Part 66 (1/2)

”Not in itself, perhaps.” He pushed away from the window and strolled to where Lucinda stood waiting.

”But there are bra.s.s rings set into the headboard.” His brows rose; his expression turned pensive.

”They quite excite the imagination.” Taking Lucinda's arm, he turned her towards the door.

”I must remember to show them to you sometime.”

Lucinda opened her mouth, then abruptly closed it. She allowed him to lead her back into the corridor. She was still considering the bra.s.s rings when they reached the end of the hall, having looked in on a set of unremarkable bedchambers along the way. ”These stairs lead to the attics. The nursery is there, as well as the Simpkins's rooms.”

The nursery proved to take up one entire side of the commodious s.p.a.ce beneath the rafters. The dormer windows were set low, just right for youngsters, The suite comprised five interconnecting rooms.

”Bedrooms for the head nurse and tutor on either end, bedrooms for their charges, male and female and this, of course, is the schoolroom.” Harry stood in the centre of the large room and looked around, a certain pride showing in his expression.

Lucinda eyed it consideringly.

”These rooms are even larger, relatively speaking, than your bed.”

Harry raised his brows.

”I had rather thought they would have need to be. I'm planning on having a large family.”

Lucinda stared into his clear green eyes--and wondered how he dared.

”A large family?” she queried, refusing to retreat in disorder.

”Taking after your father in that respect, too?” She held his gaze for an instant longer, then strolled to look out of a window.

”Three boys, I a.s.sume, is your goal?”

Harry's gaze followed her.

”And three girls. To preserve a reasonable balance,” he added in reply to Lucinda's surprised glance.

Annoyed at her reaction, and the fluttery feeling that had laid seige to her stomach, Lucinda snorted. And glanced about again.

”Even with six, there's room enough to spare.”

She had thought that would be the end of that particular conversation but the reprobate teasing her hadn't finished.

”Ah--but I'd thought to leave sufficient s.p.a.ce for the odd few who might not come in the correct order, if you take my meaning. Begetting boy or girl is such a random event, after all.”

Lucinda stared into impa.s.sive green eyes--and longed to ask if he was joking.

But there was something in the subtle tension that held him that left the distinct impression he wasn't.

I eeling a quiver--no longer odd but decidedly familiar-ripple through.

,hbr, Lucinda decided she'd had enough. If he could talk about their children then he could put his mind to the' first of the points that came before. She straightened and lifted her head, her gaze holding his.

”Harry--' He s.h.i.+fted, turning to look out of the window.

”Mrs Simpkins has our tea and scones waiting. Come--we can't disappoint her.” With an innocent smile, he took Lucinda's arm and turned her towards the door.