The Duke's Bride (29 page)

Roderick watched in fear as the basket dangled in her
fingers. “Susan, you cannot take someone else’s child.”

She shrugged, waving the pistol his way. “Pity, Your
Grace. For once you are wrong.” The wicked look in her expression took his
breath away.

He stepped toward her.

“Do not think about charging me, Roderick!” She shot
him a withering stare and held the baby high in the air. “I will drop him.”

He froze. “I am not moving.”

“That’s better,” she said with a twisted smile. “But I
fear I am going to have to shoot you. This baby is mine now. My second chance
at life. I will have to shoot your captain too. But I must say, he did put on quite
a good show. Truly, I have to wonder if the baby is his after all.”

Roderick glared at her. “There is no way out. The
king’s guards have surrounded the place. You can shoot me and the captain, but
you will never get away.”

She laughed again. “Oh, Roderick, we could have done
so well together. Think about it. You, me, and the baby.”

Her hands started to tremble violently. Panic almost
consumed Roderick. But when he saw the far away look in her eye, he knew he had
only a few more minutes before she did something dreadful.

A few tense seconds passed before he spoke. “Opium,
madam,” he finally said, staring at her. “By Jove, you are using opium.”

She sneered at him. “Does that surprise you?” She
lowered the baby, letting the basket pull at her arm. “I had to take something
after I lost my son. But this little boy is mine now.” She looked at the child.
“Is that not right, Peter, my dear?”

Roderick flinched when the baby squealed. The lady was
insane.

He could see the captain staring at him, ready to strike.
But it was obvious the man was waiting for Roderick’s signal.

Roderick tried to hold his emotions together as he
weighed the situation. Lady Trayton seemed to be talking to the baby, almost
oblivious to the fact that he was still in the room. The basket was near her
face now, with the pistol still shaking in her other hand. One wrong move and the
child could die.

He would have to do something, but what? Could the
captain move? Would the lady drop the child? Would she shoot him?

Just as he was about to signal the captain, the lady’s
eyes widened as she peered over Roderick’s shoulder.

“My goodness,” she announced with a cackling laugh.
“Look at that. The little mother has come to rescue her baby. How quaint.”

Roderick stiffened. Devil take it! Without a doubt, he
knew Jane was behind him.

“Look, Roderick,” Lady Trayton replied mockingly.
“Your little duchess thinks she is going to rescue you too. With what, I ask
you? Her fists?”

Roderick slowly turned his head to see Jane stepping
into the room. There was a hardness in her eyes that sent his nerves tingling
with fear.

His lungs felt as if they would burst when she pulled the
pistol from her reticule.

Jane did not even look his way as she pointed the gun at
the lady’s heart. “I am going to ask you mother to mother to put my child on
the floor and step aside.”

Roderick’s breath caught. Devil take it! The ball
could easily hit the baby.

 “Jane,” he said softly.

Jane shot him a loving gaze. “I know what I am doing,
Roderick.”

“My, my, the two lovebirds,” the lady said coolly. “But
if either of you want this baby alive, you had best make way for me to leave
this place unharmed, or I will drop the baby on top of that hot stove.”

Jane’s face drained of all color. But to Roderick’s
surprise, the next moment, she gritted her teeth and raised the pistol. “I said
stand aside, Lady Trayton. Put my baby on the floor. Gently now, or I will
shoot.”

Lady Trayton started to shake. “That thing isn’t
loaded. It was you outside. I heard the shouting. You already used the one ball
you had. Besides, if you shoot, I drop the baby.”

Jane took another step toward the lady. “Ha. You think
I would let you take my child then? You think I do not have a loaded pistol
directed at your heart. Think again.”

The lady paled, bringing the basket to her chest. “You
would not dare shoot. You might hit him.”

Jane’s arms faltered.

Lady Trayton smiled and raised her pistol.

Roderick felt his heart stop. Lady Trayton could
barely hold the basket or the pistol.

“We are even, are we not?” the lady said to Jane,
pointing her pistol toward Roderick. “An eye for an eye, they say. Why do we not
shoot at the same time?”

It all happened in a matter of seconds. Captain Argyle
jumped. Lady Trayton’s gun exploded. Roderick dropped and rolled. Jane screamed.
The basket dropped.

“I have him,” the captain shouted, holding the crying
child to his chest. “Stop her!”

Lady Trayton bolted out the kitchen door toward the
tap.

