One winters night, p.17
One Winter's Night, page 17
“The mere thought of that woman fills me with loathing.”
“Rest assured she is paying the price for her crime. In more ways than one.”
Lord Northcott had written to say that his sister had been committed to Bedlam indefinitely. Miss Harper’s mental state had deteriorated dramatically, and there was no hope of reprieve. The viscount had lost his principal investor as a result, but Hugo had advanced the lord capital on the condition he accepted advice on how to manage his investments.
“I cannot put Mr Sugden off again. That will be the third time I’ve changed my mind.” He narrowed his gaze and gestured to the food on her plate. “And this is the third morning in a row that you’ve struggled to eat your breakfast. You hardly ate much at dinner last night. Are you unwell?”
Now was the perfect opportunity to reveal her news. “Not unwell. But there is something I need to tell you, though not across the breakfast table.”
His smile faded, and his jaw firmed. It drew her mind back to the night she told him she was the worst of deceivers.
Lara pushed out of the seat, dropped her napkin onto the chair and walked around to sit on her husband’s lap. “I have something to confess.” She brushed the lock of black hair from his brow and kissed him on the lips.
He eyed her suspiciously. “You promised you wouldn’t lie to me again.”
“I’ve not lied to you, Hugo. I’ve been slim with the truth, but for good reason. I assure you.”
“Then I trust it is a matter of great importance.”
“It is.” She kissed him again, simply because she was addicted to the earthy taste of his lips. “I am almost certain that I am carrying our child. I didn’t want to tell you until I knew for sure.” She stroked her hand over his face. “Can you forgive me for not mentioning it sooner?”
His blue eyes glistened, and he swallowed numerous times before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into an embrace. “I hoped as much but didn’t want to cause alarm.”
Surprised, Lara pulled back and looked him in the eye. “You knew?”
“We’ve made love almost every night for three months.”
A multitude of pleasurable images flashed into her mind. Her life with Hugo was everything she’d ever dreamed of and more. “And what a glorious three months it has been.”
“You’re not the only one who has a secret,” he said, his velvet voice caressing her, hardening her nipples. “I’ve purchased your father’s Bargello painting from Lord Gray. I know how you’ve longed to own what most consider his greatest work.”
Lara gasped. Tears welled in her eyes. She had made the lord numerous offers these last few years. “But Lord Gray said he couldn’t part with the painting and regards it with great fondness. He said it reminds him of his travels abroad in his youth.”
“I’m the Earl of Denham.” Hugo moistened his lips. “And I can be extremely persuasive.”
Lust left the muscles in her core aching for his touch. Love swelled her heart until she feared the organ might burst from her chest. “Then I must find a way to repay you.”
“I’m the one in your debt. You’ve given me everything I could want and more.” He smoothed his hand over her stomach. “If we’re blessed with a son, he’ll be the next Viscount Aronson.”
“And he’ll be as strong and as clever as his father.” She covered his hand and rubbed in affectionate strokes. “And if we’re blessed with a daughter, she’ll be Lady Sophia de Wold.”
Hugo arched a brow. “You’ve already chosen her name?”
“Indeed.” When not tending to her husband and her duties, she’d thought of little else all week.
“Then I only hope she’s as impulsive and as untamed as her mama. No doubt she will have your lively and independent spirit.”
“And your sense of adventure.”
He stared into her eyes for a few heartbeats. “My sense of adventure demands we retreat to the tower. It is a bright day, in more ways than one.” His gaze slid down the column of her throat and came to rest on the valley of her breasts. “And the view is particularly stunning.”
Heat swirled in her stomach. The nausea dissipated at the prospect of spending a few hours alone with her husband.
He cupped her cheek. “But if you would rather retire to our chamber and rest, then—”
“No. My impulsive nature relishes the prospect of a wild and reckless afternoon.”
A sinful smirk played on his lips, but then his eyes brimmed with affection and the next kiss was slow, achingly passionate. “I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love you.”
“And I love you, Hugo,” she breathed against his mouth, “more than I could ever express in words. When I made plans to help Montague find happiness, I never dreamed I’d find something so wonderful, too.”
“Magical things happen when one opens their door to a stranger on a cold winter’s night.”
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Adele Clee, One Winter's Night
