cheek as I beamed up at him. “How are you feeling? Surely, you ought to be abed?”
“Husband!” I reproached him with laughter in my voice. “Do not fret, I am doing everything my mother instructs so that our child will be born healthy.”
“Yes, well, it’s been a long time since your mother bore you. Mayhap I should fetch the physician—”
“Please, Wallace,” I murmured, burrowing my face in his chest. “Please, don’t fret. Only be happy, here in this moment, with me.”
I thought he might protest—indeed, he seemed to have much more he longed to say, but after a moment I felt him relax, the tension draining from his body as he began to cuddle me close. “Of course I’m happy, sweetheart. You’ve made me so very happy.”
This was what I wanted, I thought as I melted into my husband’s embrace. This is what I’ve dreamt of and longed for. Now we’ll be as happy as we were before, and have a little baby of our own to share in our joy. I inhaled slowly, relishing the moment, determined to savor the feel of his arms around me as I basked in his love.
Chapter Four
“I cannot be your wife,” I hissed at Antony, who looked back at me unrepentantly. “I am a woman already married!”
“Yes, and as I’ve already explained, your husband is surely dead.”
“Surely?” I mocked. “Surely is not a certainty, and until I can say with certainty that my husband is not in this world, I will never entertain the idea of marrying another! Why, I would have to wait for my mourning period to be over before—”
“These are troubled times, my lady. Things are not as they once were. I’m afraid it would do you much harm to remain unmarried, unescorted, through these parts.”
“Then take me back!” I demanded, glaring at him over my shoulder. “I didn’t ask to be brought here!”
Antony tilted his head to the side, surveying me before he answered. “I know you are feeling lost, but as I’ve said, there is no life left for you in Hohenzollern.”
I jutted my chin out defiantly. “I don’t believe you. But if you will take me back, and let me see for myself, then perhaps—”
“I’m afraid that’s simply not possible. I’m sorry, Cecily. Come to me, my poor little dove.”
My blue eyes narrowed into slits. Hearing his show of sympathy made me seethe.Hewas the one who had done this to me. Why should he now plague me with his pity? “Thank you, no. I’d rather you finish the chastisement. That, or allow me to take to my bed.” I’d thought to anger him, as he’d done me, but I only saw patience and tenderness in his face.
