Page 73 of Dare to Risk it All

Greer blushed, putting up her chin. “No, I’m not,” she lied.

He laughed, sliding his arms about her, and staring down at her with such adoration her breath caught. “As if I’d allow my lovely wife to lie on the cold ground in her condition,” he murmured softly. His big hand moving to rest upon her stomach.

She blinked up at him, startled. “Oh, you wretch! And I thought I had such a grand surprise for you.”

Raphe smiled, the look in his eyes silencing any further complaint. “Darling,” he said gently. “We’ve been at it like rabbits, and I know exactly when you are indisposed. Which you’ve not been for some time. The only surprise is that it took this long.”

Greer pressed her flushed face against his chest, muffling an outraged snort of laughter.

“You’re dreadful,” she said, her voice smothered against his waistcoat.

“I am, and you are perfectly wonderful.” He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’m so happy, Greer. I never dreamed I could have so much. You’ve changed my world.”

Greer blinked hard as his handsome face blurred. “Just as well,” she managed, her voice thick. “Because you are my world.”

Raphe bent and kissed her, undressing her slowly, too slowly for Greer, who with her usual impatience was alight with wanting him. By the time he laid her down on the bed, she was wild with anticipation.

“Such a demanding creature you are,” he tsked, restraining her wrists against the mattress.

“Only because you’re such a tease,” she complained, tilting her hips to press against him.

Raphe sucked in a breath as his arousal settled against her cleft. “I’m a tease?” he retorted, pushing her thighs wide and finding the place she needed him to be.

Greer sighed, sliding her arms about his powerful shoulders, and holding on tight whilst he loved her with all the tender passion he always showed. They loved each other slowly and thoroughly and it was some time before Greer remembered they were awaiting visitors.

“We should get up,” she murmured dreamily, her head cushioned by his arm. Raphe snuggled behind her, one hand resting protectively over her belly.

“In a bit,” he said, smothering a yawn.

“Do you want a boy or a girl?” she asked, wondering about the child they had made together.

His lips coasted along her shoulder, and she felt his mouth curve into a smile. “I don’t mind. I’d like a big family, though. I like the idea of a beautiful girl, as sweet and generous as her mama, though she’ll no doubt turn me grey with anxiety before she’s five. But a son would be wonderful too. So long as you and the babe are healthy, I don’t give a damn, Greer. There’s Sylvester and Ollie to come after me, so don’t go fretting about giving me a son. We’ll see what fate brings us.”

She turned in his arms to smile at him. “I love you.”

He traced the line of her jaw, staring down at her with a wondering expression. “I love you too. More than I think you’ll ever know. Also, I want to thank you, Greer.”

“What for?” she asked, perplexed.

Raphe’s finger wandered down her neck, along her collarbone, his expression growing serious. “For taking a chance on me. With my track record, you were taking a dreadful risk, you know. I might have let you down. I might have returned to my old ways and frittered away your money.”

Greer stared up at him, her heart swelling with love. “I would have risked anything to be with you, Raphe, but it never felt like taking a chance to me. It simply felt right.”

Raphe’s eyes became a little misty as he regarded her, a smile curving that wicked, sensuous mouth, but the moment shattered as a yell came from downstairs. “They’re here!”

Greer’s eyes grew wide, and she gasped. “They’re early!” she exclaimed. “You said—”

“That was two hours ago, love,” Raphe pointed out as the pair of them scrambled from the bed.

“Oh, help!” Greer demanded, as she snatched up discarded stockings and pulled her shift over her head back to front.

Raphe snorted with amusement, which earned him a smack on his behind as bent to retrieve his trousers. With more haste than speed, they dressed as best they could and scurried down the stairs, looking as guilty as a pair of naughty school children as Sylvester and Ollie escorted her family into the parlour.

“Ah, and here you are,” her Mama said, eyes glinting with mischief. “We thought perhaps you’d forgotten we were coming.”

“Oh, Mama, as if we could!” Greer exclaimed, flying across the hallway to her mother and hugging her tightly.

“Ah, my daughter. You look well,” Bonnie said, smiling widely as she looked Greer over. Biting her lip, she leaned in and whispered, “Your bodice is buttoned up wrong.”