“I don’t know about children in general,” Gwen finally admitted. “But I’d like to raise a little girl. I would make sure she learned all about science and mathematics and that no one made her dress in scratchy clothes or forced her to listen to idiotic men.”
Ah, so there it was. Gwen wanted to raise a girl child to be free as they had never been. Certainly not with their mother teaching them dutiful behavior with every breath. For Diana, that meant marrying a man three times her age. For Gwen, it meant suffering constant criticism for her dress, her thoughts, and how she could not pretend to enjoy conversation with someone less intelligent than herself. Given that Gwen was brilliant, there were precious few men who could interest her for more than thirty seconds.
“Are you considering the marriage mart then?” she asked. She’d always made it clear that she despised the thought of tying herself to a man.
“I am considering a girl child,” Gwen answered. “Do you know how I can raise one without the benefit of a husband?”
“I don’t,” Diana answered. “No unmarried woman of your status could raise a child alone. It just isn’t done.”
“Exactly,” Gwen pronounced as if she were uttering, Doom! Doom! Doom!
Diana giggled. She couldn’t help it. “You know,” she drawled, “there must be an intelligent man somewhere out there.”
“There is,” Gwen responded mournfully. “One is our brother. The other is your husband.”
“Maybe there are more. Maybe you could find one for yourself next season.”
Gwen groaned as if she were facing the most arduous task in the world. And perhaps for her, the societal rounds qualified. “I am dreading it,” she intoned.
“I, on the other hand,” came a masculine voice from behind them, “am very excited to see who you find.” It was Lucas, joining them at the table, and Diana was already standing up just so he could wrap his arm around her. “I might have some suggestions if you like,” he said. “I do know some intelligent men.”
“No, no,” Gwen groused. “I’ll do it myself. You two are so besotted with each other, you see brilliance in everyone.”
It was true. Ever since she’d declared her love for Lucas, everything and everyone seemed better. The sun shone brighter, the food tasted better, and even the most annoying things—and people—were as nothing to her. Why, just a few moments ago, she’d forgiven their newest maid for saying Diana had the nicest of mothers-in-law.
“Very well,” Diana said. “We shall leave you to husband hunt on your own—”
“I’m not hunting for a husband,” Gwen interrupted. “I’m looking for an acceptable father for a brilliant daughter.”
“Even so,” Diana said as she turned to her husband, “try following your heart. I’m sure it will lead you in the right direction.” After all, that was the only answer that had worked for her. Her heart had set itself on Lucas and would not let her alone until she said yes.
“Of all the ridiculous, unscientific, silly things to say,” Gwen declared. “But that’s what comes from falling in love. All reason disappears, and the end result is—”
“Blissful happiness for the rest of our lives?” asked Lucas.
“Joy every morning and delight every night?” added Diana.
“Children!” Gwen huffed. “The only reason I shall marry is so I can have a girl child and raise her in the way she ought to be reared.”
If Gwen said anything more, Diana didn’t hear it. She was too busy saying, “I love you” to her new husband at the exact same moment he was saying it to her. Then Lucas nuzzled against her ear and whispered something else.
“Did I hear something about you wanting a baby? If so, then perhaps we should begin—”
“Right away,” Diana said. “Definitely. Right away.”
