Dreamspinner (52 page)
Authors: Olivia Drake
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #Historical Fiction, #Regency, #Romance Fiction, #Historical Romance, #Regency Romance, #Victorian, #Nineteenth Century, #bestseller, #E.L. James, #Adult Fiction, #50 Shaedes of Gray, #Liz Carlyle, #Loretta Chase, #Stephanie Laurens, #Barbara Dawson Smith
Juliet smiled down at Emily’s adorable face and wide green eyes peeking out from the lace-edged bonnet, her milky scent blended with the aroma of roses climbing the stone wall of the church. Kent tickled her chin; the infant seized his finger, drew it to her mouth, and began to gum it vigorously.
“Ouch!” he said. “That’s no way to treat your father.”
“Might we deduce she’s hungry?” Maud said, patting her belly.
“We
certainly are.”
Juliet laughed. “Emily had a feeding before church. As for you, there’ll be plenty of feasting back at the castle.”
“Enough deducing, darling,” Henry said, casting an indulgent look at his wife. “Shall we go on?”
As they strolled away, her parents came out of the throng of well wishers. They made a perfect couple, Juliet thought fondly, Emmett the distinguished businessman in his charcoal-gray suit and Dorothea the elegant lady in her fashionable sapphire gown. He’d been right to hide the past from Mama. Untouched by tragedy, she looked serene and lovely.
“You certainly spoke your mind in there,” Emmett told the baby. “I suspect you’ll take after your mother in that respect.”
Emily cooed and waved a tiny fist.
“Don’t let his gruff manner fool you,” said Kent. “Like me, he prefers your mother exactly as she is.”
Juliet’s heart skipped a beat. A smile transformed his rugged features into the breathtakingly handsome man she loved so much. Desire shimmered deep inside her, bearing the promise of brilliant joy...
“Come to Grandmama now.” Heedless of her pristine collar, Dorothea nestled the baby against her shoulder. Bright-eyed and gurgling, Emily gazed around the courtyard.
“Ah,” said Emmett, “Lady Emily’s a fine granddaughter. Three months old and so curious about the world.”
A secretive smile touched Juliet’s lips. “Perhaps it won’t be so very long before you’ll have a grandson, too.”
Kent cocked his head and stared. “You’re not...”
Nodding, she held her breath. “I am.”
His stunned look gentled; he slid an arm around her. “Another baby...”
“How delightful,” exclaimed Dorothea. She rubbed her cheek against Emily’s. “Did you hear that, darling? A sister or brother for you to play with.”
“Fine news indeed,” Emmett said. “If the child’s a boy, perhaps he’ll take an interest in business matters.”
“Or in my inventions,” Kent countered with a grin.
“Why not both?” Emmett suggested. “I’ve been meaning to discuss financing this newfangled machine of yours. Engines that run on petrol are the wave of the future.”
“We can speak of the thresher when I return to London. The queen has been badgering me about an agricultural bill she wishes Parliament to pass.”
“Bring the whole family. Victoria has summoned me, as well.”
“Oh, Papa,” Juliet said, gazing at his beaming face. “Do you mean…”
“We wanted to surprise you, darling,” Dorothea said proudly. “He’s to be knighted at last.”
Suddenly a Pekingese puppy ran barking through the crowd, his feathery tail dancing on air. Ducking through the sea of guests, little Hannah Forster chased the dog. No longer did she need the wooden crutch. Her knee-length pink dress revealed legs that were coltishly slim and blessed straight.
Augusta hurried around the corner of the church. She paused only to smile at Emily then continued after the puppy. “Rajah! Naughty boy, you were supposed to remain with the coachman.”
Laughing, everyone drifted to their carriages to return to the castle. As Emmett and Dorothea carried the infant to the landau, Kent held back and murmured, “Our passion has borne fruit again, my Lady Botanist. But you’ve only just finished rebuilding your greenhouse. Are you happy about having another child so soon?”
“Another babe won’t hinder me,” Juliet said, touching his smooth shaven cheek. “I want Emily to have all the sisters and brothers I never had.”
His eyes darkened despite the warming sunshine, and he clung tight to her hands. “I know. I can’t help remembering my own sister. Perhaps if I’d paid more heed to Rose...”
Her heart melted. “Don’t torture yourself darling. Her madness was hereditary, not your fault at all.”
He released a heavy sigh. “I suppose Chantal suffered more than I. To lose both her daughters.”
“We can be thankful she has Ravi. In her last letter, she seemed almost happy again, touring India with him.”
“Mmmm.” Lifting her hand, Kent brushed his lips across the back in a caress that made her shiver. “It was kind of Emmett to let Ravi take over the management of his new tea estate.”
Dazzlingly glad to see the light return to his eyes, Juliet smiled. His heat radiated to her; his strength aroused both quiet contentment and restless longing. She reached up on tiptoe to kiss his hard mouth. “Kent, I’m so happy you and Papa have put aside your differences.”
He smiled, a slow, seductive gentling of his noble face. His hands found her waist and rubbed enticingly. “Perhaps tonight you’d be willing to demonstrate your gratitude.”
“By candlelight?” she teased. “Or shall we make love in darkness, for nostalgia’s sake?”
His eyes gleamed. “Whatever pleases my duchess. I intend to spend my life pleasing you.”
His low-pitched voice made her stomach tighten deliriously.
“And I,” she said, kissing him again, “intend to spend my life spinning dreams of our future.”
Discover Olivia Drake and Barbara Dawson Smith
Olivia Drake
Barbara Dawson Smith
About the Author
A member of Romance Writers of America since 1981, Olivia Drake sold her first historical romance two weeks after sending it to a publisher. Her books have won the Golden Heart Award from RWA, and Best Historical Romantic Suspense and Best Regency Historical from Romantic Times. She has been a finalist for the National Readers’ Choice Award, Romance of the Year by Affaire de Coeur magazine, the Golden Quill, and the Booksellers' Best Award. She has also been a five-time finalist for the prestigious RITA Award, and realized a lifetime dream in 2002 when she won the award for TEMPT ME TWICE.
She also writes under the name of Barbara Dawson Smith.
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