One True Love (39 page)
Authors: Lisa Follett
Tags: #Romance, #Historical, #Regency, #Historical Romance
Jocelyn reached over to hug her sister. "I am so excited. Thank you, Cassie."
"Tis' only the right thing to do. I love you, Jocelyn." Cassie hugged her sister back and they both had to retrieve handkerchiefs to wipe their wet eyes.
Scott arrived at that very moment and announced, "The Marquis and Marchioness of Camberley, the Earl of Shelbrooke, Lord James Prescott, Lady Elizabeth Prescott, Lady Mary Prescott, Lady Anne Prescott, and Lady Jane Prescott have arrived." Scott moved aside as William's entire family burst through the door.
"Such formalities, Scott." Mary kissed Scott on the cheek and laughed when he turned purplish red.
"
Mary.
Must you send poor Scott over the edge with your extreme lack of propriety," scolded William. He grabbed Mary up in a bear hug and swung her around. "Minx."
Mary swatted William's arm. "Do not fret, dear William, Scott and I have an understanding."
"Oh, do you?" William laughed.
Cassie watched the twins exchange greetings, as she greeted his parents and other siblings. Everyone hugged and kissed, then pulled chairs into a large family tableau.
Mary was the last of the Prescotts to greet her sister-in-law. She kissed Cassie on the cheek and then took her arm. "Shall we take a turn about the room, sister?"
Cassie smiled at Mary's use of the word
sister
. Perhaps there was hope for their relationship after all. She loved Anne the best, as they had hit it off right away, and became the best of friends. Elizabeth was always kind, but she had little in common with her. Jane and Jocelyn, closest in age, formed a friendship, for which she was grateful.
But Mary.
William's twin was a challenge, and at best things were strained between them.
Mary spoke softly as they moved away from the family. Only Cassie could hear her words. "We did not get off on the right foot, I believe. I suppose it was mostly my doing. You see, William and I are close. We understand each other in ways only two people born of the same womb can. I am quite protective of William. I was born first, you know. A minute earlier than William, which technically makes him my younger brother. Although, he often forgets and treats me as if
I
am the younger sister."
"I understand, Mary. You love William, and you must believe me when I say I love William too."
"Of course you do. How can you not help but love William?" Mary laughed. "In all honesty, I first thought you married William to save your reputation."
"I suppose I did, but in truth, I was already wildly attracted to him." Cassie glanced at her husband, deep in conversation with his brothers on the far side of the room.
"I thought you were in love with Lord Winnington?" Mary lifted her brow in question.
"Mary, I loved Mr. Parker, or so I thought. I was betrothed to him and expected to spend my life with him, but I am ever so grateful I did not make it to Gretna Green. When Mr. Parker became Lord Winnington, I am afraid he became a different man, and I must admit I never saw the darker side of him. My feelings were confused at first, but now I am completely and totally in love with your brother." Cassie stopped and looked Mary directly in the eye.
Mary hesitated for a small moment then lit up in a brilliant smile as she hugged Cassie. "I am so glad. I only wanted William's happiness. You are truly a love match. I see that now. And I cannot wait to call your babe niece or nephew, or perhaps both."
"Both?"
"Twins do run in the family, you know."
Cassie touched her stomach. "Oh my. I never considered."
Mary laughed and they both walked back over to join the rest of the family. Anne met them halfway with a smile on her face, as she flashed a warning smile towards Mary.
Oh dear.
Cassie hoped the sisters were not at odds because of her.
"You two appear happy." Anne's statement sounded a bit more like a question.
"We are indeed. I think Cassie is ready to get off of her feet and rest awhile." Mary led Cassie to the settee where she sank down gratefully.
William came over and pushed a footstool under her legs to prop her feet. "You look tired Cassie. Perhaps you should rest awhile in your bedchamber?"
"I am fine for now, but an afternoon nap will do me some good. I want to visit awhile longer."
"Stop fussing over her William. She is not the first woman to become enceinte, and I dare say, she will not be the last. Women are tougher than you think," said Lady Camberley.
"Tough does not begin to describe it. Can you imagine if men carried babies and gave birth? I do believe the world would come to an end." Mrs. Chambers caused a storm of laughter to blow through the room.
"Mother, please." Cassie rolled her eyes at her mother, but did not bother to contain her laughter. In secret, she enjoyed William's lavish attention.
The families spent the next hour talking and catching up with each other's lives. Content, but tired, Cassie allowed William to escort her to her bedchamber for a nap. They held hands as he helped her navigate the stairs. His hand in hers warmed her from the inside out.
"Do you think you are up to entertaining for the next few days?"
"Oh, of course. They are just family, after all. I am looking forward to spending time with everyone, and to getting to know your family better. It is not as if we have formal entertainments planned. Everything is quite relaxed and informal."
When they reached her bedchamber, William commanded Cassie to turn around. He undid the buttons on her dress and helped her out of it. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his hands on her large belly.
The baby moved and they both laughed as they watched a bump run across the length of her stomach. Now, the babe kicked furiously.
"She wants out," said William.
"You mean
he
wants out," said Cassie. "Or, perhaps, they
both
want out."
"Both?" William drew back and looked at Cassie with a startled expression in his eyes.
"Mary suggested I might be carrying twins. She claims twins run in your family, and I am over large, so I suppose it is not an impossibility."
"Twins?" William chuckled. "A son and a daughter, or two daughters."
"Or two sons," said Cassie.
"Perhaps we should purchase another cradle. Just in case," he said.
"I think that might be going a bit overboard."
William came around to her front and knelt down on his knees. He touched her stomach, and moved his hands over the round protrusion. He kissed her midsection and looked up, a definite twinkle in his eyes. "Just as a precaution. And it is not as if an extra cradle would go to waste. I suspect we could use it in the future."
Cassie ran her fingers through William's hair. "Silly man. Our next baby can use the same cradle."
"Oh no! That will never do. Each child should have a cradle of his own. I always hated wearing Stephen's breeches or inheriting his toys. You would think we were poor as church mice when we were children for all of the sharing we had to do. No. My children shall have their own cradle, clothes, toys, and books." William stood and kissed the tip of Cassie's nose.
"You will spoil them rotten," said Cassie.
"But not nearly as rotten as I shall spoil their mother." William planted his mouth firmly against hers. She cradled his face with her hands, and gave back his kisses with kisses of her own.
"Have I told you today that I love you?" she asked.
"Hmm...I do not believe you have."
"I love you. You are my one true love, you know."
"Just as you are mine." William kissed her again before he slipped from his clothes, and joined her in bed for an afternoon nap, or bed play, as it so often turned out to be.
THE END
Contents
About the Author
Lisa Follett reads, writes, and loves all things Regency. She is married to her one true love, and the mother of two beautiful children.
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One True Love
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Copyright
©
2011 Lisa Follett
All Rights Reserved.
Published by
An Original Press
Friendswood, Texas 77546
U.S.A.
Cover design by
Kimberly Killion
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entire coincidental.
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