I mumbled a string of curses beneath my breath. The Dead Duke had struck again. Damn, that man was diabolical. He couldn't have predicted how much Haley would love that tea. But he certainly could have left instructions to serve it to her at every opportunity. Just in case we'd decided to try to thwart his plans for an heir.
What other snares had the Dead Duke set? That was the question. And how was I going to tell Haley about the tea? How would I apologize for doubting her and accusing her of deliberately getting pregnant?
I couldn't wait to get back to her. I wouldn't say I'd given up fighting the Dead Duke's will. But I was less certain about fighting fate. If it demanded I love Haley, I would. And suffer the consequences and sacrifices that came with it.
I had to tell her this time. No more letting circumstance get in the way.
I chartered a private jet to take me to England, as usual. I invited Sid along. There was no reason for her to fly commercial when our schedules coincided.
I liked Haley's little sis. As close as she and Haley were, I was sure she knew of the difficulties between us. I expected she would be distant and cold to me. Surprisingly, there was little tension between us. Haley had said that Sid had one of the kindest, most forgiving souls in the world. I was beginning to believe her.
Sid's excitement and awe of flying on a private jet was cute and almost infectious. I'd taken the luxury for granted for a long time. She made me see how lucky I was.
Sid was Sid and full of her usual excited chatter. She talked incessantly about the gender-reveal party and how eager she was to become an aunt. It was hard to resist her enthusiasm.
"Haley's going to be the most perfect mom," Sid said after our dinner onboard the plane. "Look at me! She raised me all by herself since Dad died. And did a pretty good job, I'd say." She gave me her signature sunny smile and a pointed look.
"Good to know she can handle a teenager when the time comes," I said dryly. "But can she manage a baby?"
"You're a tough nut, Riggins!" Sid shook her head and waved a hand at me dismissively. "She's only four years older than I am. But she's been a little mother to me since my parents brought me home."
At the mention of her adoption, I hesitated, feeling guilty for knowing what I did and not sharing it with her. If she was going to be the pawn that drew the truth out, she had a right to know the moves I was about to make. Even before Haley did, I decided. I didn't think I'd get a better opportunity to talk to Sid. She'd handed me my opening.
"Speaking of your adoption … I have something to tell you. I haven't even told Haley yet. We may have found your father."
Her face lit up. She was full of questions. I told her everything I knew, including my suspicions that Will Bird was her half-brother and Bird her father.
When I was finished, she jumped up, threw her arms around my neck, and hugged me fiercely.
"You're brilliant! You're a genius, Riggins."
"I wouldn't go that far," I said. "We don't know for sure. It's just an educated guess-"
She kissed me on the cheek and returned to her own chair, glowing with excitement. "Haley and I have been trying to find the connection for months. She's been playing detective. Or she was until she got so sick."
I nodded. "I know. I wanted to tell her about this latest development in person. Which is why she doesn't know about it yet. It's all circumstantial. The question is-what do you want to do?"
She answered without hesitation. "Meet Bird and Will, of course! As soon as possible. And find out for sure."
I nodded. How could I stop her? If I were her, I'd want the same thing. "Just go carefully around Haley. She'd had you all to herself all these years. If she has to share you with a brother-"
Sid shook her head. "She has nothing to worry about there! She'll always be my big sis."
"Don't get your hopes up too high," I said. "There's still a good chance we're wrong."
"I know," she said soberly. "But this is the closest we've come." She broke into a beautiful smile. "Tell me about Bird. Is he a good guy?"
I shrugged teasingly. "He's a hell of a gamekeeper."
"But as a father?" She looked suddenly uncertain and expectant.
"You'll have to judge for yourself," I said as kindly as I could, sympathizing with her. There was still a part of me that wanted to meet my father. And give him hell. "Bird is a decent guy as far as I can tell."
Which was more than I could say for my late departed dad.
"Good," Sid said. "If he is my bio dad, he has a lot to live up to. My dad was the best." Her voice cracked.
I got out of my chair, put my arm around her, and hugged her. I was going to be a dad and influence a life. Someday my kid could be sitting around making a commentary about my fathering skills. The thought scared the crap out of me.
Chapter 11
Haley
I was like a kid waiting for Christmas as I waited for their car to arrive. When it pulled into the drive, my heart danced with joy. I dashed onto the front steps of the castle to meet them. I had a moment's panic-who would I greet first? The husband I missed beyond reason? Or the sister I'd give my life for?
Sid made the choice for me. She popped out of the car first and ran to me, nearly knocking me over as she hugged me. "Hale! Finally! It felt like I was never going to see you again. It's been forever."
I was so relieved to see her looking healthy and strong that my knees nearly buckled. I knew her and the disease well enough to immediately recognize any signs of relapse. Which I'd worried she would keep from me, particularly while I was feeling unwell. But she glowed with beautiful health.
I hugged her with tears in my eyes. "Missed you, too. I have so much to show you and tell you and talk to you about." I looked over her shoulder as Riggins stepped out of the car.
As always, the sight of him sent my heart skittering off course. Since we met, it felt like it beat only for him. Like he really was my other half.
Our eyes met. There was that instant spark between us. We could both try to deny it, but it was there, as it had been from nearly the beginning. The baby in my womb leaped and fluttered.
"The baby's moving." I moved Sid's hand to my bump so she could feel the tiny movements that were only just becoming strong enough for the outside world to see and feel. But my eyes didn't leave Riggins.
He came to me in quick strides. He caught Sid by the arm and gently pried her loose from me. "Sorry, sis. It's my turn now. Husbandly privileges." He pulled me into a kiss that took my breath away.
I melted into him, kissing him back, startled and pleased by the passionate way his lips possessed mine.
"I missed you, duchess," he whispered into my ear. "More than I thought possible."
Just then, the baby decided to introduce itself to its daddy and kicked hard enough into Riggins' rock-hard abs that his eyes grew wide with wonder as he felt the tiny movement.
"Was that what I think it was?" He sounded as amazed as he looked at my blouse stretched tight over my belly.
I nodded and moved his hand to my bump where the baby continued to kick. "Someone's jealous."
"Someone sure the hell is." Riggins laughed and bent to speak to my bump. "Daddy's home, baby. You're going to have to share Mommy now." He paused, staring at my stomach. "This kid is strong. And ferocious."
I nodded. "Like someone else I know."
Riggins looked happy and tender. Maybe … maybe he could fall in love with our baby. Maybe he was already.
Riggins held my hand as I showed Sid into the castle and watched her eyes go wide.
"Wow. Seeing pictures is one thing," she said. "Seeing it in person is something else. This place is beyond awesome."
I nodded and noticed Gibson standing by, waiting to be acknowledged. "Sid, I want you to meet our butler, Gibson. Gibson, my sister, Sid."
Before I could say more, Riggins interrupted. "I'm sure Sid would like to freshen up after her trip. I know I would. Would you show her to her room, Gibson?"
"My pleasure, sir," Gibson said. "This way, ma'am."
Sid gave me a quick, questioning look. It was clear she felt fresh enough already and ready to catch up with me. I, however, knew Riggins' intention. Or hoped I knew, anyway. It was the same as mine. A celibate life was no way for a married duchess to live. Now that I was no longer sick all the time, my libido had returned with a vengeance. I wanted nothing more than to direct the force of my passion at the hot, desirable man by my side, the man who belonged to me for at least as long as the sex of our baby was up in the air.