than I am. He is Gilford’s heir and the only child from his first marriage.”
“What did he think of having a stepmamma his age?” Anna asked.
“We didn’t talk about it much. Reid left soon after we wed to attend university and then he went directly into the army afterward. So quite frankly, I don’t know him very well. I have written to him, asking him to come home because of his father’s health but Reid is quite the patriot and determined to keep serving in His Majesty’s Army.”
Anna frowned. “Isn’t that quite unusual? A marquess and duke’s heir a military officer?”
“It is but Reid always wanted to serve his country. His closest friends, Gray and Burke, also joined him in this endeavor.”
They chatted for an hour, Dez carefully watching Anna as she ate slowly but definitely well. She seemed more partial to sweets now that she was with child and ate her fair share of a sponge cake and a few tarts. Dalinda looked to him, a question in her eyes, and he nodded. They had always been able to communicate without words. His twin’s eyes twinkled and he knew she was happy for the news.
Suddenly, the door swung open and Arthur and Harry bounded in.
“Uncle Dez!” they both cried, running to him.
He hugged them. “It’s so good to see you boys. I have someone I want you to meet.”
They both turned and eyed Anna with interest, stepping to her and bowing.
“I am Arthur Baker. You are the Countess of Torrington. Mama told us you were coming.”
Harry squeezed past his brother. “I am Harry Baker. Mama said you are her best friend ever and Uncle Dez is lucky to have you.”
Anna laughed, charmed by the pair. “I would say I am the fortunate one. I grew up on the estate next to your mama and your uncle. We were neighbors and did everything together.”
“Like what?” Harry asked eagerly.
“We liked to walk both estates. Ride. Swim. We fished together but neither your mama nor me would place the worm on the hook.”
“That’s boy’s work,” Arthur proclaimed. “I can do that if you want to go fishing with us, my lady.”
“Will you be here long enough to fish?” Harry asked. He looked to Dez.
“About a week or so. Plenty of time to fish and do other things. Your new aunt is terrific at skimming stones across the water. Perhaps she can teach you how.”
“I’m bloody awful at that,” Arthur said.
“Arthur! Language,” Dalinda admonished.
“Sorry, Mama.” He glanced to Anna. “Sorry, my lady.”
“I would be pleased to be called Aunt Anna,” she told him.
Arthur’s eyes lit up, as did Harry’s and Arthur asked, “May we, Mama? Call her Aunt?”
Dalinda nodded her approval and then said, “Would you like some tea?”
“Yes!” the boys cried.
“And tarts,” Harry added. He looked to Anna and confided, “They are my favorite.”
“Mine, too,” she said. “I have always loved sweets but even more so now.”
“Why?” Arthur asked before taking a huge bite of his sandwich.
She glanced to Dez and he nodded.
“You are going to have a cousin,” she revealed. “When a woman carries a baby inside her belly, sometimes she gets cravings.”
“What are those?” Harry asked.
“A longing for something. It can be quite intense.”
“When will our cousin come?” Arthur piped up.
“Next year,” Dez said, not wanting to mention the month. He didn’t know if Gilford—or Dalinda—had told the boys anything about how babies were made or how long they took to come.
“Finish eating, boys,” Dalinda said. “Your governess will be coming for you soon.”
“I need to finish my cravings, Mama,” Harry said, using his new word, if incorrectly. “Auntie Anna and I like our sweets.”
The boys concentrated on eating as the adults talked a bit about those who had attended the wedding. Once Harry and Arthur had been collected by their governess and vacated the drawing room, Dalinda hugged Anna.
“I am thrilled you are going to have a child.”
Anna smiled ruefully. “We started a bit early so the baby will naturally come a little early.”
“Do you hope for a boy or girl?” she asked.
“Either,” Dez answered for them both. “We hope for a healthy babe and many more to follow.”
“What if you have twins?” his sister asked. “They run in our family.”
“Oh.” Anna looked blank for a moment. “I hadn’t even considered that possibility.”
“I had wondered if Gilford and I might have twins. Our boys are spaced just over two years apart. Arthur turned eleven in April and Harry became nine last week.”
“Our baby should come in February,” Anna revealed.
“How