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Kitty’s favourite time of year had finally come. Snow drifted down from the sky as she waddled towards the house. There was no doubt that she was with child now and had been given strict orders not to move around a lot until the baby came since she was so far along. But she’d just taken a basket of food to one of the families in need within the village and was trying to get back in time before Hugh noticed that she was gone. But as she stepped into the foyer as the footman opened the door for her, she found Hugh pacing back and forth in the main room waiting on her.
“My God, I’ve been worried sick ever since William and I returned home from our morning hunt,” Hugh said as he quickly came to her and looked her over as though to confirm or deny if she’d been injured on her short walk.
“Stop fussing over me,” Kitty said as she shrugged off her cloak and pulled off her hat and gloves. She handed her things to the footman as she said to Hugh, “I might be with child, but I’m not completely incapable.”
“But you heard what the doctor said, Kitty,” Hugh urged as Kitty began to walk down the long hallway of the manor towards the drawing room. She wanted to warm up by the fire and enjoy some of Cook’s holiday treats she’d been baking every day since the snow had started to fall. Most of the walls were still barren as the manor was continually repaired from the fire that had scorched most of the interior of the home, but with the holiday fast approaching, they had taken the time to hang garland and red and green ribbons throughout to give it a cheerier look.
“Hugh, I can’t imagine why the doctor would suggest that I rest all the time. The baby isn’t going to come any quicker whether I am taking short walks or lying about all day,” Kitty said as she went into the drawing room. She was pleased to see that William and Viviana were present, along with Aunt Matilda. She was hoping one of them would come to her aid in this discussion.
“Kitty, as your loving brother, I command you to sit your bottom in a chair and rest,” William said as he turned towards her from where he stood by the fire. Her hope was reduced upon hearing his words, and she hoped that no one else would dare speak to her in such a way.
“Brother, I would like to remind you that even as an earl you could never command a Duchess to do anything,” Kitty said as she sat down in a wing backed chair near the fireplace.
“It wouldn’t have bothered me if you were the Queen of England, Kitty. As your brother, I have the right to command you,” William said, his anger clearly in his red cheeks.
“Oh, hush you two,” Aunt Matilda said. She was sitting on the settee drinking a cup of tea. A few chairs over Portlock sat in a chair reading the paper. Though the two were obviously in love, they still kept boundaries amongst other people since Aunt Matilda was a lady and Portlock was a servant. But none of them really cared while they were out in the country. No one was around to really bother them or gossip about what they were doing. It had been one of the nicest things about moving to the country for Kitty that she no longer had to read about herself in the paper almost every day.
“Kitty has done nothing to endanger herself or the baby,” Aunt Matilda continued. “She has motherly instincts that would warn her if what she was doing was wrong.” Hugh came and sat beside her then, and when he tried to take her hand in his, she resisted at first. But when she saw how concerned he was about her, she eventually gave in and laced her fingers with his as she placed her other hand on her round middle.
“But what if all this exercise causes the birth to be complicated?” William urged.
“And what if all this exercise gives her more strength in her legs to push the wee baby out easier?” Aunt Matilda asked, her Scottish accent coming through. Though her red hair had long faded to white, there were times when she was railed up enough that her birth country showed through.
William seemed to give up then as he turned back to the fire. Kitty looked to Viviana who sat in a chair across from her. She looked at her husband, concern on her face. Though they’d been married only a few months earlier than Hugh and her, she wondered why Viviana hadn’t been able to conceive yet. It also made Kitty wonder if this issue between him and his wife was what was causing her brother to become so overprotective of her.
A knock on the drawing room door sounded, pulling all their attention that way as Miss Morgan entered with Miss Talbot. The daughter of an earl was proving her worth within their household and had been a large help to the designs of the manor. But since Kitty still did not fully trust her, she’d had Miss Morgan keep a steady eye on her. When they’d moved to the country, Miss Talbot had asked to accompany them, wishing to flee the gossip of Town as well. And taking pity on the woman, Kitty and Hugh had agreed.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace. Duchess,” Miss Talbot said as she curtsied. “I have prepared a nice relaxing bath for you, and Cook is sending in a plate of pastries shortly.”
