Page 44 of The Baron's Return
“Dr. Harris told me that it is his belief that you’re with child. Fainting and headaches can be a symptom in the early days.”
Her hand went to her abdomen. “I didn’t know about the headaches. As for the other… I didn’t want to say anything until I was certain. I hadn’t yet missed my courses.”
“But you knew about the fainting.”
She nodded. “It happened when I was carrying Gemma. But this was the first time I’ve fainted since then.” She bit her lip, afraid to ask the next question.
He took hold of the hand that was covering her belly and held it in his. “You look concerned.”
“My fall… It’s possible that I could have…” Her voice hitched, and she had to start again. “I might have lost the baby.”
He brought her hand to his mouth and dropped a kiss in her palm. “Your maid has been checking, and there’s been no sign of any blood.”
She couldn’t hold back her smile. “That means… I’m carrying our child.”
His mouth widened in a pleased smile. “So it would seem. But it appears I’ll have to assign someone to accompany you up and down the stairs.”
She shook her head at his teasing tone. “Normally I’d be annoyed at your overbearing tone, but I, too, don’t want to take any risks with the life of our child.”
He cupped her cheek with his other hand. “Or with your life, Abigail.”
Her breath caught. “Well no, of course not. I promise to be careful until the baby is born.”
He shook his head. “You misunderstand me. When I saw you slumped at the bottom of the stairs…” His expression turned grim. “I can’t lose you again, Abigail.”
She couldn’t be hearing him correctly. She stared into his eyes and saw the same haunted look she’d seen when she’d woken him from his nightmare.
“What are you saying, Gideon?”
He ran his thumb along her lower lip. “I’m saying that apparently I’m still a fool because I’ve never stopped loving you.”
Her heart was pounding. “Don’t tease about that. I don’t need you to pretend—”
Her words were cut off by a searing kiss that left her breathless. Finally, when he’d rendered her speechless, he pulled back and stared down at her. “I would never lie about such a thing. I love you, Abigail.”
She let out a soft sob and flung her arms around his shoulders. His arms went around her as he held her tightly against his chest.
“I’ve never stopped loving you. But I couldn’t allow myself to believe…” She drew back, a sense of giddy wonder overtaking her. The last time she’d felt this way was when Cranston had professed his love for her all those years ago and asked her to marry him.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again. “I think we have some time to make up for.”
“No more keeping me at arm’s length?”
One corner of his mouth kicked up in a wicked grin. “Absolutely not. From now on, you’ll be remaining firmly in my arms.”
“That’s the only place I want to be.”
Epilogue
February 1818
Abigail made her way to her husband’s study half an hour before Gemma would be joining them for dinner. As she slid into the room, she took a moment to watch her husband. She still couldn’t believe that the man who was currently scribbling away, his brow furrowed in concentration, was now an important part of her life.
She cleared her throat, and Cranston let out a distracted “Just one moment” as he continued to make notes. Finally he put down his quill and glanced up.
“Abigail. I thought you were one of the staff.” He jumped to his feet and led her to one of the two armchairs set in a corner of the study. “You shouldn’t be on your feet.”
She laughed. “I was on my feet for two minutes.”
