Page 31 of Charming Artemis

He arrogantly adjusted his lapel. “It’s fitting, don’t you think?”

She shrugged and gave him a look of overblown doubt.

He chuckled. “Do come play with us, Artie. It’ll be a misery without you.”

To his surprise, she reached out and threaded her fingers through his quite as if she intended to hold his hand as they walked.

“Explain this game to me,” she said.

He spun about, keeping her hand in his. “She’s going to join us,” he told the others.

Oliver cheered and jumped about.

“He can be very somber,” Artemis said. “It is good to see him acting more like the five-year-old little boy that he is.”

“I adore him. And that Hestia is an angel. I am half tempted to try to convince their parents to let us keep them.”

Artemis shook her head. “They would never agree.”

“We’ll simply have to go visit them, then.”

“There are seven other nieces and nephews in my family,” she said. “In time, you’ll get to meet them all.”

“There are ten in the Jonquil family, though I’ve heard a few whispers that there might be at least one more on the way.” Charlie didn’t know if Jason and Mariposa’s news was common knowledge, and he didn’t mean to spill the secret. “You’lleventually get to meet all ofthem.”

“I would like that,” she said.

He glanced at her and saw unmistakable sincerity in her expression. “Would you?”

She nodded. “I have always liked children.”

Relief wrapped around his heart like a warm blanket. “That’s something we have in common, then.”

“What are we going to play, Uncle Charming?” Oliver asked as they approached.

“A game I used to play with my brothers.”

“You have brothers?” Oliver asked.

“Six of them.”

Oliver’s eyes pulled wide. “How many sisters?”

“I didn’t grow up with any, but all of my brothers are married, so I now have quite a few.”

“You have four sisters on the Lancaster side now,” the duchess said.

“I would be honored to think of all of you that way, Your Grace.”

“Persephone,” she said. “Please.”

Why that request touched him so deeply, he couldn’t say. But he was grateful. Grateful to have gained family. Grateful for the immediate and loving welcome these children had offered him, and now their mother as well.

“What game?” Oliver pressed firmly.

Charlie looked to Artemis. “That one is definitely a future duke.”

“Indeed.” Artemis’s hand was still in his. He’d not have guessed a month earlier that he would enjoy holding her hand, but it was proving a pleasant experience.

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