Whirlwind Wedding

sweeping through her left her faint.

Austin knelt beside the bed. 'Elizabeth, are you all right? You look pale.'

She tore her gaze from the little girl and stared at him. With an effort, she dragged a ragged breath into her lungs and moistened her dust dry lips. Reaching out, she grasped his hands. 'Austin. Josette… she is the child I saw in my vision.'

For several heartbeats he simply stared at her. In a low voice he asked, 'You mean the child you saw dying-'

'Was Josette. But she didn't die. We saved her. And it was William s child. Not ours.' Tears pooled in her eyes, spilling over to wet her cheeks. 'Not ours.'

'Not ours?' he repeated, his eyes dazed. But then he frowned and lowered his voice further. 'Do you mean that Josette is in danger?'

'No. The danger is over. Josette is fine.'

'She's fine. And there's no danger to our child?'

'None.'

He briefly squeezed his eyes shut, then brought their joined hands to his lips. 'My God, Elizabeth.' He swallowed audibly. 'Does that mean what I think it means?'

'It means we're free. Free to love and bear our children without that horrible fear hanging over us.'

'Elizabeth…' Leaning forward, he kissed her with aching tenderness.

She squeezed his hand and images flooded her mind. She tried to push them away, desperate not to see anything bad, anything that might ruin this moment. But the picture that formed in her mind stole the breath from her lungs.

With crystal clarity she saw herself and Austin, standing close together in a field of wildflowers, their eyes filled with loving promise. He held his hand out to her. I love you, Elizabeth.

The image faded leaving a well of warmth and bemused wonder in its wake.

He leaned back and studied her face. 'What did you see?'

'You and me… it was a vision of love. And happiness.'

'Happiness.'

'Yes.' A joyous smile rose from her heart. 'It is an American word that means 'heavenly bliss.''

He brought their clasped hands to his lips. 'It is also an English word that means 'you and I loving each other for the rest of our lives.''

She looked into his eyes and immediately knew he was right.

Epilogue

Austin paced the length of the drawing room, raking his fingers through his hair. The doctor had been with Elizabeth for over an hour. How the hell long did it take to remove the dressing on her shoulder and determine if she was fully recovered? They'd been home for a month. Surely that was enough time for her injury to have completely healed.

Laughter distracted his thoughts and he walked to the opened window. His entire family, minus Caroline and Miles who were honeymooning in Brighton, sat around the round table on the terrace. His mother was beaming at William, who bounced a squealing Josette on his knee. Claudine and Lady Penbroke were engaged in an animated discussion, and Robert was occupied removing the end of Lady Penbroke's boa from his teacup. Under the table, Gadzooks and his cohorts frolicked with the small white puppy Austin had recently purchased. He'd had to search nearly all of England to find a dog that looked exactly like the sketch of Patch Elizabeth had drawn, but he'd finally succeeded.

Elizabeth had laughed and cried at the same time when he'd placed the squirming furry bundle in her arms. The delight shining from her eyes had touched him… in that place deep inside him only she could reach.

A knock sounded on the door.

Turning from the window, he called, 'Come in.'

Elizabeth entered.

He reached her in two strides. 'Are you all right?'

She smiled. 'The doctor said I am fine.'

A relieved breath whooshed from his lungs. 'Thank God.' He drew her into his arms and kissed her brow. Leaning back, he noticed she held a letter. 'Is that from Caroline?'

'No. It's from my friend in America. Alberta.''

'The young woman you warned not to marry?'

'Yes. Unfortunately my premonitions proved correct.' She looked at him through sad eyes. 'David was unfaithful to her. He was killed in a duel by his lover's husband.'

'I'm sorry, Elizabeth.'

'As am I. In her letter she begs for my forgiveness, which I shall gladly give her, along with an invitation to come visit us.'

The sound of laughter drew their attention and Austin walked with her to the window. He watched a smile curve her lips when Robert spied them at the window and waved. She returned the greeting, then stilled her gaze alternating between the letter she held and Robert's laughing face.

'Oh, no,' Austin said. 'What are you seeing now?'

She hesitated, then smiled. 'I'm just thinking that I shall make it a point to write to Alberta today. I think a trip to England is exactly what she needs. And, um, Robert might enjoy it as well.'

The significance of her words hit him and a smile tugged his lips. 'I see. Should I warn my dear brother?'

Her dimples winked at him. 'Oh, I don't think a warning will help.' She slipped her letter into her pocket, then drew a deep breath. '1 haven't told you everything the doctor said Austin.'

His smile collapsed. 'You said you're fine-'

'Oh, I am. Most robust. I may resume my normal schedule, but he cautioned me against activities that he feels are too rigorous for one in my… delicate condition.'

'Delicate?'

She nodded her eyes shining with joy. 'Yes. It is an American word that means 'I'm going to have a baby''

His heart skidded to a halt, then thumped back to life. She was going to have a baby. His child. Their child. He squeezed his eyes shut, absorbing the joy, savoring the miracle.

'Give me your hand' she whispered.

Opening his eyes, he held out his hand. She clasped it and brought it to her stomach, gently pressing his palm against her gown.

'Do you see anything?' he asked watching her closely.

A slow smile lit her beautiful face. 'Hmmm… you appear to have some plans that include you, me, and that sofa by the fire.'

He laughed. 'You're a difficult woman to surprise, my love.'

Her eyes widened and his amusement instantly vanished. 'What do you see now?'

'I see a baby… a beautiful baby boy,' she said her voice filled with wonder. 'He's going to be just like you… with your dark hair, strong chin, and noble bearing.'

'You're wrong,' Austin corrected quietly. He looked into her eyes, eyes so full of love and warmth and goodness, and his heart, quite simply, rolled over. 'He'll be just like you… just like his mother… a vision. A vision of love.'

Jacquie D’Alessandro