Pregnancy Proposals: The Duke's Baby

The door clicked shut.

Overwhelmed by emotions bombarding her, Andrea broke down sobbing. Once she got started, she couldn’t stop.

Lance said her name in alarm several times and handed her a box of tissues. “Andrea … tell me what’s going on,” her urged.

“You wouldn’t understand.” The words came out in another gush of tears. How could he when she could hardly comprehend it herself.

“You said it was impossible. Does that mean your husband isn’t the father?”

Her breath caught. “No—Yes—I mean I’ve never been with another man, so it has to be my husband’s. But I was told it would take a miracle.”

“Why?” he demanded softly. His hands were kneading her upper arms, but he didn’t seem to be aware of it.

She raised drenched brown eyes to him. “Because I went through premature menopause several years ago, ruling out pregnancy. It happens in a certain small percentage of women. My specialist told me that in my case, the chances of ovulating were so astronomical, I should never count on conceiving a child.”

Andrea wondered if a trick of light was the reason his eyes suddenly darkened.

“She’s been helping me experiment with herbs and hormone therapy to keep my heart healthy. I assumed the physical changes to my body were a result of the hormones. My hands have been so swollen, I left my rings at home.”

“So that’s the explanation,” Lance murmured.

She nodded. “Since Richard’s death I’ve been more tired than usual, and have experienced quite a bit of nausea. But I thought the symptoms had to be the fault of depression and the hormones.

“To think I’m almost through my first trimester of pregnancy and didn’t know it! I—I’m in shock.”

She looked at him through blurry eyes. “Oh, Lance—Richard wanted a baby so badly. Now he’s gone, and he’ll never know our child or be able to help me raise it.”

He remained silent while another explosion of tears poured out of her, more profuse than before. When they finally subsided she said, “In the beginning we had such plans for a family. He was an only child. We wanted two or three so they could be friends. It’s wonderful when siblings have each other.

“Then we found out I couldn’t have any. We were both devastated. I—I wanted to have his baby. Once we heard the awful news, he was so crushed,” she said on another sob.

“When I buried him, I thought it was the end of everything. I came to France so empty, and now—”

“Now everything’s different,” he murmured in a thick-toned voice. She felt him rub the arm that didn’t have the drip in it.

Andrea wiped her eyes. “Except that my baby will grow up without its father. I was deprived of both my parents. I—I can hardly bear to think of history repeating itself. Every child needs a daddy.

“Why did Richard have to die—” Her sorrowful wail rang in the room.

Wordlessly Lance put his arm around her back. She found herself sobbing against his broad shoulder. After a time she realized she was getting him all wet and pulled away embarrassed.

She reached for some tissues and sniffed. “I’m sorry for breaking down like this. You must think I’m insane.”

“I think Richard was a damn lucky man. With you as his child’s mother, his legacy will be carried on. Maybe there’s a future professor growing inside you. Do those motherly instincts tell you if it’s a boy or a girl?”

“What instincts?” she challenged, clearing her throat. “I didn’t even know a baby was living inside me until a few minutes ago. I still can’t believe I’m pregnant!”

“Thank God the diagnosis is one of joy,” Lance exclaimed. “When you were lying there in the grass so ill, too many negative thoughts ran through my mind.”

“I was frightened, too.” Her eyes glazed over with fresh tears. “Thank you again for helping me. I–I’m sorry the doctor assumed you were the father. When he comes back in I’ll explain.”

A half smile broke the corner of Lance’s sensual mouth. “Hearing the news with you made me feel like I’m the father. It’s an experience I wouldn’t have missed. Do you know my heart leaped when he told us?”

She bit her lip. “So did mine.”

His expression sobered. “If I’d realized you were pregnant, I wouldn’t have asked you to follow me to my underwater treasure yesterday.”

Andrea recalled the experience, particularly the moment when he’d clasped her body against his to take her to the surface. The baby had been pressed against his hard muscled physique.

