The Devil's Good Intentions (44 page)

Salvador traced patterns with the tips of his fingers on her stomach, causing her muscles to clench beneath them.

“
Shouldn’t you be working?” She asked groggily as she squinted to the window to try and determine where the sun was sitting in the sky.

“
Probably, but you were too much of a temptation.” He responded with a wicked grin, before bending down to place a delightful kiss on the tip of her breast.

Katherine sighed and shivered under his ministrations.

“
Have you been well?” He asked her gently.

“
Yes, do I not look well?” She asked in confusion.

“
You look beautiful.” He responded absently.

“
Oh.”

She had felt dizzy a few times and a little nauseous but she wouldn’t equate that to being ill. Judging on the amount of un-planned naps she had been taking lately, she figured she perhaps needed more sleep, but didn’t want to bring that to his attention for fear he would unnecessarily dote on her.

He leaned over again and placed a heart-warming kiss on her lips and then her bare belly before moving from the bed.

“
I’ve ordered up breakfast to the room this morning, so feel free to lounge around. I have to meet with one of my property managers in town today and probably won’t be back until supper time.” He informed her as he entered the bathing chamber and closed the door behind him.

Katherine scratched her head and sat up, trying to shake the cobwebs from her brain.

Today she had planned on going for a ride and then possibly trying to lose herself in the hedge maze, just to see if she could find her way out again. Bernard, one of her escorts, had informed her of the “Hands-on-Wall” method, so she wasn’t worried about needing a search party just in case she was un-successful.

When Salvador returned to the room, he sat beside her on the bed and brushed back a fallen hair that had slid to her cheek.

“
Are you sure you’re ok?” He prompted her again as he looked at her with adoring eyes.

She was captivated by his gaze. Normally when he looked at her she saw an intense possessiveness or raw desire but now she very much wanted to believe that she saw love.

“
Kat” He prompted her again as he leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder.

“
Darling, I’m fine! What’s brought this on?” She asked quizzically as he turned his head to brush his lips over her neck.

She felt his lips smile against her skin which brought a shiver to her.

Before he could answer, Sarah had entered the room with her meal tray.

“
Here you go My Lady, I thought you could use a light breakfast this morning.” She explained as she laid the tray on the bed and went to retrieve her lap tray.

The tray occupied a bowl of fresh fruit, a poached egg and dry toast. Next to that lay a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

“
Thank you Sarah” Katherine said kindly as she set the tray upon Katherine’s lap and proceeded to lay the food out for her.

Salvador had already made his way to his bureau to retrieve a cravat.

Katherine caught the scent of the egg and her stomach lurched. She quickly grabbed the orange juice and let the scent and taste settle her stomach and hoped her face wasn’t as pale as she suspected it was.

Salvador gave her a speculative glance, she smiled at him as she placed the orange juice back on the tray and picked up a piece of cantaloupe.

He walked over to the bed and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“
Be good” he murmured to her before straightening up.

“
You mean that my plans of racing and tree climbing will have to be put off today?” She said with feigned disappointment and a mischievous grin.

She heard Sarah gasp from the corner of the room but Salvador only cocked his eyebrow at her and returned her grin before turning and exiting the room.

~

Salvador was on top of the world that morning. He had felt the subtle swelling of his wife’s breasts and bloating of her slender stomach for the past two weeks, but held his tongue until he had proof.

That morning Sarah had given him that confirmation.

He was in his study going over his taxes when he heard a light knock at the door.

“
Enter” he commanded without looking up.

“
My Lord?” Sarah whispered out with unsteadiness to her voice.

“
What is it Sarah?” He responded as he laid the document he was reviewing back on to his desk and gave her his full attention.

Sarah stood there, looking unsure of herself and wringing her hands in front of her.

“
Well, you see…” She began. “You told me to report anything that may be amiss regarding Lady Katherine.”

She gave Salvador a quick glance and then quickly lowered her eyes again.

“
Yes. Is there something you want to say?” He prompted her, trying to sound less intimidating so she would get on with it.

“
You see My Lord; I have noted that Lady Katherine has not yet had her monthly flow. At first I thought that it was due to nerves because of her new situation. I myself have had that happen so I didn’t want to jump to conclusions.” She explained nervously. “This is why I did not bring it to your attention earlier.”

“
And now?” He enquired dryly, not letting on the incredible excitement that was building within him.

“
Well, now I have observed her and believe that she may indeed be with child.”

She gave another quick glance up, no doubt trying to gage if this was good news or not.

“
And what have you observed?”

“
Her reactions to certain foods. I have not witnessed a morning sickness, however I do see that she pales and looks nauseous with strong smelling foods.”

“
Anything else?”

“
Just that she naps a lot, but other than that she seems well.”

“
Thank you Sarah, I’m glad you told me.”

