Dark Passions

47.

Later that evening, as a light spring rain pattered against the windows, Derek paused at the door of the nursery. Meredith was rocking the baby, stroking his cheek as he nursed contentedly. The small room seemed cozy and inviting, with a cheery fire warming the air. She looked up and caught his eye, smiling happily at him. He crossed the room to her, kissing her cheek as he dropped down beside the chair. "Hello, my love," he murmured, inhaling the combined scent of her and the baby. "Did you have a nice afternoon with Kate and Izzie? I meant to be home sooner, but Marcus was in a mood to play cards, and he was losing, so he wanted to keep going until he won."

Meredith laughed softly. "So did he win at last?"

"After I let him," Derek grinned, with a wink.

"We had an interesting time this afternoon," Meredith admitted, watching Michael's eyes flutter shut and then open again as he struggled to stay awake. "Addison showed up, causing all sorts of havoc, and then Izzie arrived..."

Derek laughed. "Say no more, I can just imagine how that went. "

"Indeed, finally Addison left in a snit, to look for a dress elsewhere. That woman is just insufferable, Derek." Meredith tightened her grip on the baby, remembering the scene at the shop. He gave a little cry of discomfort. "Oh, sorry sweetheart..." She shifted him in her arms, getting up to walk with him. He snuggled in against her, smelling of warm milk, his little body relaxing against her.

Derek dropped into the rocking chair. "Her father should arrange another marriage for her, but his health is failing, and may not be able to do anything." He stretched his legs out, lacing his hands behind his head.

Meredith settled Michael into the cradle, rocking it gently back and forth for a few minutes, the only sound in the room the rain on the glass, and the crackle of the fire. "Well, I won't let her ruin my evening. We have no plans tonight, and I intend to do nothing but spend time with you."

"That sounds perfect," he agreed, coming to stand beside her, gazing down at their son, now fast asleep. "What did you have in mind?" His arm slid around her waist, pulling her closer. She rested her head against his arm.

"I thought we could have a little dinner in our room, by the fire, with some wine..."

"And then you can take advantage of me," he murmured.

Meredith laughed. "My thoughts exactly, darling..."

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Kate paced nervously in the drawing room in her mother's townhouse, pausing to straighten a pillow on the settee, and then rearrange a figurine on the shelf. She caught herself, smiling ruefully. Just sit down and calm yourself, she thought with a smile. Since she had come to a decision about Alex that afternoon, she felt even more giddy about his visit this evening. She glanced at the clock again, and realized he would be there any moment. Smoothing her skirts down, she finally sat down, trying to calm the fluttering in her stomach. As the clock chimed the hour, the butler appeared at the doorway.
"M'lady, you have a visitor," he announced, with a little bow, as Alex followed him into the room. His hair was damp from the rain, his cheeks flushed from the chill. Kate sprang up and held her hand out to him.

"Alex, how are you?" she asked, noting the sparkle in his eyes, the ready smile that went straight to her heart. "It's so good to see you again."

He took her offered hand, bringing it to his lips. "I'm very well, and I'm happy to see you again, Kate. You look lovely as ever this evening."

Kate found herself blushing, as he kept hold of her hand as they moved to the settee. "Thank you, Alex," she murmured, once they were settled. "Would you like some tea? I can ring for some..." Her voice trailed off, as she caught the intense look in his eyes. Her hand was still in his, and she found herself unable to move.