Page 51 of The Chef and the Countess

“How long did you know my mum?”

“Not long,” Liam replied. “I was eighteen and unwise, but that’s no excuse.”

“Why didn’t she tell you? About me?”

“Molly Clahane was a good woman. She must have had her reasons. Maybe she assumed I wasn’t ready to be a father. And I wasn’t. I still had growing up to do.”

Tommy’s brows furrowed. “But she could have told you later. And told me when I got older. Mum never said anything about you until she placed me at the workhouse.”

“That was your mum’s decision, and we must respect it, yeah?”

“Aye. I suppose you’re right. Did you have a father?”

Liam shook his head. “I had an upbringing much like yours, only worse. I’ll tell you about it someday. I only just found out who my father was.”

“Oh,” Tommy whispered. “You’re a bastard like me.”

“Lad, don’t use that word. It’s society’s way of shaming those of us who came from unfortunate backgrounds.”

“They called us that at the workhouse,” Tommy whispered. “Whether we were or not.”

“I’m sorry. Forget it, lad. You don’t want to dwell on it.”

“Mum told the dressmaker shop she was a widow.”

“She did it so you both could have a roof over your head and food on the table. Your mother would never have been given the job at the shop if they had discovered she was unmarried with a child. Such is society’s harsh and unfair judgment. Maybe someday, the government will acknowledge children born outside marriage as equals. Until then, we look out for each other.”

“What happens now?” Tommy asked.

The frank discussion fascinated Celia.

“There is a room upstairs,” Liam ventured. “You can move in there. It’s larger than the one you’re in now.”

“What about Teddy and Timmy?”

“They’re apprentices and will stay in the room behind the kitchen.”

Tommy frowned. “Timmy looked after me in the workhouse, and when we left and met up with Teddy, Teddy protected us from the coppers, crooks, and other bad ones on the street. He found us food and places to sleep.” Tommy’s voice raised with each sentence. “I’ll not leave them below stairs. No!”

Tommy’s emotional outburst obviously surprised Liam, judging by his reaction.

“We don’t have to decide on living arrangements right now,” Celia offered gently. “Why not talk to Timmy and Teddy first and see what they say? Explain about Liam being your—being—”

“My father?” Tommy offered softly.

“Yes. Take your time, both of you, to adjust to this new situation.” Celia blushed. “Sorry. I should not be offering my opinion.”

“I don’t mind,” Liam replied.

“Me neither,” Tommy added, quickly over his burst of anger. He swung his gaze to Liam. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were in Bethnal Green when you found me?”

“Well, you were tired and sickly, and I wanted to give you time to recover and feel safe in your new surroundings. Why didn’t you mention it to me, then?”

“I wasn’t sure I could trust you. I wanted to see if the job you offered was real,” Tommy replied quietly.

“Very wise.”

“So, when can we tell everyone else?” Tommy asked.