An Unwanted Wife

Chapter 12

Lauren woke up in a panic the next morning, feeling herself break out into a cold sweat, the need to vomit nearly overwhelming her. She managed to slip out from under James' arm in bed to silently run off to the bathing chamber next door. She only just made it to the chamber pot in time. After a time, she felt a cool washcloth appear on her head, as James gently held back her hair. "Are you all right, sweeting?"

She nodded, leaning back onto his bare chest after rinsing out her mouth with water from a nearby pitcher. "It's better now."

"Good. Lauren, can I ask you something?" He smiled, but she couldn't see it with her back to him.

She nodded, her head lightly bumping back against his chin. "Of course."

"When was the last time you had your courses?" He felt her noticeably stiffen in his arms. "We've been together long enough, Lauren. I can't remember you having them."

She swallowed raggedly. "Why do you ask that?"

James said softly, his brows lifted in expectation. "Why do you think?"

Her eyes were wide, fraught with anxiety when she looked back at him. Blushing, she admitted on a whisper. "Um, I'm not really sure. They don't come every month. So, maybe two months."

A sweet smile took over his handsome face. "You could be pregnant."

She vehemently shook her head, then pushed herself off him to stand up and scurry to the other side of the room. "No, James, I can't!"

"Why not?" James got to his feet as well, his hands reaching out to hold hers in an attempt to calm her down. "Would it be so bad?"

Her beautiful face crumpled. "I'll be an awful mother! You know what mine is like..."

"We're not our parents, love. We can do it better." James pulled her into his chest before issuing a short laugh. "We certainly can't do any worse!"

"Oh my God." Realizing he was right in thinking she could be pregnant, Lauren nodded while her tears wet James' neck. "I certainly hope so!"

Her arms went around his waist to take hold of him while taking comfort in his familiar scent and gathering some much needed strength from it, as the warmth of his naked body seeped into her skin. "Let's go back to bed, love. The birds aren't even awake yet."

Lauren awoke a few hours later to the delicious smell of freshly toasted bread. When she opened her eyes, she saw James was sitting in the wing chair at the foot of the bed. He was already dressed for the day and held a newspaper open in one hand while his other hand held a cup of tea. She spied a pot of tea sitting at the side table next to him. His face was scowling at something he read, but it caused a smile in her voice when she spoke. "Good morning."

The frown left his face hearing her speak, replaced with an immediate grin directed at her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. The extra sleep helped, thank you."

"I'm glad to hear it."

She conceded, nodding. "Do I smell toast?"

"You do." He grimaced then. "Does it bother you, love? I can have a servant to remove it."

She shook her head, smiling as she sat up in bed and reached to cover herself with a dressing gown. "No, quite the opposite in fact. I'd love some."