“It’s the breeding, I expect.” Her grandfather harrumphed. “Take care or my next great-grandchild could come out a watering pot. And we Blacks ’ave no use for that, do we?”
Before she could reply, he wrapped one arm around her and another around her mama.
“’Appy new year, my girls,” he murmured.
An instant later, he released them to pick up Bart, who’d been bouncing up and down trying to get his attention.
“’Ow’s my favorite lad?” he boomed.
“Scare people!” Bart mimicked his great-grandfather’s ferocious look. “Use swordandfire!”
“A true Black through and through,” Grandpapa said with satisfaction.
“Harry,” Emma said suddenly, “what do you have in your pocket?”
Tessa noticed the large bulge in her husband’s coat. Was it…moving?
“It is the real reason I was delayed.” Smiling, Harry came up to her. “But I wanted to give Tessa her present in time for the new year.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a tiny wicker basket: curled up inside was a baby ferret. He lifted the animal out, placing it gently into Tessa’s cupped hands. Her eyes stung as she saw the resemblance to Swift Nick from the champagne-colored fur to the eyes blinking at her from within a dark, furry mask.
“Oh, Harry,” she whispered. “He’sperfect.”
“It’s a she, actually. Of the litter, she most resembled Swift Nick. The breeder said she is one of Swift Nick’s nieces.”
Tessa rubbed a finger between the ferret’s ears, and it made a happytuk-tuksound. Her joy overflowed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Harry, why don’t you take care of your wife?” Emma said briskly. “We’ll take the ferret for now. Everyone else, back to the drawing room for toasts. You are welcome to join us, Mr. Smith.”
The last was directed at the tall, dark, and confused-looking man who’d walked through the front door. It was the blacksmith, who was probably wondering why no one was paying his arrival any mind.
When the crowd departed, Tessa was left alone with Harry, who took out a handkerchief and dabbed at her cheeks.
“What is the matter, love?” Concern shone in his eyes. “Is it the babe? Are you feeling unwell—”
“No…no. I feel perfectly well now that you are here.” She smiled at him through her tears. “Thank you for bringing Grandpapa and Mama. And I love my present, though not as much as I love you.”
His eyes flared. “God, I’ve missed you.”
He kissed her, this time with a hungry urgency that made her heart soar. She clung to him, kissing him back with all the love and desire she felt. After a few moments, she broke away.
Aiming her gaze at the thick, prominent ridge that she’d felt and now could see, she whispered happily, “You really did miss me.”
“Minx.” He gave her a rueful look. “Can you blame me? You haven’t been feeling well these past few weeks, and I’ve been trying to be a considerate husband.”
Her friends had been right. Of course.
“Is that why you’ve been out late so much?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“That and I had to make arrangements with the breeder. He lives outside of London now, and the only time I had to meet with him was at night. It wasn’t easy keeping those visits a secret, but I wanted the gift to be a surprise.”
Feeling foolish and light-hearted, Tessa said, “You are the best of husbands.”
“I am glad you think so.” Harry cocked his head. “How are you feeling now?”
“Wonderful.” It was the truth.
“No more nausea? Dizziness?”
