Pregnancy Proposals: The Duke's Baby. Rebecca Winters

emotions spiraling out of control.

      “Are you the kind of woman who wants to have the baby the natural way?”

      She shook her head. “No. I’m a coward and plan to avail myself of the latest epidural.”

      “That means no Lamaze class for me?”

      “Would you want to do that?”

      He studied her over the rim of his coffee cup. “I want to do anything that helps me feel closer to the baby.”

      “You can come to all my doctor appointments. I’ll be getting the ultrasound next month.”

      “I was already planning on it. Needless to say I’ll be driving you to the hospital when your time comes. I’ve never seen a baby born. Giles and his wife had a little girl last year. He said it was the greatest experience of his life. I’ve envied him that.”

      Her heart told her this wasn’t an act on Lance’s part. Having been denied the possibility of creating a child from his own body, he was willing to do whatever it took to be a part of her pregnancy. Andrea was one person who understood that need.

      With the last bite of cereal gone, she went over to the dresser where she kept her purse. Reaching for her lipstick she said, “Did you happen to see Corinne while you were downstairs?”

      “No. Papa said she had breakfast with him before going for a horseback ride.”

      “Does she do a lot of riding?”

      “From what I understand.”

      “How’s your father this morning?”

      “Euphoric. I left him on the phone with Helene.”

      “Did he say anything about Corinne?”

      “No.”

      Her anxious eyes flicked to his. “It’s like waiting for a time bomb we didn’t set to go off.”

      Lance nodded grimly. “Papa would like to drive to the house with us, but the doctor says he has to stay in for a couple of more days.”

      “There’ll be time enough for that when he’s all better.”

      “That’s what I told him. Shall we go?”

      He opened the door for her, then followed with the tray. They’d almost reached the foyer when she heard his cell phone ring. She noticed him check the caller ID before he clicked on.

      She might not be able to understand French, but the violence of his expression needed no translation.

      “What’s happened?” she asked the second he rang off.

      There was a white ring around his mouth. “That was the groomsman. Corinne took Tonnerre without permission. He went after her on another horse.

      “It seems she tried to jump the fountain, but didn’t succeed. She took a nasty fall and appears concussed, but Tonnerre’s front legs are broken. He’s in agony.”

      That meant his beautiful horse would have to be put down.

      “Go, Lance—” she cried. “I’ll phone for an ambulance.”

      He handed her the tray and his cell phone. “Dial 112. Tell them to come to the Fountain of Youth in the forest. They’ll understand.”

      Her heart went with him as he disappeared down the hall toward the kitchen. Poor Tonnerre. He’d carried both her and Lance when she’d been ill. It was going to kill him to have to put his animal out of its misery, but he had no other choice.

      In the next instant she set the tray on the nearest credenza and called the emergency number. After getting the details, they said they were on their way.

      “Andrea?”

      She looked up to discover Geoff standing on the first landing.

      “Henri told me Corinne had an accident on one of the horses. Is she all right?”

      “The groomsman said he thought she’d be fine. Lance went to see about her.” Andrea hurried up the stairs and walked him back to his suite. They sat down opposite each other in the sitting room.

      “I’m relieved he’s with her.”

      “He’ll take care of everything. It’s good we hadn’t left for town yet.”

      “She’s an excellent rider. I can’t imagine what happened.”

      “We’ll find out soon enough. Shall I ask Brigitte to bring you some tea while we wait to hear?”

      Andrea didn’t dare tell him the truth. She’d let his son explain. Thanks to Henri’s discretion, Geoff didn’t appear too upset.

      “No, no. As long as we’re alone for a minute, I want to tell you something.”

      “What is it?”

      For the first time since she’d known him, Geoff seemed hesitant.

      “When you’ve been a mother for a number of years, you’ll understand better what I’m about to say to you.”

      “Go on,” she urged gently.

      “Our children mean everything to us. We know their joys and their fears. We know what makes them happy. We know what brings them pain.

      “Choosing you for his wife has made Lance happy, and that makes me happy. But Corinne is devastated. She fell in love with him when she first met him. There’s been no one else for her.”

      “He told me he suspected as much,” she admitted.

      “That’s good. There should be no secrets between the two of you. Corinne has always felt rejected. I’ve tried everything to help her feel secure, but nothing can completely make up for a bad mother and an absentee father.”

      “You’re right.”

      He lifted his hands. “It’s no one’s fault, and I’m not trying to hurt you. Heaven knows it’s been difficult for Lance who didn’t ask for any of this.”

      He looked at her with a hint of pleading. She sensed he was going to beg them to postpone the wedding for an indefinite period.

      Once again Corinne had manipulated Geoff, but this time Lance wouldn’t fall for it. By driving his horse to its death she’d done such an unforgivable thing.

      “Would it be too much to ask if you and Lance got married in private right away?”

      Andrea was so surprised, she almost fell off the chair. “You mean just forego the wedding trappings?”

      He nodded sadly. “It would be the kindest thing you could do for Corinne. She’s told everyone we know that Lance was going to marry her when he returned from the service.

      “Hearing you plan your wedding and the talk about the baby last evening was too much for her. If you get married quietly, it will save her the extra humiliation. I know my son. He wants to give you the wedding of your dreams, but more than that, he wants you.

      “I realize I’m asking a great sacrifice of you. The two of you deserve to be feted. There’s nothing I’d love more, but—”

      “You don’t need to say another word, Geoff. I already had a big wedding when I married Richard. I don’t need another one.”

      “You mean it?” his voice trembled.

      “With all my heart. Why deepen that hurt? When I see Lance later, I’ll convince him it’s the only thing to do.”

      “If anyone can get to him, you can.”

      Except Lance wouldn’t need convincing. If he were in love with Andrea, it would be different. But what he wanted was a son. He would be glad they didn’t have to wait three more weeks to go through a ceremony to make everything legal.

      It would mean