Page 97 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
The tension fled from Theo’s muscles, and he suddenly felt giddy.
The baby was fine.
Kate was healthy.
More than that, she washappy. And so was he.
Kate beamed back at him, obviously as relieved as he was. Excited too.
“We’re having a baby,” she whispered, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
“We are,” he agreed.
“If we’re done here, I’ll be on my way,” Dr. Hanson said. “I have another expectant mother to visit today.”
Theo stood and shook his hand. “Thank you. We appreciate you coming here very much.”
Dr. Hanson bowed. “My pleasure, my lord.”
He excused himself from the room and closed the door behind him.
Theo offered Kate his hand, and when she took it, he pulled her off the bed and into his embrace. “I love you.” He peppered her pretty face with kisses. “I can’t wait to meet our son or daughter.”
She hesitated for a moment, then asked, “You won’t be disappointed if it’s a daughter? Even though it means you still don’t have an heir?”
He snorted. “Blast the need for an heir. Nicholas can do the job. Or one of our cousins. All I want from our child is for them to be born healthy and to never doubt our love for them.”
The corners of her eyes crinkled as she gazed up into his. “And they will. I know it, and I think if anyone is qualified to speak on this, I am. You’ve shown me you love me in so many different ways that I can’t possibly doubt it. I know you’ll do the same for our baby.”
He looped his arms around her waist and rested his hands on the small of her back. The swell of her belly was firm against his abdomen, and he loved feeling and seeing the evidence of their little one’s existence.
“I do love you. Like I never thought I’d love anyone again. You mean the world to me, Kate.”
He hoped she knew that. He was aware that he had pushed her away in the early days, afraid of making her miserable or, if he admitted the truth to himself, of falling for her and losing someone he loved all over again.
But loving her was worth the risk. She brought color and vibrance back to his life, and she might never know how much he adored her for that. No words would suffice.
“I love you too.” She stretched up onto her toes and kissed him. “I love the way your smile always seems to surprise you. I love how you make me feel special. And I love your good, kind heart and your loyalty to the people you care about.”
That heart she’d mentioned? It filled to the brim.
“Hello,” a familiar male voice called. “May I come in?”
Theo reluctantly released Kate but kept one arm around her waist. “You may.”
Nicholas swept into the room, grinning broadly, and offered Kate a wildflower. They had just begun to bloom in the fields around the estate, and Kate had spent more than one afternoon outside painting them.
“Congratulations,” he exclaimed as Kate took the wildflower from him. “Dr. Hanson said that all is well.”
“It seems so,” she said, tucking herself under Theo’s arm.
“Excellent.” Nicholas put his hands behind his back and bounced on the balls of his feet. “I’ve received a letter from Mother. She’s on her way here from London, and from what she said, I expect she’ll be fussing over Kate a great deal.”
Theo’s hold on Kate tightened. He’d assumed their mother would make an appearance eventually, and he had mixed emotions about it. On one hand, she’d experienced pregnancy and childbirth, so having her on-call would be helpful. He also knew that she’d be thrilled about having a grandchild.
His reticence stemmed from her treatment of Elizabeth. She had never been cruel to her when her pregnancies failed, but she also hadn’t provided the sympathetic womanly ear that his late wife may have needed, and she had made Elizabeth feel pressured to produce an heir. He couldn’t help but hold that against her, although deep down, he hoped things would be different this time.
“I’ll have Mrs. Tubbs prepare her room,” Kate said. She turned to Theo. “I could use some fresh air. Will you walk in the garden with me?”
