Grace walked gingerly down the curved stairway of Somerton Court, one hand supporting her back and the other holding onto the banister.

Sophie came around the corner and rushed to her side. “What on earth are you doing, Grace? You should have pulled the bell, and any one of us could have helped you down.”

“I’m pregnant, not incapacitated. You know as well as I do that I’m perfectly capable of moving around on my own.”

“Still, if Alex knew…”

“Alex won’t know though, will he?” Grace grinned at her sister-in-law. “You’ll tell him I pulled the bell and you assisted me the entire way. Because you love me, and I’m pregnant, and I insist.”

“Fine. I’ll tell a bouncer for you, but only if you do something for me.” Sophie had a gleam in her eyes, the same gleam Grace had come to know meant either trouble or fun, or perhaps both.

“Oh, good. What are you planning?” She almost rubbed her hands in anticipation. Almost. “I need a spot of fun, you know. I’m sick to death of being cooped up in bed.”

“He only thinks he’s protecting you, you know.”

“I know. But that doesn’t make it any easier to bear.” She would prefer to be up, moving about, than stuck in bed, no matter how large her belly had grown. “But enough of that. Tell me what you have in the works.”

Sophie glanced to both ends of the long entry hall of Somerton Court and pulled Grace into a nearby drawing room. She took one final glance down the hall before she closed the door.

“You must keep this a secret.” Sophie fell into a sofa and tugged on Grace’s hand so she would sit next to her.

“Of course.”

“You have to swear to me you’ll tell no one, not even Alex.”

“I believe you know me better than that by now.” Really, couldn’t she just get on with it?

Sophie took one more look about, even though she knew they were alone and the door was closed. Good grief! “Richard’s coming home. He’ll be here by tomorrow at the latest.” The exuberant smile on her face was contagious.

“Oh, Sophie, I’m so happy for you.” She felt a small twinge in her side, but ignored it. “Does anyone else know? Your mother? Peter?”

“No, no one. Only you. He sent me a letter and begged me to keep it secret, but I was absolutely bursting with the news. I had to tell someone.”

“Well, I’m glad you chose me.” A sharper pain assaulted her, and she cringed.

“What is it?” Her sister-in-law took her hand and jumped to her feet. “Is it the baby?”

“No, I’m sure it is nothing to worry about…”

“Do not dare lie to me, Gracie.”

“Really, I’m fine. Sit, talk to me. Tell me more about Richard coming home.” She needed to hear Sophie’s voice so she could convince herself the baby wasn’t coming yet.

“Well, he hasn’t sold his commission,” Sophie said as she resumed her seat. “He’s on a fortnight’s holiday, and he couldn’t have better timing, with the whole family gathered here for Christmas. And for the baby’s arrival, of course.”

“Of course.” Grace grimaced as another pain shot through her middle.

“You are not fine, so stop trying to convince me otherwise.” Sophie rose from the sofa again and rushed to the door. “I’m getting Mama. And Alex. Oh, and everyone.” She ran out, leaving the door to the drawing room wide open. Her voice rang out, calling through the halls of Somerton Court. Within moments, the hullabaloo of her family rushing to her side broke out.

Her family. Grace liked the sound of it.

No, liked wasn’t nearly the right word. Loved. She loved having her own family.

Within minutes, the room was overcrowded with the Hardwickes, her aunt and uncle, even her father. The commotion overwhelmed her.

Henrietta called out for quiet. “Enough. Grace needs calm. Can’t you see how distressed she is? Here sweetheart, we’ll have you somewhere more comfortable in no time.” Alex pushed from behind as Peter and Neil pulled Grace to her feet.

And then a new commotion broke out when a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark, reddish-brown hair, fair skin, and the same deep green eyes Alex had, a man Grace could mistake for none other than Major Lord Richard Hardwicke, walked through the door of the drawing room and joined the party.

“I see I made it just in time.”

Indeed, he had. Peter and Neil dropped their holds and she fell onto her husband in a most ungraceful heap. Her newest brother, Richard, rushed to her side to help her up again so they could haul her to a more appropriate place for birthing her child.

Grace’s family was complete.