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“Well, she does not need to marry. I did not, and I am perfectly happy.”

“Of course, but part of me thinks that she wants to but does not want it to be on anyone’s terms but her own.”

“Which is also perfectly fine. There is no need to force someone into a position that they do not wish to be in.”

“Which is something I must discuss with you,” Diana said quietly. “Now, you mustn’t say anything, not yet at least, but I… I am with child.”

“Oh, Diana, congratulations! What wonderful news!”

“It certainly would be, if the Duke wanted children.”

Roberta tilted her head to one side. “Does the Duke not want children? What sort of man of his rank does not want an heir?”

“It is not that he doesn’t want one at all. The day I sent you the letter, he told me he likes our life as it is—the two of us and nothing more. Now I need to ruin it all and tell him that he is to be a father, and I know he is terrified by the prospect. I do not know what to do.”

“What you are going to do is let him have some time when he returns home tonight, and then once he has settled from today’s work, you will tell him. However he feels, you must allow him to feel that way. Diana, this is a wonderful gift. He will see it, I assure you.”

Diana wanted to believe her, but as strong as she had always thought her aunt to be, she could not predict the reaction of a man who had so hated his own father that he did not have a strong desire to be one.

In any case, she knew that her aunt was right, and so when Colin returned that evening, she watched an hour go by on the grandfather clock and then turned to him, even though he was deep in conversation with her aunt.

“I do apologize for interrupting, dear, but might I speak with you in the garden?”

“Yes, once your aunt has finished her story,” he joked.

“Oh, I was about finished.” Roberta smiled. “You two may take all the time that you need. I will be in quite good company with all of these biscuits.”

“Is everything alright?” he asked once they were outside. “You have never been one to interrupt a conversation.”

“I am fine, yes. Well, I was. I still am, of course, but—well?—”

“Breathe, dear.”

Diana looked into his eyes, steadying herself. She was about to change his life, and one of them had to be strong about it, so she wanted to take that burden upon herself.

“This will come as a surprise to you, and perhaps not one that you want to hear, but it is important that you know.”

“Is your aunt to marry? That would be excellent news, although I cannot imagine why you would have to tell me in secret.”

“No, and she will never marry, either. No, what I need to tell you is that we are not going to be a family of two anymore. I know that you want it to be the two of us always, and I hate to ruin that for you, but?—”

“Your aunt is welcome to stay as long as she wishes!”

“This is not about my aunt!” Diana sighed, exasperated. “Colin, I am with child.”

Colin looked at her, expressionless, then he appeared quite confused, then frightened for only a second, and then a smile spread across his face.

“Do you mean—I am to be a father?”

“Yes, and I know it isn’t what you wished to happen, but I only discovered this three weeks ago, so we still have time to spend with just the two of us.”

“Di, when I said that I prefer being just us, I mean our family.” He laughed. “I’ve told you for a long time now that you are my family, and now—and now it is going to be even bigger. Perhaps I should have been clearer. I apologize for not making you feel comfortable enough to tell me, but no, this is the greatest thing that you could have possibly told me!”

He embraced her tightly, and every fear that she had had over the previous few days dissipated.

They had found her aunt, and now they were to have a baby.

The End?