'The earl and countess of Hampton,' the butler announced to the guests gathered at the Quinn residence.

A party was in full swing in honour of Lady Carissa who was looking positively radiant, and for very good reason. She was officially betrothed, having accepted the offer of Drew Frewer, the Marquis of Dunbar.

Fallon was enjoying a wonderful evening. She had danced mostly with Braeden. She had no complaints about that. He had been generous to allow her to dance with Drew and a few of the other gentlemen. It was a lovely party. Fallon was pleased, she had chosen a beautiful orange coloured evening gown that felt cool and was not too cumbersome. It seemed extremely hot in the Quinn's small ballroom. It was a fairly pleasant and entertaining evening, with her favorite close friends, Fallon most enjoyed being with. Her only disappointment was Emma's absence. She could hardly hold it against her sister who was on honeymoon.

'Fallon, you made it,' Carissa embraced her best friend with obvious delight.

'Of course I would,' Fallon laughed. 'Did you think, I would not?'

'I don't know countess, your appearances are so rare these days,' Carissa grinned.

Fallon rolled her eyes. True. Since her marriage to Braeden, she had not seen much of her best friend, but then it was expected of newlyweds, was it not? Except in her case, Fallon did not feel like a newlywed, neither did she feel any kind of wed as Braeden's wife. She felt more like a guest in his vast home; that was run with precision like a well-oiled machine.

Protectively, her palm closed over the bump on her stomach. Would her baby feel unwanted just like she did at the Hampton estate or would Braeden love his child, even if he did not love its mother?

'Fallon?' Carissa touched her shoulder gently.

'What?' Fallon distractedly responded snapping out of her silent analysis.

'Good lord Fallon! You are with child,' Carissa exclaimed, watching Fallon's hand gently smoothing over her stomach.

'Do be quiet,' Fallon looked over her shoulder warily.'

'Why?' Carissa laughed. 'It is surely reason to celebrate,' she started to walk purposefully towards the drinks table.

'Braeden does not know,' Fallon stopped Carissa.

'Why ever not?' Carissa looked confused. 'I am certain like any would be father, Hampton would be delighted.

Perhaps ... perhaps not. Fallon could not tell Carissa of her plan to leave Braeden and return to her parent's home. Even if Lady Carissa was her best friend, she wanted to keep that to herself. Knowing Carissa, she would try to convince her to stay in the marriage and work things out. What irony! If there was something there, it could be worked out. But when her husband walked around her like the way one delicately maneuvered around eggshells, one could hardly call that a marriage. Fallon only ever felt a real connection with Braeden in bed each night. She felt like his equal in bed, but outside of their bed chamber, her husband displayed the same courteous reserve towards her as he did to their servants. She could not bear it any longer. She had to leave Braeden. She would dreadfully miss their intimacy each night, but he was killing her with his cool reserve and the way he shut her out in every other area of his life. In the meantime she needed to deal with Carissa.

'I do not want it made pubic yet,' Fallon spoke softly.

'I cannot believe it. You are certainly not one to keep secrets,' Carissa laughed.

Perhaps I've changed.

Fallon smiled. 'I want to keep the news to myself for a little while, then I will tell Braeden,' she lied.

'Congratulations Fallon,' Carissa hugged her. 'I am so happy for you and Braeden, even if he does not know. I'll keep your secret,' she smiled joyously.'

'Now tell me about you and Drew,' Fallon changed the subject.

Carissa laughed happily. Her eyes flew to Drew. 'You were right,' she smiled shyly. 'He told me he has loved me forever but was afraid, I may not have felt the same way.'

Fallon felt a little stab in her heart. Carissa was not even married yet and Drew had already professed his love for her and here she was, married and with child and her rake of a husband still played the field and kept her at arm's length.

'Drew says he does not want a long courtship,' Carissa smiled. 'He is impatient for us to wed.'

'The marriage bed is definitely the most interesting part of being married,' Fallon laughed softly

'Fallon!' Carissa squirmed uncomfortably.

'Any gentleman will agree with me,' Fallon laughed again.

'What, will any gentleman agree with you about?' Fallon heard her husband's prying voice behind her.

