Page 9 of The Duke's Surprise Heir

Macie shifted slightly on the kitchen stool and Edward felt a familiar jolt of lust. He was relieved that he was sitting down and holding Kyle. Otherwise, he might have pulled her into his arms.

Just as he’d done so many times over that weekend they’d shared together a year ago.

“That’s probably not a good idea,” she said, amusement shining in her eyes. “Because I don’t think I’m ready for another child quite yet.”

Macie pregnant?

The tantalizing thought hit him like a sledgehammer and he wasn’t sure where it had come from. He’d vowed never to have children. He didn’t need an heir. He’d resigned himself to allowing a distant cousin to take on the title. After enduring the misery of being raised as the future Duke of Finhearst, he’d never wanted to put that hell on his own child.

Edward looked down at Kyle, still working to process the fact that he had a son. So, it was probably too soon, and too tempting, to contemplate a pregnant Macie.

“This is the future Duke of Finhearst,” he announced. Then something else occurred to him. “Actually, Kyle is the Marquis of Devonham right now. He inherited that title at the moment of his birth.”

Macie straightened. “I’m sorry…but what?”

Edward chuckled. “You Americans,” he muttered, looking down at Kyle. “So disdainful of titles.” He looked at her again. “And yet, there’s nothing to be done about it. Our son is the future Duke of Finhearst. He’s also Lord Henderson, Marquis of-”

“Stop!” Macie gasped, holding up her hand. “Don’t!” She rubbed her forehead, obviously overwhelmed. “That’s not fair. He’s just a baby. He’s too small for titles.”

Edward shrugged. “It doesn’t work that way, love,” he told her gently. “Titles are conveyed at birth. This little guy,” he said, lifting Kyle slightly and noting that he was sound asleep now, “is an aristocrat.”

“He’s my son!” she hissed, trying to keep her voice down so she didn’t wake Kyle, who was dozing off against Edward’s chest.

Edward could see that the news was riling her, so he backed off. “He’s still the same baby that he was five minutes ago, Macie. Nothing has changed. He’s still our son.” He nodded towards the sandwich again. “I suspect that you need to eat more if you’re nursing. Why don’t you finish that and we’ll talk about something else, okay?”

Macie glared at him, irritated that he was putting such a heavy burden on a baby that didn’t even know how to eat solid food yet. But he was right. She needed to eat. She hadn’t had food in over twenty-four hours because she’d been afraid to use her credit cards, and only had a limited amount of cash.

So she finished off the sandwich, then took the plate to the sink.

“What do you want to do now, Macie?” he asked.

Sleep popped into her mind. But Macie didn’t have time to sleep. She needed to figure out her next move.

She turned and leaned against the counter by the sink, gripping the edge tightly. “Would you mind if I stayed for a few days? Just until I can figure out where to go next?”

His curious gaze turned firm. “Macie, you will stay here for longer than a few days. I won’t allow you to…” he paused when she glared at him, amusement curling his lips. “Let me rephrase. I don’t want you traipsing around Europe running from a gang of thugs. You may stay here as long as you like.”

Macie heard those words, her heart thudding against her ribs. Why was the possibility of staying here with Edward so enticing and yet, so terrifying?

“But what are your plans with your job?”

She snorted. “I don’t think I have a job any longer. I’m pretty sure my boss fired me after I didn’t show up for work for the past three days.”

“You didn’t call in and tell Henry that you weren’t feeling well?”

“I don’t know who at Linx is involved in the shipments, Edward. I don’t know who I can trust so I didn’t speak to anyone. Not until I know what is going on and who is involved.”

Edward moved closer, protecting Kyle in his arms but lowering his head so that he could look directly into her eyes. “You can trust me,” he told her with absolute finality. “You should trust me, Macie. I am not involved in this mess. And I will help you find out who is.”

Macie swallowed hard, wanting to believe him. “But…Linx has experienced shocking growth over the past twelve months. I joined Linx because of the challenge you offered and the growth potential.” She bit her lip, hesitating. Then decided to keep going. “I joined because you believed in me, Edward. After Astra married Antonio, I didn’t know what I was going to do. Then you offered me a new challenge, something that would use my current skills, but also push me to learn more.” She sighed and the sound was filled with worry. “I knew there was something special about you. Not only did you believe in how I could help, but you gave me the freedom to develop programs that would make your airline more efficient.”

“You are an asset to our company, Macie,” he said sincerely. “We could not have expanded so quickly without your insight. The fact that I’ve doubled your salary, as well as the enormous bonuses I’ve authorized, should indicate how much I appreciate your efforts.”

Macie blinked. “What salary increases?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “And I haven’t received any bonuses. In fact, Henry announced to all of the executive staff that you authorize bonuses only for the lower level employees.” She swallowed, staring into his shocked eyes. “I actually approved of that. Economically, the hourly employees are more significant consumers. If I were to receive a bonus, I’d just shove everything into my investment accounts.”

He nodded, anger shimmering from his eyes. “I agree with you. The hourly employees receive bonuses and immediately go out and buy products. Trickledown economics has been disproved over and over again. Which is why I don’t authorize bonuses to the executives. Normally. But your contribution, the program you developed, was instrumental in our growth. The savings in fuel costs alone meant that you earned a bonus several times over. And I personally authorized a bonus to you just two months ago.”

They both looked down at Kyle who was sleeping soundly, his little mouth forming a moue as he dreamed about…whatever infants dreamed about.

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