“Good morning.” His voice rumbled beside me and I turned to look at him.

“Good morning.” I leaned back so that I was propped up on one elbow.

“How’d you sleep?” He reached up and tucked some of my hair behind my ear.

“Good.” Leaning down, I kissed him softly. “How about you?”

“Like a log.” His eyes ran over the bits of me that were exposed by the blanket. “I especially like waking up next to a gorgeous, na**d redhead.”

“Down, boy.” I put my hand on his chest and lowered my eyelashes. “I’ve got to get ready.”

“Go take a shower. I’ll get Marty dressed.” He looked up at me with warm eyes.

“Are you looking for brownie points?” I smiled at him. “Because you’re definitely on the right road.”

“Mission accomplished.” He leaned up and kissed my nose before yanking the blanket away from me. “Now go get clean.”

I shook my head and stood up, reveling in the way his eyes traveled over my body. As I turned to head for the bathroom, his warm hand smacked my ass, making me jump.

“What the hell was that for?” I shot him a glare and put my hands on my hips.

“Well, I didn’t want you to start thinking I was too perfect.” Lying back on the pillow, he tucked his hands under his head. “Plus you’ve got a really great ass.”

I rolled my eyes at him but didn’t say anything. I was scared if I opened my mouth I’d laugh. Instead I did as I was told and went to take a shower. I wasn’t in there long. As a mother, you learn to be quick in the bathroom or you could walk out to find the house on fire. I was wrapped in my robe drying my hair when Marty walked into the bathroom. He was trying to stuff a jacket into his backpack.

“We’re about to leave!”

“Already?” I set down the hair dryer and knelt down so I could hug him.

He rushed into my arms and squeezed me tightly. “Yeah, we’re going to eat in the car.”

“I want you to listen to Ms. Sam, okay? She’s pregnant, so don’t run her ragged.” I looked him in the eyes. “If I find out you were bad I’m taking your game system”

“I’ll be good.” He almost rolled his eyes but caught himself. “I promise.”

“Good.” Pulling him forward, I gave him a big kiss and then pushed him toward the door. “I’ll see you when I get back.”

“Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too.”

Hearing someone shuffling in the hallway, I went to the door and stuck my head out.

“Sam?” I called.

“Hey.” She turned around and gave me a small smile.

“Will you please let me know if he misbehaves? You can call me anytime and I’ll find a way to come get him.”

“Pfft.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s perfect. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks, but he has his moments.” I shook my head. “No kid is perfect all the time.”

“We’ll be fine.” She put a hand on her stomach and made a face. “This kid is going to play soccer. She’s practicing with my bladder right now.”

“Yikes.” I winced in understanding.

“She’ll move eventually.” Sam shook her head. “It’s nice to be able to say ‘her’ instead of ‘it.’ ”

“With as much publicity as you two get, I don’t blame you for wanting to keep something to yourselves for a while.”

“It’s part of the job.” Her mouth turned down and something passed over her face. “Anyway, I hope today goes well. And don’t worry about Marty. We’re going to have fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Thank you.” I gripped the door handle. How had I gone from having no one to having so many people? “I owe you that spa day.”

“I’m going to hold you to it.” Sam smiled at me before walking away.

I closed my door and went about getting ready for the day. I only had what I’d stashed in my bag in my hasty retreat from Thysmer. Picking out dress pants, a blouse, and heels, I checked myself out in the mirror. My reflection looked tense and worried, but there wasn’t anything I could do about that.

“Hungry?” Max knocked on my door before peeking inside.

“No.” I shook my head. The thought of eating made my stomach flip and flop in a very uncomfortable way.

“Today is going to be okay.” Max walked in. He was still tying his tie, but he cut a dashing figure in a suit.

“Yeah.” I nodded out of habit. Today wasn’t going to be okay. Out of all the outcomes I could come up with, there weren’t any ones that left everyone happy.

“I’m serious.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “No matter what happens, things will be okay. The queen can appoint a steward for the township if she needs to. Several of the older dukes have stewards that help in the running of day-to-day operations. Your father will not hurt your family or the township.”

“What if . . .” I swallowed hard. “What if he doesn’t leave it all to Dad? I’ve been thinking about it and I can’t figure out why he would have sent a will to the queen if he was just going to pass the estate and title down to my father without any stipulations.”

“Then we’ll deal with it.” He tipped my chin upward so I was meeting his eyes. “You could have a steward while you finish school. There are always options. We just have to figure them all out.”