Page 100 of His Scarred Duchess
She nodded against his chest, her voice muffled by his shirt. “Quite certain. I suspected for a while, but I wanted to be sure before I told you.”
Edmund pulled back, cupping her face in his hands. The love and wonder he felt threatened to overwhelm him.
“A baby,” he repeated, his voice filled with awe. “Our baby.”
Adeline laughed, the sound like music to his ears. “Yes, our baby. Are you happy, Edmund?”
“Happy?” Edmund repeated, a grin spreading across his face. “My darling, I’mecstatic. Overjoyed. Terrified. But mostly, I’m in love. With you, with our child, with the life we’re building together.”
He leaned in to kiss her, but he hesitated at the last moment. “Wait, is it… is it safe? I won’t hurt you or the baby?”
Adeline’s laughter rang out again, bright and clear. “Oh, Edmund. Yes, it’s perfectly safe. The baby is well-protected, I assure you.”
Reassured, Edmund closed the distance between them, pouring all his love and joy into the kiss. When they finally broke apart, both were breathless and grinning like fools.
“So,” he said, his hand moving to rest gently on her still-flat stomach. “Tell me everything. How long have you known? How far along are you? Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?”
Adeline covered his hand with her own. “I’ve suspected for about a month, but I wanted to be sure before I said anything. The midwife thinks I’m about three months along. As for whether it’s a boy or a girl, I’m not sure. What do you hope for?”
Edmund considered for a moment. “Honestly? I don’t care, as long as the baby is healthy and happy. Though…” he trailed off, a faraway look in his eyes.
“Though what?” Adeline prompted, curious.
“Well,” Edmund said, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I have to admit, the thought of a little girl with your eyes and your spirit is a rather captivating image.”
Adeline’s eyes misted over. “And what if it’s a boy?”
“Then he’ll be the luckiest boy in England,” Edmund declared. “With your kindness and intelligence, and hopefully not too much of my stubbornness.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both lost in visions of their future child.
“What about names?” Adeline asked eventually. “Have you any thoughts?”
Edmund chuckled. “I confess, I haven’t given it much consideration in the last five minutes since learning I’m going to be a father. But perhaps… if it’s a girl, we could name her after your mother?”
Adeline’s breath caught. “Eleanor? Oh, Edmund, that’s perfect. And if it’s a boy?”
“What about James?” Edmund suggested. “After my grandfather. He was a good man, kind and fair. The sort of man I hope our son will grow up to be.”
“Eleanor or James,” Adeline mused, testing the names. “I like them both.”
As the morning wore on, they continued to talk, sharing their hopes and dreams for their growing family. Edmund fussed over Adeline, insisting on having her breakfast brought up and fluffing her pillows no less than three times.
“Edmund,” Adeline said finally, amusement coloring her tone. “I’m pregnant, not made of glass. You don’t need to treat me like I might break at any moment.”
Edmund had the grace to look sheepish. “I know, I know. I just… I want to take care of you. Both of you.”
Adeline’s expression softened. “And you are, my love. But I’m still me. I can still do most of the things I did before. In fact, the midwife says it’s good for me to stay active.”
“Of course,” Edmund agreed quickly. “Whatever you need. Just… promise me you’ll be careful. And that you’ll tell me if you need anything, no matter how small.”
“I promise,” Adeline said solemnly, though her eyes twinkled with mirth. “Now, will you help me get dressed? I think I’d like some fresh air.”
As Edmund assisted her with her morning toilette, his mind whirred with plans and preparations. “We’ll need to start work on the nursery soon,” he mused. “And I should speak to Thornley about hiring a nanny. Oh, and we must tell our families! Your father, Isabella, our grandmothers…”
Adeline laughed, the sound bringing him back to the present. “Darling, slow down. We still have months before the baby arrives. There’s no need to do everything at once.”
Edmund took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. “You’re right, of course. I just… I want everything to be perfect for you and the baby.”
