Page 139 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
When he broke, a cry of triumph and gratitude escaped his throat as he spilled, and sighed out a ‘Thank you’ into the air.
‘You may return the favour…’ she whispered in a husky voice. ‘With your mouth. I do not think it would harm the child.’
The devilish grin that answered her was unlike Rob. ‘Your wish is my command, Mrs Marlow.’
78
A sense of contentment had settled over Rob like a cloak he always wore. He enjoyed being involved with farming, and he always came to look when there were new arrivals in the animal stock. He walked through towards the pigsty with his steward, he could hear the piglets squealing before he saw them. A dozen of them. On the home farm, he had a dairy herd and sheep as well as the pigs, and arable land.
He felt as though he learned something new every day, about breeding or growing the arable crops, and he was enjoying the spring. Young lambs leapt about their mothers, and the seedlings peeped through the mud in the fields.
No, it was more than contentment he felt, it was intense happiness.
He rode out on a daily basis and worked on the farms alongside the people he employed, then went home to Caro, to find her at some quiet activity, reading or sewing, and they would share an evening together, entertaining themselves with conversation, music or games.
Then there were his nights as a married man…
Caro had not bled again. Yet the doctor here had recommended Caro continue resting. So, she rested, while Rob learned about farming, and to be imaginative in their bed.
He smiled to himself as he watched the litter of piglets.
Swift hoof beats raced on to the stone of the farmyard. Rob spun about to see Mr Brown astride one of Rob’s horses, pulling at the reins to slow the animal.
‘Mr Marlow. Sir.’
‘What is it?’
‘Mrs Marlow is birthing, and she is not doing well with it, sir.’
Damn. ‘Jump down. I will take your horse.’
The groom swung his leg over and dropped to the ground. Rob grasped the reins, set his foot in the stirrup and hauled himself up.
‘Thank you,’ Rob said to his steward, who bowed his head as Rob rode away, scattering the free-roaming chickens as he cantered from the yard. He had come via road, but if he rode back through the fields and jumped the stone walls, he would be faster.
Once he was beyond the yard, he kicked his heels and set the animal into a gallop. At a gallop he was probably only a quarter of an hour from home.
He glanced up to the heavens. ‘Hear me, please. Bring her safely through our daughter’s journey into the world.’
He set his mind on an approaching wall, kicked his heels and lifted the animal’s head. It jumped, and landed heavily, but Rob urged it on.
The horse’s nostrils flared and its breathing was heavy when Rob reached the manor and jumped down.
He rushed inside as Mr Birch held open the door.
‘Caro!’ He raced upstairs, taking the steps two at a time, forcing his healed leg to do his bidding.
‘Rob!’ Her voice stretched along the hall.
‘I am here,’ he said as he walked into the room. She was paler than the sheets she lay on, yet there was blood all about her below her waist. There surely should not be so much blood. Her dress lay on the floor beside the bed, covered in blood too.
‘Where is the doctor?’ He looked at Beth for the answer. She looked frightened.
‘Polly has run to fetch him.’
‘When Mr Brown returns, have him take a message to my aunt, to Lady Barrington, and ask her to come.’
Beth nodded and left the room.
