One Year Later…

Anthony had everything: the perfect, adoring wife, many profitable businesses, and any comfort that a man would want for. But the most important thing of all was possibly being ripped away from him. And a life without his darling Isabel, his happiness, was not a life worth living.

He could not stop pacing about the hallway as he waited outside her bedchamber at their townhome. Isabel had been ill for weeks—weeks! From the very first day, he had recommended a physician, but she had been stubborn and wished to wait it out. It wasn’t until that very morning that it had worsened where the exhaustion was so great, she could not get out of bed.

Had a fever attacked her? What if she didn’t improve? Anthony knew logically that his thoughts were exaggerated and dramatic, but his heart simply couldn’t bear the thought of Isabel dying. The physician had only been with her for fifteen minutes, but Anthony had felt like he had been there for hours.

Suddenly, the door opened, and he whipped around, studying the physician’s facial expression for any hint of what was going on. “Well, my lord, I have recommended her some herbal teas which will help with her nausea and dizziness. Beyond that, a great amount of bedrest is in her future.”

“What is the matter, though? Is it fever? Consumption?” Anthony asked in a panic.

The physician flashed him a smile and clasped his hands together. “A growth, my lord. Perhaps two, considering how terribly her body is adjusting to it. But have no fear, in about six months from now, the growths will expel from her. And you’ll even have the pleasure of naming them.”

Anthony had to take a moment to calm down and fully understand what he was saying. With child. Isabel is with child?! “You’re certain of it?” he asked, breathless.

“As certain as the day is light.” The man nodded.

“You… you…” Anthony muttered, shaking a finger at him. “I don’t know whether to slap you or kiss you on the mouth. What kind of physician breaks news in such a way?”

“I would really prefer if you did neither,” the man grumbled. “All in good fun, I assure you. I did not mean any offense.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Anthony blurted out before rushing past him. He didn’t want to waste time waiting to speak with the physician; he needed to see Isabel. They had both expressed a desire for children of their own, but they assumed she was barren because she had no children with her previous husband.

He found her, sitting up in bed, sipping tea. There was color to her cheeks for the first time in days, and there was a stunning glow to her. “How are you feeling?” he asked hastily.

“Better,” she assured him. “Enough to get out of this bloody bed.”

Then, Isabel hoisted herself up more and kicked her legs off the side of the bed. Anthony was at her side in an instant, blocking her path. “Oh, no, don’t you dare, my lady. The physician just told me you are in need of bedrest.”

“I’ve rested for weeks,” she huffed. When Anthony shot her a challenging stare, she gave one right back. “Can’t I rest in the study?”

He sighed, already knowing there wasn’t any stopping her. The best he could do was help her. “Stubborn, stubborn thing,” he teased her, wrapping an arm tightly about her waist.

“You knew this when you married me,” she taunted.

Anthony softened and kissed the top of her head. “That I did.”

Step by step, they made it to the study and settled in at the desk. Within just months of marriage, they had opted to order a larger desk so they could sit side-by-side. They had decided to get into the sugar business, as well as pottery, and they made all their decisions together. Anthony scooted his chair right next to hers and kept an arm around her as Isabel started sorting through papers.

All he could do for a moment was admire her. Even having just found out she is with child, and maybe children, she was dedicated to their work. She was in her nightgown, her hair down and natural, not a granule of makeup on her face—and she had never appeared more gorgeous to him. Other than perhaps their wedding day.

Anthony reached across and rested a hand on her stomach. When she lifted her gaze to look at him, they were both smiling at one another. “Can you believe it?” he whispered.

“I want to say no, but I can,” she admitted. “As everything seems to fall right into place when we are together.”

“That it does, my love,” he purred and kissed her cheek. “He said it might even be twins.”

“I believe that too.” She sighed. “He said twins often come with exhaustion and sickness. I’ve talked a good deal with both Helena and Mary about their children and pregnancies. Neither of them were sick to this extent. Though, I shouldn’t expect anything less of your children.”

He snickered and kissed her cheek again. “That you shouldn’t. They will be the most beautiful, intelligent, and hellish children of all time.”

Her hand rested over his and her lips neared his. “I look forward to it.”

The kiss was long, sweet, and as perfect as the moment was. Fate had brought them this far, and he could not wait to see where it would take them as a family.

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