“Finally,” Harriet said to herself as she descended the steps of the estate. One of her maids had informed her that her most awaited guest had finally made an appearance, and she could not get herself down those steps fast enough.
“Your Grace, the duchess awaits your presence in the drawing room,” one of the maids informed Harriet, who did not need to be told twice as she dashed over to the drawing room.
“Esther! Oh, you’re here,” Harriet embraced her sister tightly.
“I came as soon as I possibly could,” her older sister replied, her tone laced with concern. “Now, you must tell me, what was the reason that you summoned me so urgently?”
Harriet looked to one of her maids who was standing at the doorway, “May I please have a moment alone with the duchess?”
“Of course, Your Grace,” she nodded and promptly left the room.
“What is with all this secrecy?” Esther inquired. “You have me believing it is really something quite serious.”
Harriet grabbed her sister’s hands, and guided her down the sofa so that both of them could sit first. “I am afraid that it is. I need your help with…” She paused, wondering what the right words to use were. “… A child.”
“A child?” Esther stood up immediately, a smile spread across. “Oh, Harriet. Whatwonderfulnews. You should have told me in the letter — this is nothing to hide.”
Esther’s joy quickly turned into confusion when Harriet resisted her attempts at a congratulatory hug.
“It’s not quite what you’re thinking…” Harriet said as she pushed her away.
“Not quite what I am thinking?” Esther asked, one of her eyebrows rising until it formed a defined arch.
“Yes, well,” Harriet played with the front of her dress. Telling her sister was proving to be more difficult than she imagined. “I need your help in taking care of a child, but it is not mine.”
“Not yours?” Esther asked, looking entirely dumbfounded, “Whose is it, then? And why do you have to take of it?”
“I would quite like it if your questions did not have so much of a judgmental undertone…” Harriet sighed.
“No — I didn’t mean to come across as judgmental. But what you’re describing has left me with more questions than answers.” Esther’s face pulled down into a frown.
“I suppose I should be more clear,” Harriet nodded, steeling herself. “A few days ago, a child was delivered to the estate steps. No more than a year old and with nothing but a small note that had her name in it.”
Esther gasped, bringing one of her hands to cover her mouth. “Who could do such a thing to a small baby?”
Harriet shrugged her shoulders. “I do not know. People do all manner of ridiculous things. But now I cannot simply dispose of her. Truthfully, she is quite stealthy in the way that she attaches herself to your heart. But I have no experience in taking care of a child. I sought out your help as you are the only person I know who is a complete natural when it comes to children.”
Esther nodded, trying to take in all of the information. Harriet was not surprised that it was too much for her. But compared to how their mother Albina would likely react, Esther’s reaction was quite tame.
“I see,” Esther struggled to keep her expression even, “And you have no information on where this child appeared from?Children do not manifest out of thin air — this baby likely has parents who are somehow connected to you.”
“Or my husband,” Harriet muttered under her breath.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” Harriet changed the topic, “I am not too concerned about who the parents are at this moment. The duke has taken it as his responsibility to find that out.”
Esther nodded, reluctantly. “Surely, the duke must have been quite stunned to see this happen. I have heard of babies being left in baskets in gossip or read about it in books, but never has it happened to anyone I know personally.”
Always a first with me,Harriet thought to herself. She was not sure whether to think of herself as unique, or just blessed with bad luck.
“Well, this is your chance to witness it in reality,” Harriet said. “As far as the duke’s reaction is concerned, well, it was news that shocked him enough to return home.”
“Was he away for a business trip again?”
Harriet smiled, knowing that she could not hold the secret much longer. “Esther, have you ever thought it odd that the duke was always away whenever you visited?”
“It has been unfortunate that neither Phillip or I have been able to spend time with him since your wedding. But that is because he was busy with business engagements, was he not?” Esther asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.
