Page 40 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Chapter Twelve

“Ido hopeTessa will find the nursery adequate,” Adalyn fretted.

“It is perfectly fine,” Louisa assured her cousin. “I am certain you have thought of everything. And if there is some addition needed, it can be provided quickly. Analise is only a baby. She won’t need that much.”

“It is a good thing Tessa had the first babe,” Adalyn said. “I know so little about them. Other than I want Ev’s desperately.” Her hands came to her belly and she stroked it lovingly.

“You have already been around Analise some,” she reminded. “Tessa will be generous and let you hold her babe and learn.”

“You are always so calm and logical, Louisa. I daresay when you become a mother, it will be as if water is merely rolling off your back.”

She wondered if she would have that opportunity. It would involve acquiring a husband.

And doing things like she and Owen had done a week ago.

He had not made an appearance for the last seven days, begging off their riding lessons. He had sent word around to Everett that he had things to do on the estate and some quick business to attend to in London. Louisa had done her best to go on with some kind of routine while Owen was gone but it seemed she was sleepwalking as she did so. She found herself absentminded and she thought far too much of his kisses.

And those other things.

Oh, those other things...

Knowing he had put his fingers inside her brought a wave of heat through her. She understood that what they had done would not make a baby. But oh, dear Lord in Heaven, how wonderful it had felt. She had no idea that was something a couple could do. She had a vague idea about a man needing to slip his cock inside a woman to get her with child but had no idea of the particulars. And Owen had said something about a tongue going the same place his fingers had. That brought heat to her cheeks.

“Are you overwarm, Louisa?” Adalyn asked.

“It is a bit warm in here,” she said, quickly heading to the French doors and opening them. “Perhaps this will let in a bit of a breeze.”

They were in Adalyn’s sitting room, a place she loved to retreat to with her cousin. No doubt when Tessa arrived, the three of them would be closeted in here talking about the upcoming house party.

Where she hoped she might find a husband among the guests.

She pushed into the far recesses of her mind the desire for Owen to be that husband. He was a rogue. An honorable one, in her opinion, for he could have taken greater advantage of her than he did. While she knew they never should have done the things they had in private, she guessed other men would not have shown as much restraint as Owen had.

He had done her a favor, though. Louisa had come to look upon herself as an ugly duckling. Her heart now told her that she was as desirable as any woman in theton. She would just have to discover the right man who would see something in her that no other gentleman did.

No one except for Owen, that is.

A knock sounded at the door and Arthur entered. “Your Grace, Lord and Lady Middlefield’s carriage has been sighted.”

“Oh, thank you, Arthur. Please let His Grace know. He is in his study. We will go out to greet our guests.”

Louisa and Adalyn exited the room and went to the foyer, where Mrs. Arthur waited.

“Is everything ready for Lord and Lady Middlefield’s visit?” Adalyn asked.

“Yes, Your Grace,” the housekeeper assured her mistress.

Everett joined them. “Shall we go outside?” he asked, escorting them through the front door, where a warm summer day greeted them.

Two carriages came up the drive. Louisa knew the first would hold Tessa and Spencer, along with Analise and her nurse. The other would be for their servants and luggage. Then she saw a rider alongside the first carriage and her heart skipped a beat.

Owen...

She took a deep breath, trying to tamp down the excitement she felt at seeing him again. It was foolish on her part. He was not for her and never would be.

The first carriage came to a halt and Owen rode up beside it, handing Galahad’s reins to a footman and opening the vehicle’s door himself as another footman placed stairs down so that the vehicle’s occupants might descend with ease.

Spencer appeared in the doorway, Analise in his arms. Louisa couldn’t help but chuckle. The earl constantly wagged around his daughter to the point of Tessa sometimes complaining that she needed a turn holding Analise.

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