The day of their daughter’s second birthday started with a thunderstorm and by afternoon the sun had come out. Much like the day of her birth. On that day, Lord Leighton had stormed about the house, yelling at everything, cursing God and anyone who came within visual contact of him, and then by afternoon, when Rose had been born, he was all calm again. The happiest and most relieved lord in all of England.

Katherine had forgiven him his outbursts that day. She knew what it had cost him emotionally to see her go through with the birth, the worry, the fear. He was not alone, giving birth to a child was not an easy thing to do, and at times she hadn’t thought she was capable of following through. But a woman’s body is a strong and powerful thing, and she had managed through it. And in a few short months she would manage it again.

She hoped it was a boy, if only so Hamish would have a daughter and son. Two perfect little cherubs that they would love and adore until their dying breath.

Katherine finished reading the little nursery book to Rose, and set her on her feet, just as her papa entered the bedchamber.

“How is my little princess,” he said, picking her up and kissing her cheek. “Happy birthday beautiful girl.”

“Present,” their daughter said, clapping her hands.

Katherine laughed, how quickly children learned what birthdays and Christmas meant.

“Present,” Hamish said in mock surprise. “You wish for a present?”

Rose nodded, her eyes bright with expectation.

Hamish set her down and tapped her bottom, pushing her toward the window. “Look outside princess and you’ll see your gift.”

Katherine stood and walked Rose to the window, pulling back the curtain she grinned at what she saw being led about on the lawns. A little white pony, with a great big pink bow tied about its neck.

Rose squealed and turned about, running for the door as fast as her little, unbalanced legs would take her.

“I think she likes it,” Katherine said, taking Hamish’s hand and following Rose. Her nursemaid picked Rose up before she reached the stairs and together they all walked outside to see the new addition to the family.

“She’s beautiful, Hamish. Rose already loves her.”

“It’s a filly, and is very placid, I made sure of that. I think it will make a suitable first horse for our daughter.”

Katherine leaned up and kissed him, not caring that their staff were about, not that she ever did, not from the first day she’d become mistress of this great estate, and the many others he owned.

“Thank you, Katherine.”

She frowned up at him. “Whatever do you mean? Why are you thanking me?”

He met her gaze, his serious of a sudden. “For this life. Had I not met you, had I not been having the worst start of any season I’d ever partaken in, I would not have met you or been given the greatest gift of all, our child.”

She clasped his jaw, rubbing her thumb across his cheek. “You too have given me more than I could ever wish for, so thank you too. We’re equal in this, Hamish. Always have been.”

He nodded and turned his attention back to their daughter. Katherine stayed where she was as Hamish lifted Rose onto the saddle and holding her, allowed the groom to walk them about the yard.

This, Katherine mused was what life was meant for, meant to be like. Total bliss with abundance of love. How wonderful that a woman of little beauty, social value and dirt beneath her gloved fingernails had been perfect for one of London’s most revered rogues. Had been enough to tempt an Earl.