Page 27 of A Debt Inherited

“Not yet.”

Outside, a rook crossed the pale window and was gone.

“Then he is to marry in haste.”

Lady Isobel held her gaze. “Yes.”

For the first time, Lady Catriona’s hand tightened upon the arm of her chair. The motion passed quickly, but it had occurred. Lady Isobel took no comfort from it. A woman might be startled and still bargain.

“You asked me here to tell me there is already a child.”

“No.”

Lady Catriona’s eyes did not leave hers.

Lady Isobel said, “I asked you here because there may be.”

A silence followed, too composed to be peace.

“And if there is?”

“Then its sex will decide whether you enter Glenbride as Lord Ashby’s wife only—or as mother to the heir Scotland is permitted to acknowledge.”

Lady Catriona looked at the untouched cake, the folded napkins, the cup Lady Isobel had poured with such care. “A daughter may be hidden.”

“Provided for.”

“Hidden,” Lady Catriona said.

Lady Isobel accepted the correction because it was deserved.

“And a son?”

Lady Isobel’s voice did not change. “A son cannot be hidden if Lord Ashby means Glenbride to remain in his line.”

Lady Catriona sat very still. “Whose child is it?”

Lady Isobel looked at her until the question lost the last of its innocence.

“The child Scotland will call yours,” Lady Isobel said, “if you desire to be the Countess of Ashby.”

* * *

Glenbride House, Edinburgh, September 1787

Lady Isobel read the notice again, though she knew every word of it.

Across from her, Alexander Kerr bent over a slice of bread and honey with the grave attention of a child determined not to soil his cuff. He had Marjorie’s mouth. No printed lie could alter that.

The paper lay open beside her plate.

The Caledonian Mercury

Edinburgh, Friday, 27 July 1787

Births

At Lausanne, upon the 14th instant, the Countess of Ashby was safely delivered of a son and heir. Her ladyship and the infant are said to do well. Lord Ashby, who has remained abroad these several months for the benefit of her ladyship’s health, is expected to return to Scotland in the autumn with his family.