Carissa's cheeks were a deep tinge of red. Fallon stopped smiling. She turned around to look at Braeden. 'That Drew is the luckiest man,' Fallon's eyes were trained on her husband.

Fallon observed her husband was smiling. His eyes were slightly shuttered and the long lashes hiding his eyes; preventing her from reading any expression there.

'Lady Carissa, congratulations,' Braeden angled his body towards Carissa. 'You have chosen well,' he smiled politely. 'My wife and I are extremely delighted for you and Dunbar.'

Braeden's arm curved possessively around Fallon's waist. He drew her closer; felt her stiffen next to him. Perhaps he should have exercised some restraint here amongst all the guests, but his wife seemed to be deliberately keeping herself away from him, all evening. Why couldn't she be like other wives who clamored towards their husbands for attention?

'Everyone is about to go into supper,' Braeden announced. 'Shall we?' He offered his arm to Fallon.

'There you are,' Drew came marching towards Carissa. 'You two are still inseparable, I see,' Drew winked at Fallon.

'Not for long,' Fallon grinned, ignoring her husband's arm.

'Are you not going to congratulate me?' Drew demanded.

Fallon laughed. 'Congratulations. You certainly took your own sweet time,' she embraced him.

'I've offered three times for Carissa and each time she has turned me down,' he lightly laid an arm at her back.

'He lies,' Carissa laughed leaning into Drew as she looked up adoringly into his eyes. Drew gazed back, their love for each other clearly evident. Fallon shifted away discreetly, wanting to give the couple a few moments to themselves. Braeden seemed to be thinking the same, he started to walk at the same time she did, his arm still possessively, draped around her waist.

'Are you not thirsty?' Braeden enquired courteously. 'You have not had anything to drink since we arrived.

'I had a drink with Carissa,' Fallon lied.

'Fallon, you look tired dear. Are you not well?' The baroness enquired.

'I am fine mama. It is a bit warm tonight,' Fallon smiled, hoping to deflect attention from herself. She was feeling a bit tired. It had been a long journey from the Hampton Estate to Lady Carissa's home. Luckily they were staying over at her parent's home tonight. She would not have to deal with the long journey back, even though Braeden had packed blankets, extra lanterns and hot bricks if she got cold.

'Fallon, we are leaving,' Braeden approached and murmured in her ear.

'Already?' She asked disappointedly. 'But I have hardly spent any time with Lady Carissa.'

Braeden's eyes washed over her studiously. The baroness had cited her concern to him, that Fallon looked a tad pale. It had immediately raised his heckles.

What was wrong with Fallon?

She had been abnormally quiet on the ride to the Quinn's home. He had just thought she had been quietly anticipating reuniting with her friend, whom she had not seen for a few months. But as Braeden had looked over to where Fallon was seated, he had observed that she looked unduly fatigued. His wife loved to party and to be amongst friends, but tonight, she looked tired.

Braeden had purposefully walked to where Fallon was seated. It was his job to care for and protect for his charming and endearing wife. He would not let any distress come to her. Yet he could not tell her that they were leaving just because she looked exhausted. He would have to be subtle. If he mentioned his concern about her welfare, she would just dart him with her fiery eyes and insist she was fine. She would most probably order him to leave so she could spend time with Lady Carissa. So Braeden had to concoct some sop story about himself to get Fallon to leave.

'I do not feel too well ___,' Braeden lied. 'It must be something I ate.'

Immediately Fallon's eyes filled with concern. She stood up. 'Should___should we call the doctor?' She looked around to attract Carissa's attention.

'No, that will not be necessary,' he smiled, resting his hand on her shoulder. 'How about we just take our leave without anybody knowing?'

'I shall drive the horses,' Fallon offered.

Braeden laughed softly. 'You know we have grooms to do that,' his fingers brushed her cheek.

She looked away shyly. She enjoyed her husband's caresses, but not here, not in public in front of the Quinn's guests.

'May I please bid farewell to Lady Carissa, then we can be on our way,' she pleaded.

'Yes and thank you,' Braeden nodded. He had already informed the baron that they would be leaving shortly. Fallon was not to know her parents' carriage was about to leave as well.

