Page 69 of The Earl Next Door
“No. The runners haven’t found a trace of her. Julia and Brina agree that we should continue to look for her, but so far no one will admit to knowing her whereabouts. I wrote to the Earl of Wake and asked for hishelp. He responded that he had nothing to say on the subject.”
“I think he’d already made that clear.”
“Yes, and while we search for her mother, Nora is safe, cared for, and adjusting to her new life.”
“Have you seen her?”
“Yes. From a distance.”
“You are doing the right thing for her.”
“I could do no other. As you pointed out. When we started the school, it was never our intention to get involved in the lives of any of the girls. Only to provide a place for them to learn. Fanny made that an exception by her escapades. She’s settled down now and isn’t wandering away from the others in the class.”
“That must make it easier for everyone.”
“Yes. I am letting Mrs. Tallon handle everything. That seems to be working well for both of us.”
“Good,” Lyon said and blew out a deep breath. “Is that what you came to tell me, Adeline?”
“No. I want things settled between us. First, I want you to know that I love you.”
“And you need a shot of brandy to tell me that?” he asked, suddenly sounding angry.
“No.” She looked down at her glass.
“Just telling me you love me settles nothing between us. I haven’t doubted your love for me.”
“You didn’t pour one for yourself,” she said. “Must a lady drink alone?”
His gaze swept over hers again. “Of course not.”
He walked back to the table and splashed a dram in his glass and joined her again. Not waiting for her, he downed the nip in one swallow. Her hand trembled, butrefusing to think about the past, she inhaled deeply and put the glass to her lips. She sipped a small amount and swallowed. There was no foul taste, no bitter remembrances, just a sweet sting and then the flash of warmth that always flamed her cheeks and neck for a second or two.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “That was one of the fears I needed to put to rest. The easier one.”
Lyon put his glass down and then took hers, placing it beside his. “You are troubling me, Adeline. Something’s wrong. What is it that you want to tell me?”
“I am carrying your child.”
He looked astounded. “A babe?”
She stepped back, suddenly feeling frightened and alone, despite all her earlier thoughts of courage and determination about her admission of the situation she found herself in. “I swear to you I haven’t been with another man.”
Lyon took hold of her upper arms. “Damnation, Adeline, I know that. It’s just that you were so sure you couldn’t be in the family way.”
“I know,” she whispered earnestly. “I have disbelieved all the signs myself.”
“How can you be sure then? What’s changed?”
“You.” She stopped and inhaled deeply. “It was you making love to me. It’s the only possible answer. You made the difference.”
His eyes glistened. “Me?”
Her heart was full of love, of happiness for the child she carried, and of dread in not knowing how Lyon would respond to this news. “I know of no other reason. I have been to see a physician and two differentmidwives. One of whom I saw when I was drinking the tonics that were made for me every day. She was the only one I trusted during that time, so I went back to her as well.” Adeline touched her stomach lightly. “They all agree with me that it’s true I’m carrying a child. I don’t know how this could have happened. I went through hell trying to have a child for Wake and now I am more than three months carrying yours.”
His fingers tightened around her arms. His gaze fluttered up and down her face. “So it happened our first time together.”
Adeline’s throat tightened more and she shivered. “It appears so.”
