Page 112 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
“A surprise, eh?” Jon sat in a wing chair and stretched out his long legs. “And it’s not even Christmas yet.”
“Not quite. But you’ll enjoy this.” She nibbled her lip. “I presume you recall our not-quite-friendly wager.”
“I do,” he said. “Obviously, you won the bet quite handily.”
“I did,” she said. “But I wanted to clear up one point.”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “And what might that be, my love?”
“You doubted my ability to bake a pie.”
“I did.” He shrugged. “I suppose I still do.”
“Is that so, my darling husband?” She sent him a cheeky grin, then went into the kitchen and brought back a covered silver plate. “Perhaps you might want to think again.”
Uncovering the plate, she showed off a perfectly baked apple pie.
Jon leaned back and folded his hands behind his head. “Am I to believe that you—a woman who had never peeled an apple, let alone baked one—made something that looks and smells as delicious as that?”
She nibbled her lip. “I didn’t know how when I made that wager.”
“But she learns fast,” Mrs. Gilroy said. “Ye were an eager student.”
“And you, Mrs. Gilroy, are an excellent teacher.”
Jon came to her, cupped his hand to her chin, and looked into her eyes. “Ah, my Arabelle. As always, you amaze me.”
And then, as always, he kissed her.
*
Following a bustlingday filled with winter festivities, conversation, and delicious food, Belle joined her husband intheir bedchamber. Relaxing on the settee near the warmth of the hearth, she sipped chamomile tea while Jon enjoyed fine Scotch. Carrie had been happily tucked into bed, eager to awaken with the dawn to discover what Santa had left in her stocking, while the adults had retired to their respective bedchambers. The day had been one of joy and togetherness and celebration, but as the clock approached midnight, Belle welcomed the quiet, the warmth, and the prospect of a night spent in Jon’s arms.
Gazing at her husband, she battled a sudden whisper of nerves. For days, she’d been harboring an inkling that something she’d always dreamed of was on the horizon, and now, she had good reason to fully trust her instincts.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Jon said, lightly draping an arm around her. “You seemed preoccupied at dinner. Is anything wrong?”
“Wrong?” She shook her head. “Quite the opposite, really.”
“Belle, what is going on?” He kissed her lightly, grazing his lips over the curve of her cheek. “Will I find another surprise under the tree?”
“Well, darling, I do have another surprise,” she murmured, keeping her tone light and teasing. “But you will not find it under the tree.”
He looked rather puzzled. “It’s in here, then?”
“In a manner of speaking,” she said with a cheeky little smile. “When you brought Carrie her puppy, you said there was one thing we needed to make this family complete.” She took another sip of tea, if only to prolong his suspense. “Darling, there isonemore thing that will add to our family.”
He stared at her for a long moment. He downed a drink of Scotch and set the tumbler on the table.
“Are you telling me... what I think you’re telling me?”
She nodded. “I do believe I am.”
“Good God, Belle,” he murmured as he searched her eyes. “A baby.”
She nodded again. “I wanted to wait until I was certain before I told you.”
“When?” The word tumbled out of his mouth.