Fallon was looking forward to spending some time at her folks' home. Since her marriage, they had visited a few times but had not stayed over. On this occasion they would use a guest chamber in the barons' home. Fallon would not be sleeping with her husband in her former chamber. Both her chamber and Fallon's had been revamped as guest chambers, since Emma had also recently wed and was now on honeymoon on the continent.

'What are you doing in this chamber?' Braeden laughed. He had been searching for his wife and found her in an unfamiliar room.

She looked up and smiled at her husband, reaching her hand out to him unconsciously. 'This used to be Emma's,' she spoke quietly.

'You miss Lady Emma?' Braeden curved his arm protectively around her. He made a mental note to allot more time for his wife to spend with her family. They had been close and since their marriage, Fallon had, had to endure just his company, when he could spare her the time. His poor wife and she had not even spoken a word of complaint about her lack of company. Braeden also decided, his wife should have more tea parties and ladies over at the estate.

Why hadn't she invited Lady Emma and Lady Carissa over for company?

'I shall see Emma soon, when she returns from the continent,' Fallon answered with a smile.

'My lady,' Braeden placed his arms on her shoulders. 'I want you to invite your lady friends over to Hampton Estate,' he suggested.

'Why?' Fallon's shoulders became rigid, her eyes narrowed suspiciously, the smile disappeared from her face.

Braeden laughed, tightly drawing her into the folds of his arms. 'Put away your daggers, lady wife,' he pressed his lips to her temple. 'I merely suggest it, for your pleasure alone, to entertain your friends.'

'Oh,' she looked away, embarrassed. 'Thank you,' she mumbled.

'Fallon,' he murmured in her ear. 'You are the only one I desire, my sweet wife. You must trust me,' he tilted her chin. His mouth closed over hers, his lips delighting in her sweetness.

Then why do you spend so much time away from me? Mechanically her arms closed around him, but she was not convinced of his promise. His actions belied his words. He had to do more to convince Fallon that he was faithful and committed to her alone.

'Shall we take leave to our allotted chamber?' Braeden enquired.

'Yes,' Fallon moved away from him. 'It is down the passage, to the left,' she directed.

Braeden furnished his wife with an adorable smile. He reached out for her hand as he walked them down the passage. She was quiet, preoccupied, allowing Braeden to lead the way. Fallon smiled to herself, happy to be home even if it was for just one night.

When they had returned from the Quinns, the baroness had provided refreshments. Over several cups of tea and sweets, the baroness had expressed her satisfaction of seeing both her beautiful and striking daughters married to worthy gentlemen.

Fallon did not bother to deny or correct her mother's observation.

Braeden was not all bad. In fact he had very many good character traits. Whatever her personal issues with her husband, Fallon could hardly deny her very attractive, wealthy husband was certainly a gentleman, who was caring, generous, courteous and certainly a most thrilling and exciting lover. Silently, she conceded, he was certainly a very good catch. Her only gripe was that it was not just her that entertained her husband in bed. Sadly he seemed to possess a vociferous appetite and desired a variety for his bedroom pleasure.

Fallon knew it was morning, yet her surroundings felt unfamiliar and more surprisingly, there was a warm body still close to her. Her eyes flew open. She found Braeden smiling, his eyes trained on her face.

'My lord, you have not left yet?' She murmured sleepily.

Braeden laughed. 'I can hardly leave without my beautiful wife now, can I?' He leaned over, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

Right. They were at her parent's home. No wonder he was still in bed with her.

'Good morning my sweet,' his lips brushed over her neck. 'I was waiting for you to awake,' he whispered.

'Morning,' she mumbled, her voice still not fully awake. 'You are hungry? You could have risen and went downstairs,' she smiled. 'Papa always rises early.'

'It is not nourishment I seek,' he whispered close to her ear.

'Braeden! We should go down to breakfast,' she tried resisting, knowing if her husband desired coupling, it would not be an expedient affair.

She heard him chuckle as his body rose over hers. 'All in good time, dear wife, but right this moment, my needs are of a different kind,' he smiled into her eyes.

