Page 21 of Miss Davis and the Spare (Dazzling Debutantes #3)

“Happy birthday, my love.”

July 1821, Emma Balfour to her husband, Peregrine, on his twenty-sixth birthday.

* * *

JULY 1821, SHEPTON ABBEY

P erry woke at the soft knock upon the chamber door. Opening one eye, he watched as Emma slipped out of bed and padded across the room. Low murmurs followed as she accepted a tray from Betty and nudged the door closed with her hip. She set the tray on a nearby table, then turned back toward the bed with a smile lighting her face.

Still wrapped in the bed’s warmth, Perry felt no great urgency to rise. He closed his eyes again, enjoying the lingering drowsiness—until he felt Emma’s weight return beside him. She curled up behind him and pressed a teasing kiss just behind his ear.

“Happy birthday, my love,” she whispered.

Perry smiled. It was a happy birthday indeed. He stretched lazily, preparing to pull her into his arms, but she scooted back out of reach, mischief gleaming in her eyes. Before he could coax her back, she placed a small wrapped box on his chest.

He stared at the gift in surprise. Birthday presents were not something he had received often in life—those he had once received from his father had typically come with cruelty attached. Most, he had returned or discarded as soon as he dared.

But Emma … Emma gave nothing but goodness. And he knew, whatever lay inside this package, he would treasure it forever.

Sitting up against the headboard, he untied the ribbon with deliberate care. The paper fell away, revealing a small, velvet-lined box. Inside, resting in soft folds of fabric, was a delicate silver rattle, its floral engraving glinting in the morning light.

His breath caught.

His fingers trembled as he lifted the rattle from the box. He stared at it, wonderment blooming in his chest. “Truly?”

Emma’s voice was tender. “I confirmed it last week, but I waited to tell you today—for your birthday.”

She leaned in to embrace him, her eyes suspiciously bright. “In six or seven months, we shall welcome a new Balfour to the abbey.”

“Oh, Emma …” His arms wrapped tightly around her as he pressed his cheek to hers. “How did you hide this for a week? You must have been beside yourself.”

“I was overcome,” she whispered, laughing softly. “It was excruciating not to tell you. But I wanted it to be perfect.”

“It is perfect.” He cupped her face and gently brushed away the tears gathered on her lashes. “You have longed for this with all your heart.”

“I shall write to my family straightaway,” she murmured, resting her head against his shoulder. “Mama and Papa will be beside themselves with joy.”

Perry drew her fully into his embrace. His eyes prickled, and he blinked rapidly as he buried his face in her soft, dark hair. Life had taken a turn so beautiful, so full of grace, he scarcely knew how to hold it all.

A child. Their child.

“And so our family begins,” he said hoarsely, the weight of those words sinking deep.

Then he stilled, realization dawning. “Your family will never leave once the first grandchild arrives, will they?”

Emma laughed into his shoulder. “You may as well prepare the guest rooms now.”

He groaned, then chuckled. “Shall we have a cup of tea to celebrate before we venture downstairs? I imagine I shall need fortification.”

“I think we must,” Emma replied with a smile. “Besides, I am certain the earl will wish to hear the news.”

Perry blinked. “Richard is here?”

“Betty just informed me,” Emma said, returning from the door with a tray in her hands. “I had planned to breakfast with you here this morning, but it appears the servants prepared breakfast downstairs after learning of the earl’s arrival.”

“Then we shall drink our tea here before I return to my rooms. I am certain my valet is waiting by now.”

“It is later than we usually rise,” Emma said with a teasing smile, “but we were rather ... occupied.”

Perry grinned. “It is not my fault the new night rail was so alluring.”

“I purchased it with your birthday in mind,” she replied pertly. “I wanted this year to be special for you.”

“No matter what you had done, this would have been special.” He reached for her, pulling her close and pressing a sound kiss to her lips. “Come here, wife!”

Less than an hour later, Perry descended the stairs in high spirits and found the earl enjoying coffee in the breakfast room. Gathering a generous plate from the sideboard, Perry seated himself across from his brother.

“Good morning, brother.”

Richard smiled over his cup. “Happy birthday, Perry.”

“Is that why you are here?”

Richard nodded. “It occurred to me that I have not visited you nearly enough this past year. After listening to myself lament that fact, Sophia reminded me your birthday would be the perfect occasion. She shooed me out before dawn. We leave for the King’s coronation in a few days, so this was my only chance to come.”

