In the Rich Man's World

‘If we’d ended up adopting we’d have loved him.’ Amelia swallowed hard. ‘We’d have loved him just as much as we love Rory. He wouldn’t have been second best.’

‘No.’ Vaughan raked a hand through his hair. ‘But, Amelia, he might already have a family by now.’

‘And he might not.’

For the longest time he was silent, staring at the photo for an age before turning to her. ‘Are you unhappy, Amelia? Is there…?’

‘I’ve never been more happy, Vaughan. Never been more fulfilled. Over and over I pinch myself—can’t believe how lucky I am, how lucky we all are to have found each other.’

She knew he was listening, but his eyes had left hers now, were staring instead at the sad, bewildered eyes in the picture he held. A soft smile formed on his lips. ‘He is kind of cute,’ Vaughan said very slowly, very cautiously, and Amelia knew she had to hold back a touch, couldn’t let her mounting excitement sway him for even a moment. This decision was way too important to be rushed into. It was a child they were talking about, not some crazy impulse buy they could take back and exchange if things didn’t work out.

But already she loved him.

And from the look in Vaughan’s eyes, the way his thumb was stroking the pale cheeks on the photo, he was starting to feel that way too.

‘I’m supposed to be a bastard.’ Putting down the papers, he dragged her into his arms and she went unrelenting. ‘I’m supposed to be a complete cad, making a mere token effort to settle down.’

‘I know.’ Amelia smiled, closing her eyes in bliss as he held her ever closer to his chest. ‘I read all about it last week.’

‘You know,’ Vaughan whispered, pulling her in, safe in the warm glow of love, ‘this is going to completely ruin my reputation.’