AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pull back, taking a deep breath. “I have to tell the Count about the baby.”
“You’re going to keep it?” she asks, eyebrows arching.
I grind my teeth. “Yes.” My eyes flash, daring her to protest. Shame smarts my skin as I gulp down my fear. I nod. “I’m keeping it. It’s the only thing that feels good right now.”
“And the Duke?”
I take a deep breath, remembering the chill in his voice. I shake my head. “Our relationship wasn’t what I thought it was.”
Maggie bites the inside of her cheek, her brows drawing together. She drops her hand to mine, squeezing gently. “I’m proud of you, Ada.”
“For getting knocked up?”
“For staying true to yourself.” She wraps me in another hug, pulling back to look me in the eye. “When you tell the Count about the baby, tell him that I’m still willing to marry him if your pregnancy is a dealbreaker.”
“Even though he refused you for me? Maggie—”
“I’ll do it,” my sister says, nodding once. She gives me a tight hug, but I don’t think she realizes how much it means to me.
Even though I’m pregnant with another man’s child. Even though her supposed future fiancé rejected her for me. Even though I’ve been irresponsible and silly and naive, she’s still right here beside me. Ready to take the load on her shoulders. Ready to give up her life and happiness for me. For the family.
I don’t deserve her.
The next day I find myself standing in another man’s living room, staring out a different window at a very similar landscape. A few fresh inches of snow fell overnight, the glittering blanket of white almost blinding in the midday sun.
A sound behind me makes me turn. I give Count Gregory a small curtsy, bowing my head. My expression remains neutral.
Ever since my visit with the Duke of Blythe, it feels like my emotions have been locked away somewhere deep. The Count’s dark eyes stare at me over his long nose, but his gaze doesn’t make me feel sick. There’s no prickling of the hair on the back of my neck, or slithering disgust crawling down my spine.
Just…nothing. I’m empty.
When I straighten up again, the Count gestures to a small bar at the side of the room. “Drink?”
I shake my head, resisting the urge to put a hand to my stomach. Ever since I took those pregnancy tests, it’s like a protective instinct has flared inside me. I’m constantly touching my stomach, shielding it from anything and everything.
Today, though, I force myself to stand tall.
Count Gregory pours himself a drink, a big ice cube clinking against the crystal glass. He raises it to his lips, watching me over the rim. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today,” he says, gesturing to a long sofa. “Your mother told me you were ill last night.”
I perch myself on the edge of the couch, nodding. “Yes. I apologize for my…hasty exit.”
“You’re here to tell me your answer to my proposal.”
“I am.”
The Count sits opposite me, leaning back on the sofa and crossing his legs. He looks completely at ease, comfortable in the knowledge that he’s in control. He’s blessed me with a proposal, and I’m here to show my gratitude.
Isn’t that what this is? I should kiss his feet for helping my poor family.
The only hurdle is the baby growing inside me.
I take a deep breath, straightening my spine. I clasp my hands on my lap, lifting my eyes to his. “Before we go any further, there’s something I need to tell you.”
The Count’s body stays completely relaxed. He doesn’t move at all, except for an almost imperceptible twitch of his eyebrow.
Blood pumps hard through my veins, and fear arcs up inside me. I know I need to tell him. I can’t marry him without him knowing I’m carrying another man’s child.
But—this could ruin everything. I’ve already lost the Duke, and now I’ll ruin my family’s future, too.
