Nathaniel folded the document. "Yes."
Sebastian's smile faded. "How?"
"My father used a different seal after his final illness."
Sebastian went pale. Nathaniel turned away, but Evelyn stopped him. "Wait." She looked at the paper. "There is something else."
"What?"
"The date."
Nathaniel checked it. His eyes narrowed. "My father was in France that week."
Sebastian's face changed. Evelyn smiled. "Your forgery has a travel problem."
Nathaniel laughed. Sebastian walked away.
Later, Nathaniel told her, "You saved me from a great deal of unnecessary shouting."
"You're welcome. I was prepared to throw him out."
"Very well. You enjoyed that very much." He touched her cheek. "You are remarkable."
"So are you."
"I am not."
"No," she smiled, "you are simply fortunate."
"Because I married you?"
"Exactly."
Their happiness did not last untouched. Evelyn became ill again during the seventh month. This time, Nathaniel was genuinely frightened. The physician assured him the child was safe, but Evelyn needed complete rest.
Nathaniel canceled every engagement. He remained beside her. She woke one night and found him sitting in a chair.
"You're still here."
"Yes."
"You need sleep."
"I will."
"When?"
"When you do."
She smiled. "You are headstrong."
"So are you."
"I am afraid."
Nathaniel took her hand. "So am I."
"What if something happens?"
"We face it."
"What if I cannot?"
"Then I will carry you."
She laughed weakly. "That is impossible. Carry everything?"
"I can try."
She looked at him. "Promise me something."
"Anything."
"If the child is born and I am not myself afterward, don't treat me like something fragile."
He frowned. "You will always be yourself."
"You know what I mean."
"I do."
"I want to be his mother."
"You will be."
"I want to be your wife."
He kissed her hand. "You are."
"And if I become difficult?"
"You already are."
She laughed. "That was cruel."
"It was intended to comfort you."
"It did not."