My Fair Groom by Linda Rae Sande

Author:Linda Rae Sande [Sande, Linda Rae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-18T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Lady Trenton Learns She’s a Grandmother

Gabriel headed for the stairs leading to the second story of Trenton Manor, hoping he would find his mother in her usual haunt. He wasn’t disappointed when he glanced into the salon and found Charity Wellingham working on an embroidery. Her injured arm cocked at an odd angle, the widowed countess worked a needle through the hooped fabric with her good hand, elegant fingers guiding the needle.

Gabriel meant to announce his arrival, but his mother raised her head and immediately abandoned the stitchery to the settee on which she sat. She was on her feet in an instant, her face beaming in delight.

“My Lord!” she cried out, holding out her arms to her son.

Smiling, Gabriel bowed before rushing to her. “Really, mother. You can call me, ‘Gabe’,” he chided her as he took her into his arms and held her for a moment. He kissed her temple before loosening his hold and stepping back.

Charity returned the hug as best she could. Once released from his hold, she leaned back to regard her only child. “You seem ...” She paused, not quite sure how to describe her son’s disposition.

“At odds?” he guessed, thinking it was as good a description as any for how he was feeling at the moment. I have a son, he thought for the tenth time that day. That feeling of ... he wasn’t sure how to describe it. Pride? Fear? Disbelief? It gripped him again in his gut, reminding him of the sensation of when he’d been punched by his father that day he had inherited the Trenton earldom. At least he could breathe now, though. He did so, taking a deep breath as he considered how to tell his mother his news.

The countess regarded him for a moment, a look of confusion passing over her face. “I would have said, ‘happy’, actually,” she countered, wondering at Gabriel’s comment.

Gabriel nodded at her assessment. “I am,” he agreed, taking one of her hands so he could lead her to the settee where her needlework lay in a heap. He carefully moved it to an adjacent chair. “If you have a moment, I wish to share some news with you,” he said in a quiet voice.

Charity gave him a tentative smile. “I always have a moment – or a whole day – for you,” she replied carefully. “Something must have happened on your trip. Do share your news.”

Having rehearsed his speech the entire ride from the Spread Eagle, Gabriel now found himself unable to simply tell her about the baby he had fathered. “I was in ...” he started uncertainly. “I met a woman ...”

Gasping, Charity raised her good hand to her chest, her face brightening. “You found a bride,” she guessed. “Finally!”

Gabriel started to respond and had to close his mouth. Sarah hadn’t agreed to marry him. He hadn’t exactly proposed, though, either. He had merely agreed to pay for his son’s education. But certainly Sarah would agree to be his wife should he make an offer.

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