Page 88 of A Mother for the Blind Duke’s Orphans

Hector froze. “It is practical.”

Jasper groaned. “God help that woman.”

Hector did not answer. He was already thinking through arrangements, permissions, and timing. He thought of Poppy’s face when she saw his plan in action.

At the door, Jasper called, “Sterling. If this fails, try saying something kind aloud. That would be revolutionary, I know it.”

Hector’s hand rested on the door handle.

“I shall consider it,” he said as he left his friend behind to pursue treasures for his wife.

Chapter Nineteen

“Are you all right?” Poppy asked Hector.

“Yes,” he answered flatly and continued eating his breakfast.

Poppy noticed that Hector had been too quiet at breakfast. She had watched him over the rim of her teacup and waited for him to speak, but he did not. She worried that perhaps he would change his mind about the fortress and planned to tell them to take it down. Poppy glanced at Aurora and Princess beside her. They copied their uncle’s stern quietness as well until finally breakfast ended and Mr. Clarke appeared at the door.

“Your Grace, your guests have arrived.”

Poppy looked at Hector.

He rose, cane in hand, and said, “Meet me in the drawing room once you and the children are ready.”

He inclined his head with maddening composure and turned toward the door.

Poppy frowned. She looked at Mrs. Patterson for an answer, but the housekeeper shrugged in confusion.

“Is Uncle Hector upset?” Aurora whispered.

“I do not believe so, darling.” Poppy moved a loose curl away from Aurora’s eyes.

Not long after his departure, she made her way to the drawing room with Aurora beside her and Princess in Annabelle’s arms. Every step increased her suspicion until they reached the drawing room. Poppy stepped inside, prepared for some grave announcement, perhaps a new tutor, perhaps a physician, perhaps some matter concerning the estate that Hector had inexplicably decided required the presence of two little girls.

When she entered the drawing room, she froze in an instant.

“Julia!” Poppy gasped. She could hardly believe her eyes.

Julia stood near the center of the room, smiling as though she had been holding the expression in place for several minutes and could bear the waiting no longer. Leander stood beside her, and Thomas close at hand with his nanny.

“Poppy, His Grace sent word, and we came⁠—”

Poppy gently let go of Aurora’s hand and crossed the room so quickly that she forgot the dignity expected of a duchess. Julia met her halfway, and the sisters embraced with the force of all the words they had not written and all the worries they had not wished to confess.

“I cannot believe that you are here,” Poppy said, drawing back only enough to see her sister’s face. “I meant to plan a visit soon.”

“Poppy, you just got married and had a family to care for.” Poppy laughed, and the sound came out unsteadier than she meant it to.

Family.

“Oh! You remember Aurora and Princess?” She motioned to Aurora to approach them.

“Of course I do.” Julia beamed as she knelt before Aurora, who blushed with shyness.

“Aunt J…J…Julia,” she whispered nervously.

Aurora’s memory always surprised Poppy. She left the two of them to talk, and she turned at once toward Hector. His expression remained composed and calm. Poppy felt a sudden rush of compassion for the man before her.