Page 157 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

Leopold laughed. “You cannot fool me. I saw it for myself.”

Barnaby turned on him with a benign glare. “You are meant to defend me.”

“I would, if what you were saying was true.”

Barnaby looked like he wanted to have a tantrum. But the sparkle in his eye told that he could barely contain laughter. “I was not crying.”

Sabina lifted her glass. “You were.”

“I saw it for myself, my friend,” Leopold said again.

Barnaby looked at Leopold.

“You are fortunate that this is your wedding day,” Barnaby said.

Leopold laughed again.

Martha had made the wedding cake herself without being asked, and it was extraordinary.

Someone told her so.

She cut another slice and pushed it across the table. “I did not ask for compliments.”

“It is very good,” Leopold said.

Honora laughed. “She will not accept praise.”

“She has never needed it,” Leopold said.

Martha pointed the knife at him.

“Eat your cake.”

“Yes, Martha.”

“That is better.”

She walked away.

Honora watched her go. “You surrender very quickly.”

“I have learned that arguing with Martha changes nothing.”

“That is probably wise.”

“I have several sensible philosophies.”

“I am sure you do.”

“Most of them concern Martha.”

Honora smiled.

Across the room, Cecily was back in her grandmother’s lap, perfectly content.

Leopold watched his mother make the smallest adjustment to the baby’s dress. She had done it carefully, without being asked. He looked away before he intruded on a special moment, but not before smiling to himself.

Cecily truly will get the love she deserves, he thought.