Roderick raced after the lady. Jane hurried toward the
captain who was now face up on the floor with the baby cradled against his
chest and the basket at his side.

The captain held the crying baby out to her. “He’s all
right, Jane. I caught him in time. He never hit the floor.”

Jane pressed her face against her baby’s soft skin and
let out a sob. “Thank you. Thank you.”

She looked up when Roderick and one of his men burst
into the room.

“Roderick! He’s all right!” She clasped the baby to
her breast. “The captain saved him.”

Roderick seemed to pale as he stared at the baby in
her arms.

“Lady Trayton is in custody,” the man beside him announced.
“Caught her in the taproom.”

“Roderick?” Jane replied, realizing she had not
thanked him too. “You were so brave. I—”

But Roderick was not looking at her. He was gazing at
the spot of blood on his shirt.

“Roderick!” she screamed.

He looked up and smiled. “It’s nothing, sweetheart.
Just a scratch.” Chuckling, he walked forward and trailed a gentle finger over
the baby’s brow. “So, this is our son.”

The baby howled in protest.

“Dash it all,” Roderick said, his eyes beaming with
laughter. “The boy has lungs like his mama.” He cupped Jane’s cheek with his
large hand. “And speaking of his mama, I never thought you would speak to me
again, Duchess.”

His eyes softened as he shifted his gaze back to their
son. “God be praised. A healthy, beautiful son. What a miracle.”

He regarded the captain who was frowning up at them
from the floor. “And our handsome captain saves the day again. I suppose I will
have to be his friend now. What say you to that, James? I am indebted to you,
sir.”

Blood dripped from the captain’s head as he let out a
heavy grunt and tried to stand. “You’ve been shot, you fool!”

“Ah.” Roderick’s hand touched the large red circle
growing on his chest. “By Jove, I believe for once you are correct, James.” And
without another word, Roderick crumpled to the floor.

S
unshine streamed through the window of Elbourne
Hall as Jane sat on the bed beside her husband. It had been a week since
Roderick had been wounded.

She swallowed back tears of gratitude as she returned
the family bible back to the nightstand and wiped the beads of sweat forming on
her husband’s brow. To see this strong man so vulnerable, made her heart swell
with pain. Yet, he was her hero and would always be the love of her life, along
with her son.

Roderick’s clear thinking had saved their child. He
had no idea she would be rushing in with another pistol in hand. But when she
had heard her baby’s cries, her heart had taken over, and she had almost killed
Roderick with her impulsiveness.

She had never loved him more or been more scared in
her life than back at that inn.

“Ah, sweetheart, your hand feels nice on my brow.”

 She dropped her gaze to her husband’s sweet face
and let out a light laugh. Two smoky silver eyes stared back at her. His loving
expression ignited her very soul.

“Well, Your Grace,” she said smiling. “I believe you will
live. You are quite lucky for being shot twice in one year.”

“Lucky?” he muttered, grabbing her hand. “I would say
I was quite stupid.”

“You are not thinking correctly, my love.”

His gaze captured hers in a look of remorse. “Oh, I am
thinking correctly, my lovely duchess. I chose my path and have been a fool in
many things. Forgive me, sweetheart. I hurt the person I loved most in the
world. I will do anything to make it up to you.”

Tears clogged her throat, and she put a finger to his
lips. “Shhh, you must rest.”

“No. Let me finish. I have been an arrogant fool thinking
I could run your life. It will take time for me to adjust, but I will. I
promise you, sweetheart.”

She bent down and dropped a kiss to his cheek. Her
heart overflowed with love for this man. Indeed, God had been watching over
them. “And I am sorry I did not tell you about our son sooner, my dear, dear
husband.”

His twinkling gray eyes never left her. “You have transformed
yourself into a new woman, wife. I daresay I do not think you need me. Now,
now, I said need, not love. I know you love me, but you are more secure with
yourself. More independent than when I first met you.”

She smiled. “Do you truly think so?”

“You do recall you almost shot my ear off!” he
exclaimed playfully.

“I am sorry for that too.”

He laughed. “You are a gift. You have grown in many
ways.” His amused gaze devoured her. “And I like it.”

She giggled, feeling her heart soar. “And you, dear
husband, are too ill to do anything about it. Besides, it has been barely a
month since I had our son.”  

“Ah, I see,” he said smiling. “You have become a
dictator as well.”

