Page 16 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

The article had managed to say very little and imply quite a lot.

An Infant at Belgrave.

A Mystery on the Duke’s Steps.

Rumors Circulate Regarding the Newest Addition to the Household.

Leopold lowered the paper with a look of flat disgust.

“It is impressive,” he muttered, “how quickly they can become tiresome.”

The door opened without a knock, which told him who it was before he looked up.

His mother entered dressed for the morning but composed as though for battle. “You have not sent it away.”

Leopold set the newspaper down with deliberate care. “Good morning to you as well, Mother.”

“Do not be flippant. I have read the same paper you have.” Her gaze moved to the discarded pages, then back to him. “An Infant at Belgrave. Do you understand what that will do to this family?”

“I understand what an empty nursery would do to a child who has done nothing wrong.”

“That is sentiment, not sense. The scandal is growing, and you feed it more with every day she remains under this roof.”

“The story will write itself regardless of where she sleeps.”

“Not if she is placed somewhere quiet until this passes.”

“No.”

His mother’s chin lifted. “You are making a mistake.”

“Perhaps. She stays until I know where she came from. That is not a position I intend to argue further.”

“And how do you propose to manage an infant in this house, when you cannot manage your own correspondence?”

“I have written to an agency. I expect candidates for a nursemaid today.”

“How efficient of you.”

“I thought so.”

She studied him the way she might study a ledger that refused to balance. “You will regret this.”

“Then I will regret it as the Duke of Belgrave, not as a man who sent a child away because it was easier.”

His mother said nothing further. She turned and left the room without argument, and without closing the door behind her. Barnaby appeared in the doorway a moment later and looked toward the hall. “Your mother has the air of a woman who has just lost an argument and intends to make everyone pay for the inconvenience.”

Leopold picked up the paper again. “She wants the child gone.”

“Yes, I gathered that from the temperature she left behind.”

“She was alarmed before the scandal reached print.”

Barnaby’s amusement faded. “That is worth noting.”

He paused, growing serious. “I have been looking into the shawl.”

Leopold looked up. “And?”