“Grandmother said that we will not be important to you once you have your own children,” Ernest admitted. “Will you have a baby?”
Frances blinked, surprised by the suddenness of the question. She exchanged a quick glance with Christopher, feeling a surge of panic.
“It’s something we might want in the future,” Christopher interjected. “But no matter what happens, you two are our first priority. You’re our family, and that will never change.”
Edwin seemed to relax a little, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I think I’d like a baby brother or sister,” he said shyly. “But only if they can play with us.”
Christopher chuckled. “Well, any baby would have to wait a while before they can play as much as you do. But they would be very lucky to have you as big brothers.”
“We’d teach them everything! Like how to climb trees and where to find the best hiding spots,” Ernest chimed in.
“I have no doubt you’d be wonderful teachers,” Christopher said, his voice filled with pride. “And you’d have a lot of fun together.”
Frances reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. “The most important thing is that we’re all together,” she added softly. “We’re a family, and we’ll always take care of each other.”
She had not fully processed what Christopher had just said. Did they not already discuss that they would not bring any children into the world?
Had Christopher somehow changed his mind? Or was he only saying that to make the twins feel better?
No matter how curious she was, she knew that this was not the right time to bring something like that up. Especially in front of the children, who were too young to understand matters such as this.
“I’m glad we’re here with you and Uncle,” Edwin said quietly. “You make us feel safe.”
Frances felt tears prick her eyes. She hugged him tightly, kissing the top of his head. “We’re so glad you’re here too, Edwin. You and Ernest make our family complete.”
Ernest quickly joined the embrace, his cheek pressed against Frances’s arm. “We love you,” he murmured earnestly.
Christopher wrapped his arms around all of them. “And we love you both, more than words can say. You’re our family, now and always.”
They sat there for a long moment, enveloped in each other’s warmth.
It was a moment that Frances would never forget.
CHAPTER22
The chaos that followed the Dowager Duchess’s arrest was only just beginning to die down, and life was slowly returning to normal, as it had now been a week since the event.
Frances stood in the grand hallway, gazing at the portrait of Christopher’s father that hung above the fireplace. The late Duke had a stern but kind face, much like his son. She could see the resemblance and the weight of expectations that had been passed down.
Christopher entered the room quietly and stopped behind her. “What are you thinking about?” he asked gently, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“I was just thinking about everything that’s happened,” she said softly.
“By gazing at a portrait of my father?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “It is not that.”
“Then what?”
“Well, I was wondering why it is not the case that your family portrait is not here. This place is usually reserved for one.”
“Perceptive, as always.” He shot her a smile. “Do you really want to know the reason?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then I will show you.”
Christopher offered her his hand, and she took it without hesitation. He led her down the hallway and up a flight of stairs, to a part of the manor she hadn’t explored much. They stopped in front of a large door, which he opened with a key from his pocket.