She looked at him wondering if she was dismissed or not.

“
For now we will keep this to ourselves and administer treatment that her condition demands. I will be the one to inform her if she doesn’t already know.”

“
Yes My Lord.” she curtsied.

“
Please prepare for her breakfast to be served in her room. Something light and non-intrusive - if you know what I mean.”

“
Thank you.” She replied and then quitted the room.

Now he knew without a doubt that his wife was with child. In all her innocence he knew she wouldn’t figure it out until she was much later with her monthly flow. He had already given strict instructions to the Stable Master and her escorts that she was to have limited activity. They of course did not know the reason but never dared to question. He had also reviewed the menu and instructed the Master Chef to remove all fish from any menu and to serve meals that were high in protein.

He didn’t lie to Katherine when he told her he was to meet with his property manager that day, but what he didn’t tell her was that he was also interviewing physicians and in-home mid-wives.

Katherine would receive the best care available to her no matter what the cost. Alex had confided that he also suspected that Angel was with child and was at least three months along. He also suspected that Angel knew but was holding back on telling him. Rachel unfortunately had been unsuccessful in her attempts to get with child and Charles and she were discussing the possibility of adopting a child of their own.

The thought of Katherine carrying his child made him feel triumphant and proud. He envisioned her nursing their child while he sat back and looked on. It was a picture he couldn’t wait to see come to fruition.

He wanted a house full of children and honestly didn’t fancy a boy over a girl; just as long as the child was born from her belly he was happy. She would be radiant as her stomach bloomed with his child nestled safely within her. He could see himself being a doting Father and even looked forward to passing on some of his responsibilities to others so that he could spend more time at home with his family.

Ed had informed them that he thought he found the most perfect property for their future home. The men had agreed that they would all go on an “extended hunting trip” and inspect the property for themselves. If it turned out that the property was indeed suitable, they would start construction immediately. The property was located not in Scotland but on an island just off the coast of Jamaica. The land was undeveloped which is what they wanted and large enough to build the estate that would house all of the brotherhood and their families, as well as the servants and land tenants. While they were gone they would set all of the women up on his property and employ an abundance of guards and escorts. They only expected to be gone for a month but didn’t want to take any chances.

The property manager he was meeting with was to attend them on this journey and if they decided to purchase the island, they would leave it to him to hire the architect and the builders to construct their future. Simon had agreed to oversee the construction and Charles had already drawn the blueprint of what they expected.

Because all of the Brotherhood was beyond wealthy and the investment was to be shared between them - money was not an issue.

Ed had informed them that the captain of the enchantress had stumbled across the island by accident after a storm had taken them off course and spoke to Ed about it. The island was hidden among several smaller islands and looked as though it was undiscovered. He had commented that the islands tropical terrain was in abundance and they had found mango trees that provided additional food to help make up for the additional days it took for them to find their course again.

When Salvador reached the office of his property manager, he knocked on the door with authority and stood back and waited.

“
Lord Salvador” The butler greeted him as he opened the door for Salvador to pass.

“
Hello Geeves, is Patrick here?”

“
Yes Sire, he is in his study. Please allow me to announce you.” The butler replied before turning on his heel to do just that.

After a quick moment, Salvador was led into the study.

“
Salvador!” Patrick exclaimed as he stood from behind his desk and made his way over to him.

“
Hello Patrick.” Salvador returned with a business like kindness he reserved only for those he trusted.

“
And to what do I owe the honour?” Patrick asked as he shook Salvador’s hand.

“
May I?” Salvador gestured to the sitting area.

“
Of course!” Patrick bellowed out.

As they got themselves seated, a maid came in with a tray of tea. After serving them, she quietly dismissed herself.

“
Let me get to the point.” Salvador started, after taking a sip of his tea and replacing it on his saucer.

“
Please do” Patrick replied reluctantly.

“
The brotherhood will be embarking on a journey to an island just off the Jamaican coastline. We intend to inspect the property and if it suites our needs we will purchase it and begin construction immediately.”

Patrick knew about what the brotherhood wanted to do because he had been informed to keep his eye out for any such properties. He had always felt honoured that they had let him in on their plans and swore that he would never let them down.

“
Indeed!” Patrick exclaimed excitedly.

“
Indeed.” Salvador responded dryly. “Patrick, we plan for you to join us on this trip. If we do decide to move forward with our plans then it will be left to you to manage the construction of our estate as well as the tenant’s buildings - with of course the overseeing being done by Simon.”

Patrick was silent for a moment. This was huge for him and would mean that he would be away from Oxford for at least a year. He was without a family so therefore did not have to worry about leaving anyone behind, but it was still an enormous commitment. He was however prepared to do whatever he had to do to see this through. He was already forewarned that it may come to this so was not surprised at the request.