“ ‘Tis a wise mother who knows her own child,” Patrick said with mock severity, as he settled the baby into the crook of her mother’s arm. “This little jester is Ella, of course.”

Ella lost her happy look and took on a more serious expression, turning her face expectantly toward her mother.

“Here, sweetheart …” Sophie rearranged her night-clothing.

Her husband plopped down on the bed and was watching with frank enjoyment. “Katherine is sleeping the sleep of the righteous. When Nanny brought Ella, she said she was hoping that Katherine would sleep until the morning.”

“She’s an optimist.”

“A good thing in a nanny,” Patrick observed. “But you notice that even our optimistic nanny doesn’t think that Ella will be sleeping through the night anytime soon.”

Sophie looked down at little Ella, rapturously drinking milk. “She’s a piglet,” she said affectionately. “She wouldn’t want to sleep too much in case she missed a meal.”

“Or a laugh,” her father said loyally. “She always likes to play, even when she’s hungry.”

“I think she eats more frequently because she was smaller than Katherine at first,” Sophie said.

“Well, she’s spent the past three months catching up,” her husband replied. “Look at this stomach!” He gently poked Ella’s round tummy with one finger.

“We had a message, after you retired to bed,” Patrick said teasingly.

Sophie’s eyes shone. “Is it Mama?”

“That’s it. Your mama’s a mama again. Mother and baby are doing well. And George’s message said the birth took all of four hours, so I gather your mother takes after you, sweetheart.”

Patrick’s eyes twinkled lovingly at his wife. After all his fears, which had become acute as Sophie grew as unwieldy as a ship, the twins had been born so fast that Dr. Lambeth barely got there in time, and he hadn’t had time to order Patrick from the room. So Patrick was holding Katherine when Lambeth broke into a surprised laugh and caught the head of Ella as she rushed into the world to join her sister. Patrick’s heart thudded with happiness even to think of that moment.

“Do I have a sister or a brother?”

“They had a little boy, so I imagine your father is in seventh heaven.”

“He never cared overmuch about the title.” It was Sophie’s turn to be loyal.

“Well, now he has a male heir. Alexander George is the future marquis.”

Sophie looked at Patrick curiously. “Does hearing about Alexander cause you to want a male heir?”

“No,” Patrick replied. “Although I have to admit that since giving birth to the girls was so easy for you, sometimes I think about a son. Not an heir, just a son.”