I had not expected such a declaration, and it quite takes my breath away.
“I feel I must inquire… we have spoken of your child, and of my intentions. My duty,” he adds. “But I must know… the father…”
My throat constricts at the inquiry he leaves unasked. I realize this too is something I owe him. I lift my head so I may meet his gaze, refusing to hide, even if I might desire to. “He was a son of a nobleman. I… we were friends when we were younger, and he was called to war. We wrote letters to one another while he was away, and when he returned home on leave…” Words desert me and I look at him helplessly, unsure of how to conclude.
“Did you love him?”
I draw in a deep breath and release it slowly. I fear the answer makes it sound even worse. “I suppose I did, in a way. He was my childhood friend, and I cared for him, but… I never felt for him as I… as I do for you.” My voice softens until the words are a whisper.
“Truly?” He pins me with a look that is quite stern, but when my stomach spasms, it is not unpleasant.
“Truly, my—Gregor.”
He smiles, and leans forward to press his head to mine.
“What I feel for you… I have never felt before.” I lower my gaze. “Before Lord Ashburn went back… he seemed to have a feeling that he would not return. He spoke most candidly of his desire… that is, he had never…” I blush, unable to finish.
“Shh, my pet. Never fear. You shall find no condemnation with me.” He lifts a hand to soothe away the sting of the shame upon my face. “I merely wondered if I need to worry about a man claiming?—”
“No, my lord. He… he died shortly after he returned to the battlefield.” I pull away so I can look upon him as my teeth seize my lower lip. “And I soon discovered he left his gift with me.”
“I am sorry, my darling, for I am sure that must pain you.” He draws me close and I allow him to, quite at ease with my head against his chest. “I shall be a wonderful father, I assure you.”
“I do not doubt it, my lord.”
“Gregor,” he reminds me as he presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“I do not doubt it, Daddy,” I murmur into his chest.
His rich chuckle serenades my ears. “So much the better.”
Epilogue
Duchess Freya
As I gaze down at my son, I feel a tenderness rise to fill me.
“Still fast asleep, Your Grace?”
“Mmm,” I murmur, so not to stir the future duke.
“Shall I take him to his nurse?” My lady’s maid, Kate, inquires in a reverent whisper.
“Please,” I say as I hand him to her. My eyes do not leave his soft, slumbering face until the door closes behind her.
Then I withdraw from the dressing room and into my bedchamber just as the door opens. I smile to see Gregor fill in the doorway.
“Someone would like to bid you goodnight.” He stands aside and a tiny imp rushes into the room, her strawberry-blond curls streaming behind her.
“Mama!”
I crouch and throw my arms open to catch her, pulling them tightly around her wriggling body so I might lift her. “Good night, sweetling.” I press a kiss to her head while she snuggles deeper into my embrace. “Have you had a very good day, my darling?”
“Yes! Papa! Horses!”
Over the top of her head, I meet his gaze. He is beaming at the two of us, and the warmth in his eyes reaches across the room to touch me with its gentle heat.
“We went to the stables,” he explains. “I told her she might have her own pony when she is old enough.”
