The Bellerose Bargain (41 page)

"I will build you a house bigger than this," he told her often. "I regret that it will not be ready before the child arrives."

She laughed lightly and encircled his neck with her arms. "For a long time I searched for a way to tell you that a cabin in the wood was all I needed for eternal happiness, if I could only be there with you. Whatever you build, only promise you’ll share it with me."

His hand caressed her swelling middle. The child within her grew rapidly. It seemed as though the moment they could lay their troubled past aside, Alicia blossomed with their child. "I had hoped for a son,
cherie,
and now I think perhaps I would favor a daughter: one with your devil’s locks and bright eyes. Ah, but she’d be hell to protect from the men!"

She tilted her head to kiss him. "Even when I thought I hated you, Geoffrey, I longed to hold our child in my arms. I confess I was frightened of bearing a child without a husband, but in my heart I was glad our love proved fruitful."

"Whether it be a young lord or lady..." he soothed.

"And what name shall we choose?" she asked sleepily, basking in the warmth of his arms.

His lips brushed her brow, the question far from his mind. "I love you," he whispered.

"Whatever the name," she said softly, "let’s be very certain she needs only one for her lifetime."

"Only one," he promised her.

Robyn Carr is the #1
New York Times
bestselling author of the Virgin River series. You can find out more on
http://www.robyncarr.com
.

Be sure to check out Robyn’s other historical novels, including THE BRAESWOOD TAPESTRY, now available in digital!

If you liked BELLEROSE BARGAIN, you’ll also love CHELYNNE, Robyn’s first historical novel.

And the book that started it all…