Page 72 of The Widow Wore Plaid

“As I have missed you.” She clutched his back, still mindful of his shoulder. The ugly scar was still red but fading. A reminder always never to take their life together for granted.

He kissed the cleft between her breasts, then smiled against her skin. “This will be the first time we’ve made love as a married couple.” He paused. “A legally married couple.” He raised his head and gazed deeply into her eyes. “Do you think it will be better than before?”

“I think every time with you is better than the time before.” She stroked his hair, loving the feel of him heavy on top of her. “But I’m more than willing to find out.”

“Your every wish, my lady, will be my greatest pleasure to fulfill.” He kissed her again, long and thoroughly until her toes curled. “My very greatest pleasure.”

Epilogue

“There you go, my lady.” Mr. Robbins handed the squalling bundle of swaddled baby into Jane’s arms then turned back to help the midwife finish cleaning up the soiled sheets.

The exhausting, if exhilarating, delivery told Jane she should not wait ten years if she planned to do this again. Which she did. Despite the pain and strain, peering down into the perfect little face of her new baby filled her with an awe she’d not remembered with her other children. Perhaps because she knew beyond a certainty that she would raise this child together with Gareth. The knowledge somehow made the baby seem more hers.

“You’d best let Lord Kinellan in, Mr. Robbins. I’m sure he is beside himself to see this little one.” Jane cooed to the baby, who flapped its gums, looking like a baby bird.

The door opened and with a rush of cool air, Gareth was at her side. “Are you all right, my love?” He looked at her, but his gaze strayed to the bundle in her arms.

“I’m fine. Tired to death, but fine. But see, here Gareth.” She placed the squirming bundle in his arms. “This is your son.”

A rapt look came over his face as he stared down into the tiny face. “Oh, Jane. He’s beautiful. Thank you, thank you so much for my son.”

The baby sent up a healthy cry, the normal wail of a newborn seeking food.

A look of alarm came over Gareth’s face. “What did I do? Did I hurt him?”

“You did nothing wrong, my dear. He’s just hungry. Give him back to me.” Jane rescued her son and swiftly put him to her breast. The cry cut off as the child latched on and began to suck.

“How did you know?” The perplexed look on Gareth’s face was truly comical.

“Remember, love. I’ve had four children before this one.” She looked around. “Where are Marianne and William? Will you bring them in?”

“Of course, my love.” He popped out of the door.

The baby had fallen asleep and she detached him from her nipple and pulled her gown back into place. Hopefully, he’d sleep for a while now.

Shortly the sound of scurrying feet filled the corridor outside her chamber door, which opened to admit Gareth, who had been with her youngest children. “There is your mother with your new baby brother. Go say hello to him.”

“Hello, Mamma.” William, at nine, had a serious disposition. He peered into the blanket. “He’s very small, isn’t he?”

“He’s the same size as you were when you were born, my dear. And look how big and strong you’ve grown up to be, Will.” She cupped William’s cheek, his face so like Tark’s. He’d be a handsome man one day, like his father. But hopefully not too like.

“I want to see him.” Marianne stood on tiptoe, trying to get a glimpse of her new brother.

“Here, love, here he is.” Jane moved him closer to her daughter, who sought to please her in everything.

“Oh, he’s so pretty.” Marianne stroked his cheek softly. “Can I hold him?”

“Not yet, my love. He’s too small for any hands other than mine or Pappa’s.” When her children had arrived from Cranston Park, she and Gareth had talked with them and they all decided that they should call her Mamma and him Pappa rather than Father. The name had enthralled Gareth, who took time to be with the children every day, getting to know them, and actually coming to love them, as Jane was.

“What’s his name, Mamma?” Practical William would get to the bottom of things.

“Matthew Gareth Hamish Munro Seton.” The name rolled grandly off Gareth’s tongue. He’d been practicing it for months now. “He has a title as well. Lord Balmore.”

“He’s really small to have so many names, isn’t he?” Marianne cocked her head. “Do I have a title, Mamma?”

“Not yet, my love, although you may one day.” Jane yawned, her strength beginning to flag. “Darlings, go with Nurse now, please. Mamma is tired after all the excitement. You can come visit me and the baby tomorrow.” Jane bent to kiss the two curly blond heads and the children marched out to the waiting nurse.

“Can you put him into the cradle, please?” Jane handed her son up to Gareth, who seemed a bit easier about holding him now. “I think I could sleep for a week.”