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The girl seemed to be older and was absolutely beautiful, having her mother’s cherubic features. The boy had his father’s dark coloring, although had his mother’s eyes. He smiled, and a dimple popped into his cheek on one side. Arabella couldn’t help but think of her own husband.

“Arabella, these are my children, Beatrice and Noah,” Emily announced. “Beatrice is seven, and Noah is five…”

“Six in winter,” Noah added.

“Yes. Six in winter.” She laughed. “Bea, Noah, this is your aunt Arabella, Uncle Edward’s Duchess.”

“Good day.” Arabella smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you two.”

The two shared a look and then Beatrice launched herself at her. Arabella had barely been able to keep them from tumbling to the floor.

“Bea, be careful!” Emily scolded.

Beatrice didn’t answer but started chattering excitedly.

“Do you like tea parties? I have so many pretty dresses! Can I brush your hair? I’m very good at styling hair. Will you come play with us in the garden?”

The questions flowed out of her incessantly—it was hard to keep up with them.

Arabella noticed then that Noah was still hiding in his mother’s skirt, a hot blush on his cheeks.

“Don’t be shy, Noah,” Emily cooed. “Go greet your new aunt.”

Arabella caught his eye, and he turned away again, blushing furiously.

“I can’t,” he cried.

“Why not?” Emily asked, giving Arabella a wink.

“She’s so pretty.”

Emily laughed, pushing him towards her. “That’s exactly why you should talk to her.”

Arabella crouched down, trying to meet the boy’s eyes. “Good day, Noah.” She smiled. “You think I’m pretty?”

He nodded shyly, digging his foot into the ground.

“I think you’re pretty handsome too.” She ruffled his hair. “Want to go play?”

“But I asked you to play first!” Beatrice cried.

“All of us can play together,” Arabella assured them. “I have so many games to teach you. The first person that makes it the garden gets a secret prize.”

The children dashed off excitedly.

It was only then that she stood up again, catching Emily’s eyes.

“You’re a natural with them.” Emily smiled. “You’ll be a good mother.”

The sharp pang returned, but Arabella buried it.

“Come. We’d better head to the gardens quickly before they hurt themselves. And you can tell me all about how you and my brother-in-law met.”

Arabella’s eyes widened as she tried to think up a story that matched what Edward had said in the dining room.

They spotted the children already running their nannies ragged in the gardens and took a seat under the shade of an orange tree.

“How did you two meet?” Emily asked, smiling expectantly.