Page 17 of A Scoundrel in Gentlemen's Clothing

Roman gently laid his son down in the bassinet in the nursery, then stood staring down at the infant as he stretched and yawned, putting his thumb in his tiny rosebud mouth and sucking furiously as he faded off to sleep.

“He’s so beautiful,” Clarice murmured, her eyes bright with happy tears as they stood over their son. “Sometimes I still can’t believe he’s real.”

“Sometimes I can’t either,” Roman agreed, looking surprisingly choked up himself.

The last year had been everything Clarice had always dreamed of. Roman had proven to be the best husband she could have asked for. He had never once made her feel trapped or mistreated. He encouraged her to have friendships and do the things that made her happy. Her pregnancy had gone off without a hitch, and their son had given them nothing but joy since the day he was born.

Blinking away her tears and giving little Edward one last gentle caress, Clarice took Roman’s hand and pulled him toward the nursery door, a shiver of excitement hastening her steps. “I’m certain the nanny will come and wake us in an hour or two, but until then, I plan to spend some quality time with my handsome husband.”

Roman gave a husky laugh as he followed her. “Do you mean...?”

She nodded and threw a saucy look over her shoulder. “Yes, I do. The doctor said that we could resume... our marital relations,” she said with a blush.

It had been nearly two months since the last time they’d had marital relations, and she knew Roman was very eager to resume, but still, he pulled her back toward him in the middle of the hall, staring down at her in concern. “Are you certain you’re ready?”

She smiled mischievously. “I’ve never been more ready for anything.”

With a beautiful smile, he pressed a tender kiss on her lips. “Then lead on, my beautiful wife. Lead on.”

THE END