The Vow by Lindsay Chase Page A

missed two monthly cycles, and since Benjamin had been weaned, the tenderness in her breasts had nothing to do with nursing.

    The Vow
    No, she didn’t need Dr. Bradley to tell her that she was going to have another baby. Joy as bright as the summer sunshine filled her. She couldn’t wait to tell Samuel.
    The moment Hannah realized her mental slip, she blushed and looked down at her son as if he could read her thoughts. “I meant your father.”
    Scooping up the baby in her arms, she said, “And I’m going to tell him right now.”

    After Hannah left Benjamin in the kitchen with Mrs. Hardy, she hurried across the lawn toward the mill.
    She hadn’t meant to think of Samuel first. His name had just popped into her head. It meant nothing. Nothing at all.
    Hannah reached the mill and went inside, still a little awed by the huge square stone building with its windows set high to collect as much daylight as possible to illuminate the work area below. It was so obviously Reiver’s domain, a mysterious world of noisy water-powered looms spinning silk onto bobbins.
    She searched the room for her husband, and finally found him standing in a corner, a paper in his hand, deep in animated conversation with James. Although she couldn’t hear him over the din of the machines, she knew from his scowl that he was furious about something.
    She walked over to them. “Reiver, may I speak to you for a moment?”
    He didn’t even glance up from the paper. “Not now, Hannah.”
    “But it’s very important.”
    “It will just have to wait.” Ignoring her, he stabbed at the paper he held and said to James, “Can’t you see that this gear configuration will never work?”

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    Lindsay Chase
    Hannah turned and quietly left, trying to ignore the mill girls’ sidelong pitying glances for their employer’s slighted wife. Outside, she blinked rapidly, telling herself that her eyes were watering because of the painful, blinding sunlight. She walked back to the homestead.
    No sooner did she reach the back door than she noticed that Samuel had tied his new horse, Titan, in the shade of a nearby oak tree and was industriously brushing the chestnut’s coat to a burnished shine. Because of the hazy afternoon heat, Samuel went shirtless.
    Hannah should have gone inside, but found she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Samuel. While his bare shoulders and back were not as broad or muscular as Reiver’s, they rippled beneath his pale skin as he extended his arm to the crest of Titan’s neck, then drew the brush down in a firm sweeping line. His narrow hips shifted his balance with every movement.
    Hannah was just about to go inside when the horse betrayed her by lifting his head, perking up his ears, and whinnying softly in welcome. Samuel turned, saw her, and smiled.
    She had no choice but to join him. “He’s beautiful,” she said, extending her hand so Titan could nuzzle her palm with his velvety muzzle. If she kept her attention focused on Titan, she wouldn’t have to look at Samuel’s bare chest, as shiny with sweat as his horse’s hide.
    “Isn’t he?” Samuel scratched Titan between the ears, causing him to close his eyes and sigh in equine contentment. “He’s as fast as the wind and as gentle as a baby.”
    “Speaking of babies,” Hannah said, blushing, “Reiver and I are going to be parents again.” She kept her eyes focused on the horse’s cheek.
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    The Vow
    Even though she wasn’t looking at Samuel, Hannah could sense a change in him at once, a withdrawal, as if she had disappointed him somehow. Then it was gone in an instant.
    “That’s wonderful,” he said, transferring the brush to his right hand and moving away to brush Titan’s sleek hindquarters. “Congratulations. I’m sure my brother must be excited and pleased.”
    “I haven’t told him yet.”
    Samuel stopped brushing and raised his brows in surprise. “Reiver doesn’t know?”
    Hannah