“My goodness. I shall become as round as Kitty before the holiday even comes,” Aunt Matilda said with a chuckle.
“Alright then,” Kitty said as Hugh helped her to her feet. “I shall enjoy a bath and will return for tarts.” But as Kitty made her way towards the open door, a very strange sensation was felt between her legs. She looked down at her walking gown to see that it had become rather wet, and as a sharp pain came across her middle, it was a clear sign of things to come.
“Hugh, help me into the bath,” Kitty said in a strained voice as she reached out to him. He was quick onto his feet and by her side as she grabbed his arm and squeezed hard. Another sharp pain came through her, and she did her best to breathe through it till it was all gone.
“What on Earth?” Miss Talbot explained as she too came to Kitty’s aid.
“Ah, it looks like the baby is finally ready to make its debut,” Viviana said excitedly. She joined Kitty as all three of them helped Kitty out of the drawing room and up the stairs to her bedchamber. There, she gave Hugh a long kiss before sending him away to fetch the midwife from the village. Till then, Kitty just wanted to relax and find a way to deal with the pain.
“Let’s get her undressed and into a nightgown,” Miss Morgan decided as they worked together to help Kitty out of her walking gown and her soiled undergarments. There may have been a time in her life where she would have been embarrassed to be bare before Viviana and Miss Talbot, but as the pain came through her body once more, she pushed all thoughts of sense out of her mind as the women helped her into the tub.
“My goodness, this warm water feels good,” Kitty said with a deep sigh. “I think all babies should be born this way.”
“Birth is a very long process, Kitty,” Viviana said as she took a chair and sat it next to the tub. She held Kitty’s hand as she breathed through another wave of pain that trembled her body. “The pain will come and go for many hours till you gain the urge to push with every ounce of your body.”
“I will gather the tarts from Cook,” Miss Talbot said before leaving the room.
“And I’ll gather clean linens for the birth,” Miss Morgan said as she followed after the other woman. Kitty was left with Viviana as the pain came in waves. But compared to earlier, they didn’t seem as painful as she sat in the tub of hot water.
“I think I know why William was so cross with me earlier,” Kitty said as a wave of pain subsided. She opened her eyes from where she’d held them shut and looked up at her sister-in-law. “I see you are not with child like I am.” Viviana offered her a weak smile as she nodded her head.
“We have tried,” Viviana said sadly, “but we have not been blessed yet.”
“You know …” Kitty began to say as another wave of pain hit her.
“My goodness, things seem to be moving along quite quickly,” Viviana said as she leaned forward and peered into the tub. Through all of the pain that Kitty was experiencing, she looked down as well to see what Viviana was staring it. Kitty was surprised to see that the baby was already appearing and ready to be born.
“Oh no, Viviana. What do I do? The midwife isn’t even here yet,” Kitty said as she began to panic. The need to push was overwhelming and yet she didn’t know if she should try yet. Wasn’t the birthing process supposed to take hours and even days?
“Kitty, just relax. All you have to do is lightly push and just reach down and pull up your baby,” Viviana said in a soothing voice. “I’ll be here right with you, but your baby is ready to meet you.”
With Vivian’s confident words, Kitty started to push as she drew up her knees. Slowly, she eased her hands down and grasped the baby once it had been born and pulled it from the water before placing it on her chest. The birth had been so fast and gentle that the baby had not known it had been born till Kitty began to cry with joy. Then, the small babe joined her as they cried together.
“I hear a baby!” Hugh shouted as he quickly opened the door and came stumbling into the room. He looked down at Kitty in the tub, holding their child and had a look of utter disbelief as he took it all in. Viviana chuckled as she rose from the chair and helped Hugh down into it. Kitty looked up at Hugh with such joy on her face as she cradled the child to her chest. His eyes filled with tears as he leaned towards them, placing a kiss on her forehead before peering down at the child.
