Sweet Torture (Fated for Love) (26 page)

Lydia was puzzled about what that would accomplish since only hours earlier he had seen her fully naked
, but she obliged him.

She pulled her nightgown up under the covers
, and she pulled the sheet down so only her lower belly was exposed.

At first
, he just stared, and then he gently placed a hand on her stomach. Lydia had her gaze locked on his face. He looked terrified and happy, all at once. Then, much to her shock, he bent over and put his ear to her stomach.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m listening.”

“To what
, exactly?”

He shrugged
. “Our baby.”

Lydia was instantly overwhelmed with emotion. The words
‘our baby’ were so precious that tears came to her eyes, and she fought to keep them back.

“What did the doctor say
?”

She swallowed.
“Nothing of comfort, I’m afraid. It could be normal pain from stretching, or it could mean something is wrong. Either way, there is nothing to be done, but wait. The baby is too small to hear with his instrument or feel with his hands.” She was flooded with worry again. The little life growing inside her felt so fragile, and yet she was helpless to protect it. “I have to remain in bed and wait for more pain, or bleeding. Or I just need to rest and everything will be fine.”

“Then that is what you will do.” He looked at her and held her gaze. “If you move from th
is bed, I will tie you down. From now on, I will do everything for you.”

Lydia couldn’t help but smile. Her heart was swelling with joy. “You
’re not mad anymore?”

“Hell
, yes, I’m mad, but what is important is you and the baby.”

“
Oh,Devon.” She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. “I love you.”

He frowned at her
, but then he leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. “I love you, too. From now on, there will be no more lies between us, no more holding back of anything.”

“I promise.” She nodded and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “You were all I wanted
, and now I have you and our baby growing inside me. Everything is perfect.”

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. “Everything will be fine now, I know it will.” He kissed her again—gently—as if she were the most precious thing in the world
. Lydia was happy, because the most precious things in the world to her were in her arms, and in her womb.

One month later.

The light coming through the parish window dazzled the occupants of the church. It sprinkle
d them with an array of colors: purples, blues, and vibrant greens.

The only green Lydia cared about was the radiant emerald of Devon’s eyes as they met hers with a secret smile. The
reverend droned on about the joining of properties and Gods will, but Lydia paid him no mind. Their wedding was exclusively small with only Devon’s parents, Olivia and Colton, Lydia’s mother, a handful of servants, and Lilly and Dominic: the Earl and Countess of Redwick.

Lydia wore a
cream-colored satin gown dusted with pearls, with a bright green sash under an empire waist bust. The flowing fabric hid her growing stomach, although the child growing inside her insisted on making its presence known with precise jabs. Devon predicted their child was a girl, an authoritative little queen to rule future generations of rakes and blades as her mother did. Lydia secretly hoped it was a boy, a dark haired charming little rogue to claim his father’s title as the most charming rake of the ton. Either way, she was blissfully happy with the scamp inside her and the scamp standing next to her.

Finally, the pastor got to the most important part. He pronounced them husband and wif
e. Before he could finish his sentence, Devon pulled her into his arms. It was quite shameless… and absolutely wonderful.

After the bride and groom came down the aisle to cheers from the small group of guests, they gathered outside to return to the house for the wedding breakfast. Olivia fanned herself anxiously as Colton thanked the
reverend, and her mother fretted over the drooping garlands on the conveyance. Lydia and Devon waved happily, as Devon handed Lydia into the open barouche, painted white, and strung with cheery pink roses and ivy. With a flick of the reins, they were off. The crowd that gathered outside the church cheered and tossed rice at the happy couple.

Olivia waved feebly and attempted to smile.

Colton turned to her in concern. “Are you feeling all right?”

She shook her head weakly, her color changing rapidly to a hue complimentary to her eyes. “Colton
, I think...” She swallowed with difficulty and brought a hand to her mouth. At that moment, their coach pulled in front of them and before the rest of the wedding guests and curious onlookers by the church, Mrs. Jeffrey Colton Darling cast up her accounts behind the carriage wheel. Her husband calmly tucked her springy black curls behind her ears and rubbed her back as the onlookers gasped and turned away.

Lady Ellsley and Lady Covvington smiled knowingly to each other.

“I do believe we will be blessed with many grandchildren.” Lady Covvington said joyously.

Lady Ellsley
nodded in agreement. “Perhaps you should consider moving closer to Ramesgate.”

Colton shook his head in disbelief and bundled his wife into the carriage. As they rocked into motion, he held her tightly and tilted her face up to his. “Is it true?”

She nodded solemnly. “I was only sure of it this morning, but I was going to wait to tell you this evening after all the festivities was over and we could be alone. Are you happy?”

“There is not another man in the world more blessed than I.” He kissed her on the brow.

“I think Devon may disagree with you. He appeared quite pleased with himself this morning.”

“As he should, we have both been given everything we want in the world.” He tucked her head against his shoulder and kissed her curls.

Olivia sighed in contentment and closed her eyes. “Not only you, my love, I am blessed too, although—,” she swallowed an un-lady-like burp. “I’m not feeling quite so blessed this morning.”

Colton chuckled
. “You’ve faced much worse, my dear. Could you imagine being back on my ship?”

Olivia
groaned loudly. Colton yelled for the driver to stop, and before the wheels had come to a halt, his poor wife lurched over his knees and flung the door open to purge her stomach.

Colton chuckled again and pulled back her hair. This was the beginning of a new adventure for them, and Colton was glad that he could share it with Devon, his brother of the heart, and that Olivia could share it with Lydia, her sister of the heart.

The End.

Thank you for reading
Sweet Torture
! I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please help other readers find this book:

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5. Curious about how Devon was found
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Storm on the Horizon
has a tentative release date of December 1st 2013. Join my readers list and you won't miss it.

I have been obsessively reading romance novels since I was fourteen. Every few months, my aunt would send a box of books to my older sister, who was not nearly as interested in reading, and I would sneak out the romance novels. I started writing my own stories to appease my imagination, until I had the means and transportation to buy my own books. I have given oral reports on them in school, and I have been in trouble plenty of times for reading during lectures. I live in Southern California with my husband, my son, and our fur babies. It is my dream to be at home with my son, and to write love stories that I can share with readers like me. This book is my beginning, and there is so much more to come!

The Fated for Love Series

Mine, All Mine
: Lilly and Dominic must over come the scandal of treason to find their happily ever after.

Sweet Torture
: Lydia and Devon walk the fine line between love and hate.

Storm
on the Horizon
: Olivia and Colton will finally face what was always between them.

To Love, Honor, and Obey…
: Chance will meet the woman who will finally bring him to his knees.

Visit me at
http://www.ejqbooks.com
for upcoming news and excerpts.