Page 59 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Seventeen

“Let me introduceyou,” Addie continued, naming the two guests, who greeted Everett and then thanked both women for allowing them to call this afternoon.

Rainey hovered at the door and helped guide the visitors from the drawing room. Everett turned to Addie.

“Louisa had five callers this afternoon,” she told him.

He glanced to Louisa. “That is good to hear. I hope you enjoyed their company.”

“Your Grace,” called Lady Uxbridge. “Do come over here. The teacart will arrive soon.”

He accompanied the cousins to where Lord and Lady Uxbridge sat. Addie took a seat on a settee and he joined her, getting a whiff of vanilla, which made Everett wish they could share a few minutes alone so that he might explore that further.

“I have asked Tessa and Middlefield to tea,” the countess revealed. “There are wedding plans that must be made. Uxbridge told me you were able to arrange for the wedding to occur next Thursday at St. George’s.”

“Yes, my lady. Two o’clock.” He turned to Addie. “If that suits you.”

She nodded.

“It took a good while to purchase a special license,” Uxbridge said. “They don’t make it easy on these young fellows. We went from office to office and had an excruciating wait.”

“You did get it, though?” Lady Uxbridge asked, worry creasing her brow.

“We did,” her husband confirmed.

“Lord and Lady Middlefield,” Rainey announced and Spence and Tessa came through the doorway, Spence holding Analise in the crook of one arm.

“Hello, everyone,” Tessa said as she came forward and greeted the group.

Spence smoothed his daughter’s hair, which was sticking up a bit, and thrust Analise toward him, saying, “Why don’t you hold her, Ev?”

Suddenly, Everett found a baby in his arms and found himself terrified.

“What if I drop her?” he asked worriedly, glancing from Analise to Spence and back at the baby again.

“Did you drop your rifle when you charged into battle and bullets were flying about you?” Spence asked. “You won’t drop her. Just be sure to support her head and neck. Her neck is getting stronger every day,” he said, pride evident on his face.

Everett gazed at the baby he held. A flood of warmth rushed through him. Analise looked back at him as if puzzled by this new person who held her.

“How are you, Analise?” Everett asked softly. “It is your Uncle Ev. The man who tries his best—next to your mother—to keep your father in line.”

Tessa laughed. “It is a two-person job,” she agreed.

The teacart arrived and cups of tea were passed around. He had Addie set his on the table, knowing he didn’t have the skills to balance a saucer with a teacup and manage a baby at the same time.

As the conversation progressed, he barely listened, all his focus on Analise. This time next year he might actually be holding his and Addie’s daughter or son. The thought caused his throat to grow thick with emotion.

Then Everett longed to see his betrothed with a child in her arms. Turning, he said, “Would you like to hold her now?”

Addie’s eyes lit up as she glanced down at the baby, who had fallen asleep. “Yes. Please.”

She placed her saucer on the table and he transferred Analise into her arms. For a moment, he just gazed at the pair. A tranquility settled over him, a feeling deep and peaceful, one he had never known. Addie looked so right with a babe in her arms. He hoped that she would want many children. It was just one of the many things they needed to discuss with one another.

Privately.

Everett needed to address the list they had composed together. How he had thought he wanted one kind of woman and had completely changed his mind—because of her. He felt unsettled, not having told Addie that he loved her. She had come across so cold when he first arrived. He would make things right between them, given the time to do so.

Tessa asked him about what he wanted served at the wedding breakfast so he assumed that she and Spence had volunteered to hold it at their townhouse.

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