Page 45

" D arling, do you think I look good in this gown?" Daphne asked her husband, who was sat behind her on the sofa, buried in a book. Upon her question, he quickly put the book away and focused all of his attention on his wife.

It was something he did every time they spoke – made sure that he gave her his full attention. It was a small gesture, but it was one that made her heart swell each time he did it. For it made her feel wanted, and appreciated.

It had been a year since Ambrose and Daphne's wedding. Their bond had only grown stronger, and it felt as though Daphne felt deeper and deeper in love with more time that passed between them.

"My dear, is the sky blue?" he said, a teasing smile on his face. "Or does the sun rise from the east? The answers that question will forever be the same – constant and a resolute yes."

He got up from his place, and walked over to Daphne. Taking her hands into his own, he looked her in the eye. "But if you want me to be clearer, then I shall tell you that you look positively resplendent."

Daphne had been preparing for a house party. It was the first one she was throwing ever since she became a Duchess. Even though it felt like a daunting task, Ambrose had been supportive of her every step of the way.

When Daphne blushed at his comment, he doubled down. To this day, he loved to tease her every chance that he had. "Does that answer your question, Duchess?"

"It very well does," she smiled, her eyes raking over his body. He was dressed in a full suit, and looked devilishly handsome. "You look quite nice yourself. Shall we throw more parties so that we dress up more like this?"

Ambrose threw his head back, and chuckled. "Not a chance. While I love seeing you like this, house parties mean that you are too busy with other people. You know how I feel about sharing you..."

Daphne felt a shiver go down her spine at how possessive his tone got. "I know."

He caressed the side of her cheek, "I cannot wait for the day to end already, so that you return to our chambers, and I..."

"Ambrose," she hissed, blushing. Their life inside the confines of their bedroom had been... eventful, to say the least. They could not get enough of each other.

"What?" he smiled, "I am only telling you the honest truth."

"Well, then you must save your honesty for later, as I cannot afford to get distracted right now," she giggled. Knowing herself, she knew that it would not take much convincing for her if he tried just a little bit harder.

But Ambrose respected the fact that his wife had a party to host, and kissed her on the top of her head. "Fine. But remember that I will be thinking about you the entire time."

"And I of you," she smiled. "But we must get going. The guests will start to arrive very soon."

She went over the list of the guests in her mind. She had invited many of Ambrose's closest friends – many whom she would be meeting for the first time.

"Do you think the Duke of Bernight will make his grand entrance before or after dinner?" Daphne mused.

Nicholas was one of the expected guests. From what Ambrose had told her, he was a notorious flirt, well-known for his charm, and Daphne found herself both intrigued and slightly apprehensive about how the evening would unfold with him there.

The last time they had met, Nicholas had nearly charmed all the women in the room.

"Oh, Nicholas always arrives late, just to make sure everyone's attention is on him. I'm surprised he doesn't bring his own fanfare," Ambrose chuckled.

"Well, there will be plenty of lovely ladies for him to sample from," Daphne admitted. "If he wishes to settle down."

Ambrose chuckled. "Playing match-maker, are we?"

"I am just saying it might be a good thing. We fell in love at a house party as well," she smiled. "It would be interesting to witness it happen to others as well. I would feel that I had a small part to play."

"Nicholas is unpredictable," Ambrose said. "So I would not put any prior expectations on him. He does as he pleases."

"Well, there is no harm in trying," Daphne said, her mind drifting to her two best friends. They were still single, and Daphne ached to attend their wedding.

When the guests started to arrive, Isadora and Violet were some of the first to join. Daphne practically ran over to them.

"My girls," she embraced them warmly. "Oh, I am so excited to spend the next few days with you."

"Look at you, a duchess in every sense of the word," Isadora teased as Daphne. "The preparations seem excellent, and you look every bit as regal as your title."

Daphne winked, "Ambrose says that I have grown into the role quite well."

"He is not wrong," Violet added, "Though he might have his own vested interests in saying that to keep you happy."

Daphne shot her friend a look, before dissolving into laughter. "Perhaps you ladies will meet someone of your liking here. I would wish for the next wedding I attend to be one of yours."

"Well, it seems that you have hoarded all of the love luck," Violet admitted. "For there has been no one who has caught my eye."

"Similarly for me," Isadora admitted.

"Then I can set you up," Daphne said seriously. "We have invited some fine gentlemen from all across London. Surely there must be someone."

"Do not worry about us," Isadora laughed, playfully. "What you must tell is how your own marriage is going. Sometimes, I still forget that you do not live just down the street from me and find myself visiting Alborne Manor only to find you absent."

Daphne laughed. "Then perhaps you need to move to where I live now. I hear that the Blackwood Family who lives nearby has an eligible son that you might find yourself interested in."

"Don't avoid the question, Daphne," Violet said.

"About my marriage?"

"What else?" Isadora chuckled.

Daphne did not respond immediately. For there was something else, but she needed the right moment to admit it. "Well, we are very much in love. And it gets better every day," she admitted.

"Oh, how perfect," Violet swooned, touching her forehead dramatically. "Isadora, when will we find our own Prince Charming?"

"In due time," Isadora sighed, "for now, we can only be happy for our friend."

Daphne chuckled but was soon pulled back into the present as the butler announced another guest. She smiled warmly, stepping forward to greet them, playing the part of the perfect hostess.

