Diana sighed. Her sister was right. She’d been so wrapped up in the situation with Lady Abernath and, honestly, her feelings for Callum, that she’d barely seen her sister since she’d returned from her elopement. “How are you feeling?”
Emily shrugged. “Good overall. A little tired and a bit nauseous.” She touched her belly.
Diana glanced at Emily’s belly too. Her sister was pregnant. Soon she’d have a baby of her very own. Why did that sound so wonderful? She’d never considered that. If she didn’t marry, she wouldn’t have a child. Well, she supposed she could. Her gaze strayed to the man who had just slid her from his lap and tucked her into his side.
Then she thought of Harry. Not that she would ever be the horrible mother Lady Abernath had been, but still. The child’s future was unknown. She nibbled her lip.
“How do you think Malice and Cordelia did, taking a child with them on their honeymoon?”
Emily shrugged. “They were going to visit Malice’s family.” Her hand held her chin. “But why did they take responsibility for Lady Abernath’s child again?”
Diana’s gut clenched. She’d likely made a mistake. “Well, he didn’t have anyone else.”
Emily looked to Minnie. “Are they taking him to family then? I know why he can’t go back to the countess, but why is Cordelia responsible for someone else’s child?”
Minnie shrugged. “I think Harry reminded Malice of himself.”
Emily nodded absently. “How old was the boy?”
Exile squeezed her waist. “I can’t recall.”
But Jack chose that moment to walk back into the room.
“Jack,” Emily called. “How old is Harry?”
Jack stopped, turning pale.
“I think he was four,” Minnie said, and then she too sat up. “Which would mean…”
The room filled with a breathless silence and Diana didn’t dare move. Emily turned to her husband. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Minnie had both her hands over her mouth.
Jack took a single step toward her, his hands up. “He doesn’t look anything like me, or Daring, he…”
But Minnie let out a gasp as she stood.
Emily stood too, her eyes welling with tears. “You lied again when you promised you wouldn’t.”
“I didn’t lie, I—”
“Get out,” Emily said, pointing at the door. “I don’t want to see you ever again.”
“Emily,” Diana started, reaching for her sister.
“Stay out of it,” Emily barked, sounding far more like Diana might.
Diana snapped her lips closed. She didn’t blame Jack for not sharing. But Emily’s trust in her husband had been hanging by a thread.
Jack took another step toward her. “Please. Love. I had no idea until a few days ago and…”
“A few days?” Her voice rose with every word. “You’ve known for a few days and you didn’t tell me?”
“I don’t know anything,” he answered, trying to shuffle even closer, but Emily planted both hands on his chest and pushed him backward.
“What’s wrong?” Daring said as he walked in with Bad behind him. Vice had already kicked up his feet as though he’d bought a ticket to the theatre.
“You.” Minnie pointed an accusing finger at her husband. “You lying piece of dung. I’m going to have your—”
“What the bloody hell?” Daring stalked over to his wife. “Minnie, what’s happened that you’re so angry—”
Minnie brought her hand down across her husband’s cheek. “How could you not tell me?”
Daring held his face, but red skin peeked out from under his hand.
“They know about Harry,” Jack said quietly.
“The four of us need to talk.” Daring reached for his wife’s arm and began pulling her toward the door.
Jack tried to do the same to Emily but she ripped her arm from his grasp. “I’m not talking to you about anything ever again.” Without warning, he swept an arm under her knees and picked her up.
As the two couples left, Bad and Vice jumped up to follow. “Let’s listen at the door,” Vice said in a loud whisper.
“Good idea,” Bad answered, slapping the other man on the back. “This is better than the club.”
Diana started to rise to follow too. She was worried about Minnie and Emily, but Callum’s hand held her in place. “They’ll be fine. The child isnae Daring’s or Jack’s. Minnie and Emily will see that in time.”
“What shall we do, then?” Diana asked, turning to look at him. His eyes had darkened as he stared back.
“Well, considering I have a wound on my arm that’s yet to be bandaged, I’d love yer aid and I didn’t really fancy climbing through yer window anyhow.”
Diana pressed her lips together. “I should say no.”
He leaned closer, his breath tickling her ear. “I can’t leave ye alone. No’ tonight.” He brushed his fingers down her cheek and over her neck. “I just want to make sure no one tries to hurt ye.”
Her insides tingled. How could she say no to that?
Chapter Sixteen
Exile half carried Diana to her room, his body taut with anticipation. He didn’t plan on making love to her. He just wanted to hold her in his arms, feel her heart against his, and know for certain that she was safe.
That was enough.
But then she leaned into his neck, placing a feather-light kiss against his rough skin and his breath halted in his chest, everything inside him tightening. Damn that felt good.
“Diana,” he rumbled, squeezing her tighter. “That feels too good. Ye cannae--”
“Can’t?” she whispered close to his ear, her breath sending tingles careening down his skin. “Why not?”
“I want to be a gentleman. I—”
She laughed then. A throaty little chuckle that made his cock swell. “You’re coming to stay in my room. How is that gentlemanly?”
“It isnae” he growled back. “But it could be.”
Diana pointed toward the right. “That way.” Then she tightened her hands around his neck. “So why was I going to leave my window open?”
“I…” He swallowed as she gestured to a door. Flinging it open, he stepped inside, then quickly closed the large wooden door and locked them in. “I want to feel yer heartbeat against mine. Feel yer breath and ken ye’re safe.”
She stilled, except her hands, which slid to his cheeks. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
Without thinking, he dropped his mouth to hers, giving her a kiss meant to be a promise but somehow, the touch grew and intensified until they were both panting for breath.
“What did ye think tonight would be?” he finally raised his head to ask.
Her eyes were half open and her lips pouty and swollen as she stared back. “I thought you would make love to me.”
He groaned and kissed her again. Damn, he wanted to. More than he could say. But tonight was not the night. First, he didn’t have to ask to know that his rescue had softened her. Made her more receptive. And he could justify making love to her because he had every intention of marrying her. But, the man he wanted to be would not take advantage. And honestly, he didn’t want to elope like Jack and Emily, because Diana wound up pregnant. Their wedding would be in a church with her entire family in attendance. If he were going to alienate the only family he had left, he would not push away hers too. “I would like nothing more.”