Page 137

EPILOGUE

J ulia opened the small card with anticipation. Lady Bursbury’s notes always included welcome news and invitations. This one was no exception.

“We’ve been invited to attend a musical featuring Lady Penelope,” Julia said to William as she scanned the neat script. “I cannot believe she’s come out already. It makes me feel positively ancient.”

William peered at her from the edge of his paper. “You’re far from ancient, darling.”

She smiled at him. He was always ready to compliment her, even when two years had passed without her producing any children. “And Lady Jane is getting married.”

William scoffed. “Poor Hesterton.”

“No, to Lord Mortry,” Julia corrected.

“Then poor Lady Jane.”

“Hesterton hasn’t been excluded, it appears.

” Julia read on. “Nancy is attempting to set up a match between Noah and the Craig heiress, Miss Helen.” She set the invitation on the table with a flick of delight.

Helen was a dear friend of hers through Cecelia, a woman who was almost as much a social recluse as their other friend, Emma Thorne, both of whom avoided the ton as much as was possible.

The paper did not move a single crinkle. “It would take an extraordinary woman to edge her way into Hesterton’s heart. If he has one.”

“Oh, come now,” Julia said. “Everyone has a heart, and there’s one perfect person for the edging. I think he and Helen would make a delightful couple, especially if Nancy thinks they would get on well.”

William turned the page.

The invitation was not the only thing that made Julia’s stomach flutter with excitement. She bit back a grin. “Kittens or puppies?”

“Puppies.” Another page turn.

“Kittens have their own qualities: slender little tails that jut out like shaky sticks, squeaking mewls, tiny paws. Are you certain?”

“Puppies. Always.”

Her heart tripped over itself. “Boys or girls?”

“For puppies or kittens?”

“Neither.” A smile curled at her lips as she spoke. “Children.”

Whump ! Hands and paper dropped at once to the table. William regarded her with tentative excitement, his brows poised halfway up his forehead. “Dare I ask what could inspire such a question?”

She rose from her seat and let her fingers tenderly stroke her lower midsection. “I’m sure you can guess.”

“I want to hear you say it.”

“Our family will be growing by one more in the next few months.” The emotion bubbled up from Julia, and she laughed at the sheer joy of sharing such news. “We’re going to be parents, William.”

“Are you certain?”

“I waited two months after I missed my courses to be certain.” She stopped beside him.

His gaze fell to her stomach. “The physician never came.”

“He did.” She moved her hand, took his, and placed it over the very small bump. “I waited until you would be out. I didn’t wish to worry you, and I didn’t want to tell you until I knew for certain.”

“You clever minx.” He cupped his large hand over her stomach. His brow furrowed, and he was silent for an extraordinarily long moment.

A trickle of fear nipped at her enjoyment. “Happy? Or displeased?”

“Happy.” He looked up at her with a glossy gaze. “Immeasurably happy.”

This small baby within her womb had moved her brave and powerful husband to tears. She felt her own eyes prickle with heat.

“I love you, Julia.” He got to his feet and pulled her into his arms. Immediately he snapped back and regarded her stomach.

She laughed through her tears. “You won’t hurt him.”

He drew Julia against him once more, this time tender and tentative. “Or her.”

“Oh? Is it a girl you want, then?” Julia snuggled into her husband’s strong arms.

He held her to him and cupped the slight swell of her stomach once more, cradling his entire family in one embrace. “That depends.”

“On?”

“On what this baby is.”

“I think that’s the perfect answer.”

And it was. The perfect answer, for the perfect life and the perfectly wonderful husband she was grateful to have taken the time to discover.