Rebecca Winters - Pregnancy Proposals - The Duke's Baby

He kissed her forehead. “Nothing’s going to happen to anyone, Andrea. Until our wedding I’ll be sleeping with you in this room.”

“But, Lance—”

“Don’t worry about the servants talking,” he cut in on her. “That’s exactly what I want to happen. The gossip will reach Corinne’s ears. Knowing you and I are together will act as a natural deterrent.”

“I was thinking of your father.”

The trace of a smile formed on his lips. “Since it only took me four days to propose to you, he would wonder about me if I continued to spend my nights apart from you.”

He relinquished his hold of her and reached for the phone at her bedside. “I’ll let the staff know about my new arrangements, then we’ll call your family with our news.”

His eyes swept over her. “You look tired. Why don’t you get ready for bed first? It was designed so half a dozen people can gaze at the paintings comfortably. You won’t even know I’m in there with you.”

Andrea’s thudding heart accompanied her into the bathroom where she clung to the sink until she could get herself under control.

The brilliance of the diamond ring he’d given her drew her gaze.

It’s in the shape of the lake , he’d said.

The lake hidden in a mystical forest was where this whole thing had started—where she’d met Lancelot Du Lac come to life. Only he was bigger than life.

The myth wasn’t a myth after all.

He’d put Andrea under his spell. How else would she have agreed to enter into this marriage with Lance?

He was waiting for her when she emerged from the bathroom wearing her nightgown and robe. In the short time she’d been occupied, he’d changed into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. No matter what he wore, she was aware of his incredible male physique made hard by his life in the military.

His slumberous eyes followed her progress, taking in every inch of her, starting at her bare feet.

“Ready to make that phone call? Afterward I want to hear which painting you think is my favorite.”

Andrea sank down at the side of the bed and put a phone call through to her aunt. The whole time they talked, Lance lay stretched out on the other side of the bed with his hands propping his dark head. He proved to be such a distraction, she had trouble concentrating on the conversation.

“If you’re so attracted to him this soon, why don’t you stay on in France and get to know him better before you commit yourself to another marriage?”

It was a good question. One Andrea would have asked her aunt if their positions had been reversed.

“Lance has been in the military a long time, Aunt Kathy. He wants to settle down.”

“That’s fine for him, but what about you? Even though you’re free, you’re still grieving. I should think you’d want to take a couple of deep breaths first.”

Her aunt didn’t understand Andrea’s problem. Andrea had been grieving in her marriage for years. And now, just thinking of Lance made her so breathless she could hardly function. The realization that they’d be sleeping in the same bed had made her feel more desire than she had felt in years. Shame coursed through her.

“I probably should.”

“Well, it sounds like you’ve made up your mind. Rob and I just want you to be happy. Does your invitation include the girls and their husbands?”

Her hand tightened on the receiver. “You know it does. I want all of you there.”

“We’re stretched for money, as always. Are you sure your fiancé’s willing to pay for everything?”

“Yes. He wants you to stay at his parents’ home while you’re here.”

“What a generous man. That’s a big change from Richard.”

She lowered her head. “I know.”

“Sorry. I had no right to say that.”

“Yes, you did, because it’s true.” In a way it was a relief to know her aunt hadn’t been blind to certain problems in Andrea’s marriage.

Lance was a different man from a different world.

Andrea hadn’t told her aunt anything except that she’d met a Frenchman named Lance Malbois who’d just retired from France’s elite force.

When the family arrived in Brittany, they’d see and understand everything for themselves. At that point she’d take her aunt aside and tell her she was expecting a baby. It didn’t seem right to tell her over the phone.

“Lance and I will make all the airline arrangements. You’ll be getting your tickets and the invitation some time next week by express mail.”

“Andrea?”

“Yes?”

“I know I haven’t said it often enough, but I love you. I want only the best for you.”

Her eyes smarted. “I know. I love you, too. Being away has made me realize how lucky I was to be raised by you. It must have been so hard at first.” When she thought of Geoff and the way he’d reached out to his troubled stepdaughter, it was humbling.

“If it was hard, it was because I was afraid I could never be the mother my sister would have been to you. Rob says I’m anal, but he loves me anyway. Your mother was more calm and laid-back. You have that same quality. It’s one I envy.”

“Then we’re even because I envy your courage in taking on another woman’s child.”

“Your sweet disposition made it easy to love you.”

Where had all this come from? Tears dripped down Andrea’s cheeks. “Thank you for saying that. I’ll call you next week to make certain you received everything.”

“I’m getting excited. I’ve never been to Europe.”

“It’s a whole other world, Aunt Kathy. Talk to you soon.”

She hung up the receiver, using her arm to brush the moisture away. In her mind’s eye she could imagine their surprise as they read the invitation with the Du Lac family crest engraved at the top …

Geoffroi Malbois, Le Duc Du Lac, requests the pleasure of your company at the marriage of his son Lancelot Malbois Du Lac to Andrea Gresham Fallon on the Thirtieth of June. Eleven a.m. at the Church of the St.Vierge, Lyseaux. A reception will follow at the Château on the Du Lac Estate, La Bretagne, France.

“What did your aunt say to make you so emotional?”

Andrea looked over at him. “A lot of wonderful things. If you hadn’t urged me to phone her, I might never have heard them.”

Lance rolled on his side to face her, all six feet three inches of lean, strong male. “Even with darkness at work, are you saying I’m good for you?” His voice sounded husky.

The time for honesty had come. “I guess I am.”

“Then humor me and get into bed. Our baby needs rest, too.”

Our baby. Oh, Lance—

“Don’t turn out the light yet. I’ll take care of it after you’ve answered the question I asked you the last time we were in here.”

Oh. He was talking about the paintings.

She slid beneath covers. Several feet separated them. His body still lay on top while he studied her.

“Have you decided which of the twelve months appeals to me the most?”

“Yes.” She should have known from the beginning, but it hadn’t come to her until tonight when they’d left a scary acting Corinne sitting with Geoff.

“How long do you plan to torture me? In case you hadn’t realized it yet, I’m not a patient man.”

“I’m aware of that,” she murmured. “You also thrive on danger, which leads me to think June is your favorite.”

He raised up on one elbow. “You know me well. In June Lancelot’s love was in full flower. He’d held back his feelings for Guinevere too long. Now he was on fire for her. No bars could keep him out. He would risk death for one taste of her mouth.”

“I thought that sounded like you.”

He flashed her a white smile so seductive, she had to look away. “Admit June’s your favorite month, too. Who else but Guinevere, queen among women, was brave enough to enter into a tryst with Lancelot and welcome him into her bed knowing evil was afoot in every corner of Camelot.”