"And which one is that?"

"Well, I was just thinking," she said blandly, "that we may have to hire another

nurse."

"Arabella," he threatened with mock reproof, "do not change the subject."

Her tone was innocence itself. "Oh, but I'm not."

Justin sighed. "I admit, Lizzie is a handful -"

"Not because of Lizzie."

Justin propped himself up on an elbow to stare at her. "Why, then?"

Arabella's smile merely deepened.

His eyes widened. "What," he said faintly, "do you mean to say*"

He swallowed hard, his eyes meeting hers in amazement. Lean fingers came out to splay possessively on her belly. He shook his head, still a little dazed. "My word - and Tess but four months old. Can you believe it?"

"Well, I did tell you once you would be an excellent father. Which you are," she pointed out. "As well as a perfect husband."

"And?" he prompted, his eyes gleaming wickedly.

"And a most ardent, satisfying lover."

And indeed, he set out to prove it, to her sheer and utter delight.

It was later, just as Arabella hovered on the fringes of sleep, that a sudden shout of laughter erupted.

Arabella raised her head from his chest, peered at him drowsily. "What is it?"

It was his turn to tease her. "I was just thinking."

"Of what?"

"Aunt Grace."

He laughed again, the sound low and rich and husky. Arabella felt her heart turn over.

"What about Aunt Grace?"

"What else? We'll have news for Aunt Grace when she arrives tomorrow, won't we? She'll be ecstatic, you know."

Arabella's laughter joined his. "She will indeed," said Arabella. "Another christening to plan*"

About the Author.

It was SAMANTHA JAMES'S love of reading as a child that steered her toward a writing career. Among her favorites in those days were the Trixie Belden and Cherry Ames series of books. She still loves a blend of mystery and romance, and, of course, a happily-ever-after ending.

The award-winning, bestselling author of twelve romances and one novella, her books have ranged from medieval to Regency and the American West. Samantha is thrilled to be writing again in the Regency era, and to present the start of her own series, beginning with A Perfect Groom.

Samantha loves hearing from readers. You may contact her at her website: www.samanthajames.com.

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Resounding Praise for the Incomparable.

USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha James "A REMARKABLE WRITER."

Lisa Kleypas "SAMANTHA JAMES WRITES EXACTLY THE SORT OF BOOK I LOVE TO READ."

Linda Lael Miller "JAMES DELIVERS DELICIOUS AND EXCITING ROMANCE*WITH EXCELLENTLY DRAWN, COMPLEX CHARACTERS."

Publishers Weekly "READERS WILL ADORE HER ENDEARING, THREE-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS."

Romantic Times "SAMANTHA JAMES TUGS ON THE HEARTSTRINGS." Catherine Anderson By Samantha James A PERFECT GROOM A PERFECT BRIDE THE TRUEST HEART HIS WICKED PROMISE HIS WICKED WAYS ONE MOONLIT NIGHT A PROMISE GIVEN EVERY WISH FULFILLED JUST ONE KISS MY LORD CONQUEROR GABRIEL'S BRIDE This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fict.i.tiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

A PERFECT GROOM. Copyright 2004 by Sandra Kleinschmit. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, TM without the express written permission of PerfectBound TM.

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Mobipocket Reader November 2004 eISBN 0-06-079842-4 Rocket/Softbook E-book November 2004 eISBN 0-06-079839-4 First Avon Books paperback printing: December 2004 10987654321.