“It was a unique experience,” she admitted softly. “Someday when my child is old enough to swim on his own, I’ll have to bring him to France so he can dive in the lake and discover its secrets for himself.”

“So you’re thinking a boy.” Lance flashed her another rare half smile that transformed his features and made her heart kick.

“I guess I am.”

“Wait another month and we’ll find out if you’re right about the gender,” the doctor inserted.

Andrea hadn’t heard him come in the room.

“I knocked, but you two didn’t hear me. Would you like to listen to the heartbeat?”

He put on his stethoscope and found the spot on Andrea’s stomach, then let her listen. It sounded like horse’s hooves galloping across the prairie.

“I don’t believe it.” All this time her child had been growing inside her and she hadn’t been aware of it.

“Your baby’s approximately three and half inches long, and is developing nicely.”

Lance reached for the stethoscope so he could listen. A slow smile broke the corner of his mouth, once again accentuating his striking features. When he relinquished the instrument, his gaze still clung to hers.

“After not knowing what was wrong with her earlier, Doctor, your news has made me a very happy man.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Heat crept into Andrea’s face. She looked over at the doctor. “There’s something you need to know. You’ve misunderstood the situation. I’m a guest at the Château Du Lac. Monsieur Du Lac isn’t my husband.”

He wrapped her arm to take her blood pressure. “What’s stopping you two from getting married?”

“You don’t understand. The baby isn’t his.”

The doctor did a double-take. “Then the birth father should be told.”

“I can’t tell him.” Her voice trembled. “On the morning I must have conceived this baby, my husband left for work. By evening he’d died of a brain aneurysm. That was three months ago.”

“Andrea …”

The compassion in Lance’s tone caused her eyes to close.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” the doctor said, “however he’s left you with a marvelous legacy.”

Lance’s exact words.

“I know, but I can hardly take it in.”

“Miracles tend to affect a person that way. I’m pleased to announce you’re a healthy woman. If you’ll start the nausea medicine I’ve prescribed, you should be feeling much better before long. Take them three times a day before meals. Pick it up at the front desk.

“I’ve also written an order for vitamins, which you need to start taking. I want to see you in a week to make certain all is going well. We’ll do another blood test in case you’re still a little low on iron.”

“I’ll be returning to the United States in the next few days, so let me thank you now for all your help.”

“In that case, be certain to get in touch with your doctor immediately.”

“I will.”

He paused at the door. “You can leave as soon as the nurse takes out your IV. Remember to stay hydrated, eat whatever appeals and get plenty of rest over the next couple of days.”

“She’ll do it,” Lance proclaimed. Andrea tried to hide her smile. He couldn’t help who he was, but she didn’t mind.

Once the doctor had left the room the nurse came in, preventing Andrea from talking to Lance until the other woman had removed the needle and had gone.

Without being told anything, Lance opened the cupboard and pulled out the sack containing her clothes. He turned to her. “Do you need help getting dressed? I can ask her to come in again.”

“No. I’m able to manage, but thank you anyway.”

His gaze played over her with concern. “Then I’ll see you at the front desk.”

After Lance closed the door, she removed the clinic gown and felt her stomach, which had filled out and was hard. Why hadn’t she realized a baby was growing inside her?

When her jeans were too tight, she should have guessed at the reason, even if the specialist had told her getting pregnant would require a near miracle.

Over the last few years Andrea had given up all hope of having a child from her own body. The news that she was pregnant was fantastic!

At the moment she felt suspended between two worlds where nothing seemed real, yet the proof was there she was carrying Richard’s baby. To her consternation however it was Lance Malbois who’d first heard the news with her. If it weren’t for him, she could still be lying there in the forest too sick to move.

How would she ever forget it was his eyes that had flickered at the incredible news, almost as if he’d been the one to father her baby and was pleased about it. Even the doctor had thought they were a couple.

Andrea couldn’t understand Lance’s reaction. She meant nothing to him beyond being his father’s guest. Yet that was probably the reason why. He felt responsible for her. Under the circumstances she’d be wise to leave France as soon as she felt well enough for the flight home.

