A week after they returned to Daventon House, Maria let them know she and Gareth were to become parents. Laura immediately vowed she would do nothing to distress her brother and sister-in-law. They loved her and would worry if they saw her looking unhappy.
She became Maria’s constant companion. She accompanied her on walks and read to her or simply talked. Lady Catherine took over most of the duties of countess. She, however, joined her ‘girls’ whenever she could. Gareth grumbled that he was outnumbered. He prophesized that Maria would give birth to a daughter on purpose so that he would always remain under the thumb of managing females.
And then Lady Russel came home from her travels. Much to her surprise and joy, she was also to become a mother. “I can’t believe it. It seems like a miracle,” she said, shedding tears and embracing Lady Catherine.
Lord Russel looked more worried than happy. The physician had expressed concern. A first birth at the age of thirty-seven had to be handled with care. Lady Catherine immediately suggested it would be better if Lady Russel moved back to the manor. Lord Russel could ride over and visit every day. It was not a great distance. Lord Russel readily agreed.
After Lady Russel came to stay, Laura found herself de trop. Her presence inhibited her mother, aunt, and sister-in-law from freely discussing childbirth and other matters not fit for her maidenly ears. Laura slipped back into her old routine. She visited the tenant families with her mother. Sometimes she went into the village with Bessie. And every afternoon, she rode her mare to the copse of trees that marked the end of their estate.
The time spent in the saddle and in the seclusion of the clearing between the tall oaks belonged to her. She no longer shed tears as easily as before. By trying to look happy for Maria’s sake, she was saved from falling into the abyss of melancholy.
“I will not be Father,” she spoke the words aloud.
The rustling of leaves as the breeze passed through the ancient oaks murmured encouragement.
Laura told herself that some things were not meant to be. She did not blame Anthony. He had been badly hurt. He would not forgive her. It was already three months. Had he a change of heart, he would have come to speak to her. She had to forget him. She was fortunate to have a family that loved her. She would not be her father. He had shut out his children and turned a blind eye on the needs of his sister. His lost love had blighted all their lives. She would not be selfish.
Laura heard the unmistakable sound of a carriage. The copse was situated at a higher level and afforded a view of the long winding drive. She squinted against the sunlight. The traveling carriage had a crest but she could not make out to whom it belonged. It had to be someone calling on Gareth. It couldn’t be Anthony.
To her surprise, the carriage stopped at the point directly opposite to the copse. A man got out and stood looking in her direction for a few seconds. He spoke to the driver. The carriage continued towards the manor. The man started up the slope leading to the copse. He was a dark shadow against the afternoon sun but Laura had no trouble knowing it was Anthony.
Her first impulse was to run and hide. As Anthony came closer and walked into the shade, Laura felt the stirring of anger. A minute ago she had been finding excuses for him and blaming herself. Now she was furious. How dare he come to see her after months of silence? Was she an article to be picked up at will? He looked handsome and happy. He hadn’t suffered a whit!
“Lady Laura.”
Laura looked at him without a word. Ramrod straight, she could pass for a piece of statuary if it wasn’t for the light breeze ruffling her curls.
“You are angry.”
“Why have you come, your Grace?”
“To speak to you, Laura.”
“I do not recall giving you the use of my name.”
“My apologies. I meant no disrespect. I have become accustomed to using it in my thoughts.”
Gone was Laura’s control. Anthony always had that effect on her. She was reserved to the point of shyness with others. But with Anthony, she never stopped to think. Now her anger boiled over like volcanic lava. “Of all the barefaced lies! What do you mean by that? You haven’t spared me one measly thought!”
Anthony caught hold of Laura’s hands but she jerked free.
“Why are you here? Did Gareth send for you?”
“Did you think I would not come?” Anthony asked, smiling.
Darn the man and his dimples! Laura made a valiant effort to hold on to her anger. “What else could I think? You had made it clear that you had no interest in me.”
Anthony availed himself of her hands and led her to one of the rustic seats. “That was unpardonable of me. My abject apologies. I shall suit actions to words and go down on my knees. I only hope the grass stains will not cause my valet to have an apoplexy.”
Laura’s lips quivered but she did not say anything until he started to kneel.
“That will be enough, your Grace. I don’t see why your valet should be punished for your sins.”
“What can be a greater punishment than to have you persist in calling me your Grace?”
Laura smiled but tears came unbidden into her eyes. “It is I who was in the wrong. You must think me a ninny to mistake you for Annie’s kidnapper.”
Anthony became serious. “How can I think that? You saved Annie’s life. Stubbs told the police Philip was bent upon killing her. He wanted to create false evidence that would implicate me.”
