They did not, however, cover the windows with crepe paper and intended to go about estate business normally.
Which meant that Axel had taken his new wife around to meet all of their tenants, and she, in turn, had invited some of the local landowners’ wives for tea.
Not one of them had questioned their decision. In fact, several had applauded it.
“He needs to meet other boys his age.” Axel answered. “He still might struggle at first, but that’s normal enough. I’m no longer as concerned that he’ll be bullied.” Axel’s hands moved up her sides and around to cradle her breasts. “Enough talk of my brother.”
“You wish to talk about the new irrigation system?” Even as she teased, her breath hitched, and that now familiar ache settled between her legs.
In answer, Axel swooped her into his arms and began marching toward the house.
Even with his wife some five months along, Axel carried her as though she weighed no more than a butterfly. Climbing the stairs, he sent her a heated glance, but his breathing remained even and steady.
She loved everything about this man—his heart, his humor, his character and mind, his good looks, but there were times when her favorite amongst them all was his body—his size—his sheer maleness.
Not only did the strength and dexterity he exhibited elicit the sensation of being cherished and protected, but they also resulted in lovemaking that was more creative and exciting in manners she’d only ever imagined, and then some!
Which was especially useful lately, in that her pregnant belly was already becoming quite pronounced.
So pronounced, in fact, that at her regular appointment a few hours earlier, her midwife had offered up the startling possibility that Felicity might very well be carrying twins.
Immediately upon arriving at Stonegate Manor, eager to erase any reminders of the previous occupants, Axel and Felicity had sat down together and ordered all new furnishings and décor for the master and mistress bedchambers, of which had only recently been completed.
Felicity had also asked to have one of the adjacent guest chambers repurposed to be a nursery. The completed space was almost as opulent as their own chambers, with a playroom, a fantastic, canopied crib, and an attached room for a nurse. Which reminded her…
“We might need to make some changes to the nursery.”
Axel lowered her onto their massive, incredibly comfortable new bed and raised his brows.
“Do you think the babe needs more room for toys?”
She bit back a grin. She’d wanted to wait until the midwife was more certain but couldn’t keep such a huge possibility to herself.
Not from Axel. Because he was her everything.
“We may need a second crib.”
He tilted his head, perplexed.
“And a second rocker. And we might also require a second nurse.”
By now, realization donned, and the gold flecks sparkled in excitement from his hazel eyes. But he also showed concern.
“Two babes?”
“Alice says it’s possible. My womb measures larger than mothers carrying only one. Since you are a twin…” She trailed off. She hadn’t meant to worry him.
“Two?” And then he lowered himself on the bed beside her. “How do you feel about this?How are you?”
“Excited. Thrilled. And a little terrified.” She lay back on the pillow, relaxing to the hypnotic feel of his fingers removing the pins from her hair. “That feels good.”
“What does Alice say about a woman in your condition gardening?” He kissed her temple.
“She says that so long as I don’t experience any twinges of discomfort, it ought to be safe for now. In fact, she believes it’s best for me to take regular exercise.”
“I’ll show you how to meditate if you’d like.” They’d discussed this before but had been too busy to follow through with it. “You were already a little scared. It could help.”
“I’d like that.” His fingers were stroking the lengths of her hair now, and she amazed at how this man could be both extraordinarily passionate but also as gentle as a fawn.
