Page 22 of How to Catch an Heiress

“No need to be embarrassed, my dear.”

He always said that, but she too often was embarrassed. He had a knack for making her stomach do somersaults.

“Are you happy?” he asked.

“That is an odd question.”

“On the contrary, I think it is a perfectly normal question. Are you happy we are going to have a child?”

She was. Chastity nodded. “I am.”

He smiled and her treacherous stomach did a somersault. “If we have a son, my father will be relieved that the title is safe.”

“Oh, I think he isn’t the least bit worried on that account,” Stirling said.

Chastity nodded. “With all of us married, he is certain to have a male heir at some point.”

“He may very well have a male heir of his own.”

She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“There is a certain widow who has taken an interest in the duke.”

Chastity stared. “What? Who is she? Oh, I imagine she is after his title. I must meet this woman. How long has this been going on?”

He laughed. “Now, who is it that likes dabbling in others’ lives?”

“This isn’t dabbling,” she shot back. “My father is a man, and men are easily swayed by a pretty face. If she is a fortune hunter—”

“I assure you, she is no fortune hunter.”

Then she understood. “My God, you found him a match?” She couldn’t believe it.

“I only introduced them,” he said. “Your father did the rest.”

Chastity shifted her attention to her father. He hadn’t said a word. “I must meet her.”

“In due time, Chastity. For now, give them a chance to get to know one another.”

“Are you saying he truly might remarry?” she demanded.

“Why not? He isn’t old.”

“You can’t be in favor of him marrying. If he has a son, you won’t become the Duke of Roxburgh.”

He locked eyes with her. “I never planned on becoming his heir.”

“But that’s why you married me.”

He angled his head. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Well—what else could it be?”

He held her gaze. “Love.”

“Love? You never mentioned love before.”

“You wouldn’t have believed me.”