Page 123 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

“This calls for proper celebration,” Felix declared. “Though I suppose we’ll have to wait nine months for the actual arrival.”

“Don’t worry,” Isabella said with the authority of an experienced mother. “There will be plenty to celebrate between now and then. First movements, nursery preparations, choosing names…”

“Names,” Selina mused. “We haven’t even discussed names yet.”

“Plenty of time for that,” Rowan said, his arm tightening around her waist. “Though I confess I’ve always been partial to family names.”

“Not Gerald, I hope,” Felix said with mock horror.

“Definitely not Gerald,” Rowan replied firmly, earning chuckles from the group.

“What about you, Felix?” David asked, settling Lily more comfortably in his lap. “When will we be celebrating your engagement? Surely there’s some lady who’s caught your eye?”

Felix groaned dramatically. “Not you too. I get enough of this from my mother.”

“You can’t remain a bachelor forever,” Robert pointed out. “At some point, you’ll need an heir.”

“Why? I have a perfectly good younger brother who’s already produced two sons. The line is secure.” Felix waved his hand dismissively. “Besides, I’m far too selfish to make any woman happy. I prefer my freedom.”

“Famous last words,” Matthew said with surprising boldness. “I said the same thing not six months ago.”

“Yes, but you fell in love with an astronomy enthusiast who shares your interests,” Felix countered. “I, on the other hand, am interested in wine, cards, and avoiding responsibility. Not exactly qualities that inspire matrimonial devotion.”

“You might be surprised,” Georgiana said gently. “The right woman has a way of changing a man’s priorities.”

“Speaking from experience?” Felix grinned at Robert, who had the grace to look sheepish.

“Indeed she is,” Robert admitted. “I was convinced marriage would be the death of my freedom. Instead, it gave me everything I didn’t know I wanted.”

“How nauseating,” Felix said cheerfully. “Please, continue. I find these displays of domestic bliss endlessly entertaining.”

“Mock us all you like,” Isabella said, adjusting baby Lily’s bonnet. “But someday you’ll understand. When the right person comes along, all that supposed freedom will feel like loneliness.”

“Philosophical insights from the woman who once swore she’d rather become a spinster than marry a boring country squire,” David teased his wife.

“I never said you were boring,” Isabella protested. “I said you were sensible. There’s a difference.”

“A boring difference,” David replied, ducking when she swatted at him.

As the afternoon wore on, the mood stayed light. They shifted easily between teasing and talk of more serious things. Little James shared an animated story about his pony and insisted it was the fastest in all of England. Beatrice took a few unsteady steps across the blanket, wobbling her way into Georgiana’s arms.

Baby Lily slept through most of it, waking just long enough to be fed and snuggled before drifting off again.

By the time the sun dipped low and the shadows stretched across the lawn, their guests had started to say their goodbyes. There were hugs, promises to write, and firm requests for updates on the baby.

“Thank you for today,” Selina said, walking beside Rowan as they saw their friends to their carriages. “It was exactly what I needed.”

Georgiana hugged her tightly. “The first of many, I hope. There’s something about celebrating life with people who’ve walked through fire with you.”

Once the last carriage disappeared down the drive, Selina and Rowan lingered on the front steps of Aldermere Hall. The sky was streaked with gold and soft violet. Everything felt still.

“Happy?” Rowan asked, sliding his arm around her waist.

She leaned into him. “Completely. Though I’ll admit I’m tired. This whole growing-a-person business is hard work.”

“Then we should go to bed early,” he said, his voice lower now, more intimate. It made her stomach flutter.

She smiled. “I was hoping you’d suggest that.”

---