Page 76 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
They had been with the dog for hours. Both Nigel and Olivia looked tired to their bones, but with each healthy puppy that was born, the knot of anxiety in their chests faded.
“Come on, Dandelion. You’re almost there,” Nigel murmured.
The door opened, and Mr. Bridges, one of the farmers who had helped Dandelion with her last litter, finally arrived. He was a ruddy-faced man, and his trousers were slick with mud.
“Your Graces. I came as fast as I could.” He bowed and gestured to Dandelion. “How is she?”
“She is well, I think,” Olivia answered, standing to guide the man towards Dandelion.
Mr. Bridges inspected their work. Olivia stood back and took the time to signal to one of the maids to bring some refreshments for them all.
By the time the final puppy was born, it was nearly midnight. Mr. Bridges had left but given instructions to monitor Dandelion. Nigel had cleaned himself while Olivia had stayed with the corgi then they had swapped.
As Olivia re-entered the room, she found Nigel sprawled across the sofa, staring with soft eyes at his beloved corgi and her new litter of puppies. Olivia smiled, feeling her heart constrict. She looked at the clock. There were five minutes to midnight.
Nigel glanced away from Dandelion and caught sight of Olivia, standing in the doorway.My God, she is beautiful. It is as if she is glowing.“Come, my love, and sit with me awhile.”
Olivia tucked herself into the crook of Nigel’s arms, wrapping herself over him as they snuggled on the sofa together. She breathed in his rich scent of nutmeg and cinnamon.
“I cannot believe she had six puppies. She must be exhausted,” Olivia murmured, listening to the sound of Nigel’s heart beating in his chest.
“Her last litter was only four. But Mr. Bridges said she is the picture of health. And now we have six perfect puppies.” Nigel’s voice was full of pride as he said it.
“You make it sound as though this was all your doing,” Olivia teased him.
The lavender smell of her washed over him, and he kissed her forehead gently. “I just… well, it is always such a magical thing when you see something like that unfold before your eyes.”
“Truly it is wonderous. Although, rather more… visceral than I had been expecting.” Olivia wrinkled her nose.
Nigel laughed, the sound reverberating through Olivia. “Yes, it is a rather messy experience.”
“I hope my own is not quite so messy,” Olivia murmured, a spike of nerves making her heart speed up.
Nigel’s muscles tensed, and his breath caught. “Your own?”
Olivia nodded, feeling colour rise in her cheeks. “Yes.”
“Then you… are you… are you with child?” Nigel’s eyes were wide with panic and excitement.
Olivia laughed quietly, trying not to wake the sleeping Dandelion and her brood. She loved the way Nigel was looking at her.It is as though I have given him his heart’s desire and deepest fear all at once.
“Yes. I did not want to tell you before I was certain, but… well, I am now.” Olivia flushed. “I have had to have many dresses altered to fit in them. And well…”
Carefully, Olivia took Nigel’s hand and placed it on her stomach. Nigel frowned, his own chest beating treacherously fast. For a moment, he looked at Olivia, confused.
“Wha—” he began, but then he felt it. The tiniest kick against his hand.
He gaped, looking at Olivia. “Was that?”
Olivia nodded. “I felt it earlier today and then again just before I found Dandelion.”
“I am going to be a father,” Nigel spoke the words with equal parts wonder and fear.Oh my God, what if I am a terrible father? What does one do with a baby?
Olivia could see the fear in her husband’s eyes, and she kissed him on the lips. When they broke apart, she took his face in hers and met his gaze.
“You will be a most excellent father.” Olivia made her words a statement of fact. “Besides, I have seen you with Arthur and Genevieve. You are wonderful with them.”
Genevieve was Rose’s second child and Olivia’s goddaughter. She had been born a few months before. Nigel smiled, remembering the fear he had supported Alexander through.
