Page 125 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

Leopold was quiet for a moment. “It means I know about Celestine.”

Honora’s heart sputtered weakly.

“That she was Cecily’s mother?”

Leopold nodded.

“More than that, I know who Cecily is.” He looked toward the carriage window. “And I know who you are.”

Honora’s hands stilled around the cloth. “You know that I am Cecily’s aunt? That she is my niece?”

“He told me something else, something neither you nor Celestine ever knew.”

Honora looked out at the passing road. For a long time, she said nothing. She was sure that if she told Leopold that she needed time to recover before he gave her difficult or emotional news, he would happily oblige. But she needed to know what had changed his mind so quickly about her. And what did he know that neither she nor Celestine knew?

“What did he tell you?” she asked at last.

Leopold’s expression changed. “Celestine was born at Belgrave.”

Honora stared at him.

“She was my parents’ daughter.” He paused, emotion cracking his voice as he spoke. “My sister.”

Honora’s mouth fell open.

“I do not understand,” she said slowly. “She was not truly my sister?”

“She was sent away from Belgrave because of her white skin and hair.” Leopold’s voice was controlled, but there was something underneath it now that Honora recognized as grief. “Your parents agreed to adopt her and keep it secret.”

Honora closed her eyes.

“Cecily is my niece, birthed by my biological sister.”

Honora was silent. The wheels rolled steadily beneath them, the road stretching ahead. She and Celestine had never tried to pretend that she was not different from the rest of their family.

However, they had all loved Celestine as though she was of their own blood. Honora was stunned to learn that she was her adopted sister. Yet she quickly found that she did not mind. Honora had worshipped her older sister, Celestine, and Celestine had adored her.

They had been as close as any sisters could ever be, and that would be what Honora always remembered. And Cecily would always be her niece, no matter whose blood she possessed. Nothing in the world could change the love Honora had for Celestine or Cecily.

“Celestine would have liked you,” she said after a while.

Leopold looked out the window. “I would have liked to know her.”

Honora looked at him. That was all he said. But it said a great deal.

They reached the nearest magistrate before returning to Belgrave. Statements were taken. The two men were arrested and taken into custody. Barnaby dealt with the remaining arrangements while Leopold answered questions as calmly as if this were merely another piece of estate business.

Honora stayed close to Cecily. And she stayed close to Leopold. His injuries were small, but she cleaned them properly when they were finally alone in the carriage again.

“You should have let someone else do this.”

“I needed to know you were all right.”

Honora looked at him. “I am.”

He studied her. “So is she.”

Honora glanced at Cecily. “She will be, once we can get her properly fed and warm and chase that cough away.”