"I don't faint at the sight of any blood," Ellie muttered. "Just my own."

"How peculiar," Charles teased. "After all, my blood is the same color as yours. It looks quite the same to me."

She scowled at him. "If you can't be nice, then just leave me to Helen."

He could tell by her tone that she was also teasing, so he leaned down and kissed her nose.

Helen abruptly stood up and said, "I'll fetch some tea."

Charles watched his cousin leave the room and shut the door behind her. "She always knows when we want to be left alone, doesn't she?"

"Helen is far more perceptive and tactful than either of us," Ellie agreed.

"Perhaps that is why we are so well matched."

Ellie smiled. "We are, aren't we?"

Charles settled in beside her and draped his arm over her shoulders. "Do you realize that we can finally have a normal marriage now?"

"Having never been wed before, I was not aware that ours was an abnormal marriage."

"Perhaps not precisely 'abnormal' but I doubt that most newlyweds must contend with poisonings and gunshot wounds."

"And do not forget carriage accidents and jam explosions," Ellie said, actually laughing.

"Not to mention stitches in my arm, carcasses in the orangery, and fires in the kitchen."

"Goodness, it has been an exciting month."

"I don't know about you, but I could do with a bit less excitement myself."

"Oh, I don't know. I don't mind a bit of excitement, although I'd rather it be of a different sort."

He raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Merely that Judith might like another little Wycombe to boss around."

Charles felt his heart drop to his toes, a remarkable feat considering he was horizontal. "Are you... ?" he gasped, unable to get the full sentence out. "Are you ...?

"Of course not," she said, swatting him on the shoulder. "Well, actually I suppose I could be, but considering we only started ... you know ... so recently, I haven't even had the opportunity to know if I were or not, and—"

"Then what is your point?"

She smiled coyly. "Merely that there is no reason we cannot begin trying to make this particular dream a reality."

"Helen will be back with the tea at any minute."

"She'll knock."

"But your arm ..."

"I have every faith that you will be careful."

A slow smile crept across Charles's face. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

Ellie nodded. "Have I told you?"

He nodded back at her. "Why don't we wiggle you out of that dressing gown and see about turning your dreams into reality?"

Epilogue

Nine months and one day later, Ellie was the happiest woman alive. Not that she hadn't thought herself the happiest woman alive the day before, and the day before that, but this day was special.

Ellie was finally certain that she and Charles were going to have a child.

Their marriage, which had begun almost as an accident, had grown into something truly magical. Her days were filled with laughter, her nights with passion, and her dreams with hope and wonder.

Not to mention her orangery, which was filled with oranges, thanks to her and Claire's diligent gardening.

Ellie looked down at her abdomen with a sense of amazement. How strange that a new life was growing there, that a person who could eventually walk and talk and have her own name and ideas was resting inside of her.

She smiled. She was already thinking of this new baby as a girl. She didn't know why, but she was certain it would be female. She wanted to name her Mary, after her mother. She didn't think Charles would mind.

Ellie strode through the great hall, still looking for her husband. Drat and blast, where was he when she needed him? She had waited months for this moment, to tell him the wonderful news, and now she couldn't find him anywhere. Finally she gave up all pretense of decorum and yelled his name. "Charles? Charles?"

He appeared across the hall, tossing an orange between his hands. "Good afternoon, Ellie. What has you in such a tizzy?"

Her face erupted into a smile. "Charles, we've finally done it."

He blinked. "Done what?"

"A baby, Charles. We're going to have a baby."

"Well, I should think so. I've been trying my damnedest for the last nine months."

Her mouth fell open. "That is your reaction?"

"Well, if you think about it, you'd be delivering right now instead of announcing your pregnancy if we'd gotten it right the first time."

"Charles!" She swatted him on the shoulder.

He chuckled and gathered her into his arms. "Hush up, Ellie. You know I'm teasing."

"Then you're happy?"

He kissed her tenderly. "More than I could ever say."

Ellie smiled up into his face. "I never thought I could love another person as much as I do you, but I was wrong." She placed her hands on her flat stomach. "I love this little one already, so very, very much, and she's not even born yet."

"She?"

"It's a girl. I'm sure of it."

"If you're sure of it, then I'm sure you're right."

"Is that so?"

"I've long since learned never to argue with you."

"I had no idea I had you so well trained."

Charles grinned. "I do make a fine husband, don't I?"

"The best. And you'll be an excellent father as well."

His face grew emotional as he touched her midriff. "I love this little one already, too." he whispered.