“I shall try not to interrupt again,” he amended.

She shot him a disbelieving look, then read, “‘Number One: Impress him with my financial acumen.’”

“I've been impressed with that all along.”

“‘Number Two: Demonstrate how capably I can run the household.’”

He scratched his head. “Much as I appreciate the more practical aspects of your personality, these aren't very romantic suggestions.”

“I was still warming to the task,” she explained. “It took a bit of time to get into the true spirit of the endeavor. Now then, ‘Number Three: Have Mrs. Smithson send over more silk lingerie.’”

“Now that is a suggestion I can endorse without reservation.”

She looked at him sideways, barely turning her head away from the list in her hands. “I thought you weren't going to interrupt.”

“I said I would try, and that doesn't qualify as an interruption. You were quite finished with your sentence.”

“Your verbal dexterity amazes me.”

“I'm delighted to hear it.”

“‘Number Four: Make certain he realizes how good I am with Judith so that he will think I will make a good mother.’” She turned to him with a concerned expression. “I don't want you to think that is the only reason I spend time with Judith, though. I love her dearly.”

He covered her hand with his own. “I know. And I know that you will be a superb mother. It warms me inside just thinking about it.”

Ellie smiled, ridiculously pleased by his compliment. “You shall be an excellent father as well. I am certain of it.”

“I must confess that I had never given the matter much thought beyond the simple fact that I would need an heir, but now…” His eyes grew misty. “Now I realize there is something more. Something quite amazing and beautiful.”

She sank into him. “Oh, Charles. I am so happy you fell out of that tree.”

He grinned. “And I am happy you were walking underneath me. Clearly, I have excellent aim.”

“And such modesty, too.”

“Read me the last item on the list, if you will.”

Her cheeks pinkened. “Oh, it's nothing. And it doesn't really matter, since I don't need to make you realize that you love me. As you said, you figured it out all on your own.”

“Read it, wife, or I will tie you to the bed.”

Her jaw dropped, and she made a strange, choking sort of sound.

“Oh, don't look at me like that. I wouldn't do it tightly.”

“Charles!”

He rolled his eyes heavenward. “I suppose you wouldn't know about such things.”

“No, it's not that. I…er…Perhaps you should read item five on my list.” She shoved the paper in his direction.

Charles looked down and read, “Number five: Tie him to the—” He dissolved into raucous laughter before he could even utter the b in the word bed.

“It isn't what you think!”

“Darling, if you know what I think, you're far less innocent than I imagined.”

“Well, it certainly isn't whatever you meant when you said—Stop laughing, I'll tell you!”