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The walls were decorated in delicate patterns, pale floral paper framed by white molding, while tall windows were dressed with silk curtains that allowed the late afternoon light to spill across polished floors and delicate furnishings. There was a marble fireplace with an ornate mirror above it, a writing desk, a dressing table crowded with crystal bottles, a comfortable chaise, several upholstered chairs, and a large wardrobe that appeared capable of holding an entire wardrobe rather than the pitiful collection Olivia currently possessed.

She walked slowly toward the dressing table, touching the edge of it as though she needed to prove the room was real. Everything was so beautiful that it made her feel slightly dizzy, particularly because only days ago she had been sleeping in borrowed rooms and wondering whether she would be forced into marriage with Lord Boulton. Now she had a chamber larger than some houses, servants at her command, and the title of Duchess of Glenmore attached to her name.

"Of all of this, I am mistress?" she murmured, turning slowly to take it all in. A laugh escaped her as she shook her head. "My mother would faint."

The thought of Lady Shirley standing in the middle of the room, staring at the furniture and examining the quality of the silk, was so amusing that Olivia nearly laughed again. Her mother would probably forgive every one of Olivia's supposed faults if she could see the estate that now belonged to her daughter. Perhaps she would suddenly decide that Olivia was no bad influence after all. The irony was almost enough to make Olivia enjoy the title simply for the pleasure of imagining her mother's face.

A knock sounded at the door, and Olivia straightened at once.

"Enter," she called, as the door opened.

Louiza entered with a smile upon her face, and the moment she closed the door behind her, she drew in a deep breath as though she had been holding it since they left Scotland.

"We are free of our aunt," she declared, sinking into one of the chairs with a look of immense satisfaction.

"Indeed, we are," Olivia replied, laughing as she crossed the room. "And I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to say that." She looked around the chamber again, still struggling to believe it belonged to her. "His Grace says we are to have supper up here in our rooms because he is indisposed."

Louiza's eyes brightened immediately. "I am famished," she announced, placing a hand over her stomach with dramatic solemnity.

Olivia laughed and crossed to the wall, where she found the servant bell. She pulled the rope, and somewhere beyond the room a bell rang loudly enough to make her smile.

"Then we shall have supper sent up," she said, returning to her sister. She hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice. "But first, I have something to tell you, and we must whisper about it."

Louiza's expression changed instantly. Curiosity lit her eyes, and she leaned forward. "What is it?" she whispered, lowering her voice as though Olivia had announced that the King himself was hiding beneath the bed.

"I saw him," Olivia whispered back, her face breaking into an uncontrollable smile. "I saw the baby."

Louiza's hands flew together. "You did?"

"We have named him Felix," Olivia continued, her voice trembling with happiness. "And he is perfect, Louiza. Absolutely perfect."

The memory of holding him returned so vividly that Olivia felt the same warmth spread through her chest. She remembered his tiny fingers, the weight of him against her, the way he had settled so peacefully in her arms, and her heart seemed to swell all over again. "I cannot explain it. I thought I had been worried before, but the moment I held him, it was as though I could breathe again. My heart is overjoyed."

Louiza rose immediately and crossed the room, wrapping her arms around Olivia. "I am very happy for you," she whispered, holding her tightly. "And at least all is not lost in this marriage."

Olivia closed her eyes for a moment against her sister's shoulder. That last sentence struck deeper than Louiza could possibly know. Felix had become the brightest part of an arrangement that had already required Olivia to surrender more of her dreams than she wanted to admit. Yet holding him had made something inside her feel peaceful, and she was grateful for that peace.

"No," she whispered, hugging Louiza back. "It is not."

Another knock sounded, and they separated quickly. Olivia crossed the room and opened the door to find a young servant girl waiting in the corridor.

The girl curtsied deeply. "My name is Hannah, Your Grace," she said respectfully. "His Grace bid me tell you that I am to be your personal maid."

Olivia smiled warmly at her. "Very well. It is good to meet you, Hannah." She glanced back toward Louiza before continuing, "My sister and I shall be having supper up here in my rooms. Can you arrange that?"

"Of course, Your Grace," Hannah replied, dipping another curtsy. "At once."

"Thank you."

Hannah hurried away, and Olivia gently closed the door. She turned back toward Louiza, who was watching her with an amused smile. Olivia smiled in return and glanced around the magnificent chamber once more. The reality of it still felt impossible, but perhaps that was something she would become accustomed to in time.

"Well," she said, linking her arm through Louiza's, "we shall have supper and settle in for our first night at Glenmore."

Louiza smiled as they crossed the room together, and Olivia allowed herself to breathe. For the first time in years, neither of them had to wonder whether someone would separate them, or what terrible fate awaited them in the morning.

They were home.

At least, Olivia hoped they were