Page 146 of Married to a Frozen Duke
"What did you wager?" Ophelia asked, managing a small smile.
"I didn't wager, but if I had, I'd wager on the child inheriting your warmth, your kindness, and hopefully your ability to see the best in people, even when they don't deserve it."
"You deserved it," Ophelia said firmly. "You always deserved it. You just needed someone to look past all that ice to see the man underneath."
"And instead you cast up your accounts on me. Twice now."
"It's a gift. Not everyone can claim such consistency in their dramatic gestures."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, listening to the distant sounds of the ball continuing without them. Then Alexander said thoughtfully, "We'll have to redecorate the nursery. It hasn't been used since I was a baby, and I suspect it is rather depressing. All dark blues and hunting scenes, if I recall correctly."
"Something cheerful," Ophelia agreed. "With flowers and light and perhaps some of those chaos elements you've grown so fond of."
"I haven't grown fond of chaos," Alexander protested. "I've simply learned to tolerate it as an inevitable consequence of marrying a Coleridge."
"You love the chaos. Admit it."
"I love you," he corrected. "The chaos is a package arrangement I've learned to accept."
Another knock interrupted them, and this time the entire Coleridge contingent pushed into the room, all talking at once in their characteristic style.
"Phee, are you all right?" Robert demanded, looking ready to call for a physician immediately.
"You're having a baby!" Charles exclaimed as if this was news. "Can I teach it to ride?"
"The child will need a proper education," Henry added. "I'll start compiling a reading list immediately."
"It's not even born yet," Edward pointed out. "Perhaps we could let it arrive before planning its entire future?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Charles countered. "Besides, this baby is going to be spectacular. It's combining Montclaire dignity with Coleridge enthusiasm. It'll probably conquer the world by age five."
"Or destroy it," Alexander muttered, though he was smiling.
Margaret had crept in behind the brothers, looking overwhelmed but excited. "Your Grace, I just wanted to say congratulations. Though I should probably mention that Lady Jersey has recovered from her faint and is telling everyone that she predicted this would happen."
"Of course she is," Ophelia said with resignation. "By tomorrow, she'll have convinced herself she arranged the whole thing."
"Speaking of tomorrow," Robert said seriously, "you need rest. You look exhausted, Phee, and that can't be good for the baby."
"Robert's right," Alexander agreed, rising and helping Ophelia to her feet. "You should be in bed. The guests can entertain themselves, and if anything valuable gets broken, we'll blame Charles out of habit."
"I haven't broken anything tonight!" Charles protested. "I've been extremely careful!"
"The night is still young," Henry observed dryly. "And you have that look that usually precedes property damage."
"What look?"
"The one you're wearing right now. It's a combination of excessive enthusiasm and spatial unawareness that historically leads to disaster."
As the brothers began bickering good-naturedly, Alexander guided Ophelia toward the door. "Let's leave them to their squabbling. You need rest, and I need to change out of these clothes before the smell becomes permanent."
They made their way upstairs, Alexander's arm firmly around Ophelia's waist, supporting her when she swayed. At the door to her chambers, she paused, looking up at him with an expression he couldn't quite read.
"Are you truly happy about the baby?" she asked quietly. "You're not just being kind because I'm emotional and recently sick on your person?"
Alexander cupped her face gently in his hands, forcing her to meet his eyes. "I am genuinely, completely, and somewhat terrifyingly happy about this baby. In fact, I'm so happy that I'm willing to forgive you for once again destroying my dignity in front of the entire ton."
"Only once again? I'm quite certain I've destroyed your dignity at least three times this year."
