Page 100 of Rakes & Reticules
“Then I shall just be quiet and kiss you.” He bent his head to hers and kissed her with powerful longing. His hands roamed over her body with possessive familiarity, but those big, rough hands of his were incredibly gentle as they touched her, for she was almost five months along and he treated her with more care than he did the fragile papyrus scrolls in his private museum.
“Give me five minutes, love. I’ll join you for your excursion into town. Any special reason for the outing?”
“None, other than to spend your money,” she said with an impish grin. “The merchants will be pleased. We’ll be heading to London at the end of the week and I did not want them to feel abandoned since we won’t be returning until after the baby is born.”
He sighed. “We ought to have gone sooner. I hate to be traveling with you in your delicate condition.”
“Thank you, my big, protective ape. But I’ll have you know, I am perfectly able to travel. Your child is happily kicking away inside me, and eating like a glutton. I am carrying all up front so I think it will be a boy. At least, this is what Aunt Rosie tells me and she is never wrong about such things. Our little duke-in-waiting is going to be a stubborn handful and will stay firmly ensconced until the time is right for him to make his grand entrance.”
“I’m sure you are right, Amelia. But I cannot help but worry.”
“I know.” She kissed him on the lips. “As soon as he is born, we shall resume our dance lessons. I am sure I shall be a gliding swan by the time our boy is ready to marry.”
He gave a hearty laugh. “Blessed saints, my damaged feet certainly hope so. All right, grab your reticule and let’s be on our way.”
They walked out hand in hand into the sunshine and warm breeze of a September day. Amelia’s heart was light and full.
She had stuck Callum’s love note in her reticule.
She meant to carry his words of love with her always...in her heart and in her reticule.
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