It was a pity she didn't have the black and silver gown with her, but she did possess one special gown here, a white jaconet shot through with gold threads and a matching shot silk shawl. Blake had never seen the gown before, and she looked forward to surprising him. She had brought her pearls with her, and so had all she needed. She would look elegant, seductive. If she couldn't convince Blake tomorrow that she was the woman he wanted to marry, she never would.
But if not, then what? Remain as his ward? Unthinkable. Marry Adam or Philip? He had said Philip was not a suitable match. While he had proven to be a good friend, he was not interested in her hand in marriage. He had told her that himself.
But Adam? Well, he was a cousin. It was commonly done. It would not be a love match, but it would be an equal one….
Sarah shrieked suddenly, "Don't do it!"
Arabella jumped. "Do what?" she stammered, for no one had so much as moved in the room.
Who had Sarah been speaking to?
She turned to her husband. "I love you so much. Nothing can ever mean as much to me as the miracle of your love, except the children we're blessed with."
Alexander kissed her tenderly on the brow. "I know it, dearest. I feel the same."
"All the Rakehells thus far have been so blessed with love matches. I hope the rest of our friends will be as well."
Arabella and Blake both started as she looked from one to the other.
"Oh, God, it's close now," Sarah groaned suddenly.
Arabella could see the veins in her neck bulge as she bore down.
"She's crowning," Blake gasped. "Arabella, the towels, quickly!"
She leapt up to do his bidding.
The baby slid out into his hands a moment later. Blake tied off the umblical cord, cut it, and then thwacked the infant on the rump.
The boy let out a small outraged howl.
Blake smile, and handed the baby to Arabella to clean it off.
She was sure she had just witnessed a miracle.
Blake kissed her tenderly on the brow. "Thank you for your help. You were wonderful."
"It was wonderful."
"Arabella, we need to talk-" he began impetuously.
"Can we see him yet?" Alexander asked worriedly.
Arabella finished cleaning him off, whilst Blake went to check his patient. Soon he told the proud Papa that he could hand the baby to his equally proud Mama.
"Is it all over?" Jonathan asked eagerly from the doorway.
"It is," Sarah said with a smile. "Come in and see him. Baby Jonathan, Little John for short."
Jonathan and Pamela practically ran into the room hand in hand. "Little John, eh? Gadzookers." He gave his sister a huge kiss, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room as he went around and hugged everyone.
Alexander, not to be outdone by his extroverted brother-in-law, followed suit, starting with his wife and finishing with Blake.
"I'm so grateful. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Glad to help. And now, this young lady and young man need some rest."
"So do you and Arabella."
Blake nodded. "Arabella can go lie down. I'm going to sit up with Sarah a little while longer, just to make sure."
"I can stay," she offered.
"No, my dear. You've not had any sleep for hours, and there is the Jeromes' ball tonight in our honour. Normally I wouldn't care, but they've gone to so much trouble. So you go with Pamela now, and I'll call you when it's time to leave."
She hesitated, but he gave her a warm smile. "Go on, love. We'll talk later. I promise."
Noting his earnest expression, she nodded. Stretching up on tiptoe, she kissed his now-bristled cheek, and stroked his shoulder. "Make sure you rest too."
Blake leaned into the kiss gratefully. "I will. I'll see you soon."
Blake stayed with his patient, watching over her diligently, though he had to admit his mind was only half on the job. He had come as close as he ever dared to showing Arabella how he really felt about her.
Now he was at a turning point. He couldn't go on pretending any longer. But nor could he be sure if he was doing the right thing by wanting her to marry him.
He rehearsed every single one of his old arguments over and over again for not marrying her. They no longer seemed so important. Not when he was so sure he loved her.
At noon he had a maid rouse Arabella to tell her it was time to head back to Millcote. She had hardly slept for thinking about Blake and her love for him. No sooner had the coach begun moving than she could feel a complete exhaustion settle over her.
"Tired?"
"Mmm, the emotions of it all. And the lack of sleep."