Fallon continued to quietly yet tactfully assert her position as Countess of Hampton. Some of the servants were still giving her the cold shoulder. A few seemed to have slightly warmed to their new countess, especially as she was always cheerful, smiling, and unperturbed by the demonstration of insolence from some quarters. Fallon ignored their impertinence. She figured her indifference to their imprudent attitudes, would eventually compel them to concede to her position, even if many of them were there before she was born.

Fallon enjoy the special moments she spent with Braeden. Some mornings Braeden waited for her and they would breakfast together. On other occasions, it delighted Fallon to no end, when she and Braeden would go riding very early in the morning before breakfast.

So as long as Braeden continued to shower her with his attention and the respect he was giving her, she was happy and now Fallon had even more reason to be joyous. Finally she was with child. She had been ecstatic when she had felt the first bouts of nausea and instinctively knew the cause of it. And now her stomach had a tiny bump and her breasts were slightly tender. Fallon had done a merry dance privately in the bath chamber... but she kept it a secret from Braeden. He was a perfect gentleman, caring, adorable, and still the most exciting lover, not that she had any notes to compare to she laughed inwardly. She sobered, pondering on her decision to keep her pregnancy to herself for a little longer. She hardly thought of him as her husband. She felt more like a guest in Braeden's home. Even though he saw to her every need, granted her every wish, which were not many. She hardly asked for anything. Fallon still wondered if Braeden saw her as his life partner. He withheld a part of himself away from her. Why did he still guard his emotions? Why couldn't he tell her that he loved her? ... unless he did not.

Fallon brushed the disturbing thoughts aside. A joyous smile spread across her face. Nothing could hamper her bliss. Not the impudent servants or her husband's failure to tell her that he loved her. She had a ravenous appetite these mornings, she chuckled to herself. With a celebratory spring in her step, she danced her way downstairs to the breakfast room and with a radiant smile, to the butler, ordered her breakfast. If the butler thought the countess's breakfast order was more suitable for a strapping gentleman's voracious appetite; he obediently serve her, meekly filling her plate as instructed. Fallon hid a smile behind her tea cup as the butler tried with difficulty to contain his widening eyes. He was not to know she was eating for two.

'You are unwell, Lord Hampton? Have a seat,' the doctor offered. The earl did not look ill and he seemed to have ridden his carriage all the way to the doctor's rooms.

Braeden remained standing, clutching his hat for dear life. 'No___,' Braeden stalled. 'It is the countess ___ my wife.'

'The countess is ill? Should I follow you to your estate in my carriage?'

'No ___,' Braeden looked away uncomfortably.

'Perhaps you should take a seat,' the doctor suggested for the second time.

Reluctantly, Braeden slumped into the chair. He used his free hand to wipe across his face.

'So neither you nor the countess is ill?' The doctor asked tolerantly.

Braeden cringed silently. 'Yes ___ but my wife should be ___.'

'Your wife should be sick?' The doctor was having difficulty trying to comprehend the earl's speech. He knew the earl to be normally eloquent with his words.

'Why is she not with child?' Braeden blurted.

The doctor sat back in his chair, studying Braeden's face. From what he could gather, the earl was newly married. He was a strapping healthy gentleman and he knew Lady Fallon fairly well. He had been her family's doctor for all their lives. Lady Fallon was a healthy, active young lady. He saw no reason to be concerned about her health. Was the earl impatient then to secure a heir for his earldom?

'We have been wed five months?' Braeden interrupted the doctor's private assessment. 'My wife should have been with child by now unless I have a ___ problem.'

The doctor hastily stood up. He laid a hand gently on Braeden's shoulder. 'I do not believe so, my lord. And I know Lady Fallon __ the countess is a healthy young lady,' the doctor smiled. 'I know this is not what you want to hear, but give it time. Let nature take its own course.'

'How much longer?' Braeden stood up, raking his hand roughly through his hair. 'My wife ___.'

How could he tell the doctor that before he married Fallon, she was a joyous, free spirited lass, who loved life. These days she was withdrawn, and almost lost her free spirit. Oh in the privacy of their chamber and in bed she was expressive and amazing. What happened to the fair maiden that he had fallen ____.

'Perhaps you should call on the countess tomorrow morning,' Braeden instructed, banishing his wayward thoughts.

The following morning, Fallon decided she needed fresh air; more than her favourite horse needed a good sprint. She selected the mount Vicario from the Hampton stables. He was a lithe, robust, athletic and majestic Arabian stallion. Fallon smiled as she tugged on the ribbons, driving the stallion hard, giving it a full head. In many ways Vicario resembled his owner. Like Braeden, Vicario was powerful, fast, strong, energetic, and handsome. Fallon loved this spirited, quirky, and elegantly beautiful stallion. She had seen him on occasion pull away, and run from the hands of the stable manager, but under Fallon's expert tutelage, Vicario knew who was in charge.

Fallon kept her head low, focused on the winding road ahead and the very fast pace her horse was sprinting, but still her mind escaped to Braeden, and how similar they were.

