“That was hardly the case, and back to the matter athand. Lord Jonathan has also assured me he has no intention of wedding Holly. He is on our side. All will be well.”
Poppy snorted, but her eyes took on a renewed interest. “I cannot believe I missed him at the ball. Is he handsome? Tall? Muscular? Does he have a wicked reputation?”
“Honestly.”
“Give mesomemorsel, a tiny scrap even. I’m starving over here.” Her lips pulled into a pout. “With you romping in public and Holly off on a scandalous adventure, I’m bored out of my mind!”
“Oh, very well,” Willow said with a laugh. “He is handsome, but not as handsome as his brother. He’s tall, and I cannot speak for his muscles, but he does seem to be a charming rogue.”
“Not as handsome as his brother?” Poppy said with glowing eyes. “I knew it! You have fallen under the duke’s spell!”
Willow rolled her eyes.
“Yes! Do not deny it! I knew there was something different about you and that’s it. You’re inlove.”
“First doting and now in love? Honestly, Poppy.”
But Willow could not help but be jolted by the thought. Poppy had been right before. Was she right this time? Willow was certainly doting on her husband and may even be consideredin lust, but love?
“You must be imagining things,” Willow offered, not ready to confirm or deny the claim.
“Well, you haven’t put on any weight, so your glow must be love,” Poppy murmured with a ponderous expression.
“Goodness! Why would I put on weight?”
“Well, when a woman is with child, she gains weight. You haven’t gained any, but you’re glowing. Must be love,” she paused, then asked, “You haven’t missed your courses, have you?”
“Would you shush?” Willow hissed, glancing at the door. “One does not speak ofcoursesat tea.”
Poppy snorted. “I don’t see why not. Where else would we speak of them? It’s the natural course of a marriage.”
“Well my courses are just fine.”
Speaking of which, when had motherhood become the furthest thing from her mind? A doting mama was all she’d ever wanted to be. Instead she was doting on her husband.
A startling thought.
Children were the very reason she had married Ambrose. And yet, at the moment, the longing, the constant yearning had subsided. She still wanted to be a mother, but she was enjoying the intimacy she shared with her husband. Which might very likely lead to her beingenceinte.
All was good with the world.
She sat stunned, teacup tightly clasped in her hand, marveling.
Allwasgood with the world.
The only thing that remained was to ask her husband to let go of his disgruntlement, for her, for them, which she was certain he had already done, and the world would be perfect.
Something magical had exploded into her life.
Something much like love.
Maybe Poppy was right.
Maybe there was something different about her, after all.