“You did beautifully, my dear,” Hugh said, seeming to try to get his emotions under control. “Do we have a son or a daughter?” Kitty calmed her nerves as she repositioned the child into her arms, seeing that she’d given birth to a son.
“You have a son now, Hugh,” Kitty confirmed, causing Hugh to smile brightly.
“I have a son,” Hugh said softly, seeming to let the words really sink into him. “I have a son,” he said a little louder as he stood and made his way to the bedchamber door. He pulled it open and poked his head out the door before shouting, “I have a son!”
Kitty couldn’t help giggling as Hugh returned to her and sat beside her till the midwife arrived. Once Kitty and the baby had been checked over, the midwife declared, “I have never seen a baby born in water.”
“He’s my very lucky little man,” Kitty declared as she was dressed in a nightgown and got into bed. Hugh had held the babe while she had been taken care of, and now she took their son in her arms so that she could feed him. The small child had calmed since birth and now rested quietly in her arms. Kitty could hardly believe that her son had been born on this day and so quickly from what she’d expected.
At some point, everyone came in to greet their son while making sure to give the two plenty of privacy. William apologised for his earlier remarks, and Kitty was quick to forgive him. Kitty sat in bed holding her son with Hugh beside her. She had taken a tart from the tray that Miss Talbot had brought up and was enjoying a few sweet treats during her first few hours with her newborn.
“So, what shall we name him, Hugh?” Kitty asked as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I suppose we should think about it for a day or two,” Hugh suggested. “There is no rush in deciding a name.”
“Fredrick, Fitzwilliam, Hugh, Henry, Michelle, Gabriel,” Kitty said, rattling off the first male names that came to mind. Hugh chuckled beside her, the rumble in his chest a soothing sound to her.
“We shall discuss it more later. But now, my dear, you should really get some rest,” Hugh said as he took their son and cradled him in his arms. The babe looked so small in his large arms that Kitty thought it was the most humorous sight she’d ever seen. But as she yawned, she figured that Hugh was right. Kitty scooted down under the covers and laid her head on the pillow and allowed herself to drift off to sleep as she watched Hugh rock their sleeping son.
~*~
Christmas morning was extra special that year for Hugh. For one, he had a large family gathered around him compared to his several past Christmas days when he’d before spent them completely intoxicated. Kitty sat in a rocker in the drawing room, rocking little Daniel in her arms. The little baby had taught him and Kitty what it meant to have a family and truly love unconditionally. It had been hard adjusting to raising a child, but as they took on the task together, their love for one another had only grown.
Furthermore, he was pleased to see that his most trusted friend, Portlock, had found love later in life. He and Aunt Matilda had officially declared their feelings for one another, and though they’d probably never be married, they’d let everyone know that they did not care one way or another as long as they could simply be together. Hugh had seen no foul play in their declaration and promised to always have them under his roof as long as Portlock continued to help him get out of sticky situations. They’d shared a good laugh, and Hugh thought it was nice that Aunt Matilda had someone special to love once more.
Though things had been tense between William and Viviana, with the birth of Daniel, they seemed to soften towards one another again. Hugh had assured William that all good things come in time while Kitty had spoken to Viviana about the idea of adopting one of the children from the orphanage if she did not conceive by the end of the next Season in Town. Though Hugh and Kitty would be remaining in the country till Daniel was older, William and Vivana would return as soon as the roads were clear to Town. For now, Hugh was pleased that the young couple was getting along and caring for one another.
“Here, Kitty. Let me hold Daniel for a while,” Hugh offered as he came to sit next to Kitty. She smiled and nodded her head as she gave Hugh the child. She stood and stretched as she went over to the buffet table to grab something to munch on. Hugh had taken a liking to holding his son and did so with every occasion. He was proud that he’d helped to create this little miracle and couldn’t help tear up at the thought that his parents weren’t here to see this glorious day. Though it still often saddened him every time he thought of his father and mother, at least now he was filled with a sense of peace and purpose as he looked upon his family.
