This statement might not have made other men smile—but Percy Egelton,her husband, was not most other men. He grinned broadly at her.
“We’re going to have children,” he said. “Because we are married.”
“We are,” she agreed happily.
He kissed her, as well he ought. She had just fought for his honor.
“I shall have to learn to argue with children, apparently,” he mused when they pulled apart from one another.
“They start off not being able to speak,” she reminded him.
“Thank goodness.” He huffed a little laugh. He was so lovely when he laughed. “I shall need all the time to practice that Ican get. Do you have any suggestions for someone who might be willing to spar with me?”
She pulled a sad expression. “I’m afraid not,” she said. “I am a wife now. I’m very proper. No more arguing for me.”
He smirked. “Nice try, my love.”
She shook her head, fighting against a smile. “No, I’m afraid it’s true. Shall we go very properly and demurely greet our guests, Your Grace? Oh, by the by, I shall also use your proper title now, because I am so proper.”
“Catherine,” he said in that warning tone that she loved.
“Alas,” she cried with all the skill of a third-rate dramaturge. “Alack! Such propriety.”
He made a playful grab for her waist, but she dodged him.
“Come back here, you little fiend,” he said, grabbing for her again.
Catherine gave up on all propriety then—feigned or otherwise. With a yelp of laughter, she darted away, Percy following at her heels. Perhaps it was a little reckless, and maybe it was too silly for a duchess.
But she didn’t care. It was the start of a new life, and she was going to fight and play and frolic with him as much as she wanted—for all the rest of her days.
The End?
