Never Courted, Suddenly Wed (Scandalous Seasons #2)(88)

“I…I can’t talk. When. You’re. Kissing. Me,” she said between his kisses.

“That is the idea, Phi.”

“I really thought you’d like to know.”

Christopher rested his brow against hers. The sooner his wife said her piece, the sooner he could resume making love to her. “What is it you thought I’d like to know?”

“I’m in the family way.”

Christopher blinked. His heart froze, suspended in his chest, and then picked up a fast, steady beat. “Phi?” he whispered. Since he’d wed Sophie, he’d often considered what it would be to have young, precocious daughters with her golden tresses and cornflower eyes, who had a special love for troublesome pugs.

Worry creased her brow. “I thought you might be happy with the news. Was I…?”

Her words ended on a breathy laugh when he swept her into his arms, and twirled her in a circle. Duke, alerted to the merriment around him, leapt from his seat and bounded over to them. He nipped at Christopher’s boots.

Christopher stopped abruptly, and set Sophie down. “Christ. I’m sorry. Have I hurt you?” He ran his hands along her arms, inspecting her for injury.

Sophie pointed her eyes to the ceiling. “I’m not injured, Christopher. I’m merely expecting.”

Duke barked.

Christopher bent down and scooped him up. “Do you hear that, boy? You’re going to have a sister.”

“I imagined you would desire an heir.”

He trailed his gaze along every precious line of her face, remembering back many, many years ago, to the time he’d been a small boy and she a mere babe. “It doesn’t matter whether it is a boy or girl,” he said. “All that matters is that the child is a piece of you. He or she will have your indomitable spirit. Your kind heart.”

“Hopefully not my penchant for trouble,” she said, wryly.

Christopher imagined a house with a gaggle of children running after a litter of fawn-colored pups and grinned.

He couldn’t imagine anything he’d love more.


The End