“Merry Christmas, Hugh,” Kitty said as she came to sit on the settee next to Hugh. She handed him a small gift box, and he looked down at it curiously. He hadn’t known they were exchanging gifts with the birth of Daniel and felt a bit sheepish that he hadn’t presented her with anything as well.
“Go on. Simply open it,” Kitty said, urging him on. He eventually relented as he opened the box and looked inside. His breath was taken away as he gazed down at the silver pocket watch.
“But I thought most of my father’s things had been burned in the fire,” Hugh said as he looked up into Kitty’s bright eyes. She smiled at him as she took out the watch and presented it to him.
“Some of his things were discovered in the fire. When Miss Talbot brought it to me, I found a man in the village that had experience fixing pocket watches,” Kitty explained. “I had him fix it up new for you.”
Tears stung Hugh’s eyes as he pushed open the cover and watched as the clock hands moved to the ticking seconds. He’d seen his father carry this watch with him several times and felt a special connection to his father in that very moment.
“Thank you so much, Kitty. You have no idea how much this means to me,” Hugh said as he did his best to keep his emotions stable. But when she hugged him with their son in his arms, he let the tears of joy flow freely.
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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Scandalous Regency Affairs", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello there, my dearest readers! I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 😊
I loved the book. The sensible Kitty and the lost Hugh. Well written. I recomment it to ever one
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear! I deeply appreciate it!
I really enjoyed Romancing An Alluring Lady. I enjoyed how it shows how determination and Love will conquer. It showing people can change if they want to. Upper class people are not heartless and show compassion. I do wonder if you will continue this story with William and Viviana? I would really like to read more about William, Viviana, Hugh,Kitty, Daniel, Aunt Matilda and Portlock. It is a really good book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read books.
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
I couldn’t have said it better. I just want the story to go on and on All the best.
I agree! I so love and enjoy Lucy Langton’s writing!!
♥️
Wonderful and showed a great of love and forgiveness in order to move forward.
Well done mix of drama and great sex scenes!
My dear thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
HI LUCY THIS IS A WELL WRITTEN BOOK ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BOOK GETS YOU ENTHRALLED IN ALL THE THINGS THAT KITTY AND HUGH GO THROUGH SUCH AS KITTY NEARLY GETTING KILLED BY LORD HARDING AND HIS SERVANTS WHEN THEY CHOP THE HUGE OAK TREE DOWN AND IT FALLS ON HUGH’S CARRIAGE NOT REALIZING KITTY IS IN THE CARRIAGE AND NOT HUGH WHO LORD HARDING WANTED DEAD TO ELIMINATE HUGH MARRYING KITTY!
THIS BOOK SHOWS TRUE LOVE BETWEEN HUGH AND KITTY ESPECIALLY WHEN HE AND SO MANY PEOPLE WORK SO HARD TRYING TO GET THE TREE REMOVED AND HUGH RESCUES KITTY FROM HIS BROKEN CARRIAGE! THAT IS TRUE LOVE BECAUSE NOT MANY MEN WOULD DO THAT!
THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC AS SO MANY MYSTERIES, HOT ROMANCE BETWEEN HUGH AND KITTY IN THAT TIME ERA WHICH WOULD BE SCANDALOUS! THIS BOOK IS A NON STOP READ AND THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!
THANK YOU LUCY LANGTON FOR THIS FANTASTIC BOOK! SINCERELY SHARON!
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
Beautiful and sweet romance with a different off theme.miss tallibot had been given a second chance of respectful life unheard of at that time.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment dear Prafulla!
I really appreciate it!
Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
I agree!!
Sigh! What a lovely ending to a book that kept my interest throughout! I must confess that the part where Hugh was drugged made me leave the book for a moment because I could feel his helplessness through the words on the page. I came right back because I could not leave them like that and was rewarded with more action than I expected. This book was an exceptional read and I look forward to the next book!
