Lady Hardcastle smiled at Harriet. "I am proud to be able to say I am acquainted with the discoverer of such a magnificent set of fossils, my dear."
Harriet glowed. "Thank you. I cannot wait until Felicity and Effie come for tea this afternoon." She flipped to the pages that contained her article. "I do not think they believed it would actually be printed."
"I venture to say it will be the chief topic of conversation among fossil collectors for some time," the earl said. "There will be many arguments about the existence of such a giant reptile. You will no doubt be swamped with people wanting to see your beast."
"Let them argue," Harriet said happily. She looked at Gideon. "I know my beast is something very rare and precious, indeed."
Gideon gazed back at her down the length of the table. He thought he would drown in the love he saw in her eyes. He wondered again how he had lived all those long, dark years buried in his own private cave.
The truth, Gideon knew, was that he had merely existed during that bleak time before meeting Harriet. There had been no joy in life and no anticipation of the future until she had freed him. She had brought him out into the sunlight just as she had the bones of the ancient beast in the cliff caves.
"Your beast would be nothing without you, my love," Gideon said softly. "He would still be locked in stone."
Two months later Harriet was safely delivered of a healthy son. It was soon obvious that the babe would have his father's tawny eyes, as well as Gideon's size and strength. The infant also showed signs of a temper and a stubborn will that appeared exceedingly familiar to all.
When Gideon put the squalling infant into Harriet's arms, she smiled ruefully.
"I fear that between us we have created the true Beast of Blackthorne Hall, my lord," Harriet said ruefully. "Just listen to him roar."
Gideon laughed, happier than he had ever thought possible. "You will tame him, my love. You have a way with beasts."