Charlotte leaned gently against him. “At all of this.”
His gaze swept across the lively room before returning to her face. “You created this, Charlotte.”
“No,” she said softly. “We did.”
Something emotional flickered briefly across his features.
Then Morgan shouted from across the room, “Victor, save me from Irene’s dancing lessons before I perish entirely.”
Irene gasped. “You stepped on me three times.”
“A tactical error.”
Victor sighed deeply. “You see what I endure?”
Charlotte laughed warmly. “You adore them.”
“I tolerate them with impressive dignity.”
“You are fond of them.”
Victor glanced toward her sisters fondly despite himself. “Perhaps a little.”
Charlotte smiled and rested her head briefly against his shoulder. Music and laughter surrounded them while candlelight flickered warmly throughout the room. For the first time in her life, the future no longer frightened her.
Because now, when she looked ahead, she no longer saw herself alone. She saw family. She saw joy. She saw home.
Victor tapped his glass lightly with a spoon. The clear ringing sound cut through the room until conversations softened into silence and all eyes turned toward the Duke and Duchess of Mulford. Charlotte felt Victor’s thumb brush reassuringly against her gloved hand, yet the wicked grin spreading across his handsome face made her knees weak.
Victor cleared his throat. “My friends and family, my wife and I have an announcement.”
The room grew entirely still.
Charlotte felt her heart pound wildly even though she already knew what he intended to say. Victor looked positively smug, which only deepened her blush. His gaze softened as he looked at her, and suddenly she forgot every guest in the room.
“There will soon be a new addition to Mulford Manor,” Victor announced warmly. “My duchess… is with child.”
The room erupted into delighted cheers.
Harriet shrieked loudly enough to startle half the guests before rushing forward. “Oh my dear girl!” she cried dramatically as she kissed Charlotte’s cheeks again and again. “A baby! Oh heavens above, I shall expire from happiness!”
“Mama,” Charlotte laughed breathlessly, “you are crushing me.”
“Nonsense, you are sturdy stock,” Harriet declared proudly.
Elizabeth dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief while Joan and Irene squealed loud enough to rival their mother. Penelope bounced excitedly beside Bridget while Arabella embraced Gerald with delight. Even Lionel looked openly pleased as he crossed the room to clap Victor firmly upon the shoulder.
“Well,” Lionel drawled, “that did not take long.”
Victor smirked lazily. “I have always been efficient.”
Charlotte nearly choked upon her own laughter. “Victor!”
Morgan groaned dramatically. “Good God, marriage has made you unbearable.”
“You are simply jealous,” Victor replied.
“Of domestic bliss?” Morgan scoffed. “Absolutely not.”