Truly wonderful. The characters enchanted as their story unfolded. The tribulations added a feeling of mystery. The love match between Hugh and Kitty from childhood blossomed so beautifully. Thank you for this touching romance.
As I read this book I could hardly put it down and so I was sp happy to see the extended epilogue. However I was a little unhappy that Viviana did not discover she was pregnant after baby Daniel was born. But even with that I loved this book.
My dear, I am so sorry to hear that, but I am glad you enjoyed it!
Really nice light reading. Thoroughly enjoyed it 😄
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback! Thank you so much!
I really enjoyed the extended ending. It added closure to a wonderful story.
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
Great read and appreciated all of the background and completion of all of the stories that evolved from the plot. Loved getting to know and become friends with all of the characters almost sad it done and hope to read more about this alluring family!
Thank you so much for the review, my dear. It means a lot to me!
Well plotted good ending kept me interested though out
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed my novel, my dear William!
An exciting storyline continuing apace with an exciting but unexpected finish. How about a further novel about William & Viviana. Lots of material to write about.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Michael!
So glad you enjoyed the story and I will keep your proposal in mind! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Thank you again and have a lovely day!
I really enjoyed this book but I’m wondering what happens to Miss Talbot and did she appear in any other books she seemed familiar if so let me know the book titles so I can read or reread them
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Debra. I truly appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
I loved the book. Kitty and Huges love is are inspiring
I am so glad you enjoyed the story my dear Linda! Thank you! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming soon!
I loved it
Thank you so much my dear Gabrielle! So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Will you ever be writing about William and Viviana? It would be a wonderful followup seeing he traveled so much ended up in Spain and married. What story that could be. Maybe a novella. I really enjoyed the book and the extended epilogue. It brought everything together.
I will keep that in mind, my dear! Thank you so much for your kind words!
Enjoyed this story , the rascal is changed by his love for a childhood friend. The villan gets his comeuppance , the female helper is eventually forgiven by those she had tried to ruin and all ends well.
I am glad you enjoyed it, my dear!
This is a very good story and the plot is a good one and the characters are very real.A water birth is not new today but very new in the regency age.This is a good extended epilogue
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear!
Beautiful story , how I loved it such love between two people were very inspiring, I truly recommend it.
Keep writing.
A great story. Initially thought it might be a bit slow, but was pleasantly surprised. It also made a change for the villain to be apprehended mod story, allowing time to concentrate on High and Kitty’s relationship.
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
Loved the storyline and the characters who seemed so real. Just the right amount of romance and mystery. The extended epilogue brought it all to a happy ending. Would recommend others who love a spicy romance to read it.
This is a wonderful book to read. So well written that you just have to keep reading it to the end. Can’t wait to read your next book.
Lucy, you never disappoint….wow, Hugh pulled it off..I was so afraid we were going to loose Kitty due to the accident… I loved this book.
I enjoyed this book so much!!! I laughed and cried, it truly was wonderful. Thank you 💖
I am so glad to hear that, my dear!
Loved the book.. Even some suspense included. A story of William and Vivian would be 👍
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback! Stay tuned for more!
This was such a wonderful love story!! I just could not put this book down and couldn’t wait to see how it ended. So happy for Hugh and Kitty to have a wonderful son join them in their truly lovely family.
LOVED IT!!! Wished you could have written more as I was enthralled with the characters. Hope you will consider a sequel.
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support!
Truly liked this book. Funny, romantic and real
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
Really loved the book and the bonus ending. Even though not true, the book had a few lessons that applies to life. Change can happen if you want, love conquers all. Loved the ending of the birth of their son. Thank you for a great historical novel!
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback! Stay tuned for more!
I loved the storyline and characters in this book. Hugh was a scoundrel who changed his ways to be with the woman he loved. Kitty was a lovely person who deserved to be loved. I’m glad we knew the gender of the baby. Aunt Matilda was also a nice lady and she should marry Portlock. It would be nice to hear of Williams adventures and also to find out if he and his wife were able to have a family. Hopefully a sequel waiting to be written. A great story I enjoyed reading. Thank you
Enjoyed reading this one very much. Hugh changing to win Kitty, nice storyline. The villain gets his just punishment – vile man. Nice that Auntie found a new love, we should all be so lucky. Loved seeing the water birth introduced.
