“I don’t think—”

“Sounds terribly fascinatin’,” Blade said, shoving the door open and giving them a bland smile. “But Esme says, ‘not in her kitchen,’ and some of us ’as preternatural ’earin’.” He winked at the duchess.

Molten relaxation washed off her, replaced by her usual upright pose. Leo rubbed the back of his fingers against her cheek, shot her one last amused smile, and then stepped back. Later, his eyes told her.

I’ll hold you to that, hers replied.

“Blade,” he said, nodding at his brother-in-law as he shrugged out of his own greatcoat. “Merry Christmas.”

“Sir Henry. The Hero of the Realm.” The duchess tipped her own head in a polite nod, her eyes devilish. It wasn’t beyond her to provoke her brother-in-law, and she’d recently figured out that the use of his proper name and title made Blade’s nose itch a little. Blade might have taken a great deal of credit for the uprising, but it embarrassed him when people called him the Hero of the Realm in the streets. “Should I curtsy?”

“Duchess,” Blade replied, swinging the door open and gesturing through it with an elegant bow. He wasn’t above retaliation.

Light and laughter welcomed them into the sitting room where everyone else was gathered. Lena came to her feet with an enormous smile and hurried forward to press a kiss to Leo’s cheek. “I thought you two were never going to arrive! We’ve been waiting all night to distribute the presents!”

Presents. “Damn it, I’ve left them in the kitchen—”

“I’ll get them,” Lena replied promptly. She turned toward Mina and took her hands, a little more reserved now. “Duchess.”

“Mina, please.”

Leo didn’t quite watch the exchange, but it made him relax a little when Lena repeated her name, wished her a “Merry Christmas,” and then kissed Mina on the cheek. Forgiven, he suspected, but not entirely forgotten, though time would heal that wound.

There was a never-ending barrage of people to greet: Will, looking more relaxed than he’d been in a while; Charlie, who clapped hands with Leo with a weak smile, before glancing at Lark who murmured a hullo to Leo and pointedly ignored Charlie; and then Honoria and the baby. Tin Man’s absence from the scene was a hollow blow, and he noticed Charlie shooting Lark hesitant glances as they avoided each other.

Leo arched a brow at Honoria, then gestured to the young pair standing apart. Lark had lost a great deal of weight since Tin Man’s death, and he’d heard that she’d had a few choice words to say to Charlie at the funeral. Blade had gone easy on the lad in the end; Lark’s grief was punishment enough.

Honoria graced Leo with a sad smile and a little shrug that could have meant anything. “It’s good to see you.”

“Likewise.” Leaning in, he kissed her cheek. “It’s been too long.”

“I hear Her Highness has been keeping all of you busy.”

“One would think she plans to introduce ten years’ worth of legal changes in one,” he said dryly. “It’s keeping Mina on her toes though. The situation suits her.”

Honoria snuggled baby Emma against her throat, while Blade watched his wife from across the room. Mina looked a little out of her depth, but she graciously accepted a glass of blud-wein and settled in beside Esme on a sofa by the roaring hearth. “She suits you.”

“You sound surprised.”

“No.” A secretive smile. “If anyone was ever to catch your eye, it was going to be someone with a mind of her own. Easy bores you.”

Blade sauntered over, leaning in to smother kisses under Emma’s jaw. “Easy bores most men. ’Ere, luv. Let me take ’er for a moment and give you a rest.”

Honoria reluctantly handed over her daughter, settling Emma’s white bonnet more securely on her head. Blade cooed at her, lifting her high in the air as he strolled toward the fireplace. Honoria laughed under her breath. “Not that it has anything to do with playing dirty.”

Leo arched a brow, then realized exactly where Blade was heading. Blade handed Mina the baby and leaned against the mantel.

Honoria smiled as they sat, both of them watching their respective partners. “You look well. Content in a way I’ve never seen you look before.”

“I am.” It surprised him how much sometimes, and how it was only with such happiness that he’d realized how utterly gray his life had been before.

Blade played peekaboo behind the duchess’s shoulder, sending Emma into squeals of delight. Mina eyed him with a certain droll wariness, but that familiar sparkle was in her eyes. Blade’s campaign was evidently succeeding.

“He’s shameless.”

“The Devil of Whitechapel in all his terrifying glory,” Leo added. Blade tickled Emma under her chubby chin, sending her jerking backward in Mina’s arms. Mina scolded him with a frown, clutching the baby tight against her chest as if she feared dropping her.

“I adore watching him with her,” Honor admitted. “I might as well not exist sometimes, except when it comes to nursing. Though I must admit, there’s nothing quite like seeing your child in your husband’s arms and knowing how much she loves him.”

Leo couldn’t take his eyes off his wife. Mina pressed her cheek against Emma’s. Breathing in the scent of his little niece, he imagined. She’d admitted how much she adored the scent of babies. “Mmmm.”

Honoria poked him in the ribs. “Mmm? That almost sounds like you’re planning a brood.”

“Hardly.”

“Leo—”

“I think I’d best rescue her. If you’ll excuse me?” he murmured, gracefully dodging the subject.

Crossing the room, he leaned on the back of the sofa and stroked Emma’s chin. Her focus on him was absolute, as though he was the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen.

Leaning down, he pressed a kiss against his wife’s neck. Mina glanced up, rubbing small circles on Emma’s back. The more often they visited, the more comfortable she seemed to be with holding the baby. “I do hope that glow in your eyes isn’t pertaining to any particular future plans?”

“No, love. Not yet. I’m quite content to leave it at the practicing stage for now.”

A faint blush stained her pale cheeks. Her gaze lingered on Emma for long seconds, utterly unreadable. Then with a sigh, she handed her over to him. Leo lifted his niece up, earning a cuddle. “Hello, my beautiful young lass. Who’s your favorite uncle?”