“Now all we can do is wait,” Simon pressed his lips together. “If I know Tobias, the answer will be with us very soon.”
CHAPTER 15
It was late when Simon finally returned to the estate. The grand house was mostly dark, save for a few flickering lamps that lined the halls, casting long shadows as he made his way through the quiet corridors.
The events of the day weighed heavily on him, and though his mind was still occupied with thoughts of his brother, he found himself heading toward Harriet’s room almost instinctively.
He had not seen her all day. Even though it was late into the night, he wondered what she might be doing.
When he reached the door, he paused, considering whether to enter.
She would likely be asleep by now,he wrestled with himself. But something urged him to check on her, to ensure that she and the baby were well.
It was becoming something of a habit for him to do that each night. Knowing that Harriet had recently moved Catherine’s cot to her own room, he made his way there, slinking around the door for a moment before gently pushing it open, being careful not to make a sound.
The room was dimly lit by a single candle on the nightstand, its soft glow revealing Harriet lying on the bed, sound asleep. Next to her, in a small cradle, lay the baby, who was also fast asleep.
The sight arose an unexpected feeling inside of Simon — warming his heart in a way that he could not explain but it was there, undeniable and persistent.
He moved closer to the bed, his gaze shifting between Harriet and the baby.
They both looked so peaceful, and for a moment, Simon simply stood there, watching them, feeling oddly content in their presence.
The sound of Harriet’s rhythmic breathing indicated that she was sound asleep. Yet somehow, she still appeared to be protecting Catherine. It was embedded in her aura.
The thought made the corners of his mouth twitch into a smile.
Harriet looks like she born to be a mother. Some women just are.
But then, practical concerns took over. He thought it would be best to move the baby to the nursery, where she would be more comfortable, and where Harriet could get a proper rest. Simon carefully reached down and lifted the baby, cradling her awkwardly in his arms. Cathy stirred slightly but remained asleep as he carried her out of the room and down the hallway.
As Simon entered the baby’s room, Cathy began to squirm in his arms. Her little face scrunched up, and before Simon could react, she let out a loud, wailing cry that echoed throughout the quiet house.
Panic gripped him. Simon had never dealt with a crying baby before — he had no idea what to do. His first instinct was to tell her to stop, as though reasoning with a tiny, confused human would work.
“Stop that,” Simon whispered urgently, his voice a little harsher than he intended. “Hush now, there’s no need for all this noise.”
Cathy’s cries only grew louder, her tiny fists waving in the air as if protesting his lack of understanding. Simon frowned, feeling utterly helpless.
He was the Duke of Atherton, accustomed to command and control, yet here he was, utterly at a loss because of a crying infant.
He tried to soothe her with more words, still not quite realizing how futile it was.
“I am your guardian, and I order you to be silent,” he said, his tone almost comically authoritative for addressing a baby. “This ismostimproper behavior, young lady.”
But Cathy was unimpressed by him pulling rank and continued crying, her little face red with the effort.
Simon sighed, frustration mixing with a strange sort of tenderness.
Addressing the baby as the duke was not proving to be a useful strategy.
What would Harriet do?He racked his brain for a possible answer. He remembered how the baby had laughed in his presence before, but she seemed to have forgotten all about it.
“Perhaps I should try rocking you,” his tone was miserable as he adjusted his grip, bringing little Catherine closer to his chest.
He began to pace the room, his steps slow and measured as he tried to emulate the soothing motion he had seen Harriet use.
“Shhh,” he murmured, his voice much softer now. “There, there… no need for tears.”