The night was full of festivities, and Daphne did not get a chance to interact much with her husband. Until much later in the night when she found him alone in the balcony.

She decided that this was the perfect moment.

"Daphne," Ambrose greeted, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. "My busy little Duchess. Have you finally found some time away to spend with your husband?"

"Oh, but you know that I have been only thinking of you the whole time," she chuckled softly. "Did you miss me, Ambrose?"

"Only every moment."

It still astounded her how sweet he always was to her, considering how they had gotten to know each other in a manner where he was always the opposite.

"I am glad that I found you here," she said, her eyes sparkling. "It is a beautiful night."

Ambrose did not even bother to look up at the starry sky. "I have something in front of me that is far mor beautiful."

She blushed, "You and your sweet talking."

"You love it."

She could not even deny it. She did. Every bit of it.

"There is something I need to tell you," she started off, hesitantly. She had been keeping the news a secret for a week now, but this was the perfect moment to share.

"What's this about?" he asked, his voice gentle but full of anticipation.

Daphne took a deep breath, her heart fluttering with excitement. "I've been wanting to tell you this for days, but I wanted to wait for the right moment." She smiled, looking up at him with bright eyes.

"The right moment?"

"Yes," she hesitated once again. She had practiced this moment in her mind several times now, but when it came to it, she found herself at a loss of words.

"Darling, you are beginning to worry me now," he started, "What has you acting so shy? You have never been afraid to speak your mind."

"It's just..." she paused, "well, I suppose I want to announce it in the most perfect way."

"Announce?" now he was beginning to catch on, his eyes widening slightly. "Daphne, you must tell me now."

"Ambrose... I'm pregnant."

For a moment, Ambrose stood there, processing her words. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face, growing wider and wider until he let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Please tell me that you are not joking," a wide grin spread across his face.

She nodded, her grin matching his. "I am. You're going to be a father."

Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and kissed her passionately on the lips.

When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers, still holding her tightly.

"Why did you wait to tell me?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You should have told me the moment that you found out. For this is the best news that you could ever give me."

Daphne laughed softly, her hands resting against his chest. "You have no idea how much I've been dying to tell you. It was so hard to keep it a secret. But I knew that it was best to wait until the right moment."

He looked at her with a serious expression. " Every moment with you is the right one. Have you forgotten how madly I am in love with you?"

"And now you will be madly in love with our child," her hands instinctively moved over to her belly, which was not showing yet.

"As will you."

For a few moments, they stood there in the quiet of the balcony, soaking in the happiness of their news. But as the sounds of the party drifted back into their consciousness, Daphne glanced over her shoulder, realizing they couldn't stay hidden for long.

"We should probably get back," she said with a smile. "But don't think you're getting rid of me that easily. I'll be stealing you away for many more moments like this."

Ambrose grinned, kissing her on the forehead before taking her hand again. "I look forward to every single one of them."

As they made their way back into the house, Ambrose couldn't stop glancing at Daphne.

When they re-entered the drawing room, Daphne's sisters noticed the smiles on both of their faces and immediately knew something was up. Isadora raised an eyebrow as Daphne rejoined the group.

"You look so happy," Isadora said, "Has the Duke proposed to you again or something?"

Violet chimed in with a playful grin, "Another wedding? Daphne, you have to leave some for the rest of us."

Daphne shook her head, laughing. "Don't be so ridiculous. He did not propose to you again."

"So then what is the reason behind that bright smile of yours?"

Daphne bit down her smile, feeling unable to contain her happiness, exchanged a quick glance with Ambrose before facing her friends. Her first priority had been to tell the Duke. Now that she had, she could share the news with her friends.

But instead of using her words, she merely rubbed the front of her dress. "Well..."

"Oh, heavens," Isadora gasped loudly, "Daphne, are you implying what I think you are?"

"Tell us!" Violet added.

"Indeed," she smiled. "The two of you are going to be aunts very soon."

For a moment, it was as if time stood still before the air erupted with squeals of excitement. Isadora threw her arms around Daphne.

"Oh, Daphne! This is incredible!" Isadora said, her voice rising with joy. "You're going to be a mother! And we're going to be aunts!"

Violet quickly followed suit, hugging Daphne tightly. "I knew something was up! You've had this glow about you all evening. I just knew it!"

They were still buzzing with excitement when Joyce, noticing the commotion from across the room, made her way over, a curious smile on her face.

"What's all this fuss about?" she asked, her eyes flicking between the women.

Before Daphne could say a word, Isadora and Violet spoke in unison, "She's pregnant!"

Joyce's eyes widened as the news hit her, and without hesitation, she enveloped Daphne in the biggest hug yet.

"Oh, Daphne! This is such wonderful news!" She pulled back slightly, her hands still on Daphne's shoulders. "I can't believe it! We're going to have a little niece or nephew running around!"

Daphne beamed, "We did not plan for it, as we had left the matter to God. But it is the biggest blessing."

Joyce looked over at Isadora and Violet, her excitement palpable. "Oh, but it feels that just yesterday you were only a little girl."

"Well, I have grown now," Daphne laughed. She was going to be a mother.

"You are going to be an incredible mother," Joyce affirmed.

Daphne blushed, touched by her words. "Thank you. I just hope I live up to everyone's expectations."

"Oh, you will," Joyce assured her, her voice filled with confidence. "There's no doubt about it."

The End?