‘What can I say? Ruby and her mother are my two greatest admirers.’ George nodded with certainty.
‘I would wager that you are their greatest admirers.’ The older man was vastly amused. ‘Indeed, I think that I would win that wager.’
‘Indeed, you would. There is no question there,’ George replied.
At that moment, Ruby appeared in the doorway of the nursery. Her dark hair was tightly braided, she was wearing a pretty blue dress, and her dark brown eyes were red with tears. She rubbed at her button nose and the moment she spotted her papa, she pouted.
‘Papa!’ she cried.
George swept his daughter into his arms and kissed her soundly. ‘Good morning, my little love.’
‘Mama?’
He smiled. ‘Mama is getting dressed.’
‘Baby?’
George grinned. His daughter was excited at being a big sister although he and Evelyn were sure she did not understand beyond knowing a baby was like her wax doll and the children of her Uncle Ned and Aunt Lauren. Nevertheless, it never stopped the girl from inquiring about it almost every day.
‘The babe is moving inside Mama as it grows,’ he explained patiently. ‘Perhaps you may feel it kick your hand.’
Ruby snuggled down into his arms.
George smiled and kissed the top of her head.
The three-year-old was absolutely adorable.
George was amazed at how quickly one’s life changed, and in his case for the better. Evelyn—as well as his brother and uncle-in-law—knew this, too. However, the Duke was just pleased that he had found his Duchess, they had a daughter, and there was going to be another babe in less than three months.
THE END
EMAIL: [email protected]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m just your average Aussie Sci-Fi nerd and scientist. I didn’t start writing stories until I was doing my Honours research as my escape from work. By day I do all things science. By night, or when I’m procrastinating about science, I’m dreaming up all manner of scenarios and characters in my head. I enjoy reading and writing just about any genre.
I’ve never thought of myself as a writer, but as a scientist I have to write fact. Now I like to think that in writing fiction I’m making everything equal.
For all titles by Lilybeth Zefram, please visit
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To Be by Your Side Page 15