Do need a little better proofreading though. Several major grammar mistakes and spelling errors.
My dear thank you so much for your kind words! I’ll work with my editor on these!
I really enjoyed this love story! I.was particularly.lilef Hugh since he reminded me of someone.I.loved ong ago.
My dear thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Even though the story went forever, and things happen true love conquers all! I especially liked the water birth which as taken many, may years to be used now.
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
WONDERFUL STORY!
This was so very entertaing. I couldn’t believe how fast that earl was caught tried and hung. But I’m glad that Hugh and Kitty were so forgiving of miss Talbot! Enjoy this book
My dear thank you so much for your kind words!
Comment in above box
Great story. What a way to have to traverse for true love. Really enjoyed their adventures and the wonderful epilouge.
Love that Aunty and Portlock also fell in love.
My dear, I’m really grateful for your kind feedback! Thank you so much!
Absolutely loved this booked. Hugh and Kitty were perfect together and it was great to read how their love for each other grew and strengthened their bond. Aunt Matilda and Portlock added a special dimension to the story and I was glad they got their happy ever after. Lovely story.
My dear, I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback! Thank you so much!
I really enjoyed Romancing an Alluring Lady! I loved your characters. You write so they become friends, family and of course lovers. I’m hoping you may continue with William and Viviana’s story!
I look forward to reading more of your novels, Thank you, Debbie
I’m really glad you liked it! 🙂
I absolutely loved this book and the extended epilogue!! It had everything to keep me intrigued until the very end. Even though it was a happily ever after, I was so sad to have it end! 😍
Thank you so much for your kind words, dear! I’m really glad you liked it! 🙂
Great story and enjoyed Hugh.
Thank you so much for your kind words, dear! I’m really glad you liked it! 🙂
I loved the book. Kitty and Huges love is awe inspiring. Will you do another book about William and Vivian? Also what becomes of Miss Tallbot?
Thank you so much my dear! I really appreciate it!
This was a lovely story, but I the continual use of the word smirk was disracting and mostly inappropriate for the dialog.
Thank you so much for letting me know, my dear Marylin. Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
I loved the story . Thank you so much
I simply loved this book I could not put it down. Enjoyed the extended epilogue. It would of been nice if William &his wife could have found out they were expecting. Liked the parts about Auntie and the butler. You could actually write two more books one about William and his wife and one about the romance of Auntie and the butler. And could intertwine them all together. I have already recommend this book to several of my friends. As always you have done a beautiful ❤️ job of writing an exceptional book. Thank you for my enjoyment of reading it.
Loved the story and all the characters. The story line flowed very well and the extended epilogue helped to end nicely.
Enjoyed reading this book. Interesting storyline that kept you on the move guessing what would come next. Some surprises and intrigue…Enjoyed the strong family aspect. Enjoyed Extended Epilogue.
Kitty & Hugh, friends as children come together as adults realizing a vow they’d made as children could be carried out. Great storyline, great characters.
This reader has never wanted to share a bedroom with another couple, so could have done with less of the sexual encounters & the book is great without it.
I enjoyed the book with the exception so noted above. Ms Langston you are a good writer, you don’t need to cheapen your talent.
Thank you so much for your kind words my dear Lois. I really appreciate it. I understand your concern and I will keep your feedback in mind for the future. Yet, please note that I am writing steamy regency romance novels and some more intimate scenes are inevitable. Thank you again and have a great day!
This was a wonderful read. Loved it.
Thank you so much for your words and support dear Debbie!
I have so enjoyed this book! I will be searching for others by this Arthur on Amazon to be sure! I loved that the book could be written with out a need such words that would offend this 74 year old lady! Nice not to have to flinch through out the whole story!
Thank you so much for your support and feedback dear Peggy! Glad you enjoyed the story!