“Delicate!” Meggie huffed, trying to stand. “I’m the size of an elephant. It’s a wonder you can bear the sight of me.”
“My dear, Meggie,” Dexter said with a wicked smile, “you know full well that I relish the sight of you—as I believe I made clear twice last night and once again this morning.”
Mrs. Goode burst into a fit of coughing, and Meggie felt her cheeks burning. As her pregnancy advanced, her need for his touch had become a craving, which he was more than happy to satisfy. He glanced toward the chair beside the window where yesterday he’d sat back, his hands interlinked behind his neck while she’d ridden him, bringing them both to pleasure. Had any passer-by looked up, they would have seen her.
She might have believed she was turning into a wanton, but Anne Pelham, now expecting her fourth child, had warned her that pregnancy often increased a woman’s appetites. And judging by the size of the smile on Mr. Pelham’s face when Meggie took tea with them last week, Anne’s fourth pregnancy was no exception.
Billy gave a stiff little bow. “Hello, Mama.”
Meggie opened her arms, and the boy rushed toward her, and she held him close, burying her face in his hair.
“I’ve missed you,” she said.
“And I, you, Mama.”
“Did you have a good time at Eton?”
“Oh, yes!” Billy cried, “I’ve made two new friends—we’re in Godolphin House together. Papa says they can stay with us at Molineux Manor for some of the long vacation.”
“Are you working hard?”
“Papa has already asked me that during the ride home,” Billy said. “I’m top of my class in mathematics, and I’ve joined the chess club.”
“Excellent!” Meggie laughed. “Mr. Peyton will be pleased. Perhaps he’ll include one of your games in his next chess book.”
Billy puffed out his chest with pride. “I lent Augustus a copy of Uncle Oliver’s book,” he said. “He didn’t believe me when I said my mama had written a whole chapter. He thinks girls can’t play chess.”
Meggie laughed. “Girls can do anything,” she said.
“Well, I’m looking forward to renaming my business Hart & Son,” Dexter said, patting Billy on the head. “Or perhaps, even Hart & Sons.”
“What if I give birth to a girl?” Meggie asked.
“Then I’ll change my livery to Hart & Son & Daughter,” Dexter said, laughing. “That’ll cause a stir at the bank!”
Mrs. Goode rose to her feet. “Come along, young man,” she said. “Cook was baking sweet buns for your return. Shall we see if they’re ready?”
Billy grasped her hand, and she led him out of the parlor.
“Our son is prospering,” Dexter said. “It’s a pity Alderley didn’t live to see his grandson thrive.”
Meggie nodded. Her half-brother James had returned from the army to claim his title as Viscount Alderley. He had a Herculean task on his hands—managing not only a bankrupt estate but a sister who resided there, a bitter woman haunting its shades.
“Billy doesn’t need the Alderleys in his life,” Dexter continued. “He has aunts enough.”
“That he does!” Meggie laughed. “Delilah wrote to say she’s coming to help with the baby after my confinement, and she’ll brook no denial.”
Dexter rolled his eyes. “That’s all I need,” he said. “Lilah’s a hellion. She’ll spend the entire visit ordering me about.”
Meggie laughed. Dexter’s youngest sister had come to stay over Christmas. Meggie had been apprehensive at meeting Delilah, but she’d immediately put Meggie at ease. Lilah’s husband, though a duke, possessed a natural warmth. The huge Scotsman had pulled Meggie into a bear-hug and welcomed her to the family. As for their daughter, Flora, Meggie had fallen in love with the flame-haired toddler on sight.
“I won’t hear a word against your siblings,” Meggie said, “for I love them all.”
Dexter sighed. “As do I,” he said. “I would have them all happy.”
“Aren’t they?”
“All except Devon.”
“Your brother will find happiness,” Meggie said. “He just needs to find someone capable of seeing the goodness in his heart.”
“You always see the goodness in others,” Dexter said. “Not everyone possesses that quality.” He sighed. “Sometimes, I regret not having the opportunity to see Alderley again before he died. I wish I’d been able to thank him properly.”
“What for?”
“For giving me you,” he said. “The greatest treasure in his possession.”
He lifted her hand to his lips.
“I might have spent the rest of my life merely existing—devoted to increasing my fortune and my social status. But you…” He placed a hand on her belly. “You taught me what it was like to live.”
He leaned forward and kissed her again, his tongue probing, seeking entrance. Gladly, she opened to receive him. Then he broke the kiss.
“Come, my love,” he said. “Supper awaits, after which I hope to enjoy dessert.”
He took her hand and led her downstairs, his eyes glittering with mischief in anticipation of the night ahead.