Knowing she would be a mother in six short months changed the way she felt about returning to New Haven. Maybe she could work part-time for her old boss at the photography studio. If not, maybe the literature department at the university could use her services. The rest of the time she would start getting a nursery ready for her baby.

So many things needed to be bought. A crib, a playpen, one of those adorable little swings, a stroller … All the items available for modern day mothers. Now she would be a mom, too!

Whether it was a boy or girl didn’t matter. She loved her baby already. The knowledge she was carrying a life inside her filled that empty place in her heart.

Though she would always be grateful for her aunt and uncle who’d raised her with their children after her parents died, she’d never really belonged to them. To think she would have a child of her own to love and cherish.

After the baby came, she would make the small amount of insurance money left to her stretch so she could be a stay-at-home mom. Through her various university contacts, maybe she could arrange to do word processing at the condo to bring in some income.

A fatal car accident had deprived her of her parents, and now a blood clot had taken the life of her baby’s father. Andrea was determined to be there for her child and not miss a minute of its upbringing if she could help it.

If the nausea medicine worked the way it was supposed to, she’d be feeling well enough again in a few days to fly home and get busy. With a new sense of purpose in her life, she felt able to cope with her physical state.

Once she’d finished dressing, she made a stop to the rest room, then hurried out to the reception area. Lance stood in the crowded waiting room near the door. His hard-boned face and physique drew the eye of every woman including the medical staff. In thigh molding jeans and a black pullover, he was the most spectacular looking male Andrea had ever seen.

She could feel their envy as she approached him. “Do you have the prescriptions?”

His concerned eyes intently took in her features with an intimacy that made her heart race. “Yes. Shall we go?” He opened the door for her and escorted her outside to his car.

Without saying anything, he helped her in the passenger seat, then walked around to the driver’s side and took off for the pharmacy in the center of the village.

“Stay where you are,” he ordered. “I’ll be right back.”

Long before he’d gone into the military, Andrea was in no doubt Lance Malbois had been a man meant to be in charge. His service there had only refined those instincts, protective and otherwise. Right now she wasn’t complaining.

He’d come across her in the forest and—in his unorthodox way—had seen to her needs faster than she’d been able to breathe. If she had to choose one person in this world to help her survive a difficult situation, she’d choose Lance, no questions asked.

This Frenchman more than lived up to his legendary name, which had to be unique among men. In fact Andrea had a feeling the military couldn’t have been happy to learn he was retiring. Not so for the woman planning to marry him.

Andrea could understand a stepdaughter who was no blood relation being infatuated by Geoff’s son. As Andrea was coming to find out, there was no man to compare to him.

In a few minutes he’d rejoined her. “Here.” He undid the cap and handed her a pill. “You’re to take this now with water.” He produced a bottle of mineral water. “The vitamins you can start tonight so they won’t upset your stomach.”

“Yes, Doctor,” she teased before swallowing the medicine. “That water tastes good. Thank you.” She put the pill vials in her purse.

His darkly lashed eyes met her gaze. Their faces were only inches apart. “Let’s hope your appetite improves by tomorrow. Before we drive home, is there anything you need to buy?”

Andrea averted her eyes. “I can’t think of anything.”

“I can. A new camera. Tonnerre’s hoof smashed yours. After I get you settled, I’ll take a trip into town and purchase a new one. I’m afraid the film was ruined.”

“Don’t worry about it, Lance. I put in a new cartridge this morning, so no pictures are lost. As for the camera, I don’t need another one right now. I’ll wait till I get home and arrange to buy one through my old boss. He’ll get me something wholesale.”

Lance started the car and they took off for the château. Since the downpour earlier, the greenery bordering the road looked wet and fresh. He drove with an economy of movement.

“Where did you work?”

“At a photography studio.”

“Did you like it?”

“As jobs go, it was fine. I started working there part-time during my high school days. After graduation I increased my hours to full-time to save money for college.”

“Did you attend Yale like your husband?”

It appeared Geoff and Lance had been talking.

