Page 76 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

“You believed it was convenient.”

Her chin lifted. “I believed it was best.”

Leopold took one measured step forward. “Placing a baby whose origins we have not yet established into an orphanage is not what is best.” His voice remained controlled. “It is what is convenient.”

His mother folded her hands before her. “The scandal grows larger every week.”

“I am aware.”

“You are allowing it to grow.”

“I am refusing to abandon a child.”

“A child who has no connection to this family.”

Leopold’s expression hardened. “We do not know that.”

She looked at him steadily. “We know enough.”

“No.” He shook his head once. “We know almost nothing.”

The room fell quiet. Honora shifted Cecily slightly higher against her shoulder. The baby rested one hand against Honora’s collar without making a sound.

Leopold spoke again. “You have opposed keeping her from the day she arrived.”

“I have.”

“You have tried more than once to send her away.”

She did not deny it. “I have.”

“You arranged correspondence without telling me.”

“I did.”

Leopold looked at her for a long moment. Then he asked, very quietly, “Do you know something about this child that you have not told me?”

Silence. His mother did not move. For one long moment, Honora thought she might answer.

Instead she said, “No.”

Leopold’s eyes remained on hers. “I do not believe you.”

Neither of them spoke. The quiet between them seemed heavier than the argument itself.

Finally, his mother inclined her head with perfect dignity. “You are entitled to your opinion.” She crossed the room without another word.

Honora stepped back into the shadows before Her Grace reached the doorway. The Dowager Duchess passed so close that Honora caught the faint scent of lavender before she disappeared down the corridor.

A moment later Leopold came out of the drawing room. His expression remained unreadable. He paused in the hall as though considering whether to follow his mother. Instead, he stood alone for several seconds before turning toward his study.

Honora waited until he had disappeared before continuing upstairs. Only once she had closed the nursery door behind her did she realize her own heart was beating faster.

Cecily patted her cheek.

Honora kissed the top of her head. “I know,” she whispered, “though I do not understand it either.”

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