“I…” I clear my throat. “I do.”
“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife,” says the priest. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Rowland’s mouth crashes into mine, urgent and unrelenting. His lips claim me like he’s sealing a blood pact, his hands tangling in my hair to keep me close. I return the kiss with equal passion, because I finally have somewhere to belong.
The kiss is hungry, claiming, possessive, as if he’smarking territory. When we break apart, he’s breathing hard, chest rising and falling like he’s been running.
“You’re finally mine in every way that matters,” he whispers against my lips, his breath urgent and hot.
Father Henry clears his throat and takes us into the vestry to sign the marriage license. Rowland barely shakes the old man’s hand before walking me back to the car with an arm around my waist. I haven’t felt this light in over a decade.
“Want a honeymoon?” he asks as I start the engine.
I laugh. “Every day with you is a vacation.”
He squeezes my thigh, offering me a dazzling smile. “Happy, pet?”
“Ecstatic.” I pull out and drive through the country roads leading back to Rochester Manor.
Rowland shifts on his seat, his hand drumming against my leg, his breath coming in quick bursts.
“You okay?” I ask.
“We need to make preparations for the baby.”
“Like what?” I ask with a smile.
“Set up a nursery, for starters. The space behind the mirror would be perfect. I can convert it this week.”
I blink, my gaze darting across the front seat. “Wait. What’s behind the mirror?”
“A hidden room.” He grins like he’s sharing a delicious secret. “There’s a latch on the side of the frame. It’s the perfect size for a nursery, and we can keep an eye on the baby without needing a nanny.”
“How many other spaces are in this house that I don’t know about?” I ask.
“Countless,” he replies with a chuckle. “Our children will have plenty of places to play hide and seek.”
“You’ve been looking forward to this baby, haven’t you?”
He leans across the seat and kisses me on the temple. “I pictured breeding you from the moment I decided you’d be mine. You won’t need to lift a finger. I’ll build everything. A changing table, a crib, a rocking chair. Our baby will never want for luxuries.”
When we reach the manor, he carries me across the courtyard and over the threshold. I expect him to charge up the stairs or to the nearest surface to consummate our marriage but he sets me on my feet and presses a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“Meet me in the dining room in thirty minutes for brunch.”
“Will there be bucks fizz?” I ask with a smile.
“Absolutely not.” He places a hand on my belly.
Giggling, I race up the stairs to check out this hidden space. At this time of the morning, the master bedroom is drenched in light. Dust motes dance in the air, making the space look magical. I, Annalisa Burlington, am the lady of this entire manor.
I walk to the mirror and pull back the fabric of my dress around my waist. Now that I’m scrutinizing myself, my belly is rounder. All this time, I thought being in love and free from persecution had made me gain weight. Now, my heart swells at the thought of having a happy little family.
Although by the way Rowland talks in bed, he wants me constantly pregnant.
I feel around the mirror’s edge, my fingers finding a metal lever. When I press it down, the entire frame springs forward, and a doorway opens with a click.
The space is around nine feet by twelve. Largeenough for a crib and a changing table. Sunlight streams in from a tall window, illuminating a set of shelves at the back.
