Page 37 of Sweet Siren
Chapter 9
“Oh, Killian,"Liv whispered as she glided toward him minutes later with a bundle of blankets and baby in her arms. "Come greet yourgrandson."
Words abandoned him. This dark-haired writhing little cherub stared blankly up at him and waved his tiny little arms. Killian put out a finger to touch his eiderdown skin.My God, thankyou.
"Lily did sowell."
"No problems?" he asked recalling how Aileen had bled profusely after Ada's birth. They'd had a scare they might lose her, but once the doctor had delivered the placenta, she was well. That had not been so years later when Aileen and her next baby died inchildbirth.
"None. She's laughing. Julian is besidehimself."
"I'm sure. Iremember."
"So do I. Such a joyous event, a new child in thefamily."
The baby fussed and she bounced up and down with him. "You can go in. She wants all of you to come in and tell her what a splendid job shedid."
"Just like my girl to seek praise!" He chuckled, though his throat was clogged with emotion. "I'll give the new parents time alone together. They'll have less of it from nowon."
She laughed. "They will indeed. Lily says I'm to return just as soon as I introduce all of you to Garrett Quentin WilliamAsh."
"How do you do, Garrett," Killian said withpride.
"I'll go find Pierce, if he's still awake." She made toleave.
"No, you won't. You'll sit in this chair. I'll get him. Ada too." He steered Liv to the wing chair he'd occupied all through thenight.
She sank to it like a stone. "Thankyou."
"And you need thatbreakfast."
"Not yet." She shook her head and smiled down at Garrett. "Lily wants to put him to the breast. We talked about it while she was in labor. She hates the idea that another woman would hold her child and share such intimacy with him. I don't blame her. The custom of a wet nurse is...well...cold."
"Whatever she wants, she should have. This is herchild."
"I've done it and know its challenges. I promised I'd helpher."
His heart swelled with gratitude to this woman whom he barely knew, save for his instincts that declared he must know her intricately. "That's so good of you. If her mother were alive, she'd be here to advise her. A servant wouldn't do. Thank you,Liv."
"You're welcome. I'm happy to do this for her. And you. Aside from all else, we are friends." She tipped her head and grinned. "I've called youKillian."
You've called me more thanthat.
Her gaze lingered in his and he wondered if she searched her memory for herendearment.
Garrett let out a long loudcry.
"Oh, my," she said, laughing. "Get Pierce, will you, please? Ada, too, if you think she'll come quickly. This child is hungry and needs hismother."
* * *
The clockin the hall downstairs in the foyer chimed noon before Liv emerged from Lily's bedchamber with Ashford's elderly doctor by her side. Killian, Pierce and Ada rose from their chairs to hear hisprognosis.
"I'm happy to tell you, Misters Hanniford and Miss Hanniford, what I told His Grace. Her Grace is in excellent health. She is tired, as you might imagine, but she shows all signs of a quick and uncomplicated recovery. No need to worry on any count. The child is hale and hearty, feeds instinctively and can insist quite loudly when he wishes. You'll have a handful with that littlefellow."
Killian thanked theman.
Ada sighed. "Wonderful."
