The Heiress's Pregnancy Surprise (Heirs to an Empire 2)

“Not really. I think it was in her all along. She just needed the crisis to make her rise to the occasion.”

“And what about you? Is this going to make you rise to the occasion, too? What are you willing to do to make Charlotte happy? To take care of your family? Because that’s what they are now, even if you haven’t put a ring on her finger.”

Jacob drained his glass. “You think I should ask her to marry me.”

“If you love her. And only if you love her. Otherwise, set up some kind of parenting agreement. But don’t give her false hope, Jacob. Her heart’s involved whether she wants it to be or not.”

Stephen got up to refresh their drinks, and after he had done so, he reached into his pocket and took out a small box. “I asked Maman and she agreed. This is our grandmother’s engagement ring. It is yours if you want to propose.”

Jacob reached out and took the box, opening the lid with a creak of the hinge. Inside was nestled a gold band with a stunning square-cut diamond in the middle, flanked by smaller diamonds in a fanciful pattern that looked like delicate leaves. “It’s beautiful.”

Then he thought of the butterfly necklace tucked into his duffel and his heart wrenched. What was he going to do? Marriage was so huge and would change his life irrevocably. But then...so would parenthood. His stomach went weightless as he realized after this weekend, nothing was going to be the same.

And he thought of Jacinta, and how he’d loved her, but how he didn’t anymore.

“You look like someone knocked the wind out of you,” Stephen observed, taking his seat again.

“Feels like it.” He looked at Stephen, still reeling from the offer of the ring. “Stephen, I grew up in a regular old suburb, and I never had a whole lot growing up. I don’t have a title, and even now I’m always on the outside of your world, even if I understand how it operates. That all being said, I hope you’ve offered this out of sentimentality and not because you think I can’t afford to get Charlie the ring she deserves. Because I can.”

“Hell, I know that. You don’t think we researched Wolfe Security before we hired you? I don’t give a damn if you were poor as a kid or if you know what fork to use. That’s rubbish. What I care about is my sister. The ring is yours if you want it.”

“I didn’t expect the support.”

“Mess this up and you’ll see how quickly that goes away.”

Jacob was starting to really like Stephen. They were a lot the same, despite the obvious differences. “Noted.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, sipping their drinks, until Jacob turned his head and looked at Stephen. He looked so Lord of the Manor, and yet what Jacob saw was a big brother looking out for his sister. Jacob liked to think he’d have done the same, if he’d

had any siblings.

“She’s lucky to have you, Stephen.”

“Oh, I’m not so sure. I’m very, very flawed. But in this, I want to do right by her. She’s taken our father’s death hard, though she tries not to show it. It means something that she brought you here. Just talk to her.” He turned languid eyes on Jacob. “And remember, I meant what I said. You hurt her, I’ll mess you up. SAS or not.”

“If I hurt her, I’ll let you,” Jacob said, and they went back to their drinks.

* * *

When Jacob suggested a walk in the garden after breakfast, Charlotte was more than happy to oblige. She’d missed seeing him last night after he’d disappeared with Stephen, and had lain awake wondering what they’d talked about, worried at Stephen’s interference. But she hadn’t risen from her bed to find out. The thought of disturbing Jacob in his room was far too tempting and she had to keep a clear head.

A walk in the garden was perfect.

A spring shower through the night left sparkling droplets on the leaves and flowers, and the fresh scent of moist earth and grass. As they walked along the path, Jacob reached out and took her hand. Clearly Stephen hadn’t frightened Jacob away, and for that she was glad.

“The gardens here are so beautiful,” he said. “I don’t know the names of anything but the rosebushes, I don’t think.”

“The climbing vines with the light purple conical flowers? That’s wisteria. And the big blooms on that frame there, the deep purple and white ones? Clematis.” She pointed to her left. “And those showy pink blossoms are azaleas.”

“You like the garden.”

She nodded. “I do. When the verbena blooms, the butterflies go crazy for it. We have one section that is just florals that attract butterflies. Another that is all cutting flowers.” She led him to the right, and pointed out another shrub, this one with flowers of the palest pink. “One of my favorites, camellias. Because the flowers are perfection.”

“You’re right. There’s not one petal out of place.”

She was quiet for a moment, searching for the right way to change the subject. “I see you made it through the conversation with Stephen last night.”

“Your brother’s a good man. And he cares about you very much. Actually, seeing you here explains a lot.” They’d continued walking, but at a speed that could be considered only an amble. The morning sun felt glorious on her face. She had a baby growing inside her. Jacob was holding her hand. In a way, she wanted to hold on to this moment forever.