A slow, wicked smile curved his lips. “Oh? And what is it your delicate conditiondoesneed, Mrs. Winter?”
She grinned back at him. “Nothing butyou, Mr. Winter.”
Adele tugged her husband’s mouth back to hers.
Epilogue
The excited shrieks emerging from the drawing room lured Adele like a Siren’s song. She had been indulging in an afternoon nap, but as was oft the case, her quiet had been interrupted by the happy din of Dom and their children. She paused on the threshold, cradling her belly, watching the melee unfolding within.
Georgianna and Colin were wielding wooden swords. Tessa was seated upon a cushion on the floor, small carved horses laid before her as if they pulled her in a carriage.
“We shall protect you from the beast!” shouted Colin, raising his sword and narrowly missing knocking a vase from a nearby rosewood table.
Dom suddenly popped up from behind the circular ottoman. “Did I hear someone say beast?”
He punctuated his question with a mighty roar that had their children squealing wildly.
Adele could not suppress her smile or the uncontrollable flood of love rushing through her. There was her heart, on display. She took a moment to drink in the sight of them—the three little dark-haired children, their grins so like her husband’s, the unabashed love and delight on Dom’s handsome countenance. He had a counterpane wrapped around his broad shoulders as if it were a cloak.
As she watched, he spread his arms wide and roared again, moving for the children who made more elated sounds of mock horror. In one swoop, he covered them all with the blanket, fashioning a tent around them.
“Now I have you all where I want you,” he announced, his voice muffled by the fabric. “Princess, I shall begin by tickling you! And fearless guards, I will divest you of your swords and tickle you as well.”
“Never!” shouted Colin.
“We shall not be tickled!” declared Georgianna.
Tessa erupted into a fit of giggles that suggested her papa was indeed tickling her.
Adele blinked away the tears of happiness clouding her vision. Ever since she had found herself in a delicate condition with their fourth child, she could not seem to stop turning into a watering pot over the smallest moments. But she could not help it. Her heart was so full, her life spilling over with happiness.
The fearsome Dominic Winter was a wonderful father. She had always known he would be, of course. Some may have doubted. Her own family certainly had. But Dom had proven himself again and again. He was honorable, steadfast, and loving, loyal and protective. She never could have known on the day she had first sought him out that she would end up finding the other half of herself, the part that had been missing.
More giggling rang beneath the counterpane, Dom’s laugh mingling with their children’s, until at last he threw back the blanket. Their children were rosy-cheeked and grinning. Her husband’s warm gaze met hers.
“Mama! You are finished with your nap already?” he asked, grinning.
“How is one to sleep with all this noise?” she asked, smiling back at him. “I heard there was a beast in the drawing room that was tickling the princess and her fearless guards, and I had to investigate for myself.”
“Papa is so silly!” Tessa announced, before dissolving into laughter once more.
“He is a tickle beast,” Colin added sagely.
“But he is no match for our swords,” Georgianna added, brandishing her sword. “Look, Mama. Papa has been giving me lessons.”
Her daughter drew anXin the air.
Adele was reminded of a time, long ago, when he had given her similar lessons. There was no fear of reprisals from enemies now, however. Their lives had settled into a comfortable routine, and she was glad for it. The rivalry between the Winters and the Suttons had been settled.
“Quite formidable, Georgianna,” she praised her daughter.
“He has been teaching me also.” Colin proceeded to show off his sword skills as well.
This time, he gave the vase a sound thwack, and it hurtled to the floor.
“Oh dear! Sorry, Mama.” Her son’s small face crumpled, tears instantly swimming in his eyes.
He had such a sensitive heart, much like his papa.