Her palms cupped his hair roughened cheeks. Nothing pleased her more than Braeden lavishing attention upon her. She just wished his interests extended beyond just the bed chamber. She wished he would engage her in conversations that were of interest to him, she was intelligent and knowledgeable. And she would feel appreciated if he would ask her opinion or advice on matters that concerned him, but for now, she was weak, she would indulge in the little attention he offered her. Her parents would not be surprised if Fallon made a late appearance for breakfast, she had never been an early riser. She smiled into his eyes, her arms wrapped around his neck as she offered him her lips.

'What are you doing, my lady?' Braeden enquired conversationally, finding her in the baroness's flower garden. She had unobtrusively left the breakfast table whilst he was engaged in conversation with the baron.

'I want to take some of these seedlings back to the estate,' she smiled. She had a basket near her feet and a variety of different flower plants were neatly arranged into the basket.

Braeden's eyes gently smiled. His wife was truly so pleasantly surprising at times. In the beginning he had assumed, she had dabbled in the garden, just to pass the time, but she seemed to genuinely love flower gardens. He had seen the evidence of her labour. She had worked with the gardeners, supervising them, in one of the flower beds close to the main balcony that led into their garden. She seemed to know how to design flower beds, knowing which flowers grew well together, and which did not. He liked how passionate she was, when something interested her. And speaking of passion ... his loins reacted sharply.

'They attract different, bird species,' Braeden heard Fallon speak. 'And I love seeing all the wild birds, enjoying the vegetation in our garden,' she smiled enthusiastically.

'I know what else will attract your birds into the garden,' Braeden grinned, lightly curving one arm around her waist, aware that he needed to exercise some control in public.

'What?' She laughed softly, delighted that Braeden was showing some interest in second favourite activity, next to horses.

Braeden gently, took her by the arm. So interested was she in his speech, she did not realize they were walking about the garden. 'Birds feel secure if there is shelter,' he smiled, and for that you need dense vegetation that will offer them protection from hawks, cats and other predators.

'Oh, I did not think about that,' Fallon murmured reflectively.

'I will instruct the gardeners to add some trees, more shrubs ___.'

'You will not ___? Sorry.' She had assumed, he, himself would join her in developing the flower garden. She had not thought he would pass the chore onto the servants

Braeden looked surprised at her sudden withdrawal. He was not sure what he had said to offend his wife. He had thought it a brilliant idea to create a more appealing bird friendly landscape just for her. Perhaps she did not want his interference. Perhaps she did not want him meddling.

'I beg your pardon my lady,' he offered profusely. 'It was wrong of me to intrude in your garden ___.'

'No!' Fallon objected, feeling her face become heated. Was it not his garden? 'I ___I.' She could not put into words her thoughts.

'Tell me what I have said to offend you,' he murmured, apologetically.

'You have not offended me,' she mumbled, lowering her head, so he could not look into her eyes. 'I just thought ___ you would like to ___ help me. But I understand you will be busy,' she added quickly, maybe gardening was not his idea of pleasure.

Why did she always draw the wrong conclusions? Clearly their ability in the communication department, was wanting. Braeden stopped walking. He placed his arms on her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes.

'It would be my pleasure to assist you my lady wife,' he smiled. 'I thought you would consider me meddlesome, for interfering in your garden.'

'Never,' she whispered, 'considering it is your property,' she allowed him a smile.

'Ours,' he corrected. 'I have told you before. Everything I own, is yours too.'

Everything but your heart.

'I know,' she looked away. Technically, everything was jointly hers, until their heir was born, then it would be passed down from Braeden to their first born, but she knew Braeden would ensure she was more than adequately provided for. He was generous to a fault. Unconsciously, her palm closed over her stomach.

'You are not well my dear?' His eyes followed her hand.

'I am,' she dropped her hand quickly. 'I am perfectly well,' she smiled. Perhaps she should tell her husband she was with child. 'Thank you. I look forward to you and I developing our garden,' he eyes met his.

'And I will do a lot more, for the entertainment and pleasure of our young ones, when ___ they will come.' He did not want to dwell too much on children. If either of them were having medical challenges, in time that too will be resolved. He would make sure of it. He had faith, one day, his wife will bless him with heirs.