Ellie strode through the great hall, still looking for her husband. Drat and blast, where was he when she needed him? She had waited months for this moment, to tell him the wonderful news, and now she couldn't find him anywhere. Finally she gave up all pretense of decorum and yelled his name. “Charles? Charles?”

He appeared across the hall, tossing an orange between his hands. “Good afternoon, Ellie. What has you in such a tizzy?”

Her face erupted into a smile. “Charles, we've finally done it.”

He blinked. “Done what?”

“A baby, Charles. We're going to have a baby.”

“Well, I should think so. I've been trying my damnedest for the last nine months.”

Her mouth fell open. “That is your reaction?”

“Well, if you think about it, you'd be delivering right now instead of announcing your pregnancy if we'd gotten it right the first time.”

“Charles!” She swatted him on the shoulder.

He chuckled and gathered her into his arms. “Hush up, Ellie. You know I'm teasing.”

“Then you're happy?”

He kissed her tenderly. “More than I could ever say.”

Ellie smiled up into his face. “I never thought I could love another person as much as I do you, but I was wrong.” She placed her hands on her flat stomach. “I love this little one already, so very, very much, and she's not even born yet.”

“She?”

“It's a girl. I'm sure of it.”

“If you're sure of it, then I'm sure you're right.”

“Is that so?”

“I've long since learned never to argue with you.”

“I had no idea I had you so well trained.”

Charles grinned. “I do make a fine husband, don't I?”

“The best. And you'll be an excellent father as well.”

His face grew emotional as he touched her midriff. “I love this little one already, too,” he whispered.

“Do you?”

He nodded. “Now then, shall we show our daughter her first sunset? I peeked out the window. The sky is almost as bright as your smile.”

“I think she'd like that. And I would, as well.”

Hand in hand, they walked outside and watched the sky.

About the Author

Julia Quinn started writing her first book one month after finishing college and has been tapping away at her keyboard ever since. The New York Times bestselling author of thirteen novels for Avon Books, she is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Please visit her on the web at www.juliaquinn.com.

Don't miss the next book by your favorite author. Sign up now for AuthorTracker by visiting www.AuthorTracker.com.

Avon Books by
Julia Quinn

Brighter Than the Sun

Dancing At Midnight

Everything and the Moon

How to Marry a Marquis

Minx

Splendid

To Catch an Heiress

The Bridgerton Series

The Duke and I

The Viscount Who Loved Me

An Offer from A Gentleman

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

To Sir Phillip, With Love

When He Was Wicked

Anthologies

The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown

(with Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins, and Mia Ryan)