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“I love it, Seth.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “But, you know, I thought I was surviving the ball rather well.”

“You are becoming quite the natural,” he agreed. “However, we have several more hours of dancing to go and I wanted to steal some time away with you.”

“All our guests shall be returning home tomorrow, and you shall have me all to yourself then,” she reminded him as she curled her hands around his neck and toyed with a curl of fair hair there.

“Anyone would think you did not wish to spend time with me and you actually enjoyed balls now.”

“Never!” She grinned at his faux petulant expression. “I do accept that as your wife I must do these things, however.”

“And you shall forever have my thanks.” He eased back a little, the amusement vanishing from his expression. “I did have another reason to bring you here, though.”

Prudence wrinkled her brow. “This sounds serious.”

“Well, it is. I think.” His lips curved a little. “It is. But good serious.”

“Well?” she demanded. “Seth, do not keep me waiting.”

He exhaled at such length that it took all her willpower not to bark another demand at him.

“Pru, you are expecting a child.” The words rushed out toward her.

She blinked. Then laughed. Then frowned. Surely…? But…? Oh goodness. “How do you know?”

“You missed your courses. And your breasts are well…” He indicated with one hand. “And Angel suggested.”

“Oh Lord, you spoke to Angel about this?” She clapped a hand to one cheek.

“She would recognize the symptoms well, given she will be in confinement before long.”

Prudence gulped down a breath of cool air. He was right. She had been so busy with the final edits on her research that she had hardly paid attention to her body of late. What a fine job Seth had noticed.

“Goodness,” she breathed.

Seth drew her back against him. “You are with child, Pru,” he murmured.

She nodded slowly, absorbing the words. A smile curved itself across her lips before she’d realized it was there. “A child…” She met Seth’s gaze. “Our child.”

He nodded, his hesitant grin growing bigger. “Our child.”

“We shall have to bring them here.”

“To your castle.”

“And keep them away from the well.”

He nodded. “Naturally.”

She stared up at him. It was hard to believe her life had changed so much. Her plans of hiding away and becoming an established spinster were long gone. And for that, she was grateful. The day Seth Templeton had stepped into that library was the best day of her life.

“I hope he or she has your hair,” she murmured.

“So long as they have your brain they shall be absolutely fine.”

“We both know you are not exactly daft.”

“I am daft for you.” He kissed her firmly. “I am always, and will always be, utterly, ridiculously, daft for you.” He gave her another kiss, a little deeper this time, leaving her breathless. “And I would not change that for the world.”

THE END