Chapter Twenty-Six

In Zachary’s bedroom, Anna fussed, much to her son’s annoyance. She wrestled him into his warm pajamas, towel dried his hair. Mrs. Graham made him a warm cup of chocolate. They both watched over him, Anna unable to stop touching him, needing to reassure herself that he was safe and unharmed.

After only a few sips of chocolate, he yawned, snuggled into his bedclothes, and fell asleep. Anna continued to watch over him until Mrs. Graham ordered her to leave and get out of her own wet clothes.

In her room, she discovered her dress was indeed ruined. She stepped out of it, sloughed off her boots, and sat on the edge of the bed. A brief rap on the door and Edward came in. He pulled her to her feet and into his arms, grasping her tightly.

She pulled back, both palms on the side of his face, kissed him hard, then hugged him again. “I could have lost you. Lost both of you.”

“But you didn’t. We are all fine, unharmed, and Weston cannot bedevil us again.”

“What happened? It was so hard to see. One minute he was there, and then he wasn’t. You and Zach were still so far apart.”

“Zachary bit him.”

Anna’s eyes widened, and a tiny bit of maternal pride crept into her voice. “He did?”

“He did.” Edward turned her around and unfastened her corset, then draped a towel around her. He removed his own wet clothes and wrapped himself in his dressing gown. Anna toweled her hair, then his, and they climbed beneath the covers of the bed. Anna rested her head on his chest, comforted by his slow, steady heartbeat.

“What did the constable say?”

“He witnessed the whole thing from the top of the cliff and appears to have seen the error of his ways. He is searching Weston’s house now for proof the man was behind your fire and John Baxter’s death. On the sea wall, Weston said he tried to stop me, but that I wouldn’t die.”

Anna shuddered. “Your accidents, with the saddle, and the gunshot! He was responsible?”

“I think so. I shouldn’t be surprised to find he killed my parents as well, to gain control of the shipyards while I was away. I can only assume I would have met with an accident if I had returned as planned. Instead he had to wait for me to be declared dead, but I ruined that as well. The man must have become completely unhinged.”

Anna shuddered. The notion of Edward’s death was so troubling, and she didn’t like to be reminded of how long he’d been gone, and what he must have been through.

“We are all together now, and safe. That is what matters.” Anna placed her hand on her abdomen, suddenly remembering what she had meant to tell Edward earlier today. “Edward, darling.”

His eyes were closed. “Hmm?”

“I need to tell you something.”

His eyes opened, alarm sparking within them. “What? What’s wrong?”

Anna laughed. “Nothing! I just wanted to wait until we were wed to tell you. My, um, wedding gift to you, I suppose.”

Edward looked stricken. “I didn’t get one for you!”

Anna kissed him. “Yes, you did.” She placed his hand next to hers on her belly. He looked confused, then his gaze traveled to her face. She was grinning like an idiot.

He laughed, pulled her close, and they celebrated their new baby in the same manner in which he—or she—was created.