Page 73 of A Game with the Rakish Duke
The Dowager Duchess chuckled, leaning on her walking stick and fixing them with a benevolent look. “I am in a good mood today, my boy,” she said. “The sun is shining. The party is starting. Mimi has safely delivered her pups, and they are not the monstrosities I imagined. In fact, they arequiteadorable. In short, life is good. Go and enjoy the festivities, my dears.” She waved a bejeweled hand in the air.
They laughed again before moving away, heading into the crowd. Catherine leaned into Thomas just to feel the long, hard line of his body.
“She will never stop about the great-grandchildren, will she?” she whispered.
“Never.” Thomas smiled. “I think she believes it is her life’s last work to see a great-grandchild be born.” He stopped, looking down at her, a quizzical expression on his face. “You know… I am coming round to the idea myself.”
Catherine’s heart skipped a beat. “You are?”
He nodded, looking pensive. “Yes, I am. It is the most surprising thing in the world. I never thought I would see the day… but then again, I never thought I would meet the woman who I would want to have children with either.”
Catherine exhaled slowly. “You know, the thought of it is growing more appealing to me as well,” she admitted, her cheeks reddening. “I never thought I would see the day either.”
“If I could have children withyou, then I might be happy,” he whispered, stroking her cheek gently.
“I feel exactly the same way,” she whispered back, her heart skipping another beat. “It is amazing, is it not?”
He laughed softly. “Everything is amazing with you, Catherine. Life isquitean adventure.”
They gazed at each other shyly before looking away. Catherine felt a glow spread through her body. He had just told her that he wanted to have children with her. That of all the women in the world, he wanted to have them withher.
And she had told the truth when she had said that she wanted to have children with him as well. Astonishingly, the thought no longer frightened her.
Her heart gave an almighty throb. She turned back to him, staring at him hard.
She loved him. She had fallen in love with him. Head over heels, giddy, over the moon in love.
The realization had been growing on her over the past week, but she had tried to push it aside. Now, however, the knowledge burst upon her like a revelation.
She didn’t want to live without him. She wanted to have children with him. She wanted to grow old with him.
She wanted the whole package. She wantedeverything.
Stunned, she let go of his hand and turned towards the marquee.
“I see Oliver, Beatrice, and Patrick,” she said, her voice sounding strained. “I might go and talk with them. I have not seen any of them since the ball.”
Thomas grinned. “Go and socialize.” He looked around, his eyes lighting up. “There is Kenneth with Philip, of all people. I might go and say hello to my old friends as well.”
He turned towards her, kissing her softly on the forehead. “Until we meet again.”
Catherine could barely breathe. “Yes, indeed.”
They parted ways, Catherine heading towards her brother and friends and Thomas towards his friends. Her heart waspounding as she walked towards the marquee. Her revelation was making her mind spin and her body shake.
She loved Thomas. She really did. But did he feel the same way about her? He acted like he loved her. He made love to her with a passion that she felt was unique—a fiery connection that belonged to them alone. But he had never uttered the words to her. Not once.
She took a deep breath. She had never uttered the words to him either, she reminded herself. And they had just surrendered to their passion a short time ago. They were still finding their way towards one another through the maze of their past insecurities.
It was still early days. They were taking baby steps. But still… how would she ever survive if he never felt the same way about her? How could she endure loving him, and making love with him, for the rest of her life if he could never make that final, ultimate surrender?
“Newden!” Kenneth clapped Thomas on the back, grinning at him. “I was wondering when you would arrive.” He turned to Philip. “Look who I found! The wayward wanderer has returned home at last.”
“Not for long,” Philip said quickly. “I am not here to stay. Just to catch up with family and friends before I set sail again.”
“You are such a gypsy, Oakdale.” Thomas smiled at him. “Do you think you will ever settle in England again?”
Philip scratched his chin as he pondered the question. “I cannot fathom the possibility at the moment, but never say never.” He shrugged. “I say, do you boys fancy a brandy to celebrate our reunion? Champagne makes me thirsty in this heat. Shall I go and find a bottle somewhere?”
