Page 130 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

Sabina looked up. “Nothing.”

He raised a brow.

“Nothing deliberately.”

Barnaby folded his arms. “That is reassuring.”

Sabina ignored him. “I have something for you.” She handed the letter to Leopold.

He read the first lines and recognized Isolde’s hand. “She sent this to The Morning Post.”

“Yes.”

Leopold’s jaw tightened. “She has wasted no time.”

Barnaby shook his head. “I told you she would not.”

Sabina nodded toward the paper. “She has written her version already. I thought you ought to see it before tomorrow.”

Leopold unfolded it fully. The letter was exactly what he expected, even claiming Honora as Cecily’s mother. Despite the lack of surprise, Leopold’s anger rose rapidly and untempered.

Sabina’s mouth tightened as she watched him read.

“She has enough truth in there to make people believe the rest.”

Leopold folded the letter.

“I have written letters of my own,” he said.

Sabina frowned.

“That is good,” she said. “But it will hardly be enough. Not with the way gossip spreads in London.” She paused, a smile slowly replacing her scowl. “And that is exactly why I have already written to three families in the county who know the Bellamy family. I have asked them all to confirm that Miss Bellamy is who she says she is, as well as her relation to little Cecily.”

Leopold stared at her dumbly. “You did this already? In such a short time?”

“The instant I saw this.”

Barnaby smiled. “You move quickly.”

“So does Isolde.” Sabina looked at Leopold again. “She will not be the only woman allowed to write a story about the biggest gossip in London this month.”

Leopold nodded slowly. “Thank you.”

Sabina waved the gratitude away. “She helped herself to the advantage of being believed. I am simply helping remove it.”

Barnaby was still looking at her. Leopold noticed that he had not looked away since she started speaking.

Sabina glanced at him. “You are staring.”

“I am listening.”

“To me breathing just now?”

Barnaby shrugged. “I have been accused of worse.”

“You have been accused of better, too.”

It was her turn to smile, and Leopold noticed a faint flush on her cheeks. With a cheerful wave, she opened the door and left.