GRACE
Two Weeks Later
“Idon’t know why you're trying to hide it, Jack told me weeks ago,” Cecelia comments spitefully as she catches me sucking myself in and looking in the hall mirror.
“I’m not trying to hide anything.” I turn to face her, cussing Jack in my head. “Why would I?”
“I don’t know, but I’m guessing it’s for the same reason that there has been no official announcement. I’m judging from the size of you that you've passed the first trimester. It’s around this time that the cheating starts.” She looks down her nose at the tiny little bump that seems to have appeared over the past few days.
“How far along I am is none of your business,” I tell her in no uncertain terms. “None of what me and Jack do is your business, so stay out.” I hear Jack coming out of his office, and when I look up and see him in his black tuxedo, that pulse he puts in my pussy starts beating out of control again.
“You look beautiful.” He glides past Cecelia as if she’s not even there and kisses me, his hand stroking over my middle theway it always does when we’ve been apart for more than a few minutes.
“You don’t think this dress is a little tight?” I check, hating that that bitch has me paranoid.
“Not at all, it shows off every perfect curve.” His fingers skim a little lower and send me crazy.
“We should go, or we’ll be late.” I grab his hand and drag him out the door before I force him upstairs, and we don’t get to this party at all. Neither of us bothers to say goodbye to Cecelia, and I wait until we are sitting in the back of the car before I give Jack the shove in his ribs with my elbow that he deserves.
“Whoa, what's wrong?” He laughs as he rubs his side.
“You told Cecelia I was pregnant; we’re supposed to be keeping it a secret!”
“Tell that to our little duke.” He smiles, pressing his palm flat against my bump and proving that I was right; this dress is too tight.
“She said she’s known for weeks.” I try to be mad at him, but every time his hands are on my body, it distracts me. I can’t help liking the way he touches me like I’m the most precious thing in the world. It’s my hormones.
“I told her when she noticed you were upset with me, I wanted to wipe the smug look off her face. I’m sorry,” he admits.
“I’m all for knocking the smugness off her face. I’d knock a lot more out of her if I could, but a heads up would have been nice.” I decide to drop it and try to have a good night. I’m not feeling anywhere near as sick as I have been, and Olivia and Bea are going to be at the party too. I could sure use some female company. “Now, are you going to tell me what this party is all about?” I sigh, hoping to God it’s not another stuffy three-course dinner.
“Lord Kilby was my dad’s best friend and Thomas’s godfather; he wanted to throw a party to welcome me to the society.” Jack looks unimpressed as he sits back in his seat.
“Isn’t that something he should have done a few months ago?” I question, confused.
“If I’d have let him, it probably would have been. I’ve been putting it off, making excuses. I guess I ran out of them.” He shrugs.
“I’m surprised Cecelia isn’t coming, especially if he was her son's godfather.”
“Well, if listening to the house staff is anything to go by, Cecelia is most offended by Gordon’s gesture, and has had quite the fallout with Lady Margaret over it.” He mimics Cecelia’s posh voice and laughs playfully.
“Oh, really? I think I’m going to enjoy this party.” I glance at him from the corner of my eye.
The Kilbys have really gone all out, and although the weather is still a little too cold for us to appreciate their gardens, the lights illuminate the lawn where a spectacular of circus-style acts is being performed.
“No sign of the dragon I see.” I hear a whisper come from behind me, and when I quickly spin around, I’m delighted by who I see.
“Bea!” I screech a little too loudly as I wrap my arms around her. “I’m so glad you came. Where are Alex and Olivia?” I search around the room looking for them.
“They got stuck in the hall talking to Lady Winfield. I moved on before she noticed I was with them.” She winks,
“Sounds like a lucky escape,” Jack tells her, wrapping his arm around my waist when he returns with a flute of orange juice for me.
“Antibiotics,” I explain, holding it up to her and smiling.
“So how does it feel to have a party thrown in your honour?” she asks Jack, at least pretending to be excited.
“It’s very kind of the Kilbys to offer me such a welcome.” He makes sure his voice carries loud enough for everyone around us to hear.
