Page 82 of The Chef and the Countess

“Mmm?” he murmured lazily.

“I may not be able to have children. You should know that now.”

“Because you had none with old Winterwood?”

Celia nodded as her fingers caressed his chest hair. This may not be the best topic of conversation after such rigorous lovemaking, but Celia wanted him to know about it before they continued onward.

“Maybe it was because of him,” Liam said. “Even if it isn’t, we shouldn’t dwell on it. There is no blame involved, and don’t ever think it lies with you. Children are not imperative for our future happiness. Besides, I—we—have Tommy. And if we discover that we can’t have children? Love, there are orphanages and workhouses aplenty. There is also the foundling home Chellenham sponsors.”

“Your duke half-brother?”

“Aye, Damon Cranston. We can adopt one or two if you like. Or not.” Liam kissed her forehead. “What I want most of all is you.”

Celia kissed his cheek. “Thank you for saying that.”

“Celia, are you absolutely sure you want this life with me? It will mean giving up your upper-class standing. There won’t be much money—”

Celia gently placed her fingertip against his lips. “We have my nine thousand pounds. The interest alone will bring in 400 pounds a year. Perhaps a little less.”

“What?” Liam exclaimed. “Bloody hell.”

“You want to stay here and run the business?” Celia asked.

“For now. Will I feel differently in ten years? Possibly. Maybe in less time.”

“Well, now we have options. Let us say we stay here for ten years. We can use the interest we make to enclose the back staircase, refurbish some of the rooms, perhaps install a small kitchen for our use, and modernize the main kitchen further.”

“You’ve given this some thought?”

“Since Franklin made the offer. I always meant to ask what was on the floor above this one.”

“Nothing. Walter lived there, and I had a room there as well. The rest was used for storage. There are stairs to the upper level. It is not as spacious as this floor.” Liam pointed to the door on the opposite wall. “Go through there and up the stairs. The brothel was on this floor; the girls lived in these rooms, and the other rooms were for customers.”

“Then we have more than enough space to expand and make plans,” Celia enthused. Then she sobered. There was still her uncle and cousin. Surely, they would not make any more mischief. What would be the point? She hoped their criminal disruptions were over, especially now that the police were involved.

Liam caressed her arm. “The settlement must stay in your name. It’s your money.”

Celia placed all thoughts of her uncle and cousin from her mind. She kissed Liam’s cheek and embraced him. “That means the world to me. Thank you. I do love you.” Celia kissed him deeply, then whispered, “So, when will this wedding take place?”

“You tell me. What do you want?”

Celia thought about it. “As soon as we can arrange it. I want it here, right in the restaurant, and we will have a wedding breakfast. Timmy and Tommy can prepare it with assistance from Enya. We will invite the staff and Drew—” Celia sighed wistfully. “I wish Corrine, Mitchell, and Selena could attend.”

Liam smoothed her hair, pushing the tangled locks from her forehead. “We can wait until Corrine and Mitchell return from their honeymoon if you wish.”

“It’s a lovely thought, but I do not want to wait that long. I want our life together to start as soon as possible.”

Liam chuckled. “Good. I don’t want to wait either.”

“Let’s invite Drew over for lunch tomorrow. We will have him come just before the restaurant opens. I want us to tell him first. We can tell everyone else at the family meal tomorrow night.”

“Right you are. Now that we have that all sorted…” Liam gathered her close and then turned over so she was underneath him. “How is the injury holding up?”

“So far, all is well.”

“Then I will take it easy. Hand me another sheath.”

Celia boldly grasped his erection, eliciting a husky moan from him. “Don’t use one. We will be married in a couple of weeks anyway. I want to feel you inside me.” She guided him, and with an unhurried thrust, he was seated within. With measured glides, he built the sexual tension, moving a little faster with each pump of his hips. Celia wrapped her legs around him, her fingers digging into his back. After several minutes, they cried out in unison, whispering words of love as they held each other tight.