“Oh, no,” she scoffed. “I was a mediocre student and couldn’t have afforded it. I took a few night classes at a local college before meeting Richard. After that I sort of became his unofficial assistant.”

“And wife,” Lance interjected.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“No more school?”

“No. One day I’ll go for a degree in something, but now that a baby is on the way, that will have to wait until my child is in school full-time.”

“In other words, you don’t plan to let someone else raise it.”

“There are jobs I can do at home. I’ll try anything in order to be there for my son or daughter,” she vowed.

“That sounds final.”

“It’s the way I feel.”

She heard him take a deep breath. “Then your child will be lucky. Until the day she died my mother was always there for me.”

“Geoff told me she passed away while you were at the university.”

He slowed down to negotiate the turn into the Du Lac estate. “That’s right. Looking back I had an idyllic upbringing.” His head suddenly turned toward her. “How early did you lose your parents?”

“At four years of age. Pictures are the only things I have to remember them. Knowing I’m going to be a mother makes that my first priority, no matter what it takes.”

“At the moment it requires bed rest.” He brought the car to a halt and levered his long legs from the front seat to help her.

She could have managed on her own, but he cupped her elbow to assist her inside. The minute they reached the foyer, she found herself in his arms once more. Her ponytail swung back and forth.

“You don’t have to do this,” she protested, but he ignored her cry and carried her up the two flights of stairs as if she were light as air.

CHAPTER FOUR

LANCE opened the door of her suite, not releasing her until he’d laid her on the bed. To her relief she didn’t think any of the staff had seen them.

His eyes bored into hers. “Don’t you dare lift a finger. I’ll be back in a little while and bring you a dinner tray. You can take your vitamins then.” He acted more worried than a mother hen with her chick. After their stormy beginning, she would never have guessed Lance had this side to him.

“I don’t need waiting on.”

“I beg to differ.” His mouth was so close she could feel his breath on her lips before he stood up. “Defy me at your own peril.”

Lance was a force she had no desire to contend with at the moment. She spread her hands apart. “All right. But please don’t say anything to Geoff. He shouldn’t have any worries.”

“Agreed,” Lance murmured before disappearing from the room.

The moment the door closed she got up and hurried into the bathroom. After getting caught in the rain, and then being examined at the clinic, she needed to shower and wash her hair.

Once that was accomplished, she toweled herself and left her hair loose so it would dry faster. She put on a clean yellow nightgown and matching fleece robe. When she climbed back into bed, it felt good.

She’d barely nestled under the covers when the door opened and she saw Lance walk in carrying a tray in one hand, and a bunch of magazines in the other.

Through narrowed lids she noticed he’d showered, too. He wore a silk shirt in a dark coffee shade and tan trousers. Whether he donned formal clothes or military khaki, he was so attractive she found she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

As he crossed the distance and started to lower the tray to the bedside table, she glimpsed one of the life-size wall paintings of Lancelot directly behind him. The handsome knight was leaning over the queen in their bedchamber, as if he’d just come in from hunting and was eager to taste her mouth before joining her.

The gorgeous man waiting on Andrea was in much the same position. In that instant she couldn’t separate the two pictures in her mind. The pulse at her throat began to throb a wild crescendo.

Lance must have noticed her reaction because his wandering eyes focused on that telling spot for a breathless moment before they continued their slow, intimate journey to her face.

Heat swept through her body to her cheeks. Their gazes fused.

“How are you feeling now?” His voice resonated deep inside her.

She inhaled unsteadily. “I—I’m fine.”

“Fine enough to try and eat something?”

Andrea looked over at the magazines and tray he’d put next to her pills. He’d brought hot tea, broth, apple slices, grape juice, water and a roll. She had an idea he’d picked everything out himself. Though she wasn’t hungry, she didn’t want him to think she was ungrateful, so she reached for an apple slice and began munching.

The gesture seemed to please him. He moved away. She thought he intended to leave. Instead he reached for an upholstered chair and brought it over to her bedside before sitting down to drink a cup of the steaming brew.

