Page 78 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
Aunt Penelope nodded one more time, then she went back to the festivities, but Catherine did not have a chance to remain solitary for much longer, because Annabel appeared shortly after.
“Are you tired of us already?” she teased.
“No, no, of course not,” Catherine chuckled. “The little one is tiring me out. I think he or she will be a dancer.”
“A dancer,” Annabel chuckled. Then she pressed her hand to her belly. “I wonder what ours will be.”
It took Catherine a moment or two to register what Annabel had just told her. Then a broad smile graced her lips. “Wait… do you mean to say—”
“Shhh,” Annabel chuckled, pressing her finger to her own lips. “It’s still a secret. I haven’t told anyone, not even Reggie.”
“No?” Catherine gasped in pleasant surprise. “But he will be overjoyed!”
“I know,” Annabel nodded. “I plan on telling him tonight as my wedding gift to him.”
Catherine was washed over by a tidal wave of tenderness for both Annabel and her husband, who could not have found better kindred spirits for each other. They were truly destined to be, just like she felt about Dominic.
“I think he will love it,” Catherine gushed. “Just like he loves you…”
“Catherine, I… I just wanted to thank you,” Annabel suddenly said.
“For what?” Catherine wondered. She thought that Annabel was referring to the rescue mission, but she didn’t take any part in it. “I didn’t really do anything.”
“No, I mean you and Reggie,” Annabel clarified. “You helped him become the man he is today. A tender, thoughtful husband.The best father. A good man. None of this would have happened without you by his side, as his sister. You taught him to see beyond the superficial, like most men do. And for that… I will always be grateful. Rosie and I will always be grateful…”
“Oh, Annabel,” Catherine gushed, embracing her sister-in-law tenderly.
The two remained embraced for a long time, then Catherine released her with a smile. “How about we go back and join the festivities?”
“Yes, let’s.” Annabel took her by the hand and led her back to the party.
As soon as she arrived, Dominic found her easily. “Where did you disappear off to?” he wondered, kissing her cheek gently.
“Did you miss me?” she asked playfully.
“Terribly,” he admitted with a sly smile.
“Good,” she smirked. “Now, you may ask me for a dance. And I might say yes.”
“You might?” he asked. Then she remembered the funny, made-up name of the gentleman who was supposed to be her dance partner at the ball where they met.
“Yes, unless Lord Studlofuntington arrives, of course,” she said gravely, as if she meant every word of it.
The mention of that name made him burst into a roaring chuckle. “I almost forgot all about that made-up name.”
“Shhh,” she said in a conspiratorial manner. “If he hears you, he might take offense.”
“Let him,” he said, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her into an embrace. “You are mine… now and forever, and no one will ever take you away from me…”
She smiled as he led her towards the other dancing couples, and she knew that they would be as happy as they were at that moment for the rest of their lives.
THE END ?
