A sudden flush of worried possessiveness made Matthew turn to Fortuity. “You are to have no dealings with Mr. Donnelly, wife. You are mine.”
Her faint smile blossomed, and a rosy happiness colored her cheeks. “Mr. Donnelly could never hold a candle to you, husband.”
“Good.” He kissed her cheek, lingering a little longer to let her know he needed her ever so badly.
A baby’s lusty wail filtered down to them, making them all go still.
Easing out into the hall, Thorne looked back at them and smiled. “Listen. Is that not a strong, healthy cry?”
“It is, indeed.” Matthew caught Fortuity up in a tight hug. “We have a new little niece or nephew.”
She squeezed him just as tightly, laughing. “Oh my goodness. Listen to that furious roar. Little Starpeeper wants all of London to know he or she is here.”
Thorne nodded at the stairs. “Here comes Mrs. Hartcastle. She looks happy.”
“Praise God Almighty,” Fortuity said as she and Matthew joined him in the hall.
The housekeeper clapped her hands as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “You have a fine, healthy daughter, my lord. She and her ladyship are well and will be ready to see you momentarily. There’s a bit of tidying up left to do.”
“A daughter,” Thorne repeated, looking suitably awestruck. “Little Starpeeper is a girl!”
Matthew clapped him on the back. “Congratulations, old man! Well done, indeed.”
“A little niece.” Fortuity hugged her brother-in-law. “I cannot wait to meet her.”
Mrs. Hartcastle started back up the stairs. “I shall fetch you all as soon as her ladyship is ready. She wanted everyone to know that all was well.”
Grabbing hold of the banister, Thorne sagged down to sit on the steps and dropped his head into his hands.
“Help him,” Fortuity whispered while nudging Matthew toward her brother-in-law.
Matthew hurried to sit beside his friend and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Are you all right, old man?”
Thorne lifted his head. “I was so afraid for her. So afraid I would lose her.” He slowly shook his head, his voice cracking. “I am nothing without her. Blessing is my heart and soul.”
Matthew looked up at Fortuity and locked eyes with her. “I understand completely, my friend. Fortuity is the same for me.”
She caught her hands to her chest, and her eyes shone with the sheen of tears. Her reaction pleased him immensely. He needed her to know that he loved her more than life itself, more than anything in the world.
I love you,he mouthed.
I love you as well,she mouthed back.
He breathed easier now, and the throbbing tension in his shoulders eased. All would be well now. He refused to accept otherwise.
*
“She is soperfect,” Fortuity whispered as she cuddled the babe closer. Dragging her gaze from the sleeping infant, she smiled at her sister. “And what is little Lady Starpeeper’s official name, may I ask?”
With a weary yet happy sigh, Blessing tickled her daughter’s chubby cheek, making the sweet cherub twitch and pucker the plump bow of her tiny pink lips. “Aurora Cassia. Aurora for the Roman goddess of the dawn who rides her chariot across the sky each morning announcing the arrival of the sun and proclaiming renewal.” She cupped her baby’s velvety head that shone in the candlelight with an ether-like dusting of silvery golden hair. “And, of course, Cassia after Mama. I like to think she is looking down on us now and smiling. Hopefully, she will watch over her precious granddaughter, and somehow guide her as she has always guided us.”
“I am sure she will. Can you not just see her hugging Papa with joy?” Fortuity kissed the baby’s forehead and breathed her in, closing her eyes at the indescribablebabyscent that made her long for a child of her own.One day,she promised herself, gently rocking from side to side. One day, she and Matthew would know this joyous miracle of new life.
“And what of your assigned task? Did you do as you promised?” Blessing smiled as she settled more comfortably against the fresh pile of pillows behind her. “You seem a great deal more relaxed than before.”
“Anne is packing, and you shan’t have to worry about a houseguest during your lying in.” Fortuity gently settled the infant into the cradle beside the bed, then poured her sister a fresh cup of tea laced with one of Mrs. Greer’s recommended tonics. “Here you are. Drink this before you sleep. I am sure when I return home, Mrs. Greer will ask if you took the tonic she sent over for when the baby came.”
Blessing hazarded a sip as if fearing the liquid held poison, then gave a happy nod. “Hmm… Not nearly as offensive as I expected. You know how some of her remedies tend to be.” She took another drink, then balanced the cup between her hands. “And you also know you are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. You are not a houseguest. You are my sister.”
