Nurse Whitney had silently entered the room behind him and now stood there, peering over his shoulder. Irritation flashed through him. It was the first time he’d laid eyes on her in several months, which suited him perfectly. He’d never liked the meddlesome woman.
“Dash it, Winnie. Don’t skulk about and sneak up on people.”
“Me, the one to skulk and sneak? That’s the pot calling the kettle black. You wouldn’t be so skittish, if you didn’t have something to hide. But then, you do, don’t you?”
“Rubbish.” He jabbed his brush into the paint. “Save your mummery for someone who believes it.”
“Wesley...” Kate admonished. Then she turned and said sweetly, “Winnie, we were just going to ring for tea, if you’d like to stay and join us.”
Wesley pushed back his stool with a whining protest and rose abruptly. “If you ladies will excuse me, that’s my cue to go and find something stronger.” He stalked from the room.
Miss Whitney had always brought out the worst in him, Wesley realized. He knew she’d do anything to protect her darling Master Stephen—and now apparently his new wife as well.
Sophie watched Wesley go, wondering at his overreaction to his former nurse, then turned back to the other two ladies.
Winnie said, “Thank you, Miss Katherine. But I shan’t stay long. I only wanted to see how Mrs. Overtree fares today.”
“I am well, Winnie. Thank you,” Sophie replied.
“And why shouldn’t she be well?” Kate asked with a little frown of concern. “Sophie, have you a cold or something you’ve not mentioned?”
“No.”
“Never said she had a cold, Miss Katherine,” Winnie corrected. “But she has a child on the way, and had better take care of herself.”
“A child?” Kate swiveled to look at Sophie, mouth ajar. “Have you? Has Winnie divined a secret?”
For a moment, Sophie sat there as stunned as Kate. But then she thought of the child-rearing book she’d received more than a month ago. Apparently, Winniehadlearned her secret one way or another. She felt herself grow warm and self-conscious under their dual gazes. “Um... yes. I am expecting. But how did you—?”
“Oh, Sophie, that’s wonderful!” Kate beamed, throwing her arms around her where she sat. “Does Stephen know?”
“Yes, the father knows,” Winnie answered for her. “Only recently found out.”
Sophie looked up at the elderly woman, startled anew. What did she mean? Did she suspect Wesley was the father?
“Do Mamma and Papa know?” Kate asked.
“I don’t believe so,” Sophie said.Not unless Wesley told them, she added to herself.
“Another little Overtree on the way!” Winnie rubbed her hands together. “How marvelous.”
Kate smiled. “I am so happy for you. When is it to be?”
Sophie hesitated. “I am not certain... exactly. Late this autumn, I imagine.”
“Excellent! Then I shall not be the youngest Overtree for long! What a welcome-home gift for Stephen that will be.”
Sophie managed a smile, hoping Stephen’s parents were as accepting as his sister was.
“When will you announce the news?” Kate asked.
“Well, it isn’t something one generally blurts out in mixed company.”
“May we tell Mamma at least? She will be so happy.”
“Will she?” Sophie asked softly, stomach twisting. Something told her Mrs. Overtree would ask far more questions than innocent young Kate.
That evening after dinner, the men remained behind over port, and the women withdrew to the white parlour to wait for them as usual. Mrs. Overtree seemed little given to conversation that night, worried as she was about Stephen. News had reached them that Wellington was preparing for battle in Belgium. Sophie didn’t blame the woman. She was worried too.
