Read Online Mistletoe & Michaelmas by Rose Gordon - Free Book Online Page B

go put water on to boil and for Gareth to go fetch the physician. She wondered what he'd have Danby do to keep him occupied, but her question was answered when Aaron put his arm around her and began to usher her from the room where Jane was going to watch the three children and Daphne spotted Danby lying in a chair with his eyes rolled into the back of his head and his mouth agape.
    “I suppose childbirth isn't as enjoyable for him as playing matchmaker is,” she teased through gritted teeth. These contractions were harder and faster than they had been last time, she thought as Aaron ushered her into the bedroom they shared and helped her onto their large four poster bed.
    Not only had her contractions come quicker this time around, so had the baby. Fortunately, she had a loving husband to help keep her comfortable through the pain that seemed to increase by the moment.
    At the very last minute—quite literally—the physician arrived and took over for Aaron who was more than willing to go stand at Daphne's side and hold her hand. She prayed she didn't crush the bones in his hand, but with such intense pain, she wasn't certain she wouldn't leave five finger-shaped bruises at the very least.
    He smiled down at her and pushed the hair out of her eyes and away from her sweaty forehead. “Squeeze away,” he said as if he'd read her mind.
    She did.
    And then a moment later, a loud cry filled the room and all thoughts of pain were gone.
    Ever the most wonderful husband, Aaron stayed by her side while the doctor cleaned their new baby and then brought him over to them.
    Time slipped right by them, or perhaps it just felt that way because her grandfather was one of the most impatient people she'd ever met.
    “Are you ready for visitors?” a tired looking Jane asked, peeking her head inside the door.
    “Of course they are,” Danby said, letting himself into the room.
    Jane and Gareth wore hesitant expressions and Daphne waved them over. “It's all right. Come meet our new little boy.”
    Jane touched her new nephew's cheek. “He's so beautiful.”
    “Handsome,” all four of the men in the room corrected, sending Daphne and Jane into a little fit of giggles.
    “Bah, I don't care how you gels refer to him as long as you call him by my name,” Danby said proudly.
    Daphne bit her lip. “Actually, Aaron and I had planned to name him—”
    “Bear in mind, young lady, any gift I might have for you in this bag—” he gave his brown leather satchel a slight shake— “might be in the balances...”
    Aaron and Daphne exchanged a look. “Well, I suppose we'd better give the poor man a namesake,” Aaron said with an exaggerated sigh.
    “I suppose you're right,” Daphne agreed on a sigh of her own. She made a show of biting her lip and turned her attention to the duke. “Would it be acceptable if James is his middle name?”
    Danby twisted his lips into a sour expression and had one not known him better they'd have missed the faint excitement that lit his eyes. “I suppose that will do,” he said shrewdly, setting his satchel down by Daphne's feet at the end of her bed. “But just so we're all in agreement, no matter what his first name is, he will always be James to me.”
    “I'd expect nothing less, Your Grace,” Daphne said unable to help her grin. She lifted her left arm, propping her newborn's body so the whole room could see his face. “May I present to all of you, Aaron James Lentz.”
    “That's a perfect name,” Jane said. “May I?” She reached toward baby Aaron and his papa helped Daphne pass him off to her sister to hold.
    Behind Jane, Danby grinned without abandon, then as the clock struck midnight, Danby started. “I best be getting home. I'm hosting a little ball tonight and I have some...er...” he coughed— “business to attend to.”
    “I sure hope when I'm his age I'm still able to conduct business,” Gareth murmured after the man was gone.
    “You're not the only one,” Aaron muttered,