Garrett let out a guttural moan and held himself rigid. As awareness returned, she felt a heat deep inside. Awestruck, she absorbed the sensation. That must be his seed.
“My God, Natalie.” His entire body relaxed now. He felt heavy upon her, but she welcomed his weight. They were still joined. His face was buried in her neck, her legs loosely wrapped around his thighs and waist. She felt his hot breath against her skin.
He pressed a soft open-mouthed kiss onto her shoulder. “How have I come to be so lucky? You are amazing—so brave, so beautiful—my angel.” She felt boneless as he trailed more kisses around her ear. “I love you,” he said softly. And then he lay still as well.
“Thank God I didn’t marry Cortland,” she said in wonder and felt Garrett chuckle. His face lay on the pillow beside her. She turned and studied him.
He was delightfully mussed. A droplet of sweat trickled down his brow. She could not resist and leaned forward to taste it with a flick of her tongue.
“You are quite pleased with yourself, then? For changingyour mind?” His eyes danced with merriment as he watched her response.
Natalie narrowed her eyes as though in deep consideration. Finally, she stifled a yawn and answered, “Well, it is…a lady’s prerogative…”
Garrett leaned over and kissed her. She could feel the smile stretch across his lips as he murmured into her mouth, “Minx.”
***
EPILOGUE
Lady Hawthorne – Natalie Castleton – reclined against the tree and smiled lazily as she watched the two small boys running alongside the tall handsome gentleman she’d married. Sensing her scrutiny, Garrett glanced up and caught her eye.
His black gaze ran over her body suggestively and Natalie giggled. Even after all these years, he never failed to send a thrill through her with his roguish impertinence.
But she was far into her third confinement, perhaps only hours away from giving birth to Little Garrett number three.
Number one skipped ahead willfully and number two had taken hold of Garrett’s much larger hand. Both were mischievously similar to their father. Natalie attempted to relax as her stomach tightened painfully. She needed to return indoors. She’s already sent for the midwife. Likely they would be awaiting her at the house.
“Mama! Papa climbed a tree!” Her four-year-old son, Brody, named for her father, dashed to where she sat, bouncing full of excitement. As he smiled and waggled his eyebrows, his dimpleappeared. “And then he helped me up, too. But not Benjamin. Benjamin was too scared.”
“Because you’re such a big boy, Brody.” Natalie held out her arms. She would not be able to hold her boys for the next several hours. Perhaps for a few days. And although she’d had no difficulty delivering her first two sons, one could never be certain…
Brody wrapped his arms around her neck for a quick hug before scampering off to roll in the grass.
This child.
Always moving.
“Come here, Benjamin.” Natalie held out her arms for her son, who had just turned two.
Baby Ben dropped his father’s hands with a shy smile. Still a little wobbly with his chubby limbs and tiny feet, her cherub wobbled into her arms and snuggled his head into her neck.
Natalie met her husband’s gaze. “I’ve called for the midwife.”
Garrett’s expression transformed from casual amusement to concerned alarm at her words. “What are you doing out here? For God’s sake, love, I would have brought the boys up to you.” He dropped to his knees and began touching her shoulders. Her arms and thighs.
After she’d successfully delivered Broderick, he’d admitted his fears to her.
His own mother had died in childbirth. He’d been shaking when Tinny handed him the little bundle.
And now, she would face childbirth for a third time. Natalie met his gaze and reached up to run her fingers along his jaw. “Everything will be fine.” She hated that he worried.
A flash of white appeared on the lawn with Baby Bear trailing along behind. “Master Brody! Master Benjamin! Let’s get you boys cleaned up for your dinner.” Tinny had stepped in to take over the care of Natalie’s little scamps withemphatic enthusiasm. Natalie had found she had little say in the matter.
She’d been delighted.
“Miss Mara’s awaiting you in your chamber, My Lady.” She addressed Natalie with more than a trace of admonishment.
“I was just telling her she needn’t have come out to meet us.” Garrett seemed in full agreement, but his hand rested on the back of Natalie’s neck, massaging her gently.
