“Are you hiding from me?”

Lucian grinned as he moved around the corner of the trellis on slow feet, wondering where his wife might be hiding. This was where he often found her on these summer days, a little over a year after their wedding day. She loved to be sitting out amongst the flowers or, at times, putting her hands in the soil to plant some of her own, even though Lucian had told her repeatedly that they had servants whom she might direct. His grin grew all the more as he recalled how she had laughed up at him at such a suggestion, her eyes twinkling as she explained just how much she loved what she was doing in planting these flowers herself and though Lucian had not understood, he adored the way she smiled and the passion she shared in her words. 

“Rosalind?” he called again, looking all around and wondering where she might have gone. “Where are you?”

“Come and find me!”

Her voice whispered across the wind towards him and Lucian’s heart quickened with anticipation. Turning on his heel, he looked all around him and then, after only a momentary pause, made his way directly towards the arbor. 

He had guessed correctly.

“My darling.” Standing at the door of the arbor, he took in his wife. Her eyes were soft, her smile welcoming, a rosy glow to her cheeks. “You look quite beautiful today, just as you do every day. In fact, I think that you grow in beauty every morning that we awaken.” Sweeping down, he kissed her gently, running one finger lightly down her cheek and feeling the very same tremor of excitement within him as he had felt the very first time they had shared a kiss.

“You are the most wonderful of gentlemen,” came Rosalind’s quiet reply, her eyes staying closed for just a moment as he pulled back from her. “You know how much I love you, do you not?”

“Of course I do.” Unable to help himself, he kissed her lightly again, then reached out one hand. “Come, we must return to the house.”

“Oh?”

He smiled. “Our darling son has awoken and the nursemaid informs me that you told her you wished to know every time he cried so that you might go to him. Though, if you wish, we might sit in the arbor together for a time? I am sure that the nursemaid would do very well with him for a few minutes more.”

In an instant, Rosalind was on her feet though not before Lucian caught her up in his arms, seeing her smile at him as he marveled at just how fortunate he was to have such an incredible lady as his bride. 

“You would keep me from our son?” Rosalind asked, tilting her head, her words light and teasing. “Even though you know that he needs me?”

“I need you too.” Lucian bent his head to kiss her, resting his forehead against hers for just a moment. “You know how much I value you, do you not?” Seeing her eyes catch his, he smiled again. “You have brought such a change into my life, such a joy and happiness that I cannot think of what my life would have been otherwise without shuddering.”  Seeing her open her mouth to protest, to say – as she always did – that he might have done very well without her, Lucian pressed one finger lightly to her lips. “You have brought me a life where every day is a new joy when I awaken to having you beside me. You have given me the most beautiful, cherished son, an heir to the Dukedom and even though he is only two months old, I adore him, as I know you do. All of this is because you did not step back from me, Rosalind, not even when you had the opportunity.”

She linked her hands around his neck, her eyes searching his now. “That is because, despite my attempts to deny it, you had already softened my heart.” The corners of her lips curved lightly and Lucian’s heart slammed into his chest at her beauty and his appreciation of her. “And now, you fill it completely.”

Leaning down, Lucian brushed a kiss lightly across her lips, wishing there was a way for him to share with her all that he felt in his heart. “I love you desperately, Rosalind,” he whispered against her lips. 

She pulled herself to him all the more. “And I love you, my most wonderful Duke.”

THE END