Jane brought his powerful hand to her lips and kissed
it. “Then, you must let me finish. No, husband, you had your say. Now, it is my
turn.”

“Go on,” he said. “But know this. Nothing will change
my love for you.”

She nodded, feeling warm tears rushing to her lids. “I
was afraid to tell you about our son because, well, I thought you might—”

He growled, interrupting her. “Hell’s bells! Don’t
think, sweetheart.”

She blinked.

The next moment, he let out a low moan and yanked her
down beside him.

“Roderick!”

“Devil take it, Jane! I cannot take you sitting beside
me anymore!”

“But Roderick! Your wound!”

“Forget the blasted wound! I’ve missed you! All of
you!” He grabbed her hand and set his warm lips upon her palm.

Shivers of delight slid down her spine. She smiled,
snuggling close. “And dare I say, I missed you too?”

He chuckled, taking her face in his hands. “Have I
thanked you for our son?”

“Oh, about a thousand times.”

He drew his fingertip along her throat and over her
shoulder beneath her sleeve. “I was a stupid, arrogant, bas—”.

She placed a hand over his mouth, loving the feel of
him. “You were trying to protect me the only way you knew how.”

“And I almost lost you,” he said, frowning.

“But I’m here now, darling.”

He lifted one of her blond curls and caressed it
between his fingers. “Do you know how wonderful you are?”

She blushed.

“Do you mind if we have more children?” he said, his
gray eyes gleaming with mischief.

She sat up. “You do not mind more children?”

“I vow, I do not like to be beholden to that handsome
captain,” he said, dropping his head against his pillow. “But if his Mrs. Hobbs
can watch over you while you are with child, along with a doctor we both trust,
then I do not mind at all.”

She pressed her lips to his, her heart bursting with love.
“Oh, Roderick, I have never been happier than I am right now.”

He sighed softly, brushing a finger over her mouth. “The
thing is, Jane. I’ve come to the conclusion, that we must not be afraid of the
things we want most in life. Good things, I mean - even if there are trials to
endure, my dear. Life is not easy, but if we use our heads, and ask for God’s help,
I ask you, Jane, what more can we do, but try our best?”

Jane stared at her husband in a new light. He was
still the powerful Duke of Elbourne, but after all they had endured, he seemed
to have quite a different understanding about life.

“I suppose that is what life is about, is it not?” she
replied. “You have changed so much, Roderick. I can hardly believe you are the
same man. Not that I did not love you before…”

His finger continued to trace her bottom lip. “Now,
now, little mother, have a care. I have not lost all my stubbornness.”

Jane laughed, grateful they were together again. “And
I have to admit, I have not lost all of mine either.”

“Ah, we are not perfect then. How wonderful. But I
will tell you this. Your Mrs. Hobbs came to visit me a few days ago, along with
the captain, and I would not have it. Oh, I was nice, but I insisted I did not
need any of her treatments. She may attend to you, but as for me, I insist on
my man from London. Men are different creatures with different needs, my dear.”

Jane burst out laughing. “Then I must tell you, my
love, the tea you have been drinking came from Mrs. Hobbs. It is a combination
of many different herbs.”

Roderick jerked, shooting a glance toward the teacup.
“Devil take it! I wondered why it tasted so foul.”

“But you have to admit,” Jane said. “You have made a
miraculous recovery.”

His smile widened. “Well, then,” he said, his brows moving
up and down suggestively. “I believe I should kiss you a little more. I
distinctly heard the doctor say I needed to increase my physical activity.”

Jane tried scooting off the bed, but Roderick would
not have it. “Not yet, wife. I want to love you first.”

She blushed. “Roderick, it’s broad daylight.”

“The better to see my beautiful wife whom I love with
all my heart.”

With a groan, she dropped her head into his arms, and her
shoulders started to shake.

Roderick stiffened. He put a tender hand to the back
of her head. “What’s this? You don’t love me anymore?”

“Of course, I love you,” she mumbled against his
dressing gown.

“But you love someone else?”

She nodded.

“The captain?” he asked, his voice filled with
jealousy.

She shook her head, no.

“Someone else?” he asked in a dangerous tone. “What’s
his name? By Jove, Jane! This is too much for any man.”

She looked up, frowning. “That’s the problem. I don’t
know.”

“What the devil do you mean, you don’t know?”

