“Dennis called on me just two days after my arrival. I thought he might have come to visit his daughter. She was nearly two years old by then, chattering nonstop and utterly adorable. But he did not care to see her.”
“What a beastly man! How could anyone not adore Madeline on sight?” Leah shook her head. And just when she didn’t think her opinion of Lord Dennis could sink any lower.
“My thought precisely. But, no. Dennis cared nothing for his offspring. Instead, the coward wished to ensure my silence. His father, the Duke of Westhampton, knew nothing of Dennis’s marriage to Susan or the birth of Madeline. Dennis was desperate to keep things that way, as Honoria wanted nothing to do with another woman’s child, and the duke would be horrified by Dennis’s actions—”
“As well he should be!”
“—and likely cut him off. But as Madeline’s true father, Dennis’s word has weight when it comes to her upbringing.”
“Even though he had the marriage annulled?”
Fox sighed at that. “Madeline’s case rests in an odd sort of limbo. She is many things at the same time: legitimate, but not; her father’s ward, but not. If she is illegitimate, I have the claim to her legally, as I am Madeline’s closest male relative. If she is legitimized, then Dennis has full legal claim as her father. I don’t want Madeline to suffer the stigma of illegitimacy, even if it means Dennis regaining his parental rights. Fortunately, Dennis wants nothing to do with his daughter.
“Therefore, Dennis and I struck a bargain that afternoon. I would never tell a soul of his marriage to Susan or his relationship to Madeline. I would keep Madeline’s existence quiet, to ensure no word reached the duke’s ear. And in return, he wouldn’t contest my suit in the Court of Arches and would allow Madeline to remain under my guardianship.”
“Hence the letters from the Archbishop of Canterbury,” Leah said. “Has the suit been settled yet?”
“No. That is why I must journey to London soon.”
Leah reached for her wine once more, needing the fortification it offered. “I assume that you are telling me this story now because the duke has found out?”
Fox nodded, expression so weary, so . . . devastated. “Yes. Instead of a letter from Dennis demanding I return Madeline to his paternal arms, I received a letter from His Grace. My solicitor warned me that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Westhampton were long-time friends. That if the Archbishop connected the dots and realized that D. Battleton in the court documents was Westhampton’s own son . . . well, needless to say, the whole affair would come to light. The letter I received from His Grace made it clear he knows everything. He and his duchess wish to meet their granddaughter.”
Something that tasted like panic rose in Leah’s throat. “Are they going to take our girl away from us?”
“I cannot say. Perhaps theydosimply wish to meet her. I have a passing acquaintance with the duke and duchess.”
“Ye have?”
“Yes. I accompanied Dennis on home leave more than once, so I understand why the man is fearful of his father’s wrath. The duke is, well, a duke.Formidablebest describes him. If His Grace intends to take Madeline away, I will fight it with everything I have. But . . .” His voice trailed off. “I am only her uncle.”
“Yes, but until the marriage is officially reinstated, ye are still her legal guardian, as ye said?”
Fox shook his head. “When it comes to dukes, I think that minor discrepancy is quickly overlooked. Westhampton could pressure the Court of Arches to reverse the marriage annulment tomorrow, I am sure. No matter how I look at it, the duke, as paterfamilias, holds all the legal strings when it comes to Madeline. He can snap his fingers and remove her from my care like that.”
Another tear slipped down Leah’s cheek. She swiped it away and stared at her damp fingers. How could she still have any to shed?
“How am I to bear this, too, Fox?” she whispered. “It’s too much grief, too much pain. How can we give her up?”
“Perhaps it will not come to that. I am Madeline’s blood relative, too. That will have to count for something.”
“But will it be enough?”
“I cannot say. Westhampton is a duke. They tend to get what they want. We will simply have to convince him that he doesn’t want Madeline.”
Leah gave a bitter laugh. “She is too easy to love. How could her grandparents not want her?”
“I know.” Fox moved to crouch before Leah once more, cradling her face and brushing away her tears with his thumbs.
He kissed her, so gently, so reverently.
“Come to bed.” He stood and pulled her with him. “We both could use some more rest. Perhaps tomorrow will provide a solution.”
Leah buried her face in his chest, letting him bear her up. She intended to ask him about his comment earlier. What he meant by sharing burdens ‘of those I love.’
But then he bent his head and kissed her, sending a hand into her hair, turning her knees to jelly.
And every other thought fled.
