“I can hardly believe you’re about to become a Duchess. What does it feellike?”
“Just like being me, onlydifferent.”
Jessica laughed. “And it’s just like you to say that. What? Tell me. Are you excited? Apprehensive? Confused?What?”
“Hmm. All of that—but also, happy, expectant anddelirious.”
Jessica smiled. “And speaking ofexpectant…”
Susan didn’t understand at first, and then it hit her. “Expectant? You’reexpecting?”
Jessica nodded. “September.”
Susan clapped her hands together. “Jessica, how wonderful. But somehow I thought you never wanted children. I thought they might get in the way of your Londonlife.”
“Not true. It was all afaçade.”
Jessica smirked. “And you… You have a child beforemarriage.”
Susan was shocked until she realized what Jessica was saying, then she laughed. “Well, yes, I guess I do. And Elizabeth is the loveliest childimaginable.”
“Yes, I can see. Susan, you are trulyblessed.”