Sibyl laughed, kissing his cheek. “And now you know what my plans were,” she whispered.
“Oh, you are good.”
When Nicholas finally returned, he braced his elbows on the back of Gabriel’s chair once more.
“As much as the crowd at the King’s Hound misses you, I do enjoy seeing you like this,” he admitted.
Gabriel arched an eyebrow, smiling a little. Sibyl noticed that he did it more often now. Her heart softened at the comment.
“I like it. You are settled, and you are happy. You are allowing yourself the life you thought you could never have. Preston is gone now, his punishment and trial settled. The papers have moved on, and so has the ton. Now, they are digging into Lady Heckley’s scandalous rendezvous with Lord Boroughdon. They are both wed otherwise.”
“I heard about that!” Hermia spoke up. “I thought it was ever so juicy and—what?” She frowned at Charles.
“Since we had our fair share of scandals, you of all people should not be calling somebody else’s misfortune juicy.”
Hermia flushed, waving him away.
“Nevertheless,” Nicholas laughed, returning his focus to Gabriel. “As I once told you, your fight no longer belongs in the ring, but at home, to keep what you have and never let it go.”
“I have no such intentions.” Gabriel’s eyes were soft as he looked back at Sibyl and took her hand. She moved closer to him, nuzzling into his bicep. “I do not need to box anymore.”
“No,” she agreed. “And if you ever feel that urge?—”
“I find my beautiful wife and speak my mind.”
“Exactly.” Sibyl kissed him lightly.
Gabriel wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her closer.
Isabella’s and Oscar’s heads were bent close together, Oscar’s hand resting on her stomach. The sight was so heartwarming that Sibyl ached to be swollen with her next child. Still, she consoled herself with the fact that she only had to wait for a few months.
They had only recently learned that she was with child, and Gabriel planned to announce it that afternoon.
She could not help but notice how Alicia was studying Nicholas, as if his remark to Gabriel had confused her—as if she had thought him incapable of such depth. She caught her sister’s eye and raised an eyebrow, but neither said anything.
Once the lemonade was finally brought out, Gabriel lifted his glass. “Sibyl and I have an announcement to make.”
Sibyl stood up, Rosie now in her arms. All eyes turned to them.
“We are expecting our second child,” she announced.
“Well, our second, but my first.” Gabriel laughed. “But Rosie is still mine, regardless of blood.”
Sibyl’s family burst into cheers and congratulations, and she was immediately wrapped in their embraces. Gabriel exchanged handshakes with Charles and Oscar, who had grown to respect him after he and Sibyl reconciled.
Soon, the party settled down.
Sibyl sighed, tired and happy, watching as the sun began to lower in the sky. Her family soon left, and Hannah took Rosie to bed. Gabriel’s arms wrapped around her from behind, his beard tickling her neck.
“My Duchess,” he murmured, “your Duke would like to request your presence in his chamber.”
He laughed softly against her neck as she turned around. “Well, how can one ever refuse such a formal request?”
“Forget it, I want to have you right here.” He pressed a hard kiss to her jaw. “I’ve been aching for you all day. This gown… it complements your decolletage beautifully, and I think you know that, and it is driving me half mad.”
“Then take me to your chambers,” Sibyl urged. “Lift me into your arms, husband, and carry me there.”
“As my wife demands.”
