Sterns couldn't restrain himself. As soon as he heard the lusty cries of the newborn, he bounded into the room. He immediately took the baby away from Caine, announced that she was indeed magnificent, and then proceeded to give her her first bath.
Christina took care of Jade. Caine helped her change the sheets and Jade's gown, as well, and when Christina told Caine he'd held up rather well, he actually managed a smile.
Caine was pale, his hands were shaking, his brow was drenched with sweat, he still couldn't speak a coherent word, but he had held fast.
Yet once the trauma was over, his discipline deserted him.
Christina had just left the room to give the wonderful news to her husband. Sterns was cuddling his new charge in his arms, and Jade was simply too weak to catch her husband.
"Is he all right?" Jade asked Sterns. She couldn't even find the strength to look over the edge of the bed.
"He swooned."
"I know he swooned," Jade replied. "But is he all right? He didn't hit his head on anything sharp, did he?"
"He's fine," Sterns announced. He hadn't bothered to look down at his employer when he made that pronouncement but continued to stare down at the beautiful infant; The look on his face was one of true adoration.
"Do help him up," Jade whispered. She was biting her lip to keep herself from laughing.
"He doesn't appear to be ready to get up just yet," Sterns announced. "The babe needs my full attention now. You've done very well, mi'lady, very well, indeed. I'm certain the Marquess will agree when he finishes his faint."
Jade beamed with satisfaction. Her eyes filled with tears. "You're never going to let him live this down, are you, Sterns?"
Caine groaned then, drawing her attention. "We must never tell anyone he swooned. He'd die of embarrassment."
"Don't worry, mi'lady," Sterns returned. "I certainly won't tell anyone. I promise."
She should have realized from the determined sparkle in his eyes that he wasn't going to honor his promise. Three days later, she read all about Caine's fainting spell.
The rascal butler had posted it in the dailies.
The Marquess of Cainewood took it all in stride. He didn't mind the jests from the well-wishers at all.
Nothing could rile his temper. After all, his mission had been successful. He'd hunted down the infamous pirate… and now she belonged to him.
The hunter was content.