Page 58 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

“And Frannie is only ten-and-seven. But no, it’s not so much he doesn’t trusttheirjudgment, but he wants them to make a love match like his own. He’s very good at reading others’ true feelings.”

Not so very good.Hadn’t the man rambled on about how happy he was that Simon had found a woman he loved and who loved him in return? The man’s ability to read feelings had either deteriorated greatly since Simon had last seen them in action or both men were delusional.

Drake clapped his hands together. “Finish your breakfast, Simon. I want to introduce you to my daughter.”

Simon shoveled in the last of his eggs.

Really, the man had shown better manners when he was impersonating the duke.

Bent over his plate, he peered up at her. “You’re giving me the look my mother gives me.”

“Hmph. Might that be because you are acting like a slovenly pig?”

Wiping his lips, he rose, moved to her side, and held out his hand. “Redundant, don’t you think? I don’t know of many tidy pigs. They do love their mud.”

An unexpected laugh bubbled up. She slipped her hand intohis, and rising, whispered in his ear. “Don’t interpret that laugh for more than it was.”

His lips quirked, but he kept his gaze straight ahead. “I would never presume something so preposterous as the idea of you having a sense of humor.” He cleared his throat. “To the baby!”

Upstairs, Drake knocked on Honoria’s door, cracked it, and peeked inside. “Simon and Charlotte are here, my love.”

“Well, let them in, Drake.” Although Honoria’s voice still held a note of exhaustion, it sparkled with cheerfulness.

When they stepped inside, Simon hesitated, his eyes widening at the tiny bundle in Honoria’s arms.

Honoria’s eyes filled with love as she gazed at her husband. “Have you asked him?”

Drake shook his head. “I wanted us to do it together as we did for Charlotte.” He turned toward Simon. “Would you do us the honor of being Kitty’s godfather? Charlotte has already agreed to be godmother.”

Simon’s head jerked toward her as if the announcement was the most absurd thing he’d heard all day. He seemed overtaken with emotion. For what, Charlotte wasn’t entirely sure, but she suspected it was the same she felt when presented with the honor.

“Of course,” he choked out.

“Good. I’m glad that’s settled before you leave for Wiltshire.” Drake said.

Honoria stopped cooing to the baby. “You’re leaving?”

“Only for a while,” Charlotte said.

“My love,” Drake said, lifting the baby from Honoria’s arms. “They’ve just been married. We must allow them a wedding trip.” He rocked the baby, and a secret smile crossed his lips. “I still remember ours.”

Simon coughed, his gaze sliding to Charlotte’s. “I’ll tell my family this morning and send them ahead, then I’ll have our trunks packed. Is tomorrow too soon?”

Charlotte shook her head.

“Then perhaps you might wish to hold Kitty a bit before you leave?” Drake placed the baby in Charlotte’s arms.

Kitty scrunched her face and let out an ear-piercing scream. Charlotte tensed. How did one calm a crying child? She jostled the baby, whose face reddened further.

“Here. Allow me.” Simon strode over and rescued both her and the baby. He cooed to Kitty much like Honoria had earlier, his dazzling smile directed solely toward her. “There, there. That is no way for a beautiful lady to act. And you are beautiful, little Kitty. Where’s a smile for Simon?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Babies don’t smile.”

And yet, Kitty’s cries diminished to little sobs and pulls of breath as she quieted and gazed up in Simon’s face with adoration and wonder, as if Simon’s world revolved around only her.

Charlotte couldn’t help but wonder what that would be like, and a weed of envy poked through her armor.

Simon gazedat the infant in his arms, so tiny and helpless. Kitty was fortunate to have Drake as a father. Dependable, trustworthy, considering all manner of dangers that might await his charge and doing all that was necessary to protect her.

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