Page 179 of His Grace, the Duke
Georgina bounced into his arms, and Burke held her still so she didn’t jostle Rosalie or the sleeping baby. “Mama, he’s so pretty.”
“Like a little doll, eh? One more for your collection,” Burke teased.
James came through the open doorway, holding their other daughter in his arms. Only three years old, Madeline had a sleepy, just-woke-up-from-a-nap pout on her face. Her pink lips were puckered, and her dark hair was mussed on one side. She curled her face against James’ chest, not quite old enough to grasp the enormity of the occasion.
James sat on the other side of the bed, tipping Madeline forward so Rosalie could place a kiss on her round, pink cheek. “Our new little fellow needs a name,” he said.
Rosalie swallowed, giving a nod. “I just wish—”
The door slammed open, and Tom came stumbling into the room, clutching at his chest as if he’d just run a marathon. “Did I miss it? Did it already happen?” He was still in his traveling clothes, a fine powder of dust on his boots and his hair slicked with sweat. He tossed his top hat aside, stripping off his leather gloves and shedding his great coat.
Seeing him in the doorway, Rosalie burst into tears. She never imagined he’d arrive home in time. His ship only putin to Portsmouth on the prior Saturday. In her panic, she jostled the baby, and he started to cry too. Seeing her mama crying made Little G whimper in confusion, clinging to Burke’s neck. Not knowing what was happening or why, poor Madeline let out her own wail.
Tom’s mouth opened in surprise, eyes wide with horror as his family fell to pieces. He quickly recovered, racing across the room to scoop Little G up in his arms. “Is this the kind of welcome I deserve?” He blew kisses on her neck, tickling her to make her laugh before passing her quickly back over to Burke.
Burke got off the bed, jostling Little G on his hip to keep her laughing. Tom took his place, kissing Rosalie. He tasted like salt and smelled like a sweaty horse, but she didn’t care. He was here, and that was all that mattered.
“I only got your note two days ago. I came as soon as I could,” Tom said through his kisses. Then he gazed down at the new baby. “They said it’s a boy?”
Rosalie nodded.
“He’s perfect.” He kissed the baby’s brow.
“I couldn’t bear to name him without all of us here,” she said, glancing over at James.
He’d managed to soothe Madeline, rocking her as he paced. She was almost asleep again in his arms. “We know, angel. You don’t have to explain. We’re all here now, so let’s name the little chap.”
“Is George still blackmailing us?” Burke asked, tickling Georgina’s ears. Her laugh was infectious as she slapped her hands over her curls. “Shall we have a Georgina and a George?”
Rosalie laughed too. “No, he only demanded a firstborn tribute.”
“Well, you know my vote is for Claudius,” said Burke.
Her smile fell as she rolled her eyes. “We are not naming our son after Hamlet’s cruel uncle. No Claudius, no Hamlet, certainly no Romeo or Lear.”
“I don’t think any of you appreciated my idea for combining all our names,” said Tom, moving to the ewer in the corner to splash some fresh water on his dusty face. “‘James Horatio Thomas’ or ‘Horatio Thomas James’... though my name is actually just Tom.”
“I just don’t think it’s very discreet,” Rosalie replied with a patient smile.
“And if we’re not using your names, we’re not using mine,” James added firmly.
“Well, then we can take G’s idea and call him Carrot,” Burke offered, tousling her hair. “Isn’t that right, darling? Why did you want to name the new baby Carrot?”
“Because I want a pony,” she cried, tugging on his lapels as he laughed.
James sat back down at Rosalie’s side, both arms curled protectively around sleepy Madeline. “What name do you like?”
Rosalie smiled down at the babe in her arms. “I think I like Michael... for was it not the lure of the Michaelmas ball that first brought us all together?”
James frowned. “Why have you never mentioned that name before?”
She shrugged, petting the baby’s feather-soft hair. She hadn’t thought of it until the previous night.
“It’s perfect,” said Burke, his tone more serious now as he looked at the baby in her arms.
“Michael James Corbin,” said Tom, testing it out.
“If we’re not using your names, we’re not using mine,” James repeated.
