Aislinn stood at the top of the porch steps, breathing in the subtle aroma of the rose bushes in full bloom, and smiled at the sight before her. Fern and Ivy were riding into the yard on their horses, a pair of matching black and white paints. At nine, they were quite accomplished riders.
Between them, riding Half-Pint, was Rowland Lucas Carlisle, affectionately known as Rowdy, because he certainly was that at times. Their four-year-old son was never far from his sisters. He adored them as much as they adored him.
Following the trio was their father. Handsome, proud and, as always, keeping a watchful eye over his children.
Her heart fluttered and she rubbed her stomach, where another Carlisle was growing, due to arrive in the fall, when the entire landscape would be ablaze with colourful shades of red, yellow, gold, and green foliage.
She loved how the seasons were each so unique, beautiful in their own ways. Luke had been right about the winters. They were cold, snowy, and windy, but also wonderful—and fruitful. During some of those long winter nights, both of their children had been conceived.
While the children rode their mounts to the barn, where Benjamin and Millie, who was now married to Jake, were waiting, Luke rode Buck straight to the house. Benjamin had moved into the bunkhouse when Jake and Millie had moved into a small house that had been built for them near the log cabin.
It was a good thing there was more room in the house. Not just for their growing family, but for regular visitors.
She walked down the steps as Luke dismounted. ‘How did that go?’ The cowboys had corralled several wild horses earlier in the week, and all three children had been begging to see them.
‘Fine.’ His smile shone with pride as he looked towards the barn. ‘Rowdy picked out one that he wants.’
There was no need for her to voice caution or concern. He never put any of them in danger, and never would. ‘I’m sure he did.’
‘How was your afternoon?’ Luke asked, kissing her cheek while laying a hand on her stomach.
‘Fine. We received a telegraph.’
He frowned. Telegraphs arrived regularly, but she rarely mentioned one.
‘From Percy.’ With a shrug, she added, ‘They’ll be here by the end of the month.’
‘Again?’ Luke chuckled. ‘Between our trips to England, and theirs here, I see him more now than when we were kids.’
‘Caldwell wants to spend his school break here.’ She explained what the message had stated.
‘He’s turning out to be a pretty decent kid.’ Luke grinned. ‘Not as good as ours, but pretty good.’
She slapped his chest. ‘Even when the two of you are getting along, you can’t help but outshine your brother, can you?’
‘Me?’ Luke kissed her. ‘I’m just a rancher. He’s a duke. A real one, ever since he took that advice you gave him.’
She had apologised to both Percy and Hazel when they’d came to Montana the first time, within weeks of receiving Luke’s letter than he and his family would be staying in America. Percy and Hazel had changed, for the better, and visiting with them here and in London was always pleasurable. But she had to correct her husband. ‘Just,’ she scoffed, then leaned against him. ‘You, my love, will never be just anything.’
The prime beef produced by the C Bar H was very well known and widely sought. He was the president of the Stockgrowers Association, and had turned the ranch into practically a small city. Besides adding additional cowboys and employees, when the girls had become school-aged, he’d built a schoolhouse, hired a teacher, and invited all the neighbouring ranches and farms, who felt Bozeman was too far away, to send their children to the school. He was the king of his own kingdom, his haven, and made her feel like a queen every day of her life.
With excited squeals, Rowdy, Fern, and Ivy ran towards the house, and told her all about the horses as they walked inside. The smile on her face demonstrated her happiness, but it truly lived in her heart. She’d thought she couldn’t love her husband any more, yet day by day, her love grew deeper and stronger.
From a governess to a queen...now, that had been an adventure. And it wasn’t over.
Far from it.
If you enjoyed this story,
be sure to read Lauri Robinson’s
Southern Belles in London miniseries
The Return of His Promised Duchess
The Making of His Marchioness
Falling for His Pretend Countess
And why not pick up her
The Osterlund Saga miniseries?
Marriage or Ruin for the Heiress
The Heiress and the Baby Boom
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Knight’s Substitute Bride by Melissa Oliver.