She kissed him long and hard. “We have yet to name our
son. I believe we should call him something other than
son
or
baby
.
Do you not think so, Your Grace? Who knows what Lady Philomena and Lady Horatio
would say?”

Smiling, Roderick sagged in relief. “You little tease.
As to those old biddies, I told them I did not want to see them for a year!”

“You did not.”

He nodded with a scowl. “I did. They are visiting
their people in America, I believe. And Horatio, what kind of name is that for
a woman?”

“Oh, Roderick,” Jane said, giggling, resting her head
near his. “You are wonderful. But back to our son, I was thinking about some
names.”

Roderick wrapped his arm around her. “I was thinking too.
If Marcus is to be the godfather, we shall name our son Marcus. It only makes
sense.”

“I do not believe that would be a good idea,” she
said, sitting up.

“And why the devil not?’

“Because Marcus is not going to be the godfather.”

“He certainly is, madam, and make no mistake about
that.”

“I am sorry, Your Grace. But Marcus will not be the
godfather.”

He narrowed his eyes. “It shall not be Captain Argyle,
no matter what he did for the child. I forbid it. The man is, well, a
bachelor!”

Jane smiled. “Oh, Roderick, you are so adorable when
you are jealous. But the man did save our baby’s life, along with you, of
course.”

She kissed him on his nose.

“Very well,” he said, letting out a sigh. “I suppose
we could call the baby James, and still have Marcus be the godfather.”

She combed a gentle hand through his blue-black hair.
“I think not, my love. In fact, we are going to have to call our son George.”

“George?” he exclaimed, his eyes popping in shock. “That
is the king’s name.”

“And that is the very reason. Our monarch has
requested to be the baby’s godfather.”

Roderick sat up on his elbows and winced. “Devil take
it! That is above and beyond the call of duty! I have done everything for the Crown!
But I will not be forced to name my firstborn son after the king! Not if I
choose differently. And that’s all I have to say on the matter.”

She wiped a wet rag over his sweating forehead. “Would
you have me tell him differently? He is waiting in the drawing room to talk to
you.”

“Thunder and Zeus! You have to be jesting!”

She laughed louder. “I admit it was a cruel jest. The
king is not here. But he does want to be the godfather. And if he is, I think
it only right we call our son George.”

Roderick pressed his lips together, his gray eyes dancing.
He took hold of her hand and squeezed. “I will think about it.”

“My, you have changed, Your Grace,” Jane said, her
heart in her eyes.

“Come here you little witch.” Roderick yanked her on
top of him.

She yelped.

He tickled her. She yelped again.

They froze when there was a knock on the door.

Jane scooted off the bed and straightened her clothes.
She glared at Roderick. “See what happens when you try things like that in the
middle of the day.”

He winked at her.

Another knock.

“Come in,” Jane said, patting her hair.

Milli walked into the bedchambers, holding their son
in her arms. Her dark gaze took in the couple, and she sent them a knowing
smile.

Jane felt a blush cross her face. Milli might be
young, but the newly married woman knew all about love. She and Marcus had recently
returned after spending many months on a long European holiday. They looked more
in love than when they had left. Jane was happy for the couple. Although their
courting had included a few wild months, it seemed the time away had been
wonderful for them.

The wail of the baby made Jane frown. She put out her
hands. “I can take him now.”

“George was missing his mama,” Milli said, placing the
child in Jane’s arms. “He did not want me or anyone.”

Roderick’s stunned gaze snapped toward Jane. “
George?
You, madam, are a weasel of the worst kind.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Jane said, laughing. “I take
that as a compliment.”

Milli chuckled and patted Roderick’s covered feet.
“Oh, did Jane tell you about our school? It’s heavenly. I hear the young women moved
into the new place last month. Of course, Captain Argyle has been helping out
since I was off with Marcus. What a sweet man. Those green eyes and broad
shoulders almost make me swoon. Why, if I were not married to your brother…”
The young female batted her eyes and swayed against the bed.

Roderick’s jaw dropped in shock. He ignored Milli’s
dramatics and turned to Jane. “What’s this about a school?”

Jane kissed George’s cheeks and smiled at her husband.
“It’s a joint venture. I thought I told you.”

“No, madam,” he said. “You did not.”

Jane shrugged. “Well, Milli and I have bought a school
for young women. And the captain has been kind enough to help us with the
details. It’s in Bath. But the previous owner was a vulgar man. He tried to
swindle us.”