Page 56 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
“It is hard to know exactly what you want, husband. Sometimes it feels as though you cannot bear the thought of being apart from me and other times, you seem to prefer keeping me at arm's length. Guessing your preferences is far too tasking for me to commit to daily.”
Julian felt as though he had strangely been scolded and he sighed, hating the distance and discord that had somehow bloomed between them in the last few days.
“You call me by my name. I like the sound of my name as it falls from your lips.” Julian allowed himself to admit, just this once.
Anna blushed and sighed.
“Fine. You may help me with Nicholas’ bath.”
Julian stepped further into the room and held a hand out to her when he reached the chair.
“Just tell me what to do. I am at your beck and call, Anna.”
It turned out to be a more hectic activity than Julian had predicted because Nicholas loved to play in the water, so he eagerly splashed around the tub, giggling as Anna tried to lather him up with a gentle-smelling soap.
“I need to rinse his hair. Please hold him still.” Anna told Julian, letting his hands replace hers around Nicholas’ waist.
Julian did his best as Anna slowly poured water over his head, putting a hand over his eyes gently to ensure no soap suds got in the child’s eyes. For a moment, Julian forgot his struggles with the child he had an inkling was trying to drown him and fixated his attention on the gentle way Anna was speaking to Nicholas, praising him for behaving well and cheering for him when he managed to burst a bubble that had been floating towards his face.
And a sense of loss struck him suddenly.
If this was what Anna would be like with their child, would he really want to miss these sights? Was he willing to trade the view of her working hard to ensure their child was comfortable and safe, simply because he still didn’t believe marriages were destined to prevail?
The longer he thought about it, the larger the discomfort in his chest grew.
“Ah — Julian! Focus, please!”
Julian brought his attention back to what was taking place just in time for a splash of water to hit him in the face. He sputtered, lowering his gaze to Nicholas who dared to look like the very picture of good behavior, squealing as Julian tickled him.
“You are a menace. Do not grow up to be bothersome like your father,” he scolded the boy without heat, gently patting Nicholas’ hair.
Anna watched the interaction with an odd look on her face and when Julian sat back, she reached out with a cloth to gently dab at the drops of water on his face.
“There’s nothing I can do about your hair,” she said quietly, pulling her hand away.
Julian caught her before she got too far, bringing her hand to his lips to press a kiss to the inside of her wrist.
“Thank you, Anna,” he told her with a smile, disappointed when she managed to escape his grasp.
“Have you given my offer any thought?” He asked her quietly as he wrapped Nicholas in a sheet and lifted him out of the bathtub.
Anna hesitated as she gathered the oils she intended to rub over Nicholas’ skin before she shook her head.
“I still haven’t decided yet. A child is a big responsibility and the circumstances surrounding ours aren’t ideal.”
Julian frowned, a little confused.
“What do you mean —”
“Pardon me, Your Graces. There is someone here to see you,” Ellen announced, walking into the nursery.
Julian felt as though it was very crucial that he hear what Anna and to say at that moment so he waved a hand in the maid’s direction.
“Later. Neither of us is expecting a guest and since they did not follow proper etiquette to call ahead, they can wait.” He stated.
The Duke expected her to scurry away, but instead, she lingered by the door, wringing her apron in her hands as her eyes settled on Nicholas for a moment.
“You see, Your Grace… the woman… she claims to be Nicholas’ mother.”
