Page 78 of A Lady's Prerogative

Natalie wanted to be alone with him before matters progressed. She needed to reassure him.

Hold him.

After one last round of kisses, the boys were corralled by Tinny, along with Baby Bear, and led back to the house.

Natalie scooted forward on the ground so that Garrett could hold her from behind, his back resting against the tree, legs on both sides of her.

She tilted her head onto his chest and clasped his hands against her belly.

A cool breeze rustled the leaves overhead. “I love you, Nat.” Garrett’s voice took on that gravelly tone she recognized from other moments when emotions had overwhelmed him. “I hate that you have to go through this again.” He buried his face in her neck and nuzzled her there.

“I loveyou,My Lord,” she teased. “It will all be over soon enough. And then we’ll have our third littleLordling.” She smiled through her words. Of course, all would be well. And they would have another precious being created through their love.

“Perhaps a little lady this time?” Garrett was trying to be lighthearted but she knew he was afraid.

This man. Strong. Loyal. Brave and dependable.

She knew he would lay down his life for her.

As she relished his warmth, another pain gripped her abdomen. She knew he could feel it, the tension in her body,the hardening of her fundament. His hand rubbed circles along with her own.

“We need to get you upstairs.”

“I’m not ready yet.” She waited for the pain to recede and then turned to wind her arms around his neck. A tiny sob managed to escape as she did so.

She was a little afraid. She knew what was to come. It would all be worth it. She would draw strength from him, just as he would from her.

It was what they did – who they were.

His mouth met and claimed hers. So natural. Like breathing. The taste of Garrett Castleton was as familiar as her own. “Stay with me this time.” She murmured the words against him. For the previous two births, he’d awaited the news in his study with Stone, who’d come to commiserate with him.

Garrett pulled back and stared intently into her eyes. “Are you certain?”

“I want you with me.” She nodded.

Those rakish black eyes gazed back at her with more love than she could ever have imagined.

“Your wish is my command.” And then before she realized what he was about, he’d risen and lifted her into his arms easily. She clutched him tightly. After all, she was not her normal willowy self.

“I love you.” She smiled and suddenly no longer had any fear whatsoever.

“Of course you do, minx.” He kissed her and carried her into the beautiful home they’d been building since shortly after they married. It would never be finished. Just as the two of them would never know the boundaries of their love.

A few hours later, Garrett looked on as Natalie delivered their baby girl. Little Lady Cordelia Josephine Castleton.

They would grasp the promises of life together and hold tightly. So much of life ahead!

—End—

Did you love reading Natalie and Garrett’s story? Lady Saves the Duke is next in the Lord Love a Lady Series.

Alex Cross, the Duke of "Ice" has more than earned the nickname given him by the ton. Having lost his family in a tragic accident a few years before, he is now cynical, blasé and arrogant. The duke no longer expects happiness, but will not reject sensual pleasure if it is offered. After all, a man has needs...

...none of which will be met, unfortunately, at this particular house party. For most of his fellow guests are either elderly gossips or stodgy old codgers and the entertainments thus far have been something of a snooze, really: parlor games, nature walks, etc... etc...

And if all that isn’t enough to send him running, his host expects him to court his recently jilted daughter, the simpering miss, Lady Natalie. Oh, hell no! He'll make his excuses and depart early. Perhaps he will return to London to replace his mistress. He'd had to relinquish Elise after she'd become cloying and possessive.

He fails to escape, however, before Miss Abigail Wright arrives. The barely genteel lady smiles too often, laughs too easily, and is far too optimistic for her own good. And after she experiences a most unfortunate wardrobe malfunction, the Duke of Ice reluctantly finds himself sexually attracted to her.

That’s when the trouble begins.

Because a House Party Scandal spreadslike wild fire and if the duke wishes to save Miss Wright’s reputation, he’ll have to make her a respectable offer. She's just a mouse of a thing really. What harm can there be in marrying the poor gal and then leaving her to rusticate in the country?

What harm indeed.