Page 91 of The Scarred Duke's Bride
“You have no idea if she carries a male child or not?”
“That is true. Nevertheless, you are free to use the property pending the birth of the child,” Silver said.
“And you do not have to consult your other trustee?”
“Mr. Freeman trusts my judgment as the late Duke did.”
“Very well then. I thank you for the indulgence.”
“It is my pleasure, believe me.”
If Silver were the kind of person to be overly demonstrative in his emotions, Eric would have said he was beaming. He nodded to the butler and stood up to leave.
“Give my best regards to the family,” he called, and Eric nodded to show he had heard. He was a bit nonplussed at Silver’s change of attitude but decided to chalk it up to finally having gotten his and the Duke’s way.
After all, an heir was all they had wanted.
He decided not to press his luck but left right away. At least he had some good news to share with Freya. He’d been avoiding being alone with her, afraid that he might have to disappoint her again. But now that Silver was on board with their plan, he felt lighter than he had in days.
He could not wait to see Freya’s face when he told her they were free to go and live at Stark Manor.
* * *
Freya frowned at him, unsure as to why he seemed so excited about plans they’d made days ago. “Yes, that is indeed wonderful that we will be able to go to Stark Manor. Were you afraid that I wouldn’t be able to travel?”
He sighed and then smiled wryly, “I suppose it did not occur to you that the trustees might bar us from living there per your father’s will.”
Dawning realization had her feeling faint. “Could they have done that?” Freya could not believe it had not occurred to her before. After all, the proviso was that she bore a male child. “Oh dear, what if the babe is a girl?”
Eric looked as if he’d already thought of all these eventualities and was just waiting for her to catch up. “Should we wait and see?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Why should we? If the trustees have agreed, the onus is not on us to refuse.”
She bit her lip thoughtfully as she mulled over his words. “But what if they evict us should we have a girl? What shall we do then?”
“We shall move to one of the other properties at our disposal.” He gave her a sympathetic look. “And there is no restriction that says you cannot visit your garden at any time,” he added softly.
Her heart melted as she gazed at him. “You are kind to think of me like this, but never fear, I shall be all right either way. My mother lives on in me. I understand that now. The garden is a pleasant reminder of our bond, but the bond exists regardless.”
“Indeed.” He nodded. “You are wise, my dear.”
“And you are earnest.” She reached for him. “Come sit with me and let us just be quiet together for a while. I feel as if I have not seen you for so long.”
He went to her, sitting on the side of her bed, a guilty look on his face. “Perhaps I have been preoccupied as well. It’s been a busy time, resolving all the affairs I now oversee.”
He turned to her with a smile. “Being a Duke isn’t all just allowing others to bow and scrape for your favor.”
Freya laughed, quirking an eyebrow archly. “Is it not? I have been sadly mistaken all these years.”
“Yes indeed. There are a vast number of properties to familiarize myself with. I doubt even you know about all of them.”
She considered him seriously. “It must be intimidating.”
“It is certainly more responsibility than I’ve ever had.” He returned her look. “But I think I am up to it…with your help.”
Her heart leaped with gladness at his words. “Of course, I am at your service.”
He reached out and rubbed her belly. “Once you feel better, of course. Your health is the foremost concern in my mind at the moment.”
