Pregnancy Proposals: The Duke's Baby

It was a desperate measure on the part of a very desperate man. If she agreed to it, what did that make her?

Every kind of a fool for even entertaining something that could bring untold pain and anguish down the road.

CHAPTER FIVE (#ulink_744ccfbc-5247-5488-95ee-438a3e9ee938)

“THIS is a lovely old inn, Lance. What does the name of it mean in English?”

He studied Andrea’s oval face in the candlelight. She had the classic features of a true beauty. He doubted she wore anything but lipstick.

“It’s called the Gold Chestnut Tree. If you hadn’t become ill the other day, I would have shown you the real one.”

She blinked. “Real one?”

“In 1990 there was a fire here in the Valley of No Return. It burned for five days. Afterward thousands of donations poured in from around the world to help save the mythical heritage that abounds here. Papa was one of the people instrumental in spearheading it.”

“Five days—”

“It was devastating. You may have heard of the Parisian sculptor, François Davin. He created a huge golden chestnut tree with pure gold leaves to pay tribute to international cooperation. The tree symbolizes the immortality of the dreams of men of goodwill.”

“I believe Richard did mention something about it. The branches are supposed to resemble a stag’s antlers.”

“That’s right. It’s to commemorate the wild animals who led the knights through the enchanted forests, and to remind us of the power of man’s love of Mother Nature.”

“How lovely,” she mused.

The personification of loveliness was seated across from him. “How was your crêpe?”

“As you can see, I ate most of it. Combined with the cider, everything tasted delicious.”

“No nausea spells this afternoon?”

She shook her head. The golden-brown strands glistened against her shoulders. With eyes dark as poppy throats, she had an enchanting color scheme.

“I spent part of the afternoon with your father in the garden and kept waiting to be sick, but it didn’t happen. The medicine has worked wonders.”

That was good news.

Since driving away from the château with her, Lance had purposely kept up desultory conversation to put her at ease. To his chagrin she’d seemed so comfortable with him throughout dinner, he had the premonition she’d made up her mind to turn him down hours before. As a result, she was enjoying their evening out without any accompanying nervousness.

Lance on the other hand found his appetite had left him. Once having asked her to consider his proposal, the idea that she might turn him down was getting harder and harder to accept. In fact it was quite unthinkable.

Baby or no baby, he discovered he wanted to be with her all the time. His physical attraction to her had been immediate. Knowing she was pregnant made her even more desirable.

Tonight she looked lit up inside. In the simple black dress and strand of pearls, her curvaceous body moved with a femininity that made him ache to touch her. He was charmed by her soft laughter. She was a person who enjoyed the small moments.

Andrea wanted nothing from him. As a consequence, he was prepared to give her his name. So far no other woman had meant enough to him that he wanted to live with her on a constant basis, let alone be responsible for her.

No longer able to enjoy the evening when he didn’t know her decision, he announced they were leaving the restaurant. She went along without demur, which probably meant she was tired and wanted to go home.

On the way back to the château, he drove her past Paimpont abbey to the pool nestled in the foothills his father wanted her to see. He shut off the engine and glanced at her profile.

“One night after your baby’s born and you’re able, I’ll bring you here for a swim. Merlin fell madly in love with Viviane in this spot. They used to make love here. When the moon is full, it reflects off the water like the silver chalice Perceval sought.”

She put down her window, allowing the sultry summer night air to filter through the car. “This place could be right out of a fantasy. Ever since I’ve been in Brittany, I feel as if I’ve been caught in a spell.”

Lance liked the sound of that. “It’s because you’ve entered the sanctuary of the wicked fairy Morgan-le-Fay, Arthur’s half sister. Remember those red rocks we passed earlier where the waters are turbulent? She would lure fickle knights here, then imprison them.

“Motivated by his love for the queen, Lancelot braved untold dangers to break those poor souls from Morgan’s evil spell. In the process he found the way out through this enchanted pool.”

“You’re part of that same enchantment,” Andrea spoke up. “Like a shapeshifter you take on a different form depending on the moment. I never know who’s going to appear next.

“Will it be the loving, devoted son? The battle scarred military man? The impeccable host? The knight in modern armor still rescuing damsels in distress? The wounded soldier who believes he’s lost his manhood? The boy-man yearning for his idyllic childhood? The Duc-elect of Du Lac fame? The unofficial fiancé of his stepsister?”

Mon Dieu.

Except for her not knowing about his history with Corinne, she had him figured out better than any psychiatrist.

“If I’d wanted to marry her, I would never have joined the military. Enough said?”

She was staring out her window. “Then it was always her fantasy?”

“Always.”

“What about your father’s?”

“Naturally he wants me to settle down and be happy. But just so you know, the choice of bride has always been up to me.”

His hand resting on the seat behind her dug into the leather upholstery. Any hope he’d held out that Andrea might go along with his plan was fading fast.

“How about viewing me as a simple man who would love to be a father, and can see a way to helping himself and you at the same time?”

“There’s nothing simple about you.”

He leaned closer to her. “Is that the overwhelmed mother-to-be talking? The widow who’s still in mourning for the husband she’ll always love? The girl-woman who never felt she belonged? The student of the world wishing she had her degree? The grieving daughter who never knew her parents? The woman who’s on her own for the first time in her life and is afraid she likes it?”

A minute must have passed before she turned her head to look at him. “Touché.”

“Would you be willing to take the plunge with me into unknown waters and see what happens? With my money, you’ll never have to worry about going to work. Your child will always have my name and protection. Best of all, you’ll be able to be a full-time mother to your baby, and I’ll be there to give support.”

A troubled sigh escaped her lips.

“What else is on your mind?” he prodded. “Now is the time to unearth it.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Yes, you did,” he whispered. “Let me ask you a question. Do you trust me?”

She lowered her head. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have come out to dinner with you, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”