“Yes, of course,” Cameron said. “I should return as well.”
“No, no, take the next two evenings off,” Newland said. “The music went flawlessly last night. No changes were necessary. Take a few days and ponder this new development in your life.”
“That’s big of you, Newland. Thank you.”
Once Newland left, Lily returned and invited Cameron’s family, both old and new, to stay for the wedding on the morrow.
“Now, Cam,” Rose said. “I believe you have an appointment with my father.”
“Yes,” Lily said, laughing. “This will just knock the pompous air right out of him, won’t it?”
“I’m sorry, but I find the whole concept ridiculous,” Cameron said. “I’m exactly the same man I was an hour ago.”
“Of course you are, Mr. Price,” Lily said. “Or should I say, my lord. But to Papa, you’re an equal now. May I accompany you? I really want to see the look on Papa’s face.”
“I’ll accompany you as well,” Lord Denbigh said. “I’ll be proud to tell Ashford that you’re my grandson and heir.”
“Really, none of this is necessary,” Cameron said. “I’m not afraid of Ashford.”
“We know you’re not, my love,” Rose said. “We just all want in on the fun!”
Chapter Nineteen
“Will you ever stop giggling?” Cameron squeezed Rose’s hand as they walked along the estate.
“I’m sorry. Just the look on my father’s face when we told him the whole story… It was absolutely priceless!” Rose leaned into him.
His body twitched. A slight touch from her, and he was an adolescent schoolboy again. “Yes, I’m now worthy to father your children.”
“You always were, Cam.”
“What do you want to name our child?” he asked. “Are you fond of family names?”
Rose shook her head and laughed. “I love my parents dearly, but I would never saddle a poor innocent child with the name Crispin or Flora.”
Cameron joined in. “And I love my mother, but no, I’ll not name a sweet little girl Clementine. If it’s a boy, though, I’d like to name him after my father. Colton. Would you mind?”
“Cam, that’s a wonderful idea. But I feel it only fair to tell you, the gypsy I met on Midsummer said we’re having a girl.”
“And you believed her, sweet?”
Rose smiled. “I wanted to. I wanted to believe her because she said you were coming back to me. And you did, so she was right about that.”
“I’d like to think I would have made it back to you no matter what. And of course once I found out about the babe, nothing would have kept me away.”
“Well, it’s all in the past now, thank goodness,” Rose said. “And if the gypsy was right, and we do have a girl, what would you like to name her?”
“What about my grandmother’s name? Joy?”
Rose smiled. “That’s lovely. And since the first name will come from your family, might I choose the second name?”
“Of course, sweet.” He was at her mercy. He’d give her whatever she wanted, even if she wanted to name the child Colton Crispin or Joy Clementine.
“Perfect, then. If it’s a boy, Colton Thomas, for my brother, and for a girl, Joy Lily, for my sister.”
Cameron choked back a sob. Two more perfect names could not have tumbled from her lips. “I love them both, truly. And whether little Colton or little Joy slumbers within you, I know the other isn’t far behind.”
Rose giggled. “I’m in the best mood, Cam. Would you like to go riding? I know Apollo isn’t here, but you could ride one of Daniel’s horses. I know he wouldn’t mind.”