Chapter 27
Three days later, Lucy walked into the drawing room and three pairs of eyes settled on her.
“She is fine,” she assured them. “She asked to see her new papa, but I told her she could see him in the morning.”
“I would have gone to her,” Robert protested, standing and hurrying to Lucy’s side.
“I know, my love, but she needs to sleep. You just make her giggle and waken her up fully.”
“She was not laughing last time I saw her.”
“Was she terribly upset?” asked Emily.
Lucy sat down on a chaise opposite her sister-in-law and accepted the proffered cup of tea with relish.
“She is confused as to why I did not tell her before that I am her real mama. And she has every right to be. I had no right to conceal the information from her. No child should be told they are an orphan when their mother is right there bringing them up.”
“But you could hardly tell her it was because society would ostracise you.”
“No. I told her it was unfair on the other orphans if she had a mama and they did not. It feels no better to lie to her on this score either.”
“She is too young to understand, my love,” said Robert.
“Mayhap. As it is, young Ben has already proved my point by bursting in to abject tears and asking if I can be his mama too. I am so sorry Robert. I… He was such a pathetic little creature. His nose was all wet and his big blue eyes were pleading. I said yes.”
Robert placed an arm around Lucy’s shoulders. “This is why I do not have dogs. They burrow under your skin and before you know it, big soulful eyes mean you are feeding them your own meal. The boy is but a babe. He likely shall grow out of it and if he does not, well it is no one else’s business. Once they are old enough, they shall understand their places in the world.”
“More is the pity.”
“But what did you say about Eleanor’s father,” asked Emily.
Robert sighed. “Nothing really. We said that now I was married to her mama, she could call me papa. Truly, without explaining the marriage bed, or copulation out of wedlock, it was rather difficult to explain how the story all fitted together. So we kept it simple. If she ever comes to us with questions, we will tell her the truth as far as her understanding of the world and the creation of children goes.”
“That makes sense,” said Emily.
“Glad you approve, sister dear,” said Robert dryly.
“Oh, there was a letter delivered just after you disappeared to speak to Eleanor.”
Emily drew it out of her pocket and Lucy went still. She recognised the handwriting. It was addressed to Miss Butterworth, so the blackmailer did not yet know of her marriage. Therefore, it was not a member of the household staff.
Dear Miss Butterworth
I see you are determined to marry the Earl of Whitsnow despite your previous behaviour. You may have fooled him, and he may know of your previous indiscretions, but the rest of the world does not. I am more than happy to be the bearer of that news.
Once everyone knows about Lieutenant Dick rutting into you in the cowshed as if you were a common whore, you shall be ruined. Society shall not look kindly on a social climbing lightskirt and her bastard lunatic child. My price has risen to seven hundred pounds.
May Day. Be there or Aelton village will know what you are. And just think how badly hurt your bastard will be when she is old enough to understand. One assumes she is capable of understanding such things of course.
Regards
A concerned subject of His Majesty King George III
∞ ∞ ∞
Robert had to take a few paces away from Lucy lest his fury erupt, and she become the brunt of it. He had to get himself under control in order to support her. How dare that person write such things to her. Of course, their facts were accurate. Too accurate. They knew about her dalliance with Dick, even to the extent that they knew where it had happened.
“I have a headache. I am going to retire.”
“Lucy, what does it say. It has upset you. Tell us and we shall help you.” The pleading tone in his sister’s voice was a comfort to Robert. She really did care about his new wife.
“All is well.” Lucy gave a wan smile, but she was chalk white and she had to grab hold of the arm of the chaise to help her stand. Robert held her elbow and slipped his hand around her waist.
“I shall see you to our suite, my love.”
She just nodded and bade their guests goodnight, slipping the note into her pocket. She said nothing as they walked upstairs to the Earl’s suite of rooms. They had decided to use one bedchamber. It may be against convention, but he wanted to go to sleep with her in his arms and wake up with her beside him. The very thought of spooning against her pert little backside made his prick ache.
“You must regret marrying me now,” she said as he closed the door with a click after he had dismissed her maid.
“Why would I do that?”
“This person will tell everyone what I am. Or they will continue to demand money. What shall we do? Seven hundred pounds is a lot of money. I have some. I can pay you but what about the orphans and their upkeep.”
“We shall pay this person nothing. Blackmailers are all mouth and no breeches. Besides, who is going to believe an extortionist over an earl. If I say Eleanor is mine, then she is mine. What sort of man would take on someone else’s get as his own.”
“A wonderfully kind man,” sobbed Lucy.
He was pulled up short. He had not really thought about how unusual his suggestion had been. And he certainly did not think of himself as king. His suggestion had been pragmatic. To get them both out of a sticky and unfortunate situation. He was desperately fond of Eleanor. God, he may actually love the child too. Was he becoming a poet? “No Lucy. People will think that no one would ever do it but for some reason it feels right. There is no sacrifice in accepting that pretty, intelligent, sweet child as mine. If our other children are as kind-hearted and adorable as she, then we shall be well blessed.”
“How do we stop this blackmailer from telling everyone?”
“Lucy, do you trust me?”
“Implicitly.”
“Then there is no need to concern yourself. Tell me, did you have any friends in whom you confided the details of your relationship with Lieutenant Dick?”
“No. my great aunt had vague details about what happened since I was with child, but I would hardly tell her we did it in a cowshed. How lowering.”
Robert sighed. “I wish you would stop chastising yourself so, my love. I have had sex in a few odd places too. I plan to make love to you in more places than just our bed. I was merely trying to narrow down the field of suspects.”
“Mrs Dick must need money to keep Lieutenant Dick in that place.”
“That had occurred to me.”
“Anyone else you can think of?”
Lucy shook her head.
“Is there anyone of whom you made an enemy? Anyone who had a penchant for the lieutenant?”
“He was a handsome man. Many of the young ladies admired him.”
“But you caught his attention.”
“But we were not publicly courting. He danced with me at a couple of assemblies but that is all. Only one dance. Quite appropriate.”
“Then we shall meet at the rendezvous on May Day and surprise this blackmailer.”
Lucy shuddered and Robert pulled her into his embrace, Holding her tight against him. He would do anything to keep her from harm and he hated that she was afraid and upset.
“Robert. I… is it wrong if I do not want to. Not tonight?”
“If you do not want to what?” He was thoroughly confused. What was she talking about? He hugged her closer and rubbed his hand slowly up her back. Poor thing was shivering. He should get her into bed and under the covers to warm her.
“Make love.”
“You do not have to make love if you do not wish to. Do you have your courses?”
“No. I just… I like you holding me but…”
“Then holding is fine. I had no plans to make love to you at present. You are shivering, and I was thinking to get you into bed to warm you up, not to make love to you.”
“Your prick is hard.”
“It always is when you’re around. Ignore it. Come I’ll undress you and we shall talk of other things. You can tell me if I make a good lady’s maid. Mayhap something shall come to you to help us solve this mystery before May Day.”