“Interrupting nothing important, I assure you—” Perry began, but stopped when Emma entered the room.

“Just his birthday breakfast with his wife,” she said cheerfully.

Richard stood to bow. Emma waved him down, laughing. “No ceremony, Richard. We are family.”

Perry beamed. “With more family on the way.”

Richard blinked. “You do not mean?—?”

“Your nephew or niece should be happy to receive you long before my next birthday.”

Richard’s expression softened, his eyes bright with emotion. “Well, that is very good news.”

The three shared breakfast in celebration before Emma excused herself to write to her family. Perry turned to his brother once they were alone.

“All right. Why are you truly here?”

“I beg your pardon?” Richard asked innocently.

“You did not make the drive simply for breakfast.”

Richard grinned. “You know me too well. I had two reasons for ensuring I made it here this morning.”

“What is the first?”

“I received a report last month about the young woman from the village. Laura.”

Perry froze, breath catching. “What of her?”

“It took time to find her—she severed all ties with the village, as you advised. But she was located three towns from where you sent her that night.”

Perry exhaled, heart pounding. “And?”

“She married a baker a few months after reaching Cornwall. They have three children, and she is, by all accounts, content.”

Relief washed over Perry. That was better than he could have hoped.

“And as predicted,” Richard added, “you are the hero of her tale. They named their eldest Peregrine.”

Perry blinked. “Their son?”

Richard barely suppressed his grin. “No. Their daughter. Apparently, Peregrine can be a girl’s name, too.”

Perry groaned and picked up a slice of toast, tossing it at his laughing brother’s head, who caught it with ease.

“And your second reason?”

Richard’s expression sobered. “The abbey has been under your stewardship for nearly a year now. I wished to see the progress myself.”

“I am pleased to show you.”

After breakfast, the brothers rode out over the estate. Perry walked Richard through the upgrades and decisions made since he and Emma had arrived. They inspected the tenant farms, then a flock of young tan-faced Portlands, lambs frolicking among the ewes.

“I have not encountered this breed,” Richard remarked. “Why Portlands?”

“Emma chose them,” Perry replied with a smile. “They are hardy, lamb easily, and thrive on rough pasture. These fields were underutilized before. Now they serve a purpose while we assess other plans.”

Richard grinned. “Never thought I would see the day you spoke so knowledgeably of sheep.”

Perry gave a wry laugh. “My knowledge is surface-level at best. Emma says the fleece is fine and dyes well. I manage the relationships.”

They returned to the abbey and settled in the library, where Perry preferred to work. Richard sipped his coffee before reaching into his pocket and placing a set of papers on the desk.

“Happy birthday.”

Perry scanned the pages, brow furrowing. “What is this? Contracts? You are signing over your share of the abbey?”

Richard nodded. “Grandfather always intended it to be yours. I was included in the trust for legal protections, but he made me promise I would turn it over when the time was right.”

Perry leaned back, stunned. “He said that?”

Richard smiled. “He spoke of how sweet you were. You brought him apples, flowers, chestnuts. He said you were our mother’s son and deserved better than the fate of a spare. This was his way of giving you that.”

Emotion thickened in Perry’s throat. “This is … more than I expected.”

“It is what you deserve. You have earned it.”

“Thank you, Richard. I do not take this lightly.”

Richard cleared his throat. “One more thing.”

Perry raised an eyebrow.

“Now that you are a proper landowner, your annuity ends. You are a man of independent wealth.”

Perry barked a laugh. “We shall economize, then. Only three cups of coffee a day.”

“As if,” Richard said dryly. “Shall we tell Emma?”

“She will be thrilled. We are building a future—and a family.”

They stepped out into the sunlit garden, where Emma was seated in her infamous straw bonnet, now feathered and as hideous as ever. Perry smiled at the sight of her, his wildflower radiant beneath the spring sun.

Richard made his announcement, and Emma’s face lit up in pure joy. As Perry took her hand and bent to kiss her cheek, he breathed in her familiar scent—chamomile, wildflowers, and the sweetness of home.

He had never dreamed, on the day he left for the countryside over a year ago, that his life would transform so completely. But now, with his fair bluestocking by his side and the promise of a new generation ahead, he would not change a thing.

* * *

The next Dazzling Debutante will appear in Miss Davis and the Architect . A sleepless debutante. A widowed architect. A lavish country house party might be perfect for new love to bloom.