“He almost succeeded. When I found her she was burning with fever and unconscious.”
“She remembers being taken to the house and given something to drink. How did you find her?”
Laura told him everything, starting with her work at the children’s home, befriending Annie, and her fortuitous meeting with Sam.
“Sam was lucky Philip didn’t catch him spying. He has committed some terrible crimes. He may even have caused Edward’s death.”
“Edward?”
“My brother. He was the heir.”
Laura nodded as Anthony told her about how strange it was for Edward to sink in the lake. She kept nodding and playing with the end of her sash. Was he never going to talk about them?
***
Anthony knew he was talking drivel. Edward’s drowning when he was three sheets to the wind was not a suitable topic to converse with a young lady.
He wasn’t sure Laura was still in love with him. Other than demanding why he hadn’t been to see her, she had not given any indication. He would embarrass her if he said anything. He should have spoken to Gareth first.
He had wanted to give her time. It was the right thing to do. If she changed her mind and chose someone closer to her age, who was unencumbered, and not mired in scandal, he would be happy for her.
Until he had met Lord Auroville three days ago. The insolent pup wanted help in getting an invitation to Daventon Manor, so that he could woo her.
***
“Have Lord Nethercote and Lady Fanny set a date, your Grace?” Laura asked.
“Not yet. Fanny wants me to give her away. She was briefly married to my brother.”
Laura’s eyes widened. “I did not know that.”
“Nobody outside our families does. My father got the marriage annulled. He blamed me for my role in it. I was branded a romantic fool in his eyes and unworthy of the Wimberley name. He did not trust me and saw to it that I made an alliance of his choice. He was a hard man. He punished Fanny by vilifying her.”
“Flighty Fanny,” Laura murmured.
“She was my friend before she became my sister-in-law. My brother is gone and the marriage did not last for more than a month. But Fanny will always remain dear to me. She is my sister by marriage.”
Laura guessed there was more to the story. Perhaps Anthony would tell her some day.
“What about Annie?” she asked, her face heating up. She had already decided there must have been a strong reason for Anthony to have broken his marriage vows. But it had bothered her. It still did.
“I wanted to bring up Annie as my daughter. I took her to Harrogate. My mother would not have it.”
“Why? Does she not want her son to make amends?”
“She would rather her husband had made them,” Anthony said.
Laura stared at Anthony. “Are you saying your father is the sire? Was her mother his...his?”
“Annie’s mother was not his mistress. I cannot sully your ears with the truth. It is both shameful and revolting.”
“I am not a sheltered miss, Anthony. I understood many things by visiting the children’s home. I can guess to what you are alluding.”
Looking sick, Anthony said, “Her mother was a scullery maid at his friend’s townhouse. She did not want his attentions.”
Laura did not know what to say. She rested her hand on his arm.
“Laura, he was my hero. I’d looked up to him for years. I thought he was fair and just. I knew he was a hard man but did not think him depraved. I thought he disgraced Fanny because he believed she had trapped Edward.
“The night Annie’s uncle accosted me and told me the facts about her birth, I was shattered. I could see he spoke the truth but I refused to believe it. I made inquiries with the friend in whose townhouse Annie’s mother used to work. The man blamed her. He said she did not know her place. She ought not to have resisted. She was comely enough to find a protector. He had thrown her out because she had kicked up a fuss. He was glad she was dead.”
“Is that why you pretended that Annie was your daughter?” Laura asked.
“I did that for my mother’s sake. I wanted to shield her. Her heart is weak. I also wanted to protect my sister. When I arrived at Harrogate, the rumors had already reached my mother. Annie is a Wimberley in looks. My mother couldn’t dispute that. But she refused to accept that Annie was mine. She did not stop asking questions until the lie was out.”
“She must have been exceedingly shocked,” Laura said.
Anthony smiled. “She told me she was relieved. She couldn’t have borne it if it was me. Edward, perhaps, but not me.”
“Why doesn’t she want you to adopt Annie?”
“She fears that will prevent me from finding a suitable wife.”
Laura felt her heart sink. Anthony was looking for a suitable wife. He had not come to offer for her. He must have come to call on Gareth. She stole a look at his profile. He looked brooding. What was he going to tell her that made him look so serious?
And then she knew. He had come to tell her that she was to forget him. He was a gentleman. He had raised expectations in her. Expectations he now found he could not fulfill.
This was the end. She had expected it when the days had passed by and he had not come. But a flicker of hope had persisted. Now he had come but only to extinguish that hope.