Chapter 12 #2
“And you’re not even very big yet,” Lady Ottersburg said.
“Just wait until your belly doubles in size, as I’m sure it shall in the coming months.
The act of climbing into a carriage alone will be made so much harder, never mind the effort to sit on the bench.
I recall how each of my children would press up against my ribs unless I was able to lean back enough to give them more space.
A challenging time to be sure, though one that led to immeasurable joy as I’ve no doubt it shall for you. In fact…”
The lady continued speaking while Samantha’s thoughts snuck off in other directions.
She wondered if she and Adrian should visit a carpenter soon and order a crib.
Since the two of them had elected to share a bedchamber, the one meant for her remained mostly unused unless her maid was helping her dress or setting her hair.
Perhaps their child could sleep in there.
With a door connecting the rooms, it would make sense.
For although she knew Adrian’s nursery had been at the end of the hall, she wanted her child closer.
As someone who’d been handed off to a foundling home as an infant, she needed to be involved in her own child’s life from the very beginning.
“I’m sure you’ve already settled on a nanny,” Lady Ottersburg was now saying. “And of course, it’s too soon to hire a wet nurse, but once—”
“I’ve no intention of doing any such thing,” Samantha said, silencing the talkative woman.
Both ladies leaned back, as though needing to study Samantha from a distance. They blinked in rapid succession, then shared a quick look with each other before Lady Glendale asked sotto voce, “Do you mean to nurse the infant yourself?”
“If I’m able,” Samantha confirmed.
There was no questioning their shock. Or perhaps it was horror that widened their eyes. Undeterred, Samantha popped the rest of her tart into her mouth and savored its sweet sticky center.
“But that will tie you to the home long after your confinement is over,” Lady Glendale said.
Samantha thought it best not to mention that she had no intention of staying in bed or even indoors for numerous weeks.
Provided all went well and she got through the birth with her health intact, she’d rather return to her daily routine as quickly as possible.
While this might be considered progressive by some, Doctor Wolf was thankfully on her side about it.
In response to Lady Glendale, Samantha provided a noncommittal smile and a thoughtful, “Hmm…,” before steering the conversation in an entirely new direction by saying, “Having been away for a while, I wonder if the two of you are able to offer an update on the latest gossip?”
“Oh indeed.” Lady Ottersburg’s eyes sparkled with glee.
Both she and Lady Glendale moved closer to Samantha, making it hard for her to eat the iced cake she’d selected without feeling like a specimen under scrutiny.
“Elmhurst’s youngest daughter, Susan, was forced to marry by special license last month,” Lady Glendale said.
“Her new husband is a Mr. Peterson, who is from a decent family though not a very wealthy one. Word has it Susan’s father paid Peterson a massive sum to wed her, which surely means she’s been carrying on with someone.
It certainly won’t be any surprise if she gives birth prematurely. ”
“While this has been a delightful subject of conversation in various parlors these past two weeks,” said Lady Ottersburg, “I’m far more intrigued by the Duke of Wrengate’s return to Town.”
Samantha’s heart stopped for a second.
Wrengate.
A name that made her blood run cold while her fingertips twitched with the need to reach for a blade. Instead, she set her mind to selecting another of her iced cakes. It was either that or hurl the entire plate at the wall.
She closed her grip more firmly around it and focused on calming her breaths. The iced cake filled her mouth with tart sweetness. She swallowed the bite, then casually asked, “Why would his return be worthy of gossip?”
Lady Glendale sent a swift glance over her shoulder, as though she feared the duke might be there ready to reprimand her for talking about him without his permission. “He did not come alone.”
A weighty pause made Samantha wonder. Could it be the man had married? Duke or no, she couldn’t imagine any woman willingly tying herself to him for the rest of her life. Or any parent who’d press for such a union, unless they hated their child.
“He brought his sister,” Lady Ottersburg said, clarifying the matter. “Not the sickly one, of course, but the other one. Lady Edwina. The pair made quite a stir this evening when they arrived.”
“They’re here?” Samantha asked, tension coiling around her once more.
She swept her gaze sideways, attempting to catch a glimpse of the duke so she knew which part of the room to avoid. It was impossible to get a good look with these ladies crowded around her.
Thankfully, they were both so eager to share additional information, they stepped aside and assessed the room for a second before nodding toward Samantha’s left.
“Over there,” Lady Ottersburg murmured, her voice barely audible above the lively country tune being played. “You see the young lady dressed in the sage green gown? The one with the dark brown hair? That’s Lady Edwina.”
Samantha’s eyebrows shot upward. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. A stern-faced woman with a frosty gaze, perhaps? The female equivalent of Wrengate?
Based on observation, however, Lady Edwina did not appear to share her brother’s dislikeable nature. Instead, she was all smiles and laughter while mingling with Miss Violet Greene and Miss Octavia Burley, both of whom Samantha knew as friends of Melody’s.
“Would you like an introduction?” Lady Glendale asked.
Samantha nodded and set aside the plate containing her uneaten cakes and shortbread. While Lady Edwina looked every bit the sort of person Samantha believed she could be friends with, the acquaintance could potentially help her discover more about Wrengate’s secrets.
Why had he associated with Wycliff?
Why had he ordered him killed?
Had he done the deed himself when the men he’d hired failed?
She believed the answer to this was a loud and resounding, “Yes.”
In which case, he had no qualms about taking the lives of others. But did that make him the man who’d arranged the murder of Adrian’s sister?
Possibly, but Samantha could not say for certain, meaning the duke was either an unpleasant person whom she and Adrian had to suffer, or someone upon whom they needed to seek revenge.
It was vital they figure out which. But with Wrengate rightly discerning that it was Samantha who’d broken into his home — after the warning he’d issued Adrian – they’d had to retreat.
Even with all the months that had passed since the last time they’d seen him, Samantha was certain he’d be on his guard.
Lady Edwina, however, might not be aware of the threat Samantha posed. It would all depend on how astute she was and whether or not Wrengate had warned her.
She kept abreast of Lady Ottersburg and Lady Glendale as they swept toward the small group. Miss Violet Greene, who spotted Samantha first, offered warm words in greeting, which had the rest of the party turning toward her.
Lady Ottersburg then took over, making the introductions. This resulted in a lengthy summary of who Samantha was, how she’d married Adrian, the murder he’d been convicted of, how she’d subsequently stood by him through his trial, and would soon deliver his child.
Lady Edwina smiled for as long as Lady Ottersburg spoke. Only when she took her next breath did Lady Edwina hasten to say, “What a thrilling story, Mrs. Croft. I wonder if you’d be willing to tell me more while we take a turn of the room together.”
As much as Samantha regretted leaving Miss Violet Greene and Miss Octavia Burley alone with Lady Ottersburg and Lady Glendale, she could not give up her chance at escape. So she nodded her agreement and answered, “I’d be delighted.”