“Pippa says she wants our babe to be a girl,” Cullen said with studied casualness. “That way, she and Esme can be bosom friends.”
A grin split Hadleigh’s face. “That is a devil of a thing to slip into the conversation. Congratulations, old boy.”
The men rose and shook Cullen’s hand.
“As the physician just confirmed it, I wasn’t supposed to say anything yet.” Cullen looked sheepish and proud at the same time. “But I reckon Pippa couldn’t hold it in either and is telling her friends now.”
Hadleigh passed around a box of cigars. “I’ve been saving these for a special occasion.”
“I hope you have more.” Lighting his cigar, Cullen blew out a puff and slid Hawk a sly look. “I have a feeling we’ll have more good news to celebrate soon.”
Imagining a daughter or son with Fiona’s spirit warmed Hawk’s chest.
“I am working on it,” he said.
Hadleigh and Cullen guffawed. Chen looked like he was trying to fight a smile.
“A man married to an Angel has his work cut out for him.” Hadleigh cleared his throat. “But the rewards far outweigh the challenges.”
“What challenges do you mean?” Hawk queried.
“The Angels are dedicated to their cause, for one,” the duke said seriously. “God forbid that I should try to interfere with Livy’s work. Not that I would try; I admire her determination and drive. To, ahem, see justice done.”
An interesting way to describe a charity,Hawk thought idly.
“Knowing that Pippa’s, er, volunteerism has led to some risky situations has shaved years off my life,” Cullen added. “But I’ve learned to live with it. To accept that my wife is quite capable of taking care of herself.”
Hawk thought of Fiona’s visit to Mrs. Swann. While the incident still didn’t sit right with him, he’d told himself that it had been a one-time situation.
The way you rationalized her appearance at the Royal Arms,his inner voice reminded him.
Nape prickling, he asked, “What ‘risky situations’ are you referring to? And how often do they occur?”
The married men exchanged glances. Almost as if they were calibrating their responses.
“Occasional perils do present themselves,” Hadleigh said. “But no matter how much Livy argues, I would never permit her to be exposed to danger she cannot handle. We have had to, shall we say, negotiate limits to ensure her safety. She says I am overbearing; I tell her she is obstinate. We’ve had some battles but always work things out.” A smile flickered in his dark-blue eyes, as if he were recalling some pleasant memory. “The important thing is that she is happy, which makes my own contentment possible.”
“Compromise is the key.” Cullen nodded sagely. “While Pippa isn’t quite as, ahem, determined as Her Grace—no offense, Hadleigh…”
“None taken.” The duke’s mouth curved. “Having known Livy since she was thirteen, I knew what I was getting myself into.”
“My wife has her moments as well,” Cullen said with feeling. “Pippa has a reckless streak that will make me grey before my time. Yet my job comes with dangers too, and if Pippa is willing to accept me as I am, then I want to do the same thing for her.”
Like Cullen, Hawk’s work involved perils. Having made the decision to tell Fiona about the Quorum, he had to be prepared for her reaction. Would she accept the dangers of espionage or demand that he stop his clandestine missions? And if it came down to a choice between his wife’s wishes and his own, what would he do?
“Marriage is both less convenient and more fulfilling than I expected it to be,” he mused.
“Love is not meant to be convenient. It simply is,” Chen said.
Until now, the healer hadn’t spoken much. Perhaps because he was the sole unmarried fellow in the group or simply quiet by nature. Chen seemed like a man who prided himself on self-discipline. His calm gaze conveyed that he’d seen too much of the world to be surprised by it.
Hadleigh raised a brow. “You are speaking from experience?”
“From the experience of observing others,” Chen replied.
“No offense, man.” Cullen snorted. “That is hardly the same thing.”
Chen lifted his brows. “Does one have to fall off a cliff to know what the experience will be like?”
