"I love you so much. . . ."His kisses seared her flesh like glowing brands as his mouth moved around her lips. "You're the best thing to had ever happen to me," he murmured against her lips, before capturing them yet again in a searing kiss.It had never occurred to Cassy that he would want her to touch him as he touched her, and the knowledge was thrilling. She put her hands against his tanned chest, slowly spreading her fingers, amazed when her simple touch made his breath catch.Feeling as if her heart would break with the love bursting in it, Cassy answered him with a melting kiss. It was answer enough.Still holding her, he moved onto his side, then he combed his fingers through her rumpled, satiny hair and brushed a tender kiss against her temple. Cassy’s lashes fluttered up and he felt as if he would drown in the deep blue pools of her eyes."How do you feel?" she teased, smiling as she asked him the same question he had once asked her. With tender solemnity, he replied, "I f
April 25, 1822"Twins, your grace," the physician said, smiling wearily at the man sprawled in a chair in his study. "Boys. And healthy they are, bawling their lungs out."Henry stood up slowly, running a hand over the half grown stubble on his jaw. Twins? Boys?"How is my wife?" he asked after an instant of stunned silence."Very tired, as she's so small and it was a hard birth for her, but she's well. There seem to be no problems.""There better not be," Henry growled, fixing the doctor with an intent gaze. "You are to remain here until she has completely recovered. I've heard too many times about women who have died within a few days after a normal birth, and I won't have that happen to Cassandra.""But your grace, I have other patients who need me," the doctor protested. "Lady Auberly is nearly..."Henry wasn't listening. He strode across the room and out the door of his study, taking the stairs two at a time. He eased into Cassy's room, his eyes trying to adjust to the dim light.