Minx (45 page)

"I hadn't considered a girl," Henry said. "I don't know why, but I was so certain it would be a boy. Perhaps it was because she kicked so very much."

Dunford kissed his daughter again, as if suddenly realizing how very pleasant that endeavor was.

"I really only thought about boys' names," Henry continued. "I hadn't thought about girls'."

Dunford smiled smugly. "I did."

"Did you?"

"Mmm-hmm. I know exactly what we're going to name her."

"Do you now? And do I get any say?"

"Not a bit."

"I see. Well, are you going to share this name with me?"

"Georgiana."

"Georgiana?!" Henry repeated. "Why, that's almost as bad as Henrietta!"

Dunford smiled lazily. "I know."

"We couldn't possibly burden her with such a name. When I think of what I've endured..."

"I couldn't imagine anything that would have suited you better, Henry." Dunford leaned down and kissed his daughter again. And then, for good measure, he kissed his wife. "And I don't see how someone like you could have a daughter named anything but Georgie."

"Georgie, eh?" Henry looked down at her daughter assessingly. "What if she wants to wear trousers?"

"What if she wants to wear dresses?"

Henry tilted her head to the side. "Point taken." She touched the baby's nose. "Well, little one, what do you think? It's your name, after all."

The baby gurgled happily.

Dunford reached to take the precious bundle. "May I?"

Henry smiled and released the baby into her father's arms.

He rocked her for a moment, testing the weight and feel of her, then leaned down, his lips finding her tiny ear. "Welcome to the world, little Georgie," he whispered. "I think you're going to like it here."