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Sophie blinked back the tears. Nothing she could say would dissuade him. And she didn’t want to say anything else to do so. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to let herself love him completely.
“I love you, Nicholas,” she murmured. “I love you so much that I couldn’t stand by and watch you marry another woman. And I couldn’t ruin your reputation. I didn’t know what else to do. I’m sorry I left you without telling you why.”
“Shh,” he whispered as he lowered his lips to hers. “I love you, Sophie. That is all that matters now.”
“You’re right.”
Sophie looked up at her perfect match and smiled. He was everything she ever wanted in a husband but had been afraid to dream of because of her background. She snuggled in closer as his strong arms wrapped around her tighter. Right where she wanted to stay for the rest of her life.
The door cracked open and Emma peered into the room. “May I come in?”
“Of course you can, sweetheart,” Nicholas replied with a laugh. His arms held Sophie tighter as she attempted to pull away.
Emma walked toward the bed with a wide smile. “Does this mean she said yes?”
“Emma, come over and say good morning to your new mother,” Nicholas said.
Emma ran the remaining distance and jumped onto the bed with them. She put her arms around Sophie and said, “I’m so happy you will be my mother. I knew the first time we met that you would love me no matter that I am a bastard.”
“Emma, it doesn’t matter how you were born. Your father and I love you. Just like we will love your brother or sister when I deliver.”
Emma’s amber eyes widened. “You’re with child?”
“Yes, and if we don’t get home soon, there will be another bastard in the family.”
Nicholas laughed. “There is a ship leaving in three days and we will all be on it. As soon as we arrive in London, I will get the special license and we’ll be married within a week.”
Sophie’s heart swelled. Everything she’d ever dreamed of was right here in this room with her. It didn’t matter if they created a scandal with their marriage. The only thing that mattered was their family.
Epilogue
Oh, the scandal they had created. Sophie stared down at the gold band on her finger and smiled. The ton had been horrified to hear about her condition and subsequent marriage to Nicholas.
Since the wedding four months ago, all the invitations to balls had stopped for Nicholas. She felt dreadful that marriage to her had caused him to be rejected by Society, but Nicholas never seemed to mind. They had each other and their friends.
And she had never been so happy in all her life. She didn’t care what they said about her.
Slowly, she picked up her week old son and held him close. He smelled like milk and sweetness. This was what was important. And the man next to her.
“Are you ever going to tell us his name?” Avis asked with a smile.
Looking around the salon of her new home, she was surrounded with love. Nicholas sat on the arm of her chair, holding her hand. All of her friends and family were here.
“We decided on Simon.”
Everyone agreed that was a marvelous name. Sophie glanced about the room at all her friends and her heart almost burst. She had matched all of them. Some needed more of her help than others, but all were perfect for each other.
Victoria and Anthony fussed over their little girl, Anne. Elizabeth held her son as Kendal looked on. And Jennette laughed as Christian tried to grab for her glass of wine. She snatched it from the toddler who started to cry.
“I believe he is all yours,” she said to Blackburn.
“Very well.” Blackburn placed little Rachael in her mother’s arms before grabbing Christian.
Sophie glanced over at Avis and Selby. Their little girl sat on the floor playing with a rag doll. Avis’s radiant face gave her away.
“Avis, isn’t it about time you told everyone?” Sophie asked.
Avis smiled and rolled her eyes. “I should have known you would guess my condition. I am about three months along now.”
