The Duke and Duchess of Warrick's house.
"I'm feeling better," Amanda told Devlyn several days later. "I think I'm perfectly capable of getting out of bed and moving about."
"Dr. Banyan said a week's bed rest and you will follow his orders!"
"I love it when you play the autocratic duke," she told him with a grin on her face.
"And I love it when you obey me," he told her the stern look still on his face. "You are to stay in bed not only because of your head wound but because of the babies. We are not taking any chances with your becoming dizzy and falling."
Amanda smiled as her husband referred to the fact that Dr. Banyan was fairly certain they were going to have twins.
"Talking about the twins we should have names picked out for them before they arrive," she told him. "Since I named Jamie, I'll give you the honor of naming the twins."
Devlyn's face changed to a smile almost immediately. "Yes," he said as he wondered off in thought. "It could be two boys or two girls or one of each so we need two boys' names and two girls' names ready for their arrival."
"Any ideas?" she asked him as she straightened out the bedcovers.
"I think I'll surprise you," he turned around and smiled at her.
"Alright," she told him and returned his smile.
"You gave up to easy," Devlyn's brows knitted together.
"I can wait," she teased him back and watched his eyes narrow with suspicion.
Devlyn was about to open his mouth when a knock sounded on their bedchamber door. "Enter," Amanda called.
The door opened to reveal Farnsworth and he walked into the room. "Lady Morton and Sir Alex would like to see both of you," Farnsworth told them.
"Show them up, Farnsworth," Amanda replied then watched the butler leave. "I wonder what Aunt Geraldine and Sir Alex want."
"He told us, yesterday, that Reardon and his men would be tried and hung," Devlyn answered, "and that no trace of your money has been found."
"But why would Aunt Geraldine be with him?" Amanda wondered as the door opened once more and Farnsworth showed the two visitors into the room.
Geraldine rushed over to Amanda's side of the bed and sat before she took her niece's hand in hers. "How are you feeling?" she wanted to know. "Are the babies doing alright?"
"I'm fine. The babies are fine. I gave Devlyn the honor of naming them since I named Jamie, so if you have any ideas now is the time to give them to my husband," Amanda told her aunt with a grin. "Now what brings you both here or did you happen to meet here by accident?"
"No we came together," Geraldine informed her. "We have news for you both."
Amanda and Devlyn watched as Alex and Geraldine looked at one another then Geraldine blushed. Alex came over and took her hand.
"I have asked Geraldine to marry me and she has agreed to take pity on this lonely old widower," he told them.
"Oh, Aunt Geraldine, how wonderful," Amanda exclaimed excited for her aunt and Sir Alex. She had hoped and prayed for this day for her aunt for many years.
"Yes," Devlyn chimed in. "Congratulations to the both of you. We couldn't be happier for the two of you."
"This calls for a celebration," Amanda said. "Please ring for Farnsworth and have him bring champagne for us to give the happy couple a toast, Devlyn. I wish they would let me out of bed so we could celebrate downstairs."
"No!" she heard all three of them say and couldn't help but smile.
Devlyn smiled too, as he walked over to the bell cord and rang for Farnsworth and once the butler arrived, he told him what they wanted and why. "And ask Jamie and Avery to join us," Devlyn added. "They should be in on the celebration as well."
"So when is the wedding," Amanda asked her aunt while they waited to toast the happy couple.
"In about three weeks, December the 21st," Geraldine replied. "You should be better by then and we can plan who all we want to attend. I'm thinking about a small wedding at my house."
"On no," Amanda butted in. "The wedding has to be here. We have a larger ballroom and afterward we can have the wedding breakfast. No small wedding for you two."
"Amanda that's too much trouble for you in your condition," her aunt replied.
"No it won't be," Amanda answered. "We have a great staff, Farnsworth, Mrs. MacPherson and Cook will see that everything is perfect. You are after all the aunt of a duchess and the house will be decorated for Christmas. It will be perfect, I just know it."
"And the ton will finally get to see and meet Amanda," Devlyn put in. "What better place to do it than here where she will feel more comfortable. You know no one will turn down the invitation so invite as many as you wish. I think having your wedding here is a grand idea."
"What's up?" Jamie asked as he entered the room. "Farnsworth said you wanted to see me."
"Aunt Geraldine and Sir Alex are going to be married," Amanda informed him. "We thought you would like to join us in a toast to their happiness."
"I get real champagne?" Jamie asked as everyone laughed.
"Yes, you can have a small glass," Devlyn replied as he came to stand next to his son.
Amanda's eyes became teary as she looked at father and son standing side by side, as Devlyn put his arm around Jamie's shoulders and hugged the boy close to him. They had missed out on precious time together but you would never know now to look at the ease at which father and son reacted with one another.
"I will have another uncle," Jamie added.
"Yes you will," Alex told him and then ruffled the boy's hair, which Jamie quickly smoothed down with his hands.
Farnsworth entered carrying a tray with iced champagne and glasses followed by Avery. "I hear a celebration is taking place," Avery said as he entered the room.
"Yes, Aunt Geraldine and Sir Alex are going to be married in about three weeks," Amanda replied.
"Well, congratulations," Avery said as he went over and pumped Sir Alex's hand then kissed Geraldine on the cheek. "This does call for a toast."
Farnsworth popped the champagne cork then poured several glasses as Devlyn took two and handed one to Amanda and the other one to Jamie while Farnsworth gave Geraldine, Alex and Avery glasses, Devlyn then went and got his.
"We are pleased the two of you found one another," Devlyn said holding his glass in his hand. "We are also happy to have Alex join our happy family." Devlyn raised his glass as the others followed his lead then they all drank to the happy couple.
* * *
As the weeks passed, Farnsworth and the staff didn't let Amanda down. They went over everything ten times for the wedding and the wedding breakfast and ball that was to follow to be sure everything was going to be perfect. Cook and her helpers went all out with the finest of foods and beautiful wedding cake and Amanda got all teary eyed when she first saw it. It was coming together and looking much as she once hoped her wedding would be.
