Page 108 of The Miracle of Love
She laughed, the soft trill of her voice carrying on the light sea breeze. “I missed you every moment of every day. Thankfully, I have the children to keep me busy, but our bed is awfully big and it is lonely at night.”
“I’ll do my best to remedy that,” he said and kissed her again with all the ache and insatiable longing built over a three month absence. “I’ll be home for a while this time, perhaps the entire summer.”
“Truly? I hope so.” She cleared her throat. “I’ve invited your mother and Sam to join us for the month of July. Miranda, too. Well, any of your family who wishes to join us is more than welcome. I may have need of your mother to return in about four months.” She patted her stomach. “I should think the reason is obvious by now.”
If hearts could glow, then his was surely glowing brighter than the light of a thousand suns. “I noticed. You look beautiful. Only four months before our little delivery?”
She nodded.
“I’ll be here. I am not leaving your side.”
She appeared relieved. “Good, because if your mother cannot come, then I will need you more than ever. I don’t think my mother will join me.”
He caressed her cheek and frowned. “She is foolish to be angry with you. Your father and Richard brought their problems on themselves. They could have worked out a lesser punishment had they cooperated with Wooton. But they did not and lost any advantage in negotiating their way out of their self-imposed troubles.”
He saw the wobble of her chin and took her back in his arms before she started crying. “You did not betray them, Grace. You did the right thing in helping me find that crown. We are all better off for your honesty and good sense.”
“But it still hurts. My mother will not forgive me and this is what cuts my heart to ribbons. I did not expect her to side with my father and Richard against me.”
“None of them should ever be against you. Being supportive of your father is understandable. She loves him and will stand beside him as a loyal wife should. But to dismiss you and blame you? That is unacceptable. Your father ought to be showering you with gratitude, for he retained his title through your efforts alone.”
“He assumes it is because of his privilege of peerage.”
“More the fool, he. Everyone else understands it was you who fought for him. He will soon be released from house confinement because of all you are doing for him.”
“My parents do not see it that way.”
“Which is a flaw in them and why your father got into trouble in the first place. It is always easier to blame others for the ills brought on by their own failings. Did your parents think they were going to waltz back into society, be invited to balls and theater outings after the enormity of the scandal? It will take years for them to be accepted again, but it will happen in time because of your sacrifice on their behalf.”
“They only see I could not help Richard.”
Deklan shook his head in frustration. “He dug himself too deep a hole. There is little anyone can do to help him. But I will call in a few favors. I hate to waste them on your brother, but I can see it is eating at you and that cannot be good for you or the babe.”
“I try very hard not to let it affect me.” She sighed. “But it does, too often. Even something as insignificant as that Christmas goose. It meant so much to me for my mother and siblings to have it. I am so grateful to you, Donal, and Lorcan for getting it to them in time. She will not even acknowledge the gesture.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “Never mind, love. You did the right thing and your siblings appreciated it. Your heart is generous and sweet. I am going to hold on to you with all my might and love you to eternity.”
She shook her head and laughed. “I love you, too. You are my wonderful leopard.”
He groaned. “Do leopards take one mate for life? They must, because there is no one for me but you. Even now, I cannot take my eyes off you. You’re so beautiful.”
She laughed again. “The Book of Loveat work.”
“What do you mean?”
“My body has changed because I am with child. Have you not noticed?”
“Yes, your smile is brighter and there’s a sparkle in your eyes. All right, your breasts, too. They’ve grown to the size of melons and–”
“Deklan!”
He put his arms around her and drew her up against his chest. “Do not be angry with me for loving you. I am going to lick you all over when I get you alone tonight.”
He heard giggles behind them.
Grace burst out laughing.
“Blessed saints, they heard me. Didn’t they?”
