The Duke was in the drawing room, entertaining her parents, while Harriet and Esther slipped away to her room.
Harriet, always ready to tease her sister, tilted her head with a mischievous grin. “You two seem happier than ever. What’s the secret?”
Frances laughed softly, her cheeks flushing. “No secret, Harriet. Just gratitude for having my wonderful family.”
Harriet exchanged a knowing look with Esther. “She is being suspicious, is she not?”
“I believe so,” Esther agreed, playing along. “Are you hiding something from us?”
Esther’s gaze flicked to Frances’s belly, making her blush profusely.
They couldn’t be suggesting that she was… expecting. Were they? The thought alone was enough to make Frances turn bright red.
“I am not,” she protested.
The two sisters burst out laughing, amused at having gotten a rise out of her.
“Oh, we are just playing with you.” Harriet smiled. “If anything, it is quite nice to see you happy like this.”
“Well, happy to have your approval.” Frances rolled her eyes. “Come, we should go back to the drawing room now. I cannot trust Mother to be alone with Christopher for too long. Who knows what will come out of her mouth?”
They entered the drawing room, and Christopher patted the spot next to him. She sat beside him.
“I have to say.” Albina cleared her throat, observing both of them closely. “I’m glad to see you both so happy. It’s a blessing, especially after everything you’ve been through.”
Frances frowned. It felt like a nightmare, what had happened with the twins, and both she and the Duke tried their best to not bring it up, as it only evoked unwanted memories.
Esther sensed the tension and chimed in, “I’m so proud of you, Frances. You’ve come out of it so much stronger, but we should not dwell on the past.”
“There was something we wanted to tell you, actually,” Frances announced. “Christopher and I have officially adopted the twins. We are their new legal parents.”
Albina’s eyes widened. Frances knew that her mother was shocked, but the Countess was careful not to say anything that could offend her daughter.
“I suppose it does make sense for you to.” The Earl nodded in agreement. “It secures their futures, which would have been uncertain, as their real parents are no longer alive.”
Frances winced slightly, and Christopher squeezed her hand discreetly.
Silence fell over the room. But then Albina spoke up again.
“Frances, dear,” she began, careful not to offend. “Now that Ernest and Edwin are officially part of the family, have you and Christopher given any thought to having a child of your own?”
Frances opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Christopher spoke up.
“We haven’t talked about it in detail yet,” he said, glancing at her with a reassuring smile, “but it’s a conversation we’ll be having soon.”
Frances blinked in surprise. Really? Was it a conversation that they were going to have soon?
Her eyes met Christopher’s, searching for an explanation. But he simply grinned at her.
Esther, sensing the slight tension, stepped in. “Whatever you decide about your family’s future, I’m sure it will be the right choice for you.”
“We have plenty of time to discuss our plans,” Christopher explained. “For now, we’re focused on enjoying our time together and building our family with Edwin and Ernest.”
Albina nodded. “Well, I suppose you have enough on your plate as it is, with what happened with the Dowager Duchess recently. Quite a scandal that has become, now that the news of her arrest has reached the ton.”
“Yes, what became of that case?” William asked, curious.
Christopher pressed his lips together in a thin line. “She is in the hands of the authorities now and will stand trial soon.”
