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father, whose new mate was carrying Hugh’s soon-to-be sister. Perhaps he’d even know where
Hugh could have bassinets commissioned.
It was all very exciting.
“What do you think, Finch?” Hugh asked as he flung open the door to the prospective nursery
once they’d arrived back in Aurora.
Finch peered into the room, expression unreadable. “It’s very… shiny, sir.”
“Isn’t it just!”
“Is there a reason why you wanted me to see it?”
“Oh. Oh! Finch, yes, of course.” Hugh flapped his hands and almost took a step into the room,
but thought better of it at the last moment. He remembered all too well what had happened the
last time. “I was thinking this would be our nursery. What do you think?”
Finch continued to inspect the room. It was, regretfully, empty. Hugh had intended to furnish
it, but that had been before he’d discovered Finch’s abduction and embarked on a quest to
bring him home. There wasn’t time to shop for throw pillows when there was crime to be solved.
After a moment, Finch turned his head to look at Hugh. “I think it should do nicely. Shall I
arrange to have it furnished?”
“You shall do no such thing.” Hugh collected Finch in his arms and pressed a kiss into his soft
hair. “If I have it my way, you’ll spend the next six months resting, relaxing, and living in utter
luxury while I see to the household.”
Finch blanched. “I’m not sure that would help me relax.”
“What?” Hugh blinked. In what world would a pampered life not lead to total bliss? “Well, never
mind. What I want is irrelevant. For the rest of my life, as long as I shall live, what you want will
be my priority.”
That made Finch smile. “Then let’s plan the nursery together.”
“Of course. A lovelier idea has never been had.” Hugh kissed his hair again, then pulled away
when something wriggled behind Finch’s jacket. A small pink nose popped out from around
the edge of Finch’s lapel, followed by a pair of round dark eyes that peered at Hugh
inquisitively. They belonged to Elizabeth, Finch’s rat. She sized Hugh up for a good moment,
then leapt at him, arms and legs spread wide. Her tiny claws flashed in the light. Hugh gasped,
but refrained from stepping away. The rat latched on to his shirt, scurried up his chest, and
