Page 79 of A Mother for the Blind Duke’s Orphans

“All right,” he agreed, gruff as ever.

Poppy’s silence lasted half a heartbeat too long, and he noticed the small, appreciative smile.

In that moment, he knew that he had fooled no one.

Not Aurora, who gave a small, delighted gasp.

Not Poppy, whose presence seemed to alter the air.

And most certainly not himself.

Chapter Seventeen

“Thank you, Annabelle.” The lady’s maid placed Princess gently into Poppy’s arms; her little head lolled to the side as she slept peacefully.

Poppy leaned closer to her friend and whispered so only she would hear. “You may leave us.”

“Enjoy, Your Grace,” Annabelle whispered back.

She offered Poppy a knowing smile and squeezed her hand for luck before she disappeared down the corridor. Aurora had already entered the room, overly ecstatic that she would have guests, and she got to show off her newest addition.

Poppy had delayed the reveal of Aurora’s room to Hector long enough. At first, she told herself that Aurora needed time to grow accustomed to the new arrangement. Then that Princess must have one more peaceful night before any disruptions. Then that Hector was occupied, or tired, or in one of those silent moods that made the air around him seem colder than the rest of the house.

None of it was false, but none of it was the full truth either. The truth was that she did not know what to expect from Hector when he saw the changes she had made to help the girls settle down. One of those changes was placing Princess in the same room as Aurora, which she was about to reveal to him as well.

“Poppy,” Hector’s voice echoed around her, and she felt the familiar shiver run up her spine whenever he was near.

She did not understand how he made her forget her senses just by calling her name and giving a mere look in her direction.

Poppy watched him approach her with an unreadable expression, and she could not predict whether he would soften or retreat in just a few minutes, but she had noticed that lately, he was not as cold as he used to be, and she hoped that it would remain that way. Poppy held her breath when he finally reached her. He towered over her, and his scent made her lightheaded.

“What is it that you wanted to show me?” he asked gruffly.

She gulped. “Firstly, you must promise not to get upset, and you have to understand the reason why I did this,” she spoke nervously.

Hector raised a dark brow and waited for her to continue.

“Princess has not been sleeping well alone. Aurora either. We tried leaving the doors open, and then moving the cradle to Aurora’s chamber, and then⁠—”

“Poppy,” he said with surprising gentleness.

She stopped speaking at once.

Hector turned his head slightly toward her. His eyes settled on her face and stayed there until she felt the familiar heat rise within her.

“You do not need to defend something I have not seen yet.” His calm tone reassured her.

“I was not defending it; I am merely nervous, and I was preparing you.” She spoke too fast.

Hector’s mouth twitched into a small smile. “That sounds ominous. What are you and the children hiding in there?”

Poppy exhaled as she patted Princess’s little back. “Shall we proceed?”

“After you.”

Poppy entered the girl’s chamber, and at the door, Mrs. Patterson shifted and took Princess from her arms. Princess stirred, made a soft protest, and settled deeper against the housekeeper’s chest.

“Thank you, Mrs. Patterson.”