The Marriage Contract (Marriage by Fairytale Book 1) by Ruth Ann Nordin

Author:Ruth Ann Nordin [Nordin, Ruth Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ruth Ann Nordin
Published: 2018-04-08T23:00:00+00:00

***

The next afternoon, Patricia let Stephen spend some time alone with Susanna while she took a nap. That morning, they had done as he promised. They’d had breakfast together, and they had taken a short walk, bundling up Susanna so she could go with them. After that, Patricia was tired. Stephen thought she was going to take Susanna upstairs with her, but she’d offered to let him spend time with her.

Patricia couldn’t have known how much it meant to him that she trusted him with Susanna. She’d not only let him name the baby, but she was also allowing him to really be the child’s father. Maybe this really was his second chance. Maybe he was getting a fresh start on life. Maybe, from this point forward, all the things in his past would be blotted out, and he could proceed into the future with a fresh slate.

All of these thoughts went through his mind as he held Susanna. He was sitting in his den by the fireplace. Susanna was swaddled in a blanket. He had decided to open the drapes to let the sunlight into the room, thinking the girl might enjoy the sunlight. And as he studied Susanna’s sleeping face, he was struck with both awe and reverence at the task of being a father.

A knock came at the door, and Stephen grabbed the mask that was by his chair. “Who is it?” he called out as he slipped it on.

“Mr. Cotter is here to see you,” his butler said from the other side of the door.

“Take him to the drawing room. I’ll be there in a moment.”

Stephen stood up, careful not to get up too fast in case he startled the child. Surely, Lewis would be excited about his niece. Stephen figured he would be coming by after receiving the announcement.

“Are you ready to meet your uncle?” he whispered to Susanna. “He came by just to see you.”

He carried her out of the room and found Lewis lounging in a chair by the fireplace. He looked over at Stephen as he came into the room. “Tell me I misread your missive,” Lewis said, rising to his feet. “Tell me Patricia had a son instead of a daughter.”

Stephen didn’t hide his amusement. “I know you never wanted to have your brother’s title, but it’s now yours, Lord Pruett.”

Lewis closed his eyes and shuddered.

“Why don’t you want it?” Stephen asked.

“It comes with a lot of responsibility,” Lewis said. “I’d have to take care of the entire estate. Everything will rest on my shoulders.” He glanced at the baby. “Are you sure that isn’t a boy?”

“Her name is Susanna, and she’s a darling little girl. I wouldn’t have her any other way.” Noting the way Lewis’ shoulders slumped, he added, “She’s healthy. Patricia’s healthy. Isn’t that what really matters?”

“Yes, it is. I just…” Lewis shrugged. “I was always glad to be the younger brother. It’s scary to be the one with the title.”

“I hope you don’t retreat from the entire world like Ichabod did.

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