Bewitching the Duke (28 page)

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Authors: Christie Kelley

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One year later
 
Selina closed her eyes as another contraction washed over her. They were definitely getting closer together now. She hated the idea of putting her husband through this but it must be done.
“Colin?”
“Yes, darling?” He looked up from the paperwork on his desk. “Do you need something?”
She had curled into a chair by the fireplace and now wondered if she should head for the bedchamber. “Perhaps you should send for Mia and her mother.”
“Have you finally decided to tell me you’re in labor?”
“You knew?”
“For the past hour. I sent for Mrs. Featherstone forty-five minutes ago.”
She laughed softly. “I didn’t want to worry you.”
“I know. But I will worry no matter what.” He rose and walked toward her chair. “Do you want to go upstairs now?”
“Not really,” she replied, standing up next to him. “My mother used to get her new mothers to walk until they couldn’t stand any longer. Would you walk with me?”
“Of course.”
“Oh my,” she said as another contraction slammed into her. “That one came much faster and harder.”
Colin glanced down at his watch, praying Mrs. Featherstone would get here soon. When he had noticed his wife making slight moans and clutching the arm of the chair, he had immediately sent for Hart’s wise women.
“They will be here in time,” Selina said as she walked across the room with him. “Let’s go on the terrace and get a breath of air.”
They walked the length of the terrace twice before she stopped as another contraction hit her. She breathed in and out in deep breaths.
“That one hurt,” she admitted. “Perhaps it’s time to go to the bedchamber.”
“Shall I carry you?”
“I need the walk.”
As they reached the steps, the front door opened and Mrs. Featherstone and her daughter arrived. “Why isn’t she in bed yet?” Mrs. Featherstone demanded.
“That’s where we were going,” Selina replied, unaffected by Mrs. Featherstone’s harsh tone.
Colin helped Selina up the stairs to their bedchamber.
“And this is where you leave, Your Grace.”
“I need to stay.” He couldn’t leave her alone.
“Your Grace,” Mia said softly. “You will only be in our way and a distraction for Selina. She needs to work very hard over the next few hours to get your baby out. Please go to your study. Hart is down there waiting for you.”
“Colin, wait,” Selina said after changing into a nightgown. She put her arms around him and kissed him softly. “I love you. Please try not to worry. Everything will be all right.”
“I love you, Selina.” God, he couldn’t lose her.
“Go, Your Grace,” Mrs. Featherstone said as she helped Selina into bed.
He closed the door behind him as Selina let out a loud moan. This would be the longest night of his life. He walked down to his study and found Hart pouring two glasses of brandy.
“Here,” he said, handing one to Colin. “How do they do this?”
“I have no idea.”
The men barely spoke as the night wore on. A few times, Colin could have sworn he heard Selina’s screams. Five hours later, Mia came into the room. “Your Grace, my mother would like to see you.”
Oh, God. It was just like nine years ago when the maid had told him that Mrs. White needed to speak to him. He looked over at Mia’s pale and drawn face. Dread filled him. It felt like hours before he finally reached their bedchamber. It was too quiet in there. He knocked lightly on the door.
“It’s about time you got up here,” Mrs. Featherstone said, opening the door for him. “You wife has someone for you to meet.”
“What?” He glanced over at the bed and found Selina propped against the pillows holding a baby wrapped in a white blanket.
“Go to your wife, Your Grace.” She picked up her bags. “Selina, I shall call on you in the afternoon to see how you are doing.”
“Thank you again, Mrs. Featherstone.”
She closed the door behind them, cloaking them in privacy. Colin walked to the bed and stared down at the perfect infant.
“Meet your son, Your Grace,” Selina said with a smile. “He looks just like you with all that dark hair and those blue eyes.”
Colin sat down on the bed and Selina placed their son in his arms. “He’s beautiful.” He reached out a finger and his son grabbed on. “Ten fingers.”
“And ten toes. I counted.” She leaned forward and kissed their son before kissing Colin. “Did you manage? I tried to hurry things along, you know.”
He stared at the wife he loved and then moved his gaze to his newborn son. “I have everything I ever wanted.”
Have you read these other fantastic
historical romances by Christie Kelley?
Available in paperback and as eBooks.
Award-winning author
Christie Kelley
was born and raised in upstate New York. After seventeen years working for financial institutions in software development, she started writing her first book. She currently writes regency historical romances for Kensington and now lives in Maryland with her two sons. Come visit her on the web at
www.christiekelley.com
.
eKENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
 
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
 
Copyright © 2012 by Christie Kelley
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
 
eKensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-1-6018-3028-9
 
First Electronic Edition: December 2012
 

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