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“Hello, my precious.” Hearing her mother’s voice, the babe stopped crying and gripped Trinity’s finger. Their daughter opened her eyes. Blue.

Of course, they would be blue.

The doctor and midwife tended to the afterbirth before tidying the chamber.

Devin kissed his daughter’s forehead and then stared in awe.

He and Trinity had created this tiny, helpless being.

Tears welled in his eyes.

Patting the bed, Trinity scooted over, unable to hide a wince as she did so.

“Devin, lie beside me.”

Ignoring the doctor’s scowl, Devin did as his wife bid. He wrapped an arm around her back so her head rested on his shoulder. They stared at their baby for several blissful moments as she peered up at them.

“I shall call upon you tomorrow, Mrs. Everingham.” The doctor and Mrs. Todd slipped from the bedchamber, leaving the new family alone.

“Aurora Bryony Hope Everingham,” Trinity murmured sleepily. “I hope you have many brothers and sisters.”

Since neither he nor Trinity had siblings, they wanted a large family, God willing.

She glanced up at Devin. “I love you.”

“I love you too, my heart.” He kissed the crown of her head.

True to his word, he had spent every day since the night he’d returned to London being the best husband he could be. He had even taken to reading the Bible as Trinity faithfully did. In that, too, he’d found peace and comfort he’d never known.

As his beloved wife and their daughter drifted to sleep, Devin closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer heavenward.