Exiting the room, she walked down the hall, her gaze on the small bundle in her arms. He favored his father greatly, with his dark hair and elegant nose, but the pout of his lips and the shape of his eyes was all Livie.
An image of a child the perfect combination of both her and Henry filled her mind. Julia couldn’t wait to start their future together.
Henry and Elijah entered the large townhome following the queue of people that led to the ballroom. Everything seemed different. It was like everything was charged with lightning. It ran through him, causing his body to pulsate. The expectant feeling put Henry on edge—something different was going to happen tonight.
“I’ve never seen you like this,” Elijah noted as Henry shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“I love her. Thank God the marriage license was granted.” Henry sighed. He hated being away from Julia now that they were together. He hadn’t seen her at all that day, since he’d been busy with their new townhome and securing the special license.
“You will be a married man in a matter of days. You should be happy, my friend.” Elijah patted Henry on the back, jostling him slightly.
“You didn’t have to stand in line, you’re family,” Livie said as they reached the front of the queue.
“Your Grace, your kindness and beauty is like no other woman’s I have ever met. I wish I was in town three years ago.” Elijah bowed over Livie’s offered hand.
“I would’ve simply gotten rid of you as I did every other gentleman that Season,” Karrington jested.
Henry was happy that his two closest friends had formed a brotherly connection without him.
“He was determined to win her affections,” Henry added, greeting Livie with a bow.
“Stop it, you two. His Grace was always going to be the victor.” She looked at Henry. “As you are, Lord Heartford.”
Henry took in the Duchess of Karrington, her eyes were kind but were filled with fire.
“I am very lucky, indeed. Is Lady Julia down?” He needed to find her, now.
Leaning toward him, Livie surveyed the occupants around them, ensuring that they would not be overheard by anyone other than Karrington and Elijah. “She is, but I must warn you, if you hurt her again, I will call you out for a duel.”
Henry blinked several times, not sure he had heard her correctly. Beside Livie, Karrington began choking profusely. Elijah laughed, his head falling back. They were causing a bloody scene.
“I assure you that will never happen.” Henry would die before he hurt Julia again. “Besides, I would hate to face you, Your Grace. I feel I would not survive.”
“Good, because I would dispose of you first, of course,” Karrington added, good-naturedly.
“You’re very violent when it comes to your wife, Your Grace. Perhaps you should do something about that—” Elijah jested but was cut off when Karrington pushed him toward the ballroom.
“Get in there. There are ladies in there I’m sure you both would like to dance with.”
Henry swallowed and took a hasty step into the ballroom. All of society crowded the large space, but he only wanted one person.
Taking a glass of punch, Henry took a deep gulp, needing something to steady him. It was a mixture of rum, brandy, and wine. The heavy drink eased his nerves as he looked for Julia.
“I shall see you later.” Elijah pointed a stern finger at him.
Henry nodded before resuming his search. He found her easily. She danced a quadrille with St. Clara. They were laughing easily with each other, and Henry saw how platonic their relationship really was.
“There you are!” His mother hit him on the shoulder with her fan.
“Mother, I can’t talk now.” Henry tried to walk past her, but she held out her arm, blocking his way.
It would be extremely rude to move one’s own mother,Henry told himself repeatedly as he waited for her to speak.
“You could’ve chosen anyone. Did it have to be her, again?” his mother sneered.
Henry’s shoulders stiffened, every part of his body vibrating with anger. “Yes, it had to be her, and you will respect her as my marchioness—”
“I most certainly will not!” she cried out, causing several eyes to turn to them.
