Compromised by the Duke (Completed)

Chapter 9. 1812 

Five hours later, once the final guest had left for the evening, Nathaniel and Jacqueline made their escape upstairs to their bedroom. Closing the door behind them, their lips collided for a passionate kiss. Their fingers quickly and carefully removed each other's clothing as they fell onto the bed, their bodies becoming intertwined.
Nathaniel held Jacqueline Close, kissing her tenderly. "Are you happy my love?"
Jacqueline smiled. "I am elated my dear. And you? Are you happy?"
Nathaniel. "I am overjoyed. I cannot wait to spend the remainder of my life with you."
Jacqueline. "I cannot wait to spend the remainder of my life with you."
Their lips came together for another deep kiss, and they became plunged into the beautiful act of lovemaking for the remainder of the night. Little did they realize that their coupling would create a beautiful surprise.
***
One month later, on a clear and beautiful morning toward the middle of May, Jacqueline awoke feeling very different. Sitting up, she placed one hand on her belly and the other on her left breast. Something was off, she could feel it.
Glancing down, Jacqueline noticed that the sheets beneath her were crisp and white. Her eyes widened as realization struck. There was not one drop of dark red blood to be seen. Good Lord, she thought. It couldn't be.
The soft knock on her bedroom door had Jacqueline's head snapping around. She relaxed as her nose picked up the sweet smell of lilies. She smiled softly. "Good morning Lucy."
Lucy, her lady in waiting, smiled softly as she held a silver tray filled with food and a cup of tea. "Good morning your grace. I do hope I wasn't disturbing you."
Jacqueline shook her head. "No no, not at all. However, I do need to ask you a question."
Lucy placed the tray onto the nightstand by the bed before turning her huge brown eyes to her mistress. "What is it your grace? You may ask me anything."
Jacqueline bit her lip, not sure how to ask her question. She took a breath. "Do I smell different to you?"
Lucy blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Jacqueline swallowed. "I mean, do I smell different? Quite honestly I feel different this morning."
Lucy sniffed the air, and her eyes brightened ever so slightly. "You do smell different your grace."
Jacqueline's eyes widened. "You Oh God, please don't tell me it's bad."
Lucy smiled, shaking her head and placing her hand on top of Jacqueline's. "No your Grace, it is quite a pleasant smell. You are with child."
Jacqueline gasped. "With child?"
Lucy nodded. "I believe so. Didn't you just tell me that you felt different this morning?"
Jacqueline nodded slowly. "Yes, I certainly did."
Lucy looked at her. "What differences do you feel your grace?"
Jacqueline took a breath. "I'm not entirely sure. I do know for a fact that I have not bled yet for this month, and that my breasts feel tender."
Lucy placed one hand on her belly. "You are a little rounder than last month. And your breasts do seem a bit larger."
Climbing out of bed, Jacqueline walked over to the mirror, taking cautious steps. Lucy was right, she was a little round in her belly and her breasts were large. If her smell was different, as was her physical appearance, then there was no doubt she was with child.
Lucy. "Your grace, the Duke is about five steps away from this room. I will leave you now so the two of you can discuss everything."
Jacqueline gave her a quick nod of acknowledgment before turning her attention back to the mirror. She placed both of her hands on her belly, closing her eyes. As soon as she did, she could hear them. Two heartbeats.
Nathaniel. "Darling? Everything all right?"
Jacqueline blinked her eyes open, tears cascading down her cheeks. She was indeed with child, carrying twins. She turned slowly to face Nathaniel, a smile spreading across her face. "Everything is fine my love."
Nathaniel opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but then snapped it shut. His nostrils flared, his eyes brightening as he caught the smell of her sweet milk and sugar cookies. He closed the distance between them, taking her face between his hands. "You're with child."
Jacqueline smiled brightly. "Yes my love, I am with child. We are going to have two pups."."
Nathaniel smiled radiantly before pulling her against him. He kissed her passionately yet gently, his hands moving to cradle her small round belly. He couldn't believe this. He was going to be a father, Jacqueline was going to be a mother. They were going to be parents to twins.
Jacqueline returned his kiss before pulling away, her eyes glowing. "Can you hear the heartbeats?"
Nathaniel placed his ear against her belly, his eyes overflowing with tears. "Yes, yes I can. They are both strong, very strong."
Jacqueline. "They are. I am hoping that we have one of each."
Nathaniel kissed her belly tenderly. "It doesn't matter what we have, as long as all of you are healthy by the end of everything."
Jacqueline. "I agree."
Their eyes overflowing with happiness and love, they exchanged a sweet and passionate kiss. Their hearts seemed to swell with love and happiness, knowing that two new little ones would be arriving into the world before they had a chance to blink. They would protect their pups with every ounce of strength they possessed.