Lounging back with one long leg crossed over the other at the ankles, he looked the epitome of the French aristocrat relaxing at home in luxurious surroundings. A far cry from the man in camouflage who’d moved through the forest with the stealth of a savage cat. Yet both made up part of the same fascinating man standing attendance on her.

“Good? Bad?” he asked, reminding her of the fruit she’d just swallowed.

“Good actually. I’m surprised.” She reached for another slice. “You make an excellent nurse.” He was a man of many talents. “I’m sorry you returned home from war to discover you have two patients to wait on.”

He stared at her over the rim of the cup. “Since both are improving, I have no complaints.”

She reached for the glass of grape juice and took a sip. “Have you talked to your father since we got back from the clinic?”

“Yes. Because he had a visitor today, I told him I thought he should have a quiet evening. Tomorrow will be soon enough for you to join him for lunch. He agreed with one stipulation.”

“What was that?”

“He expects me to keep you entertained.” Her heart raced for no good reason. “I told him it wasn’t a hardship.”

“Your father’s a wonder.”

“I’ll keep him,” Lance said in a thick-toned voice.

She nodded. “I would, too. I’ve never met anyone as warm and kind. He said your mother was the same way.”

He put his empty cup on the tray. Lines darkened his face. “At this point you’re wondering how they could have produced a defect like me.”

Her breath caught. “Defect?”

“You don’t need to pretend. I saw the shock on your face when you discovered I was his son.”

She sat up in the bed. “If I registered that emotion, it was because I realized your experiences in the military had to account for your treating me like I was the enemy.”

“I’m afraid certain experiences in my life have caused me to distrust women. In that regard Papa and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum.”

“I have proof of that.” Andrea studied him for a moment. “What did you think I was doing in the forest the other night?”

His eyes flickered. “To be honest, I forgot I wasn’t on a mission. My automatic response was to render you helpless and either kill you or send you on your way depending on my gut feeling.”

She shivered. “What did your instincts tell you?”

A frown marred his features. “When you stood your ground, I realized I’d turned into some kind of monster.”

“Ten years in the elite force would change anyone, especially since you suspected me of ulterior motives where your father was concerned.”

After a strange silence, “Are you afraid of me, Andrea?” he drawled silkily.

Wishing she hadn’t spoken her mind, she reached for the roll and took a bite. “How could you ask me that when you were the one who rescued me today?

“If I didn’t make myself clear, let me do it now. I’m very grateful for your help, but you won’t have to worry about me much longer. After tomorrow I should be feeling well enough to fly home.”

His expression remained inscrutable. “Even if that’s true, my father wouldn’t hear of it. He’s been sick the whole time you’ve been at the château. I’m afraid you’ll have to stay on for a while.

“As soon as he’s well enough to walk around again, Papa plans to delight you with a special tour of the grounds. The experience will give you the opportunity to take more pictures to add to your husband’s book. That is why you came, n’est-ce pas?“

She lowered her eyes. “Yes, but—”

“No buts. The matter’s settled. While you recover your appetite, the doctor told you to get plenty of bed rest and drink fluids. I’m here to see that you do.”

In one lithe movement he got to his feet. “If you need anything, all you have to do is pick up the phone and press two. I’ll answer.” He continued looking at her. “Let’s hope the little you’ve eaten makes you feel better. I’ll be in later to say good-night.”

She sensed his disinclination to leave. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for everything.”

He pursed his lips. “I don’t want to come back and find you lying on the floor.”

“If I feel that weak, I promise to let you know.”

“See that you do,” came the grim rejoinder before he left.

Feeling oddly bereft after his departure, she reached for one of the magazines to keep her mind occupied. It was full of articles on European architecture. Though printed in French, she didn’t require a translation to digest the fabulous photographs.

However nothing she saw equaled the magnificence of the Château Du Lac. Or Lance himself …

Her thoughts wandered back to his comments at the clinic. Hearing the news with you made me feel like I’m the father. It’s an experience I wouldn’t have missed.