Page 103 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Burk laughed from behind them and Rose loved that he pulled Cabe in for a hug.
“Welcome home Cabe. We are all relieved you are back.”
Rose went back to Cabe’s side, and he kissed her forehead softly. “I think we need to have a family discussion. Is Cole here? And Eden?”
Lily nodded and she led everyone into Cole’s biggest sitting room, where she introduced herself to Cabe’s family.
She immediately asked to hold Oliver and Emily handed the boy over with no hesitation.
Rose could see that Lily had finally started to show with her pregnancy as well and was shocked her sister had not felt her own.
As soon as Cole and Eden walked in the door, a knock sounded outside, and the butler led Brooks inside the room.
Brooks walked to Cabe’s side and hugged him tightly.
“Thank the good lord you are home.” He said and he turned to find Rose, and when he saw her, his face broke into a grin.
“I knew Cabe would find you. I am glad you are home and that you are unharmed.”
He kissed her cheek softly and she loved how kind Brooks was.
He went to stand by Burk and Cabe gestured around the room.
“Rose and I want to thank you all for so many things. For looking for her and for being her support while I was away.”
Rose smiled at him and his eyes softened on her. He mouthed, “I love you.” and went back to speaking.
“As you might know, I went after the man who took over my ship, tortured me, and my crew and eventually took my leg from me.”
The room was silent, and he continued, “I found the man and brought him a battle he wasn’t expecting to fight. He never expected my retaliation in such a way. And in that battle, I killed him. His ship was sunk and that was the end of it. Or so I thought. I took my time getting back because my ship needed repairs.”
Rose heard a gasp and saw Lily and Eden covering their mouths in shock. “I also needed to convince my family to come back to England.”
He gestured to his family and Rose smiled when Oliver cooed and laughed.
“Because I needed them to meet my wife. To witness our life together and I am tired of living my life alone. And I have seen your family. How you love, how you work together, and it made me long for mine to be back at my side again. So, thankfully they came.” Cabe gave his brother a smile and Case returned it.
“But when my ship returned, instead of coming home to my woman waiting on my return with open arms, my worst nightmare came to life. My woman and the love of my life was missing. And when I found her, she was with the Renegade’s first mate. I thought I had hunted down and killed every last man on his crew, but he was one step ahead of me, even in death. He left someone here to make certain I would not have the life I deserved. He took Rose and was going to kill her if I did not trade my life for hers. Which I would gladly do repeatedly. And that man was true to his word. I was shot, but by some miracle I was spared. I do not know what I have done to deserve it, but I will take it. And once again, I thank whatever god is up above for sparing my life.”
Rose bit her lip remembering him lying dead at her feet and she had to push that thought aside.
“My best mate Nathaniel was able to kill the man before he could hurt Rose, and Rose was in such a state of shock that she left. It was too much for her. And I don’t fault her for it. But neither could I let her stay here when I was home, and I was alive. It was not going to happen. So, I apologize for taking her. But I had my reasons.”
Rose smiled and he smiled back at her, “And then, after all of the hell of the last few months of not being at her side, and wishing I hadn’t left her at all, my woman gave me some of the best news of my life. Not only did she agree to marry me, but she let me know that she is with child.”
Everyone in the room, aside from Cole turned to look at Rose and there were several feminine gasps.
Lily stood and handed Oliver back to Emily. She pulled Rose from the settee and when she saw Rose’s stomach and the rounding there, she started crying.
“Rose? You are with child? You never told me.”
Rose tried valiantly to not cry. “I am sorry Lily; you and Burk were gone, and I didn’t know how to tell you. I did not wish to tell you in a letter. And I liked having my small secret. It was important to me. I promise I was going to tell you, but after everything this is apparently the way you find out. I apologize. But yes, Cabe and I will be having a child.”
Lily hugged her tightly and laughed, “I am so happy for you. Truly.”
Rose smiled and everyone came up and gave them their congratulations.
Cabe’s mother came up to her and held out her hands to Rose, which Rose took.