Powerful, energetic, strong, lithe and masterful; were both master and horse. Her nerve cells tingled at the attraction and so much more, she felt for him. Like this powerful horse, being with Braeden gave her so much of a thrill and pleasure. She could not imagine her life without Braeden... yet, as much as Braeden warmed the fibers of her heart and filled her life with endless joy... it was not enough. It was mere crumbs that he fed her each day, for that was all the time Braeden gave her. She spent time with him some mornings and only again in the evenings when he came home. Fallon always ensured they enjoyed an elaborate sumptuous supper. And then their private moments in their chamber were priceless.

But what of the rest of the hours and days and months? Why did she have to spend each day alone? Where did he go to? Surely he was not been kept so busy with matters of the earldom for days on end? Why didn't he do things with her during the day? When he had been single, he had found the time to take her riding. He attended tea parties; picnics; the opera; and so on. So what the hell was keeping him so busy every day? Or who the hell ... her mind demanded.

As the stallion sprinted up the hill, breathing heavily but still enjoying his freedom, Fallon continued to mull on her morbid thoughts. She was not happy with these crumbs Braeden threw at her. She wanted more. She wanted a husband that loved her ... as she loved him. She wanted him doing special things with her, not being a Samaritan to others and just using her for his carnal pleasures each night, even though he was entitled to as her husband.

'Fallon!'

She opened her eyes sleepily to see Braeden hurriedly hopping of his horse.

'Braeden?' She rubbed her eyes and lifted herself up. 'You're home early.'

'We are not home, my lady,' he knelt down next to her. 'What are you doing out here?' He gently touched her shoulder, satisfying himself that she had no injury.

Fallon looked around. She had been riding for an hour or more. Then she found a huge tree and sat down under it. Next thing she knew, her husband was screaming her name and here he was now, waiting for her to speak.

'I wanted to rest,' she murmured, 'so I sat down here.'

'The groom who saddled you said you left early in the morning,' his dark eyes held concern.

She stood up, not wanting to look into those traitorous eyes that always made her surrender to him. 'Well as you can see I am fine,' she turned away from him, wondering why he was home so early.

Braeden groaned inwardly, disappointed to see her turn away and shut him out. She always did that to him damn it. Oh she was a perfect wife and excellent countess. It had pleasantly surprised him that Fallon had taken so easily to her role as his countess. She was adorable and selfless. She asked for nothing. She was content and effective in managing their home. He had been amazed at how efficiently Fallon had taken control of her office as the Countess of Hampton. He had thought his grandmother would need to give her lessons, seeing she was more an outdoor girl that a lady who would keep house. But Fallon had impressed him from the very first day she became his countess. Braeden hated that she had not asked his help about anything. She took control of the estate and all his staff and heard not a single complaint from any of his many employees. She was no spendthrift. Not that he would care how much money she spent. He highly doubted Fallon could bankrupt him even if she went on an extravagant spending spree. He was an exceedingly wealthy gentleman. Braeden admired her well balanced personality. She kept their home well. She was the most remarkable wife and in their bed ... she was sensual, spontaneous and most satisfying. He could ask for no better and neither did he need any another. Fallon was everything a wife, countess and lover that he could have dreamed for. Neither did she demand more of his time. He also knew that his estate manager and all his stable grooms admired her expert handling of his horses...still he had to rile her this minute.

'You should not be riding Vicario,' he spoke, laying his hands on her shoulders, even though he knew she rode his horses expertly and almost as good as he handled even his most tempered horses.

Fallon spun around, her sapphire eyes sparkling with anger. 'Should I ask papa to bring me my own horse?'

She knew Vicario was one of his favourite horses. On the rare occasions when Braeden would suggest he ride with her before he left for the day, he would ride Vicario. She admired this beautiful, powerful mount. He reminded her so much of her attractive husband. Fallon ignored the quiet voice that accused her of only riding Vicario because she felt closer to Braeden when she missed him, like she had this morning.

Braeden groaned loudly. 'You know everything, I own is yours too and at your disposal, my lady wife,' he wrapped his arms around her, trapping her in his embrace so she could not escape.

'Why are you back so early today?' she demanded.

He smiled lazily, still holding her in his embrace. 'It was such a beautiful day. I wanted to go riding with you,' he murmured, pressing his lips to her temple. 'Only you beat me to it.'

Fallon allowed herself to relax in his arms. She was delighted that he thought about her and wanted to ride with her, but Fallon was tired and she had ridden for quite a while earlier in the morning. Now that she was with child, she did not want to take too many risks, neither did she feel ready yet, to share her exciting news with her husband, even if she was carrying the next Hampton heir.

'I believe you missed lunch,' he spoke gently, seeing her reluctance to go riding with him. 'I brought you a light lunch. Will you eat some?'

Fallon smiled. She was a bit famished. She looked up into his eyes and nodded.

'Good,' he grinned happily. 'You sit here,' he pointed to a comfortable area in the shade. 'I'll get your lunch.'

It wasn't much, but it was perfect. There were a few sandwiches, some fruit and a slice of pudding and some lemonade.

'Thank you my lord, this is most sumptuous,' she smiled happily.

How very little; brought a delightful smile to her gorgeously radiant face.

-end chapter twenty two-