“How ominous.”
“We were saying how well you look,” Lady Norwell said, cataloguing details with practiced efficiency. “Almost as though something agreeable has occurred.”
“It’s been a pleasant summer.”
“Pleasant.” Lady Seymore exchanged knowing looks with Lady Norwell. “How delightfully vague.”
“I did hear extraordinary gossip about Miss Oakley,” Lady Norwell said, settling onto a bench.
“TheformerMiss Oakley,” Lady Seymore corrected. “She married Lord Emerton, didn’t she?”
“For approximately three months before they both proved spectacularly unfaithful. Multiple affairs on both sides. They’ve fled to the Continent, completely ruined.”
“How unfortunate,” Cressida gasped.
“You dodged quite the bullet,” Lady Seymore said, her satisfaction evident. “Which reminds me.” She leaned forward eagerly. “When might we expect news?”
“News?”
“Children, dear girl. We’re asking about children.”
“You’ve been married for six months,” Lady Norwell added. “Theodore does know how these things work, does he not?”
“Grandmama!”
“If he requires instruction?—”
“That won’t be necessary.” Cressida’s face burned. “Theodore is adequately informed.”
“Adequately.” Lady Seymore’s smile turned wicked. “How reassuring.”
Theodore materialized with impeccable timing. “Ladies. I trust you’re not harassing my wife.”
“Merely inquiring after her health,” Lady Norwell said innocently.
“Your timing is suspicious.”
“Don’t hover, darling.” Lady Seymore kissed his cheek. “It makes you look anxious.”
Cressida took Theodore’s arm gratefully. “Perhaps we should?—”
“Actually,” he interrupted, his voice carrying just enough to include their audience, “there is something we wanted to share.”
Her pulse jumped. They’d discussed this, agreed to wait until the party to announce it. But standing here with his aunt and her grandmother watching with barely concealed speculation, the secret felt too large to contain.
Theodore’s hand covered hers where it rested on his arm. “We’re expecting.”
The words dropped into sudden silence.
Lady Seymore’s eyes widened. Lady Norwell pressed one hand to her chest. Even Harriet, who had been pretending not to eavesdrop from several feet away, gasped loudly.
“You’re—” Lady Seymore broke off.
“With child,” Theodore confirmed. “Due in spring.”
What followed was chaos of the most genteel sort.
Lady Seymore embraced them both with damp eyes. Lady Norwell declared herself vindicated in her excellent matchmaking. Harriet squealed and immediately began planning how their children would grow up together.
